I was born into the hive 3 years before the attack on canterlot. And I am the one left behind...
There are many changelings left to die after the defeat of the queen, and there are many stories to tell about them. But this is MY story. Or at least, I thought it was, until I met...her...
I opened one eye. Grass. I could see grass. Was that good? I opened my other eye.
Where was I? Where was...everyling? And what was I lying down on? It felt like rock, but it was rough on my chitin.
Using what little strength I had left, I placed a hoof on the rough ground below, then tilted my head as little as possible in order to look at the...whatever this was.
NO! No it couldn't be! Concrete!But this can't be, I remembered flying away! I remember being banished with the others! I dragged my other three hooves back under me,but a searing pain in my side forced my body back to the earth.
The sound of a spear hitting the floor made flew through the sky and into my ears. i instinctively jerked my head up, sending more pain my way. That was when i heard a changeling and for one glorious moment, I felt like I was back at the hive. No, that wasn't right. how could it be? I lifted my ear to the air and heard it again! This was no ordinary cry of a changeling, but a cry for help, a cry of pain. This wasn't something we were known for so the situation had to be dire.
Forcing my eyes back open I could see them, the same faces that went into battle with me....or at least i think those were their faces. Some changelings preferred to stay in disguise during the canterlot attack.
Sharp pain found it's way along my back and i allowed only a small whimper to escape me. The last thing I needed was to hear myself sounding weak. I AM NOT WEAK!
"You think it's dead?"
so there were ponies here, but could not see them. Pony. Definitely pony and by the deep voice, royal guard!
"Kick it again."
I clenched my back muscles to prepare for the pain. ****
My tension proved useless when the blow hit me. Something cracked within and I could feel blood trickling down my side as hoof met chitin. This time, I allowed myself to yelp in pain and tried to fly away only to be greeted by the sound of more cracking as my bones snapped and my muscles ached in denial.
"Careful BlackSky! Remember, the princess wanted these bugs alive."
"Oh, the thing's fine!"
I rolled on my side to get a better look at my captors.
"See?"
The large earth pony they called BlackSky came my way, waving a hoof just inches from my face. I winced and reached out to bite him, but due to my condition, he easily pulled away, leaving me to a face plant onto the hard floor.
"Let's just get these things packed up so we can get out of here!"
BlackSky looked at his friend, then faced me. His eyes showed no mercy as he jabbed his hoof into my side for the fun of it. The world swirled and then went black. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
When I awoke, I was no longer outside.(thank goodness) But where was I? I placed a hoof to my head, finding a purposely placed bandage. Lifting my head, I could see my body had been treated to quite recently, but the pain was still there.
It only took one glance around the room to tell this wasn't the place a changeling like me was meant to be kept. Somepony was working overtime.
The walls WERE brick, but the floor was wood and there was a plate of pony food sitting on a side table by my...bed. A soft bed with covers and pillows. A luxury a changeling would usually never experience in their true form.
Trying to get up was just as much painful as it was useless for I could now see the chain that was harnessed to my neck.
She looked at me through tear stained eyes. Maybe I could feed on her love if she got close enough.
"Good." The mare said, "You're awake."
What a terrible actor! She was....9..kj...8$g....percent fake. I'm not good at math. I don't think any of us are. We would have to change into a filly AND keep the real one from school if we wanted to learn. Sometimes we can do that when a filly calls in sick. The queen wanted us to learn all we can so as not to arouse suspicion when in our "costumes" as she calls them.
She trotted up to a widow I had not noticed before and open it, letting the morning breeze fly in my face. Wings! This mare had wings! That and the fact she was much taller than the average pony, and the horn growing out of her head, meant she was an alicorn! Well that explains the star-like mane and tail, but not why she came to see ME.
The alicorn came my way, her horn lighting up a dark blue. I closed my eyes, waiting for the pain, but it didn't come. Instead, I felt a weight drop from my hooves and neck. Glancing down, I realize this stupid mare has released my chains! Before she even had a chance to speak again, I had spread my wings and shot to the air!
*BANG!*
My head hits something hard and I fall to the wooden floor below. The alicorn smiles, then bursts into a all out laughing fit of giggles and snorts!
