It was ten PM by the time Luna reached the royal library. She had just finished raising the moon before setting a course for the archives. Ever since her return from the moon she has been reading every history book she could get her hooves on. A thousand years of being stuck on the moon had rendered the princess clueless about anything remotely modern. Luna's cheeks flushed as she remembered being taught by Celestia about how to use a toilet.
Shaking the image off her mind, Luna reached the history section of the library and magically retrieved various books about different times, technological advancements, and important historical events. It had been almost a month since the princess returned from her exile on the moon, and she could not feel more useless.
Everything she knew about the kingdom was outdated. The ancient times of war and chaos were long over, and the peace that now ruled over the land was completely foreign to Luna.
A sad sigh escaped Luna as she sat in a distant corner of the library and began reading in earnest. Even though she was happy that Equestria was a land free of strife and wars, she still missed the old days. She remembered when Canterlot castle was an impenetrable fortress of stone. She remembered the great dining hall, where she and her sister would dine with their knights and tell each other their adventures.
She remembered a time where she belonged.
Luna was very happy to return to Equestria, to have a chance to atone for her sins. But deep down, she knew that she did not belong here, in this time.
Everything she knew was no longer. Her dear friends were long gone, she had nopony to call a true friend, the guards never truly chatted with Luna whenever she tried to strike a conversation. They only responded in short sentences. But the nobles were even worse. At first, Luna thought that the nobles truly were glad of her return, but the sad truth was that they only saw her as a way of getting on Celestia's good side.
Luna closed the book she was 'reading'. She could not concentrate. Instead, she decided to go visit her sister in her office. Celestia should be finishing today's paperwork by now.
Nodding to herself, Luna returned each book to its rightful place before heading to Celestia's office, but there was just a tiny little problem Luna realized once she exited the library.
She had no idea where Celestia's office was.
That was another thing Luna had to re-learn, how to navigate through her own home. A thousand years is a long time for any building to not undergo a few renovations, and the Canterlot castle was no exception. Nothing in the castle was as Luna remembered it to be, and she really did not want to embarrass herself by asking one of the guards for directions.
"Perhaps the office is this way," Luna muttered to herself as she picked a random direction and started walking aimlessly. With nothing but the sound of her hoofsteps to accompany her, Luna quickly let her mind wander.
She thought back to the time before her banishment. A sad smile slowly crept up Luna's face as she remembered the fond times she had with her sister when they were just foals. She even giggled when a particularly funny memory crossed her mind. Unfortunately, these memories only brought brief joy; the sad reality quickly turned her smile into a more somber expression.
Luna almost did not hear somepony calling behind her. "Luna?"
Luna quickly turned around, heaving a sigh of relief once she spotted the very mare she was trying to find.
"Tia, it is good to see you," Luna said, approaching Celestia and nuzzling her neck fondly, which Celestia was more than happy to return.
"Indeed Luna, we barely see each other now. How was your day?"
"It was… fine, I presume. I was actually on my way from the library to find you."
"Oh really? Was there something you wanted to talk about?"
"W-Well, no, not really." Luna fidgeted in place. "I just... thought you might enjoy the company."
Celestia smiled brightly before moving besides Luna and laying a wing on her back. "I would be delighted, Luna. Would you like to take a stroll in the gardens? I hear they are most beautiful this hour."
Luna raised an eyebrow. "What would be so beautiful about the gardens at night?"
Celestia smirked as she started walking towards the gardens. "You'll see~" she sang.
Luna rolled her eyes but could not fight the small smile on her muzzle. Celestia was always the kind of mare who liked things to be out of the ordinary.
The rest of the walk was filled with idle chit-chat between the two sisters. Celestia would occasionally inquire about Luna’s social life, which the younger princess managed to avoid by changing the subject. Celestia, of course, noticed that, but chose to honor her sister's reluctance to talk about the subject. She understood that Luna was still adjusting this new era which she did not belong.
Before long, the princesses had reached the gardens, a place Luna had yet to visit, and as soon as Luna saw it her jaw hit the floor. Countless unique and exotic flowers dotted the ground and walls, shining with various bioluminescent hues and colors.
"It's…"
"Beatiful?" Celestia said, looking down at her sister. Luna could only nod. "This is not just any other garden. This section was designed with you in mind."
This seemed to snap Luna out of her shock. "With… me in mind?" Luna repeated.
Celestia nodded. "Yes. A few months before your return I ordered exotic seeds from the Zebrican jungles which I then planted here. I wanted to show you that even when some things sleep during the night, there are other things that show their beauty during the late hour. "
Luna was speechless. Words simply crumbled in her mouth and all she could feel was the deep love for her sister growing by the minute.
"Luna? Are you crying?"
Luna shook her head silently, wiping a few stray tears. "N-No Tia."
Celestia closed the gap between herself and Luna and hugged her tightly, as if afraid that she might fade from existence. Luna returned the hug, letting a few tears roll down her cheeks and onto Celestia's back. There are very few siblings who shared such a deep connection like Celestia and Luna. It was like a part of them was missing when the other was gone.
But as all things must, this tender moment, end. As Luna opened her eyes, still in her sister's hooves, she detected a small dot of light in the night's sky. The only distinguishable feature in had from the other millions of billions of stars was the fact the it was moving.
"What?" Luna slowly whispered.
Getting curious as well, Celestia broke the hug and turned around to see to moving dot of light. "Is this your doing sister?" Celestia asked.
Luna simply shook her head. "No Tia. I had not planned any meteor shower for tonight."
Before any of them could say no more, the dot of light suddenly became brighter and moved faster. It shot passed the mountain and hit the ground far below with a boom.
Luna and Celestia looked at each other with wide eyes. Their looks of shock changed into looks of resolve as the two nodded to each other. Something was off about that comet and they were going to find out what.
With mighty flaps of their wings, the two princesses leapt off the cliff edge and towards the newly created crater at the base of the mountain. But something seemed odd to them as they neared it.
"It's… tiny," Luna remarked, looking down at the crater that was way too small for something that fell from outer space.
"Be ready, Luna. This crater was not created by normal means," Celestia cried over the strong winds of the mountain. The two circled the crater from above, slowly waiting for the smoke to dissipate. As the smoke cleared, a shape could be seen at the very center of the crater.
The princesses exchanged looks before diving towards the house-sized crater and landed at the very edge of it.
