//------------------------------// // Old Friends, New Choices // Story: The Quest for Everfree Enlightenment // by Amethyst_Crystal //------------------------------// Twilight Sparkle felt herself wrapped in the warm embrace of night, drifting in the deep soothing darkness, carried along a sea of stars. No concerns or complications shrouded her heart, a sense of peace and tranquilly washing over her mind, all being well within the world. Turning slowly onto her side, she felt a soft thumping heartbeat against her ear, smiling to herself as she listened to this life in the darkness. Safe and secure, even as she was swept along towards the shore, and into the river, the reverse course for the natural flow of water, carried along in the woods, the deep vivid greenery passing by, bursting with magic. Nothing could touch her, could take away her joy... until the water began to swirl and toss, rushing towards a waterfall! Twilight jolted awake, looking around, panting for breath. The stars remained wrapped around her sight, twinkling in a blue haze, while a soft voice spoke up meekly from the side. “My apologies, Twilight Sparkle! I had stumbled across an exposed root!” The stars drifted sideways across the purple alicorn's vision as Luna turned her deep blue muzzle, concerned. “Are you alright?” Twilight Sparkle blushed heavily as she found herself staring into the compassionate sea-green ocean of Luna's eyes. “Y-yes of course! But what are you doing?” she demanded, squirming on Luna's backside, fidgeting in embarrassment! Luna smiled with relief, her radiance gleaming with the glow of the moon overhead, peering between the tree branches. “You were more heavily affected by the mushroom guardian than Zecora had expected. While it healed my poisoned wounds, its energy and spores lulled you into restful slumber. You had been sleeping for nearly 12 hours before my decision to carry you along on my back.” Luna spoke more softly, finally resting her hooves. “Zecora assured me that you simply needed to catch up on rest, and would only wake when your dreams had finally brought you peace.” The moon goddess sounded quite pleased, convincing Twilight that she had influenced the restful tranquillity of her dreams! The goddess of magic was surprised at how easily Luna carried her. True, the elder alicorn was nearly twice her size, but still! “You could've waited, or forced me to wake up! You shouldn't have to carry my burden, literally!” Twilight objected, waving an arm frantically, the other one dangling off Luna's flank, along with her legs. Luna laughed at this, giving Twilight a nip on the ear, earning a surprised squeak in return. “You deserved the rest, dear Twilight. You have been so stressed and exhausted as of late. Think of this as thanks for helping me fly up to reach the healing mushroom guardian. I am simply doing some of your walking for you.” Twilight wished to protest more, to complain about missing some of the journey while asleep, or to suggest she was perfectly capable, but... maybe she really did need that rest, and Luna was being so very gentle. In truth, Twilight felt sheepish and shy from the whole situation. “D-do you mind if you let me down? I can walk find now... but thank you!” she rambled timidly, trying to hide her blush. “As you wish!” Luna crouched down, still smiling as Twilight scrambled off her back. Twilight gently nosed at Luna's cheek, saying nothing more, turning around quickly to start trotting off ahead on the trail. Luna blushed heavily, most pleased indeed, getting back to her hooves to follow the younger alicorn princess. She felt she owed Twilight Sparkle much gratitude, and would enjoy any opportunity to repay her in return. Twilight Sparkle took in the darkness of the night, surprised by its density, not having realized the constant glow of Luna's horn and mane had served as a peaceful night light during her slumbers. Focusing inwards, her horn faintly glowing, she watched all the eyes flickering in the dark, the snarls and rumbles of fantastical creatures all about her. They all kept their distance, well aware of the danger posed by the pair of alicorns. It did little to relieve the tension welling within Twilight's heart though. The shadowy vegetation seemed to creep ever closer, their presence looming and reaching out for Twilight, driven by territorial confidence, having laid claim to this land for eons, long before the founding of Equestria. This was no place for a civilized pony, this was a land filled with untamed magic, of sentient cunning dangerous plant-life. The forest was wide awake in this darkness, the teeming creatures' powerful scents and passionate sounds and shimmering distant lights filling the alicorns' acute senses, trying to focus on the path ahead. Their travel became slower, patiently pushing and tugging their way through vines, tearing with teeth if need be, ever vigilant for the next inevitable terror in their journey. An enormous oak tree rose up before them, towering with age and power, gray as the deep earth, a low ominous hum emanating from its surface, its branches overwhelming the canopy in all directions, leaves covering all sight of the moon. The wretched vine-strewn path finally cleared around the trunk of this imposing tree, its heavy roots reaching out, untouched. To the right side of the great oak, the forest seemed to grow more sparse, moonlight shining down through the canopy, will-o-wisps dancing in the faint light. To the left, the glowing eyes of the depths seemed more numerous, the trees more densely packed in, and the wild noises of the night more