Chapter 4
A single butterfly remained. It fluttered around Noctilucent’s room, wavering in an unseen breeze, flittering about for a while in the waking world, before finally dissolving into a trail of glittering dust, vanishing from reality. Noctilucent lay in his bed, thinking about his life. He had a life. He did not know what to think about that, not yet, and he understood that at some point, he needed to sit down and have a good think about his new purpose in life.
A small part of him was grateful that he was alive and that these tough decisions were made for him. A larger part of him disagreed, feeling suddenly angry about this whole turn of events.
All he had wanted was for the pain to end.
He was still in pain, even more so now, feeling guilt and shame over what he had done, confusion about his current situation, and a steadily growing feeling of hot anger.
As he lay in his bed, he realised the drugs he had been given in the hospital were wearing off… And his mood was changing rapidly. His wing throbbed dully, painfully, a hot burning ache in his joint.
His anger turned into a near seething rage though when he came to the conclusion that most of his anger wasn’t directed towards Princess Luna, but himself. He lay in bed and gritted his teeth, hating himself. Had he just endured, he would not be in this position, bound to this task, forced to face the one thing he wasn’t sure that he could face.
The faces of the dead haunted him, and a crushing wave of sorrow washed over him, flooding him raw emotions that he was unable to deal with. He began to weep, quietly, trying not to make a sound. He buried his face into his pillow and tried to let it out, unable to hold it in, unable to hold back any longer.
As he lay crying, he heard faint hoofsteps coming into his room and he struggled to compose himself. He heard a ruffled scrape along the wall, and saw Cactus Blossom feeling her way around his room, looking concerned, turning her head and trying to listen.
“I heard you crying,” she said, her voice soft. “I have really good ears. It woke me up. Are you alright? I can’t remember your name, I’m sorry,” she added as she tried to feel her way to Noctilucent’s bedside.
“I’m sorry for waking you. I was… sad,” Noctilucent replied. “I am Noctilucent.”
Hearing his voice, the foal moved carefully to his bedside and sat down when she bumped the edge of the bed. “I get sad too,” Cactus replied, her voice a soft whisper. “I know how it is.”
“I’m sure being an orphan is tough,” Noctilucent said, his head on his pillow, staring sideways at the foal.
“I wasn’t always an orphan. I had a mother once. We hit some hard times. She tried to get rich in Las Pegasus, lost what little bit we had,” Cactus Blossom said, resting her head on the edge of the bed, her eyes staring vacantly ahead.
“What happened?” Noctilucent asked, not actually wanting an answer.
“She… my mom became sad because we had nothing. She… she…” the foal said, struggling to finish, her voice becoming strained and full of emotion. “She jumped from a building. And then I came here,” she said, restraining tears, holding everything back somehow.
Noctilucent felt something give way inside, a terrible feeling, something that now hurt worse than his broken wing. “I’m so sorry… I don’t know what to say,” he said in a soft voice. He felt an ache in his heart for the foal. Did Princess Luna want him to help her? Could he help her? Noctilucent did not know. He currently could not help himself.
“Don’t be sorry,” the foal replied in a quiet emotional whisper. “I hate her. I hate her for what she did. I don’t want people feeling sorry for me. She left a note saying she had lost everything… she still had me. I guess I didn’t matter,” the foal added, her voice now becoming angry and full of pain. “She was selfish.”
“I-” Noctilucent’s voice died in his throat. He was about to agree that Cactus’s mother had been selfish, but he was in no position to agree.
“Did somepony hurt you?” Cactus asked bluntly.
“Yes, somepony hurt me,” Noctilucent reluctantly answered, his voice wavering, uncertainly creeping into his voice as he started to wonder how to answer this question. Somepony had hurt him. How could he explain this to Cactus. Should he explain this to Cactus? He didn’t know. And he didn’t say.
“Did they break your wing? Luna told me your wing was broken and that I need to be extra careful with you,” Cactus said, her head still resting on the edge of the bed.
“Yes… well, uh,” Noctilucent said, sniffling. “Yes, somepony hurt me and broke my wing.”
