Return

by MadameDragonFlower

Rating: everyone
Tags: My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Sad, Princess Luna, Original Character, Princess Celestia
Length: 6865

Princess Luna's captain of the guard from one thousand years ago has returned and now has to find his place in this new world he has awoken to.

Princess Luna was banished to the moon for one thousand years. Unbeknownst to everyone, save the descendants of Star Swirl the Bearded, Luna's most faithful servant, her captain of the guard, has been asleep these thousand years past as well. Now that Luna has been freed, so to is her servant, who must find his place in this new world he has awoken to.

Concept, and most of the first two chapters by Luna's Servant. Find the original here: All Alone Rest assured that once you pass the second chapter, this story takes on a life ALL its own.

Special thanks to my husband for editing and cover art.

Published 2013-08-09 04:00:03 UTC
Last updated 2013-08-09 04:00:03 UTC

Chapter 1 - Awakening

Silence. There was not a sound. Not a cricket, not a bird, nothing. The lack of sound seemed to deafen me as I came to my senses.

I opened my eyes, blinking in the dim light. Slowly, I turned my head to take in my surroundings as my eyes began to focus. I appeared to be in an underground cave. There were shelves hewn into the rock walls, a doorway leading to another room, and another doorway blocked by a curtain. As I shifted, I realized I was lying on a bed, a bed which was surrounded by numerous large crystals. My mind was fuzzy. I couldn't remember anything, I couldn't even remember who I was. Where was I?

As I sat up, a male voice began speaking from the air around me.

“Welcome back, Sir Cloud Twist. After thy long hibernation thou shalt need food. There is food on the shelf directly in front of thee and the doorway to the left leads to bathroom facilities. Thou may wish to wash up. When thou art finished, take the stairs to the dwelling above and somepony should be there to meet thee.

“And Cloud... good luck, old friend.”

The voice startled me. I looked around the room again, trying to find the source of the sound. There was no one there save myself. The voice had called me Cloud Twist. That sounded right. I sat for a moment, pondering what I had heard, trying to prod my mind into remembrance. The voice sounded familiar, but I could not place it.

Suddenly, my memories came back in a rush, leaving me slightly dizzy. My name is Cloud Twist and I was put into hibernation by Star Swirl. It was Star Swirl’s voice I had heard. More importantly, my hibernation would only end when hers ended. Then realization struck. I was awake! Princess Luna had returned.

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A short time later, washed and fed, I looked around my chamber one last time before heading for the curtained doorway. I found stairs leading up to a heavy-looking wrought-iron door. I didn’t remember the door from before, but many of my memories were still hazy. I pushed on the heavy door and it opened easily, but screeched loudly.

The room beyond was clean and well-kept. Star Swirl was never this clean. Brilliant yes, but rarely clean. How long was I in hibernation? Where was Star Swirl? He said somepony would be here to meet me, but who? Where was he?

"So, you're awake now? I was starting to worry that Great-Grandad had messed up the spell and you would never wake up.” The voice spoke from directly behind me.

My wings snapped open and I jumped in the air, my mane brushing the ceiling of the chamber. Looking down, I found a young mare looking up at me with a bright smile on her face. "Sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you. My name is Heart Charmer."

I exhaled heavily and landed back on the floor. Inclining my head to the mare, I introduced myself. "Thou’rt well met, Ms. Heart Charmer. My name is Sir Cloud Twist. I wouldst presume that thou art here to assist me in the absence of Star Swirl? ”

Heart Charmer laughed. I didn’t understand her reason for laughter, but she laughed all the same. “Yes, I’m here to help. First, could you tell me a bit about yourself? I need to make certain your memory is alright, and it will also give me a starting point for the questions I’m sure you’re going to ask. Start with the year you were put into hibernation, if you would.”