The two princesses watched with awe as a figure rose from the center of the crater. The creature stood on shaky legs as it tried not to fall. Its body was clearly malnourished. Thin and pale like paper. It had a long silky-smooth blond mane cascading from the top of its head down all the way to its lower back.
As the creature became more visible, the princesses noticed another feature of its body.
"My goodness, Celestia, Look!" Luna choked, pointing a hoof towards the creature's back. Just below the shoulders there were two vertical gashes that still bled quite profoundly.
Celestia put a hoof on her mouth as she too stared with wide eyes at the injured creature. The thing moaned once, turning around slowly.
"W-Who's t-t-there?" it croaked. The creature turned around fully, revealing yet another horrifying feature. Both of his eye sockets were empty and bleeding as well.
Luna gasped. "It spoke!"
Hearing the princess' voice, the creature perked up as he wobbled slowly towards the two.
"Anybody..." it whispered. "...got something to eat?"
It collapsed.
Without missing a beat, Luna caught the creature.
"Luna what are you doing!?"
"I am *grunt* helping a helpless creature," Luna replied as she used her magic to place the creature on her back.
"But what if he's dangerous? We know nothing of it?"
"Sister look at him. He is hurt. He just passed out. I cannot leave this place in good conscious knowing that I condemned a living being by not taking action. I must save its life!"
Celestia sighed, she did not like it. She did not like it one bit. But her sister was right. She would not be able to live with herself knowing that her inaction has brought death to anyone.
"Then we must not waste any more time. Come Luna."
Luna nodded and carefully lifted herself off the ground. And with a powerful flap of her wings, she has taken off.
~6 hours later...~
Luna paced back and forth in front of the operating room. She had been waiting there since she brought the creature to the medical wing of the castle. Celestia also waited with her for the first hour and a half but Luna convinced her that she should rest.
The door creaked open and out came a mare with a surgical mask and rubber gloves on her front hooves.
"How is it, Doctor? Will it make it?"
The doctor removed her mask before looking up at the princess. A small smile graced her lips. "I believe so, your highness. I am sure that the creature will make a full recovery. Also we deduced that the creature is a 'he'."
Luna sighed in relief. She felt like a weight had been lifted from her back, making her realize just how tired she truly was. "That is good to know. Is there more information I should know regarding him?"
The doctor shifted uneasily in place, her smile gone. "Well… when we examined the creature with found some… disturbing revelations. The creature was obviously missing his eyes, but when we examined his eye sockets more closely we discovered small cuts around and inside the eye sockets themselves. Furthermore, the cuts around and inside his eye sockets matched the ones on his back. After closer examination we've discovered rope burns across the creature's wrists."
"Does that mean…" Luna put a hoof on across her mouth.
"We… believe that before you found him, the creature… he was, tortured."
"That is… horrible!" Luna exclaimed.
"I understand that you and princess Celestia would like to speak to him when he wakes up, yes?" The doctor asked. Luna nodded. "Then I advise extreme caution when approaching him. We fear that his mental state might be unstable after so much physical trauma."
Luna nodded again. "Thank you, doctor. May I see him now?"
The doctor looked back into the room before facing Luna. "We are actually about to transfer the creature into his own patient room where we could monitor his healing. Would you like to escort us?"
"I will. After you…"
The doctor spun around and walked into the dimly lit operation room. The staff inside was only momentarily surprised to see their princess but after a quick bow from everypony, the staff resumed putting everything back in place. There, lying on the operation table was the creature. His torso and upper face were bandaged.
Luna could not help but feel sorry for the creature. The very idea that somepony would torture another living being was simply… disgusting!
A moment later another nurse entered the room carrying a stretcher. The unicorns in the room all worked together to carefully lift the creature off the operation table and gently place him on the stretcher.
Luna followed as the nurse carrying the creature exited the operating table and towards one of the many patient rooms that dotted the medical wing.
After a brief walk, the nurse led Luna towards a room where she carefully placed the creature on a bed. The nurse bowed to Luna before making her exit.
Meanwhile, Luna kept looking at the unconscious creature.
"What are you?" she whispered to herself. What Luna did not expect was for the creature to react.
With a mighty gasp, the creature pulled himself into a sitting position on the bed. Caught off guard, Luna may or may not have let out a girlish scream. She scrambled towards the door of the room, her eyes wide and her heart pounding in her chest.
The creature did not fare any better. Luna's scream caused the creature to jerk wildly, making him fall off the bed and onto his face.
The creature groaned, whimpering occasionally as he tried to stand up, but every effort only ended with him back on the ground.
Realizing her mistake, Luna quickly approached the creature and helped him stand up. The creature's arms wrapped around the princess' neck for support. Luna could feel his rapid heartbeats.
"Are you alright? Did you hurt yourself?" Luna asked.
The creature took a few deep breaths, still clinging to Luna. "I-I-I think so… I feel kinda dizzy…"
"There is a bed next to you. Allow me to help you," Luna offered. The creature nodded and Luna helped the creature back on the bed.
"Why can't I see?" The creature asked.
Luna fidgeted in place. She was not ready to converse with the creature so soon. "We have… found you like this. Your eyes were gone and you had two gashes down your back. I have taken you to the medical wing as fast as I could to get your wounds properly treated."
"Oh… I see…" The creature tilted his head downwards. With the bandages covering the entirety of his upper face it was hard to gauge his emotions. "And… what is the name of my savior?"
"My name is Luna, co-ruler of Equestria. And what is your name?"
"My name is-" The creature suddenly stopped, his mouth opened slowly. "I…don't remember…" he whispered.
Luna raised an eyebrow "Pardon?"
"I don't remember my name," the creature repeated. He suddenly started to hyperventilate. "I don't remember anything!"
The creature grabbed his head and pushed it against his knees.
Luna feared that the creature might try to hurt himself but she did not know what to do. She did not possess the social skills like her sister to know how to handle a situation like that. Luna came to the creature's side, extended her wing, and awkwardly patted his back, mindful about his wounds.
The creature seemed to relax under Luna's touch. Encouraged by the reaction, Luna's strokes became longer and more confident until finally the creature relaxed fully.
"Th-thanks…" The creature almost whimpered, his voice hitched a few times. "I must look pathetic."
"You had every right to react the way you did. To lose one's memory. I cannot even imagine what you must be going through."
The creature managed to smile slightly, turning his head towards Luna. "Thank you princess. You are too kind." His smile vanished. "But what now?"
