Lacuna

by Drakmire

13 - Homecoming

“I’m beginning to see why Rarity was so enamored with this,” Twilight shouted over the wind.

She soared through the air on enormous wings crafted from morning dew, gossamer, and more than a little magic. She banked, caught a sudden gust of wind, and nearly barreled into Luna.

“Easy there, Twilight,” Luna said. “You’ve learned much about flight in only a day, but it would be wise to conserve your strength. We have a ways to go yet.” She looked over, but couldn’t tell whether Twilight had heard or not. The unicorn glided with eyes closed and a smile plastered on her face. Luna grinned. We should only be a few hours out from Marebasa, and from there... She shivered and her grin grew wider still. Sister...

While the remaining hours sped by, the world passed beneath them, unseen save for a carpet of thick grey clouds. When the dreary weather finally broke, they saw green hills rolling away into the far sunset and a mountainside city shining off in the distance.

“How are you feeling, Twilight?” Luna asked.

Twilight returned a tired smile and said, “Good. Glad that we’re in sight of Canterlot--my back is killing me, but this has been a lot nicer than walking all the way home.” She paused. “And I’m about done with boats for good.”

Luna smirked. “We’ve kept a swift pace. The Erudite was kind in sending a messenger ahead of us, but I believe we will arrive first.” She regarded her friend, watching as Twilight swooped this way and that in graceful arcs. “You’ve a knack for flying. You should take wing more often.”

“It’d be kind of hard to read up here, Princess,” Twilight said. “And the clouds would get the pages all soggy, I bet.” She closed her eyes and savored the wind through her mane. Well, maybe I could try it one or two more times.

Their approach did not go unnoticed. A pegasus guard broke from his aerial patrol and swooped to intercept.

“Hail to you, Princess Luna! Hail to you, Twilight Sparkle!” he called out. Twilight gave him a small wave and a smile, focusing her strength on keeping her course steady.

“Greetings, child,” Luna said, inclining her head as he fell into an escort position beside her. “Thank you for seeing us home--we have been away long, and it will be good to see everypony again, and to sleep in my own bed, for a change.”

“I apologize for not having a more formal welcome ready for you, Princess Luna,” he said with an apologetic dip of his head. “I fear we did not have word of your coming.”

Luna glanced at Twilight for a moment before giving the pegasus a warm smile. “Understandable. We wished to return with all haste, and I fear we outpaced the messenger sent ahead of us. In truth, it will be nice to surprise my sister for once.” Her levity faded a bit as she saw his grim expression. “What is it?”

“Princess Celestia is well, but she has been recovering in her chambers for several days now.”

“What from?” Twilight asked, pulling closer to ensure she missed nothing.

He hesitated a moment before remembering whose company he was in. “Four days ago, Captain Perseus told us that she went to take care of some business with Ambassador Viridian of the deerfolk. She returned by magic some hours later, but appeared to be exhausted and sorely in need of rest. She’s been in good spirits since then, though she’s yet to hold a formal court or leave her chambers.”

Luna pursed her lips. “Now I am even more eager to see my sister. Twilight?” Luna waited until she had her friend’s attention. “We should forego the rest of our flight. Are you ready?” Twilight nodded, pulling in close. The princess looked to their escort. “Thank you, child. We’ll let you return to your duties.”

The princess focused her thoughts on the hallway outside of Celestia’s chambers. With a mental snap, she and Twilight found themselves standing before two startled-looking guards. Luna raised one hoof to knock at the door, then decided that propriety could be damned and barged in.

Celestia looked up from her book and the soft confines of her bedding. When she saw Luna charging towards her, Celestia rose on shaky legs and soon found herself enfolded in a massive hug that she was only too happy to return.

“Tia...” Luna whispered, not fighting back the tears that spilled from beneath closed lids.

“Luna...” Celestia said in a thick voice, resting her head as she breathed in her sister’s scent.

Twilight stood back, wanting to rush forward and join the embrace, yet feeling that she should step out to give the sisters some time alone together. Her body decided to simply plant its rump on the tiled floor and wait until she could make up her mind.

After a several minutes of quiet conversation, the sisters broke apart, though they remained close beside one another. Celestia leaned upon Luna as they turned their gazes on Twilight, beckoning her forward with warm smiles. She needed no further encouragement and half-walked, half-trotted to Celestia’s side, giving her mentor a careful but heartfelt hug

“It is so good to have you both back,” Celestia said. “I did not think to see you again for some time yet.” She returned to her bed then gestured for them to join her. “But come, let us send for the others so you can tell us of your journeys. Dawn Star has recounted her adventures to me, but there are many gaps from her... divergence, and I am certain that she will be overjoyed to see you again.”