relentless. Twilight trotted towards the right side of the tree without hesitation, dimming her glowing light of her horn as she approached more natural moonlight, eager to be away from the intimidating darkness, for once. “Wait!” Luna cried out, urgency in her voice. Twilight turned back to look at her, puzzled. “You must not go that way. Follow me!” Luna insisted, moving over towards the left hand path, determination in her eyes. “Why would that direction be a better choice?” Twilight demanded with a frown, disappointed and apprehensive. “I'm certain I needn't explain why this path seems far more safe!” Luna shook her head, the stars in her mane brighter in the deeper darkness. “Senses can be deceiving and misleading, Twilight Sparkle. To seem is not always to be.” Twilight's frown remained, clearly desiring more concrete explanation. “There is less cover and safety that direction, an easier hunt for the night predators, more space to surround prey efficiently. You must go deeper into the darkness.” Twilight sighed heavily, her heart in her throat as she stared at the baleful eyes hovering behind Luna, their presence always a bit out of reach. “What's to keep any of those... those things from snatching us up in that tightly cramped darkness?” A deep boom echoed through Twilight's ears, squinting her eyes shut and instinctively collapsing to her knees, a harsh wind billowing through her mane and tail, a loud thud shuddering in the canopy of the ancient oak tree. Craning her head upwards, she looked upon one of the thick lowermost branches of the large humming tree. An enormous pair of glowing yellow eyes gazed down upon her, talons clutching deep into the bark. “Book-keeper, tree-dweller, magic-seeker, fool!” declared the giant owl, its body a deep ash gray, blending in with the bark of the tree and the darkness all around it, though its eyes were horribly clear and piercing, and its breath was foul on the breeze. The princess of magic took a step back, and spread her wings, intimidated by the massive aerial predator, moreso by his offhand knowledge of her past duties! “Who are you?” Twilight demanded, while Luna glared up at the enormous bird. “How is it you know about me? I've never met or even heard of you!” “How little you know!” cackled the bird, its mocking laughter grating in Twilight's ears. “Go on, then, little alicorn. Take the gentle path,” he gestured with an outstretched wing towards the moonlit trail. “You shall know how far it will take you.” “Enough!” demanded Luna, stomping her hoof on the ground, showing no fear of the great gray owl. “I expected more courtesy and respect from you, Valzenok. Why do you mock my fellow alicorn so?” Valzenok ruffled up his feathers, sneering down at the Moon goddess. “She holds one of my own as a pet!” he emphasized with disgust. “It is an insult most despicable!” “He's not simply a pet!” Twilight explained, nervously hoping to ease Valzenok's resentment. “Owlowiscious is my night-time assistant, he helps with the book-keeping!” “You think that is his true name? Presumptuous!” The great gray owl clacked his beak and clenched his talons angrily, the gray tree seeming to hum a bit louder. “You are no more than a young fool in this world, after all!” “I demand you to cease this at once!” Luna boomed, her stars becoming hazy in her mane and tail, dark energy building within. “The goddess of Magic is friends with that owl, and he assists her voluntarily in turn. Is that not enough for you, or have you forgotten our own friendship as well?” Valzenok lept down another branch with a heavy thud, his shadow covering the smaller alicorns, eyes brimming with contempt. “An alliance at best, one that dissipated into the shadows the moment you gave in to your darkness, fallen one! Weak-willed fools, both of you!” scoffed the owl. “But you far moreso, oh pitiful savage: Nightmare Moon!” Luna clenched her teeth, tears welling up, hurt from the rejection of this friend from millennia past, his fierce reminders of her inner turmoil. Her eyes began to glow balefully, her whole body becoming darker, feet rising slowly from the ground. “You are the fool, if you dare to scorn me so!” Luna whispered quietly, and the owl still heard, and simply laughed. Twilight's heart seized up in her throat, aching for Luna's hurt feelings, yearning to sooth her, galloping up to her suddenly. Wrapping her soft purple wings gently around her shoulders, squeezing Luna close, pressing a hoof to her chest, Twilight held soft dark body tightly against her own. The goddess of friendship cradled the moon goddess close, swaying gently side to side, cuddling her flanks and nuzzling her cheek, until the cold chill of Luna's gathering darkness faded away. Luna pressed her tear-stained cheek against Twilight's forehead, closing her eyes and letting out a deep sad sigh. Valzenok, the great owl Guardian, stared balefully at the two weeping alicorns, cuddling up against one another. “Hmm,” he muttered, an odd single note of softness in his voice. “I am sorely tempted to ridicule you little fools more,” he snapped with his harsh ferocity again. “Still,” the wizened predator reached out with a gnarled old talon, pointing at them both, his eyes glowing softly. “There is hope for each of you... but only if you help each other find it. Walk your paths together carefully, and maybe one day... you will truly be free, Luna. If you do not fail miserably, that is.” Luna and Twilight looked up at the owl, tears in their eyes. “Are you happy now that you've hurt her?” accused Twilight bitterly, her concern for Luna still outweighing her fear of the great