//------------------------------// // The Moon Dance // Story: The Return of The Princess of the Night // by Paintbrush235 //------------------------------// 200 Years Later Canterlot had been known throughout the centuries as the Marble Citadel. Some claimed that the Old Gods, ancestors of the Royal Sisters had long ago carved the city from a solid mountain of marble, blessing the city with eternal fortune and etherial wonder. It's commanding presence rising above most of Equestria gave it an aura of power and sophistication, with a reputation for shining like an eternal torch when Celestia's sun was cast upon the golden rooftops of the Royal Castle. Ponies, of every age and every species flocked to the metropolis to see the goddess in all her eternal beauty bless the city, the land, and her ponies with the warm life giving rays of the sun every Summer Sun Celebration, the thoroughfares leading up the mountain choked with carts, wagons and ponies on hoof desperate to catch a glimpse of their "Mother Sun." And yet for many years before, there had been those within the city who had felt nothing but despair during these proceedings, with awe replaced by frustration, warmth with the harsh cold of neglect, and love with anger, as they watched the one to whom they called "Mother Moon," scorned and under appreciated, by the very ponies who she would've have gladly thrown herself into the fires of Tartarus if it meant that they would live but one more day on this earth. Blackspear had grown up hearing stories of the "Dark Ages" from his Great Great Grandfather, Shadowtail. The young batpony colt had been fascinated with the ancient stallion's tales of the early days of the Lunar Guard, when Luna, the embodiment of the most heavenly body, the great moon, travelled into the darkest forests of Equestria, and called upon all those that dwelled in the night to step forth and stand beside her for the good of not only "those pushed into the darkness, but for all those that were unable to stand for themselves." Blackspear still felt chills run down his spine when he remembered his Great Great Grandfather recalling "The First Oaths." He had had to recite those very same words after completing a years training with the 1st Lunar Guard Regiment, "The Fighting First," honorably enough, his Great Great Grandfather's old regiment. He could still see the tears in Shadowtail's eyes when he spoke of the day he received his armor, forged in the fires of the Royal Armory and blessed with the magic of "Mother Moon" herself. "It was like I was born to wear it." The old guard had growled. "That it was forged to be worn by me, and me alone." Such tales of martial wonder however, had given way to gloom and doubt. Blackspear could not imagine what it must have been like for his elder to live through the "Dark Ages," when the Lunar Guard patrolled the streets at risk of ridicule, suspicion and assault. The people of Equestria had grown wary of those that dwelled in the night, with many a glare, glance and stone thrown to any batpony found on the streets of Equestria's cities. Shadowtail had lamented that while those stallions and mares of the guard could handle the abuse, they feared for their families and friends, who were scared of the very real possibility that the batponies would once again face exile. The guards had taken their case to their sovereign, and she had pledged to lobby her sister on their behalf. What had followed were broken promises, legislative restrictions on the travel of batponies, and the black cloud of despair. Blackspear had nearly broken down crying as a child when his Great Great Grandfather had talked of seeing the Princess of the Night fall deeper into darkness, her mane losing it's luster, her eyes growing heavy with each battle with the Royal Council. And yet every day, she still toured The Barracks, talking with Lunar Guards who stood on the front lines against the evil that would take advantage of her beautiful night to do harm to her ponies; her "Children of the Night." It had made it only all that more tragic when their "Mother Moon" fell beyond the reach of any Lunar Guard, or any Child of the Night. Lunar Guards referred to that night as "The Night of the Bleeding Stars." There had been a great explosion that had echoed across Canterlot. Every Lunar Guard was roused from their slumber, ready to face whatever had dared to break the peace of the night to bring violence on the home of their Sovereigns. Shadowtail had been one of the first to finish donning his armor, rushing to the door of his barrack, only to be greeted by the first commander of the "Fighting First;" the legendary Colonel Black Axe. Blackspear could picture the grim gaze that the old war horse had swept over his old command, his lone eye glittering in the moonlight. Little had been spoken. Many debated just what had been spoken. But Blackspear believed his Great Great Grandfather's version, who swore before the stars that what he said was the truth, or the Old Gods strike him dead. According to Shadowtail, the old colonel had simply sighed, and told all the gathered Lunar Guards, "Our Mother is in danger. I go to her aid. Muster in the Great Hall. Await further orders," before turning and pushing off with his aged leathery wings and flying in the direction of Everfree Forest. The guards, dutiful to the last, did as their commander ordered. They gathered in their Great Hall, where their Princess had addressed them hundreds of times before. Some sharpened their spears, some prayed to the Old Gods for the safety of their Mother, some slept, and some ate. Some tried to turn to drink to ease their worries, but they found the Regimental casks of ale had been smashed open, their contents poured into the sewers, the Lieutenants and