I regarded Heart Charmer a moment before answering. Her bright eyes had taken on a concerned but confident look. “The year is, or was, 1010. I am 23 years old. I am in Fillydelphia where I met with Star Swirl to place me into hibernation. By the fact that I am awake I assume all went well and that Princess Luna hath returned from her banishment?"

Heart Charmer nodded to herself at my answers. "Well, you certainly have a one-track mind don't you Cloud Twist? You only just woke up and already you're asking about Princess Luna. Yes, Nightmare Moon escaped from the moon almost six months ago on the eve of the Summer Sun Celebration. She was defeated by the personal student of Princess Celestia and now all is forgiven and Princess Luna is settling back into the palace, resuming her rightful place as the Princess of the Night." Heart Charmer smiled. "Would you like some breakfast as we talk? I just put on some coffee and was going to make some eggs."

"Sir Cloud Twist, an’ it please thee,” I stressed the word ‘sir.’ It would not do to have this mare, whoever she was, forgetting niceties, even if she did talk strangely. The term Nightmare Moon stirred something hazy within my memories, but I couldn’t quite place it. For now, I decided to overlook it. “And thank you, I would like something to eat. Apparently hibernation leaves an empty pit in one’s stomach." The dried food I had eaten sat in my stomach like pebbles; unfilling and unsettling. I followed Heart Charmer into a small kitchen where she set an extra place for me at a round wooden table.

“I suppose I should start at the beginning. As best I can. I guess you should know the when before anything else. Based on what you just told me, it has been just over a thousand years since you were put into hibernation,” she filled my plate with food as she spoke. “The current year is 2010.”

My mind seemed a blank as I took in the information. One thousand years. I knew this had been a possibility when I decided to go into hibernation, but I never thought it would actually come to pass. A few years, perhaps. Fifty or sixty at most. Certainly others loyal to Princess Luna would have found a way to free her sooner?

I took a bite of the food before me, chewing but not tasting it. “And my friend, Star Swirl?”

“Long gone, I’m afraid. There has been forty-three generations since that time.” Heart Charmer sat across from me, her white coat glinting in the sunlight pouring through a window.

That meant my family was gone as well. "Tell me, Ms. Heart Charmer, what information hath been passed down about me?"

"Just that you were to be protected, you were a close friend of Star Swirl the Bearded, and that you would likely return to Princess Luna’s side as soon as you awoke.” She shrugged.

I nodded to myself. That was sufficient. I looked up from my empty plate to see Heart Charmer watching me intently.

“You love her, don’t you? Do you want to tell me about it?” she leaned forward expectantly.

I frowned at her. "What makest thou think I am anything more than a loyal servant? Princess Luna is the true ruler of Equestria, and she was never given her due." I looked at the ground to hide the pain in my eyes. "I am her loyal servant. I am the only one who was willing to await her return. I alone shall be rewarded for my faithful service." I looked back up and saw a knowing smile on Heart Charmer’s face. What was wrong with this impertinent mare? I stood up. "I have to go, I must to return to the castle."

"Do you even know where the royal court is now? They aren’t in the Castle of the Two Sisters anymore. They moved to Canterlot after Princess Luna's banishment. They’ve stayed there even after her return.” Heart Charmer’s eyes were earnest as she gazed at me.

I stayed silent. This was news. So they abandoned the old castle? I wasn’t certain how I felt about this information. I had to see the princess. Then maybe I would know. Certainly she would. Her presence would sort everything out. I decided to ignore my conflicting feelings until then. I would have leisure to sort things later.

Heart Charmer continued to regard me, though I couldn’t tell what she might be thinking. “I will take you there."

Author's Note

Original concept by Luna's Servant. This chapter was adapted from that author's original by permission.

Chapter 2 - Reunion

The journey to Canterlot took a full week’s time. It would have been shorter to fly, but Heart Charmer insisted she accompany me. As an earth pony, she was constrained to the ground, so our method of travel was slow by pegasi standards. I was vigilant as we traveled, taking in as much information as I could. The world had changed a lot in a thousand years. I wondered how hard it would be to adjust to this new era.

