Chapter 9: We'll Be Back

Luna soared on a thermal, the warm air lifting her high over Equestria. She usually preferred the night, but she had to admit, you didn't get the same warm air pockets that the daylight produced, and it made flying so much easier and enjoyable. Her trip had reminded her of that, and she resolved to make time during a few days a week to enjoy her sister's sun. The land beneath her rolled by as she made her way towards Ponyville.

Her royal charioteers had offered to bring her, but she had declined. The last time she had come to Ponyville, the darkly decorated vehicle had made a less than sterling first impression. Of course, descending from a storm cloud as lightning struck about her probably hadn't helped. This would be different. She had learned to control her voice, and this time it would be broad daylight, with no chariot and no inclement weather. Besides, she wasn't even landing in town. She was headed straight for Sweet Apple Acres.

Bourbon and Fluttershy had arrived at the farm in the early morning, with Twilight trailing right behind. Applejack and Big Macintosh were taking the day off to stand by Lewis. Applebloom stood by Granny Smith at the door to the farmhouse, watching as they waited for Princess Luna to arrive. Applejack stood at Lewis' right hand and Bourbon at his left. He drew strength from their presence.

"There," said Lewis calmly as a dark shape appeared over the rise near the outer border of the property. Applejack gulped.

Princess Luna landed before the assembly without a sound, her wings whisper-quiet as they folded to her sides. She looked up at the gaggle of nervous looking ponies. Only one of them seemed happy to see her. "Princess!" said Twilight Sparkle, a grin on her face, "It’s so good to see you again!"

"Twilight Sparkle," Luna said with a matching smile, glad to see one of her few friends outside of Canterlot, "It has been far too long." To her surprise, the purple unicorn trotted over and gave her a hug.

"It has been too long, Princess Luna," she said warmly.

Applejack leaned into Lewis. She didn't have to say a word.

Luna and Twilight parted, and the princess approached Lewis. She looked him up and down. He didn't seem terribly dangerous, at least to her eyes. If anything, he looked vaguely cute . . . .

Luna shook her head. Where did that come from?

Lewis looked at the dark blue pony steadily. He refused to appear cowed by someone whose authority was bestowed by virtue of a fancy title. Princess or no, he would stand tall. Bourbon seemed to agree, standing at ready beside his friend. The fact that the pale stallion could speak now had not interfered with the silent understanding the two had developed over the course of many years. If Lewis would stand his ground, so would Bourbon.

"So," Luna said at last, "You two are what all the fuss was about." She turned her attention to Bourbon, and found herself facing a solid wall of white flesh. Tilting her head upward, she looked into a face that was all contained might. A fierce loyalty burned behind the giant's eyes, and she knew that if she moved to harm the alien, she would have to contend with this dark-eyed destroyer.

"You've both caused quite a fuss," she said, trying to mimic her sister's good-natured small talk tone. It didn't quite come out right. She sounded angry. Why did she always sound angry?

"Ah'm sorry if we've made any trouble fer yah," said Lewis, "We sure didn't mean nothin' by it."

Luna glanced back at the tall creature. She had to admit, he was polite. "Oh no," she said, "It isn't any fault of yours, and coming here isn't any trouble. For now I'm just glad to be out of the castle in the open air. It's a really glorious day. My sister had truly outdone herself."

"Oh right," said Lewis, slapping the side of his head, "yer one of those ponies, the sisters that control day and night!" Applejack facehoofed.

"OF COURSE she's one a them ponies Lewis. There ain’t exactly a whole lot of alicorns running around."

"Right right right, I know," said Lewis, "Ah just needed a second to make the connection. So these sisters control the sun and moon, and an entire country?"

"Right," said Applejack, "So mind yer manners." Lewis chuckled. As though he would dream of being anything other than a perfect gentleman.

"Well, Princess Luna, I owe yah mah thanks," Lewis said, meeting Luna's gaze.