Celestia sent a guard to request the presence of Viridian and Sand, and also to ask her chef to send up something suitable for their reunion. She busied herself with a bit of writing, scribbling out several notes that she stacked into a neat pile. Twilight trotted in place, anxious to see her friend again. When the door opened half a dozen minutes later, she started to charge forward, only to be brought up short when a stately buck stepped through first. Viridian nodded to the assembled ponies before moving aside to admit Sand.

Already off-balance, Twilight could only stare in open shock at the numerous scars that covered large parts of Sand’s body. Ivory fur had regrown in irregular patches, and she couldn’t help but flinch as she took in her friend’s appearance.

Sand had worn a happy grin when she first stepped in, but when she saw Twilight’s reaction and the hesitation in her friend’s stance, her mirth rippled and faded. “Being caught belowdecks did not do good things to my body, I’m afraid,” Sand said, letting her gaze drift away from anypony in particular. “I--oof!”

Twilight had recovered and taken the opportunity to tackle-hug her friend. She laid her head on Sand’s shoulder and in a soft voice said, “Dawn, honestly.” She felt Sand go stiff beneath her embrace for a moment, then relax and return the gesture in kind. After several quiet moments together, a shadow fell over them, prompting Twilight to back up and give her friend a chance to breathe.

“We are happy to see you safe and sound,” Luna said, stepping forward to give a more restrained, but no less emotional hug. “We’ve been too long apart, and I hope that it shall not happen again. We are all stronger together.”

Sand felt her cheeks smarting and realized that she had been smiling hard ever since Twilight’s quiet chastisement. A polite cough sounded from beside her. “Ah, my apologies. Luna, Twilight, this is Viridian.” She gestured to the red-brown buck. He gave them a courtly bow, murmuring kind greetings as he straightened.

They made small talk while servants entered and set up a dining table, covering it with a feast fit for a dozen ponies. Celestia nodded to them in appreciation for ensuring it was close enough that she need not leave her bed to eat. The servants bowed, seeing themselves out as everyone took their place at the table, though Celestia troubled one of them for a few moments as she pressed the stack of notes into his keeping.

They ate, sharing stories and theories, with tales of each party’s adventures punctuating the conversation. Gradually, the threads of each journey wove their way into a larger tapestry, finally giving everyone present a complete picture, or as close to one as they were likely to receive. Some details were best left unshared.

“Purpose,” Celestia said once they had had time to consider what had been laid before them. She looked around at her guests. “We’ve heard suggestions indicating some greater threat to our being, but the theories line up a bit too cleanly for my liking. If there has been one truth so far during these times, it has been this: nothing is ever easy.”

“What of the Eclipsed unicorns who attacked you?” Sand asked. “My people are enthralled by something.”

Celestia nodded. “I agree, but trying to link their enslavement to a force that Luna sealed away is a tenuous lead, at best. We’ve no reason to believe the two are even connected. Coyote--a being legendary for his trickery--might simply be pointing us down the wrong path. Wise as he is, the Erudite would hardly be the first to be fooled by such a red herring.” She had the good grace not to call Viridian out on his theory as well, but she noticed him blushing all the same.

“Why would Coyote do that though?” Twilight asked. “I mean, he had his laughs with our tails and that wild chase...” She cocked her head. “Oh. One chase after another, huh?”

“Immortality encourages us to find what amusements we can,” Luna said. “For those of us without scruples, this can take the form of many things that others might deem hazardous. Malicious even.” She glared at her sister.

Celestia grinned. “Luna, he stole your tails, and not even for a week. I would hardly consider that malicious.” Her grin faded. “Still, I do not think it wise to read too much into matters without knowing more of substance first.”

She looked around at all those assembled at the table before speaking again. “I must ask you to travel to Dawn’s home, to this Fjieena din Tor. Go there, and seek out an explanation for the attack on us. While the two unicorns masquerading as my guards posed very little threat, the spellbindings holding their minds in thrall are complex, powerful work. There must be more to this mystery than a single assassination attempt.”

“So when do we begin?” Twilight looked at Celestia. “Maybe when you’re well enough to travel, Princess?”

Celestia shook her head. “Even if we waited for me to recover fully, I must remain here, as I did before. Our kingdom needs a leader, and there are old magics that require my occasional attention to maintain; I cannot be away for long before needing to return.” She gave Twilight a sad smile. “No, my faithful student. I’m afraid that you’ve come home only long enough to be sent away again.”

The others murmured amongst themselves until Twilight cut through the discussion. “Then... since we’re not on Princess Luna’s quest anymore, what about bringing my other friends with us?” Her gaze flicked over Luna and Sand. “No offense intended, you two. I just miss them, and we work really well together.” Luna nodded. After a moment’s hesitation, Sand did the same, albeit more slowly.