“That wasn’t very nice of them,” Cactus said, her mood mercurial in a way that only a foal could be. “Why would they want to do that to you? You seem nice, you haven’t kicked me out of your room or hollered at me for bothering you while you were crying.”
“No, I suppose it wasn’t very nice of them to hurt me,” Noctilucent said, the words tearing fresh wounds of guilt even as he spoke them.
“Ponies holler at me a lot,” Cactus said.
“You do act out a little tiny bit,” Noctilucent answered hesitantly, his voice quavering from his settling sobs.
“Not a little bit. I’ll tell you a secret. I do this on purpose,” Cactus Blossom said, heaving a sigh.
“Why tell me your secrets? And why do you do this on purpose? What purpose could it serve?” Noctilucent asked, wiping his nose with his fetlock.
“Luna told me I should try telling you my secrets and she made me promise to do so. And I do this on purpose for a very good reason,” Cactus Blossom answered, one ear flopping downward, her face becoming rather sad looking.
“And that is?” Noctilucent asked, now wiping his eyes.
“Adults come here all the time, usually ponies who live here. They adopt sometimes. I don’t want to be adopted,” Cactus Blossom confessed.
“Why not?” the pegasus asked in stunned disbelief.
“I don’t want to be hurt again,” Cactus said, her other ear now drooping. “Luna made me tell her about it, I didn’t want to tell her, but I saw her in my dreams, and I knew she would find out sooner or later, and she sat me down and made me talk, and we talked about why I behave the way I do, and I don’t want to be hurt again,” the foal whimpered a few times as she spoke, and then began to cry silently, no sounds, just a few tears slipping from her sightless eyes. “I can see in my dreams. Luna can make me see there, the world is so beautiful.”
Noctilucent sat in stunned silence.
“If I act out ponies stay away from me. Except for Candy Corn. She needs me. Candy’s father killed her mother and then he killed himself and Candy isn’t a happy foal,” Cactus said. “Don’t tell nopony. Luna promised me that I could trust you and if you tell anypony, I’ll tell Luna.”
“I won’t tell nopony,” Noctilucent promised.
“Now that somepony has hurt you, do you still trust other ponies? I only trust Luna, and I am trying to give you a fair shot because Luna said she would give me a lecture if I didn’t and I don’t mind Holly’s lectures but Luna has a really loud voice when she lectures, and Luna is the only pony that can make me feel guilty over anything other than Candy Corn,” Cactus said, the words spilling out of her mouth rapidly.
“I don’t think I trust the pony that hurt me,” Noctilucent said in a low whisper. “Thankfully, Princess Luna had made sure that he can’t hurt me again,” he added, relief easy to hear in his voice.
“The pony who hurt you must be a real monster. You seem so nice. You’ve let me talk your ear off and you haven’t chased me away or screamed at me that I talk too much, or called me an annoying little blabbermouth,” Cactus Blossom said, reaching up with her forehoof and wiping her own eyes. “Thank you,” she added. “Luna was right. I’ll go easy on ya for now, but I can be a little obnoxious at times.” Quite without warning, the foal jumped up into bed with Noctilucent and settled against his side.
“Uh, I am not sure if this is such a good idea,” Noctilucent said.
“Why not?” Cactus Blossom said. “You are sad. I wouldn’t be a very nice pony if I went off and left you while you were sad. Luna would chew my ear off like that one time when she let Graves have it for calling Sassy a genocidal murderer. What’s a genocidal murderer? I know what a murderer is…”
“The bad griffons took over the donkeys’ homeland and did bad things. The good griffons came to Equestria, unable to stay at home. Uh, genocide is when one group of creatures do bad things to another group of creatures,” Noctilucent explained, trying to be as delicate as possible.
“And Luna wonders why I don’t want to trust anypony,” Cactus quipped. She snuggled against Noctilucent carefully, curling into as small ball of pale green foal. “I’m not hurting you am I?” she asked.
“No,” Noctilucent replied.
