Luna’s Story 3: Long Live the Night
Part 9: Stir the Ashes
Princess Luna awoke to the quiet beep, beep, beep of medical equipment. There were little prods of plastic in her nose, forcing oxygen into her nostrils. She could feel herself being handled and moaned, turning her head. “Easy, easy there.” said a soothing male voice. “Don’t try to move too much.” Her vision was swimming.
“Luna?! Luna, Are you awake?!” That was Aegis Shield’s voice. He sounded terrible and raspy.
“I’m telling you for the last time, Mr. Shield, if you leave your bed again I’m going to have you strapped into it!” the soothing voice turned scolding. “Now go back to your room before I have you escorted!”
The Princess turned her head away from the brightest source of light, taking a deep breath of waking. More handling, she could feel her body being moved around. Grunting in annoyance, she slitted her eyes open. There were doctors and nurses, all clad in Royal Medical Garb, leaning over her from all sides. Oddly enough, they were armed with pliers, cutting tools and other implements that really should’ve been at the local academy metal shop. Luna panicked briefly, but the head doctor put a strong hoof on her face to make him look at her. “Your Majesty, take it easy, we’re just prying your armor off. It was damaged in the fall and wouldn’t come off properly. We had to improvise.” He gestured to a nurse who was working with a massive pair of bolt cutters at the bottom of Luna’s ribs. The curve of vicious metal was pressing into the Princess’ side, and she let out a relieved sigh when the intruding pressure was relieved. “See? See? Isn’t that better?” the doctor soothed. Luna lay back at last, swallowing raspily. “Don’t worry Princess, we’ll have this off of you as soon as we can, then we can start on the stitches and such.” He smiled a little painfully. “May I give you a sedative? I’m not sure if it works on alicorns, but…” he trailed off, clearly wanting to give her mercy over the processes that were going on. Luna, feeling weak and tired as it was, slowly nodded. She whimpered at the pinch in her arm, and fell into darkness once more.
When she awoke who knows how long later, she was drenched in sunshine. The beam of light coming in her window warmed her, pressing her into the waking world. She yawned, but ached painfully and held herself. She had stitches on one of her shoulders, and across part of her side. The Princess of the night found her crown, armor, and other trappings gone. Stirring a little, she lifted her head and gingerly sat up with gritted teeth. “Guard.” She said without thinking. Cocking her head and remembering where she was, she fiddled with the little remote pressed against her hoof and hit the call button for a nurse.
A white unicorn mare stuck her head in, and her face lit up. “Princess! You’re awake!” she beamed and cantered over, checking her chart and then her forehead for fever. “I’m glad. We’ve been hounded by your Lunar Stallions for days now!”
“Days?” Luna rasped. Hearing her voice the nurse went to the sink in the corner of the room and got her a generously large cup of cold water. The Princess drank deeply, spilling water over her front. “How long have I been here?”
“Almost a week, Princess.” The nurse said. “We were afraid you may have fallen into another coma! You do have a history of staying asleep for a long time, when injured.” She said, gesturing vaguely to the chart. Her eyes bore concern, so Luna knew she meant well with her comment.
“It's daytime… my sister?” she asked, lying slowly back again.
“Princess Celestia is still recovering, much like you.” The nurse said gently.
“PRINCESS!” Aegis Shield shouldered past a trio of hospital security stallions, rushing into the room to grasp her hoof in both of his. “You’re awake! We’ve all been so worried for you!” he kissed her hoof, practically pressing his face into it. Luna burbled a little with approval, setting her cup aside and patting his mane.
“I’ll let you two alone for a bit.” The nurse smiled. “He’s been here eight times a day since you got here, checking on you.” Turning and signing off on the chart for something. With that, they were at last alone.