Sergeants swearing that any guardspony who dishonored themselves on that night would be stripped of their armor and cast out for all eternity. The mood was gloom. They waited for hours. The sun had begun to rise before any word came of just what had occurred out in the woods of the Everfree. It was just after dawn when a frightened sentry had come bursting into the hall frantic with reports of battalions of Celestial Guards massing at the gate, the Captain of the Guard reporting fears of being overrun, and for what he knew not. Barely a word was spoken before the various companies of the "Fighting First" burst forth from the Great Hall and made for the gate. Upon arriving they discovered four battalions of gold clad "Celestials," spears glinting in the dawn light and hate in their eyes. Little time was given to ponder just what had occurred to bring such anger from their sun-kissed brothers and sisters before the 1st Lunar Guard Regiment had formed into a defensive square, the sentries falling back amongst their comrades. Shadowtail spoke of the confusion amongst the batponies. Why were the "Celestials" here? Where had Colonel Black Axe gone to? Where was their "Mother Moon?" Such questions could not be answered before the order came from the commander of the Celestial Guard to level their spears upon "those dark bastards and black bitches!" Just when it seemed like Shadowtail was about to tell the tale of the last stand of the "Fighting First," from the heavens came a great crack of light, and then, standing between the two lines of soldiers, stood the "Golden Sun" herself; Celestia. Shadowtail described in detail the battered state of the alicorn's wing feathers, the tarnished glint of her finery and the dark shadows of grief under her eyes. Both sides had bowed before the Sovereign, silence reigning upon the Gate. Then Celestia had turned to her Guards and gave the most strained and pained order that Shadowtail had ever heard her give. "Return to your barracks. There shall be punishments for this atrocity." The "Celestials" had looked at their Commander in Chief like she had grown eight heads. The commander seemed ready to object when the Solar Princess fixed him with a glare that would've turned lesser opponents to ash. With that, the Celestial Guards had about-faced and marched up the streets to their barracks, leaving Princess Celestia with the Lunar Guard. A few moments of silence passed, according to Shadowtail, before the Sovereign to the confused and angry batponies. The old stallion could distinctly remember the shock felt by all when they saw that the Princess's eyes were filled with the tears of "a grief so deep that it would've made the Old Gods wail." What came next was nothing that any of them could expect. The corruption of their "Mother Moon," the battle she fought with her sister, the destruction of the Everfree Castle, and perhaps the most heart-wrenching; Luna's banishment. A chill had swept through the ranks. Impossible! Their Mother? Gone? Cast from this earth like so much waste? Shadowtail had no shame in stating how he and many of his comrades would weep for weeks after they were told of their Lunar Sovereign's cruel fate. Grief turned to anger quickly. Many of the Lunar Guardsponies began shouting at Celestia, demanding to she answer for all the times she had broken promises to her sister, ignored her, and ignored the abuse that she and her followers had faced in the recent decades. Some were almost calling for her to face justice, demanding that she herself should be banished to the sun for her crimes. Yet these shouts had begun to fade away when all present saw the most distressing of sights that any pony, whether they were day walkers or night stalkers, could ever witness; a Princess of Equestria sobbing. The sound would've torn the mountains of Canterlot asunder. Celestia fell before the Lunar Guards, tears streaking down her face like rapid rivers. Apologies and pleas fell from her mouth like an avalanche, begging the batponies to forgive her for failing her sister. Eventually, even words became too much for the Solar Sovereign, and she fell into a fit of sobs and wails. None of the guards knew how to react. How would you? Even the hardest of them could not help by feel immense pity and compassion towards a pony who as grieving over the loss of a family member. They could all empathize with that feeling, when all hope and love in world seems to turn to ash. It was then that one of the Lunar Guard stepped forward; a mare who would forever be remembered as "The Mare who Embraced the Sun." Private Ebony Mane, a young guardsmare with just two years of service under her wings, stepped from the ranks and approached the weeping Princess, the other Lunar Guards still too shocked to say anything. They barely had time to register the guardsmare's break of protocol before the young batpony had wrapped her hooves and wings round the barrel of Princess Celestia, the Solar Sovereign startled out of her sobbing by the contact. Then, there came a melody; the sweet melody of a song that every Lunar Guard or Child of the Night knew by heart, for many had sung the song to their children as they tucked them in to sleep with promises that their Mother Moon would be watching over them. It was soothing, sweet, and forgiving. A single tear slipped from Ebony Mane's eye, as she whispered into Celestia's ear, "Our Mother was strong, kind, and she loved you so much." Not too long after that, the Princess had composed herself to request an audience with the Lunar Guard in their Great Hall. Slowly and warily, the Guard returned and stood ready as Celestia stood before them. She spoke once again of her sorrow, of the regret for being blinded to the night, and all those that dwelled in it. She