Prologue
The starry night sky lingered above the Royal Palace of Canterlot, its otherworldly lights left mostly undisturbed by what little light the city produced. Luna liked it so; seeing the light of the stars and the beams of the moon always instilled her a sense of tranquility that few other things could achieve.
Yet, that tranquility did not come tonight, as the Night Princess’ eyes fell from the moon to the plaza below. There were more torches burning than normal. Shouts, quiet ones, could be heard from the square as Royal Guards barked and followed orders. They were making the final preparations for a journey to the Gryphon lands to the East.
Luna’s eyes returned to the stars above. Those celestial entities, along with the moon and sun, were no longer alone. If what her sister said was true, visitors from beyond had landed near Hurrinto, the Gryphon capitol.
Indubitably, questions immediately rose: where had these visitors come from? How did they arrive? What were their intentions?
But other, more sinister questions made themselves clear as well: why hadn’t Queen Guinevere of the Gryphons not disclosed this story to the public? Why, as Celestia had told Luna, had she objected to an Equestrian delegation intended to assist in her endeavours for scientific learning?
Luna supposed that the answer to the first question had to do with preventing panic. It was a sensible move; goodness forbid if news of visitors reached the Equestrian public. As for the second question, it seemed more a question about pride. The visitors fell upon their territories. Had it occurred within Equestria, Luna wouldn’t find it difficult to believe ponies raising the same objections to a Gryphon delegation.
Yet, there was something about how the whole issue was dealt by Guinevere. Celestia had sensed it immediately, and shared her thoughts to her sister.
A sigh escaped the alicorn’s lips. Celestia… now that all of the political barriers had been dealt with, she intended to go to Hurrinto to see the visitors for herself.
Anxiety ate at her. It was to be expected, learning not only that there is life beyond this world, but that those same beings decided to come here. However, something, similarly to how the Gryphons had dealt with the affair, bothered Luna. Her anxiety became something more akin to sisterly worry when Celestia got involved.
Her attention fell back upon the activity to the Royal Guards below. She could spy a few other ponies who were not military. Not only did they lack the Guard armor, but appeared half-asleep whereas the Guards were fully attentive and alert. These were the researchers and other civilian staff that would take part in the Equestrian delegation. A small smile appeared on Luna’s muzzle as she saw a pink unicorn fall asleep on her hooves. Most of them had their presence requested while they were still asleep. They all were well within their rights to refuse to join up, but the opportunity of a lifetime and the personal request from Princess Celestia herself…
Well, the experts supposed that a little lack of sleep wouldn’t be much of a loss.
Hoofsteps from behind the threshold garnered the alicorn’s attention; a familiar face smiled at her. “Observing for other signs of life, little sister?” Celestia asked with a little wit. She approached Luna’s side and took to looking to the stars above.
“Not really, Celestia. I was mostly thinking.” That wasn’t the full truth, but Luna didn’t wish to burden her sister with her own, admittedly, petty worries. “The view is just a complimentary bonus.”
The Sun Princess nodded, although her sideways glance told Luna that she meant to discuss something. “You’re worried,” she remarked, catching the more petite alicorn off-guard. That startled look earned Luna another smile from Celestia. “Learning of life existing from the stars is enough to shake one’s faith in his being.” If Celestia’s faith had been shaken from that, she didn’t show it. “But that doesn’t seem to be what’s bothering you, is it?”
Luna turned to her sister. “No, no it isn’t,” she said, “I cannot be certain, but something in me worries.” Her eyes flicked over to the ponies assembling below. “All of those people… I feel that they will soon be in danger.” She looked back to Celestia, whose eyebrow was piqued. “I cannot explain that worry, sister.”
Celestia took a moment, absorbing the words. “We will be at risk regardless, Luna,” she finally said, looking over to the scene below. “We know next to nothing about these beings. We do not know how they even arrived. We might come across danger itself with these aliens.”