"Maybe you should adopt a new name. At least until your memory returns," Luna suggested.
The creature seemed to ponder on the idea. "I guess I do. But what should I call myself? You mind helping me princess?"
Luna smiled slightly and shook her head, only to realize that the creature cannot see. "I do not mind. And please, call me Luna."
The creature nodded. "Okay Luna, and thank you."
"You are welcome," Luna replied.
For the last couple of minutes Luna came up with different names, but none was to the creature's liking.
Luna sighed as the creature declined the last name she proposed.
'Picking names is harder than I thought,’ She thought to herself, looking over the window. Her eyes widened when she realized she had spent the entire night with the creature, as the first rays of sunlight bathed the skies with their orange glow.
'That's it!' she thought.
"How about we call you Morning Star?" Luna offered.
The creature stayed quiet for a moment, repeating the name a few times. Finally, he smiled widely as he turned to face Luna. "This name is perfect! From now I shall be known as Morning Star!"
Luna could not help but giggle at Morning Star's antics. It seems that he built up a lot of energy after he collapsed the other day. Suddenly there was a growling noise coming from Luna's stomach as she chuckled awkwardly. Morning Star faced her with a cheeky smile, that is, until his stomach growled in return.
The two smiled awkwardly at each other before Luna spoke up, "Perhaps breakfast is in order."
"Yeah…" Morning Star replied.
Before Luna could open her mouth, a nurse entered the room. She hastily bowed once she saw Luna, though she completely froze when she cast her gaze towards Morning Star.
"The creature i-is awake?!"
Luna nodded. "Yes, though as of today, he is to be referred as Morning Star."
The nurse nodded quickly, regaining her senses. "I came here to check on the cre- I mean, Morning Star's wounds."
Luna stepped back to let the nurse approach Morning Star, once she was next to the bed she asked, "May I?"
"Uhh, sure…" Morning Star replied.
Luna watched as the nurse slowly unwrapped the bandages around Morning Star's torso. When all the bandages were removed, the nurse gasped.
"What is it?!" Luna asked in mild alarm.
"His wounds," the nurse whispered, "They're gone!"
Luna came quickly to Morning Star's side and examined his back. To her amazement, his once bloodied and decimated back looked completely healthy. The only indication he was once wounded there were two thin scars in the exact same spots his wounds were.
"What? What is it?" Morning Star asked. "Luna? Is everything okay? Why are you so quiet?"
"Your wounds sir… they are healed," the nurse answered.
"Really?! Does that mean that I can see again?!" Morning Star asked, sounding excited.
Luna and nurse exchanged worried looks before the latter unwrapped the bandages around Morning Star's head. His eyelids were still closed but also clean. The medical staff did a good job cleaning the blood.
Morning Star opened his eyelids and…
"Damn it all!" Morning Star curse as he was greeted only by darkness. He quickly closed his eyes to avoid disturbing Luna and the nurse.
"I am very sorry, Morning Star." Luna came to Morning Star's side and stroked his back with her wing. Morning Star faced her and smiled.
"Thanks. I suppose getting all mopey won't solve anything. What I need to do is suck it up."
"That's the spirit!" The nurse said. She went through a cabinet nearby and fished a small roll of clean bandages and wrapped Morning Star's eyes. "There. Just let me do a few quick check-ups."
The nurse then proceeded to check various parts of Morning Star, making sure that he was indeed healthy. After everything was said and done she concluded that Morning Star was healthy enough to leave the bed, despite normal medical procedures. The nurse bowed one last time towards Luna and exited the room.
Luna smiled and faced Morning Star. "Would you care to join my sister and me for breakfast, Morning Star?"
Morning Star smiled back. "I would be delighted but-" Morning Star shuffled underneath the covers. "-can I get something to wear?"
Luna raised an eyebrow but complied nonetheless, calling a maid and asking for something for Morning Star to wear. The maid returned with a deep purple woolen cloth and gold trimmings which she then helped wrap around Morning Star. Since his weird body structure did not allow Morning Star to wear standard pony clothing, the only solution was something a bit more classic and flexible in style.
In the end, Morning Star looked like something out of the history books which Luna found strangely appealing. It gave her a sense of nostalgia seeing Morning Star in something similar to what she used to wear a thousand years ago. It also did not hurt that Morning Star was not some hideous monster. He was more… exotic than strange. At least in Luna's eyes.
"It feels… airy," Morning Star said, brushing his fingers against the fabric.
"It looks very good on you sir, if I may so say myself," the maid said.
"Indeed it does. Thank you, you are dismissed," Luna replied. The maid bowed and left the room. "Now, shall we be going now?"
Morning Star nodded. "Yes… one more thing, though…"
"Hmm? What is it?"
"Can you lead me towards the dining room?" Morning Star chuckled awkwardly, waving a hand in front of his bandaged face.
"Why of course! Here…" Luna leaned against Morning Star. "Put your hand on my back and stay close to me."
Morning Star nodded and placed his hand on top Luna's back. Luna started walking slowly, making sure Morning Star was confident enough with her guiding him before picking up the pace.
"You're different than I am," Morning Star said after a few moments of silence.
"And what do you mean by that?" Luna asked.
"I mean… we're not the same species. I clearly walk on two legs but from the sound of your walking I'd hazard a guess that you’re a quadrupedal. You also have a coat which I do not."
Luna nodded. "Yes, we are vastly different. My kind are known as ponies. We have four different sub-species that consist of unicorns, pegasi, earth-ponies and finally alicorns."
Luna then explained to Morning Star the different species of ponies and what their main attributes were.
"I see…" Morning Star said after Luna finished telling him about alicorns. "So you and your sister are actually goddesses. I-I didn't know…"
Luna could feel Morning Star's hand slightly trembling on her back. She looked at his face and saw a small bead of sweat rolling down his forehead.
"You have no reason to feel nervous around my sister and I. This is simply a title our subjects have given us. I do not proclaim to be nothing more than the co-ruler of Equestria."
"Oh… that's good to hear. Say…"
"Yes?"
"Do you know what I am?"
Luna frowned. "I am deeply sorry Morning Star, but you are the first of your kind I have even seen, and I have lived for a long time."
"I… see…"
"I am very sorry."
Morning Star waved his hand in a dismissive gesture. "Think nothing of it. I'll be fine." He smiled.
Luna smiled as well.
