Chapter 2. Cold Tears
Original by me.
edited by Daniel J.
One of the straps needed to be tighter on this left side. Twilight gave a sigh as she whipped her purple mane out of her face and back to its normal place. Her magic tightened up the rebellious strap. Some pones might say that one strap out of sixteen holding a statue on a cart being loose was nothing to worry about. That several hours getting everything just right was a tad excessive.
Those ponies did not have Princess Luna watching the back of their head like a Mother dragon watching her brood.
Most would wonder why this statue meant so much, or why they couldn't just use magic. Twilight would have been one of them not four weeks ago. Those were nicer times. True- monsters and various catastrophes seemed to inexplicably fall out of the sky rather often. Still, her and her friends could handle them all.
What she could not handle was this sudden anxiety she felt. Deep in her heart she was not sure if her plan would work. As Luna circled to examine the straps, looking grim and tired, Twilight decided that voicing this particular concern would not be a good idea.
Once the statue was definitely secured to the reinforced cart, and said cart enchanted to not bounce or jostle, to Luna's high standards. The guards began pulling it to take it to the castle laboratory. To anyone else, it was a gray crystal statue of a stallion waring old style armor. It resembled to most an old memorial for guards or war horses.
After a month spent in Canterlot, Twilight knew better. Taking a step forward, she began to follow the cart inside, Hoping to finish what had been an exhausting month.
***
Four weeks prior
Twilight was accustomed to having letters come to her from the princesses. Used to the way they would uproot her and send her on a quest were the fate of Equestria hangs in the balance. It had almost become a matter of everyday life. What she was not used to, was the unyielding secrecy of this one.
Luna was not one to make idle requests. So When the letter came on the princesses personal, not royal stationary, let alone it not appearing via Twilight's ever-faithful assistant spike, asking for extreme discretion as she makes her way to the castle alone. Twilight took this vary seriously, even for her.
Taking a breath as she stepped out onto the lantern-lit Canterlot station platform brought not only oxygen, but a flood of memories. The air in Canterlot teamed with a buzz of magic as it always did. This Always made her feel alive and ready for anything. It also reminded her of the smell of old books and late nights spent in fascination as Celestia guided her in new ideals and depths of magic she never thought possible.
Driving these memories from her mind, Twilight took a path, So often her hooves fell along it, she mused it could be walked in her sleep. Over the wide main road to the castle. It seemed odd to see such a normally busy thoroughfare now abandoned. Far from anything exciting, this time any way.
At this late hour the streets were nearly devoid of city life. Unlike Lost Pegasus or Manehatten, Canterlot did sleep. Now empty of the furtive looks and often outright gawking, the walk was very pleasant for Equestria’s newest princess.
Turning the last corner offered a wide and unobstructed view of the castle. The wide open sky behind and, in some places, below it. The curves of the arches, peaks of the towers, and glistening marble walls silhouetted across a full moon. Dark blue sky making every light in the arched windows stand out. The castle seemed to glow from within, as if the two who rule from its gold and silver thrones lit it with there very presence.
Splendor. Not a word Twilight used often, yet one that simply fit.
Making her way down the cobblestone path, she passed a lone guard on patrol. In dipping her head in response to his salute, her gaze was drawn to a portable news stand. The yellow unicorn stallion was packing up. Only a few brightly colored magazines where left. One cover in particular caught her attention.
Her own face drawn as a maniacal cartoon character standing on two corpses. This brought a visceral response as her magic levitated it to read properly. Her wings flaring ever so lightly. Ever sense she had become an alicorn and by extent a princess, the tabloids had been making many many stories about her. Few of them were positive, though some were at least amusing. This one though..
It followed a familiar line about how after her defeat of Tirek she would rise to rule all with an iron hoof. Honestly she wished they would go back to the previous story. Her being the illegitimate star-child of Princess Celestia, who was trained from a young age to conduct covert assassinations of foreign leaders.
Princess Celestia liked bringing it up at random intervals by calling her star assassin. Not the most creative nickname when you think about it. Celestia may be amazing, but you simply can't expect amazing all the time, despite Rainbowdash's sincerer attempt to the contrary.
Placing the magazine back she left the news stand behind. No need to keep Luna waiting.
She made her way through the open doors of the castle, flanked by two rows of nearly identical and stone statuesque guards.
Elegant finery decorated many of the walls, alcoves, nooks, and niches. Her own castle was sparsely decorated in the few places with anything at all. Even though her friends spent a long day decorating it, the difference was still staggering. For now she liked how it was, far more personal and much more comfortable than a looming fortress. Also, without the legions of guards that somehow covered every corner and entrance. She was still free. Free to study as she wished. Free to help all who need it. And free to sleep in on an occasional lazy Sunday morning when the fancy struck her.
