As a man recalls his past, he comes to understand the importance of his present.
There was him. Stranded far from home, he makes a way for himself in a life granted to him through the powers that be. On the eve of her second visit since the disaster, he recalls the events that led him to his present. Slowly he begins to discover that the most important achievement in his life may not be what he has accomplished, but what he gained in the process through the decisions he has made.
There was her. A majestic, nearly all powerful alicorn who suddenly finds an unexpected arrival to her domain. As the years pass she watches the new arrival, sending him on a series of quests so as to discover his true potential, only to loose his loyalty after watching him endure the hardest set-back of his life. On the eve of her second visit, she soon finds herself forced to consider the possibility that the new arrival may be the only one capable of redeeming her lost love.
(This is an intended eight-part story that is still in-progress. As written it exists in an alternate universe other than the traditional MLP universe. I do hope you enjoy it and I eagerly await any comments or critique.)
The impact of the axe on the stump created a sound that echoed across the clearing. The man’s breathing was heavy from the amount of work he had put his body through. It was tough and not for the lighthearted or lazy; a type of person the man looked down upon. He would probably be the first to chastise someone for their decision not to work, truth be told. As a man of few words, he taught what lessons he could by action and by method. Words only got so far and more often than not words caused more trouble than they were worth.
The summer evening had been harsh on his body. Sweat poured down his shirtless chest; his jeans all but soaked and he having more than once to tighten his belt due to it slipping down. He never remembered a time when jeans would do that but, then again, he concluded that working as hard and as long as he had in such a climate must have contributed to something. Probably him losing weight. With a terrible sound he quickly cleared his throat, the lump of mucus and saliva being spit onto the ground.
As quickly as the thought to his weight had come, so too did it pass. His breathing now within a stable rhythm, the man turned around to gather the inclination of the sun. By his reckoning it was probably five o’clock in the evening; a good time to end the work day, if he was so inclined to. He grunted, moving his shoulders as he relieved the strain in his muscles. The man took a firm hold onto the axe handle, placing his boot on the stump for added leverage as he pulled upward. In a quick movement the axe was free and he swung it about, grabbing another log and placing it on the stump.
A few more minutes of work never hurt anybody.
* * *
Night had fallen. The days workload had been heavy on the man. The bath in his cold pond had relieved some of that pain, giving him enough strength to make it back to his cabin without collapsing from fatigue. He gathered himself at his small table, almost nodding off a few times before remembering what he was about to do. He quickly took a gander around his home, taking in all the one-roomed abode had to offer. A cast iron wood burning stove was in one corner, just across from the man; it having yet to be lit as it was summer and the nights were rather warm. Across from it was the man, sitting at the only chaired table within the small living quarters.
To the other side of the cabin was the dresser, bed, and pantry along with a small area for a washbowl to either clean himself or utensils. There were no pictures along the walls, only three windows; one near where his bed was, one along the wall separating the pantry and the stove, and one just behind where he presently sat. Nothing was out of place nor arranged in such a way as to arouse his suspicion; all except the small two-shelved bookstand that resided beside his bed. To this the man's interest presently focused, gaining him the motivation to stand and cross the twenty feet to acquire a thick black leather-bound book.
When the man once again sat in his chair, he exhaled softly, contently. He muttered a few words under his breath with closed eyes. He regarded the wording on the front of the thick tome, rubbing a hand across his well worn surface as he passed into a somber mood. This was one of the last pieces of his previous life that followed into his present. It was, and still would be presently, one of the most influential. He silently opened the book, regarding the words and verses within. After several minutes of reading the man began to struggle with staying awake. It wasn’t long before he nodded off into sleep.
* * *
The man groaned awake. His eyes fluttered open, fatigue having conquered his will to read the words of his favored tome. He felt its comforting surface within his hand, laying open as his fingers caressed the pages surface. The man raised himself up from the table, regarding the interior of his hearth in the dim light the moon provided. He stood to stretch, realizing that he must have slept longer than a few hours as he felt a few pops along his joints. He reached to slowly close the book left on the table; its wisdom would have to wait for another time. The bed called to him as a more comfortable solution to his desire to resume sleeping.
He would have made it to the bed had it not been for the open door. It was a sight that caused some confusion in him. The door opened outward, so sitting where he had been he would not have seen the outside. He tried to recall whether or not he had even shut it in the first place. Briefly he stood in the area lit by the cabin door before decided to pass outside. His bare feet met soft soil after another few steps. The pair of trousers he wore providing little comfort from the sudden chill in the air. His attention turned upward as he regarded the night sky for a few moments.
It was a beautiful sight. He recalled a few times during his early nights stargazing for hours on end. Somewhere along the way that nightly hobby had been forgotten, taken up by sleep needed for projects better accomplished during daylight. Perhaps it was good that he had fallen asleep as he had. He regarded the larger and more robust moon carefully, a smile forming upon his lips. When he looked down he froze in place. There was a form a few feet in front of him. It stood on four legs, having a mane as ethereal as the sky he had previously gazed at. It flowed with the breeze; its gentle illumination giving light to the two large cyan eyes gazing outward.
“It’s beautiful,” spoke the man. His words broke the silence that encompassed them, causing the new arrival to look upward, nodding its equine head.
“I suppose it is,” the new arrival agreed, her voice deep and feminine with a slight hesitation.
“It’s been a long time,” the man said after another moment's pause.
“I know,” the other replied, its eyes returning to the man. “We should talk.”
THE OUTCAST
Five years ago I was shot in Gregory Ridge, just south of the quaint mining town of Curtsville. The man that pulled the trigger was Timothy Sanders. We had fought in the war together, Timothy and I. It was this camaraderie that had gave us the inspiration to go about our adventure. We knew each other, understood each other and, I once believed, trusted each other. Two young, fresh veterans who had managed to come across what was possibly the find of the century. It was only natural we explore where the talisman would lead us to.
Once or twice we became lost in the wilderness. Despite this, on the eve of our seventh month, we arrived. Broken and nearly starved, the talisman had led us to rim of large waterfall. After an exhaustive search of the area we found nothing else but a large boulder with ancient carvings on it. Neither of us knew what language it was in, and we got into an argument over the purpose of our trek. The next thing I knew, Timothy pulled out his gun and shot me. He threw the talisman down at me after I hit the ground and left me for dead.
I remember reaching for the talisman, holding it tightly in my hands. My eyes drifted towards the boulder and for the briefest moment I believed I could read the inscription. I don’t remember what it spelled out anymore, just that after I saw it something clicked in my mind. Almost like everything made a twisted kind of sense. The journey, the hardship, and finally the pointless and unforeseen betrayal.
The next few moments were the last I remember of my previous life. I felt the talisman begin to warm in my hands; my body tingling with a sensation alien to me. I figured this was what dying felt like. My eyes gazed upward and I recall how strange it was that the day had gone by so quickly. The most beautiful full moon I had ever recall gazing upon met my watery gaze. I remember it growing brighter as I felt myself drifting off into the endless sleep.
“You’ve done well for yourself,” Luna observed.
I gave a slow nod, pouring the hot water into the cups I had placed on the table. The Lunar Princess watched as I dabbed a tea bag into both, replacing the tea kettle on the iron stove before joining her. We both waited as our drinks steeped, Luna using her telekinesis to continue to dab her tea bag. She smiled at me when she noticed I looked her way, I smiled back. The atmosphere was relaxed, tranquil.
She motioned her head to the side, looking briefly to the outside world from the window. “I noticed you started on your shed a little early.”
It was an attempt to encourage me to talk. I thought about simply nodding. “Yea,” I allowed myself to blurt, deciding against holding my tongue.
For the next few moments we sat in silence. It wasn’t everyday I had visitors, especially from the Princess. I thought about mentioning the fact that she hadn’t come by in several months. I then remembered it was myself who withdrew from her. I felt a pain rise in the center of my chest, realizing that I was still doing the same thing that drove her away in the first place. I cleared my throat. “You look good,” I said while motioning with my head towards her flowing mane.
Her eyes darted to mine, a smile crossing her equine lips. “Thank you,” she said softly. She hadn’t been expecting that. Her eyes then landed towards the black tome on the table. Her smile didn’t fade. “I see you didn’t get rid of your book.” Her eyes shifted back to mine.
I gave a slow nod, taking a quick glance towards my tea before returning it towards her. “Keeps me going I suppose,” I said as I grabbed my cup, taking a long sip. “Mmm....still as fresh as the day you gave them to me.”
I saw a slight flush to her sapphire coated cheek. “Yes, well, I didn’t think you’d still have any after...”
“It’s alright,” I said reassuringly. “What happened is done and over with. You’ve done more than enough to make up for it.”
“I know, but still.”
I nodded slowly, taking another sip. It really hadn’t been her fault. It was amazing that she would even consider herself in the wrong. I let the silence linger a little longer than it should have, giving a sigh as I reached across the small table to gently place a hand on her hoof. I saw her smile again. I smiled in return. Her eyes started to gain a hypnotic quality to them, catching mine before I could look away. I felt compelled to stare into them.
Then the moment was gone.
I heard her clear her throat as she shyly looked away, her eyes drifting out the window. I slid my hand back and followed her gaze. Outside, despite the brilliance of the lunar light, I could make out the twinkles of thousands of stars. Some brighter, some dimmer. One caught my attention, it’s shine and size easily disquinishible from the rest. I had no doubt that Luna’s attention was on the same star.
I didn’t realize, at first, that I was breathing. When I did feel my chest rise and fall, I became aware that I was still alive. It was sporadic at first; my thoughts jumbled and my mind tortured by the most intense headache. As I continued to breathe however, I began to think more clearly, to remember what had happened before. When I opened my eyes the same majestic visage of the moon greeted them. I was sure that by some miracle I had survived.
I lay there for several, countless moments as I gathered my strength. I felt weak, like I had lost a lot of blood. I remember sitting up with some effort on my part, feeling my body down for the wound which should've been my demise. My first surprise came in not finding any indication of such; my second in realization that I was not, in fact, anywhere near Gregory Ridge.