Luna was taken aback. "For what?"

Lewis smiled down at Applejack. "Fer last night. The stars and moon were beautiful."

Luna's world dropped away, and there was nothing in it, except her and Lewis. Since her return, ponies had on occasion thanked her for one of her nights, even congratulated her for special occasions like an especially well-organized meteor shower. But it had meant nothing to her. She knew it was Celestia putting on pressure, trying to ensure she felt appreciated. But this thing, this human, he didn't know her sister: he was being utterly sincere. She was actually being thanked for what she did by somepony that wasn't under her sister’s influence. That hadn't happened in a very, very long time. She looked in his eyes and saw kindness, understanding, and courage. She spent an eternity looking into his eyes.

Then the moment passed and time resumed its natural course. "Ahem. You’re quite welcome, Lewis. Now, I'm told that yesterday your quick actions saved a young filly?"

"That's right!" Applebloom hollered from the porch, "He saved mah life!" Luna looked at over at the youngster.

"Come here child," she said beckoning. Applebloom trotted over before Granny Smith could restrain her.

"Hello Princess," the little filly said, favoring the monarch with a sunny smile, "Ah'm Applebloom."

"Hello Applebloom. Now, you say that Lewis here saved you? How?"

Applebloom immediately launched into her recollection of the events, trying her best not to exaggerate anything too much. While she enthusiastically told the tale, Luna felt her heart warm to the youngster. She was so lively. When the Applebloom had finished speaking, Luna turned to Lewis.

"Is all of this true?" she asked, impressed with the prowess described to her.

"The essence of it is close enough, although she makes it sound like ah swooped down outta the sky and plucked 'er from the jaws of some monster rather than drag her out of a flooding stream." Lewis scratched the back of his head, unsure what else to say.

"Show me," said Luna.

The streambed was surrounded by death. The plants on its banks were dying fast, and a strong chemical reek had settled on everything. Luna observed all of this with growing trepidation. It was disturbing to see.

"And there shouldn't be any melt water this time of year," she said quietly to herself. She looked closely at the dirt where the flood had stripped the grass away. The soil looked wrong, something was off about its coloration, never mind it smelled of burning metal. "Twilight," Luna said, turning to her sister's protégé, "I need you to take some samples of this silt. Be very, VERY careful not to touch it. Send it along to Celestia as soon as you can." Twilight nodded her understanding.

Luna looked at the ground beneath her hooves. The blight that started at the waterline was creeping outwards, claiming one plant after another. "Celestia has to be informed of this immediately," Luna said, gesturing at the devastation. Lewis nodded, still in awe of the swathe of destruction.

He looked up when the princess tapped his shoulder. "Lewis, I need to take you with me. You and Bourbon. I don't have time to properly evaluate you right now, not here. Say your goodbyes. You'll probably be in Canterlot for a long time."

Lewis looked into Applejacks eye, but held back, knowing that her family was watching. It was okay though. She knew. "Come back soon," she said. Big Macintosh put a supporting hoof on his shoulder.

Lewis looked at the two. "Can I get a hug?"

"Eeyup."

The three embraced, and Lewis felt the care and love in their hearts. When they parted, they merely exchanged a few glances, each laden with meaning. No words. All those emotions had been expressed perfectly.

Bourbon faced Fluttershy, who seemed to be completely distraught. "Don't worry Fluttershy," Bourbon said, "They cannot hold us forever. We will be back, trust me; Lewis already has a plan, I'm sure of it."

"It's not that," said Fluttershy sniffling, "It's just that . . . well Canterlot is full of beautiful rich mares . . . ." Her gaze dropped to the ground.

Bourbon stepped closer, concerned, when her face shot back up. Her eyes narrowed and her face hardened. Applejack noticed what was happening and winced. The Stare; Fluttershy's infamous ace in the hole.

"Bourbon, if you so much as look at another mare while you are gone, I will never speak to you again!"