spoke of her sister, and how she had been consumed, and while she had done what she could to save her, and how if she could switch places with her beloved Luna she would gladly do so. It was then that she told them the fate of Colonel Black Axe. The old war horse had appeared in the royal chambers of the Everfree Palace, battle axe in hoof, sharpened to a razor edge. Apparently the corruption, whom Celestia had referred to as "Nightmare Moon," had been pleased at the arrival of the Colonel, calling for him to join her in her new campaign against the Solar Princess and to bring about Eternal Night to not only Equestria, but the entire world. It had come as quite a shock when Colonel Black Axe raised his weapon and called upon Celestia to run, charging towards the demon that had consumed his beloved Mother, screaming the First Oath of the Lunar Guard; We Roam the Darkness to Bring Forth the Light! Love and Life have no Limit, therefore neither shall I! I am a Soldier of the Moon, and for the Moon I shall Die! The battle described would go down in Lunar Guard history as one of the most treasured; when even when the darkness tempted him, the Commander of the Guard refused to forsake his oath, even when faced with the shade of his Sovereign. To know that there commander went down fighting to the end gave some pride to the otherwise ashamed Guard. A few moments of silence passed before the Solar Princess faced the Lunar Guard, and with a conviction rarely seen among any creature of the earth, spoke a solemn vow. "Hear me my ponies. Your Mother shall return to you. I do not know how long it shall be, but she will return to you. And when she does, I swear upon the blood of my Father and the blood of the Old Gods, that she will be welcomed with the open hooves of a nation, reborn and ready to receive the beauty of her night as she should have been. You, the Lunar Guard, shall carry on her legacy, for generation after generation until that day comes. And I will stand by you as you stood by her, and keep her memory alive in the hearts of every Child of the Night, Child of the Guard, and Child of Equestria." ----- Blackspear had packed light for the journey to Everfree. His bundles and saddlebags contained the barest of essentials; food, water, groundcloth, blanket, cooking tools, and of course his offerings. Walking beside him, nearly three hundred pegasi, unicorns, earth ponies and batponies chatted excitedly amongst themselves as they walked together into the darkening forests, the red sunset casting a brilliant light on the landscape. Torches and illuminated horns guided the column into the woods. Ahead of Blackspear, he could hear a group of fillies and colts giggling and playing with each other, the laughter growing as the adults took joy in the childish eagerness to be able to "speak to Mother Moon." Blackspear smiled, thinking back to when he was of similar age, when his parents brought him on the great pilgrimage to this most holy of sites, to bridge the gap between them and the Lunar Sovereign, reducing those leagues of space into barely a breath away from their faces. It still sent a shiver down his spine to think back on that memory. "You alright love? Not too cold?" Blackspear smiled. He turned to face the source of the kind inquiry, a tall brown earth pony stallion, with a mane as blonde as the sand and green eyes as warm as a hearth, a black cooking pot held over a roaring fire marked his flanks as his cutie mark. Blackspear could still remember when he had first met Fire Pit on one of his nightly patrols in Canterlot's Market District. The handsome stallion had opened his bakery for Blackspear and his comrades, giving them freshly baked muffins and warm cocoa for the cold winters night. To say that the young Lunar Guard Stallion had fallen for the earth pony when they locked eyes would've been and understatement. Several trips to the bakery later and the two stallions had begun a relationship, Fire Pit always ready to dote upon his stallion with baked goods, while Blackspear had done wonders to boost the young stallion's confidence. They made each other laugh, and above all, they shared a love of the night. "No Sparky." Blackspear replied, the pet name causing his stallion to blush. "Just thinking." "What about?" Fire Pit brushed up against the bat pony, who pushed back with equal tenderness. "Just thinking about the first time I danced the Dance of the Moon. I was a child, so I wasn't allowed to take part in the full ceremony, but I remember it being...," Blackspear paused. "Wonderful?" Fire Pit finished with a smile, pressing his lips to Blackspear's. Blackspear pushed back into the kiss, the two stallions almost losing themselves in the kiss like teenage colts in grade school. Breaking the kiss, the two stallions simply gazed into each others' eyes. Blackspear loved Fire Pit's eyes. He loved watching the flames of the bakery ovens dance in those deep hazel pools while the stallion labored over his fresh grain buns well into the evening. He loved watching the Mother Moon's beautiful stars dance in Fire Pit's eyes as they lay on the moon kissed meadows beneath Canterlot, chatting away about patrol encounters and bakery mishaps. In those eyes, Blackspear saw life, and above all he saw love. A love unconditional, a love all-empowering, and a love without prejudice. It was rare to find such love in one's life, and Blackspear considered himself truly blessed. ----- Night had fully fallen by the time all the pilgrims had gathered before the ruins of Everfree Castle. All around Blackspear, colorful canvas tents sprouted from the ground like mushrooms, the spectrum of color illuminated by candles and oil lamps. Hundreds of cooking fires had sprung up, creating the most heavenly aromas which wove