I remember standing then, swaying from the weakness and dizziness that lingered slightly. My surroundings had changed drastically. I could no longer hear the distant rumble of the waterfall nor see any indication of a boulder with strange markings. In fact I could not notice any significant landscape distinctions for miles; I having found myself in center of a flat, grassy, hilly landscape that seemed to stretch for miles.
Strange as these changes were, the most important and telling lay in the sky above me. Whilst the first larger moon seemed similar, the second redder moon did not. I knew without a doubt that I was no longer on Old Terra anymore.
“Do you think they know I’m still alive?”
The question I asked, I knew, stung Luna greatly. When I looked to her, I could see that her facial expression was pained. Her eyes started to drift from the sky over in my direction, her mouth opening as if to reply. In the next instant, she sighed, closing them and only reopening upon gazing back in the starry sky.
“You mean-” I watched as Luna brought a hoof to her mouth; watery eyes gazing into mine. Her voice was soft, shaken. “You mean they haven’t found you yet?”
“No” was all I could reply. I could no longer stand to gaze into her expression, my eyes darting downwards as I clasped both hands around my cup. I dared another brief sip of the warm liquid before resuming my new composure. I told her enough times I never blamed her, that she had done everything within her power to get me back. My eyes drifted towards the glint of light from the metal container underneath my bed, then looking back to Luna. “Let’s go outside, I need some fresh air.”
She simply nodded, sliding off her posterior onto her four legs as I stood on my two. I allowed her to be first upon our exit of my wilderness home, I gently closed the door after. The night was wonderfully bright from the local stars reflection off the primary moon. To the west and just rising off the horizon was its darker, smaller twin, it’s surface reflected back an eerie orange glow that played dynamically with its larger counterpart on nights they were close together. My attention, however, remained on the other, brighter star in the distance.
“I wish I could see it from here,” I said. I heard Luna sit beside me. She didn’t say anything in response, so I continued. “I’ve always wondered what your planet looked like, if all the stories everyone has told me amount to the truth.” I chuckled, “I have no doubt they do, it’s just so...out there, you know?”
“Yes,” she replied. “Someday soon, hopefully.”
I felt a slight touch of pain at hearing that, but I knew the cause of her hesitation was justified. My work here was precarious and time consuming. If she took me, even for a mere day, everything that we both worked so hard to better would be lost. In that regard, I as much served her as I served the memory of my last service. I understood perfectly well the consequences and responsibilities of tough choices, so I had never complained about my situation. Though tonight had seen me allowing myself a slip of that discipline. I was in the very least happy she hadn’t taken it the wrong way.
“Why did you come back?” she asked.
When I first met Luna, I hadn’t been surprised by what she was. Old Terra had long since spread its influence to the stars, meeting and commingling with various alien lifeforms. It was the tightrope walk of not wanting to start an interstellar war that forced us into neutrality and acceptance, to hide our feelings and judgments and cast a sense of tolerance and authority. It was with this same training that I stared down the Princess of the Night herself, greeting her and consequently collapsing out of pure exhaustion.
Only two words were exchanged between our persons in that first meeting. She had said hello, and I responded in kind. My vision blurred then, I collapsing as my lack of food and water finally doing me in. It was by her actions alone that I lived to survive a third time, she coming during the days to tend to me while even visiting me in my dreams. She found me “curious” and “interesting”, declaring me a species unknown to her planets inhabitants. It wasn’t until she found the Talisman that things changed between us.
She told me the real purpose behind the talisman, how she had created it to find the one who could best serve her most private of objectives. As I explained my story to her, it suddenly became clear why Timothy had reacted as such. For a time I would have nothing to do with Luna; I finding my on this strange, new world and eventually starting to build the frontiers cabin I would come to live in. Then she came back, and things once again changed between us. This time for the better.
She made a proposition to me. In return for a few quests I should undertake, she would do everything in her power to attract the attention of my people. I began my undertaking out of necessity. I ended it with conviction and a sense of moral obligation. Somewhere between the point of the end of my first task and the end of the last, I had gained a belief that what I was doing was right; that it was necessary for me to continue. At the same time I found myself doing something else. I was falling in love.
For the third time I could remember in my life I was left speechless. My thoughts halted as her question bounced off every corner of my conscious mind. Memories of my journey from where it all began to present day flooded my mind. The choices, the decisions and the consequences all seemed to coalesce into some sort of jumble of emotions I couldn’t immediately recognize. Then, as a few recent memories passed through my minds eye, I knew the answer. I turned towards her, looking down at her as I smiled.
I watched as Luna lost her voice, her eyes meeting mine before quickly drifting away. Her head turned; the equine features on her face hidden suddenly as her ethereal mane drifted down to protect them. It was during this moment that I was able to glimpse her form more purely. The primary moon’s light was just right, revealing the features that were most subtle and hidden. Her pegasus wings, for example; I could glimpse the gentle spasms as she struggled to keep them retracted to her side. I could see the way the moonlight played across her dark sapphire coat; almost like a second skin. I saw how her ethereal tail curled around her haunches, partially covering her half-crescent mark on her flank.
“I don’t understand,” Luna managed to finish.
Her voice was another unique aspect of her that I enjoyed. At times it was full of authority, demanding respect and obedience and commanding the very forces of nature. There was few times in my experience alongside the Princess that I had not been without this authoritative voice; my experiences and my missions being critical and thus deserving of it. Even so, in equal amounts was her reserved tone, so used when polite discourse was in commencement. This, too, was I often granted with when we had a chance to converse. Though now, as her expression remained hidden by her mane, was her voice of the most soft and rare of qualities. I had no doubt her conflicted emotions played a critical part in this.
“Luna,” I began carefully, “do you remember when I was given the chance to go home?”
I witnessed her mane part briefly. It was enough time for me to see her eye blink. She raised her head afterward, turning one careful eye upward towards me. “I do,” she replied. Again, her voice but a whisper of its more assertive, more dominant self. My heart was breaking, knowing that somewhere inside she must be berating herself presently. I maintained my smile in hope it offered comfort.
“It was you that gave me that chance,” I continued. “Through your actions and a one in a billion chance, they were able to come here. You played your part, you did everything you knew you could to make sure they would find me. It’s not your fault they couldn’t.”
“I know but st-still..” Her voice was breaking, her head lowering. I could see the twinkle of a tear. “I-I should’ve-”
I could stand by no more. I knelt quickly, taking her into my arms. I felt her begin to heave as my arm reached around her neck and withers. The cold tickle of her mane caressed my head as I laid it against hers. The sobs came next; I knew instinctively that it came from the shame of her failure. I wondered briefly if I could tell her the fault was not hers. That it had been mine all along and I just never had the courage to tell her. The thought to come forward and desire to do so were soon lost through her sobs and tears; I holding her close as the years of pent up emotions were released.
I began to cry as well.
I remember her telling me in great detail how she had done her best to signal them. Her excited face and how she jumped up and down with glee demonstrating her happiness with the event. With her magical abilities, she had explained, she had amplified the signal of a beacon I had in my possession upon arrival into this world. It was one of the few modern amenities of nostalgic quality that helped me remember where I was from, constantly assuring me the existence of my species elsewhere in the universe. To say I was pleased with her success was an understatement.
Unknown to us at the time, the signal had managed to cross countless light years with the help of the magical boost given to it. It took several months afterward for us to see any result to the Princess’ attempt. Not until on a particular night where the moons had not blinded out the stars did we both manage to see conclusion to her effort. It was she who noted it first: an unknown star had appeared in the sky; a turn of events with which she would be perfectly attuned to be privy to. For the benefit of my curiosity she had undertaken a clandestine investigation of the craft. Upon her description of the vessel, I concluded that there was no doubt it was the response we had been hoping for.
It was not in the priorities of the Lunar Princess to make contact with my people; not just yet. She would leave this to me with great hopes it would lead to my return to my civilization. With great care she had placed the beacon with its amplified signal still emitting in a location that was easily reachable. I would stand strategically beside it, my eyes watching as the drop shuttle descended through the atmosphere to land. I observed for several minutes, an eagerness my body as endless emotions struggled to remain in proper composure.
I was pleased to observe that it had landed not too far from the beacons location. I was secretly afraid that the easy access to the interest of their arrival would place caution upon them greatly. The relief that my species natural curiosity overtook the need for caution was palpable. I observed from my position as the newly emerged four-man party began their slow trek towards me. At first I remained hidden behind some rock formations; the beacons location within a clearing situation just fore of a light forest. I remember noticing how they seemed to take their time; how each movement was calculated, as if they were more interested in their new surroundings than the rescue of one of their own.
I decided then to allow myself a better position to be seen as I came out from my hiding place. I began to noticed how on several occasions, wherein I was within plain sight before them, how they never looked my way nor paid me the slightest ounce of attention. I decided a different course of action was in order. I ran towards them, screaming at the top of my lungs. Arms waving, feet rushing across the surface of the ground, voice yelling demanding the attention of my similar counterparts. When they finally turned my way it was not in the manner I expected, my legs halting my run just yards from where they stood. Their faces hidden behind helmets and visors; I only guessing to where their attention was drawn as they slowly progressed further, as if fearful of what was before them despite the protection of their environmental suits.
After a time, our tears found a respite.
Luna and I sat beside each other presently. Our bodies leaning against the others as our eyes were concentrated skyward, we both admiring the night. The silence that lingered harbored nor fostered negativity of any sort. For myself, I had a feeling of a new beginning and understanding between my counterpart to my side. With the unrehearsed release of emotions I had come to truly understand just how much my prior discovery of my curse had hurt her. She had been just as horrified, if not more, as I had been.
To linger in eternity as a ghost; to live as a phantom. I had no experience with such methods of existence nor had I any prior desire to undertake a lesson of such. A simple roll of the dice, a play of change, was all it took for me to enter such forbidden and forsaken territory. This could not be the fault of the Princess alone. Rather it could only be a shared, if equal burden experienced between the cause and the effect. In my time alone I had undertaken my own form of quests. I had come to understand the reason behind my otherworldly affliction.