“Good, I am going back to sleep,” she announced. “The day is hot. We go out and play at night usually.” The foal yawned, stretching out her long orange tongue, and then rested her head down upon her folded forelegs. “Luna calls us her children of the night,” she said, her final words sounding drowsy. It what seemed like moments, her breathing became slow and steady, her sides rising and falling, a faint whistle coming from her booger encrusted nostrils because she had been crying.
With the foal now silent, Noctilucent was left alone to face his thoughts.
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blech....I still can't stop thinking about the fact his BALL AND SOCKET JOINT ON HIS WING IS SNAPPED IN HALF....AND STILL STUCK IN THE SOCKET.
That's gotta suck knowing he has nobody to blame but himself for that part....
4381517
I just hope that some in depth discussions about the characters will actually begin soon.
The bones gain meat.
Fleshy meat.
I hate this story so much. I actually hate my own story, even as I am writing it, because I am filled with so many conflicting feelings about the situations therein.
I loathe Luna's actions but applaud her results. I find my self in a peculiar position. And I've hated every aspect of this story and the public reaction has left me surprisingly off kilter.
Really nice to get actual death threats from people. Nice to see bronies living up to the values of love and tolerance.
4381654
I plan to go into further details later on. We will get to see other ponies standing on the brink.
Not looking forward to writing some of those parts actually.
Hmmm, interesting...
I feel really conflicted about the methods Luna has used on the fic. On one hand, I feel that suicide is not the solution to anyone's problems. On the other hand, placing a geass on someone and forcing them to live goes againts my views on free will. On the other other hand, stopping people from comitting suicide is a must.
I feel that maybe Luna should have simply stopped him before he jumped. I know that, in the end, the result for Noctilucent is the same (as in, being forcibly stopped from suicide) but it somehow feels like less of a moral transgression on Luna's part. (Probably because she isnt using mind altering magic)
Whatever the case, this fic has made me, and judging from the comments, many others, think about the moral issues of forcibly stopping a suicide. And whatever the outcome of the story, and the point of view each reader ends up "taking home", any writer that makes us think, deserves a thank you.
So thanks, and I really hope that you finish the fic.
4381705
Aw, thanks.
I like your ponies. They're ponies, not humans. A little alien. This is a very interesting take on the Herd mentality and gave me something to chew on.
I think your conflict about your own work comes through in a rather nice way, tbh, in the emotions in the words and in the feels that result. This is a challenging story for sure. The subject matter, the way the characters are handling it and, well, the comments section whiiich I think I am gonna avoid reading much of.
I thought it was interesting that Cactus Blossom would be so open so quickly, but then again... Luna. So it does make a lot of sense that she would, having been more or less ordered to do so by the princess.
I did like you included that Luna's stated that the geas is now there only by his own volition and not because he is now a plaything at her whim (though technically, all the little ponies are). It does make me wonder if she's using the placebo effect in part or in whole. I also liked it because it's true. Depression is a dirty, dirty liar that whispers horrible things. Depression is something that takes a willpower and self motivation to fight (sometimes in addition to medication because brain chemistry) and therapy works best when the subject wants the change for themselves.
I'm curious to see where it goes, but it's rough subject matter and combined with less-than-tolerant comments can make what should be fun, enjoyable, interesting or at least thought provoking, not at all worth the cost of your own mental health.
The premise alone of this story is incredibly thought-provoking, and I really do find myself already caring about these characters. You seem to be a talented writer; I think I'll check out your other stories while I'm waiting for updates on this one
"Suicide is not the simple removal of your pain and grief, instead it is the relocation of it onto those closest to you." Something I've remembered thanks to you, because you got me thinking.
I'm inclined to side with Luna from a perspective of intervening with drug addicts, but don't believe that breaking someone's will should be necessary. Before I say more I need to get a better grasp of what I think, before putting it into words.
4381646 I'll be honest...I'm not that interested in the story as I should be...but so far, the purpose...it's pretty much what philosophers want...to get people to think for once.
I would love it if people think more. That way we might have some smarter people in the world.