"Please, *snicker* excuse the magic shield, but I do believe it is necessary to keep you obtained."
I crawled to my bed, bruised and outsmarted by a pony of all foods.
The mare gave me an odd look, then left the room, closing the door behind her and leaving me in the dim light at I watched the sun rise from the corner of my prison.
0-0-0-0-0
Awaking to an unpleasant morning that seemed to completely overtake the room wasn't a good way to wake up. A levitating plate with what looked to be more pony food, was shoved toward me. I raised a hoof and pushed it away, not even having to look up, I knew who it was.
"Eat." She said
Eat? Has this pony even SEEN a changeling?
"No." I said, still not looking up at her.
She raised one eyebrow, clearly upset with me. I didn't care.
"Why doth thou insist on being stubborn? We eat our greens!"
I glanced left, then right. Looking for the "we" in her sentence.
A hoof reached through the magic force field and lifted my chin. I could feel the love pouring off of her and I let it sink in, eating as much of it as I possibly could. My gaze found hers and a devilish smile found its way across my face, scaring the mare just enough to get her to take a step beck, but she kept her hoof planted on my jaw.
The Alicorn gave me a confused look, almost as if she was worried for me.
"Why doth thou not bite me?"
This question caught me off guard.the thought hadn't even crossed my mind until this point. Why hadn't I?
The same evil grin formed on my face as I thought up the answer.
"If I were to kill you," I said, "I would not be able to consume the love I take from you now."
She quickly pulled her hoof from me, a horrified look upon her face. The mare took a deep breath, bringing her hoof to her chest as she did so, and left the room. Once again, I was alone. Until a shadow crossed my face.
It was the oddest looking, lopsided thing I had ever seen! A gray mare with a dingy yellow mane and a mail sack slung over her back had just flown in my window. The oddest part of it all was her unfocused eyes, one drifting somewhere to my right, and the other staring right at me!
"Oops! I just don't know what went wrong!" The mare said, still getting her bearings straight.
I laid my head back onto the hard mattress, waiting for the mare to scream and fly back out the window when she realized "what" she was talking to.
"Hi there!", She said.
"...Your not going to run?" I asked drolly. Maybe this thing was blind.
"Well, why would I do that? I've gotta give you your package first don't I?"
I sighed, trying to make sure this mare new I was frustrated with her. But to no avail, as the pony was now searching through her saddle bag.
"There yuh go!" The mare said, handing me a paper brown package that looked as if she had dropped it in a pond.
The shield must only work on the inside. I took the package and the mare flew back out the window, completely oblivious to what had just happened.
Giving out another deep sigh, I opened the box, ripping the tape with my fangs. The smell of love instantly filled up my nostrils. In the package lay a picture of a mare and colt, snuggling under a full moon. I picked out a dried rose and a note, mailed over a month ago. I took a moment to sink it all in, letting the very essence of love fill my veins. And, just for interest, I read the letter.
My dear dearest rosebud:
How are things in ponyville? I can't wait for the big wedding of princess Cadence and Shining Armor!
The princess PERSONALLY invited me. Can you believe it! But myself, and the rest of canterlot,
are real worried about the Shining's health. Making a shield to protect the entire city can't be easy,
but I'm sure it's fine! I just wanted you to know I care...And I love you my rose.
~Caramel.
What garbage! But it WAS useful garbage, I could feel the strength returning to me and my scars healing. And I could hear hoof steps! As quickly as a changeling can, I shoved the letter into the box and under my bed just in time to see the alicorn walk in.
"You could knock." I chided.
The mare didn't look amused.
Her horn lit up and I the "force field" faded, as if taken by the wind.
"Get up," She said, "Put this on."
In her hooves, she held out what looked to be a collar. I hissed hissed at her, but reluctantly placed the thing over my head. She pulled her end and left the room with her like a pouting foal.
The mare led me down hallways, glancing left and right nervously before doing so. Finally, we stopped in front of a door with a blue pony painted on the from of it.
"Go."
So I walked in, the mare leaving me to do my "business."