“You just wanted to protect them,” I started suddenly. I felt her head move slightly against its perch to the side of my arm, not speaking, only listening. I continued. “Talisman came with a safeguard. I understand it now. The reason, I mean.”
“A reasoning that lacked any rational sense,” Luna said softly.
I brought a hand up to stroke across her muzzle. “It’s not your fault,” I reassured.
She tensed briefly, thereafter beginning to relax. Her snout then pressing into my comforting hand. She briefly nodded in acceptance, but by the shivers I felt just through the touch I knew she didn’t believe her nonverbal answer. I couldn’t blame her; proper words to justify my position did not exist. All there existed was a deeply rooting feeling that the responsibility for all that had transpired was not to be placed on her. Such notions, however chivalrous, did not ease my worry. Instead it heightened it, almost to a desperate pace. My mind raced to back up my position with logic and certainty.
My mind failed.
I looked down at Luna as she lay her head against my side. Her chest rose and sank slowly. Instead of her eyes gazing upward, they were closed. I realized then that she was asleep. The manner in which her head was position her muzzle lay across my chest, the support of her head against my side. My left arm rose above her head, just above her regal horn, to work its way across and down her neck. If I sat in silence long enough I could feel her heart beating and, to my surprise, sense the calm from her. I maintained my other hands stroking of her muzzle for a few moments longer before lowering it.
She had fallen asleep. I was loath to disturb her, my mind in turn concentrating elsewhere. For a time I gazed up at the heavens lost in the imaginings of my mind. I wondered briefly how my people fared. I wondered if the war had truly changed things for the better. I wondered if anyone remembered me. Images from my past flashed before my minds eye. I saw my wife, my daughter and my newborn son. My eyes were cast themselves lower, gazing at the ground as I entered a state of silent remembrance. Their deaths had influenced me so greatly as to enter the service of my empire at the beginning of the war.
Ten years of the planet hopping and hell met me. It was a grueling test of resolve, determination and will. The propaganda proclaimed it was all for the betterment of emperor and empire. Some believed it; living by it as a code as they stormed the enemy strongholds and captured back territory. Others, like myself, dismissed it for what it was and simply lived for the chance of vengeance. Timothy had been one too, his history nearly identical to mine. We served through five invasions and seventeen separate missions that solidified our friendship into stone. We lived as brothers, as family.
I was far from the thought of rejecting the idea of the adventure when Timothy first proposed it. We had found the talisman in the ruins of some castle on Old Terra. By protocol such discoveries should have been surrendered to the emperors archives; naturally we kept it for ourselves. One of the aspects of warfare is finding something, anything to hope for after everything is over. The talisman provided that, its mysteries beckoning us and tempting us. When the war ended and we were both given a temporary leave of duty, we immediately set out to accomplish our dream that we had nurtured for so long.
The end of said journey was the betrayal and my death. It wanted to know it as a gruesome reminder of greeds influence. I wanted to believe that this was the lone reason why Timothy, a man that I loved like a brother I never had, had killed me over a simple argument over which directed we should head next. I wanted to believe also that a simple, ancient device such as the talisman could not have influenced Timothy’s decision to end my life. I wanted to believe that I could defy gravity by simply jumping up and never coming down. In the end, however, we are always forced to face the basic laws of the universe.
Timothy was not a person of greed. He was a loyal and stalwart comrade in his devotion to our brotherhood. The adventure we undertook and the hardship we endured was nothing compared to what we experienced during the war. The only conclusion, however unfathomable and illogical, was that the talisman alone influenced the events that transpired. The talismans origin was admitted to have come from the Princess; an admission spoken by her specifically to me. It was therefore prevalent to conclude that the blame for all that had transpired was to be placed upon the Princess of the Night.
There was, however, one key issue with this conclusion. Luna, in all her understanding of the ways of magic, had never intended for the talisman to end up on Old Terra. It was never even intended to leave the presence and soil of her own world. It was with this admission from her that the blame I held upon her shoulders was then placed upon mine. A mistake, a fluke. Was I to blame her for these things? I could, and I could have even brought up the fact that without irrefutable proof of said mistake I could not blame her. Instead I had used the years under her service to find the answer. It was the talismans appearance near her that prompted her to come to this world. Surely this world held the answer to why.
When I found what I had searched for, I wished I had never pushed Luna away.
When they phased through me, my world shattered. I remember watching the holo-vids as a child. Stories of ghosts and ghostly aftermaths, all with the same premise of never being able to be seen by the ones you love. One in particular had shown how a husband had begged the attention from his wife, only to have her turn and walk through her like he was never there. Such an emotional experience could not truly be understood by those still living. I remember coming to the shortsighted conclusion that I must be dead.
My shock turned to dismay as I watched them return from whence they had come. I cried, truly cried, when the shuttle lifted off. All of my hopes of returning to the normalcy of my human existence vanished as quickly as their ship did into slipspace. The dismay turned into ruin, which then progressed towards anger.
“You did this to me!” I remember saying to Luna. “You cursed me to the existence of a shadow, a ghost!”
Whatever words she spoke were shattered when I hit her. I had never hit a woman in my life, much less a female of any species. It went against everything I had been taught and stood for. It was this unforgivable action that had woken me from my angered state. I had hit her just across the side of her jowl, causing her head to go sideways as the eye upon the offended side fluttered closed. I remember how quickly she went from saddened to hurt, how she seethed through clenched teeth words that broke my very soul. The final, unforgettable words spoken before she would disappear in a flash of light.
“You hurt me.”
The memory of my offense unto Luna passed. I realized then how much I regretted my loss of control. She had never truly deserved what I had done. Luna had not been evil nor unkind to my plight, always seeming to take into consideration my needs and wants. The quests she had given me were an example of this. At the end I would always gain something that would benefit me or help me continue on. I was surprised then that through this visit she had never once brought up my offense. My eyes drifted towards her, she still sleeping soundly against me. I wondered briefly if she believed she deserved it. It hurt me to think that she would.
As the night waned further I returned my attention skyward. My mind drifted, I remaining sitting up as I enjoyed the company of the sleeping Princess. It was the best act of forgiveness I had ever been blessed with.
Princess Celestia opened her eyes as she took in a long, slow breath. The morning air was crisp and clean, giving her a much-needed feeling of awareness after her previous night's ordeal. Her horn ceased its golden glow as her eyes adjusted to the cresting of the sun on the horizon. The light had already appeared before its rise, but now with a percentage of its form in the visible sky the daylight began to intensify. The alicorn's pupils contracted briefly as she stared at the sun, dilating again when she turned her attention below.
The morning light provided an orange glow as elongated shadows dotted the landscape. The glow began to brighten to a more healthy yellow, the strict contrast of colorations beginning to coalesce into a more normal tone that the eye was comfortable with. Her gaze briefly landed on several establishments in the lands below then quickly retreating to locations closer to her position. Residing outside on her towers balcony, nothing should be so far to be outside the gaze of her immortal eyes. It was a position she was most comfortable in.
Her large wings flapped slowly, she feeling the ambient temperature around her warm as her fore and aft legs began to move idly. At her whim she could dictate the amount of solar radiation necessary to impact her world, not only ensuring a continued progression of life but also keeping in line with the standards of seasonal change. To this end she allowed her sun to start to warm the planet to an above-average temperature. The summer season had arrived and with it was the necessary endurance to the heat and its much-needed light.
The gaze of the solar diarch turned upward as she took note of the barrier between the stars and the sky slo wly moving. The blue distortion from the light particles of her sun had quickly begun to overwhelm the light from the distant stars, causing a brief depiction of a battle between night and day as the night retreated towards the other end of the horizon. She felt a brief tinge of guilt at seeing this, shaking the feeling off afterward as she recalled more present and happier memories. The brief display above was a constant reminder to her about the differences between the diarchs, yet reminded her every morning just how critical they were for the survival of their planet.
The distant beating of wings against the morning air reminded Celestia that she would not be the only pony to see the display. As the wing-beats grew nearer and more pronounced, Celestia turned half-way around from her perch so as to better look at the new arrival. She watched as Princess Luna gracefully flew towards her. Her star-filled ethereal mane waving intensely in the breeze before subsiding in its rage as Luna landed with a silent clackity-clack of her hooves on the polished stone flooring of the balcony. Wings retracting to her sides, the Lunar diarch made a move to near her counterpart and provide an affectionate sisterly nuzzle that was quickly returned.
“Your day is as beautiful as always, sister.”
Celestia smiled at the beautiful compliment, “Thank you Luna. I noticed how exceptional your night was. I felt nearly ashamed to see it pass for the day.”
“Many thanks,” Luna replied with a slight flush to her cheeks and a very pronounced smile. Her night was very dear to her. “I know very well the importance of your suns warmth to our little ponies, so nothing is of any loss.”
The polite greeting concluded, the two immortal sisters stood side-by-side as they examined the day in progress. Luna, normally asleep by this hour, took the time to gaze over the landscape as the morning light progressed in its intensity. It was not an alien sight to her, simply something she rarely managed to witnessed due to her schedule. After a time of quiet contemplation, Luna gazed upward towards her sister. “I visited him again last night,” she said as the silence was broken with the words.
Celestia turned slightly to look at her sister, “Hmm?” For a moment the statement was lost to her, her eyes growing distant before they widened briefly with realization. “Oh! Him! Yes, of course, how is he doing?”
“Well if I am to presume correctly,” Luna replied with a smile. “He has moved on from the major upset the talisman brought unto him, something I still regret to this day, yet otherwise appears to be doing well for himself.”
“That is very good,” Celestia replied, then added, “You know there was no way you could have known that would happen.”