The big pale horse was utterly overwhelmed by the force of the little pony's will. His eyes bulged and he felt his knees wanting to buckle. "No fair . . . ." he grumbled.

Fluttershy wore a small smile again. "Maybe not, but if you're good," her voice dropped to a quiet, seductive whisper, "then we'll do a lot more than talk when you return."

Bourbon trotted over to Luna with a big goofy grin. Lewis rolled his eyes as he joined them. "So, Princess, I guess we get walking huh?"

She snorted. "Nonsense! I only flied here because of the lovely flying weather, and we are in a hurry. Touch my mane."

Lewis and Bourbon exchanged a look, then extended a hand and hoof respectively to touch Luna's mane. As Lewis' digits caressed her mane, a thrill ran through Luna's body, a tingle that found its way to her nether regions and lit a spark. She felt her lust begin to rise, and quelled it. There would be plenty of time for that later.

As a bright light built around the princess, Lewis felt the distinct sensation of being plucked from the ground and thrust through a very small tube. He could have sworn he heard Luna whisper, "You're mine now," but then he was gone down that tube and the world was obliterated to his perception.

It was hours later when Lewis began to regain consciousness. He was laid out on something big and soft. He could hear Bourbon breathing nearby. That was good, they were alive. With effort, he forced his eyes open, to discover that he was on a bed in a large chamber decorated in the garb of night. Stars glittered on the roof, and moonlight streamed in through the windows.

"You're awake," Luna said as she stepped from the shadows, "I'm glad, I've never seen anypony react to a teleportation spell so strongly."

Lewis tried to rise but Luna put a hoof gingerly to his chest, pushing him back into the soft down of the bed. "No no," she said, "Lay still a moment longer, I need to ensure that no damage was done." He complied while her horn glowed and she swept it along the length of him. Satisfied that he was in good condition, she allowed him to sit up.

"Where are we?" he asked, looking around again.

"Do you like it?" Luna asked, "These are my private quarters. It took quite a bit of redecorating when I first came here, but it was worth the effort." She seemed to be quite proud of it, and Lewis agreed that it was beautiful.

"Ah gotta admit, it's awful nice," he said. He glanced at Bourbon. "Is he okay?"

Luna chuckled. "He's fine. He woke a few hours ago, saw that you were alright, then went straight back to sleep."

Lewis pushed himself to his feet. "Oh," said Luna, "Do you feel well enough to walk?"

Lewis nodded, his legs steady beneath him. He felt remarkably well rested.

"Good," Luna said, indicating that he should follow her, "I think it’s time that you met my sister."

Among the busy streets of Manehatten, a tired old stallion trotted down the back alley to his home in the late afternoon. He had been living in the small, low-rent apartment for several years now, and while he knew it wasn't exactly the nicest place, he liked it well enough. He stumbled suddenly, stalled by a coughing fit that shook his ribcage and hurt his throat. At his age, some health problems were usually a concern, and he knew that as such things went, he had been remarkable lucky.

But his luck had run out. He hacked and felt something wet and coppery in his mouth. His vision blurred, and pain wracked his body. He forced himself to his hooves, trying to keep moving toward his home, but he stumbled once more, and collapsed. He died several minutes later, afraid and alone. His name had been Fidgety Font, the caffeine-addict owner of the local printing shop.

Fidgety's corpse lay there for three hours before it was found. The kindly mare that found him touched him on the shoulder in an attempt to rouse him, and didn't notice the miniscule insects leaping away from the dead body, onto her foreleg. Neither did Font's landlord when he came to identify the body. Neither did the coroner when he came to collect the body. None of them noticed the tiny little bugs that now crawled under their coats. They each went home to their families. None of them would live to see the sunrise.

Author's Note

So my insurance pulled through and now I have a car again. My transportation assured for the foreseeable future, I now have time to work on this again. So here's another chapter. Enjoy.