I grazed the room for any means of escape. Not a window, not a single thing! This place really needs to be redecorated! What was this place? I hadn't actually asked that question. After I was "finished", I left the room, allowing the mare to once again place a collar over my head.
"So, I take it you will sneak me back now?" I asked.
The mare froze, not turning around.
"We don't know what you are speaking of." She said, now continuing to walk on.
"Well," I said, that evil smile forming on my face once more, "You are an alicorn, witch means you could easily have used any guard or pony to watch me, but instead you do so yourself! And I'm pretty sure I'm in a castle right now so why are we sneaking around?"
The alicorn gave out a long, heavy, sigh.
"You are to remain silent! I doth not enjoy your idle talk."
This time she turned to face me when she spoke, and I could see the worry on her face. She knew she had been caught. Good.
"So that guard over there is okay with this, right?"
"WHERE!" The alicorn swiftly turned on her hooves, almost knocking me over.
I smiled when she turned back to glare at me with what looked to be a tinge of embarrassment in her sea blue eyes. I couldn't seem to tare myself from looking away from them. It was as if they neither hated me nor cared.
"Okay, you are right, but I doth not need to explain thyself to a changeling!"
"Understandable." I said, my smile growing all the wider. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I wasn't sure what time it was, since the window wasn't open any longer. And yet, I still had the feeling I would get a visitor! And sure enough, a wall-eyed mare burst into my room
"Hiah! Sorry I'm late!"
"And who might YOU be?" I asked, my plan moving into action.
"Oh, I'm Derpy Hooves!"
What an odd name.
"And I got you a letter here.!"
Yes! This was it! Derpy hooves held out the letter until it was mere inches from my face! I swiftly grabbed her hoof and pulled myself out of the prison, then, placing my front hooves on the far wall, kicked the mare onto my former bad.
"I said I was sorry 'm late mister! You don't see me going around kick'n ponies in the flank!"
Derpy spread her wings, flew to the air, and slammed against the invisible wall with a *thunk!* I immediately burst in to laughter as she repeated this process several times until wobbling around for a few moments, and falling flat on her face!
The door swung open and knocked me right in the muzzle, grounding my laughter to a halt.
The dizzy mail mare glanced up at her,
"oh, hiah princess! what are you doing here?"
"Really? Derpy hooves? we would have thought a better disguise from you changeling!"
I had to tighten every muscle in my body to keep from laughing!
"disca-what princess?"
"hah! even I could do better!'
I forced a hoof in my mouth! The beauty of it all was almost unbearable!
The alicorn's horn lit up and I knew my fun would have to end. Placing my fore-hooves onto the wall once more, I kicked the mare into the prison with Derpy.
"WHAT THE STARS HAVE YOU DONE CHANGELING!? WE SHALL NOT PASS THIS BY LIGHTLY!!!"
She was using the royal voice witch only made the whole thing funnier!
"no." it was said blatantly and cold.
"Doth hath chosen nay?"
I only smiled and decided right then that this was my signature smile. Hey! Maybe I could get an evil laugh to go with it!
"Bwahaha!" I chuckled.
Okay, scratch the laugh!
A cold blue light filled the room and I realized the mare's horn was lit up! This will be entertaining!
"You have angered us!"
*YAWWWWN* "Good luck with that."
Her horn stopped glowing and turned a charcoal black.
"WHAT IS THIS?"
"I have a horn too you know. You don't think I tried to escape?"
The princess thought a moment.
"What do you plan on doing to us?" She asked, a slight crack in her voice. It was almost too much!
"This..."
Planting one hoof one the windowsill as not to fall into the trap they did, I leaned into the shield. It felt tingly and cold, like stepping into a pond for the first time.
Grabbing the mare's foreleg, bit down hard, letting my fangs sink into the pony's skin. Her love was strong, but somehow, tastes....different....Warmer and almost sweet. She let out a small cry, but with a spark of my horn, was silenced. I released her hoof, pulling myself back to the room.
"You are a monster." She said, aiding her wound with a wing.
"A monster am I?" I asked, bringing about that signature smile.
"I, my good pony am a changeling. I am no monster. If anypony here were to play the monster, it would be you!"