Aegis Shield tore off his helm and it vanished in a pop of Lunar magic. He reared up over the bedside and kissed Luna fiercely. She whimpered, pawing at the hoof that was pressed against her side. He adjusted himself with an apologetic grunt and returned for a second, gentler kiss. When it broke he finally spoke. “I’ve been worried.” Aegis said softly. “We’ve been worried.”
“How are you? How are the Lunar Stallions?” Luna wanted to know, finally relaxing back into her pillows. It was only then she noticed that she was actually laying on four hospital beds strung together, not one. Her alicorn-sized body had needed the extra space to be laid out properly.
“Oh I’ll live.” Aegis Shield smiled, showing her an impressive slash under one of his wings. “All the mares dig battle scars, y’know. Makes me look tough.” She snickered at him, putting a hoof to her mouth as he showed off for her.
“And the Lunar Stallions?” Luna pressed. Aegis’ face fell, and his eyes drifted to the floor as he looked at his hooves. “What is it?” the Princess asked.
“We took heavy losses, Luna. Heavy ones.” He mumbled, ears turning down and wings wilting almost to the floor. “Can we talk about it later? I mean, you just woke up and--”
“How many of them are left?” Luna said, sitting up a little.
“Please, you’re still in a hospital bed and--”
“I command thee to tell me.” Luna pulled rank on him without hesitation and he flinched at her hard look. “How many Lunar Stallions remain, out of the seventy?” She watched him fidget for a long time. He really, really didn’t want to tell her.
“T… twenty-four.” He whispered.
“Twenty-fuh…” Luna’s hoof rushed to cover her mouth, eyes softening. She squeezed them shut and tears sprouted down her cheeks. “Twenty-four... Twenty-four!” she whimpered the number, both hooves rushing to cup her face miserably. Two-thirds of her stallions, gone! Aegis moved slowly to the railing of the hospital bed. She leaned into him and began to quietly cry. He stroked her mane over and over, sighing quietly. So many lost…
=-=-=-=-=
Princess Celestia awoke in darkness. So, Luna was awake now too. The Princess of the Sun had barely been able to raise the sun after waking up, but somehow she’d managed. It had been a truly miserable week. The constant stream of well-wishers and servants left her little time to relax, and eventually the hospital staff had posted a dozen guards to keep everypony away so she could bucking rest like she was supposed to.
She was stretched out on a massive, strung-together series of hospital beds. They’d worked diligently to get the candy-shell-frail armor off of her. It had been mostly gone when she’d been brought in, but they’d picked the rest of it off of her.
Lifting her head with a quiet sound of effort, she looked across the room and found two ponies with her. She’d not had any lingering guests for the first few days, how had they gotten past the guards…? Oh. One was her most faithful student Twilight Sparkle. The poor little thing was drooling over a massive tome of Equestrian mythology, her face pressed into the crook between the pages. The other, asleep on his hooves, was Big Macintosh. He was sleep-neighing quietly, his head dipped down almost to his ankles. Her heart quivered just a little. “Big Macintosh?” she asked, slowly trying to sit up a little.
“Yup?” it came out of his mouth like a knee-jerk reaction, and his eyes snapped open. Not so asleep anymore, he cocked his head and peered at her. Smiling, he crossed the room and wordlessly leaned to nuzzle her. She accepted his affection, sighing quietly. He leaned back, silent once more and beholding her. He gestured with a hoof at the bandages around her middle and neck.
“It doesn’t hurt.” Celestia smiled gently at him. He gestured to her bruises. “That either.” He nodded at the scrapes and other things that dotted her body.”I’m getting better, I promise.” Her tinkling chuckling told him she was telling the truth, and he smiled. “Have you been here all night, watching over me?”
“Eeyup.” He said, bobbing his head a few times.
“Did you come in with Twilight Sparkle?” Celestia asked.
“Eeyup.” He serenaded her again.
“P… Princess?” Twilight Sparkle took a deep breath of waking, and Big Mac sidled aside with a smirk as the purple unicorn launched herself to her hooves. Her book tumbled to the floor in a heap and she swept across the room as quick as a flash. “Are you okay? Are you you again? Does it hurt? Are you in pain? Can I get you a nurse?” she babbled through a dozen questions.