"Hmm, what is that smell?" Morning star said, sniffing the air. Luna and Morning Star rounded a corner and entered the dining room. Celestia was already there.
"Good morning Luna!" Celestia said, smiling once she spotted her sister.
"Good morning Celestia!"
Celestia's smile faltered when her eyes fell on Morning Star.
"Is there a specific reason why the creature we have found yesterday is leaning against you, Luna?"
Luna helped Morning Star to a seat before explaining to Celestia the events leading to this point. She had also whispered Celestia about the medical staff's speculation behind his wounds. Celestia listened intently without interrupting Luna once, occasionally glancing towards Morning Star.
"Well then…" Celestia started once Luna finished with the explanation. "It seems you have been through a lot in the last few hours, Morning Star. I would be honored if you would sit with us for breakfast."
Morning Star smiled wildly. "Thank you, princess. Words cannot describe the amount of gratitude I have for you and your sister."
Celestia smiled, giggling softly. "Think nothing of it dear. Also, you may call me Celestia."
Morning Star nodded. "I will. And again, thank you."
Breakfast was certainly more interesting. Or so Celestia thought. It was weird seeing Luna chatting so freely with another being other than her sister. She kept talking with Morning Star about this and that, occasionally lifting his fork and feeding him.
Celestia cooed under her breath when Luna wiped a piece of tomato off Morning Star's cheek with a napkin held in her magic.
Morning Star lifted a glass of water he was given by Luna, but when he was about to take a sip the glass slipped from his grasp and fell to the table, shattering.
Morning Star made a sound that sounded like something between a whimper and a sigh.
"I'm so sorry!" he hurried to say.
"Relax Morning Star. It was simply a mistake," Luna replied.
"I will help you clean it!" Morning Star reached for the glass, accidentally cutting himself on one of the pieces. Morning Star flinched and pulled his hand away from the glass.
"Morning Star! Are you alright!" exclaimed Luna as she stood from her seat and approached Morning Star.
"I'm fine. Really."
Luna gave him a skeptical look. "Show me your hand."
"It's fine Luna. It's just a scratch-"
"I said: ‘Show me your hand.’ !"
Morning Star gulped hard before holding out his wounded hand towards Luna. It was completely covered in blood. Morning Star had the misfortune of cutting himself on the bigger glass pieces.
Luna tsk'ed a few times, shaking her head from side to side before helping Morning Star up on his feet. She moved next to him and waited until his hand rested on her back before turning to Celestia.
"I will take Morning Star to the infirmary to get his wounds checked, sister. I will see you momentarily."
Celestia waved Luna off. "Do not worry, Luna, I will be here. Just make sure that our guest is treated."
Luna nodded and walked away with Morning Star. Meanwhile, a maid stepped forward and cleaned the dining table of the broken glass.
Unknowingly to her or Celestia, a piece of glass, one with a drop of red liquid on it, started to glow…
"You really ought to be more careful, you know," Luna scolded, looking at Morning Star with a disapproving gaze.
Morning Star sighed and turned his head away from Luna. "Sorry…"
Luna's scowl melted almost right away. "It is fine… Just be more careful next time."
"I will…" Morning Star whispered softly.
After a quick stop at the medical wing, Luna escorted Morning Star to one of the many guest bedrooms around the castle. It was right around the corner where her own chambers were. She carefully led Morning Star towards the bed.
Morning Star sat on the bed and shoved his head into his hands. "I'm such a mess! I can't even eat without breaking something. Damn my blindness! Damn everything!"
Morning Star grabbed his hair and started sniffling. Luna could see the bandages around Morning Star's eyes begin to moisten.
"Please," he croaked. "Just leave me alone…"
"Morning Star I-"
"LEAVE ME ALONE!" He roared.
Luna jumped back from the sudden outburst. She had no idea what came over Morning Star but she decided that perhaps the best course of action was to let the poor soul to vent out.
Luna approached the door before looking back at Morning Star. "Call a guard if you need me. I will be just around the corner."
Morning Star did not reply. Instead he pulled the covers above his head and silently moped.
A week has passed since the incident and Morning Star was nowhere in sight. For the rest of the week he remained in his room, refusing to come out no matter what. For the most part Luna was not worried. She was confident with the competence of her staff to coax Morning Star from his room.
Luna was proven wrong however, when she asked a passing guard about Morning Star's condition he had told her that he did not leave the room once.
Feeling oddly worried for him, Luna decided to clean her schedule for the day and see how Morning Star is doing. She reached the door to his room and knocked three times.
"Morning Star! It is I, Luna! May I enter?"
No reply.
"Morning Star?" Luna called, a bit louder.
Still no reply.
"Morning Star I am coming in," Luna stated. Luna used her magic to open the doors to Morning Star's room and was immediately met by the overpowering smell of rotting food.
Looking around, it was not hard to identify the source of the smell. Spoiled food littered the entire room, broken pieces of glass and china were scattered everywhere.
Looking around some more, Luna spotted Morning Star huddled in a corner, his arms cradling his knees close to his chest. He was muttering to himself.
"Morning Star…" Luna quietly whispered to herself. She closed the distance between them and gently touched Morning Star. He flinched at the touch and jerked his head up, showing his filthy bandage.
"Who's there?!"
"Morning Star, is it I, Luna," Luna said in a gentle tone.
"Oh…" Morning Star relaxed a little. He looked a lot worse than he looked a week ago, and Luna had a pretty good idea why. "Y-You can just leave… I'll clean up in a bit."
Luna shook her head and sighed before grabbing Morning Star with her magic and dragging the poor man from his room.
"What's going on?! Where are we going?!" Morning Star started to twist his body mid-air.
"We are going to get you cleaned mister, and after that you will eat something before you turn into dust."
"And what if that's what I want!"
Luna stopped in her tracks, looking back at Morning Star with wide eyes. "What?"
"What if I want to perish? I am blind, I have no future, and I can't even remember my past. Tell me Luna, what kind of existence is that?"
Luna turned to face Morning Star fully. He was hovering upright in front of the princess and looked devastated. "Why should I live when there's nothing to live for… What’s the point of waking up in the morning? As far as I'm concerned, death is a better choice."
"Don't you say that…" Luna murmured.
"What was that?"