Celestia understood, however. “I’ve already sent word to have your friends join you. I’ve also made arrangements for their responsibilities to be taken care of in their absence. We will be stronger having you and all of your friends together again.”

Dinner wound down on less somber notes, and servants reappeared as if by magic to clear away the remains of the meal. The guests murmured quiet words to one another as they settled their business for the evening and departed. As Luna turned to go, Celestia called to her in a soft voice, “Luna? Could you stay behind for a moment?”

Once everyone else had left, Luna willed the chamber door shut with a quiet thump. Celestia struggled to rise from her bed, prompting her sister to hasten to her side.

Luna said, “No need to strain yourself, Tia. To think that I would return and find you in such a state... what did you do to yourself?”

Celestia grinned ruefully. “I drank a drop of sunlight.”

Luna raised an eyebrow. “Risky.”

“Less risky than some actions one might take.” Celestia shot her sister a knowing look. She draped one wing over Luna’s blue-purple shoulders as they started walking.

Luna grimaced. “Desperate times, and all that. I was linked with three dozen other ponies at the Horsetooth rift, some of whom fed me a great deal of power, but it wasn’t enough to seal shut the portal.” She looked away. “It was risky, however. Were it not for one pony in particular, I...” She stopped speaking when she felt felt Celestia give a reassuring squeeze with her draped wing.

“Even in our darkest moments, there will always be those who care about us,” Celestia said. They approached one of many side-doors around the castle, and she pulled them in its direction. “But come, the night is young, and we’ve so little time together. I would rather spend it out beneath the open sky than cooped up in these halls.”

***

“Is it not glorious, my sister?!”

Luna, maddened with depression and jealousy, waited for Celestia’s response as she glared down from a hilltop perch. Behind her, the moon hung low in the sky, full and huge and ominous, casting its cold light out over their dying kingdom.

“Well? Answer me!” Luna screamed. Her voice bore down with palpable force, flattening the grass around her. Fire danced in her eyes; she broke into a demented grin and started to laugh. Her coat darkened while her mane and tail began to take on a smoky, indistinct look.

Celestia felt tears running down her face as she stared back up at the twisted form of her sister. Her beloved. Her world. Celestia spread her wings and silently pleaded for the Elements to come to her aid. Within moments, they arrived amidst whispers of hope and salvation, but Luna paid them no mind. Her laughter rolled over the sound of the wind screaming past her.

The Elements shone with a dazzling radiance when Celestia called upon their power. She drew in a shuddering breath, wet with her heart’s blood. Her grief-stricken whisper carried over the cacophonous winds and the laughter of the insane goddess.

“Yes, Luna. It is glorious.”

Celestia’s horn flashed, and the world went silent.

***

On a lonely hilltop beneath the moonlit sky, two alicorns watched the heavens turn.

“I was a fool,” Luna said from beside her sister.

“You were young,” Celestia countered.

“So I was a young fool. What I did was inexcusable.”

“You have atoned for what happened.”

“Yet we are drawn back to the lingering curse of my madness. I am not eager to journey to Sand’s home to see such a blatant reminder of my mistakes.”

“Everypony makes mistakes, Luna.”

“You haven’t.”

“You don’t know how wrong you are about that.”

Luna looked at her big sister. After a heartbeat, Celestia turned and met her gaze before pulling her sister close with a wing. Luna leaned against Celestia as they stared up at the moon. Time passed, but neither of them noticed how long.

“Is it not glorious, my sister?” Celestia asked in a soft voice.

The younger princess stiffened, and after a moment, turned to study Celestia in the pale, argent light. Finally, Luna relaxed and returned her gaze to the skies.

“Yes, Tia. It is glorious.”

***

“A boat?!” Twilight blanched. Her eyes darted back and forth between Luna and Sand, trying to read their expressions in the glare of the afternoon light. She had been anxious enough the previous night with Celestia’s request, but the thought of yet another water crossing filled her with dread.

Luna gave Twilight a sympathetic smile and said, “We’ll be traveling to the coast by sky chariot, but the Great Sea is simply too vast to fly across.”

“I promise it won’t be as bad this time,” Sand said. After a moment, she amended, “I promise that it shouldn’t be as bad this time. Viridian is probably still off conferring with Celestia, but after seeing some of what he’s capable of, I’m certain he could help alleviate any maladies you suffer on the trip.” She looked around their guest quarters, taking only a moment to find what she sought. An overstuffed papasan chair creaked as she trotted over and hopped up onto it.

Luna said, “I imagine that his magical aid in such matters will hardly be necessary. The Great Sea is quite tranquil this time of year, by all accounts. Trade winds will carry us most of the way, and with the royal coffers paying for this journey, we can ensure that we’re prepared quite a bit better for the trip.”