Celestia smiled serenely, laying her head back on the pillow again. “I’m alright, my most faithful student.” The white alicorn said. “Just a bit tired.” She put a hoof over Twilight’s head and scrubbed her mane a little. Despite being a grown pony, Twilight still loved it when she did this.
“We’ve been so worried about you, all of us.” Twilight said, leaning over the bars of the edge of the bed. “I knew you were awake again, at least a little, when the sun came up. All the ponies in Ponyville were glad to move back home again, lemme tell you.” She started pacing back and forth. “And since Canterlot is sort of abandoned right now it’s going to be awhile before everypony gets to come home again. I could feel your battle magic from all the way out in our hiding spots, Princess. It was intense, I didn’t know you could use so much magic all at the same time.” The poor thing was rambling by then, and the Princess lifted a tender hoof to stop her.
“Twilight, I have no idea what you’re talking about.” She said slowly. “What battle? What’s the matter with Canterlot? Why did all the ponies in Ponyville leave?” the Sun Princess was completely out of the loop.
“You mean… you don’t remember?” Twilight stopped mid-pacing, turning with big eyes. “You don’t remember anything at all?”
“The last thing I recall, I was…” her royal brow bent a little bit, and she cocked her head. “In my room, then…” the memory of the necklace taking hold of her suddenly flooded back. Her eyes turned into little pinpricks. “Oh no…” she whispered. “What have I done?” she looked at Twilight Sparkle, who wilted a little at her gaze. She looked over at Big Macintosh. “You must tell me, my little ponies.” She said, concern lacing her every syllable. Twilight fidgeted uncomfortably, not sure how to begin. Big Mac didn’t talk much to begin with, but… “Big Mac, will you come to me?” the Princess reached a hoof out.
“Yup.” He dutifully came forward, leaving the Princess to wonder how exactly she knew Big Mac by name. He’d insisted on coming with her to Canterlot, but he’d not filled her in on all the details of how everything worked between them. Celestia stroked his cheek with a hoof, and suddenly Twilight knew. It didn’t take a scholar like herself to recognize the softness in the stallion’s eyes, nor the look of adoration he was radiating. Stallion of few words, he hadn’t even needed to try to hide it. Twilight’s jaw fell a little, but she could find no words. Her mentor and… Big Macintosh? She would’ve blown a fuse if she were a switchbox, but she only stood there in completely stunned silence.
Celestia reached out. “I’m going to read your mind, Big Macintosh.” She said softly. “Is that alright?”
“Yup.” He leaned forward and closed his eyes serenely. He had nothing to hide from his Princess. Turning his ears back, he felt the warm caress of her hooves on his face, head, and then his temples. The solar magic glittered to life and took hold of his mind.
One Week Later…
Celestia didn’t know what she was doing when she appeared at the mass funeral of the Lunar Stallions. It was because of her foolishness that they were dead. Was she there to apologize? Was she there to suffer the slings and arrows of the survivors? Was she there to take the verbal lashings from their families and lovers? She didn’t know.
The funeral for the fallen warriors was held at precisely midnight. A small courtyard in the Royal Gardens had been cleared and lined with hewn stone. Every few feet one could find an etched name with a pair of dates, and a heroic phrase for the stallion buried under the stone. He died for Canterlot serving his Princess, said one stone slab. He died honorably in combat with many foes, said another. He died defending his home. He died protecting his loved ones. He died defending his comrades. Good stallions all. Celestia walked slowly from one written slab to another. There were ponies scattered around the fresh courtyard, all of them stealing glances at her.