Luna looked away, then downward. She sighed. “I know sister.” After a moment her magic activated, a cobalt blue field encompassing her horn. From the other side of her form she produced a talisman. Its shape was in the form of a disk with its surface appearing gold-like in quality. In the center of the talisman resided an orange topaz crystal which glowed dimly. “That is also why I have come to see you on this morning.”
Celestia's head turned fully towards the talisman, her eyebrow briefly raising as she examined the form of the talisman before her eyes widened in a gasp. “The Midnights Heart,” she spoke in realization softly, eyes once again growing distant. Her head then darted upward toward the sky. “Is it possible? After all this time?”
“I believe it is,” Luna affirmed. “The magical glow confirms it.”
Luna returned the talisman to her side, following her sisters gaze upward. For a time nothing was spoken between the two as both sets of eyes trained on a distant point yet unseen in the daytime sky. Celestia gaze indicated that her mind was far from her corporeal form, possibly traversing the distance in search of hidden answers. As the daylight waned into full, Luna turned her attention to her sister with a worried expression. Sensing the gaze, Celestia blinked a few times briefly, smiling then as she looked down towards her sibling.
“I think he should be ready,” she said.
Luna smiled and nodded. “I was hoping you would say that. Thank you sister.”
Celestia gently chuckled, leaning down to nuzzle once again. After a brief exchange of temporary farewells, the Lunar diarch parted with the Solar. Celestia once again was perched alone atop her balcony. Her gaze returned upward briefly, the smile never leaving her lips. Her ethereal mane flowed with the wind as it changed directions in a gentle fashion, prompting the alicorn to movement as she extended her wings slightly. Almost as if having second thoughts, her wings retracted, she turning around and returning to the interior of her royal abode.
“Where...*cough*...how..?”
The room was dark. The lone occupant tried to survey his surroundings, to feel it. When he instinctively searched for the will that was his lifeblood, his magic failed him. A feeling of seclusion and defenselessness overwhelmed him. He didn’t know where he was or why he was here. His mind began to hurt as he tried to remember. Pain became his existence temporarily, he groaning as it wracked his fragile form. Then the memories began to slowly trickle forward.
*CLINK*
He had tried to move, only to be met with a metal resistance. His hooves were shackled to, what he assumed, was a wall. The cold and damp feeling of a stone floor and wall became known to him as his senses slowly returned. He knew this type of environment very well. He was in a prison cell, shackled for....for...for what? He had just had it on the tip of his tongue. He groaned again, his head hurting briefly. The chain shackles prevented him from bringing a hoof to his head. His world spinned as he tried to understand what was going on.
“W-water....”
It was necessity that brought forth the words. He felt parched, dried up. His body was weak and exhausted from some previous ordeal he couldn’t presently remember. A soft tap against something solid by his rear hoof caused him to seize up suddenly. He chanced a tap again, listening to the sound it emitted. He heard the soft ripple of water as it sloshed softly from the disturbance. He again tried to use his hooves to reach, but again was prevented by his restraints. With no other alternative he reached again for his lifeblood. There was a slight sound of a static charge. Then...
...something.
He used all his remaining strength to concentrate on this task. The feeling of the world around him returned, albeit briefly, before sliding away again. He cursed his luck, once again attempting to overcome his present obstacle with mental concentration. He again felt the static charge, but unlike last time where it fizzled, this time it stayed in the form of a constant hum in his brain. The humming intensified, moving upward into the smooth horn that adorned his head. Eyes shut tight, he could literally feel his body's natural electrical field coalesce on a central point at the tip of his horn. He pushed himself to the limit, feeling the strain as sweat-beads began forming along his coat. Then....then....
*FZZZZZBAA*
His bodies natural magical field activated to his utter delight. He sighed in relief, feeling the electrical hum begin to emanate from all points across his equine form. He thanked whatever gods watched over him that he was able to overcome such an impossible task, despite however weak his magical ability may have been presently. He used his new sense like a third eye, glimpsing the room through it as electromagnetic fields pulsed in his vicinity to expose the surroundings to his mental vision as a bluish landscape. He saw the expected bars to the fore, the continuation of stone-work around him, a grate that lead undoubtedly to a drain off to the corner wall, then finally the bowl nearest to him. With his target sighted, he concentrated further.
He watched, decades upon decades of magical discipline coming to the fore granting him extreme patience as his artificial magnetic field intensified. He could feel the particles that made up the air begin to writhe at the invasion of his focus, solidifying slowly as his magical field drew them together to grant him telekinesis. Within a few more moments, his mind clicked as the breaking point was reached. A soft thwack emanated from his mind as his mental vision saw the reverberations of his will manifesting into reality, forcing the particles around him into draw around the bowl and act as another hoof. Feeling the surface of the wooden bowl, he willed it to lift, watching as the world obeyed and drew upward the object.
In a short few seconds it was to his lips, lifting gently as the water trickled into his parched maw. He drank, eagerly, mind lost as the refreshing, life-granting liquid coursed down his throat. Silent blubbers of satisfaction emitted from him as he drank, his previously strained expression relaxing as he enjoyed the present refreshment. Before he could drink it further, he forced himself to withdraw from the bowl. His magic obeyed, gently setting the bowl down beside him according to his will. He took in a few long, drawn out breaths as he relaxed his body. In the next few moments he released his magical hold on the world, the gentle hum slowly retreating back into his mind before disappearing altogether.
Letting out a sigh, he drifted into sleep, his body completely exhausted.
The morning sun woke me from my sleep. Instead of feeling the cold earth beneath me, I felt the warmth of my makeshift mattress. I blinked several times, trying to wash away the slowness of my thoughts. I remembered being outside under the light of the two moons. I remember being with Luna.
“Luna,” I called softly. “Luna?” I called again, slightly less groggily.
I shifted in my bed, gazing behind me towards the wall of my cabin, then sitting up to glance around my one-room abode. The was no sign of the Princess. I felt saddened that she would depart so readily after our exchange prior. Although it shouldn’t surprise me, I chided myself. She was a diarch in her realm and did have responsibilities. I felt a tinge of worry that perhaps this separation would extend to another several years, then restrained my emotions for later deliberation. She wouldn’t have appeared to make up with me if she intended to stay away, I concluded to my satisfaction.
With a groan I slid my legs out from under the warmth of my covers, my body twisting to accommodate the new positions as I sat upright. I rubbed my hand across my face and hair, groaning again as I felt stubble across my cheeks and chin. I resolved that I would deal with that hygienic issue later, concentrating presently on the task of awakening myself for the new day. I then stood from my bed as my bare feet touched the wooden floor, heading straight away for my cupboard and retrieving what I needed for the morning breakfast.
* * *
I presently sat in a wooden chair of my own making. I was outside, just to the side of the entrance to my wooden abode, enjoying the sight of the morning day. I had enjoyed the toast and eggs I had prepared for myself priorly, presently sipping a cup of warm tea to finish off the meal. My mind was starting to wonder into places I had not dwelled on in years. I began to recall little things, like coffee makers and replicators, from my previous life. Things that made life seem so simple yet appeared to be a necessity if left unused. It was a stark contrast to my present life, here out in the middle of nowhere on some planet far from home.
I shouldn’t be so negative, I reminded myself. To the east resided the natives of this world whom I had met on several of my quests. They were scrawny little things; lizardfolk with a lifestyle similar to mine, living in huts and hunting in the wilderness and standing half as tall as me. I had met further indication of sapient life on this world, but they were brief glimpses at some other odd species or another. Every now and then that glimpse would visit me, either in the form of the lizardfolk or some other creature. It would usually be a peaceful interaction; tea always seemed to be the bringer of peace for such meetings.
It was definitely a contrast to the world that Luna had described to me. On her world, as she had told, there were far more equines and other more mythical species-slash-creatures to go around. They ranged from the normally friendly ponies of her land in Equestria, to the griffons she described later in their Kingdom, and to the dragons that seemed to be a rare sight according to her admission. She would speak about certain favorable individuals she had met along her journey, and even recounted unto me her own banishment and how it felt, but generally everything spoken was in good spirits to her world. I felt slightly abashed that I should remain here on this primal world; nature having its way where on hers magic seemed to bring order.
I secretly yearned to see that world. I had expressed this interest on the last night. I was slightly admonished by her statement concluding in the entirety to “Maybe”. Surely I had proven myself a capable and trustworthy individual by that present point. Then again, reminding myself of the events leading to her firstly disappearing, I concluded that perhaps she had yet to regain her trust in myself. I chided myself for my prior actions so long ago. Had I simply refused to cast false accusations and dealt with the emotional trauma myself, I would have not forced her away for so long. I sat for a while thinking on this, sipping my tea as I did.
The day continued onward.
As my mind relaxed to a certain degree, I recalled the quests that Luna gave unto me. In the beginning, I had followed her directions simply out of necessity. She promised to provide food and shelter and in return all I must do was follow her instructions. It was simple, direct, and quite elegant in its approach. They numbered five in total, each one having a unique objective that I later pinpointed to some standard of judging moral standards. In each one, however, I always obtained a similar artifact of significant importance. It would always be some sort of sphere of metal, lightweight and easily carried. Luna would never explain further its purpose, she simply dictating to me her decision on whether I accomplished the quest or not.
I sipped more of my tea, gazing upward towards the sky as the sun continued on its course. It was still somewhat cool out so I was not uncomfortable as of yet. My tea had yet to chill and I determined that continuing to sit would further my goal of relaxing more.
I had recovered five metal spheres in total. Luna had taken each one into her possession without further explanation. In the beginning, I began to determine that the spheres were a simple objective for my quests and served no relevant purpose other than thus. After recovering the third spherical artifact, however, I discovered they had energies imbued within them that I could not explain rationally. When I questioned Luna about this, she simply gave the excuse that they were of a valued and personal importance to her. Each time I tried to gain a further understanding, she would simply deflect my questions with more questions of her own. The most specific of which was why I hadn’t begun or finished whatever quest I had been assigned next. In the end, when I had no more quests, she downright refused any further explanation and simply thanked me for my services.
I was, quite frankly, left at a standstill.
