Lantern Glow is a very kind and loving Nitor Pony with a very rare ability. She has a photographic memory and loves to help ponies through dangerous places.
Lantern Glow loves helping other ponies in need, especially in the Everfree Forest. She lives there, so it makes sense to know it. But her rare ability also helps out a lot. She can memorize the number of veins on a leaf with just one glance, know the exact way through the Canterlot Maze, and even find her way in complete and utter darkness. Follow her on one her most interesting journey ever. Can she handle it is the question.
Nitor Pony Species Created by FireBananaBlitz on deviantArt
The day started normally enough for me. I got up and walked out of my home, a large boulder that I'd hollowed out; windows, doors, furniture, the works. It had a bed and bathroom, a kitchen and living room. It had a small dining room and a porch to walk on in the warm sun or cool night. But it had always missed something ever since I moved in. What was it? Hmm... Aha! The only thing it missed was company. I brushed my teeth, I combed my mane, I cleaned the candelabra atop my head with some polish and a rag, combed the fur that went over my hooves, and watered my tail's three green ivy leaves. I made sure the chain to my lantern was on tightly and ate breakfast; oats with fresh green grass. The grass wasn't as tasty as the oats, but they were both quite delicious in my opinon.
For a Nitor Pony, I was quite... different. I didn't stick with the clan like most did, no, I went out and lived in the Everfree Borders. I knew the Everfree, not to mention Equestria, like the bottom of my hoof. Photographic memories and a love for guiding ponies drove me to live here and help others in the forest.
I sighed and trotted out into the Everfree Forest, my lantern on my tail jingling to the beat of my hooves on the dirt. Every day ever since I moved to he Everfree Forest, I went to my friend Zecora's for tea. She was a Zebra, and I adored the way she spoke in rhymes. I loved her attire and her knowledge and aspired to be like her in a way.
I was relatively in far enough when I heard a noise. It wasn't a frog gurgling. It wasn't a crow screaming its cacophony song. Trust me, I know what a crow sounds like. Black Quill was my pet crow ever since she'd hatched. It wasn't a Timber Wolf howling. What was it? I cautiously trotted towards the sound and stepped back, astonished.
How could some pony do something like this?! How could any pony do this?! These thoughts and more ran through my head as I walked toward the bundle. It cried as I woke it, but as I picked her up, her crying hushed. A small, blue-gray Unicorn filly was bundled in pink blankets.
"Why would some pony leave you out here?" I asked her, combing her teal mane.
She stopped crying and opened her eyes slowly, revealing two pink orbs that were cuter than anything I've ever seen. I carefully bundled her blankets around her and around my neck, so she hung by my chest like a sash. I galloped home, the thumping of my hooves calming her, making her crack a small smile. I closed my door behind me and laid the filly on my bed. I was shocked to see her crawl out of the blankets and flex her wings. Wings! She was an Alicorn!
I was astonished. She looked at me with a smile and played with my chops as my mouth gaped open. She enjoyed the smacking sound they made as she opened and closed my jaw for me. She stopped after a while and closed it for me, sitting down and staring at me like I was supposed to do something.
As she tilted her head, I heard a jingling noise from her neck. I found a dog tag on a chain around her neck. I pulled it off her neck and looked at it, narrowing my eyes to read the small print. Steam Snowflake. She had a beautiful name with a color scheme to match.
She smiled at me, her eyes twinkling. She looked no more than two years old at the least. Quill flew over and perched on my back, looking at Steam Snowflake sideways. Black Quill didn't usually take a liking to any pony besides me, so this next part came as a surprise.
She hopped onto the bed and put a large wing around her, cuddling the filly before flying back to her cage. I was more than astonished... I was... It was unbelievable! The filly looked up at me with a smile, and I couldn't help but smile back. She chuckled, and sat on her back hooves, reaching up to me.
I didn't know what to do, but my body decided to pick her up and cradle her like she was my own baby. It was odd, yet it felt... right in a sense. I snuggled her close to me and looked down at her, her pink orbs looking up at me. I wanted to keep her. Forever. I knew she had to have parents, but what parents would leave her in the Everfree Forest?! All alone?!
"What happened to you, I wonder." I said softly.
My ears perked when she spoke in a filly's grammar. "Mama."
I looked down at her and she smiled up at me, as if asking for a reward. I didn't know what to do. I thought for a moment and nodded. "Mama. Can you say Lenora Lantern Glow? Len-or-a Lan-turn G-low."
"Wenowa Wantern Gwow." She babbled, smiling as I nodded.
I thought for a moment. Would the guards take her away from me? I didn't know, but more importantly, I didn't care. I had some pony who depended on me. Finally, some pony relied on me to take care of them!
I laid her down in my bed and tucked her in, sitting by the bed and looking to my right, looking out the window. I planned on going to Zecora's house tomorrow. I glanced back at the small filly, watching her chest rise and fall slowly, signalling she was asleep. I looked back out the window.
I blinked lazily. I had stayed up all night to make sure Steam Snowflake wouldn't fall off the bed. Sure, it got boring, but she needed me. I couldn't just leave her in the Everfree; I couldn't just fall asleep while she did and have the possibility of her falling off. I think that's part of what helped me stay awake. The agonizing worry that she'd get hurt. It was comforting and strange at the same time. She wasn't my child, but I treated her as if she were my own.
She yawned and opened her pink eyes, giving me a small smile. She tilted her head and stood up, stretching her legs. She frowned, making me frown. Her stomach gurgled in response and she looked up at me with sad eyes.
"No, sweetie, don't cry," I cooed, picking her up in one arm and walking to the kitchen.
I carried her as I got milk out of the fridge and poured it into a glass. I didn't have anything to feed her properly with! I thought for a moment and she must've seen the glass, reaching for it. I blinked slowly, setting her down and putting the glass next to her. I chuckled as she tried to lick it out of the glass.
I picked up a bowl and poured the milk into the bowl and laid it down, putting the glass in the sink. I heard her lapping up the milk and turned, watching her get milk all over her muzzle and fur. She quickly finished it and looked back up at me expectantly. I tilted my head.
"What?" I asked.
"I wove mama." She smiled crawling over to my legs and rubbing her cheek against them.
"I love you, too, Steam Snowflake," I beamed, rubbing her mane.
I picked up a napkin and tilted her head up and wiped her chin and muzzle, getting it nice and clean. She grinned and giggled in amusement as I threw the napkin away. I kept my eye on her as I walked backwards into the bedroom, picking up the blanket with my tail. I walked back to her and wrapped her in te pink blanket, making another sash with it.
I walked out of the front door and began to walk to Zecora's, walking through the Everfree Forest, the sun occasionally shining down on us in warmth. She smiled again and closed her eyes, occasionally looking up at me. I trotted gently down the path, looking at the leaves and trees. They were so beautiful in autumn.
Snakes slithered and bunnies hopped, Steam sometimes looking at them with a smile. I trotted as she watched the forest pass by slightly fast, but she was content through and through. We eventually found Zecora's hut in the beautiful tree. I knocked on the door and she opened it with a smile.
"Hello, my brown friend, I have much time to spend." She smiled, then noticed the bundle over my neck in the sash. "Oh, what's this? I thought you were not a Mrs., but rather a Miss."
I smiled and chuckled. "I found her in the Everfree Forest yesterday. She was all alone and I couldn't leave her there, so I took her home. I... I love her. What should I do, Zecora?"
"The filly is special, that much is true, but the question is, can she be raised by you?" She asked, tilting her head with a smile.
I put a hoof to my chin and Steam held onto the long fur, putting it in her mouth and suckling it with a smile. I hugged Zecora with one arm and turned around.
"I'll come by tomorrow, Zecora. I want to take care of Steam first."
"A good idea, my lovely friend, I do hope you keep her and win." She smiled, closing the door to her hut.
I was. I was going to win the right to have Steam Snowflake. I trotted at first, then broke into a full on gallop to Ponyville. I was out of breath by the time I got to Ponyville, and slowed to a trot. I could see Princess Twilight Sparkle's castle. True, she wasn't higher up like Princess Celestia or Princess Luna, or even Princess Cadance, but she was good enough for now.
