//------------------------------//
// Dawn Patrol 
// Story: The Last Dreams of Pony Island 
// by horizon 
//------------------------------//

Dawn Patrol

Littlemoth dances behind my eyelids.

Hooves stamping the rhythm of the reel, 
flanks swaying, tail lashing, 
until I close my eyes and 
she is ripped screaming hurtling through the void
sister bowing crowned head
as her cries fade into the silent arc of the moon

I shove Littlemoth from my thoughts
and suddenly can see the mob behind her,
the stiff and ghoulish form
of Peridot holding a torch.

I can't
I can't
I can't let them know.

screaming hurtling through the void
sister bowing crowned head
How could Princess Luna snap?

"Rumor is," Sextant said, "she felt 
like ponies didn't love her."
I guess that explains the night without a moon,
when it chased the sun over the horizon
and we saw a skyful of brilliant stars:
the lightgivers were warring over Equestria
before Celestia banished her sister.

Back in Equestria, Sextant said,
the Night Watch and Nightmares 
rose up against the rest of the Guard,
and even the civilian Nocturne hoisted arms.

"Well, we've had none of that here," I said.
"Not with so many dead of marsh fever.
You'd better make for Maretaban
and let the sickness run its course."
I watched his ship come about,
and flew back to Myinnkyun
to finish my patrol.

Cabotage said he was expecting
a trade ship from Ponsylvania,
so I scared them off too.
As soon as word of the war spreads
(screaming hurtling through the void)
They'll chase Littlemoth and …

I can't.

I can't save them all,
and I can't watch Myinnkyun turn on them,
but I can show Littlemoth the love
Celestia couldn't show Luna.
I can take her hoof
as I did in our dance,
as I do in our tender moments
in passing in the streets,
and we can wing over the walls
and brave the jungle.
If we can make it past the Mooken
we'll fly down the Maregui
to the maneland.

Just as soon as I can get off patrol.
Just as soon as I can get her alone.