It was around this point that Luna had miraculously signaled the otherworldly scout ship. All thoughts to the spherical artifacts were quickly forgotten and after the transpired events I was left to my own devices. I had all the time to conclude my own reasons for me gathering these spheres, these metal mysteries. I wanted to firstly blame her for using me, but I knew that in the end my services were rewarded in a correct fashion. I was given a home, somewhere to live and the capability to make my way. In her absence, I thrived, even going so far as to venture on my own personal quests with a few friends I had made along the way. Through their assistance, I had found my present residence and my own parcel of land. Without their help and without the uniquely specific knowledge and teachings I had learned during my questing under the Princess I doubted I would have survived as long as I did, even with my prior training.
Then there was how she reacted the night before. She was immensely apologetic and under a sorry state of mind. She had seemed to blame herself for what transpired when I was to be rescued by own people, leaving out entirely my own violations of civility and honor that I undertook against her. It had thrusted upon me a new understanding of how exactly she felt about the events, causing me to open up to her turmoil. I was surprised by just how deeply I had harbored feelings for the Princess of the Night. It scared me, these new, hidden feelings. I didn’t want to recognize them and even presently I tried to excuse them away as a simple affection for how much she had assisted me.
I sighed, taking the last drink of my tea. I wished secretly that I had the nerve to tell her about my affectionate feelings towards her. I’d imagine her to recoil at the thought of such, but then again I knew her to be well over a thousand years old; with age comes wisdom. She may hold similar feelings as well. Professional, affectionate feelings. Then again, the more I thought about it more, I come to a slow realization. She probably just considers me a close friend and, more logically, is sympathetic to my plight. I probably having an unrealistic, close affection for her due to her proximity and helpfulness in my time of need. It was all some sort of puppy love fiasco.
I hoped I tricked myself into believing that.
* * *
The day had progressed without a visitation from the Lunar Princess and much to my surprise, I was content with that. I had been given enough time to enjoy a beautiful morning and consider the events that had befallen me carefully. As I became busy with going about my morning routine of washing and clothing myself, I came to accept the finding that I had feelings for Luna. I then moved on, my day progressing as I finished chopping wood on the stump just north of my cabin, then fetching water from the well west of it. I then took on the task of tending to my garden near the well with the assistance of tools stored in the nearby shed. Once an adequate amount of food was harvested from it, I returned to my abode to store my gathered foodstuffs.
It was during this process of properly preparing and storing the necessary vegetables that heard the tell-tale sign of the Princess arrival; a woosh of air followed by a heavy flap of her wings as they were folded. I ceased my movements temporarily, considering the possibility of greeting her, then deciding against it. I continued my task at hand, finishing it by storing away the tomatoes in a jar of preservative (supplied by my lizardfolk friends). I then knew I had food to last for a few more days, my meat I had gathered on a previous hunt still in adequate supply within its own preservative. The soft click of hooves on my wooden floor causing me to turn my attention to behind me.
“Good afternoon,” Luna greeted from the doorway. “May I come in?”
I smiled. “Of course,” I replied. “I’ve been meaning to talk t-”
Luna raised her hoof, causing me to stop talking mid-sentence. After an odd expression and a momentary silence, my mouth closed and I stood looking at the lunar princess. Satisfied with my present state, she spoke as she returned her hoof to the floor.
“I apologize for that, but what I have to say may very well be more important than what you have to share.”
I blinked, taken aback by the statement. I gave a slow nod encouraging her to continue. She looked away from me momentarily, gazing towards the cast iron stove. After a pause she returned her gaze to mine, staring at me as she seemed to examine me. She then looked towards the table, motioning with a hoof. “Shall we sit?”
“Alright,” I replied, obliging her by walking towards the seat nearest to the wall.
She sat herself in the seat nearest to the door. I listened as she cleared her throat, watching as her ethereal mane slowly began to cease its magical flow against the invisible wind. I saw her eyes dart down at the table, glimpsing my black tome briefly before closing fully. Her neck quivered for a moment, she taking in a deep breath before letting out a long sigh. When her eyes opened they stared into mine, forcing me to look back as I sat motionless in my chair.
“Edward,” she began, “I have lied to you about how you came to this world.”
I remember fondly the many times I would sit in my chair and enjoy the warmth of the fireplace, spending an hour or two contemplating my life in a contently fashion. The comforting reminder of my own handiwork all around me in the form of my abode and its furnishings, never letting me forget that I could still live even beyond death. I was comforted in my cabin; my humble abode. After Luna told me the truth however, it became a bane to my thoughts. I no longer looked at it in pride, rather knowing it as a sign of the deception I had been cast into. I could no longer bare its existence. After the departure of the Princess, I set fire to the foundation of my illusion.
I presently stood a safe distance from the burning building that once was my home. The fires reached far into the sky, smoke billowing into the air in great clouds as the winds took hold of them. The smell of burning wood stinging my nostrils as I silently breathed, my mind elsewhere as my gaze held hypnotically to the dancing flames as they provided light in the night.
From here on out, I was on my own. My destiny would be in my hands. Nevermore would I entrust my life into the embrace of something so foul, so deceitful as a lady of the night. I had been polite in my farewell to her; it was the least I could do considering her gentle nature towards my health and recovery. I felt no pain in making my decision neither. Like the flames that consumed the memories before me, my feelings for the Lunar Diarch equally burned away.
In my hand I presently held the originator of my current predicament. I moved the talisman between my fingers, observing its smooth surface texture and the crystal within it. I felt its warmth as the orange topaz stayed brightly lit, humming with a tune that I felt course through my arm and into my head. It was soothing, relaxing even. The tune seemed to quell my natural desire to overreact to the situation; my attitude having become of calm contentment and resolution to my new predicament.
Turning towards the north I came to accept my new fate. I looked downward at the talisman in my hand and welcomed the warmth it provided to my soul. I felt a tug in this direction, as if the power within the talisman gently pulled me toward the north. I replaced the talisman in the pocket of my hide coat, adjusting the weight of the framed backpack as I grunted from the movement. Then, with a final look towards the burning frame of my last effort at another life, I forced myself northward towards a new beginning.
The night was chilly. My breath coming out as a mist as I felt the talisman working tirelessly to keep my soul from being just as cold.
“Edward,” she began, “I want to start by stating that I have lied to you about how you came to this world.”
The silence that stretched between us lasted momentarily. I was taken aback by her statement. The nerve to speak up was silenced by the temporary feeling of shock that overtook me. Questions began to arise as I desired to ponder through assumptions her motive for speaking this at present. The good nature within me halted those thoughts before they became words, my politeness keeping my body still as I looked towards her with a neutral expression. I observed as her magic produced the talisman from her side, the cobalt blue aura dispelling as she willed it on the surface of the table nearest to me. My eyes returned to hers as she continued.
“I once told you that my hooves crafted this magical artifact. I tell you now that I have lied to you concerning this. Not only this, but also of why you came to this specific world.”
As she took in a gentle breath my eyes drifted slowly downward, examining the talisman, pondering its true purpose. The feeling of betrayal began to foster its existence within my soul. My eyes did not return to hers as she continued, her voice sounding slightly shaken.
“It is true that I wished upon the talisman for assistance. It is also true that I willed for something to transpire to help me in my time of need.” At this, she paused. I dared to look up, somewhat aback at seeing moisture in her eyes. “My motives, however, were selfish. I did not summon you specifically, the talisman is to thank for this. Whether by accident or by design-”
My voice was soft, hurt, as I interrupted her. “What was the motive?”
“I-” she sighed. “I wanted....”
My voice grew harsher. “Wanted?”
“I wanted-..” I heard her gasp slightly, as if holding back tears. “..I wanted closure. I wanted the talisman to find somepony dear to me. To save them.”
It took me a few moments before I began to understand her words. My eyes returned downward, now contemplating the black tome. Words of wisdom began to whisper gently across my mind, encouraging me to not to be rash. I felt the slight hint of moisture in my eyes as the previous feeling of betrayal resisted my minds attempts at quelling it. Visions of what could have been and what now was darted through my minds eye. The emotions attached to them fueling the feeling of betrayal to overwhelming proportions.
“And the quests?” I asked, my voice telling of the hurt.
“I-..Edwards, please understa-”
“TELL ME!” I yelled suddenly, my fist slamming against the table. My voice softened as I spoke again, trembling with emotion. “Tell me...please.”
It was another moment before I had my answer. Her voice was softer, quieter. “I made them up as I went.”
“Irrelevant then?”
Another moment, then, “yes.”
I nodded, my lips trembling as my facial muscles struggled with quivers. Tears began to softly drop down my cheeks, one after another. My eyes remained on the tome as my vision blurred. The realization that five years of my life here was without purpose stung. I already knew the answer to my next question, but my mind wanted confirmation.
“You gave me quests to make me feel useful,” I said somehow between the trembles, “all because I was never intended to show here?”
A long moment passed. I refused to look at her.
“Yes,” she replied in a whisper. “You were never meant to come here and I didn’t know what to do wi-”
“ENOUGH!”
I had screamed from the top of my lungs, silencing any further words from her. I stood as a fury akin to when I charged into battle overtook me. My hands moved under the table, my hands gripping the end as I stood and in one quick motion lunged the table across my small abode to shatter against the wall. I stood, muscles tense as I stared hatefully down at the face of the Princess. I saw fear, I saw regret, I saw tears. I spoke again, my voice lacking remorse for her plight.
“Begone demon.”
I presently resided within a gully farther north of my burning abode. A fire was before me, to my rear my sleeping bag from which was crafted of animal skins. I sat with my knees pressed to my chest, my arms folded around them as my chin rested upon gap between my knees. My eyes were gazing distantly towards the fire as my mind wandered towards memories of recent past.
I found myself regretting my choice of words to Luna. I had not desired for our parting to be one of hate and negativity. When I spoke my words to her, she had remained speechless. I had watched as she lingered for a moment longer, her tears then having ceased by my outburst. I had turned my back towards her, hearing the telltale sssPOP of her magical teleportation. When I turned around, she was gone.