Checking the throne room was first on her list, she had brought a list after all. Luna often held night court so it was a safe bet. Yet the throne room was eerily dark and quiet tonight. Most importantly, distinctly lacking any immortal night-princesses. The brilliant stained glass windows along the walls were dim. The usually prismatic colors now seemed to be painted in hues of gray. The stars on the other side bright enough to shine through, providing the only illumination in the vast hall. Their twinkling, shifting colors the only light for the vibrant glass tonight.
Luna's absence was rather surprising. Twilight resumed her trek through the castle, continuing the search for Luna. All the while the list of places Luna wasn't was quickly growing, as the list of place she was stayed at a constant zero.
Twilight was absent-mindedly fanning herself with a wing as she spotted the garden.
I never noticed how stuffy some of these rooms are. I should tell Celestia in the morning. Maybe they’ll put some actual ventilation in this ancient palace.
She chuckled to herself as she thought of a series of pegasi stationed in the castle, paid big bits simply to flap their wings all day.
The Elite Fanners of Equestria. ‘Only the best of the best of the best of the Wonderbolts are picked from across the nation.’ Silly filly! She thought in her distracted monologue. I can’t let myself lose track of the task at hoof. Her eyes stopped their scan as they set upon the garden. Why not look here?
Why not? Luna wasn't in her room, her balcony, or any other obvious place. Might as well take a look. Twilight had even checked every section of the massive library, admittedly she didn’t mind that to much.
As she walked among the garden’s paths, she observed that most of the flowers were closed. Without the rainbow of color splashing the bushes, the normally luscious greenery looked rather dull and abandoned, like those of the Everfree Forest. The night really did make things seem vastly different.
This was the last place she would think to look. If this was fruitless as well, she'd have to ask a guard. Theeeeeen so much for secrecy, she thought.
Deciding to entertain a whim, she stopped to examine the plaque on a new statue.
We will meet again,
beneath star filled skies
She had just begun to take in its expertly carved and etched features, when the flowers around its base drew her attention. Pale white flowers were in bloom around it, obscuring the plinth bellow the stallion. Their strong scent could be smelled without stooping low. Reminding Twilight of mint or cinnamon, it refreshed her head and reawakened her mind. She noted the seven petals that hung low as the throat aimed at the moon.
Is it my imagination. Or do they glow, just a little?
“Those Are Moon lilies.”
Twilight shot up what felt like fifty hooves in the air, her wings flaring wide and holding her for a few moments as she spun wearily. Suddenly feeling thankful for being outside with no ceiling to hit her head on.
Out of the darkness a flowing nebula seemed to approached her. Bright blue-green eyes appeared out of the night moments later. As Twilight's heart rate settled back down and her hooves found soft grass, her mind caught back up with her conclusions. She dipped her head in a bow.
“The year has long passed since you have to bow to me Twilight Sparkle.” A fragile smile lit up Luna's already breath taking features. It faded rather quickly though, returning to her normal somber countenance.
It was always intimidating, speaking with Luna. She was far from mean; there was nothing to fear from her. Rather, she was far more withdrawn and more than a little direct in her speech. Also, their first impressions were...inauspicious at best. It made relations a bit strained at times.
Shoving this from her mind Twilight finally replied, “Good night Princess, what was it you wanted with me?”
Luna gazed at the statute for a moment before responding. This made it draw Twilight’s gaze once more. It was, as far as she could tell, a stallion about as tall as Luna. Standing with hooves spread in a sturdy stance. His head turned to the side, facing the two mares beneath the plinth. The horn cresting his head stretched far above him. A hood fell over his shoulders, Just as his long mane flowed as if in a wind. clad in a robe-like jacket that bellowed beneath his armor. The armor itself was a design she had never seen before. All of this in gray crystal with interweaving vanes of white spreading out from its pure white horn. It projected a harsh feeling, cold and grim, staring out with blank, determined eyes. Most akin to a sullen war memorial compared to the cheerful blue crystal and vibrant flowers that pervaded rest of the garden. It stood out as a band saw would in a classical piece by Bethoofen.
“This is what brings you here.” Her voice had hushed dramatically, yet each syllable was still enunciated with the utmost care and precision.
More than a little nonplussed, Twilight asked, “If your asking my advice on its placement, It seems rather out of place. Though I'm not much of a decorator. Perhaps if I get rarity-”
“No.”
It was not a yell; nor was it scolding. It was but a simple syllable, yet one that stole the breath from Twilight's lungs. The shear power of speech Luna possessed was incredible. Centuries upon centuries of rule had given her a power to silence a crowd with but a word. Saying Twilight envied her would not be straying far from he truth.