“Still...” Twilight stuck out her tongue, starting to look ill. “I’m going to see about finding a spell to fight seasickness. After all, I’m probably not the only one that’s going to need it and it doesn’t hurt to be prepared.” She gave them a weak grin as she headed out the door, closing it behind her.

Sand shook her head, then turned a sidelong glance on Luna. “You spent days practicing new spells with her in the desert, and not one of them was something as simple as quelling nausea?”

“I taught her how to fight, not how to get her sea legs beneath her,” Luna said, matching Sand’s expression. “Besides, I don’t know any such spell. I’m not so cruel that I would have withheld anything that could have helped her on our voyages together.”

Sand made a noncommittal sound, staring off in the direction of Twilight’s most likely destination: the royal library.

Luna studied the ivory pony before asking, “How is your own magic faring? You mentioned recovery in light of the severance from your tome, but I’ve yet to see you do much more than float bottles back and forth.”

“I’d think you’d be more appreciative of that trick.” Sand smirked at Luna “You’ve made no complaints for all the times that I filled your wine glass last night.”

“Mm. Being a princess is thirsty work,” Luna said. “Still, it would behoove us to know what you’re capable of in case we run into trouble.”

Sand struggled out of her chair. “I’m not much of a fighter, I’m afraid, so my combat prowess is lacking.” She paused. “Have I ever told you what my cutie mark stands for?” Luna shook her head. Sand hummed for a few moments before saying, “I’m supposed to be talented at making... a specific kind of difficult decision.” She drew her lips into a thin line. “And as you know, I don’t always choose correctly. But regardless of my failings, my magic reflects that skill.”

She lowered her head, pointing it at an empty space in the middle of the room. A wan light hovered at the tip of her horn, growing in intensity as her spell neared completion.

Luna cocked her head and asked, “How did you get your mark, exactly?”

The spell fizzled and went out as Sand lost her focus.

After a moment, she said, “It’s...an unpleasant story.” She pawed at the ground.

Luna studied her friend. In a soft voice, she asked, “Ah. Was it really so bad?”

Sand sighed. “It was, yes. I don’t regret what I did, only that it had been necessary in the first place.”

Luna nodded. “We all have our demons. If you’d rather not tell me...” Sand was shaking her head.

“I do, Luna. You’re my friend, and you should know the truth, but it sounds horrific without context.” She paused. “It was horrific, even in context. My mark appeared when I killed my sister.”

Luna’s eyes widened, but she remained silent, merely waiting.

Sand continued, “We were young, and we... made a grave mistake. One that cost us dearly. My sister paid the highest price, and I...” Sand looked down, swallowed in a suddenly dry throat. “I ended her suffering.” She paused. “Or so I tell myself.”

A gentle hoof on her shoulder prompted Sand to look up. She looked into Luna’s eyes and saw a compassion there, if not necessarily understanding. Neither pony smiled, but neither did they break the shared gaze for several heartbeats.

Finally, Luna said, “Knowing you, you did what you thought was right, and that is all we really can do in this world.” She said no more, and they sat in quiet companionship for a few minutes before Sand pushed away her melancholy.

“Do you still want a demonstration?”

Luna nodded. “If you’re feeling up to it.”

Sand answered by gesturing to an empty space in the center of the room. Her horn glowed with a pale, cold light. Moments later, a luminescent bell appeared in midair, hovering unaided. It began to emit a soft, calming tone reminiscent of wind chimes swaying in a gentle breeze. Both ponies found their thoughts clearing, their emotions stilling.

“I’m sure it’s not as flashy as some of your combat magics,” Sand said in a flat, neutral voice. “However, I imagine it will still be useful. It serves to calm thoughts and pacify one’s feelings, good and bad. Decision making is difficult enough at times, so this spell removes the complexity of emotions from the equation so long as you can hear the sound of the bell. The magic itself is easily dispelled”--she nodded, and the bell disappeared--”and you should be able to feel the effects wear off almost immediately.” She gave Luna a warm smile that faded with her next words. “If I had had this spell available to me in the past, perhaps I would not have...” She faltered. “Well, if wishes were bits, we’d all be rich.”

Luna studied the space where the bell had been. “A double-edged sword, in a way,” she said. “Our emotions can drive us to extremes, true, but without them, are we even ponies anymore? Decisions would lack empathy, compassion, understanding.” She looked to her friend.

Sand nodded, returning Luna’s gaze. “A risk, true. It’s not something I would use lightly. But you, of all ponies, know the dangers we can pose to ourselves, to our loved ones.”