4381763
4381833
As a Discordian, I am obligated to offer up the occasional mindfuck.
Because Eris is probably indifferent about me, and wants me to be confused, if she wants me to feel anything at all.
Fnord.
4381870
Yeah, I tossed this story out before it was really finished.
I guess you could say it was half baked.
Usually, I place a bit more work into them before tossing them out into the wide open world, I did this on a whim, not really certain it was ready.
I don't know if I did the right thing or not. That remains to be seen.
4381646
Seeing as how I never sent anyone a death threat in my entire lifetime, should I feel insulted at this generalisation?
Glad to see you continuing the story. Looking forward to more drama, don't worry you are doing a fine job.
4381920
No. But I was quite shocked actually. Sorry, it was probably a little off the cuff. It is late, I am frazzled, and I was merely voicing my surprise.
Do forgive me if you can.
Seriously though, what the hell? I honestly wasn't expecting, well, that sort of response.
4381931
It's because people want cookie-cutter plots and characters so generic they make a jar of sand seem like a good conversation partner. Culture, particularly television culture, has more or less taught us that thinking for ourselves is bad. That it's dangerous.
4381931
To be honest, I don't understand it either. Doing something like that is so horrible... I can't even imagine it.
And I apologise for the lingering hostility in my post as well; it's just a pet peeve, you see.
4381884
This started as trainwreck of reckless abandon. And pun and reference to first chapter is intended.
The discussion will keep going strong in the comments and nothing now can stop the flame war.
However, it is not a bad thing, but a great thing.
I find myself questioning my moral considering how people reacted to the story.
4381833
All of your comments sound like Button Mash is pronoincing the words. You somehow made your avatar very... Uh... *Vocabulary limit reached*.
Edit.
4381944
4381957
I KNOW!
I even commented that I read everything in Button Mash's voice.
4381957
The world is becoming an Orwellian nightmare, and we never even noticed.
Part of the argument here is that by killing him or herself, a pony is wasting his or her potential and hurting those around him. What is he just doesn't care?
Unless Luna thinks that Noctilucent will be forever under the geas and is content to have him being a drone doing stuff for her, she must have planed these experiences for him in order to teach him something. Which I'm willing to bet is the case, since she wants him to regain his self-love and encourages to hate her. And that is going to happen via making him see what harm he's done and would do by not being there.
I have to wonder... What would happen if Luna came across a pony that is completely without any sort of empathy? Would she prolong his suffering endlessly until he died of old age and not care because he actually is acting as part of the grander scheme? After all such a pony wouldn't learn from these experiences and nothing would change.
4381944 Speven you magnificent bastard I love you and your political/societal views :) especially when they are saddeningly true.
4382008
There's a reason I stay away from commercial television and novels these days. Absolutely nothing you can't find somewhere else, and the alternatives are usually much more entertaining.
wow. This one certainly tugs at the heartstrings. Great work and please keep it up
Adrian Carton de Wiat produced a nice little quote in his memoirs: "Governments may think and say as they like, but force cannot be eliminated, and it is the only real and unanswerable power." Luna has the unanswerable power here. She has the force. Arguing about such a thing is pointless.
I am of firm mind that suicide is the utmost weakness that a human can turn to. By "suicide" I mean self-terminating one's own physically healthy life. It is a disgusting equivalent to murder. Should a person of unsound body desire an end to their suffering, I completely support both self-termination and assisted termination. However, note my emphasis on "physically". Anyone of scientific mind would know that psychological health and physical health are often linked. Mental disorders are nearly always caused by genetic abnormalities that result in neurochemical imbalances. These are physical afflictions that form psychological scars. This means that such an opinion extends to those suffering from mental disorders. They can fight if they wish (through drugs and therapy), but should they desire an end, it is unacceptable to refuse them.