Celestia was still wrapped in a few bandages, and there was a stitch or two in her undercarriage that were still healing. After finding out what had happened, she refused all magical healing. Suffering her own wounds was the least she could do for those she’d slaughtered while under the influence of darkness. She stopped at a particular headstone, for a quill-marked stallion was quietly crying over it. Here lies Hammershot, the slab stone said. His heart of gold uplifted us all. Celestia sat slowly on her haunches and waited for the mourning stallion to notice her, quietly. When he did, he looked up at her with bloodshot eyes and tears on his cheeks. “I’m… I’m so sorry…” Celestia finally managed, leaning down and bowing her head until her muzzle almost touched the cobble. “Nothing I can do would ever make up for this.” She looked up at his face. His eyes were not angry, nor accusing. She couldn’t read his expression, which was really something given her vast age.
“Endure, Princess.” Said the stallion with a quill on his flank, with a steadier voice than she thought he might have. She straightened, looking at him carefully. He sniffled and rubbed his nose a couple of times. Turning back to gaze at the burial marking, he heaved a great breath. “The Lunar Stallions will endure and rebuild ourselves. You should too.” Unable to think of anything comforting to say to the mourning warrior, Celestia leaned daintily to her little saddlebag. Drawing out a scarlet rose, she laid it tenderly under the etched name and slowly walked away. He watched her go, but said nothing.
The Princess of the day saw her sister, garbed in the deepest of blacks, a silken veil over her face. Flanked on both sides by her usual two guards, she was tenderly walking from one mourner to the next and exchanging sympathetic words. Crying mares who had lost husbands, friends and lovers. Locals from Canterlot who had grown friendly with one mysterious Lunar Stallion or another. She even saw one pony, her entire body smudged with ash, standing pressed up against a massive earth pony Lunar Stallion. They nuzzled quietly while standing over a grave and her quiet whimpering put tears down her cheeks, making the ash that covered her run.
“There are far too many graves, and not enough Lunar Stallions remaining to mourn their kin.” Luna had appeared next to Celestia, startling her. “We hope thou hast not come to apologize to the dead, and throw thyself at the mercy of the living, sister.” The darkness of the gathering had pushed Luna back into her old dialect.
“How will they ever forgive me, Luna?” Celestia whispered mournfully, turning to observe the scene. “How can I even look my little ponies in the eyes anymore?” There were ponies standing in clusters, laying down flowers, lit candles and other offerings.
“Thou were under the influence of darkness, Tia.” Luna reached up, pulling her sister’s face down and kissing it tenderly. “Those that blame thee entirely are fools.” She whispered. Celestia’s massive wings opened, and the two sisters embraced in a way that only winged creatures can, a massive curling of wings from both sides.
“They must think I am a monster.” Celestia whimpered softly, pressing her eyes and forehead into Luna’s shoulder.
“You were a monster, for a bit, but no less than I as Nightmare Moon.” Luna said. “And I’ve been forgiven for that, have I not?”
“Y-yes…”
“And you did not step down my dark old path by choice. You were taken over.”
“Y-yes…”
“There you have it then.” Luna smiled gently. “Just as Nightmare Moon and myself were different entities, so were you and that beast you became.”
There was a mild coughing, and Celestia looked over when their wings had dropped. A Lunar Stallion was looking up at her. Stalwart Hide, one of her sister’s top guards. “Your Majesty.” He said, a little intimidated but not fearful. “With all due respect…” he turned a little to show her the massive hole in his breastplate. She gasped, her hoof jumping to her mouth. “I got stabbed in the chest and impaled on the beast’s horn. I don’t blame you for that.” He said, smiling in earnest. Celestia stared down at him, her eyes soft.
“Ahem.” Said the other guard, Aegis Shield. “And I was slammed through two stories of department store, like a rag doll.” He told the white alicorn, showing her the stitches on his left ear that kept it from splitting forever. “I don’t blame you for that, either.”
The Princess of the Sun looked back and forth between the two stallions. “Th… thank you.” She said, lowering her head once more.