“It is far, far more complicated than that, I'm afraid...” Her words trailed off with a sigh. “To start from the beginning will take several hours simply to cover the basics.”
“I Have no where else to go. We have the time.” Twilight retorted matter-of-factly.
For a few eternal moments Luna said nothing. The air felt frozen, as if unwilling to move without the princess's say. Not a single dare disturb the silence.
“For now I will give but a taste of a life, a life long sense lost.” She paused. “Kingdoms come and go. With them, cities rise and cities fall. As do generations and the bloodlines of ponies.. My sister and I were the only constant this world had for thousands of years. Almost.”
“Almost?” Twilight could not resist asking.
Nodding, Luna continued. “Remember Twilight Sparkle, my sister and I were not always like we are today. We too where once small, and from the time I was small there was one other. A bright and curious unicorn colt. Together we grew, learning much from my sister. With his presence, the long nights alone were not as lonely.” She paused for a moment. “Despite never using the word at the time, friend is what he was.” She stepped closer to the statue. Her eyes glistened just a little more than normal.
“He was there through the darkest of times, without complaint. Then suddenly after centuries of companionship, he was gone.” Her eyes closed remorsefully.
A thousand questions instantly erupted in Twilight’s mind. Centuries? As in more then one? That was the mane one. Though despite that revelation, Luna did not give Twilight time to ask any of them.
“Thanks to my weakness, he ended up as what you see here. That is why I have summoned you here,” she finished abruptly, turning to Twilight.
Stunned for a minute, Twilight stammered. She still was overwhelmed with the onslaught of questions filling her mind.
“What am I supposed to do?” Twilight looked at the statue and suddenly gasped in realization. He ended up like this? This wasn't a war memorial, or something built in memory of this stallion. It was that stallion! Considering all she has been through something like this shouldn’t have been that shocking. She and her friends had already turned discord to stone and back: this wasn't much different.
Still, she knew virtually nothing of crystal magic. Could he even be brought back after all those years? A mental shudder ran through Twilight at the thought of voicing that to Luna. Better keep that idea silent, She concluded.
“My sister and I have done all we can at the moment. So I need you to read a book.” Luna replied at last. Twilight looked up with confusion and a little disappointment. “But not just any book.” Without warning. there was a burst of white and blue flame next to Luna's horn. It somehow seemed to burn in reverse.
Twilight’s head spun as she tried to fathom such a thing. Gradually, a scuffed leather-bound book appearing as the flame spread. Not a single burn lay upon it when the spell finished.
Awe ran through Twilight's entire being. “What sort of magic was that?”
“One of his later spells.” Luna enveloped the strange tomb in her magic, and then gently brought it to rest between them. She gave a flick of one of her ears in momentary uncomfort. “That is his grimoire, It has been held in his own magical made dimension. Though I am able to draw it out, am unfortunately unable to read it, so I had no need to recall it till now.”
“Why can't you read it?” In wrapping her own magic field around it Twilight nearly dropped the precious object. It was very heavy despite its small size. She was unsure of what to expecting, but it didn't feel right. It was thin, maybe three pages between it's hard covers.
“Look at the first page and you shall see for yourself.”
So she did. The first page had a single blue line written in vary elegant script. With many loops and long tails. Twilight peered at the words and read:
Only those found worthy by the moon and sun shall read what lies within
That was it. Answering the unspoken question Luna said, “I cannot find myself worthy. Therefore I need you to read and search through his spells for anything and everything that may help.”
“Help? How can he help more than your own magic?”
“I am no master when it comes to breaking spells or enchantments. He had a great deal more talent with that area of magic than I,” Luna turned to head back to the castle. “You will find a room ready and waiting in the east tower. Tell no pony, and do not leave the grimorie unattended for any reason.”
“But there is nothing in it.”
“There will be. Goodnight Twilight Sparkle.” She stopped and turned back. “Twilight, one final message. I know our relationship has not been one to invite confidences. I have been reluctant to trust you. Often doing little more then Question your competence. So with this I hope to show how much I have grown to appreciate what you can do. Although this is something different entirely.” Luna paused for a few moments before continuing. A single tear rolling down her cheek. A sign of emotion the rest of her somber and resolute appearance made no mention of. “Know I am asking, not as Princess of the Night, but as Luna. Somepony who would really like to apologize to a very good friend.” On that note she turned and seemed to vanish in the darkness, despite the bright full moon.
Glancing at the thin bits of worn brown leather told her nothing more. Not even the name of the Author. She looked at the statue as if expecting the gray mouth to open and give answers to all of her questions. His face was smooth. Could he really be centuries old? “What have I gotten myself in to?” Twilight asked desperately. The cold crystal gave her no answers.
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