It hurt; deeply, truly hurt. I knew it needed not be done in such a manner, I found my level of restraint issued to be of adequate quality. I had not, for instance, condoned myself to strike her again as I so desired in that moment. I knew I had lost then the only entity capable of redeeming my isolation on this planet; my conscious still even at present chiding my decisions.
I remembered then the black tome I saved before I lit my previous abode to flames.
I slowly reached towards my framed pack, undoing a leather strap to the top portion of the main pouch to reach within. I produced the black tome shortly after, allowing my position to shift as I sat more comfortably in a crossed legged fashion. The flames flickered briefly as the tome crossed before it, returning to full brightness when I sat it within the confines of my lap. I rubbed a hand across the cover of the leather-bound surface and read the golden-etched words silently unto myself.
I then slowly opened the cover, feeling the thin pages within slide across my well-worn fingertips. It was comforting; nostalgic. So many years of faith, so many trails, so many battles, yet the words always remained the same. I briefly read the same title and the introductory texts that followed. My hand crossed the smooth surface of the pages again, sliding to the corner as my index finger prodded a few pages deep. In tradition with my times of need, I closed my eyes and uttered a silent prayer, then flipped the pages to the passage that should greet me.
The greater wrong is not that which you know you have done,
but that which you know you could have done.
This, even this, shall bring unto you a lesson:
if you forget kindness, anger shall harm you;
if you forget honor, betrayal shall strike you;
if you forget charity, greed shall take from you;
if you forget thankfulness, isolation shall separate you.
Forget these not, for within these is made a warrior of Yoaral.
For a time after reading the words I contemplated their meaning. I silently closed the tome, sliding it back within the safe confines of its previous resting place. I returned my gaze to the fire as I allowed myself to meditate on them, to understand them as the writer of the passage would have wanted me to. The tome was a bible to those under its faith; instruction and discipline depicted throughout to guide one along ones journey of life. It was not intended to be understood in a single day, nor in a year, nor several years.
Like I was doing presently, one was meant to contemplate them, to encourage meditation on them. I quietly followed the tradition as my eyes beheld the fire before me, never leaving the flickers and colorations of the flames as they consumed their wooden fuel.
I would then spend the remainder of my waking hours referencing my experiences and memories with the words; honoring them simply by thinking on their meaning as a way to improve my present condition.
The fire burned as I retired to sleep later in the night.
* * *
“Please forgive me,” a feminine voice begged.
I recognized that voiced.
In my dream I turned around, gazing into the figure of Luna some ways off. She looked pitiful, her once condition equine features now in shambles. She looked as if she had been crying for hours upon hours on end. I looked towards her, confusion apparent. I remember asking how she had appeared here as I’ve never seen her in my dreams until this point. Before I could get my answer I awoke to daylight.
* * *
The forest around me teemed with life, stirring me to life from my slumber. Once I checked that I had not been looted during the previous night I gathered my belongings and continued northward. I did not know why I desired to follow the talisman by this point. The only reason I gathered was the quest to find answers, true answers, as to why I was stranded on this world. Failing this, I would at least perish doing something under my own volition and not under the guise of deceptive assistance.
I was very much a stubborn man.
After a few hours of hiking through the surrounding forest I came to a clearing. I knew it to be the barrier between the land of the lizardfolk and the world beyond. I had never ventured this far and knowing this I stood at the edge of clearing. Mountains greeted my sight in the distance; tall and dominating the skyline with their white-crested peaks. I checked the talisman to ensure I was on a sure path, feeling it humm and watching it blink in assurance of such.
I continued onward.
The twin moons of light and red crested in the far horizon, the sun at its zenith overhead. I never found the luxury or interest in naming the orbiting bodies, nor the planet I resided on. There was no comfort in doing such personally. They simply existed as reminders of where I was stranded and how far away from home I truly am. Naming them would mean I was comfortable with my present habitation; I was not.
At the end of my days travel following a few short resting stops I ended my trek overlooking a valley. The land around me was lush and green; streaks of blue could be seen around me ending in waterfalls into the gash in the earth. The coming night presented an unusual warmth and I found no need to use the roll of kindle I had gathered prior for a fire. As the stars began to show I rested, tired from my long escape from my past. The words I had read from my holy tome whispered in my mind as I slept.
The prisoner awoke.
During the previous night he had gained a sudden surge of magical energy. He used some of it to find and release his chained bindings. His mouth was once again dry, he closing his eyes once more to concentrate on his will to attract the nearby flow of water. In short order he felt its coolness against his lips, drinking from it as it emerged from the cracks in the wall. It was not healthy, nor sanitary, but after downing whatever water from the bowl priorly he had little choice.
He had discovered that the only food provided for him was a basket of extremely rotten apples in the far corner. The smell had gone unnoticed to him until he had awoken during the previous night, dismayed at the lack of nutrition that his body no doubt needed. That was when he discovered the trickling water against the aged stone walls. To his dismay, he also discovered he was trapped in his cell. Whoever had placed him here had not intended for him to escape in any fashion.
He felt alone.
After relieving himself in a pit in the corner of his small prison, he returned to his resting spot and contemplated events. His cell was dark with no outlet of any kind for light. There was no obvious exit of any sort. With the abundance of air to breathe and the steady supply of water, it was likely that his stone prison was built underground or within the confines of some ancient structure. It was only a guess, but it would be enough to satisfy him for the time being. Every time he attempted to remember something, anything, his mind would rush into a pain that would lapse him into unconsciousness. After the third try he had given up entirely for the sake of his health.
Still, he could feel the magic within him, the will, grow stronger. It was subtle, but he could feel it. Steadily rising, giving him strength. He hoped it continued, believing it to be the life-giving properties of the water he steadily supplied himself with. He just wished he ha-
...wait..
He rose from laying back against the wall, head turning towards the water as he smelt the air again. Could it be? Yes...yes it could! He quickly galloped over, stopping at the corner edge as his tongue tasted the stone. He tasted again, confirming his suspicion, and then began licking and clicking his teeth fervently at the source of his new interest.
That horrible, bloody civil war between brethren of the Empire. The decade of struggle I endured had always refused to lay dormant; either through instinctive movement or decision would it make itself known. The flashbacks were the worse, though in all my years on this new planet I had never endured any. That was when I had believed I had found a new life, a new purpose. I had believed foolishly I was given a chance to start over. Not until the final betrayal of Princess Luna did the illusion of safety and renewal finally collapse, unleashing in its wake the hidden depths of hell unto my mind.
I dreamt of my comrades, brothers and sisters all, fighting alongside me against people we knew and once loved. My dream stretched from the trenches of Mars then to the chaotic scenery of Titan. My powered armor my only companion through half my nightmarish recollections; my weapons and sword being the artistic stroke that doomed any sense of positivity within my dream. Blood was the wine from which my mind drunk, fueling each separate vision of my past life into the fore of my soul.
The scenes changed endlessly as if flashing before my eyes. Each one, however brief, instilled within my present mind the terror of the moment from which they were birthed. Venus, Mercury, Earth; the scenes and battles continued to change. Gone was any purpose I had for these hellish nightmares. No sense of patriotism, no sense of purpose. Only the unyielding emotion of regret and shame for the deaths I had caused.
When the scene changed in my mind again, it stayed. My nightmares suddenly became very real, I diving into them as if the it had been the day experiencing them.
* * *
I was on a mission near the Tycho crater in the southern hemisphere of the moon. We were assigned to assault and take over a rebel installation. It was one of the worst blunders in my experience as an Assault Trooper. The battle for orbital supremacy had gone all fair and well with only a minimal loss of ships, but when the corvette I had been stationed on began to drop the pods a counter-attack had been undertaken by the enemy. In the firefight our corvette was mercilessly destroyed, having only unleashed six of the intended fifty drop pods. The ones that were lucky were launched in the direction of the moon, all the rest would drift endlessly in space.
Such was the occupational hazards of my role and I dealt with the consequences in due order. I had landed alone, forcing myself to forget the faces of my comrades. Like them I would probably be dead soon anyway. My combat armor was a self-contained suit that gave me every advantage in surviving the harshest of environments, so I had no excuse in continuing my mission for my Empire. With a quick check to my HUD to verify just how alone I truly was, I followed the waypoint markers uploaded to my armor prior to my drop.
It was the longest seven hours of my life; a time spent both looking into the dark abyss of the heavens as explosions flashed and me constantly checking to make sure the enemy had not surprised men in some form. My steady breathing became my meditation and my sense of duty helped me continue towards my goal. I was determined to finish the job in any capacity, dead or alive.
“Outcast Four, this is Outcast Six, do you copy?”
I stood, perplexed at first from the voice. It had some static to it and I had to do a double-take on my HUD display to verify that the transmission was genuine. The IFF tag was clear, dispelling any doubts I had. I knelt down, placing the butt of my battle rifle against the soft lunar surface as my head knelt down. Instinctively two fingers were placed to the side of my helmet as I replied. “Go ahead Outcast Six.”
“Thank Yoaral and the Emperor! It’s good to hear someones voice. Outcast Four, what’s your status?”
I checked my HUD as it automatically displayed my location and other statistics. “Ammo green, location six clicks from Tycho. Lone ranger, repeat, lone ranger.”
There was monetarily silence before the reply, the voice somewhat downtrodden. “Copy Outcast Four, lone ranger status confirmed. I’ve not met up with any others as well. I’m green, good to go and...one click from your location by my HUD. Can you confirm?”
Again I looked at my HUD. “Roger Outcast Six, location confirmed. I’ll wait.”
“Wilco. I’m on my way Edward.”
I snickered, “Don’t go window shopping now, Timothy.”
“Wouldn’t think of it. Out.”