Tears found the princesses eyes and fell down her face like rain.
"monster.....i shouldn't...brought you here...." She mumbled between silent sobs.
I reached in once more and grabbed the weird one, pulling her back out with me.
"NO!" The princess yelled at me. "Please! Leave her alone!"
"Oh, I'm not going to hurt her," I said in calm voice, "I'll keep her...Maybe as a pet! Just-Like-You-did!"
I turned to leave the room, a dumbstruck Derpy being held in my magic, but something snagged on my neck and chocked me back. The collar.
"Oh, won't be needing this anymore."I pulled the collar off myself and onto my Pegasus captive.
"Thanks mister, but i gotta go now."
I released her from the spell and gave her the saddlebag.
"Do come back tomorrow Derpy Hooves!"
"Nay! Stay far from my subject!"
This mare just won't give up.
"There will be muffins..."
"I'll be there!" Before the alicorn had a chance to tell her otherwise, the mailmare had flown out the window, hitting the wall on her first try. Well. That's the end of that! Speaking of windows, it looked like the sun was setting.
"Oh, good. I hate to travel in the day."
"HaHaa!!"
"What are you cheering about?"
"Tis thy sister! She is to set the sun, making way for my moon! You shall not leave this city without my moon to guide you!"
"Is that so?"
Closing my eyes, I started a spell.
"What are you doing!? Stop!!!"
It was too late, I had already taken her form. Feeling a bit odd in a mare's body, I pranced around the room, testing out my new legs.
"I shall be taking your place tonight....Princess of the night. I should have seen that coming."
And I should have too, but hey, it was a busy day. And I'm guessing it will be a busy night too...
Lighting up "my" horn with the magic of an alicorn, I attempted to raise the moon. Horse feathers! My legs shook and sweat formed on my brow. Pressure built up in my head. I released my spell and glared at the smiling mare.
"SHOW ME!" I demanded.
"Let me out."
I groaned and cautiously took down the spell wall.
The princess smiled.
"That is better, and I shall keep to my word!"
Horn, glowing a beautiful blue once more, started to raise the moon. I could only look at her, the wind pulling her mane from her face. She looked so concentrated, so connected to her spell and moon. Her eyes were closed and legs tense. She almost looked like the statues that stood in canterlot town square. So perfectly posed. Why hadn't I notice that before?
The Princess let out a relieving sigh when she detached herself from the spell.
Instinctively, my hoof reached up and wiped the moisture from her face.
"Just go home..." She said.
I winced, turning back to my soul form.
"But i,"
"Just go. I shouldn't have brought you. Thy sister is always telling my these things! Why am I so stubborn?"
It looked as if she was no longer talking to me, but the night air.
"Yes.."
Spreading my wings, I lifted to the air, leaving her at the windowsill....alone. Nopony should be alone. Nopony, but me....
According to the moon above me, it was about midnight, but that didn't stop me from what I was about to do.
"What are you doing here? We thought we told ye to leave us!?"
"It took me two hours to find your window, give me some credit."
The alicorn smiled and I did so in return. This was the first time I had actually saw her smile.( Not in anger) In fact, this was the first time anypony had ever smiled in my soul form presence. So why did she? I guess I'm just cute....If this were true I could feed even higher on her love. I could remember being in other forms. I remember the way the mare of that stallion looked at "me." Why did they do that? Maybe Pony can feed on love too?
"Okay, I see. If you can't find your way, you may.....you may stay here still Celestia's sun has risen."
SCORE!
I swiftly glided into the room, glancing around for a place to lay my hooves for the night. I flew around like a filly at an amusement part, checking every door and poking anything unfamiliar.
"So," the princess said, "I'm Luna..."
...
"And you?"
I ceased from shoving my hoof in a vase to glare at her.
"I'm a changeling Luna," The name felt strange in my mouth. I've never had to use names in soul form."changelings don't have names."
Luna almost looked to be shocked at that information, as if she never knew that. Did she?
"But your queen," She started
"Is royalty Luna."
"I see..."
After finding a comfy looking sofa, putting my hooves up, I grabbed a magazine from a side table and began to read, using my horn as a light source, when a question drifted into mind.