Heart Charmer kept up a steady stream of conversation throughout the journey and I focused on the odd vernacular in which she spoke. Even speech had changed dramatically. I discovered that she was a doctor, one of the best in all of Equestria. That explained the examination she insisted upon before we left Fillydelphia.

We rode together in a small donkey-pulled cart for the last leg of our journey. Heart Charmer insisted that this method was better than riding the train. Being uncertain as to what a train was, I agreed with her choice.

As we entered the gates of Canterlot, I felt my jaw drop. My, how the city had grown! One thousand years ago Canterlot had just barely been started, a few rough-hewn roads and caves in the side of the mountain. Now the city was a major metropolis.

"There’s the castle," remarked Heart Charmer as we rode through the streets toward the largest building that sat at the heart of the city. "Princess Luna has her quarters in the North Tower and holds court in the Hall beneath her quarters. She should be available soon, it’s almost dusk."

"Thou art efficient, and it seemeth we hath timed our arrival perfectly," I replied. "I wouldst like to thank thee Ms. Heart Charmer; thou hast been most kind and helpful."

"We should go see Princess Celestia and give her our greetings before she lowers the sun,” she suggested with an excited smile. “Watching her lowering the sun will always be one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen."

I snapped to attention at the sound of the tyrant’s name. "DO NOT SPEAK THAT NAME TO ME!" I shouted. The donkey pulling our carriage came to a sudden halt and looked back at us. I was breathing deeply, trying to cool the fire that had sparked in my chest. "I thank thee, driver, but I shall carry on alone here."

I disembarked from the cart and began walking despite Heart Charmer calling out after me. I could not see Celestia. Even if my princess had forgiven her sister for her banishment, I could not. My anger began to cool as I walked through the bustling streets. I would contact Ms. Heart Charmer on the morrow and apologize. My reaction was out of line and I feared I may have hurt her feelings. The most important thing right now, however, was to return to the service of my princess.

As I approached the castle I saw the two sisters rise into the sky as they performed their duty, Celestia lowering the sun and Princess Luna bringing out the beautiful moon and the stars. Her banishment had not tarnished her appearance at all, Princess Luna was just as striking as she had always been. How would she react when I appeared? Would she even remember me after a thousand years? The thought gave me pause. What if she didn't remember? What would I do? I banished the unwanted thoughts. I would continue as ever, serving my princess in any way possible. Regardless as to whether or not she remembered me.

I approached the gate just as the guard was changing. After waiting for the switch, I presented myself before the Night Guard in an attention stance.

"My name is Sir Cloud Twist," I announced upon being prompted, "and I seek audience with Her Royal Highness, Princess Luna, ruler of the night."

"What business have you with the princess?" one of the guards boomed.

"I am the princess' most loyal servant, wishing to return to her service. Wilt thou please inform Her Highness that I am requesting an audience?"

"Follow me," said the guard, and immediately turned for me to follow.

I followed him through the gates and into the castle. I was careful to memorize the layout as we passed through. I would not want to get lost later. We stopped outside a set of large double doors.

"Wait here," said the guard just before he passed through the doors into what could only be a Reception Hall. There was silence from behind the doors and then a sudden commotion. The guard quickly returned and ushered me inside a large room with pillars running down each side of a vaulted ceiling. Directly across from me, at the other end of the great room stood she, Princess Luna, the ruler of the night.

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I stood in awe of her beauty and majesty before remembering myself and bowing before her. "My Princess Luna, ruler of the night. I, thine loyal servant, Sir Cloud Twist, have sought an audience with thee in the hopes that thou wouldst reinstate my position as captain of thy Night Guard."

"THOU MAY RISE, SIR CLOUD TWIST,” Princess Luna stopped and seemed to swallow. When she continued, her voice was much lower than her usual royal shout. “After one thousand years apart, for thou to return to me..."