I trotted to the castle and surprisingly, there was no line to get to the six Elements. I knocked on the door and it opened in violet aura, and I walked in slowly.
"Hello," Twilight Sparkle spoke with a smile.
"Hello, Princess Twilight Sparkle, Rarity, Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, I've come from the Everfree Forest to ask you something. I know it's strange, but I don't think going all the way to Canterlot or the Crystal Empire would be worth my time if all of you were here."
They had astonished expressions, but Twilight soon spoke. "Tell us this strange event, please."
"I was walking in the Everfree Forest yesterday when I came across this filly. However, she's an Alicorn, but I don't know how. I don' want to give her up to the foster system and I don't want to give her to an orphanage. So my question is, can I adopt Steam Snowflake as my daughter?"
"Did you name her or something?" Rainbow Dash asked.
I shook my head. "No, she had a dog tag with that name on it. I left it back at my home, but I... I love her as if she were my own child! Please, allow me to raise her!"
They all exchanged glances before Twilight Sparkle spoke again. "We must discuss it between ourselves first. Please wait outside while we speak."
I nodded and closed the doors behind me, looking down at Steam. She played with my mane and giggled, smiling at me. Her pink eyes looked up at me as if I were a queen.
"Mama." She smiled so warmly.
I nodded with another smile. "Mama."
We waited out in the hall for a small time, but it felt like forever. I was soon allowed to reenter the room. I stood in the middle of them, facing the Princess.
"We will all voice our opinions to you first and then I shall give you the ruling to make sure we're on the same page." Twilight announced.
"I think she should be allowed to care for the filly," Rarity spoke with a smile. "She obviously seems fit to care for a filly. What's your name, dear?"
I couldn't believe in my haste I forgot to give my name! "My name is Lenora Lantern Glow, but please call me Lantern. I'm a Nitor Pony."
"You are very fashionable, I love your candelabra, dear! And your lantern is positively fabulous!" Rarity squealed.
"Ah think she should care for the filly. She clearly cares about her deeply." Applejack smiled.
"I think she'd make a great mommy! I mean, look at her face!" Pinkie Pie smiled, squishing my face.
Steam tapped my face and smiled. "Mama!"
"See, even Steam agrees!" Pinkie smiled before sitting back down.
"You're a good mare, Lantern. I think you should keep her." Rainbow Dash said.
"I agree with Rainbow Dash... You are very kind," Fluttershy squeaked quietly.
"Then it's settled. Lenora Lantern Glow, Steam Snowflake is your adoptive daughter from her on out. We will investigate what happened to her, however we make no promises."
"Th-Thank you all! Thank you so much!" I smiled, holding Steam up in the air. "Say mama!"
Being a mother was the best thing that ever happened to me. After I spoke with Princess Twilight Sparkle, I immediately went to the foal store on the other side of Ponyville. I bought a cradle, a play pin, a proper foal sash, and a few other things a foal would need. I had the owner give me a cart to use to pull all of the items in it, and even if I wasn't strong, I was determined; though it was nice of him to give me the cart for free.
The things ponies do these days. Such a kind stallion. Steam Snowflake fell asleep as I pulled the cart, and I got it home with only four stops along the way. I parked the cart outside my home and carried the sash in first. I set it down in the living room that I counted as a foyer and I opened it, putting Steam in it and putting it around my neck. It was black in color but it worked fine. I threw the trash the the garbage bin outside my home and pulled in the play pin very carefully.
It took a little while but I got it open. The next part was even worse. True, it came with tools and instructions, but it was way more difficult than it needed to be. But once the red, yellow, and blue colored foal container was assembled, I put Steam in it. I watched her through the mesh material and she looked around with a smile.
I quickly galloped back to the cart and got a bouncy ball and a stuffed brown dog, and put them in the pin. She picked the dog up and played with it, hugging it and rolling around with it. I picked up the cradle and began the horrible task of opening the box and putting the thing together. I closed the front door and began building the cradle whilst keeping an eye on Steam.
After about two hours of confusion and mysterious tools, I finally finished the cradle. I pushed it into my- our bedroom and laid the mattress, pillow, and blankets on it. I trotted back out to Steam and she smiled up at me, carrying the doggy in white magic already. I was astonished, but amazed once she flapped her wings, bumping her nose against mine affectionately.
I smiled and hugged her and she giggled, hugging my neck as best she could. "Mama! I wove mama!"
"I love you too, Steam," I grinned as I petted her mane.
I set her down and stood before her as she looked up at me with a smile. If she was going to use magic and fly, she'd have to have rules. "Okay, Steam, you can't fly out of the house without mommy, okay?"
She nodded with a smile, closing her wings against her body. It was a good start.
"You can only use magic when mommy says it's okay to, alright?"
She nodded again, still hugging the doggy toy. I smiled and laid down next to her. She played with my mane and her toy and had the most fun she could ever have.
"What's your doggy's name?" I asked.
She thought for a moment, her pink eyes looking at the ceiling in wonder before telling me. "His name is Mr. Woofs."
"Mr. Woofs? That's a lovely name." I smiled, making her smile.
"Mr. Woofs is my friend." She smiled, hugging the plush dog close.
I stood up and looked out the window. It was almost noon. I walked to the fridge and listened to Steam play with Mr. Woofs for a while, as I prepared our lunch. I chopped up some carrots into teeny tiny bits and made some corn, putting them in a bowl and setting it on the table. I made myself some oat cereal and set it down across from the other chair, looking at Steam.
She had wandered over to watch me sometime between the corn and my cereal making. She looked at her wings that were pressed against her body and she looked to me again, then at the chair. She held Mr. Woofs in her mouth and tried to climb up the rungs of the chair, but couldn't quite get there. I used my hoof to boost her the rest of the way up and she set Mr. Woofs by her bowl with a smile.
"Can I have milk?" She asked, her adorable foal lisp still present.
I nodded and poured a glass of milk, setting it next to her. As I ate my cereal, I watched her carefully. She set a single piece of corn and two tiny bits of carrots next to Mr. Woofs with a smile. She ate the rest of her food quickly but not too quickly as to get a tummy ache.
"Are those for Mr. Woofs?" I asked.
Steam nodded with a smile. I was surprised at how well she could speak and how intelligent she already was for two years. She picked up the corn and carrots in her hoof and pretended to feed Mr. Woofs, then ate them herself.
"Mr. Woofs can't really eat, so I eat for him," She explained with a bright smile.
I nodded and helped her down the chair, then set her in the play pin. I walked back to the kitchen and cleaned up the bowls and glasses, putting them in the sink. I sighed. Being a mom was great but all that had occurred really took it out of me. I walked over to Steam Snowflake and chuckled softly as she snored slightly. I guess a full tummy did make one sleepy.
I carefully walked around the play pin, my hoof steps quiet as a mouse. I sat on the sofa and closed my eyes. I thought it was a minute... maybe even four seconds before I heard her whimper. I fell off the couch in surprise and jumped over to her, as she was waving her arms around and crying slightly.
I picked her up and cradled her in my arms. "What's wrong, sweetie?"
"Scary closed eyes time," She said, looking up at me before burying her face in my fur.
"A nightmare, huh? Aw, don't worry, sweetie. It was just a bad dream. Those happen sometimes, but they're not real." I assured her with a smile.
She nodded lazily and her eyes blinked less and less often, eventually snoring being heard once more. I walked into our bedroom and laid her in the cradle- it would probably be more comfortable. I went back and picked up the doggy, laying it next to her. I turned the lights off and cracked the door open slightly and sat on the sofa, reading one of my old books.
It was a romance story, a lovely one at that, and I knew I had lullabies and story books in my bookshelf, but my filly was already asleep. Might as well indulge myself in some romantic literature.
"Steamy, it's time to wake up!" Lantern smiled, gently shaking her daughter's back. "It's your first day of school! Aren't you excited?"