The only mental "disorder" I do not accept is depression. Depression will almost invariably lead to a desire to self-terminate. More importantly, it can easily be fought against. I can say this as one who has suffered crippling depression. If this character, Noctilucent, was merely depressed, then he did not deserve to choose suicide. "But OC! That's taking away one's right to choose!" Bullshit. Every single law in existence influences one's ability to "choose". You want to choose to murder? You're going to suffer heavily for it. You want to choose to steal? You're going to suffer. In my case, if you want to choose to attempt suicide, then you're going to suffer for it. If you want to fully support the right to "choose", then you'd best be prepared to accept anarchy into your heart...
I am aware that quite the controversy exists for such an opinion. I have likely thought over my own opinion more than you. "What if they would have changed their mind in the future?" "What of bipolar individuals that would likely change their minds within a short time?" "What of those considered mentally unsound to the point of being considered incapable of making their own choices?" I do not have to care about such matters, for they do not apply to me. If my opinion controlled the reality of others, then I would be more careful. However, I do not make the decision for others. This is simply how I feel about the matter.
tl;dr Suicide is disgusting and wrong for all individuals excluding those experiencing immense physical or psychological suffering. "Depression" is not counted in the psychological suffering department. Luna is completely in the right within this story.
4382118
Hmm, I think I hate Luna a little less.
I dunno. This is still a very muddled issue for me.
Luna's actions really give me the heebie jeebies something awful.
I started off with her as the villain and as the story goes on and the comments continue, at least the well thought out intelligent comments, I find my self actually beginning to sympathise with Luna just a little bit, and it BOTHERS me.
I needed to hate her actions because it was my primary motivation for the story.
And now, I am confuzzled. And not quite sure how I feel about the issue any more.
4382153
It truly is a simple question: Though Luna has the unanswerable power, should she have used it? That's where most of the disagreement is coming from. Both sides have a strong point.
Pro Luna: She only desires what is best for him. Like a parent with greater knowledge than a child. Though you do not like being injected for the vaccine, it will help you in ways you do not comprehend with such a young mind. (DO NOT EVEN FUCKING TRY TO PULL ANY ANTI-VACCINE BULLSHIT! As a scientist, that mass of shit infuriates me to no end!)
Anti Luna: Forcing your will on another is inherently wrong. She is taking his right to choose, and that is a slippery slope to tread. (If you favour this opinion, then consider how much those in your government are forcing their will on you through laws!) I lean towards a libertarian thought process, so I fully understand this perspective.
In all reality, this story reflects real world conflicts in ideology. That is why the responses have been heated. Do you side with authority, or do you resist it? The answer to this question determines which side you will fall on.
This is also why you are so confused. Seldom does such a polarised issue have an easy answer. Sure, authority can be good, but it can also be abused. You are naturally trying to decide whether Luna's authority is benign or abusive. I can not answer that question for you. I see it as benign, but it certainly dances on that slippery slope of free-will vs. authority.
I am a man of faith, so I have a natural inclination to accept benevolent authority. Keep this in mind when you consider why I have the perspective I do.
4382274
I can't answer. Not yet. I don't have one.
But I think I actually just grew as a person just a little bit.
Been thinking about these issues as I hammer out the next chapter of The Chase.
When I started, I wanted something a bit 1984ish with ponies. It was going to be a horror story with a happy ending, but very disturbing and troubling undertones along the way, full of pitfalls and questions about morality and ethics.
Luna loomed over all the dreamers, looking for those who wanted to break away from the herd in the most permanent sense. And then, she would restore them, quite against their will, fixing them until they were happy with their lives, loving themselves, and loving her, because everypony must love Big
BrotherSister, be happy, and conform.And now, my own perspectives and perceptions have been altered significantly. I am no longer sure I can write out the story in the same way I had planned.
Because I actually find my self sympathising with Luna now, and that really makes it difficult to paint her as the villain. It isn't so easy to hate her. I needed to hate her for story purposes. I needed to be afraid and bothered by what she did.
Using Cactus Blossom to emotionally manipulate Noctilucent absolutely sickens me, I can almost hear the words of O'Brien in 1984 being whispered into my head as I wrote, threatening to cram me into my own personal room 101.