I looked up and saw that her eyes were filled with emotion, barely containing the tears I could see filling them. In a blink, the princess was embracing me, abandoning decorum. My own eyes began to tear. She remembered me, even after a thousand years, she remembered me.

"How is this possible?" she asked, her voice a whisper, stepping back and looking into my eyes. "Truly, it is thee? But how canst thou be alive after one thousand years?"

"Dost thou remember my promise to thee? I promised I would always be there for thee. When thou were banished to the moon, I imposed mine own exile. I persuaded Star Swirl to induce a sleep that would end only when the Princess of the Night returned from her exile. And behold, here thou art and here am I." I bowed once more to my princess, "Wouldst thou reinstate my position as captain of the Night Guard? Or perchance another position if that one be filled already? I wouldst be happy however I might serve my princess."

With a couple beats of her great wings, Princess Luna returned to her place on the dais. She regarded me intently for a moment before replying to my request. "We have a more important position than any other for thou to fill. We wouldst like thee to be our Companion. Whilst we hope and strive that we shall never again become Nightmare Moon, we would be comforted in some extra assurance. It shall be thine duty to protect me from myself. T’is a duty I would entrust only to thee, Sir Cloud Twist."

Author's Note

Original concept by Luna's Servant. This chapter was adapted from that author's original by permission.

Chapter 3 - Perspectives

My mind was in a daze. I still could not believe what my princess had just done. I had come to see her simply to request my old post of captain of the guard, yet now she had declared me her Companion. What rank did that hold, I wondered.

I tried to focus my attention on the Night Guard before me. Once I had accepted her shocking post, she had promptly announced that she had some duties to attend to, and that she would catch up with me anon. Until then, the stallion in front of me, Shield Wright, was to show me around the palace. I needed to pay attention, but it was hard getting my mind off her.

“Her Royal Highness Princess Celestia holds court here,” Shield Wright opened a great door to a dark, empty room. The room was vast, certainly with enough room to hold at least several hundred ponies. Banners hung from the ceiling and cool moonlight could be seen pouring in through large stained glass windows. Shield Wright continued in his deep voice, “To date, Her Royal Highness Princess Luna has not held a general court. It has not been said whether or not she will.”

I nodded to him, and the older stallion led me back out to the grand hallway and down another side hall.

“Each princess has a wing of the castle to herself, including a more private meeting hall, which is where you had your audience.” I could feel him eying me speculatively. I kept my eyes on my surroundings, hoping I would be able to remember all he told me. We had already been walking the palace grounds for close to three hours. “Princess Celestia’s wing is located in the tower down this hall.”

I stopped mid-stride. The mare who had caused so much pain and suffering lived in the tower before me; was likely there right now. I could not see her; could not bear to be near her. ‘Twas bad enough that I knew she was here.

Shield Wright stopped a few paces before me, turning back to look at me quizzically. “Sir?”

“I should like to return to Princess Luna’s wing of the castle now,” I stated, trying to contain my anger.

“Ah, yes, but Sir, this is the last portion of the castle you haven’t--”

“If thou will not lead me, I shall return to the Princess of the Night’s wing of the castle myself. I have no wish to see further,” I abruptly turned and began walking back down the hall. Seconds later I heard hoofsteps behind me and very soon Shield Wright was before me once again, leading the way, his head held high.

I shifted my wings, suddenly acutely aware of my need to stretch them. Perhaps if my princess had not yet returned I would take a short flight.

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Make my rounds. I must make my rounds. I could feel a few nightmares from young colts and fillies begin to stir already. I flew across the night sky, allowing my presence to be felt, soothing the nightmares away. I flew along the borders of the kingdom, high, high up among the stars.