“Come sister, we must go and mourn for our fallen.” Luna said, extending a wing over Celestia’s back. The day princess walked slowly, as though in a daze. She met the eyes of many ponies while they went from grave to grave. Luna told her stories. Stories about this stallion and what made him special. Stories about that stallion and how strong he’d become over time. Celestia saw not a single accusing gaze, angry face, or anything of the kind. Why did none of them blame her? The massive guilt pressed on her. “What will you do now, sister?”
“Canterlot must be rebuilt. I… the monster destroyed almost half of it.” Celestia sighed, drooping. “Not to mention the massive damage to the palace, the Canterlot balconies, and the surrounding area.”
“It will take many ponies to rebuild our city.” Luna said, walking side-by-side with her sister. They approached a monument covered with the names of the fallen soldiers of the night. All of them were written in Ancient Equestrian, thanks to Stalwart Hide. Luna looked slowly up and down it. The calligraphy was beautiful, and inlaid with silver. She smiled bitterly. Stalwart Hide must’ve figured out that the wall in the barracks was not only a list of names, but a tablet declaring all those listed as killed in action. She doubted he knew about the extensive crypt behind it, though. This monument and courtyard, however, was for the new generation to rest in.
“It will provide many with jobs, at least. It will take a long time to return it just the way it was.” Celestia said quietly, running her hoof over the name of a stallion she’d never met. “Just the way it was…” she mumbled. “Brick for brick.”
“I imagine you won’t be resting until it’s well under way.” Luna nodded slowly, understanding her sister’s itch to repent. Despite all the damage and death not being her fault, she’d been the vessel. No amount of convincing would make the Princess of the Sun feel better. At least not until the mess was cleaned up and the dead honored.
“Why did you have that necklace, Luna?” Celestia suddenly asked, looking over at her sister. “Why not destroy it when we sent the Moon Champion’s medallion into the sun?”
“In case you decided to drop the sun on Canterlot.” Luna said without hesitating. Celestia flinched as though slapped in the face. “Sorry, Tia.” She whispered apologetically, looking at the ground. “Nightmare Moon was intelligent, at least. Your darker half is an animal, apparently. If you ever went mad as I did, I would have to stop you. That necklace was my secret weapon, dark magic or no. I made it to strike you down when I became Nightmare Moon, but never got to use it. I decided to keep it, though, just in case you went down the same dark path I once did.” She pulled her sister into embrace. “But it’s gone now, I smashed it when I pulled it from your chest. It’s over.”
Celestia was a little taken aback at Luna’s frankness that she’d created a super weapon specifically to stop her. But, it made sense. If she went mad and decided to drop the sun onto Equestria one day, Luna would be the only one even remotely capable of stopping her. It made sense that her sister would have some sort of augmentation for herself. The Princess of the Day sighed, returning the embrace.
“Excuse me, sister. I must go and speak to those gathered.” She pecked her sister’s cheek, and then went to a small stage that had been set up. Ponies gathered around, looking up at her with sad eyes. Luna pulled her veil back so she could properly address the crowd. She gave a long, uplifting speech about the bravery of the Lunar Stallions. She praised their valor and strength. She mentioned many by name, honoring their answering the call. She spoke of their ancestors, and how proud they must be of their descendants. Luna paused to thank the Solar Guard as well, but there would be separate ceremonies for them, so that part was brief. Turning and surveying the smattering of Lunar Stallions in the crowd, she heaved a deep breath. “I am sure you are all wondering what will become of the Lunar Stallions now. I shalt not lie, we are down to a paltry two-dozen. The battle for Canterlot was not kind to our numbers.” She said, trying to keep her face regal and her tears in her eyes. It didn’t work. “But! Know this, my stallions.” She was speaking to her armored warriors directly now, not the crowd. “We shall honor our dead. Then, we shall rebuild. The Lunar Stallions shall rise again.”
There were quiet nods and confident smiles from the stallions, and the remainder of the crowd seemed uplifted as well. Celestia allowed herself a small smile. There was much rebuilding to be done, and there was no time like the present.