A thoughtful frown crept across Luna’s face. “Still, I would like you to be careful with it. Our hearts soften the edges of callous logic such that we make our choices informed by more than just cold facts and hard data.” Luna started to say more, but a sound at the entryway gave her pause.

The door opened, prompting both ponies to turn and see Twilight return triumphant, holding a book aloft in her magical grip. “I knew there had to be a spell!” She beamed them both an enormous smile. “If the zebras could brew up something simple that worked for seasickness, I was sure that there had to a magical equivalent, especially for something so common.”

She willed the book open, using her magic to highlight the particular details of a spell for Sand’s inspection. Beneath the arcane text, a diagram illustrated the workings of a pony’s inner ear.

“Looks complicated,” Sand said once she had finished looking.

Twilight gave her a thoughtful frown. “It’s not that complex. Not at all, really.”

Sand stuck out her tongue. “Well, perhaps not if one is a magical prodigy, no. The rest of us have to try a bit harder when a spell falls so far out of scope from our natural talents.”

“I could try to teach you?” Twilight wasn’t quite sure how her friends would react.

“I...suppose we will need to do something to keep us occupied on the voyage,” Sand said, though she looked apprehensive. “I remember that it took ages before my boat from home finally anchored in Seaside, but I was riding a lumbering behemoth.” She looked at Luna. “I take it you’ve chartered something a bit faster?”

The princess nodded. “The Swordfish is a repurposed pirating vessel, swift and sure. It will carry us with all haste, but the journey will still take weeks at best.” She turned to Twilight and gave her an apologetic smile. “I am afraid that our lessons on combat magics will have to be shelved once we’re on board. A boat is hardly the ideal place to practice spells of destruction and transmutation.”

“Sounds wise,” Twilight said as she nodded. “How much longer before we set out?”

Luna said, “Tonight, fortune permitting. Some of the royal guards will fly us all to Seaside where our ship will be waiting. It will likely take the entire night, but it will be far swifter than walking the entire way on hoof.”

She smiled at both of her friends. “However, I must admit that I will miss our extended travels together. You two are dear to me, and I wish that we could spend more time with one another without the specter of some looming danger always shadowing our hearts.”

“Once it’s over, Princess,” Twilight said, returning the smile. “Maybe we can take a trip to see Dawn’s zebra fillyfriend.” She shot the ivory pony a sly look.

Sand blushed and tapped one hooftip on the ground. “If you’d like. She is quite... nice.”

Luna and Twilight exchanged a look. “Nice?” Luna asked, quirking an eyebrow. “I would hope she would be quite a bit more than just ‘nice.’” She cocked her head, bringing it low to peer at Sand’s chest. “Did you misplace her medallion at some point, or do you keep it safe somewhere?”

“I’m afraid that I lost it sometime during or after the shipwreck. I only remember waking up and no longer having it.” She shook her head. “I’m sad to be without it, but it’s not as though I need it to remember her by.”

Luna hummed a moment before saying, “Someday, I hope you’ll tell us more about that time than the brief details you’ve shared thus far. You returned to us a different pony than the one who left so unexpectedly.”

Sand nodded. “One day I will. I promise.”

“When will the others be here?” Twilight asked, paying no attention to the annoyed look Sand shot her.

Luna said, “Celestia has arranged for them to meet us this evening so that we may depart together.” She moved to the doorway and beckoned them to follow. “Still, there is much to be done before then, and we’ve little enough time to take care of it. Let us see what we can do to ensure that we do not run into any undue hardships.”

***

Sunset came and went, leaving the party gathered at the flight platform in the dim light of dusk. A chariot carrying every Bearer save Twilight waited to depart, each pony within having already said what they needed to say. Two of Luna’s pegasus guards waited while the remaining few made their farewells to Celestia.

“Be well, Tia. We will return to you once we’ve succeed,” Luna said as she shared an embrace with her sister. Celestia turned and murmured words of encouragement into Luna’s ear, too soft and too personal for the others to hear.

When they had pulled apart, Twilight approached and said, “Thank you for everything, Princess Celestia. We won’t fail you.” She reached up and nuzzled her mentor, smiling as the princess bent her head low and returned the gesture.

“My faithful student,” she said, giving Twilight a smile. “You can never fail me so long as you try your best.” Her gaze lingered a moment longer before turning to Viridian.

He bowed low. “Your Highness.” He said nothing more, only moving aside to let the last of their party speak.

They looked at Sand, but she had eyes only for Celestia. “Lady Moongazer,” she said, stepping close. Celestia pulled her into a hug, and Sand whispered, “I will always find a way back to your side, no matter what happens. I promise I will not abandon those that I love.”

Celestia whispered back, “Return safely to me in this life, Dawn Star. That is all I ask.”