"Don't think I'm complaining or anything, but why did you save me? And where were you during the...you know..."
Luna, who was already under her covers, a force field surrounding her, sat up. I don't blame her for the force field.
" Who said I saved you? And as for....that....I..."
Luna drifted off, as if she was having a flash back.
"That is none of you business!"
"I know you saved me. The others are dead. I can feel that. Usually we share our love. Like a network system."
Luna looked to the window, as if searching for her answer in the stars. A tear formed in her eye, and she began take the appearance of when I first saw her...alone.
"I..." She began, but drifted off into sobs muffled by a blanket, her horn releasing all magic around her, leaving the shield to dwindle to a spark.
I flew from where I was to her bedside, laying a hoof on hers. Luna jumped back as if hurt. I could see the place I tried to touch had two fang marks indented in them.
"Oh....I'm... yah, sorry..."
Luna smiled. "it's okay."
But I knew it wasn't. That wasn't even how changelings usually extract love. It was an old, inhumane way. We've discovered a technique to use our magic since then.
Closing my eyes, I started a spell. Luna must have understood what I was doing, for her eyes fell shut as mine and I could feel our horns come into contact, our magic filling the scars with flesh and fur as if they hadn't happened. When we had finished, no marks lay on her arm and, I hadn't noticed it at the time, but I was no longer hungry. My "love storage" was full. It felt almost unnatural to be so full. To not have to change form and search for a pony I could "gain" from.
Luna opened her eyes....Her eyes. They were blue... Had I noticed that before?
The princess cleared her thought. "Um...Thank you....I guess."
Our eyes matched and I think stayed that way for a beat longer then I meant it for Luna broke our gaze and let her eyes wander around the room uncomfortably.
"Your welcome.."
I flew back to my bed, drifting off into an aimless sleep. I knew I'd sleep well that night and I knew She would be there if I didn't.
It was early when I awoke and Luna was still resting peacefully on her own bed. Hm... If she worn't a pony... Hay barrels I'm hungry! Being a quiet as possible, I sneaked to Luna's side, alighting my magic to extract her loving essence.
*sigh*
It was so warm and filling. So pleasing to my being I almost didn't want to leave her side. But it wasn't early enough to risk it so, turning form of a guard, I searched for my former prison. Finding myself to come across a door dimly familiar, I entered, finding myself in the correct room. The box....It was still there. And so was the letter that confused mare had tried to give me. I might as well open it. No use letting good essence go to waste!
I slid a fang along the heart crested seal.
Dear Rose,
you never replied to my last letter. Is something wrong? There certainly is here! The wedding is on
schedule, but the future prince fairs no better than the unknown threat upon my city. Last I heard
you've planed on moving again. Don't do that to yourself. I love you Rose, I hope it's not one of
your, well, you know. I hope on the morning that you are alright. and I hope you know I am too.
Yours forever ~Caramel.
I took one more look at the note, and placed it back into the box. It was almost entertaining the way these ponies....cared and yet, convenient. For me of coarse. Through the window, I could see the princess of the day lifting her sun to the sky. Time to get the hay out of here...or......
Flying upside down, I awaited Luna outside her window. Sure enough, the dark blue alicorn leaned out into the sky, preparing to lower her beautiful moon.
"Hey!"
The princess stumbled back onto her bed.
"Didn't mean to scare you Lulu."
"You don't need to worry about that changeling... And don't call me Lulu changeling!"
Luna stopped, as if frozen in time.
"Um...Changeling. Would it not be proper to give you a name?"
A name? I hadn't thought of that. This mare wanted to call me as an individual. How could this be?
"Why would you wish to name me? A name is to indicate difference. I am a face in the crowd. All changelings all look alike, but you ponies...your so different, even from griffins. You are all so...colorful. You all have an opinion."
"I hadn't thought of it like that." Luna gestured for me to come inside and began to lower the room.
"I..GRAH!...I think you..." She stopped, now putting all her concentration into her moon.
"I think your different."
Luna *poofed* a violet book into existence, the words "Traditional Canterlot Names" printed on the front.
After an hour of searching, and Luna liking every name I suggested, I came across a few that poked out at my interest.