The stars offered little comfort. Their cool, distant light reminding me of the distance between my subjects and I. I thought I had been alone before, yet never was I alone as I found myself now. One thousand years had passed. Every pony that I knew from my life before, who served me then, all were gone. My memory had been relegated to legend and most ponies were not prepared for my legend to come to life. The only thing consistent from my old life to this new was my sister, and the fact that most ponies still slept through most of the night.

Then today, after six months, Sir Cloud Twist appeared as if from the mists of time. My most faithful servant, captain of my guard. He said that he asked Star Swirl to use a spell on him. I would have to ask him about that later. Doubtless, he would have questions for me also. Here now was someone from my old life who would understand. Yet, what had he sacrificed for me? Did he not have a family so long ago? My eyes began to cloud with tears at the turn my thoughts had taken. I blinked them away and turned back toward the castle.

I had been impulsive in my decision to make him my Companion. There were many things that would have to be worked out about it. But I stood by my decision even now, as the chill night air cleared my emotions. The direction my thoughts had taken was not a good one. I did not want to give my sister another reason not to trust me. Therein lay the problem. The reason for Sir Cloud Twist’s promotion: I could not trust myself.

Author's Note

The split. Uncharted territory. This is where this story becomes almost completely different from that of the original. My imagination got away with me as I waited for more chapters.

Chapter 4 - Collapse

I sat with my princess at a small mosaic table. Before us sat sunflower cakes and orange slices. The irony was not lost on me, but I ate anyway. I needed my strength. It was a couple of hours past midnight and already I was tired. Heart Charmer had awakened me early in the morning for the last part of our journey, and I was not adjusted to my typical night-schedule.

The princess seemed only to nibble at her food, as though she was simply putting on a show of eating for my benefit. I studied her. Earlier she had looked just as she had in the glory days, before Nightmare Moon and the struggle against Celestia. Now, however, she looked gaunt, her deep blue complexion paler than what I remembered. I finished my sunflower cake and broke the silence.

“Your Highness, I would ask of thee what duties I am to maintain as thy Companion.”

Princess Luna stopped her pretense of eating and regarded me from across the table. Her eyes, as always, were unfathomable. “I must confess, Sir Cloud Twist, I am uncertain of the fullness of thy duties as yet. T’will not be as thy previous station of captain, of that thou can rest assured.”

I tried to contain my confusion. My princess had given me a position without being fully aware of the duties it required? Even though I had agreed to it, I had no real concept of what being her ‘Companion’ truly meant. “I surmised this station would be unlike that of a captain,” I offered cautiously. That was true, at least.

Luna sighed and rose, walking over to the open balcony overlooking Canterlot. “Thou art the only pony, save my sister, who was part of my life from before, Sir Cloud Twist. All others are gone, passed from this life many years ago. I would have somepony to share my thoughts with.

“The relationship between my dear sister and I is newly reformed. She already blames herself wholly for mine exile. I have no wish to burden her further with my continued struggle. Nor do I wish to allow that dark spirit to overtake me again.”

“BLAMES HERSELF? AND WELL SHOULD SHE FOR HER HEINOUS ACTIONS AGAINST THEE!” The words burst from me before I could stop them. The anger I had felt before my self-imposed banishment roared through me and I found myself on my hooves with my wings spread open wide.

Princess Luna turned from the window to look at me, startled by my outburst. “Dost thou feel this way, truly?” she asked me, her voice barely above a whisper.

“Aye, my princess. T’was HER actions that forced thy response. Her negligence, her tyrannical rule over that which was meant to be shared. All who were loyal to thee could see that thou wert coerced to react as thou didst.” I stomped a hoof against the hard marble floor.

Princess Luna stood still, her eyes locked on mine. Then, before my eyes, she seemed to wilt. As she sank down to her knees, her beautiful nimbus hair seemed to solidify and hang lankly around her, taking on a pale blue color. Her wings were drawn tightly against her sides with her head hanging low, and she began to cry with deep shuddering sobs.