When everyone had readied themselves, Luna turned to the two pegasi that had waited so patiently for them to finish. They stood resplendent in their new barding--the armor displayed their cutie marks as well as each pony’s true coloration.

She nodded to her guards. “Art thou ready?” she asked, giving them a small grin as she fell back on her old dialect.

“Always, Your Highness,” one said.

“We are ever-vigilant,” the other added.

Celestia gave a melodious laugh and said, “Be careful about that, Luna. You might want to watch your flank around them, though they will surely do that on their own.”

Both pegasi blushed scarlet; they were bound by protocol and unable to contradict the princess’ allegations. Instead, they stepped into their harnesses, straighted their shoulders, and did their best to ignore the burning stare that they felt on the backs of their heads. After a scuffling of hooves and shifting of bodies, Luna spoke a low word and the chariot took them into the skies, followed by the other pair of pegasi carrying Twilight and the rest of the Bearers.

“Uh, Twi?” Applejack asked, shifting a little against the press of bodies surrounding her. “Not that I didn’t miss ya and all, but wouldn’t it have made more sense for some of us to ride with the Princess?” She nodded towards the chariot in front of them. “Six here and three there is gonna make for an awful cozy ride when we start drifting off for the night.”

“I know that, I just...” Twilight blushed. “I just missed you all so much. I didn’t think you all would mind if it got a bit crowded as long as everypony had room to sleep, but if it’ll be a problem, I--”

“Twilight, darling, you know we don’t mind. We’re your friends.” Rarity gave her a severe look.

“It’ll be nice for when it gets chilly,” Fluttershy said in her soft voice. As if to emphasize her words, the wind lashed at them with a particularly violent gust, making the non-pegasi shiver. “Rainbow Dash and I might not feel the cold, but since blankets don’t really work up here, well... it’ll be nice to be useful.”

“It’ll like a big ol’ slumber party!” Pinkie said. “We don’t have pillows for a pillow fight, but ooh! We can play truth or dare, and tell scary stories, and play dress up, and--”

Hearing Pinkie’s last suggestion, Rainbow said, “That’s it, I’m out of here.” She lunged straight up, doing a casual backflip before flying forward to keep pace with their chariot. “If Celestia’s guards can fly through the night, then so can I.” She banked and veered off to the side, tumbling through the clouds as she kept herself busy with improvised aerial acrobatics.

Twilight hung her hooves over the edge of the chariot as she watched Rainbow spin and twirl. “I don’t think she realizes that the guards wear enchanted armor for this kind of thing.” She turned to look at the rest of her friends. “To them, it doesn’t feel like they’re carrying anything, not even themselves.”

“The way I keep finding Rainbow napping in my trees, you think she’s gonna tucker herself out before we land?” Applejack asked.

“Almost certainly,” Twilight said, nodding. “But, at least we’ll be here for her, unless she loses track of us.”

“So, uhm...” Fluttershy hunkered low. “Do you girls have any stories to tell then?”

Pinkie drew in a deep breath, giving each of the others a moment to share a look of dawning comprehension.

It was going to be a long night.

***

“Seems like it would be a bit cozy back there,” Sand said as she watched the other chariot.

Luna raised an eyebrow. “Given what they’ve been through together, I imagine that they have long since passed that stage of discomfort.”

Sand gave a noncommittal grunt, but her gaze didn’t move away. Luna studied the ivory unicorn in the pale moon’s light, but Viridian drew her attention away. He laid in a corner of the chariot, eyes closed, curled into a ball.

“Are you all right, Ambassador?” Luna asked. “If you are cold, I will see what I can do to shield you from the wind.”

Through chattering teeth, he said, “No, thank you, Your Highness. I...” He did not shiver, but neither did he open his eyes. “Deerfolk are not used to flying, I’m afraid.”

Luna gave him a sympathetic look and knelt low as she said, “My apologies for your discomfort. It seemed best to make haste, and this was the most effective means. If you’d like, I can put you in a deep sleep to help pass the time.”

Viridian chanced a look up, opening one obsidian-black eye to regard the princess. “Aye. Thank you, Your Highness.”

Luna bent low and said, “Please. Just call me Luna.” Her horn flashed, and Viridian relaxed, rapidly drifting into the warm embrace of slumber.

“And you?” Luna asked, drawing Sand’s attention. “If I remember correctly, you’ve ridden through the skies once or twice since your first arrival, but I would have imagined you to be less relaxed than you are.”

“I wasn’t always a unicorn, Luna,” Sand said. She turned back, but her gaze no longer tracked the other chariot. Instead, she watched Rainbow soar through the clouds. “Magic is convenient, but I miss flying sometimes.” She glanced back at the princess. “Your wings were clipped from the start of your quest until the end. How did that feel?”