A Week or so Later…
Luna lovingly wrapped the fourty-sixth Lunar Stallion medallion in black silken cloth. She kissed it respectfully, then placed it in a special jeweled case amongst its brothers. The stallion within, the one who had worn it last, blushed happily and whinnied at her. Though his soul had gone on past the great beyond, a little part of him remained behind in the necklace just like all the others that had worn it before him. His ancestors greeted him, rushing to thwap his back and exchange hugs and other such things. The space between spaces inside the medallion was a true Valhalla for any Lunar Stallion who had bore his armor with honor. All of them had, Luna knew.
Gently closing the case, Luna cocooned it with a magic spell only she could break. Using a particular shade of light that was lower than anypony could see, she locked it firmly. Pushing it reverently under her bed, she sighed about bowed her head. Saying a silent prayer to her mother, she quietly praised them. Such handsome stallions. So brave. Laying down their lives like that, for their Princess and for Canterlot. Neigh, for Equestria. She could never repay them, only honor their memory and--!
There was a firm knock at the door. “Come!” Princess Luna rose, turning about and folding her wings. Aegis Shield and Stalwart Hide struggled into the room, pushing what looked like a fat sack with them. Grunting, pressing, they struggled to get it through the double doorway. “What is that?” Luna gapped at the fat sack. Aegis Shield flopped down, panting with his tongue out. Reaching up at last, he pulled the cord that held it closed. “Uh-WAH!?” Luna was avalanched with mail! Rushing to the surface so she could breath, she peered about in wonder. “What… what…” she couldn’t make a sentence.
“They’ve been piling up like crazy, this is just the first bag.” Stalwart Hide sat on his haunches, panting. “They’re heavy!” he complained, wiping his forehead of sweat.
Furrowing her brow, Luna reached for a random envelope and opened it. “Dear Princess Luna, I heard that Canterlot was partially destroyed while the Lunar Stallions drove off a terrible threat. I’ve enclosed a check for one hundred bits to help with the rebuilding efforts.” A broad smile worked its way over the Princess’ face as she dug out the check. “Hahaha!” she reached and grabbed another envelope. “Dear Princess Luna. I heard that the Lunar Stallions suffered heavy losses, and wish to apply for their academy, but can’t seem to find the paperwork to apply. Can you help me?”
“We have an academy?” Stalwart Hide asked.
“I don’t think we do, no…” Aegis Shield frowned.
“Dear Princess Luna!” Luna was already grinning at the third letter. “We at the Artist’s Academy on Los Pegasus heard that many pieces of fine art were destroyed in the battle for Canterlot, and would like to send a team of artists to… hahaha!” Luna face-hoof’d, reaching greedily and opening the next letter. “Dear Princess Luna!” she was jubilant and reeling with joy already. The two stallions had never seen their Princess so happy. “Dear Princess Luna!” she started the next one. “Dear Princess Luna!” and the next. And the next. And the next. Eyes bright and glittering, she looked up at her two guards. “Aegis Shield! Stalwart Hide! Muster the Lunar Stallions! We have mail to answer!”
“Yes your Majesty.” They said in unison, turning to leave.
“Niegh! Niegh! We shall take it to them! Some are still recovering from the battle in the Lunar Barracks. No doubt they could use a pick-me-up!” Using her magic Luna mare-handled the mountain of mail and rudely SHOVED it all back in the bag, pulling the chord tight. Levitating the massive weight, she started down the hall. The bag was easily four times her size and ten times her weight, but she managed with magic.
“…why didn’t we get a unicorn to help us bring it here? That was five flights of stairs we could'a avoided.” Stalwart Hide sighed. They had to hurry to keep up with Luna, for she was almost galloping towards the Lunar Barracks. There was much to be done. Canterlot needed rebuilding, as did the Lunar Stallions.
THE END