gray owl, covering Luna protectively with her wings. “You behave immaturely for one who claims to be so knowing!” Valzenok snorted, clacking his beak and ruffling his feathers again, clearly irritated. “I have little use for happiness, little brat, nor do I care if you take offence at my blunt sincerity. I wonder what the tree of harmony sees in you sometimes,” he peered curiously down at Twilight, momentarily in awe of the young alicorn. “But its secrets run as deep as its roots.” Twilight Sparkle huffed, tilting her head to one side, gazing back up at the bird with just one eye. “Then perhaps neither of us are as all knowing as we'd like to think!” Valzenok said nothing, though he dug his talons deeper into the bark. He stared down at the little purple alicorn for a few moments, until she finally looked away, incapable of winning such a staring contest. “Go then,” the gray owl gestured, spreading a wing towards the darkened path instead. “My appetite for your lives has disappeared,” he muttered darkly. “Know this, Luna: I will never forsake my vigil of the night. Find your peace, or keep your sorrow. It is your choice to make!” “Wait!” Luna cried out, reaching out with a hoof, spreading her wings. But already Valzenok had lifted up off the tree, swooping away down the moonlit path, eager to hunt for less bittersweet prey, the thunder of his wings disappearing on the wind. The ancient gnarled oak's hum became more faint as the owl travelled away from his roost, an ever watchful sentinel of the everfree forest. Luna sat down on all fours with a heavy sigh, shaking her head. “I should have expected this. Of course he would be like this. Neither of us are forgiving creatures. We respected one another, we were strong allies against the terrors of the night... until I became one myself.” Twilight huffed and began to gesture frantically, indignant and outraged. “Well, that's hardly fair of him, though, is it? He certainly acted like such a know-it-all, surely he'd know you have changed, right?” Luna looked away, trembling, wrapping her wings around herself in shame. “Twilight, I still have that potential within me. I could become Nightmare Moon if I let my emotions or my pride overwhelm me, if I let my grief or insecurity or resentment consume my heart. Valzenok sensed that dangerous possibility, so... is right to hold me in contempt still.” Twilight leaned over and began to nuzzle Luna's cheek gently. “Hey, don't feel ashamed or afraid. I know you've become a good and wonderful pony again! Don't forget who you're talking to, either. I'm the other crazy unstable alicorn who's secretly nice, right?” she chuckled a bit nervously, blushing. Luna giggled a little, pulling Twilight in closer, eager to snuggle. “Yes, I guess we're both the crazy dark sisters of the clan, aren't we?” Twilight giggled too, as they suddenly began a tickle fight, wrestling together under the owl's tree. “Hey let go of my wing!” she demanded, grabbing at Luna's leg. “Release me too, then!” Luna demanded, a loud meep as she found herself laid flat suddenly on her belly. “This is most undignified!” Twilight laughed as she rolled around on Luna's back. “Hey you were fine carrying me earlier!” The two alicorns of darkness laughed and tussled together, releasing their stress and tension from the unpleasant encounter, before stumbling into an awkward heap of fluffy pony. “Thank you for being there for me, Luna,” Twilight sighed, laying sideways across Luna's belly. Luna licked Twilight's cheek, causing the skittish purple alicorn to jump back to her feet, as usual. “Thank you as well,” Luna laughed, getting back up as well. “We should be on our way. I wouldn't want to be caught having Valzenok watching us like that.” Twilight gulped and nodded, reminded of how unpleasant and threatening the great owl guardian was. “I can see why its better to go the other way. I wouldn't want to risk him having a change of heart.” She wondered if she shouldn't try to have another talk with Owlowiscious about this ominous creature, but she supposed he would just ask who she was talking about... Luna warned sternly, “the Timberwolves prowl that road too, picking off whatever Valzenok leaves behind. Between them, little survives that path of death.” She cast her gaze down the tranquil path of doom, frowning. Twilight gasped, putting a hoof to her mouth, feeling unsettled in her guts. “Are you sure that owl is good? That seems pretty awful!” Luna smiled. “All creatures must eat, Twilight Sparkle. I suppose it is difficult to describe the morality and alignment of any of the guardians, though. Their cares and concerns are not like those of the mortal races. Celestia and I are in-between that state of being, I suppose,” she contemplated, getting a far-off look in her eyes, while Twilight digested her words. Luna hoped Celestia was doing alright. But Celestia assured her she'd be fine while they went on her quest. Luna in return promised to keep Twilight safe, and she wouldn't fail that promise now! “Follow me. There are many more dangers ahead, so be vigilant!” Twilight nodded, moving close to the larger alicorn of the night. Luna's horn glowed brightly once more, stepping through the dense foliage into the darker, more ominous woods. Twilight crept beside her, wings held tightly to her sides, not at all comforted by the hissing and shrieking of the night life all around her, or the terribly slow pace of their deadly journey. Luna wrapped a wing around Twilight side, both of them smiling, comforted by their bond. Whatever dangers awaited, they could face them together: the moon and her magic.