Luna nodded. “Like I was constantly shackled. And while your magic was sealed away...”

“I was like an earth pony with a decorative horn, but without their innate strength.” Sand shrugged. “Water under the bridge, however. I only hope that I’m not too rusty when the time comes for me to remember what I am now.”

“And what is that, exactly?” Luna favored her with a small smile.

Sand took a moment to consider he words before looking Luna in the eyes.

“With friends.”

They spoke of lesser things as the night progressed, saving their breath for a time when they wouldn’t have to fight the wind to be heard. Eventually, excited though she might be, Sand curled up next to the red-brown buck and fell asleep while Luna stood watch over them through the night. The chariot finally landed on the outskirts of Seaside just as the sun began peeking over horizon.

Unlike Horsetooth, with its cold climate and colder populace, and Marebasa, with its reek of corruption and decay, the town of Seaside was a breath of fresh, tropical air. Literally, in fact. Palm trees dotted the landscape while a clean ocean breeze streamed in from the coast. White sand beaches glittered in the rising sun, and as Luna’s party woke, they could hear the crash of ocean waves on the shoreline. They stepped out onto a low, grassy hilltop that rolled down into the town as the other chariot touched down alongside of theirs.

“Almost looks familiar,” Sand said as she rubbed the sleep from her eyes.

Twilight trotted up alongside her and took in the view before saying, “No twin moons with captive alicorns, though.”

“No need to dig ourselves into a rut before we’ve begun,” Luna said. “Let’s head into town and see about our ship.”

Applejack slung an exhausted Rainbow Dash across her back and shared a knowing smirk with Twilight. Their friend had done her best to keep pace with the guards throughout the night, but Rainbow had never been in range long enough for Twilight to explain why even trying to do so was folly. The cyan pegasus had given up midway through their flight and joined her friends, but that had still only given her a few hours of sleep.

They made their goodbyes to the pegasi who had pulled them through the night and started in towards Seaside. Long before they entered its limits, townsponies were stopping to openly stare.

“Can’t really blame them, Princess,” Twilight said.

“I did not intend to. There are nine of us, after all, and such a crowd of new arrivals is sure to draw attention,” Luna countered, making a broad gesture with one wing. “I only hope that the villagers do not make too great a deal of our coming--and of our swift departure.”

As if on cue, a small welcoming party approached them, and Luna had to suppress a groan as she began to see banners and streamers adorning the majority of the town’s buildings. Pinkie jumped for joy--well, jumped higher for joy--when she came in view of the decorations around town, and her smile grew huge in anticipation.

“Welcome to Seaside, Your Highness!” a yellow-orange earth pony said as she and her entourage bowed low. After a moment, she stood and beamed Luna a bright smile. “We are honored to receive you as guests for your time here.”

“Thank you, Mayor...?” Luna had to guess at the honorific, but either it suited the mare or she brushed off the mistake without indication.

“Kingfisher, Your Highness. Please--we’ve prepared a banquet in your honor. If you’ll follow me.” She half-turned, and waited until Luna began moving before leading the way into town.

“How did ya’ll know we were coming, exactly?” Applejack gave Kingfisher a look of simple curiosity. Sand watched the mayor as well, though she appeared more suspicious.

“Princess Celestia was remarkably accurate in predicting when your group would be arriving,” Kingfisher said. “I’m afraid we’ve had little time to prepare, but thanks to her letter, we weren’t caught completely by surprise.” She beamed them a smile over her shoulder.

“Letter?” Twilight asked. She thought back to the notes Celestia had been writing while they waited back in the princess’ chamber. “Oh, of course.”

“My sister excels at making things happen discreetly,” Luna said, giving Twilight a wry grin. She turned to the mayor. “I am afraid, however, that she might not have impressed upon you our need for haste. We would be honored to sit down with you under normal circumstances, but...”

She paused as Pinkie’s pouting face blocked her vision. Luna stepped back and took a moment to look around, seeing the identical, dejected expressions painted on everypony’s face. She sighed. “Very well.” While the townsponies cheered, Twilight smirked, sharing a look with Applejack as if reminded of some distant memory. Sand observed the exchange in silence.

The crowd moved to the center of town. Tables had been set up where there would be enough room for everyone to be seated comfortably. Breakfast and brunch foods came out in heaping platters as the hours passed--it seemed that the town had spared no expense in feasting their royalty. Although Luna tried to hurry the festivities along, her words fell on deaf ears, in no small part due to Pinkie’s numerous interruptions throughout the meal as she broke out party games and incited sing-alongs.