And in a way, he has.
At the end of the chapter, I found myself agreeing that manipulating Noctilucent with Cactus Blossom was a brilliant move.
And then I began to wonder if I was doomed to love Big Brother.
Really, I am not trying to be overly dramatic about this, but honestly, I had a bitch of a time writing that chapter. Straight out emotional FUCKING BLACKMAIL. Right from a foal. A little fuzzy adorable bomb just waiting to go off in your face and rip you and your psyche to pieces.
And as I wrote, I realised from a character perspective, this is exactly what Noctilucent needed.
And then I was overcome with a dreadful sense of self loathing. I was forced to admit near the end of the chapter, when I was editing it for the final time, had I Luna's powers, I might actually do the same thing. Because I am an awful fucking pragmatist.
And then, something cracked. And I've been feeling really weird ever since then. I have no idea what I am feeling. I don't like it. I wish it would go away.
I must say Im really enjoying this story so far. At first I thought it would end up Luna devouring the souls of the deceased for some selfish purpose, but it turned a lot better then I expected.
I have read a lot of fimfiction stories and some of them where good others not so. As far I noticed one fact that even the best stories are left unfinished. And your story is one I think really worth writting on from my point of view.
About the suicide thing and western values I agree with them at some degree, but im from eastern Europe and I have different view on things like for example suicide. It really depends on the situation you are in. Cactus mother killed herself of selfishness living her daughter and it truly was an amoral decision, but Noctilucent is a different story. His suicide wouldnt had effected anyone live, bucause
as far as I undestand he doesnt really had anyone that cares for him or vise versa. Like no one visits him in the hospital expect ofc for Luna, but back then he didnt know that she cared for him. And where im going for this is that his decision for suiciding is justified and from my point of view - moral. And no, im not saying that what Luna did was bad, she just showed him another way in life that he didnt knew back then while jumping of the cliff.
All in all great story so far. Also that lipstick think that Cactus did, just, wow, Internet still finds a way to suprise me ^^
good luck with the story tovarich.
4382337
Weird. I've read 1984, and this story didn't remind me of it before you mentioned it. It made me think of a story of second chances and redemption. Less of a political/societal horror story and more a story of hope and self-discovery... To me, Luna is the parent who set me straight. The teacher who encouraged my love of science and research. The friends who encouraged me when I considered myself beneath human. She is the various people who molded me when I wasn't strong enough to mold myself. She is the belief that others have had in me. She is the clarity that I did not have for myself.
What can I say? I'm a hopeless Romantic.
…
…
Hm….
Reading the comments, especially those of the author, have surprised me! Reaching out to those with suicidal tendencies has been on my mind for a few months now, and I absolutely - and exclusively - agreed with Luna in the first and second chapters. It never occured to me that stopping the action and enforcing protective and regenerative custody could be seen as a bad thing! It seems like giving a mentally ill person their medicine in a mental hospital - it's not immoral to enforce the medicine and enforce that they don't leave.
Just grabbing the connection, "Children of the night" the song! The animation! Now i have to check on what the foals she took looked like...... and... the dissapoint :/ I was expecting to see Cactus in the video
4382521
It is a shout out, nothing more.
Those foals are long dead.
These are new foals, and Luna loves them. For reasons that are already being revealed.
4382337
Yeah. That happens.
We have such things in our culture... I will postpone this train of thought till I'm at home. 
But think about this. Luna knows something. You said it yourself.
"Something wicked this way comes", "Beware of the things lurking in the dark" and other notes like this.
*Huh* Writing that reminded me of Slender Man game. Like notes on the trees.
Imagine. She is more than 1 000 years old. She has Seen and Fought numerous things that lurk in the shadows, in the night and in the dreams. She could've been scarred by many of those things in her time.
Nightmare Moon? One too many wounds to psyche will break it or, at least, destabilize it.
This raises way more controversy.
Was she really that much herself when she became Nightmare Moon? Wasn't she wounded by something that had a minor lasting damage like a poison? If she was, she will act like a villain in some cases bringing ponies back to the herd.