Truth resounded in Celestia’s words, and did make a good amount of sense, Luna decided. It did nothing to put her at ease, however. “I know that, but this will be nothing like you’ve ever faced before. You don’t know what will happen.”
“Again, only natural as this is not from here,” Celestia replied with slight bow of her head. Her gaze was cast downwards to the ponies directly below the balcony. “I, myself, am more worried for the others’ safety than that of my own.”
“Then why bring them?” Luna questioned in an almost accusing tone. “You’re more capable for whatever may come than any of them, why risk their lives?”
Celestia’s counter was sharp: “We will learn, if things go well enough. That,” she pointed to the Guards, “is why I shall entrust their protection to the best we have to offer.” She then smirked. “And besides, there is one who might prove to be more capable than I am.” Following her stare, Luna saw a violet unicorn, surprisingly awake, who trotted about with a checklist and a quill in grasp.
A smile came to Luna. “Ah, yes.” She nodded. “Having a Bearer will prove invaluable.” Her expression turned somber once more as she looked back to Celestia. “But what if it is not enough? What if you will need all six?”
“It shall not come to that,” Celestia said immediately. The downwards and almost ashamed gaze said otherwise, however. “Hopefully it shan’t.”
“Hopefully it shan’t, indeed,” Luna repeated, her eyes returning to the night sky. “In any case, you shall have my well wishes and prayers.”
Celestia bowed her head gracefully, her flowing mane billowing with the motion. “You have my thanks, and theirs.”
“It is the least I can do.” The ultramarine mare chuckled mirthlessly. “It’s all I can do from here.”
A sincere smile was the response from the older alicorn. Luna gave her one of her own.
“Ma’am,” a voice called from behind. A Guard stood to attention. “Preparations are almost complete. We will be ready by five.”
Five? It’ll still be for a while before that hour comes. Luna then reconsidered; perhaps it was some military terminology that wasn’t entirely familiar to her.
Celestia nodded.“Thank you, Lieutenant,” she said. “I shall be down soon.”
The stallion saluted. “Ma’am.” He then dismissed himself.
“Well,” Celestia said after a long moment, “I must go now.”
Luna leaned in closer to her sister in a moment of sisterly love. She folded a wing over the larger body and nuzzled her. “Be safe.”
Celestia returned the gesture with one of her own. “I shall.” The embrace lasted a little while longer before the two broke it. Celestia propelled herself with a lift from her powerful wings and swooped down to the plaza. Even from that height, Luna could see everypony becoming slightly stiffer and far more awake. She could make out the order to board the coaches that had only then arrived.
The alicorn watched the scene unfold, as ponies and equipment was loaded unto the air coaches and the Guards got into formation. At last, only Celestia and Twilight had to enter their own coach. The Princess leaned in and seemed to whisper something to her ear. Judging by the renewed energy and vigor in the unicorn’s movements, it must have been some sort of reassurance or promise; the student almost leaped into the vehicle.
Then Celestia looked back to Luna on the balcony. Luna hesitated before offering a sheepish smile and giving a small wave. Celestia brightened and repeated the wave herself before entering the air coach. Some more orders were barked out by the recently-arrived Lieutenant, and the whole convoy took off in good order.
As it flew away, Luna’s smile fell, only to be replaced by a grimace. She suddenly felt bad for herself for not having said more. Exactly what, she wasn’t sure: perhaps some reassurances, or good wishes—something. But instead she just stood on the balcony, staring at the shrinking forms that disappeared into the darkness of the night. The mare continued to stare at the same spot where she last saw the convoy before sighing. She was still uncertain. She was still afraid. Of what, exactly, she couldn’t tell. For the life of me, I can’t tell, she mused sadly.
She turned and made for her quarters. At the threshold, she turned her head to steal one more glance at the sky. “I love you, Celestia,” Luna murmured, knowing full well that Celestia couldn’t possibly hear her. The midnight-blue alicorn disappeared into the dark interiors of the Palace.