Steam Snowflake hugged Mr. Woofs close and bit her lip, turning over to look at her mom. "I'm scared to go, mommy."
"Why are you scared, baby?" Lantern asked, petting her mane.
"I don't want to leave you, mommy. I want to stay home with you forever." Steam said, hugging her mother's neck.
"Aw, Steamy, you have to go. Every little filly and colt goes to school when they're five. You'll have a great time, honey. I promise." Lantern smiled.
"Do you pinkie promise?" Steam asked, holding Mr. Woofs closer.
"Cross my heart and hope to die, stick a needle in my eye. If I lie I will not speak, because I made a promise." Lenora smiled, singing the little 'pinkie promise' song she had learned when she was Steam's age.
Steam giggled as she heard her mother sing the little tune and hopped out of her bed. "Can I bring Mr. Woofs?"
Lenora thought for a moment but nodded. "Yes, if you want to."
Steam smiled and hugged Mr. Woofs, saying, "Mr. Woofs, we're going to school!"
Steam galloped into the kitchen and sat down in her chair while her mother made her bed in her room. After Steam Snowflake had gotten old enough to sleep on her own, Lantern Glow had built her her very own room connected to the living room. Steam had toys, a bookshelf, a bed, a rug, a toy box, and many posters had adorned the walls over time.
The small Alicorn filly used her magic to give Mr. Woofs a seat and smiled, holding her hooves on the table. Lantern swiftly trotted in, making them both some cereal. They ate it quietly together, the occasional munching sound coming from the filly. As the time for the carriage came closer and closer, Steam's anxiety rose further and further.
But she kept a calm exterior and got her saddlebag, putting Mr. Woofs in it securely so he wouldn't fall out. She walked outside of her home and stood on the lawn with her mother, biting her lip. Lantern rubbed her mane and smiled. The sound of hooves alerted the duo to the approaching carriage.
"Okay honey, have a good day at school," Lantern smiled. "I'll be right here at four o'clock when you get back. I always will."
"O-Okay, mommy." Steam said, pecking her mother on the cheek and trotting onto the carriage.
There were four rows of seats, able to seat about three foals each. Steam sat in the very back against the window to see her mother wave until she was out of sight. Steam then sighed and plopped her fore hooves on the plush chair, looking around. There was one other filly and two colts on the carriage, and one stallion drove the bus/carriage.
Once they finally arrived at the school, there were ten ponies on the bus besides Steam Snowflake. She trotted off the bus and followed the others into the school, sitting down in a random seat. She levitated Mr. Woofs out of her bag and held him close, setting her saddle bag by her hind hooves.
"Okay, class, this is your first year of school. You're all in Kindergarten! My name is Ms. Daytime Dash, but you may call me Ms. Day. Would any pony like to introduce themselves first?" No pony rose a hoof in response. "Any pony? No pony? Okay, I'll pick." She smiled, walking over to a filly. "What's your name?"
"My name is Cinnamon Sticks." A small, brown filly smiled.
Steam wiggled, uneasy in her seat. This 'Cinnamon Sticks' was only one seat away from her. That meant Steam was the third! She hugged Mr. Woofs tightly, the colt next to her speaking.
"My name is Lighter," The Unicorn colt said, looking down shyly.
"And you? What?" Ms. Day stuttered as she saw a horn and wings on Steam Snowflake. "Are you an... Alicorn?"
Steam looked around and frowned, looking up at the teacher. "I-I-I don't k-know wh-what that is."
"A pony born with a horn and wings, or a pony who writes his or her own magic becomes an Alicorn." Ms. Day explained.
"I-I was born this way," Steam said, shrinking in her seat. "M-My name is Steam Snowflake."
"Well, nice to meet you, Steam Snowflake."
"Likewise, Ms. Daytime Dash." Steam gave a weak smile.
Ms. Day patted her on the head. "Thank you for being so polite, Steam!"
Recess
Steam had Mr. Woofs on her back, strapped down with yarn she'd found in the creation station. She walked proudly, her head high in the air. Despite being five, she looked like she was eight or nine. She sat down under a tree and looked around, sighing. Steam patted the dirt, looking at the horse shoe print it made.
She tilted her head as she began to drag her hoof across the dirt, making a line. She didn't quite understand it. The filly began dragging her hoof all across the patch of dirt, soon making a lovely drawing of gears. She didn't know what they were, but she liked how they looked.
She smiled, looking closer at the gears she'd made on the dirt. What were they? What did they do? How did she know how to draw them? She was filled with many questions similar, even different, and she backed up, looking at the drawing again. As she backed up, she realized the gears she had drawn all became one large drawing.
It was Canterlot Castle.
She tilted her head, looking at the Castle in Canterlot a few miles away. She'd only seen it on the way to school, which made it all the stranger. She smiled as she looked at the detailed drawing, flying up a ways to see it clearer. Soon, her classmates had gathered around her to look at the picture, and Ms. Day was astonished.
"Steam Snowflake... Did you... Did you draw this by yourself?"
Steam sat on the ground and hugged her doll close, looking at the dirt, frowning. "Y-Yes.... Was I not supposed to?"
"My dear, it's amazing!" She smiled, quickly ushering the foals inside as another teacher took photographs of the drawing.
Lantern Glow ran to Steam Snowflake, hugging her tightly and petting her mane as her daughter shivered. "Honey, what's wrong? I got a call from the school, what's wrong? Talk to me."
"I d-drew a picture a-a-and they took pictures a-and I'm scared and c-confused." Steam stuttered, wiping her nose with a hoof. "But Ms. Day said that it was amazing, b-but I-I-I-"
"Hush, honey, hush," Lenora cooed, petting her mane again.
Lantern picked up her daughter, putting her on her back as she trotted to the teacher's office. She knocked and entered, seeing Ms. Day. She walked up to her with a frown as she glared at her.
"What on Earth do you think you're doing terrifying my daughter?" Lantern asked, not raising her voice.
"W-Well the drawing was so amazing, w-we got the Princesses. They're on their way n-now." Ms. Day spoke quietly.
"Mommy, she said it was amazing, but I was still scared. But her face was... scary when she looked at me." Steam corrected.
"My apologies, Ms. Day." Lenora spoke, still glaring. "May I see the portrait?" Lantern asked.
The teacher nodded and led her out of the school to the playground, tape around the picture. She pointed at it and Steam hopped off her back, flying to a tree branch, afraid of her mother and what she would say. Lantern Glow walked up to it, looking at it. It was amazing. It was Canterlot Castle made out of gears. And these gears had springs and notches in appropriate places. Lantern continued to examine it, the picture being almost as long as a stallion and as wide as a mare.
She walked over to the tree on which Steam Snowflake had hid, beckoning her down with a smile. "Come here, sweetie."
Steam fluttered down, holding onto Mr. Woofs tightly. She closed her eyes, expecting a scold or something from her mother for drawing in the dirt; though, why would some pony be in trouble for drawing in dirt? The punishment never came, only praise.
Lenora held her close, smiling and kissing her head. "You are a very talented pony, my sweetie pie. How did you do this?"
"I-I don't know... I just drew and drew and came up with that." Steam said, looking at her hooves.
"That is Canterlot Castle, little one," A regal voice came, every pony in attendance bowing.
Lantern bowed for a few seconds, looking at her daughter who only stared up at the two princesses. Lantern smiled and looked at the princesses again. "Lovely to meet you, Princess Luna, Princess Celestia. This is my daughter, Steam Snowflake."
Steam Snowflake was enchanted by the sisters. Their manes waving, their beautiful feathered wings, their long horns, their kind eyes; they were like her. No. She was like them.
"Not by blood, I assume?" Princess Luna asked.
"I found her in the Everfree Forest long ago, about five yeas. She was all alone and Princess Twilight Sparkle allowed me to keep her as my own." Lenora explained.
"I see," Princess Celestia smiled, walking over to the picture to examine it.