"How about.... menace?"
"Really? I was under the impression you wanted a name, not a title!"
"Hmm... How does Blank sound?"
"No, no."
I flipped through pages, barely glancing at the names. Luna got up to stare out the window in board em.
"Zinc..." I mumbled.
"What?"
"I choose Zinc."
Luna yawned, as if it no longer cared what name I chose.
"Okay, Zinc. You've got your name. And, I'm afraid you will need a proper...Costume you called it?"
I frowned at this, but did as I was told. With a bright shock of green light, my form changed to a brown stallion with a dark red mane and purple eyes. Luna covered her eyes in joke.
"No! That shall never do!"
I had to change form 3 more times before the princess was satisfied with me. A dark gray unicorn with an even darker black scraggly looking mane and tale.
"You look....different."
"Is...different better?"
"....No, but it will have to work for now Zinc."
Zinc. It felt good to hear her say that, my name. MY name.
The silence in the room seemed to eat away at me and I could see Luna thought so to. We stood up at the same time, my snout slightly brushing by her mane as we did so. It smelt like the air, so clear and clean, so free of worry. Luna gestured to the window, hinting me to follow. The sun was still climbing over the peak of all mountainous range that surrounded this beautiful city.
Trying not to let her see me, my eyes drifted to hers. She looked so calm, so involved with her kingdom. Just like when she lowered the moon, and yet, she looked to be...sad. Taking in a deep breath, I let my hoof feel around the floor until it found hers. Blood instantly rushed to my face, turning from her as of not to let her see.
Glancing at the corner of my eyes, I could see her....blushing, and her other hoof once again found my chin, but not in anger. It turned my gaze toward hers, locking our eyes in what felt like an eternity. An eternity of happiness. Adrenalin shock through me like a bullet. My body was filled with this mare's love. A tear formed in Luna's eye and, removing my hoof from hers, wiped it from her face. Her eyes started to closed and so did mine. Leaning in closer, our foreheads met, our horns sparked, and my heart(If changelings have hearts) fluttered.
"Why did you save me?"
There was a short moment of silence.
"You were the last one," She said, another tear forming in her eye for I could feel it on my muzzle.
"I had to. Copying your magic, I formed...well, you. you were still...alive...sorta. And, I took your place. That's why you were in chains when you awoke. I teleported you Zinc."
Another tear.
"And, when they tried to kill what they thought was you I....I tried to change back! I really did! I just....froze.."
I looked up at her in confusion and horror.
"They killed me Zinc...Of coarse, the rules of magic meant I formed back when my soul left me. Celestia, my dear sister, was able to bring me back...But...there is a price for using such powerful magic.."
Her bottom lip quivered and the mare broke out into a sob. I carefully wrapped my hooves around her, trying to provide some comfort for what came next.
"I'm using all my strength...all of it....I feel so weak. Not here. I'm not here."
This made even less sense.
"What do you mean your not here?Where are you if not with me?"
Luna's whole being was shaking now, like a lost foal, she cried in my arms.
"I don't know where I am. I'M SCARED....PLEASE....please help me Zinc."
My breathing grew harder and my heart raced.
"W-what is wr-wrong Luna?"
"I'm using all my power, and Celestia's, to keep my here. I'm not real Zinc." Luna sobbed harder.
"I-I...I'm so sorry...I just... Celestia is so...so weak and even with our power combined...I'll have two days at most....I'm so sorry Zinc..."
I didn't say anything...What could I say? What would anypony say to this?! Nothing...
Tears streaked my face, together we lay. Together alone.
I didn't sleep that night. Luna was with her sister and I was in the library...searching. Searching for some way to save her. There had to be something. Some potion, some magic, some....Zebra! Switching back to my pony form, I took to ponyville and from there, the everfree forest.
The wind was strong in my face as I flew. I had forgotten the other pegasi had scheduled a rain for that day, no more like a storm. After what was about an hour of searching, I found what I was looking for. The hut seemed to tower over me, daring me to take another step. Stepping inside, the smell of potions and exotic fruits hit me like a hammer.
"Zecora?" I called, still gasping from the fumes.