In an instant I was beside her, my anger forgotten. I wrapped a wing around her protectively, soothingly I hoped. This was not the reaction I was expecting. Awkwardly I tried to soothe her, uncertain as to the protocol for such a thing. “Shh, shhh. I am here, my princess. Whatever thou wish, I will do, be it in my power. I serve no other. Shh, there, there.”

I rubbed my front hoof against hers in a comforting gesture. Should I nuzzle her? Ordinarily that would be acceptable behavior in situations like this. Quickly, I dismissed the thought. Certainly that would not be appropriate for Her Royal Highness. Instead, I rubbed my hoof against her foreleg again and held my wing around her until her sobbing finally came to a stop.

She looked up at me, the pale blue hair softly curling around her face. It seemed odd to me, yet I felt it made her more approachable. More down to earth. The thought made me angry. That something would upset my princess so to bring her down to this level. Her hair should never be thus, if that was what it signified. Unable to help myself, I wiped away her tears with the tips of my other wing. Abruptly, she looked away from me.

“T’was only my fault, Cloud,” her voice was low. I sucked in my breath. She had never called me by anything other than Sir Cloud Twist before. She continued, “I was jealous, and lonely, and bitter. I let those feelings overcome me. I thought I would force my sister to see things as I didst, and in turn force the ponies of Equestria to see as well. All I desired was for them to see.

“But then the dark spirit took me, and I was no longer able to control myself. As though my consciousness was shifted away and my body overtaken.”

Princess Luna trembled beneath my wing. I shifted closer to her until the tremor subsided. “Were I to give into my fears once more, I know the dark spirit will take me again. I fear that my sister will not be able to contain me again and might be forced to destroy me next time. Or worse, that I wouldst destroy her. This must not come to pass.”

I nodded to her, trying to readjust my thinking. This was not what I had expected to hear. Certainly, I knew parts of it. But overtaken? Was that where the term Nightmare Moon had come from? Was this the reason they called her that?

Princess Luna began to rise and I quickly pulled my wing back. She smiled at me wanly before shaking her head. As she did so, her hair took on its normal color and form, a nebulous aura around her. I found myself at a loss for words.

“I need to make my rounds again. There have been stirrings my sister and I must keep watch on. Then it will be time for the moon to set and the sun to rise. Thou shouldst get some rest. Spells of the nature thou hast been under take much energy, even from the spell’s target. We will talk more anon. Thou shalt reside in the chambers across from my own. Shield Wright will see thee there.”

“Yes, Your Highness,” I bowed to her.

She stepped onto the balcony before turning to me once again. “Sir Cloud Twist?”

“My princess?”

“T’was not I who ordered thee against my sister’s forces.” With that, she stepped off the balcony, swooping down before pulling up and flying into the night sky.

Author's Note

Old English is a funny thing. Spell check simply does not understand.

Chapter 5 - Contrapositive

T’was not I who ordered thee against my sister’s forces. The words rang in my mind. But it had been her. Hadn’t it? How could I know, for sure, after what she had told me?

I stared into the coals of the fire in my room, which had burnt out hours before. The heavy curtains were drawn back against the early-afternoon sun. The room was almost completely dark, thanks to those curtains. Plenty dark enough to sleep, with barely enough light to see by. I could have gotten up, to see what my princess had in store for me, were she awake yet. Or simply familiarize myself with the castle more. But I chose to stay abed.

My sleep had been anything but restful. My mind had been abuzz the entire time with questions, uncertainties, and memories of what I now knew to be a thousand years past. It seemed like yesterday to me. Yet here I was. And so was she.

She, who my world revolved around. Her beauty both entrancing and overwhelming. Her wit appropriate and uncanny. Her mere presence a soothing balm to any tortured soul. That presence was what I desired more than anything else.