Luna trotted to Steam, lifting her chin up with a hoof. "Do not look so down, little one. What you have done here is amazing. What ails you to frown?" Steam thought for a moment, wondering what 'ails' meant. Luna smiled and spoke again. "What troubles you so that you frown?"
"Well... I'm an Alicorn, like you and Princess Celestia. And you're both so pretty, like my mommy. I always knew I wasn't her daughter by blood, but she is my mommy. But I'm like you and Princess Celestia. But you both are pretty and beautiful.... What will you do to me?"
Luna smiled warmly. "Such kind words from such a small soul. We would like to enroll you in my Arts Class. A very lovely role to play in Equestria. That is, if you accept."
"Will you teach me how to fly and use magic?" Steam tilted her head cutely.
Luna nodded. "Of course. You will grow into a lovely Alicorn, my dear." Steam looked at her mother. "And your mother may stay with you if both of you wish."
Lenora shuffled on her hooves and looked at her daughter nervously. She sighed and smiled, nodding. "I suppose we could move to Canterlot. Where will we stay?"
"You two shall stay in a suite for free, no worries, little ones," Celestia smiled, putting a wing around Steam Snowflake for a moment.
"If you will excuse us, we have to return to the castle. You may come when you wish." Luna nodded as she and her sister flew towards the castle.
"Mommy, are we going to move to Canterlot and see the Princesses?" Steam asked excitedly.
Lenora nodded. "Yes, we'll go and you'll see Princess Celestia and Princess Luna. You might even see Princess Cadance or Princess Twilight Sparkle if you're lucky."
Steam's wings fluttered in excitement. She held out Mr. Woofs with a smile. "Mr. Woofs, we're going to Canterlot! We'll see Princess Celestia and Princess Luna and we'll see them raise the sun and moon and we'll she Princess Luna's and Princess Celestia's stars and we'll have so much fun!"
Lenora chuckled as she watched her daughter smile and hop around in complete and utter happiness. She put a hoof on Steam's head, and she nodded, the duo walking to the carriage to go home- no, to their former home, and pack up their things to live in the big city of Canterlot.
Steam Snowflake shivered, frowning as she trotted into Princess Luna's School for Gifted Ponies. She couldn't take Mr. Woofs in with her. She had to wear a uniform. She had to have her mane in a certain style. She wore a black jacket with a white shirt and black skirt, a light gray tie as well. Her mane was pulled back into a pony tail very tightly.
She trotted in. She had been in this room many times, but never got used to it. She'd only been in her and her mother's home and the cafeteria for the most part. True, she'd been there for a year and a half, but she kept to herself. Steam walked in with her head up high, biting her lip. No pony turned to look at her, they only stayed in their seats and drew, wrote, or painted. The like.
The young Alicorn walked to an open seat, sitting down and placing her saddlebag by her side. She looked around, unaware of what to do today. Steam bit her lip as she saw nothing but older ponies doing their own thing, leaving her to stand out. She gulped and stood from her seat, walking to the front of the class.
She looked around, but found no teacher or any pony to help her. She sighed and walked to the balcony, opening the door and looking around. Sighing again, the eight year old Alicorn put her front hooves on the balcony's gate, looking out towards the Everfree Forest. Steam looked all around her, but found nothing of interest.
She spread her wings and popped them, rolling her shoulders comfortably. Steam jumped off the balcony, folding her wings against her flanks before opening them to soar to the Gardens. She landed gently, folding her wings back against her body. She liked the uniform, but the mane pulled back so tightly was horrible.
Steam looked around, sighing with a smile. She preferred being alone rather than being in the classroom. The Garden was just awesome. Steam looked around again, walking around slowly as if it would make something happen. She rounded a corner and found her. She smiled and trotted over to her, bowing before standing to meet her smile.
"Hello, Princess Luna." Steam smiled.
"Hello, Steam Snowflake. Why are you not in class?" She tilted her head, a smile still present.
"I didn't want to be there. I mean... I just don't like being around other ponies except you and Princess Celestia. And a lot of other ponies have their Cutie Marks. Paint brushes, palettes, paper, quills, parchment, stuff like that." Steam said, poking at the ground.
She held her face up with a hoof and a gentle smile. "How about you draw something in the dirt again? I loved the portrait of my home you drew."
"Okay," Steam smiled.
She turned around and looked at the dirt paths of the Gardens. She frowned. She'd been working with dirt for a year. She wanted something new, a new medium.
"Princess Luna?"
"Yes, my dear?"
"Can I try something different?" She asked, looking at her teacher.
"I suppose." A bell rang and she spread her wings. "My sister needs me. Help yourself to the mediums in the castle."
"Thank you, Princess Luna!" Steam called.
Steam Snowflake backed up, looking at her creation. It hadn't taken her too long, maybe eight hours, but it was finished, finally. She looked at the mannequin, inspecting her work. It was a lovely dress, much like one you'd see at a steam punk gala. It was bronze and silver, only two colored metals and some fabric.
It had a bow on the right ear, silver in color, and a chest plate that was bronze with silver engravings. There was a soft, silky like fabric underneath, which spread out around the wing holes and flank so the metal didn't scratch the fur. A silver dress coated this fabric, and a bronzed cage fit over it like enlarged nylon. It had four horseshoes, all silver with bronze engravings.
Steam Snowflake smiled, happy with it. She walked out of her room to her mother, who was cooking dinner. She ran over to her mom and pulled her hooves.
"Mom, come look at what I made!"
"Okay, I'm coming, I'm coming." Lenora smiled. She stared at the armor, dumbfounded. "Steam... did you make this by yourself?"
Steam nodded with a smile. "Yeah, is it good?"
"It's wonderful, sweetie! I'm so proud!" Lenora smiled, hugging her close. "How about you go tell Princess Luna?"
"O-Okay," Steam flustered, biting her lip.
It wasn't that she didn't like Luna, it was that she looked upon her so fondly she was afraid to upset her. Steam trotted down the stairs, towards Princess Luna and Princess Celestia's Throne Room. She knocked and entered, bowing before the Princesses.
"P-Princess Luna, I want to show you something."
"Okay," She smiled gently. "Lead the way."
"May I see as well?" Celestia asked with a smile.
"Y-Yes, of course, Princess." Steam nodded.
Princess Celestia and Princess Luna looked at the dress, gaping mouths as they looked at the dress, to Steam Snowflake, to the other princess.
"You made this?"
"Y-Yes."
"It's wonderful."
"Amazing."
"T-Thank you, Princess Celestia, Princess Luna!"
"There's one other thing, Steam." Luna smiled, looking at her own flank.
Steam blinked and looked at her flank, smiling as she saw her Cutie Mark. "My Cutie Mark! It's a gear!" She hopped with a smile, continuing to look at her Cutie Mark with a smile.
"Steam, honey, why don't you go outside?" Lenora asked, knocking on her daughter's door.
"I'm working, mom." Steam replied, her room a complete mess.
Metal scraps lay everywhere, rulers and scissors all over the floor. She'd been at Princess Luna's School for Gifted Artists for about eight years. She was turning 17. Steam Snowflake sat in her room, looking at the mannequin, thinking of what to make. She sighed, standing from her sitting pose and walking to her balcony.
She looked around at the rainy day Luna and Celestia had made, spreading her wings and jumping off of the balcony. She sighed, letting her wings go limp. When her eyes opened, the ground came to her fast. Her wings opened, catching her seconds before she could hit the ground. Her hooves gently met the pavement, brushing a mess of her mane out of her face.
She was tall. No, tall was an understatement. She was the size of Princess Luna already. Steam walked down the roads, many ponies scattering for cover from the rain. In school, she was and wasn't popular at the same time. She could kick a football across a field. She could thread a needle in one movement with her hooves. She could do square roots off the top of her head. She knew most of the spells she could get her hooves on. She flew faster and better than any other Pegasus. She knew everything and anything about science and had a vast amount of random knowledge from her books in her room.
This all was balanced into making her a loner from her horn and wings. Being an Alicorn made these amazing feats nothing to get excited about. Any Alicorn was that strong and fast. Any Alicorn was smart and speedy and talented.