"Don't you ever say that!" Luna said loudly enough. "Is that what you want? To die? And what good will that bring? Dying is the coward's' way out! It is for the ones who are too afraid to deal with their problems! Nopony owes you anything, Morning Star, and yes, life can be tough, but that is hardly a good reason to give up! If you do not have a reason to live than make one!" Luna finished her speech with a stomp on the floor.
Morning Star flinched back, still wrapped in Luna's magic. At first he just floated there, then he sniffed a few times. Before he knew it he was being held tightly by Luna, sobbing into her mane.
After what felt like forever Morning Star finally let go of Luna. He rubbed his bandages where his eyes were supposed to be, probably trying to wipe out the tears that matted his bandages.
"I'm sorry," he sniffed. "I probably reek."
"That you do."
That got a chuckle out of Morning Star, causing Luna to feel… something.
"Thanks, I needed that… Hey… can I tell you something?"
"But of course."
"I didn’t mean to yell at you the other day… well, I meant it at the time, but quickly regretted it. You saved my life. I don't deserve to talk to you like this. I'm so, so sorry."
Luna smiled gently and gave Morning Star another brief hug. For some reason it was easier for the princess to interact with Morning Star than other ponies.
"I forgive you, Morning Star. Even I had a few… complications with my sister from time to time, but we still love each other very much. We have the power to forgive and forget, so can you."
Morning Star smiled sadly. "Thank you Luna, it means a lot coming from a friend."
That made Luna's ears to perk up. "You said that I am… your friend?"
Morning Star shifted uneasily in place. "Well, yes, I guess I am. I mean, you did save my life, and you still find it in yourself to look after me."
Luna was speechless. She never had thought that somepony, or rather, someone, would think of her as a friend. Her subjects were still afraid of her and Celestia was her sister so it does not count. Sure, there is Twilight and her friend but they all lived in Ponyville.
And now suddenly there was a creature that saw her as a friend. Under the most peculiar circumstances, Luna found a friend.
"Come now," Luna almost choked, sounding awfully emotional. "Let us get you cleaned and something to eat.
It had been two weeks since the unexpected visit of Morning Star and things were… interesting to say the least.
Luna's visits to the royal library became less and less frequent until they stopped altogether. Most of her waking hours were spent with Morning Star. Some days he was really playful and energetic, but other days he was depressed. During such days, Luna would do practically anything to cheer him up. Most times she succeeded.
Today she was planning a surprise to him.
"Can you please tell me where are we going, Luna?"
"Nope. It is a secret."
"Come on! I'm already blindfolded twenty four seven!"
"I am sorry Morning Star, but the 'I'm blind' excuse may have worked on me a week ago."
Morning Star puffed his cheeks and crossed his arms. "Fine."
Luna giggled, adjusting herself on the seat of a chariot as it moved across Canterlot. Today would be the first time Morning Star was outside the castle, not that it mattered considering his condition, but Luna wanted to make tonight a memorable night for him.
After a few more minutes, the chariot stopped. Luna looked out of the window and squee’ed in delight. "We are here!"
"Now can you tell me where we are?" Morning Star asked.
"I am deeply sorry Morning Star, but no," Luna answered as she helped Morning Star outside of the chariot. Ponies all around stopped what they were doing and watched with awe to the sight of their princess and an unknown creature that was touching her.
Luna payed them no mind as she guided Morning Star into the building. It was not until she instructed Morning Star to sit when he spoke up again, "Okay now seriously, would you please, please tell me where we are."
Luna sat next to Morning Star, the two sat in a personal cube overlooking a grand hall. Luna looked excitedly down at the very center of the hall before replying, "We are at the opera house."
Morning Star seemed dumbstruck for a moment. "Wait, really?"
"Yes," Luna confirmed. "Your blindness has rendered you almost completely helpless by your own, but there is something that it cannot take from you, and that is the beauty of music. Today they will perform classical music. I hope it is to your liking."
Morning Star could not form any words in his mouth, so instead he opted to hug the princess instead. "Thank you," he whispered into her ear. "For everything. You've been a true friend to me, despite me being a burden."
Luna felt a warm feeling in her chest and cheeks. She hugged Morning Star and whispered back, "Friendship is always a pleasure, never a burden."
The two fell into a comfortable silence once the music began. Luna closed her eyes and let the music carry her into a world of wonders.
She imagined herself standing at the top of the world. Morning Star was in front of her, offering his hand. Luna would take his hand gladly and the two would dance, with the stars being their only witnesses. As the music gets slower, the two would move closer to each other. Luna would feel Morning Star's breathe on her face and she would smile. They would move closer and closer to each other, their lips mere millimeters from each other.
And then the music stopped.
Luna snapped her eyes open, looking around the crowd cheered.
"That was amazing!" Morning Star exclaimed, facing Luna. "Wasn't that just the most beautiful thing ever?!"
Luna looked at Morning Star, her eyes never wavering. "Yes. Indeed it was…"
During the ride back to the castle, Luna's mind was solely focused on Morning Star. He was sitting in front of her, humming quietly to himself. He looked exactly the same, yet Luna saw him in a completely different way.
Since when did she develop those feelings? Was it just coincidental? After all, she knew Morning Star for no more than two weeks. Not to mention that he was not even a stallion.
"Morning Star?"
"Hmm? Yes Luna?"
"Back at the opera house, you said I was a true friend to you. Did you really mean that?"
"Of course," Morning Star replied almost immediately, smiling broadly. "You were the one who saved my life. You were the one who gave me a new chance. You were the one who stood by my side, both figuratively and literally." Morning Star's smile turned softer. "You were the light in my darkness when all other lights faded."
*pomph*
"Hmm? Did you hear that Luna?"
"N-No! No you are probably imagining things!" Luna hurried to say while trying to get her wings under control.
Morning Star looked confused but shrugged. "I see, well in this case- gah!"
Morning Star roared in pain as something long and sharp penetrated the chariot from above and sank into his shoulder.
"Morning Star!" Luna exclaimed. She quickly charged her horn and broke the offending object. Something shrieked above them, pulling what was left of the sharp object.
Morning Star moved his hand to pull the remains of the object from his shoulder when Luna stopped him.
"No! Do not pull it out! It is the only thing stopping the bleeding!" She cried.
"It hurts," Morning Star whimpered.
"I know, Morning Star, but promise me not to pull it away," Luna pleaded.
Morning Star faced Luna. "If that's what must be done then I trust you, Luna."
Luna nodded before opening the door to the chariot. She faced Morning Star one last time. "Stay here. I shall deal with whoever dared to assault a royal convoy."