Because (SCP reference) if something finds a way to the pony mind, leeches there, spawns more of itself or just grows strong, feeding on the pony mind, it will be dangerous for more than one pony. It will be a disaster. Like something breaks out of Tartar.
Thus... Is she a villain? Or is she a surgeon that amputees rotten pieces of flesh?
Read this:
http://www.scp-wiki.net/scp-904
[Gross pic] http://www.scp-wiki.net/scp-106
http://www.scp-wiki.net/scp-173
4382274
This is a great summary and explanation for both camps that were fighting during chapter 1 and 2.
Just as kudzuhaiku, I find myself now... Differently thinking about things.
In a way it is same, but now it has basis and explanation. Not just "I think like this because reasons".
4381839
Okay, I retract my statement. Still, I think it was one-time thing, not a permanent spell. After all, he's already regretted his suicide choice, so he's now alive and deed is not done. He's got back his life after throwing it away, but he acted without responcibility, so it was taken from him 'till he earns is back.
4382337
Congratulations! Your characters and story are running away with you. I consider that a sign of good writing.
I haven't read all the comments, but I just wanted to let you know that I am enjoying this fic in all its ambiguity. I am often bothered by what I call the "Nightmare Moon Paradox." One of the following must be true:
1. Nightmare Moon is Luna. If this is true, then she did some horrible things* and should pay a price (like going to the Moon for a thousand years). The Elements of Harmony then, at best, cured her of madness and at worst rewrote her personality, as you say.
2. Nightmare Moon is not Luna. If the Nightmare is an external force (see Nightmarity), then Luna needs to be rescued. The Elements of Harmony expelled the Nightmare and restored the true Luna. However, that means that the true Luna suffered a thousand-year exile for the actions of another, and still suffers from being associated with Nightmare Moon.
Explanation #2 is the easiest solution, and the one a kid's show will pick. But that lacks versimilitude. Hit a switch and everything is all better now. I like the ambiguity better, and I think that your fic is exploring it. Worst of all, I don't think even Luna knows what the Elements did to her. They definitely stripped her of power, but did they cure her or did they rewrite her. And now she does something similar to others, hoping that she can answer her own question... if morality is forced on you, is it still moral? Is she a princess by her own choice, or did Harmony make that choice for her?
*In the show, Nightmare Moon didn't do anything TOO terrible. Yes, she brought "Eternal" Night, but that didn't last too long. She attacked Celestia (maybe twice... it's not certain where Celestia was in "Friendship is Magic"), destroyed the Castle of the Two Sisters, attacked the Royal Guards (and who HASN'T at this point? :), dropped a mountainside on the Mane Six, created an illusion of frightening trees, stuck a thorn in a Manticore's paw, cut off a sea serpent's mustache, and tried to convince Rainbow Dash to not fix a bridge. She didn't kill anyone, and whether or not she intended to kill anyone is unknown. Even the most dangerous of her actions (attacking Celestia, the avalanche, the Manticore) could have not been intended to kill. A lot of the horribleness attributed to Nightmare Moon is in fanon.
Anyway, I've wandered a bit far afield.
TL/DR: Good fic! Keep it going!
4382821
''Thus... Is she a villain? Or is she a surgeon that amputees rotten pieces of flesh?''
I always thought that using a term hero or villian is shortsightedness to say at least. Ofc this term is used a lot in fairytales, but it is just to simplified things for the kids to handle better. In real life there are NO hero no villians there are only decisions. Those decision are judged by the society and there is where the general bad-good think in born. For exhample in ancient Rome it was commen for people to spectate gladiators fight to the death. At that time it was understood as nowadays restling or similar sport. Society accpeted it and it was normal by its customs, but now it would be a unhumane and crime to do this kind of sport.
This hero-villian things are also the subject of mass propoganda that most countries use to brainwash people in hopes that they will more easily accept one or other regislation agaist another country or party.
Also it is important to understand that the stick has 2 sides it means that most decissions that we make have positive and negative effect. In this story Luna's decision for not letting Noctilucent to comite suicide also shared this affect as it is reflected in our discussion.