She was just another Alicorn like Princess Celestia, Princess Luna, Princess Cadance, and Princess Twilight Sparkle. Steam walked down the paths of Canterlot, no destination in mind. She walked to one of the fountains, looking at the water. Steam dipped her hoof in the water, swirling it around.
She sighed as she watched the ripples expand and dissipate. Standing, she began walking again. Her mane, coat, and tail were sopping wet, but she didn't care. Her tail dragged on the ground, but it didn't bother her. Spreading her wings, she took off suddenly flying around the skies. She loved rainy days.
Steam Snowflake stood atop the highest tower of Canterlot Castle, her four hooves having barely enough room to rest. She looked up at the rain with a sad face. Lightning crackled, her ears going down slightly. She stood on the spire for quite some time before flying back down to her balcony.
Steam opened the door and walked in, dragging her mane and tail across the floor. Lenora galloped over to her and hugged her, pushing her to the bathroom. Steam smiled; she loved it when her mother combed her mane and dried her tail. She loved the attention.
Lenora was more than happy to do it as well. She combed her mane a hundred times, combing her tail the exact same way while singing a lovely lullaby under her breath. She used the mane dryer to dry her mane and tail, combing through her light blue locks. She nuzzled Steam's neck, hugging her.
"You need to stop going outside when it's raining."
Steam Snowflake just relished in her hug for as long as she could. Soon, her mother broke the huh, walking into the living room to listen to the radio. Steam walked into her own room, walking to a small home, like a child's play house. She poked Mr. Woofs' belly, making him stir. He turned over in his bed, smiling as he came nose to nose with Steam.
"Good morning, Steam," He smiled, hugging her muzzle.
"It's almost 4 p.m., Mr. Woofs." Steam chuckled.
He looked at his tiny clock with a smile. "So it is, so it is! What have you made today, Steam?"
Steam let him climb on top of her head, and she trotted over to her creation station. A mane piece made out of silver and gold in the shape of a flower lay with thin strips of silver metal fraying from it.
"Lovely as always, Steam, my dear," Mr. Woofs smiled.
"Thank you, Mr. Woofs. I worked very hard." Steam smiled.
Long ago, when she was ten years old, Steam Snowflake had studied a dark magic. A forbidden magic. However, she was able to keep Mr. Woofs animation a secret, even from her mother. She animated him, allowing him to walk, talk, and feel. She knew Princess Luna would be more than upset is she heard about it, so that's why it was kept secret.
"Mr. Woofs, what should we do today? It's raining."
"I love the rain," He smiled, looking out the window. "I've always wondered what it's like to fly."
"Fly? Why would you want to fly, Mr. Woofs?"
"You do it all the time. You make it look easy. Ever since you were given to me and I to you, I had watched you fly. Remember your first drawing in the dirt of Canterlot Castle? You flew up to a tree branch with me." He said, sitting on her muzzle with a smile before rubbing the bridge of her muzzle. "You're a fast flying Alicorn."
"Thank you, Woofies, my dear." Steam smiled. "Maybe I can help you."
Steam put him on her head and she gently flapped her wings, fluttering above the ground. Mr. Woofs was in awe as he felt the slight breeze of air and the falling sensation as Steam Snowflake landed.
"It was only a few seconds, but it was a few seconds of beauty," He smiled.
Steam Held him in her hoof and nuzzled him with a smile. "I love you Mr. Woofs."
"I feel a similar reaction of what one could call love towards you, as well." He chuckled as Steam laughed.
"Mr. Woofs, you're so silly!" Steam grinned.
"Steam?" Lenora's voice said through the door. "Who are you talking to?"
She walked in after knocking to see her daughter talking to Mr. Woofs. She went wide eyed before walking over to the stunned Alicorn and Animated Toy. Lenora looked at Mr. Woofs, patting his head with a smile.
She was dumbfounded. "Steam, did you... animate him?"
"M-Mom, I-I did b-but-"
Lenora's smile made her shush. "It's amazing, Steam. Simply amazing. I couldn't be more proud and upset at the same time. You know that's forbidden magic. But..."
"I'm sorry, mom."
"Don't be, silly. It's amazing what one spell can do." She turned and began walking out, her lantern chain squeaking as she walked. "It'll be our little secret."
Lenora turned and faced the entrance to the door, looking at her daughter. In synch, they said, "Cross my heart and hope to die, stick a needle in my eye. If I lie I will not speak, because I made a promise."
Steam Snowflake laid on her bed, looking at the ceiling. There was nothing to do. There was no school today. Her mother was busy. She had nothing to do. Steam sighed, standing and walking to the balcony doors. She looked outside, slowly blinking in boredom. She turned on her hoof, her tail flicking the door.
"Mr. Woofs?" She asked, peeking down into his little home.
"Yes, my dear Snowflake?" He asked, looking up with a smile.
She laid down, getting comfortable. "I'm bored. What should we do?"
"We could talk."
Steam smiled and nodded. "What should we talk about?"
"How about we play truth or dare?" He asked.
"Sure." She giggled. "Truth or dare, Mr. Woofs?"
"Dare!"
"I dare you to... run up and down the stairs two times!" Steam smiled.
Mr. Woofs stood and ran to his stairs, running up, then down, the up, and back down, breathing a little heavy. "Okay, truth or dare?"
"Truth!"
"Do you want a special some pony?"
Steam was surprised. She had to think for a minute. "Well... yeah, I mean, eventually."
"What do you want him to be like?"
"Ab bab bab!" Steam grinned. "It's my turn! Truth or dare?"
"Truth."
"What was it like before I animated you?"
"Well, that's a good question. I remember sitting on a shelf alone for what felt like eons. And then, one day, out of the blue, an orange maned mare with a candle on her head walked in. She carried an adorable little blue Alicorn filly around her neck, and that little Alicorn picked me out. I went home with her. I spent every day and night with her, protecting her, keeping her company, giving her advice. She went to school and eventually moved to Canterlot, and then she animated me. Best days of my life ever."
"Wow."
"Truth or dare?"
"Truth."
"What do you imagine your future to be?"
"Well... I want a husband. And I want to be an artist. I'll have four foals. Two colts and two fillies, a colt, then filly, filly, and colt. Then I can protect the colt, and he can protect his little sister. They'll protect their little sister, and they with that sister will protect the last colt. And that colt will protect you, Mr. Woofs, and you will protect him."
"That's a good answer, Snowy." Mr. Woofs smiled before frowning as he looked past his owner. "Uh-oh."
Steam tensed as she felt it. It was like hundreds of pounds on her back, like thousands of burning coals laid on her wings, and ice cold snow ran over her horn. She shivered as she didn't dare turn around. She already knew who was there. Her body shook, her wings splayed, her horn unable to use magic. Hell, she couldn't even stand the tension was so heavy.
Behind her, her balcony doors were open with a large blue Alicorn mare in front of them with a surprised and angry face. Her mane and tail waved on a non-existent wind, and she wore a black tiara and chest plate, with blue horse shoes.
"Steam Snowflake..." She said, her usually ebony voice now twisted in sadness and disappointment as it resounded in her ears. "What have you done?"
"P-Princess Luna, I-I can explain!" Steam said, not daring to turn to look at her mentor. "I didn't mean for-"
"Princess Luna, if I may interject," Mr. Woofs said, walking onto Steam's head. "I have always been self aware, however, Steam Snowflake gave me the greatest gift of all. Life. I was a rag doll, something a foal would throw around and forget. Steam never forgot me. She's loved me since the day we met. Surely you cannot punish her for wanting to have a friend?"
"Steam, what have you done?" Luna said again, turning Steam around with her magic. "You know those spells are forbidden magic!"
"Princess Luna, please, listen! I was so lonely! I was... I was so sad." Steam said, looking down. "I knew Mr. Woofs was alive... he just... couldn't move. He wanted to live and I wanted a friend. Unicorns don't like me because I'm so good with magic, and Pegasi don't like that I can fly faster than them. Earth Ponies hate that I'm just as strong and... I'm all alone!" Steam's coat began dimming without her noticing. "I just wanted a friend, Princess! Just one!"