through the crowds like comforting hands. Blackspear could never get over just how beautiful such gatherings were. His experiences only enhanced now with his beloved stallion by his side. It wasn't long before a great gong echoed through the encampment, signaling the approaching start of the ceremony. Blackspear and Fire Pit, along with all the other attendants, began to don their indigo blue cloaks, each one custom embroidered with various silver stitchings that symbolized ponies love for their "Mother Moon." Blackspear admired the hoofwork of his mother again, the image of two stallions circling each other in a lover's dance under a crescent moon matched those of his lover's. The cloaks had been a gift for the two stallions upon their completion of that ritual just a few years ago, and next to Blackspear receiving his armor, it was the best gift he had ever received. Soon the ponies began to congregate at a clearing at the edge of the encampment. In the center stood a simple wooden stage, upon which a single grand candle flickered. The Eternal Flame, lit by Celestia herself the day after her beloved sister's banishment, had burned unending since that fateful night, with neither rain, sleet, snow of creature's will snuffing it out. Before the candle, hooded and cloaked, with beads of every hue hanging from her neck, the Grand Lunar Priestess waited for the ponies to finish assembling before she threw back her hood and held aloft her blackened ash staff. "Children of the Night. We gather again for a time of mourning for our Mother Moon, who for now resides beyond our reach among the stars of her creation. We mourn her loss, for that loss is our loss. We can only ask for her forgiveness that we did not go to her in her time of crisis and despair, to return the love that she so unconditionally bestowed upon us time and time again. Blackspear, Fire Pit, and the other ponies bowed their heads and recited silently their prayers of forgiveness. Blackspear heard more than one pony silently weeping. "But Children." The Priestess continued. "Tonight is again, a night of hope. Hope for the return of our Mother, so that she may once again bestow upon the Night the rivaled beauty for which all creatures are blessed. We come together to show our Mother that we have not forgotten her, that her love still lives within our hearts, and that when she returns, she will bask in a warmth unparalleled in his history of the world. We return her love to her. We thank her and we await her glorious return. In the name of The Moon, The Stars, and all her Glory, we pray for that day!" "In the name of The Moon, The Stars, and all her Glory, we pray for that day!" Came the chorused reply. What followed was something impossible to describe, though Blackspear had paid witness to it many times before. Steadily the gathered ponies began to rise, breaking off into smaller groups led by Ritual Masters. These Masters began to direct each group in the rhythms and beats of dance, the ponies circling and prancing around each other as deep drums sounded the beat. Blackspear could feel it growing and growing in his heart and he circled his beloved Fire Pit. That warmth; that unbelievable warmth. The warmth that can only come from the night. As the drums increased their tempo, the ponies followed suit, stamping and prancing, circling and bowing, until at last with one great crash the drums stopped and the ponies looked to the heavens, to the moon, to their Mother. Blackspear felt the familiar tears as he stared at the celestial body, hoping with every beat of his heart, that his Mother was watching now, and could see the love that awaited her on her return. In a shadowed crater upon the moon, Luna slept. She had little else to do. Time had lost most meaning with her, the minutes, hours, days, months and years blending into an endless blur which seemed to have no end. Nothing to do but wander the moon, alone with her thoughts, her grief, and of course The Nightmare. She had been leaving Luna alone recently, but it gave her little comfort. She was out there, waiting. Waiting for what, Luna did not know. The Nightmare would return frequently to attempt to draw her back in again, with tales of revenge that they would wreak upon the ponies of Equestria, and her sister Celestia. Luna tried to ignore her, burrowing into her grief. Perhaps it would be enough to drown in her sorrows so that she would no longer be subject to her own self-imposed torment. Her ears perked up as something reached them. She lifted her head, peering up to the rim of the crater. Drums? Surely not...? Then it hit her. As time blurred, so did her memories. They were praying again. Praying for her. Luna shot to her hooves and galloped up over the rim and stared down upon the earth towards Equestria. She could hear them! Her Ponies! Her Children! The tears came again as she listened to the music, heard each child offer up their prayers of love and kindness, the words washing over her like a warm bath. She could hardly hold herself up, collapsing upon the lunar dust as she sobbed with joy. "Oh my Children! My Children!" She weeped. "I promise I will come back to you! I promise! I promise!" But as she made this declaration upon the stars, from a distance, a black shadow watched, disgust radiating from it like a poison. The shadow chuckled. There was still hope for it yet. Still shreds of doubt and despair to grab onto and pick at, before the old wounds opened like a dam and blood would spill upon the earth. Back on that earth, there were still those who doubted. Still those to throw her host upon like a hammer upon an anvil, deep within the Royal Halls themselves. Oh yes. She would have her revenge. She just had to wait and show her host just was she meant to her "Children."