There were enough pitchers of orange juice and bottles of sparkling wine that mimosas dotted the banquet table in plentiful numberss. Before long, almost everypony found themselves mildly inebriated, with only a few holding themselves aloof from the festivities entirely. Viridian and Sand glanced at each other as their companions slipped into drunkenness.

“Should we say something, do you think?” Sand asked the buck. “It’s like Luna’s forgotten our mission.”

He glanced at the Bearers that he had heard about, but had not yet had a chance to speak with at length. “Your friends will be transitioning from a life of generally carefree activity to the oftentimes cruel world beyond your country’s borders.” He looked up at the sun’s position. “In truth, it is only midday, and the journey ahead of us is long. One last celebration might not go amiss to hold them over for the long days ahead of us.”

Sand grunted, but held her peace, heaping more food onto her plate despite no longer being hungry. She chewed in small bites, saying nothing, watching Twilight and her friends share jokes and play games with each other and the townsponies. Sand made it a point to decline as politely as she could whenever they extended invitations her way.

Somepony found a guitar, another brought out a short flute, a third rolled out a set of dusty drums. A phonograph appeared from nowhere and started blasting out scratchy piano tunes to accompany the improv band. Soon, music filled the air as the ponies made do with what they had.

Eventually, even Viridian joined in, sketching an elegant, courtly dance with Rarity. Fluttershy paired off with Applejack, letting the cowpony lead her through a country jig that happened to keep time with the music perfectly. Luna, Rainbow Dash, and Pinkie Pie took the opportunity to party like no one was watching--which, with the princess in the mix, everypony was. Twilight appeared to be having some sort of seizure. Sand reacted in alarm before falling back into her seat when she realized that it was only her friend’s attempt at dancing.

Soon, only the ivory pony was left at her section of the table, her meal finished, her drink half-empty. Watching.

Her horn glowed constantly, never fully relinquishing control of her drink or the pitcher of orange juice that rested nearby. She saw Luna approaching and floated the glass to her lips, taking a small sip as the princess reached speaking distance. Luna, a trifle off-balance, studied Sand with an unfocused gaze.

“Are you all right?” Luna asked. “With the long voyage ahead of us, you should enjoy this time while you can.”

“I’m fine, but thank you, Luna,” Sand replied in an even tone.

Luna peered at her friend. “Are you certain? You’ve no need to feel left out.”

“I am certain.” Sand took another long sip of her drink.

Luna paused a moment longer, then shrugged and wobbled away.

Sand watched the ponies on the impromptu dance floor laugh and enjoy themselves. She told herself that she was being unreasonable, that it was unfair to expect to always be the center of Twilight’s attention. When she failed to convince herself with words alone, she grabbed a half-empty bottle of champagne, downed it in one breath, then went to spend time with her friends.

***

(Special thanks to Cold in Gardez, who continues to review my work despite the absence of the hot, hot Twiluna scenes he keeps requesting I put in, and Chris for his much more laid back commentary!

Too shy to leave a comment? Why not drop by the EQD story page and give Lacuna a rating instead? Whether you like the story or hate it, ratings give us authors another measure of how things are playing out!)

Comments

[Dream Catcher]

Oh, Twi'... Why is your dancing so horrific, and why do you have to be so adorkable.

[Mister Morden]

Oh geeze, now you tease us with the suggestion of hot Twiluna scenes? I didn't even think those two were... okay, now I am wondering who is being shipped with who!

The story is progressing well, though it might have moved a bit too fast from them arriving to them leaving. Seems a little forced, but the situation is urgent after all.

Anyway, keep on writing and I will keep on reading!

[That_one_guy]

Give in, Sand! Champagne makes friends!

[Gwenio]

They let Pinkie tell stories?

[Drakmire]

3.bp.blogspot.com/-0uglEeJEMh0/TtvKLaE7m5I/AAAAAAAAA5Q/2iTOS8FjcgA/s1600/twilightdances.gif

[LunaUsesCaps]

I love how this fic updates AS I FINISH CHAPTER 13...

[Cyclone12]

I'm with you Sand/Dawn, I'm a bit wary of how a 9 person party will play out vs. the 2-3 previous.

[Drakmire]

183467

That's actually being directly addressed at the start of next chapter. Here's a sneak peek:

"And suddenly, there was a huge explosion! It conveniently killed off every character that it would be annoying to write for.

'Well, that was convenient,' said Twilight."

Seriously though, I'm going to have to track down a copy of the Hobbit to read to see how the masters handled larger party sizes.

[Cyclone12]

183919

Split the group up frequently. Get split up in the mountains, Gandalf splits off to go south, Wood elves split them up, as I recall Bilbo splits off to Laketown at one point. That, and, as I recall, several of the Dwarves would be near non-existent for stretches of time. I could be misremembering things though, its been a couple of years since I've read the books.