She stamped her hooves as tears rushed down her face. Her trembling lip and eyes stared straight at Luna's unhappy expression and disappointed look. Luna's breath hitched as she saw a piece of herself in Steam Snowflake. She wanted to be appreciated... to be loved. If it was obvious to any pony, Princess Luna knew it the most.
Luna sighed and held Steam close, rubbing her mane gently. "I know the pain you are feeling, Steam, I know it far too well. When some pony's pain gets so great... their mind becomes clouded and filled with resentment. It was my own fault that I did not foresee this outcome."
"As was mine of yours, sister," A larger, elegant voice said, trotting in from the rain. "It seems we are all peas in a pod."
"Sister."
"Princess Celestia."
"Steam, I know what you did is wrong, as well as none of my business. Luna. I trust you to make the correct decision here." She walked closer to her sister to whisper. "Don't make the mistake I did with you, please."
The large, pale pink Alicorn walked out and flew away quickly, tears streaming down her face as she cried with the rain and yelled with the wind.
"How did Princess Celestia know?"
"My elder sister knows of many things not only in Canterlot but all of Equestria. It is hard to hide something from her." Luna responded. "Steam Snowflake, dark magic cannot be tolerated."
"No, Princess, please," Steam began.
"Hush." Luna said sternly. "Dark magic is not tolerated, and you have not broken that rule. If all were to follow this code of ours that we share so similarly, every pony would be imprisoned." She held up Steam's face with a hoof. "I made the mistake of letting my anger and resentment getting to me, and I used the dark magic of my moon to do so. I feel horrible for it, but I have learned to forgive and forget. Steam, this is just a mistake."
"R-Really?" Steam whimpered.
Luna nodded. "Indeed it is."
A guard burst through the door with a frown, panting. His lip trembled as he saw Steam Snowflake. With a frown, he spoke his mind. "Lenora Lantern Glow has been injured."
And with that simple six worded sentence, Steam's whole world was destroyed.
Steam Snowflake sat by her mother's bedside, holding her hoof warmly. It had been a few days since the incident. The 'few' days before were normal. Lantern Glow was out shopping and one tiny misstep nearly killed her. She was on the sidewalk, about to walk through a crosswalk that was safe to pass. The Nitor Pony got to the other side and a driver just rammed into her as she was about to finish shopping.
Steam had sat by her mother's side ever since she was in the bed at the hospital. Her hind legs were broken and her ribs were cracked. Her left eye's orbital was crushed, most likely never to be seen with again. The doctors didn't expect her to walk. Ever. She'd most likely spend the rest of her life in a wheel chair. The other part, however, was if she woke up.
The doctors didn't expect her to wake up until about four more months. And if it passed that- she was most likely going to stay in a coma. Steam cried her eyes out, her eyes red with puffiness from crying so much. The Alicorn held her hoof gently, eying her mother's wrapped up hind legs and bandaged ribs. Lenora was facing Steam towards the left, showing her right eye, but the white patch on her eye was still slightly visible.
A tear rolled down her cheek, unexpected since she had cried so much that now, she just sobbed without tears. She wanted her mommy to hold her and hug her and she wanted her mom to tell her everything would be fine. But deep in her heart, she knew she wouldn't.
Steam stood up when nurses trotted into the room, shooing her away from her mother. She walked out of her mother's room slowly, the nurses slamming the door heavily, catching on her hoof before closing. The Alicorn walked outside, rain pouring. It was perfect for a day like today; one when your own mother might die.
Steam spread her wings, looking to the air to fly, but the parts just splayed on the mud on the ground. She dragged them behind her, making trails as she walked slowly, no where in particular. She just walked and walked, a frown on her face, bags under her eyes, indicating she hadn't slept.
In a haze, she found herself in the Everfree Forest. It was like time and space had stopped to make her a wormhole and spit her out by her old home. It was worn and broken, the stones cracking and falling. Nothing remained inside as they had taken everything with them.
She heard a voice suddenly ring in her ears. Help.
Her ears flicked as she looked for the voice, trotting into her house. She followed its echos into her old room, slapping her wings to dry them off. She saw a bluish-violet colored ooze that laid on an old stone chair. Steam was wary of it, but sat down close to it. She poked it gently, recoiling quickly.
Please don't touch me.
"What are you?" Steam asked; she thought she knew the answer, she just had to be sure.
I'm called Miasma! I'm stuck in this form and I am not of this world! You must help me return home!
"Where do you live?"
I live on the moon.
"How do I get you home?"
Put me on your horn and aim at the moon.
Steam shook her head, looking at the Miasma. "You're a liar. You've possessed Princess Luna and Miss Rarity! I'm not helping you! I'll call Princess Luna and-"
But I can save your mother, Steam Snowflake.
Steam's eyes widened. She turned and looked at the goo, her left eye twitching. "H-How?"
If we become one, I can heal your mother.
Steam frowned, thinking, processing.
Tick, tock goes the clock, tick tock, there it swings. The Miasma sung quietly.
"Fine!"
The goop latched onto her horn in a swift movement, sinking into her skin. Steam struggling, coughing and hacking for air as the foreign body implanted itself inside her. Her head threw to the right and thrashed to the left, her wings zapping electricity off of the feathers. Her horn spat out static magic as she fought the Miasma, her eyes going clear to blue and clear to green and all over the place.
Just let me sink in, it'll be easier.
Steam struggled for air, collapsing to the ground with her eyes open wide, drool rolling down her mouth as she lost consciousness. After more spasms and fits, her mane began changing. It got darker, closer to a navy blue. Her fur was completely black, and her eyes were dragon-like with white irises and black sclera.
Her Cutie Mark also changed, the gears actually winding up to make a circular window-like with a bolt and springs. She flicked her tail as she stood up, her teeth a large grin.
"I can help mother now," Steam thought inside her head, lying against a pink fluffy substance. "This will help mother." Her eyes blinked and eventually closed.
The Miasma smiled, now holding a host. "An Alicorn body," It growled with a grin. "Finally. Nightmare Steam is upon you, Equestria." She snickered as her horn was covered in blackness, teleporting Steam- Nightmare Steam wherever she wanted- Canterlot Castle.
"It is back sister. I can feel it." Luna said, holding a hoof to her chest. "And I believe it's taken some pony I value."
"How can you be sure?" Celestia asked; the larger Alicorn was completely calm, as if everything was normal- nothing evil about it.
"I cannot explain it, sister! I just know that it has taken one I value!" Luna yelled back, angry that her own sister was so calm with the Miasma out of its cell. "It should be inside the Moon, but it has escaped! There is only two ways and I have not-"
"I know, Luna," Celestia replied, cutting her off. "I released it."
Luna was dumbfounded. She ground her teeth, flaring her wings. "You did what?! Sister, do you know what you have done?!"
"I do, sister. Please, do be more calm."
"Calm?! Calm?! The Miasma has taken one of our subjects! How can you be calm?!" Luna yelled, stepping closer.
Her sister gave her the silence that meant she knew what she was doing, she wanted it to happen, and everything would be okay if it played out correctly, or she would take it in her own hooves for fixing. Luna growled something quite rude for a princess and turned curtly, beginning to trot out of the room when a black fire sizzled in front of her, making her jump back on the offensive.
"My, my, jumpy are we, Luna?" The voice said as the fire dissipated into smoke.
Luna's eyes went wide with anger. Her wings were flared and her horn glowing as she looked at her prized student- taken over by the Miasma. How, She thought, How could I have been so blind? How did I not see nor fathom Steam Snowflake's pain? Why did I let this happen?!
Whilst she was thinking, the black and blue mare trotted over slowly, now taller than Luna- almost as tall as Celestia. She held a hoof up, tilting Luna's chin upwards to look at her. Luna was disgusted.
"You." She growled. "You've torn my own student's name and face and twisted and disfigured her image into one I cannot bare to see! I shall destroy you and send you to your prison permanently!" Luna yelled in rage.