A sense of hope filled my being. Timothy Sanders had always been one of my most reliable comrades. Leave it to him to find me in this endless expanse of nothingness. I used my grip on my rifle to assist me in standing, the lower gravity making my battle armor move a lot more freely than usual. When I stood and gaze forward of myself I had a magnum pistol pointed towards me.
The person wielding it was none other than Timothy and, to my shock, he was without his helmet.
“I don’t remember any of thi-”
My statement of surprise to the changes in my memory were cut short, the de-armored Timothy pulling the trigger as the bullet impossibly struck through my visor, flew through my skull, and exited out the other side. I collapsed on the ground, still alive but unable to move. I felt something being thrown down at me as Timothy walked away. It clinked a few times as it rolled from the back of my armor, down my shoulder blade then into my field of view.
It was the talisman.
The orange topaz in the center of the talisman glowed brightly, encompassing my vision. I felt all anger, hate, dread, and remorse leave my soul as an overwhelming feeling of joy entered my being.
When the prisoner awoke for the third time, he realized he wasn’t alone.
He rose from his laying position, gazing towards the darkness of the corner. He saw something, something move. It darted from where he glimpsed it, firstly towards the source of his water then to the corner nearest to him. He stumbled backward as a dark and ominous form approached him, his rump colliding with the cold stone of the wall after several hoofsteps. He tried to grasp the will around him, trying to summon any form of it in defense. It failed when the shadow-form briskly leaped into the air and tried to pounce him.
KA-KRACK
Thunder resounded in the cell as the prisoner opened his eyes, his breathing beginning to steady. His ears rung and chest hurt from the intensity of whatever had transpired, he gazing around him to the remnants of a reddish glow. The shadow-form was gone, in its place a pile of rotting dust.
KA-KRACK
He visibly saw the second strike of red lightning. It was closer to him. He backed as far as he could into the wall, fear in his eyes and soul. This was it.
KA-KRACK
He whimpered, tears shedding from his feeble form as he shivered. At least he would not die of starvation here. He barely even knew what or who he was, anyway. It was for the best. He realized then that an overwhelming sense of calm had overtaken his fear. He began to breath easier, began to feel more confident. With a final breath, he opened his eyes, the last tear dropping to the stone floor as he stood to face his end.
“I’m ready,” he said, his voice echoing through the room.
When the lightning struck him, the prisoner felt his body melt away. In the absence of his form came an awareness unlike any other. At least in death he finally understood who he was and why he had been trapped here. His crimes were great as they were many. He regretted all he had done.
Then in a moment of absolute clarity, his eyes beheld the man. He wished the same peace upon him.
I awoke in a cold sweat.
When I opened my eyes, I realized it was still nighttime. I felt something warm in my hands, retreating from the comfort of where I slept to see it firmly gripped within the palm of my hand. The orange topaz was brightly lit, beginning to flicker softly as my eyes beheld it. The strange sensation of joy I felt at the end of my nightmare was lingering.
I didn’t question it. I embraced it. Whatever this talisman was doing, it had saved me from a horrible recollection. I couldn’t even remember what my dream was about anymore. I placed my other palm around the talisman, having then both hands clasped around its heavenly warmth. I looked towards the endless expanse of stars in the sky as tears began to fall. I was truly, undeniably happy and I didn’t know or understand why.
For several long, precious moments my head pointed skyward, eyes closed, enjoying this momentary respite.
Then I opened my eyes, beholding the strangest sight I had seen to date. The once red moon was now golden in coloration, its prior barren, hellish surface features now replaced with smooth textures of rippling water and lush landmass. I stared, dumbfounded, trying to comprehend how it could give off such a soothing and lovely hue of gold. My attention was then directed to the right of it, observing the plain-white surface of the other moon as it, too, appeared brighter and more soothing to my eyes. As the now-golden, lush moon began to approach the barren one in its orbital traverse, something amazing happened.
Around the two orbital bodies an electrical aura of red began to coalesce, streaks of what appeared to be lightning of the same coloration flashing between both. As they drew closer, the flashes of lightning intensified until they centralized in a point of light between the two. I stood from my sitting position, the talisman firmly within my grasp as it maintained its warmth. I watched, mesmerized, as the central point of light formed into a ball of golden-red. It then started a downwardly descent towards my location, I beginning to walk backwards.It quickly grew closer, my eyes now trained entirely on this new phenomena, all proper instinct and caution dispelled by my overwhelming sense of wonder.
I watched as my surroundings were lit by the steady illumination given by the orb of light. The trees, rivers and entirety of the valley in my vision was bathed in a golden glow. In short order the orb had descended the entire way, landing not but a few feet from where I presently stood. I took another step back despite the calm flowing from the talisman, my sense of wonder slowly being replaced with slight worry. I brought a hand to my face as the red within the golden orb intensified, blinding me briefly. Then it dispelled, the night returning as a strange red glow gently illuminated the surrounding.
For a moment, nothing happened. I could only vaguely make out a form through the darkness. I felt myself involuntarily gulp, feeling my stance straighten as I gazed strangely towards the talisman in my hand. The orange glow had subsided somewhat, but it was still visible. I looked back up, surprise in my features as I beheld two green eyes gazing in my direction. I was briefly stunned.
“Who are you?” I managed to ask, finding my voice. I watched as two scarlet irises entered the view of the green orbs, their pupils catlike.
I watched as the darkness seemed to form around the figure, giving it a shape and coherent whole. The eyes blinked and for the briefest of moments I witnessed a trail of purplish haze stream from their corners. Another blink and the green around the irises was gone, replaced by a clear normal white. I observed as a horn formed above its eyes to what I assumed was its forehead, briefly glowing red as the prior hellish moon had been, then glowing a more subdued crimson. The body continued to form afterward, I watching as it took the similar shape to that of Luna.
Its horn displayed its figure for me to see during its illumination, its eyes never leaving mine.
When the darkness around it finished its mysterious doings, I beheld the form of a pony. It’s colorations were darker than Luna’s, almost as black as night; I wondering briefly how any form of illumination would not be engulfed by it. I saw the streams of its black mane waft briefly in a non-existent wind and the black, feathered wings of a pegasus rise from its back only to fold neatly to its sides. I saw no clothing apparent on the new arrival, no clue to any sign of house or purpose along its body as Luna had taught me of so long ago.
It took a labored step forward, grunting with the effort. Then another. Then another. I fought the urge to go backward, feeling the talisman grow in warmth in my grasp. I could see the dark-as-the-abyss pony cringe with each movement, eyes straining to remain open. I moved forward, closing the gap, kneeling before it as its eyes followed mine.
“Who are you?” I asked again.
“P-Prince Som- uuuhh..”
The pony unceremoniously collapsed before me. Its mane no longer waved, its horn no longer glowed. I looked towards the talisman in my hand briefly, noticing that the orange glow had finally faded. I replaced it within a pocket on my garments, deciding it best to tend to this new arrival with due haste. I reached under its form, minding its further hind-quarters as I managed to lift it. I was surprised that I even could, but I concluded the talisman or some other phenomenon played a part in it.
In short order I placed the unconscious prince on my sleeping bag, managing to kindle a fire as I took note of the coldness that began to creep through the valley. I checked my rations, ensuring I had enough for two in the short term. Satisfied I sat beside my framed backpack, quietly observing the flames as the sounds of nature returned to the clearing. I felt well rested for the moments, producing the talisman again as I examined its golden surface. I realized I was still, for the better part, without the answers I so desperately sought.
The talisman blinked three times. I felt the brief instant of warmth flowing through my arm. I sighed.
“In due time, I suppose.”
The talisman blinked once.
“Heh,” was the only word I could speak. I then looked towards the slumbering prince. As an afterthought I looked skyward.
The sight of the red-hued hellish moon and its lighter white-hued counterpart greeted my gaze.
Darkness permeated the room. A rectangular table was stationed before the Solar Diarch; she at the rear and her side having the only hint of light from a source above her. In front of her, hidden by the shadows, were three other figures. One sat at the other end of the table with the other two to the sides of it; guarding, eyes trained on the visitor. Celestia had never been able to make out faces or forms whenever she visited these imposing creatures. Beneath the veil of stalwart authority lay hidden the fear she felt towards them.
“Do we have a deal?” the one sitting asked with a tone more demanding than polite.
For the umpteenth time the Princess questioned her sanity. They were more of a requirement than a choice. Long ago, when she had first encountered this very creature, she had believed it would lead to a golden age for Equestria. Looking back, she would give anything to just to tell herself to stay away; to never be welcoming to them, to never appear before them. Her face turned down, shadows falling over her features and completely hiding the tear that formed beneath an eye.
“Yes,” she replied. She was surprised by how defeated her voice sounded.
“Good,” the figure said. The sound of a chair being pushed back against the metal floor caught her attention; she unable to clearly see the other end. “I expect him dead this time. Fail again and you will face the consequences. This is your last chance, Princess.”
The tear fell, she replying, “I understand.”
* * *
Celestia glanced across the view of her nation. Her balcony recently become a place of solace and contemplation. She would stand for hours on end, admiring the buildings and structures her little ponies had crafted with their own hooves. Her memories would be jogged, she remembering events and ponies alike; happy, sad, even situations she couldn’t properly recall and faces she couldn’t name. It would always bring up strong emotions kept hidden within her, her normally neutrally polite expression fading into one of sadness.
On this evening she struggled to hold back the tears.
Everything she knew, everypony she loved, was now under the looking glass of a nation far more powerful than her own. Celestia had always believed herself the eternal defender to the livelihood and freedoms of her ponies; it only natural with her maternal instincts. For centuries, even millennia, every decision she made was for the benefit of her country and its citizens. Always calculating, always carefully tending and placing the pieces on the metaphorical chessboard of life. Sometimes she would nudge them, other times forcing them, but nearly always her instincts, her motivation, would better the cause.
