Knight of Equestria - On Distant Shores

by SupraMacPringles

Chapter 7: A Shadow of Myself

It had been a bad day. It was the day after their meeting with the princesses and on top of his lack of sleep, Matt's need for footwear was growing more and more evident. After his request for shoes, Twilight had sent him to Rarity with a few gold coins she called 'bits'. Though the job should've been simple enough, Rarity insisted on making him an entire outfit and wouldn't take no for an answer. She had him there almost the entire day, taking measurements and talking his ear off. By the time she was finished the sun had set and the night was settling in. His new shoes were a brown-ish color and made of some leathery material. He assumed it couldn't have been leather, though. That would imply the butchering of cows. The clothes she had made were almost identical to his others, except the new ones were lined in red and a bit too snug. He'd forgive her for that, as it was her first time sewing something in his body shape.

He was on his way back to the library when he stopped. The small town looked completely different in the dark. After minutes of wandering, he settled with the fact that he was lost. He sighed and sat on a nearby bench, looking around at his surroundings. Sugarcube Corner was in sight, but he denied it as an option. The last thing he needed today was anything to do with Pinkie Pie. It was then he spotted a small hill on the edge of town. Seeing it as the best way to get his bearings, he headed for it immediately.

The hill had a tree on the top of it and seemed like the perfect spot to see the entire town. After reaching the top, he looked over the town and was amazed. The entire place looked so serene and peaceful, and he could see all the stars in the sky, something he hadn't seen in many a year. The moon was even full that night. He took a seat under the tree and gazed out over the beautiful nightscape.

"Oh... I didn't realize somepony else was here..."

An intrusion. Of course there was an intrusion. He turned to see the person responsible, only to be surprised at the sight of Princess Luna. He quickly got on his feet and proceded to kneel to her.

"Greetings, princess. I'm sorry to have disturbed you." he said. "Even though I'm certain I was here first..."

She seemed much more awake and alert today than the previous, providing evidence to his theory of her being nocturnal.

"I-it's quite alright... Matthew Nabal, correct?"

She hadn't expected anypony to be in her favorite spot, much less the human visitor to the realm. His appearance intrigued her and his speech patterns were those of sophistication. She hadn't the chance to pursue her curiosity and speak with him yet, being too disorientated and bewildered the previous day. It was a pleasant surprise, indeed.

"Yes, your majesty. I'd hate to intrude, so I'll be on my way." he said, turning to leave.

"No! ... Erm, you may stay if you wish."

She mentally sighed. She hadn't yet mastered talking to her subjects normally.

Her little outburst hadn't gone unnoticed. He raised his brow at her strange behavior, but shrugged it off. Maybe she just wanted some company. He certainly wasn't in any rush.

"Alright, then." he said, retaking his spot on the grass.

She looked relieved and took a seat to his left, looking out over the scenery. Most of the lights around town had gone out, amplifying the glow of the stars and moon.

"So, um... what brings you to Ponyville, your majesty?" he said, trying to make conversation.

"I come here sometimes to... watch over them." she said, still staring out over the now dark village.

She spoke softly and never turned to face him. Her voice showed hints of remorse and sadness and Matt didn't quite understand why. He knew when to give credit where it was due, however.

"It's very beautiful. You should be proud, princess."

His compliments served only to make conversing more difficult. She wasn't used to prolonged talking with anyone other than her sister. She began wondering why she even bothered keeping him there in the first place. There was just... something about him. Something in his eyes.

"Thank you. I began raising the moon again three years ago. I assume you... know the tale?"

She didn't know why she was so interested in him, but she didn't show any signs of stopping.

He paused for a moment. He knew the story of how princess Luna once went on a rampage and tried to 'bring about eternal night', taking on the name of Nightmare Moon. She was imprisoned on the moon, but eventually found a way to escape. She returned and tried the whole 'eternal night' thing again, but was stopped and saved from the darkness that grasped her.

"Yes, I've heard."

She lowered her head, seemingly fascinated with the grass she sat upon.

"Sometimes... I wonder if that's all they will remember me as. A shadow of myself..."

She looked distraught. Distraught and confused. Probably wondering why she was telling him this, just as he was. She looked skyward.

"I missed so much... up there."

He looked to where she was staring. The pale moon glowed brightly in the night sky. Her eyes shifted to a much darker stare. A familiar longing appeared in her deep, glistening blue eyes. There was no way the malevolent entity from the past was this sad, innocent creature at his side.

"You can't blame yourself." he said. She looked over to him. "We have all had times when... when we've lost control. Don't dwell on it. Put it behind you. If you can't, it just... eats away at you. Besides, I doubt any of them hold it against you."

That was what she saw in him, in his eyes. They were kindred spirits. Though she hadn't intended to vent her emotions to him, she was glad she did.

"... Thank you." she said, smiling.

He was genuinely happy to see her cheer up. She had it far worse than him. It was a wonder she could be happy about anything anymore. He turned back to the scenic town ahead of them, as she did the same. They sat there for quite some time in silence.

"So... do you come here often?" he asked.

"H-huh?"

"... I'll come again, if you wouldn't mind. You're quite good company, princess."

"Oh... of course."

With that, he stood.

"Until then." he began walking away. "Wait; one more thing. Can you give me directions to the Ponyville library?"

Comments

[Starlight Nova]

If the main OCs in this story were voiced, what would they sound like?

[SupraMacPringles]

9639603
That's actually a good question. Never really put much thought into it. I imagine Matt Nabal doesn't emote too much though.

[SupraMacPringles]

9637642
Yeah he's not really cut out for that sort of thing.