"She was so easy to manipulate too." Nightmare Steam grinned. "So in need of a pony to hold, so desperate for a rope to pull her out of the water, so in need of any pony." She sneered. "And no pony came. They brushed her aside," She circled the other Alicorn, flicking her long navy tail in her face. "They frowned upon her. She was different. No pony cared to see beauty in the things she did. But I was different." Nightmare Steam's voice was like a Cheshire Cat's; it was sneaky and quick, playing with its toys. "I saw her brilliance and pain, and accepted it. Unlike you, Princess Luna. And you too, Princess Celestia."
The taller Alicorn simply sipped her tea, continuing to sign scrolls and parchment. Nightmare Steam didn't bother to fight with the taller one; Luna was the one it wanted, as it had planned on bringing Nightmare Moon back into the world to make the night eternal. However the body it inhabited was sinking in. The Miasma was clearly drawn to her hatred for others, her pure ability, her raw, pent up soul.
Luna narrowed her eyes and shot a beam of blue magic at her, the Nightmare barely being able to escape. It hit her chin, making her growl.
With wide eyes, she yelled, "How dare you! Do you comprehend the punishment I shall-"
Another bolt hit her in the mouth, making her shut her noisy trap for a little bit. She snarled and looked at Luna, who was on the verge of crying. Steam quickly rushed to her, holding her in the air and using her black, fiery magic to burn her neck. Luna picked her up in her magic, flying both of them upwards and throwing the Nightmare down at the floor heavily.
"Princess Luna, why would you do this to me?" Steam's normal voice called from the demons mouth.
"SHUT UP!" She yelled, crying out as the black magic struck her chest, knocking her into a vase.
Celestia caught the vase and set it down, continuing to sip her tea, now onto the daily newspaper. She wasn't the least bit interested in this petty fight. Steam walked over slowly to Luna with a grin on her face. She towered over the blue Alicorn, holding her hoof, ready to smash it down on her skull.
The ceiling caved in from the magic of Princess Luna, catching on Nightmare Steam's wing. Luna then put the moon directly above them, shooting magic at Steam. The two beings were separated, Steam collapsing and the Miasma stuck in Luna's grasp.
In a small voice it cried out. "No! No! I promise I'll be good! Mercy! MERCY!" It called.
Luna's voice was full of spite. "No mercy for the wicked."
The moon seemed to turn, one of the craters turning into an eye, a line stretching across it. The shadows reached down to the Miasma, holding it tenderly, opening its mouth. The Miasma was slowly pulled back into its prison, this time safer at the very core. The moon's shadow retracted, closing its one eye and the line of its mouth disappearing as it dove back to its normal position.
Luna galloped over to Steam Snowflake, gently rubbing her shoulder. She pushed the marble off her wing, helping her up. She smiled, hugging her warmly. Steam then pushed her off, backing away.
"Don't touch me."
"S-Steam, why-"
"Who are you?" Steam asked, looking around, bags under her eyes as her fur and mane returned to normal. "Where am I?! Who am I?!"
Princess Luna and Princess Celestia had gaping mouths as they realized that they had not only banished the Miasma forever, but Steam Snowflake's memory as well.
Steam Snowflake sat in a padded cell, just staring at the wall. Simply staring; staring as if it would begin to speak and tell her everything she wanted to know. Mr. Woofs sat by her, always watching and never leaving. Steam ate the bland food given and drank the stale water, never complaining about the taste. In fact, she didn't speak at all. She only mumbled to herself quietly, and the only things made out were frightening.
Where am I.
Who am I.
Why am I me.
What am I.
And something else strange: she had a British accent. She didn't speak like that or enunciate like that when she had her memory. Steam Snowflake never spoke to the staff; not the nurses, not the doctors, no pony, not even Princess Luna. Even when Luna had gotten words from her, their conversations were short lived.
Steam was in a straight jacket all the time, her wings bound to her sides and her horn covered in an Anti-Magic cloth. Her Cutie Mark had disappeared along with her memory. She didn't even speak to Mr. Woofs. He had tried many times, but she never replied. She usually sat in the corner of the padded cell, rubbing her head against it gently.
"Steam, please, speak to me," Mr. Woofs frowned, walking over to her.
She didn't respond. She only had her hollow gaze on the square in front of her.
"Steam,"
"What do you want?" She growled, not looking at him.
"Steam, you have to talk to the doctors and nurses if you want to get better." He explained.
She blinked slowly, turning her gaze towards him slightly. "What is better?"
"Being yourself! Who you were! Who you wanted to be!" He yelled, frowning.
"I don't know myself."
"Steam, you wanted a husband, to be an artist, four foals! Two colts and two fillies, a colt, then filly, filly, and colt. Then you can protect the colt, and he can protect his little sister. They'll protect their little sister, and they with that sister will protect the last colt. And that colt will protect me, Mr. Woofs, and I will protect him. Don't you remember?" He whimpered.
"I don't want to remember."
"You have to! Your mother's dying!"
Steam Snowflake's body began thrashing, her head tossing side to side as she went into a panic mode. She cried and yelled, shouting, breaking her bonds on her horn and wings. She flared her wings and began shooting magic everywhere, angered and confused.
Doctors and nurses ran in, trying to contain her. Her name plate read that she was highly dangerous, but she had no indication of being dangerous since just then. Princess Celestia had put her in that particular ward for every pony's certain safety. Steam had fought off all of the guards, nurses, and doctors, in a single fit of blind and confused rage and terror.
The only thing that calmed her was the familiar touch of a navy pony who had rarely left Steam Snowflake's cell. Princess Luna hugged her from behind, rubbing her mane.
"Hush, hush," She cooed.
Steam's wings packed in, her horn calming as the other ponies backed away from the Princess and Alicorn. Luna ran her hoof through her mane gently, soothing her.
"Who...?" Steam muttered as she laid down, exhausted from her terror.
"I am Princess Luna,"
"Princess... Luna?" She asked, narrowing her eyes as she still hugged the Princess.
"You call me Luna, okay?" Luna replied, running her hoof down her back.
"Luna...?"
"You may ask me anything." Luna said hastily.
"Who... was I?" Steam asked, looking at the wall. "Who was Steam Snowflake?"
Luna smiled. "Steam Snowflake was a beautiful blue Alicorn. She was nice and gentle, and cared about every pony around her. She cared for every pony and everything, and felt sorrow for those who could not feel. She turned her stuffed dog into a self-aware being named Mr. Woofs because she knew he could feel and see... he just couldn't move. Steam Snowflake loved her mother dearly. Her name is Lenora Lantern Glow. She will be blind in her left eye and most likely will never walk again. She is to wake up in about two months. Steam sat by her mother's side and begged her to wake up. She was so distraught, so upset, so... secretive about her pain, that a powerful being called the Miasma, one that had taken myself and Rarity before, took over Steam's body. She wasn't able to save her mother and she got hurt during the fight to bring the real Steam Snowflake back. Steam and the Miasma were both injured. The Miasma is permanently in its prison on the moon, and no pony knows where Steam Snowflake's memories are. The only one who would know is you." Luna explained.
"But... who am I?" Steam asked, tears streaming down her face. "I don't understand!"
"I know, but you will." Luna cooed gently.
"H-How do you know?" Steam asked, looking up at her.
"I just have a feeling. I cannot explain it." Luna replied quietly.
Steam let go of the Princess, her wings splayed on the floor, dragging as she sat in the corner, her head on the wall. Luna sighed and stood, walking out of the room, leaving Steam Snowflake and Mr. Woofs alone.
"Sister, I-"
"Do not bother," The navy Alicorn spat with venom. "I know you're sorry, but sorry doesn't cut it, sister!"
Princess Celestia's lip trembled as she watched her younger sister gallop away, looking at Steam Snowflake. The other Alicorn was bumping her head against the wall, crying out loud as other ponies put up a steel door and locked it tightly. Other nurses filed by to put her in a straight jacket and Anti-Magic cloth over her horn, tying them both so tight she could barely move.