"Ah, my changeling friend, I believe you came here to stop princess Luna from meeting her end?"
I let myself relax. Zecora was sort of a friend of mine, she taught me to learn make love potions. Of coarse, I always ended out drinking them.
"Yah, but how did you know?"
"Many things I have learned in my day, but for the most part, I knew what to say. Some royal guard has let out her secret. The one about Luna's end, and how she will meet it."
Despite the aching in my wings and the worry for Luna, I found it was easy to smile around this mare. Her rhymes were quite amusing.
"If the great spirit will allow, Luna may be forsaken, but for that to be so, another soul must be taken. Unless you or others are willing to die, I'm afraid the only thing left is to give our goodbyes."
"But, how would that be so?" I was starting to get desperate.
"Hmm... Death can be avoided, but somepony will pay. That pony will be trapped inside themselves until the great spirit's say! That pony will still dream, sleep breath and think, but until he is released, further into thier own mind they will sink."
"Zecora, how long will they stay trapped inside themselves?"
The zebra put a hoof to her mouth.
"The conditions of this spell, I still do not know. Only once has it been used, and he is still not allowed to go."
"How..How long was she....has she been...you know."
Zecora pulled a jar shaped gourd off one of her many shelves. Concentration concreted on her face, she poured half of the substance into the large black bowl in the center of the room, followed by a poof of green smoke.To my surprise, an image appeared amongst the smoke. A pony. And by the looks of it, a stallion.
" A thousand years ago it was," Why is everything a thousand years in this place? "When he is released, he will still be consumed my lust!"
The smoky figure lit his horn and a fifty or more differently colored crystals revolved around him. A smile, much like mine, appeared on his face. He was the only thing that wasn't in color.
"But soon will he arise and take back what he needed to live. Mercy on his victims, he simply won't give."
"Zecora, I don't understand."
With an almost audible poof, the smoke disappeared.
"When you are trapped in yourself, you are sent back, not only in time, but also in place, and when he is released, he will try to destroy the new pony race!"
"NEW pony race? You are really not making sense!"
The zebra gave him a blank look.
"I know that for you, this information is knew, but I do believe in time, you'll know what to do."
I nodded my head and flew out the window. The sun was setting and making way for Luna's moon. My wings still hurt and my hunger was growing, sucking away at my energy.
"Luna! Luna I'm here! I-"
My breathing stopped when I landed in her room. The princess Celestia was cradling an almost lifeless body. Luna. The wheezing that come from her insured me she was still alive...for now. I ignored Celestia's surprised look that a changeling had flown into the window, and come to comfort Luna. Her older sister looked so heart broken, I don't think she cared I was here. I slid my hoof under her head, doing what I could to provide comfort to the dying princess of the moon. Her eyes opened just big enough for her to see me.
"Zinc? I-"
I placed my other hoof on her muzzle, indicating her to save her breath. The white alicorn looked down at me through tear stained eyes.
"So, your Luna's secret....ZInc." The princess's voice was shaky and cracked when my name escaped her lips.
Luna's eyes were going blurry and her breathing all but ceased. I knew what to do. I had to. Using the strength I had left in my body, I sent it to my horn. It lit up the room like a fire. Knowing what was to happen, I placed my horn on hers. My heart raced, and then there was nothing.
"yes. Princess Cadence and Shining Armor are already there. The others will be joining them soon."
Celestia's assurance didn't comfort her sister enough to take the doubt from her mind.
"The empire's magic is powerful! It can not fall to the enemy my sister."
"She will succeed at her task." Deep down, Luna knew it was true. "And when she does, we will know that she is that much closer to being ready."
"Ahem!"
A purple unicorn emerged from the doorway, a saddlebag at her side. The unicorn smiled at the princesses nervously. Celestia leaned toward her younger sister,
"Trust me little sister." Luna bowed her head low.
"You wanted to see me? To give me a test?" The unicorn's voice was a bit shaky.
Luna walked by her sister's prized student, a tinge of anger and concern showing on her face, but Luna knew her her sister was right. She knew that when it came down to it, if she were to go, it would be as the first time. She knew she couldn't let me be killed.