Luna stepped out of the chariot and turned around to face the assaulter, thought it was not was she expected.
Standing on top of the chariot was a creature unlike anything she has ever seen, and that includes Morning Star. The being stood on two limbs, just like Morning Star, but that is where the similarities ended. His entire body was made out of what looked like shards of glass crudely molded together. His arms and legs were long and slim, ending with a sharp end. The creature's left arm was shorter and seemed broken at the end.
Luna's nose flared and her eyes glowed with untamable rage. Around her ponies screamed in terror, running away from the scene. Guard ponies quickly arrived at the place and surrounded the chariot, their spears all pointed at the monster.
"Guards! Stand down!" Luna ordered.
"But princess, we can't-"
"I will hear none of that!" Luna interrupted, facing the monster. "This one is mine!"
The creature roared before pouncing at Luna. The princess quickly dodged out of the way of the creature, but one of its flailing limbs grazed her cheek. Luna put a hoof on her cheek and when she looked down at it, saw a bit of blood. She greeted her teeth and charged her horn.
In an instant, three bolts of magic struck the creature in quick succession, tearing at its body.
"This battle is over!" Luna declared.
She was about to turn back to the chariot when the monster roared again. Luna turned with wide eyes as the monster regenerated its body. By the time Luna faced the monster fully, it was as if never hurt in the first place. The monster jumped into the air and aimed at Luna. Luna spread her wings and took to the air just as the monster hit the ground where she stood mere seconds ago. The monster hit the ground with enough force to crush the cobblestone road under its razor sharp limbs.
Luna aimed her horn down at the monster and fired a volley of magic bolts at him. The monster shrieked as each bolt found its mark on its body. Luna did not stop even as the dust from the road obscured her line of sight. She continued to fire until she could see the monster no more.
Luna landed on top of the chariot, looking at the cloud of dust before her. Underneath her she heard shuffling.
"Luna… Are you alright?" Morning Star called.
"I am, Morning Star. I believe I won."
Morning Star stepped out of the chariot. He stopped dead on his tracks when he faced the cloud of dust.
Luna saw how Morning Star tensed all of a sudden and jumped down next to him. "Morning Star, What is it?"
Morning Star raised a shaky finger and pointed it at the cloud of dust as it slowly dissipated.
"I can see it…" he whispered.
"What?"
Morning Star gulped hard before repeating himself. "I can see it, I can see the monster!"
"What?! How?!"
Morning Star shook his head rapidly. "I-I don't know. Everything is dark but I can see it. Burning in my mind like a flame."
Sure enough, when the dust finally settled there the monster was, completely unharmed. It roared into the sky before running at a breakneck speed towards Luna.
Luna tried to form a barrier over herself and Morning Star but found herself unable to. She had spent too much energy firing at the monster that she needed time to recharge her magic. Time which she did not have.
"No!"
Morning Star moved in front of Luna, spreading his arms wide. Luna was about to push Morning Star out of the way, but it was too late.
The monster opened its jagged mouth and bit down hard on Morning Star's unharmed shoulder.
"Morning Star!" Luna cried.
Morning Star raised a shaking hand and thrusted it into the monster's chest. The monster roared as Morning Star dug his hand into the monster's body. Morning Star then pulled his arm back with a shard of crimson red glass in his hand. The monster roared one last time before it crumbled into a pile of broken glass.
Morning Star stood over the pile of glass, breathing heavily. He slowly turned to face Luna.
"Did it… hurt you…" he panted.
Luna shook her head, tears streaming down her cheeks. "Only a little scratch, nothing more."
Morning Star smiled lightly. "That's good."
And then he fainted.
Luna found herself in a familiar situation: Pacing back and forth in front of the operating room. Only this time she had fresh streams of tears rolling down her cheeks.
Luna stopped in her tracks when a flash of golden light appeared in front of her.
"Celestia!" Luna cried as she rushed towards her sister and hugged her tightly. Celestia returned the hug and nuzzled her sister's neck.
"Luna, I came as soon as I heard. Is he okay?"
"I-I do not know! The doctors, they said he lost a lot of blood. They say the operation might… it might…"
Celestia shushed her sister and stroked her mane, trying to calm her down.
The door to the operating room opened as a doctor stepped out.
"How is he, doctor?" Luna whimpered, not caring for how she looked at the moment.
The doctor opened and closed his mouth, trying to form words, but he simply could not. Eventually he said, "You may need to come in and look for yourselves."
The princesses exchanged confused and worried looks before stepping into the operating room. There on the table laid Morning Star. He was stripped of his clothing and was cleaned up from all the blood.
The doctor went ahead and gesture towards one of his shoulders. The princesses followed his hoof. Their eyes bulged out of their sockets at what they saw.
Morning Star's shoulders were completely unharmed. There was nothing there to indicate of was ever injured in the first place. Not even scars.
"It's simply amazing. We've never seen something with such fast recovery abilities. The patient has not a shred of magic, and yet…" the doctor trailed off.
"Does that mean he will survive?" Luna asked, her eyes sparkle with hope.
The doctor nodded. "Why yes. I don't even think we'll need to keep him in the medical wing for recovery."
Luna felt her eyes start to moisten again. Only this time it was from pure happiness. She wiped her eyes a few times, smiling down at Morning Star.
"Come doctor," Celestia said. "I believe we should give these two some privacy."
The doctor nodded without saying a word, and left the operation room. The rest of the staff followed shortly, leaving Luna and Morning Star alone.
"You had me worried you big oaf," Luna accused as more tears streamed down her face.
Despite the fact that he was unconscious, Luna saw Morning Star smiling softly. She smiled as well and leaned down, kissing Morning Star on the cheek.
Luna then sat on the floor and waited. She would stay there until Morning Star will wake up.
Months came and went fast. Luna and Morning Star became inseparable. They did almost everything together, be it reading, listening to music, or simply talking to each other. Luna could not have been happier. Morning Star was a positive turning point in her life, and she cherished every moment with him.
Each day she felt her care for Morning Star blossom more and more. There was no doubt in her mind anymore. She was truly in love with him.
"Luna? Hey, Equestria to Luna, do you copy?" Morning Star waved his hand in front of Luna. She blinked rapidly before looking at Morning Star. The past few months had been kind to him. His body was no longer lanky and frail looking and his wavy blond hair grew even longer, going all the way to his buttocks.