I don't know why I originally started to read this. I usually try to stay away from suicide stories because they tend to be VERY depressing. However, something drew me into reading this. Maybe it was the quote about 'one pony's trash is another pony's treasure'. In any case, I now find myself vested emotionally in this story. I need to know what Luna's ultimate plan for Noctilucent. I need to see how Noctilucent will discover what the true meaning of his cutie mark. I need to know how Noctilucent will help Cactus Blossom and vice versa.
Here's is a like and a fav. I am looking forward to more chapters.
As someone who's attempted suicide before, this story is really touching. Thank you
How the ever loving hell do you hate this story? This is superb! I keep getting so annoyed because of all the downvotes you get when explaining what should be a really simple concept to understand!
One of the two goddesses who rule the universe save him, an individual, from himself at the last minute. Thats like... if you're holding a gun to your head and the Big Guy from Upstairs suddenly parts the heavens, pulls away the gun and say "Woah, easy there. Everything is going to be alright. I have a plan for you. You're important..."
It self-importance of the highest sense. Its MEANING in one's life, and self-affirmation of the highest power. This isn't so much about as "I want to die, I crave death, etc." as it is "I have no purpose. I have no meaning. I'm worthless, and there isn't any sense in me continuing onwards."
The geas isn't a ball and chain, its not mind control, it isn't brainwashing or enslavement! Luna has not asked him to do a SINGLE thing truly outside of his own power. What? You're going to use the strained carrots as an example? Hell, if that's the extent of her evilness, then I really dont see how people are comparing her to Sombra.
Its a suicide watch. It prevents him from undoing all the work he has just done. As you said... only he can relight his flame.
And you know what... I understand the 'refuse' logic. People suffer, people are born into horrible circumstances, and things happen. Sometimes, the pain IS to much for ourselves to bear. And always, we don't see the good in ourselves or the good in what we can do. It is wasted potential. Luna, being a goddess incarnate... she can see the white between the lines, so to say. She's not "claiming him" so she can have a unwilling mindless thrall look after these kids cause, 'lolz free labor'. She's trying to give meaning and purpose and... Life back into this stallion's life.
If only we had a god to play such an active roles in our lives.... if only we had someone, anyone, in our lives to care about us when we ourselves did not.
If only...
Please, do not get discouraged by some of the readers. This is an incredible story and I sit here with rapt attention and eagerness to the next chapter.... I now have 24 other stories of yours I need to read.
4381646 I guess this applies?
fc02.deviantart.net/fs70/f/2011/162/5/d/love_and_tolerance_by_pyruvate-d3iimw3.jpg
4382118 You are a sad, strange little man... And you have my pity.
4383244 Um you do realise that just about every person on the planet does anything they think they can get away with from petty theft to tax avoision. And the do this every day.
4383013
I guess you're Russian?
And I agree that "hero/villain" thing does not apply in real world.
And stick has two ends, coin has two sides.
After reading your comment I've remembered Mass Effect and choices player must make. And each choice has cumulative effect towards third game, unraveling into something different.
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4383220 One, Luna isn't a Goddess that's just fanon.
Two, whether he kills himself or he gets struck by lightning that doesn't undo what he has already done in his life up to that point, good and bad. Life is tangential but nature.
Three, whether divine intervention or just some guy it doesn't matter if there is no actual choice. The problem isn't that Luna stopped him it's that she took away his ability to choose life for himself. Which is odd since he essentially said he was happy to still be alive when he was still at the hospital which makes the thing with the kids sort of redundant in hind sight.
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He was on LOTS of drugs in the hospital.
4382274 But what about the Vaccina vaccine ( Vaccine for Smallpox) ? That vaccine is dangerous. Though it's propably an anecdotal case.
Sometimes... the cure is worse than the disease( Metaphorically speaking)
From what I can see you draw your stories from the soul, which very few can do. Your story touches in a way that is both deep and hidden. Thank You for this gift.