She should've blasted the new arrival when she had the chance. All of this would have been prevented had she simply gone beyond her natural way of harmony and peace. She could have even made an excuse that it was a dire issue of national security. Ponies would look differently upon her, sure, but she would have saved them all. Saved them like she always did, like she always should. The Diarch felt her knees buckle, her hoofs trembling upon the stone surface. In another moment she lay on her stomach, her head tucked into her forehooves as she let loose her tears in the form of quiet sobbing. She had failed them. Murder was now the only alternative and it hurt her, deeply hurt her, to finally come to terms with it.
A lone flying guardspony caught sight of the Princess, quickly flying off to report to his charge.
* * *
Princess Twilight Sparkle desperately pounded against the door to Celestia’s chambers. “Princess!” she cried, “Celestia, please!” She pounded a few more times, “Please open!”
Her mane was in a mess and for whatever reason she couldn’t bring herself to barge in as was Dusk Storms recommendation. She was a polite and courteous pony, brought up to respect the privacy of other ponies regardless of her station. The more her hoof made contact with the door, however, the more this polite demeanour began to fade. Even if this was one of the eternal leaders of Equestria, there had to come a time when friendship surpassed formality. That time came quicker than she expected when she caught the sound of a faint cry.
“Princess we’re coming in!” she announced, turning to nod at Dusk Dawn. He would never forgive her if she didn’t allow him to take the lead.
The magi guardspony gave a firm nod in return, his violet armor clanking as he neared the door and reared on his hind legs. His wings flared and his brown coat rippled as his muscles tensed with the gathered strength, his fore body coming down in a might slam against the double doors as he forced it open from the center. He then rushed in, drawing from his side holster a sword as he readied to defend the life of his charge.
Twilight rushed in after, wings flared and horn radiating with magic as he readied an offensive spell. Both sets of heads turned quickly around the apparent unoccupied chamber, then quickly turning to the direction of the balcony as another sob was heard. Dusk galloped first, Twilight watching as the magi came to a stop quickly and sheathed his sword. He backed from the opening to the balcony, a look of concern on his features as he turned to the Princess of Magic. “Your Highness,” he said with worry, hoof simply pointing.
The Magical Diarch’s eyes widened, a look of fear on her face as she quickly closed distance. When she caught sight of Celestia curled up on the balcony floor and crying she felt the sting of tears emerge from her own eyes. Quickly she went, nuzzling against her mentors snout.
“Princess,” Twilight called softly, her voice cracking from the sudden burst of emotions flooding her. “Princess, what’s wrong, won’t you tell me?”
“I-” Celestia tried to say, cut off by a sudden gasp. “I have done a horrible wrong...”
Taken aback, Twilight took a step away, tears still visible in her eyes. “W-What do you mean? What did you do?”
I standing by her crib, admiring her sleeping form. My hand rested on the edge of the crib, the nearby window allowing enough moonlight in to illuminate the bedroom. Above the crib, just at the top corner of my vision, a mobile with objects of horses swinged silently. It was every parents dream to see this; a baby happily sleeping, chest rising and falling slowly, comforted and content. I was no exception, happy that I could experience this. Some part of me knew this was a dream, but another part didn’t care. Right now, as I stood, my daughter was still alive. I relished in the comfort it brought me.
I heard the creaking of the door. I turned slowly, my smile growing wider. A woman, somewhat shorter than I, proceeded in. The blue nightgown she wore giving her the appearance of gliding on the floor as she walked. Her native features hidden by the soft darkness of the corner entrance she emerged from, becoming visible once the moon struck her with its gentle hue. I extended my other arm, wrapping it around her as we both stood. My head leaned against her shoulder, I smelling her sweet perfume as I rested briefly against her raven-black hair. My head then lifted, we both staring intently down at the result of our joined love.
“She’s beautiful.”
The quiet voice hadn’t come from my wife, instead from behind. I watched as Kelly turned slowly, a smile forming on her face as she nudged me. “Look,” she whispered, “it’s your friend.”
I blinked, staring at Kelly for a few moments, not wanting to look as I knew what would happen. I wanted this moment to linger, not for it to be intruded upon. When she nudged me again, I finally relented. Dream or not, the woman still had a hold on me. I turned, trying my best to smile in the presence of my beloved. Luna stood at the doorway with a smile on her lips. She glowed with an almost natural hue, exactly the same as the what the moon outside provided. When the dream didn’t end, I looked back to my wife.
She gave me a knowing smile, then looked to Luna. “You have a beautiful mane, Princess.”
“Thank you,” Luna replied sincerely. I felt a tear form out of the corner of my eye, the memory of my wife's voice almost distant until this dream refreshed it. I watched as Kelly leaned into the crib, gently cradling our daughter to her chest as she smiled at me. “I’m going to take Stephanie to our room, honey. You two have a lot to catch up on.”
Luna moved out of the way as Kelly departed, giving me a brief look and smile before the darkness consumed her form. I felt my lips beginning to tremble as the tear slid down my cheek.
“Do you mind if I asked what happened?”
The question from Luna caught me off guard. I felt myself gasp, clearing my throat as I tried my best to remain composed. I didn’t want to look at Luna, not yet. Instead I went to the wooden chair to my side. I sat, feeling its texture as the memory of its purchase came and went from my mind. It was another comforting event I cherished. I leaned forward, hands clasped together as my elbows rested on my knees. My head lowered, closing my eyes. I decided I would not yell at the Princess.
“They died,” I replied. “Few months from this memory, they’ll be burned alive in a car accident. At least, that’s what I was told.”
There was a silence, then, “I’m sorry.”
“Not your fault,” I said. “Rebels engaged in a surprise attack above the city, people on the freeway panicked. One thing led to another. I was a world away at the time.”
I felt a gentle breath on my cheek followed by a nuzzle. “Don’t,” I said suddenly, the presence drifting away. I still had conflicting feelings, still didn’t know what to think of her. I sniffed, trying to hold back the tears. I felt my body involuntarily convulse, my hands quickly coming to cover my face as I proceeding to sob. It was soft, at first.
“Thomas, please.”
I cried harder. My body leaning forward more. I was dangerously close to falling from the chair.
“Please let me help you.”
My hands were wet from the tears, snot pooling with it. I went to rub my hands on my pants as I leaned up, resting my back on the chair despite the continued stream of tears. I looked away at first, then turned my head to gaze at Luna. I could feel it; my eyes were pleading, begging for it. I watched as the Princess approached; slowly, cautiously. She leaned her head down, the edge of her snout briefly filling my vision before lowering. Her eyes were soft, caring, open to me. My tears began to lessen as I took a deep breath, feeling her own caress my lips. I could smell the briefest hint moonflower, rich and comforting.
“Please,” she begged softly, her lips touching mine.
My eyes closed when our lips met. It had been a long time since I had an intimate moment with someone; particularly someone I cared for. At first our lips did not move, I merely savoring the moment. I felt my worries, my troubles, washing away. What replaced it was something else entirely. Eventually our lips moved and, as I pressed into her, I placed a hand on her cheek and felt through her coat to her heavenly mane. It was unlike anything I had felt before; divine, smooth, fluid like water. Our heads turned, our kiss continued, and eventually a new feeling arose. A feeling that had been hidden for a few long years.
I could almost sense when she felt it. Her lips stopped against mine briefly, continuing shortly after. Then I felt a hoof against my chest; gentle, firm, pushing me back. When I opened my eyes they were met by hers, both filled with regret. My breath calmed, my body having become excited from the kiss, and I return sitting in the chair. I looked to her confused. “Why?” I asked.
“I didn’t know,” she replied, “but now that I do, I know I can’t. I can’t share these feelings you have for me, Edward.” When she saw my hurt expression, she added, “I cannot be a replacement for what you have lost. It would be wrong.”
She moved in front of me, sitting, her head at the same level as mine. “What if I don’t care?” I asked, the feeling returning. “What if it doesn’t matter anymore?”
“Edward, I know it matters. I have seen how much it matters in your dream tonight.” She briefly gazed towards the door, I following. Kelly stood there, a smile on her face. Not one hiding hurt, but a truly genuine, sincere and caring smile. Her image faded shortly after, I returning my gaze to Luna. “Do you not see?” Luna continued, “What you had was true love, a love that still exists within you today. The love you feel for me is only a shadow of it, a natural instinct of your mind to find solace in the loss you experienced.”
I looked away briefly, back to the open door. Darkness met my gaze. My head turned down, I nodding before returning my gaze to Luna. I could see a tear from under her eye, my hand reaching out to wipe it away. It turning into an open palm for her cheek to rest against as she pressed into it.
“I am truly sorry for all I have done to you, Edward.” Her eyes closed briefly. “ I have mislead you, I have lied to you and now I have only broken further what must take forever to fix. I did not want this, any of this.” She opened her eyes, gazing towards mine.
I returned it with a smile, gently stroking her cheek before lowering my hand. “I forgive you,” I said. “Thank you.”
She smiled in return. Then she looked away, her eyes hidden by her flowing mane as it changed direction. “I must ask another boon of you, Edward. One that I will understand if you deny. This time, unlike every other time before, I do not expect you to undertake it.”
I was silent for a moment. “Go ahead,” I replied.
She looked to me again, one eye hidden by her mane. “The pony you have chanced upon, he is very dear to me. Once upon a time, we were lovers. He lost his way, but I never gave up hope for him. Now that he is back, there may be a chance I can return to him. But...”
I could tell she was trying to gauge my current reaction. When I nodded my head, she continued. “I fear if I meet him too early, the pony he once was may manifest again. I need somepony I trust, someone I trust, who can help him remember who he really is. This may be his last chance at redemption and I fear if he returns to his evil ways, he will be made no more.”
Silence was my reply. After a few moments, Luna looked away, standing on all fours and proceeding towards the door. My head was down, I deep in thought on this new information. It didn’t take me long to come to a decision.
“Wait,” I called, looking to her. I saw her turn slightly, one eye gazing back. “If I’m going to help, I need to know what happened.”
Please read this blog post for more information pertaining to my prior absence. Thank you for your patience and understanding during that time. I wish to convey my sincerest apologies in advance for any inconveniences and my hopes you'll stick with me for the future.