"Yes, Morning Star?"
"I asked you if you would like to visit the gardens. You didn’t answer me so I thought you spaced out."
Luna blushed, grateful that Morning Star cannot see her face right now. "Y-Yes, that would be lovely."
Luna led the two across the gardens, towards the same section she and Celestia visited the night Morning Star appeared. The sun was just about to set so the true beauty of the gardens was still not showing. Not that it mattered to Morning Star.
Luna led them under the shade of a tree there. The two leaned against each other.
"Beautiful," Morning Star whispered.
Luna looked at him, puzzled.
"How can you say that without seeing?"
Morning Star breathed deeply before answering. "Close your eyes."
Luna complied and closed her eyes. "Okay, now what?"
"Listen, smell, feel… let your other senses 'see' the place around you."
Luna took a deep breath, smelling the sweet aroma of the flowers. She felt the blades of grass as they tickled her barrel. She listened to the chirping of birds as they flew by.
Everything felt calm and at peace. Everything felt…
"Beautiful," Luna whispered.
Morning Star nodded. "Exactly."
The two stayed under the tree, just enjoying the little peace and quiet. That is, until something caught their attention.
Celestia landed in front of the two, her wings flap against the wind until she touched down. She smiled at the two before turning towards Luna. "I am deeply sorry for interrupting you two but some of the scholars think they might have found a new star and they wanted to consult with you about it."
Luna nodded, sighing in disappointment that her time with Morning Star was cut short. She stood up before turning towards Morning Star. "I shall return shortly, Morning Star."
"It's fine, Luna. I will stay right here. Obviously." He chuckled.
"I will keep an eye on him in the meantime, sister."
Luna turned towards Celestia. "Thank you, Tia."
Once Luna was out of sight, Celestia released the sigh she was holding and sat next to Morning Star.
"There is no new star, is there?" Morning Star said.
Celestia shook her head. "No, there is not. But I needed to talk to you in private."
"Is it about Luna?"
"Partially," Celestia answered cryptically. "You love her, do you not?"
Morning Star took a deep breath before releasing it. "Was it that obvious?"
"Quite."
"And…? Aren't you going to say something? Threaten me that if I hurt her you hurt me, or something?"
Celestia stayed quiet for a few moments. "I only have one question: Are you going to tell her?"
Morning Star fidgeted in place. "I… haven't thought about it. She was always there by my side. It's not surprising that I've fallen in love with her. But…"
"What's holding you back?" Celestia asked.
"I can't do it. What if she doesn't love me back? Hell, I know she doesn't love me back. We're just too different."
Celestia smiled softly and put a wing on Morning Star's back. "Love is a strange thing. It always finds a way. But it cannot blossom unless someone makes the first step."
"But how?!" Morning Star exclaimed, getting up. At that very moment, Luna returned from the castle. She was about to ask Celestia why there were no scholars waiting for her but soon closed her mouth when Celestia put a hoof on her mouth.
"How can I tell Luna I love her?!" Morning Star said out loud, not noticing Luna as she stared at him with wide eyes. "Everytime I try I simply fail! How am I supposed to tell her that she is more than a friend to me?! That she's the sole reason I wake up in the mornings! That her voice makes my heart soar! That her company makes me whole! How am I supposed to tell her that I want to be hers now and forever?!"
"You… just did," Luna whispered.
Morning Star turned around sharply. "L-Luna?! H-How much did you hear?"
Luna wiped a stray tear from her eye before replying. "All of it."
Morning Star sighed. "Listen Luna. I understand if you don't lo-Mmmph!"
Morning Star's rambling was cut short when Luna pressed their lips together, effectively shutting him up. Morning Star melted into the kiss as he placed his hands around Luna's neck and pulled her closer to his thumping chest.
Celestia smiled warmly at the two before taking off, giving them time for themselves.
The two broke the kiss, still in each other's embrace, pressing foreheads.
"You talk too much," Luna said.
"I hurts Luna. My chest hurts. Is that how being in love feels like?"
"My chest hurts too, Morning Star. In a best of ways," Luna replied before kissing Morning Star again.
That night, Luna and Morning Star became one.
Time seemed to fly for Luna the more time she spent with Morning Star. She cannot even imagine what it was like not waking up next to her special someone.
Every morning started the same. Luna would wake up, roll in her bed to see her lover snore lightly before she would wake him up with a kiss on the lips. He would then return the favor and kiss her right back. Then the two would take a bath together and hold each other as they would make their way to the dining hall to eat breakfast.
Both had a tremendous impact on each other's lives. Morning Star made Luna more social and more approachable for her subject, which in turn made her feel that much happier.
Luna also had quite the impact on Morning Star. His days of moping around were behind him and he actually started to learn how to read braille. It took him weeks to get the hang of that but when he did, he could not stop reading.
Yes, the two could not be happier, and it showed as they entered the dining hall, giggling together. Celestia, who was already seated by the time the two lovers arrived, lifted her gaze from the morning paper and smiled at the two.
"Good morning, you two," Celestia greeted.
"Good morning, Celestia," Morning Star greeted back as he sat next to Luna, who sat next to her sister. The three chatted while waiting for the food to arrive. During the conversation, Luna slowly leaned on Morning Star as he started rubbing her behind her ears.
Noticing that, Celestia smirked to herself. "Is that purring I am hearing Luna? Are Morning Star's hands simply that good?"
"Yeeees," she slurred. "You should see how he uses them in bed."
…
Luna quickly bolted upright when she suddenly realized what she just said. "Not that I mean anything by it! I-I was simply referring to the way his fingers feel when he touches my body! Wait, that is even worse!"
Celestia and Morning Star laughed while Luna pouted, her cheeks turning a very interesting shade of red. When the laughing subsided Morning Star grabbed Luna's face with his hands and delivered a kiss straight on her lips.
It was passionate. It was spontaneous. And it was everything Luna loved about Morning Star's kisses. No matter how many times they would kiss, each time felt unique.
As the two broke the kiss Luna brought her hoof to Morning Star's face and caressed his cheek.
"I love you," she said simply.
Morning Star gently grabbed Luna's hoof and squeezed. "I love you too, Luna."
The rest of the morning was less romantic as the three diners talked about this and that. The princesses usually preferred to keep their talks casual, considering how little they get to see each other during the rest of the day. Morning Star would usually keep quiet and eat unless he was addressed. It was common courtesy, and he did not have a whole lot to talk about. Most of the time he would spend it with Luna and his only hobby consisted of reading, which is not the most exciting conversation topics.