"I never meant for this to happen," Celestia whimpered as she trotted away sadly. "This is truly my fault once more."
Princess Luna sat outside of Steam Snowflake's asylum doors, tears streaking her face. A taller Alicorn with a pink tinted coat walked in, frowning.
"Luna, I... I didn't-"
"Just stop." Luna growled.
"Sister?" Celestia frowned, stepping back.
Luna flared her wings and faced her sister, her eyes red with puffiness. "What gave you the right to do this to my student?! What gave you the right to sit idly by whilst I battled to save her?! What gave you the right to let the Miasma out?! What gave you the right to do any of this?!" Luna growled, stepping closer, Celestia stepping back. "Answer me! What... gave you the right, Celestia?!"
"Luna... I had no idea this would happen. I'm sorry fo-"
Luna laughed bitterly. "Sorry? Sorry?! That's how you'll fix this and make everything better?! By saying you're sorry?!"
"Luna!" Princess Celestia stamped her hoof. Tears streamed down both of the Princess' faces. "I know you're upset but blaming any pony for it won't bring her back! You know it and I know it! Sorry is the best I can do right now. True, the blame falls upon me, I know it does, and I accept it. But you must understand... Steam Snowflake may never return. And that's okay."
Luna looked as if some pony had just insulted her with the rudest and most disgusting gestures. "OKAY?!" Her voice boomed. "Celestia." She spat, stepping closer. "Have you any idea what I felt whilst I was trapped?!"
"No, but-"
"It felt so cold. It felt like I was frozen in the coldest ice ever created. It felt like I was dead. I even prayed and hoped that I'd die, just so I could feel warmth again!" Luna screeched.
"Sister, I-"
"Let me finish! Seeing all of our subjects loving your light and shunning my darkness... I loathed you for so long, and I wished you would stop shining so brightly. I let the Miasma take me because it promised me glory and love, but it lied. It was cold. So cold, Celestia. It felt like I'd be there forever, just because of my own envy." Luna ground her teeth. "And then I became Nightmare Moon. And when I came back, ponies forgot me, Celestia! I forgot me!"
"Luna... what are you saying?" Princess Celestia asked quietly.
"I'm saying that Steam Snowflake is stuck in the deepest hole in hell until we find a way to bring her back! And you know something? It's cold. Ice cold. Like you're frozen in water but you can move slightly. You can't see anything. You can't smell, taste, touch, or feel anything. All you can do is listen. Listen as a voice rings in your mind, saying, "No pony loves you. Your glorious night is shunned. Your own sister hates you. She banished you to the moon, didn't she? How could some pony do that and claim to love you? It's your own fault. You're the problem. The mistake. If you hadn't been born, none of this would've happened, and every ponies lives would be so much better without you here." That's what echoes in your ears when you are controlled by the Miasma." Luna narrowed her eyes.
"Luna... This is all my fault...." Celestia whispered, dropping silent tears.
"Yes sister, it is." Luna snapped, slapping her sister's face. "You should've known better. I trusted you. And you took the trust I gave and broke it into millions upon millions of pieces."
"Luna, how could you-?!"
"Celestia!" Luna stamped her hooves. "Steam is in there because we couldn't do anything to stop it. You let the Miasma out, and I didn't notice. We're both at fault but you had to go and give a 'lesson' by letting the worst creature in existence out!" Luna was crying, sobbing.
The two sisters held the other for hours, the other Alicorn simply staring at the wall, her memories long forgotten, but her consciousness telling her that she was a mistake.
"It's been three months, Doctor... will she ever remember?" Princess Celestia asked.
The doctor sighed, pulling at her mane. "I... I'm not sure. It seems with every passing hour... she gets more and more lost and confused. This is a very rare form of amnesia. Steam Snowflake may never return to us."
"She has to," Princess Luna growled in a low voice. She was close to tears. "I need my student back!"
At that moment, something clicked in Princess Celestia's mind. She blinked a few times, gathering her words. "Say that again, Luna."
Princess Luna was confused and angry. "I need my student back, Celestia."
Celestia galloped down the hall, leaving the other two mares confused. "What's gotten into the Princess?"
"She may have an idea of some sort but I have no idea what she may be pondering." Luna explained.
Celestia was at a full gallop and quickly raced outside to the pounding rain. She used her magic to clear the skies, allowing her to see the sun. She closed her eyes and opened them quickly, her eyes gleaming bright red for a second before she found herself in Princess Twilight Sparkle's castle.
"Princess Twilight," She announced.
"Princess Celestia! What are you doing here?" Twilight queried, trotting towards her.
"I need you and your magic, Twilight," Celestia was in tears.
"Of course, Princess!" Twilight nodded.
-At The Asylum-
Princess Luna and the Doctor watched Steam Snowflake sit in her padded cell quietly. Lenora Lantern Glow sat in a wheelchair with sad eyes; she'd just been let in the asylum.
"W-What happened to my foal?" She whimpered.
"The Miasma took control of her. We fought and she forgot everything." Luna sighed, looking at her hooves. "She did it to save you."
"What?!" Lenora gasped, eyes filling with tears.
"The Miasma promised her it would save you... heal you." Luna seethed her teeth. "It lied."
Lenora rolled herself to the door, looking at Steam through the thick glass. "Steam!" She sobbed. "Steam!"
Steam Snowflake didn't respond.
"Steam, sweetie, it's me! It's mommy! I'm here! I'm fine, just come back!" Lenora cried out loudly. "Steam, listen!"
Steam was still unamused, sitting and facing the wall with a hollow gaze.
Lenora was sobbing at this point. "Steam, please, Steam! Steamy, mommy's here! Just remember! Please!"
Steam's gaze never wavered. She stared at the wall as if it wasn't there, as if nothing existed and she was a paradox of some sort. Lenora was pulled back by her personal nurse, but she jumped out of the wheelchair towards the door.
"I need my baby back! Please, Steam, remember! Remember for mommy!" Lenora cried out, being pulled back into her wheelchair. "Remember for mommy..." She cried to herself.
Princesses Celestia and Twilight Sparkle galloped in, catching the gazes of every pony in the room as they panted. Twilight Sparkle regained her composure, walking to the doctor.
"I think I can help," She spoke with a determined smile, huffing out more air.
"If you say so," The doctor sighed.
Twilight opened the door and began to shut it when the brown mare stopped her by her tail.
With a trembling lip, she whispered, "Bring my baby back to me, please."
"I'll try my best." Twilight nodded.
"Sister... are you sure this will work?" Luna asked, her brow furrowing.
"I see no harm in trying." Celestia said, putting her wing around Luna. "I tried for you... Now we just have to do the same for Steam Snowflake."
Twilight Sparkle walked in, put off by Steam's cold and distant nature. Twilight noticed that Steam either didn't see her or didn't acknowledge her. Twilight used her magic, touching her horn to the taller Alicorn's with the Memory Spell she'd used on her friends to revert them to their Elemental Natures.
After a moment she stepped back, looking at Steam Snowflake. The Alicorn didn't seem affected by it at all. Twilight frowned and walked out, sighing with her head down.
"I'm sorry, but I don't think it worked." She bit her lip.
Luna had the same sad composure, whilst Celestia was breaking down. "A-Are you sure?"
"I'm sorry, Princess Celestia, but... my Memory Spell works within seconds."
"So you're saying..."
Twilight Sparkle nodded. In a grave tone, she spoke, "Steam Snowflake is most likely..." She gulped. "Lost forever. I'm sorry."
Celestia's wings splayed out and she cried, Princess Luna looking away. The doctor didn't look surprised in any way, and Lenora was beyond devastated.
"N-No! Try it again!" Lenora demanded.
"I'm sorry... She won't be coming back with my help." Twilight spoke quietly.
The nurse wheeled Lenora away as she sobbed. Luna stared at Steam Snowflake and murmured one word, barely audible to the others in the room. She galloped off, Celestia just assembling the words in her head.