Today though was different. Ever since he woke up this morning, Morning Star felt a tingling sensation in his eyes and back. At first he thought nothing of it, but the feeling only grew from that point onwards. He actually cringed when the tingling turned into a brief spike of pain.
It was more akin to a jolt of electricity than actual pain, and it only lasted for a moment, but it did not go unnoticed by Luna.
"Is everything alright, Sweetie?" Luna asked with concern, feeling Morning Star's forehead for any signs of sickness.
Morning Star took Luna's hoof in his hand and kissed it gently before releasing it. "I'm fine Luna, only a little shiver."
Morning Star did not lie, but he did not tell the whole truth either. For with the tingling sensation, came a terrible foreboding feeling over him.
He did not know why, but he had a feeling that today would not be going to end on a high note. Morning Star quickly dismissed that thought. Being pessimistic helps no one, and Morning Star had plenty of things to keep him happy.
One in particular.
Morning Star smiled dumbly as Luna nuzzled his cheek. He always loved it when she showed him these little signs of affection, mainly due to the fact that they always came as a surprise for him. Being blind was not that terrible once Morning Star focused on the things that kept him going through the day. It was weird actually. He had no memories of his past since he found himself in Equestria, he had no recollection actually seeing, and yet he was aware to the fact that he was blind and it was not natural.
Morning Star shook his head in order to rid himself on these thoughts. He was slightly more philosophical in the mornings but it was neither the time nor place for such things. All he wanted to do now was to eat some breakfast, read a book in Luna's office while she worked, and spend the rest of the day with her.
Morning Star shivered again, less noticeably this time, and the feeling of foreboding returned tenfold. Morning Star looked around for anything out of the ordinary, though he knew such action would be redundant.
As a result, Morning Star simply sighed and hoped that this feeling would simply vanish.
"What are you reading, Sweetie?" Luna asked from her desk, her eyes lazily scanning over some document. "Anything interesting?"
Morning Star nodded, running his hand across the book's braille page. "It's called When the hunter becomes the hunted. I've just started to read it so I don't know what it's about yet, but the librarian said it was one of her favorite so I decided to give it a try."
Luna hummed thoughtfully. "I do not recall reading it. When you finish with it please bring it to me."
Morning Star nodded again. "Sure will, Honey."
Luna smiled one last time at her very special someone before returning her attention to the document. It was only recently that Luna insisted to be doing some meaningful work, as was her duty as a princess and Celestia was more than happy to share with her the various responsibilities.
Luna's ears twitched when she heard Morning Star close his book abruptly before throwing the book away. "No. Just, no…" he mumbled.
Luna looked at the discarded book in mild surprise before looking back at Morning Star. "Why did you throw the book away, Sweetie? You always treat books with care."
Morning Star shook his head hastily. "There's no way I'm finishing that book. And there's no way I'll let you read it."
"Why won't you let m-"
"Let's do something else, shall we?" Morning Star quickly interrupted Luna. "Perhaps we could say hello to Celestia while she's in court."
Luna decided not to question Morning Star's odd behavior and instead decided to simply comply with his wishes.
'This document is not overly important anyway," she reasoned with herself. 'And I think Celestia would appreciate the company. She always complains about day court.'
"I think it is a wonderful idea," Luna said. She stood up from her seat and moved next to Morning Star. He stood up from his spot and gently laid his hand on her back, giving it a few strokes. Luna hummed in delight -she loved his hands- before setting out to the throne room.
It did not take the two too long to reach the throne room. The offices were relatively close to it. Despite the fact that day court was technically in session, it seemed Celestia had taken a little break from addressing the ponies, seeing as a line of ponies waited patiently outside the closed throne room.
"It seems we have picked a decent time to visit dear sister. It seems like she had taken some time off.
Morning Star squeezed Luna's back. "That's good. I'm sure she'd appreciate the visit."
Luna –with Morning Star in tow- approached the huge doors leading to the throne room. The guards stationed there moved to open the door and let only Luna and Morning Star access.
Celestia sat on her throne room, looking slightly tired, but when her eyes met with Luna's she immediately perked up.
"Luna! Morning Star! What a wonderful surprise," Celestia called as she climbed down from her throne and met Luna and Morning Star halfway.
Luna smiled and nuzzled her sister. "It is good to see you, Tia. Morning Star thought we should come and visit you and I agreed. It has been some time since we had time to properly talk besides breakfast."
Celestia's smile widened as she glanced at Morning Star before surprising him with a hug. Morning Star yelped at the sudden physical contact but quickly wrapped his hands around the princess' long neck.
"Thank you, Morning Star. For everything," Celestia whispered.
Morning Star tightened his grip around Celestia before whispering back, "No, thank you, Celestia. You and your sister are my family."
The two broke the hug, smiling at each other.
Morning Star opened his mouth to say something when the feeling returned, and with it, an enormous amount of pain in his eye sockets and back.
"Gah!"
Morning Star cried as he fell to the ground curling into a ball of pain.
"Morning Star!" Luna and Celestia yelled together, rushing to the fallen form of Morning Star.
"N-No…" he croaked. "Run away!"
"I am not leaving you like this!" Luna sobbed, crouching down next to Morning Star. She reached with a hoof to help him up, but when it made contact with him Luna felt a force push her back.
"There's no time!" Morning Star yelled. "Someone's coming!"
Before the princesses could ask Morning Star for an explanation, they heard shouts coming from beyond the main doors. Then, the doors shook violently as something from the other side tried to gain entry by punching them. Each time, the doors gave in little by little until finally, the doors broke off from their hinges and send flying across the room and him the wall on the far side of it, behind the throne.
The princesses looked with wide eyes as a figure similar to Morning Star emerged from the hallway. His burning gaze was fixed directly on Morning Star.
"Finally," he said, pulling from his back a huge golden cross-like scepter that ended with a nasty looking sharp edge. "I found you, you putrid piece of worthless dirt! It is time for me to finish what I started!"
Morning Star looked ahead, the pain in his eye sockets and back subsided enough for him to stand up, albeit a bit shakily.
"You're…" he said. "Michael…"
The man sneered. "That's Archangel Michael for you-" he pointed the scepter at Morning Star "-Lucifer…"