I set my chin down on a pillow, closing my eyes and bringing my thinking back around. Princess Luna’s order’s had not been her own during the struggle against Celestia, or so she claimed. Did she speak truly? Last night she had seemed so... weak. I had never seen her in such a state before. But then, I had only ever been her captain before now. Was this what it meant to be her Companion? To be allowed to see her in her weakened state? To be.. dare I think it... her friend?

I shook my head. Such a thing was unthinkable. Yet was that not what she had implied last night? I couldn’t be certain. Just as I couldn’t be certain that it was not she who ordered us against her sister. All I really knew was that she was still my princess. I would still follow her and serve her regardless. I had to trust. I could already see that it would not be easy.

“But I did not sign up for easy,” I said aloud to the empty room and myself. I rose and stretched, then made for the door of my room.

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I sat across from her at a table in the same dining room as the night before. The sun still shone brightly out the balcony window, the curtains thrown back and a cool winter breeze teasing the room with smells of wood fire and pine trees. The repast set before us was delightful. A salad made mostly from star flowers, a small white flower that bloomed only in the light of the moon, as well as crescent-shaped biscuits and plump blueberries on the side.

I looked from the meal to Princess Luna questioningly.

“The food?” she asked to my unspoken question. With my nod, she smiled almost shyly. “My idea. I thought it should be nice, to all those who dine in the palace, to be reminded of the balance we must strive for, no matter what time of day or night. To that end, we partake of foods that remind us of night during the daylight hours, and those that remind us of the sun during the night.”

“And thy sister, she did agree to this?” I asked skeptically before biting into a crescent-biscuit. I couldn’t imagine the despot agreeing to such a thing without a fight at the very least.

“Aye, readily. She thought it a marvelous idea. I daresay the cooks have become quite creative because of the request. Though the stipulation is not always adhered to, of course. Sometimes only a side dish to a meal is thus.”

I felt my mouth fall open in shock, biscuit half-eaten. I closed my mouth quickly. “I... see. ‘Tis a good idea, I’ll warrant.” I went back to my biscuit.

“Thou’rt surprised at my sister’s agreement.” It was a statement, not a question. But I still felt the need to answer it.

“Yes. She was not so easily agreeable before--” I stopped, looking into Luna’s steady eyes. She was regal even sitting at a table to eat. I bowed slightly. “Forgive me, your Highness.”

“Cloud Twist, there is nothing to be forgiven. Thou art my Companion. Thou art allowed to speak thy mind to me when asked a question.”

I kept my silence, continuing my meal. Luna sighed across from me.

“Keep in mind this, Cloud Twist. Celestia’s victory over me was necessary, but hollow. Dost thou not think that she has not acquired some wisdom over a thousand year span? She is not the same princess thou once knew. The passage of time that thou did not mark, was marked by me and my sister. We have grown from this, and thou must adjust thy thinking to suit. There is no other way for thee.”

“Yes, my princess,” I responded, my voice hoarse. Battle maneuvers had been an easy thing. This? This was something else entirely.

“This evening, before court, I would like for thee to do me a study,” the princess changed the subject abruptly, taking a bite of her star flower salad.

“Majesty?”

“I would have thee get to know my royal guard. Captain Shield Wright has proven himself most reliable and honest thus far, however, I know little about the rest of the uniforms I oversee. I trust thee more than any other, Cloud, and I would receive thine input on this matter. I trust that such a thing would not be a chore for thee?”

“Nay, Majesty. T’would be a pleasure, indeed,” I smiled broadly.

Chapter 6 - Revelations

“As you can see the Ursas in the caverns to the west will most certainly have to be relocated,” a cream-colored pony stated, tapping a map with a forehoof. I found her annoying.

“The Ursa that dwell in that region cannot be relocated,” Princess Luna’s voice carried through the private reception hall. It wasn’t the royal shout that I remembered from before; apparently modern ponies had more sensitive sensibilities. I had to admit that it was certainly easier on the ears. Before the annoying cream pony could interrupt, Luna continued. “The caves in that region are the only caves that produce star-coal, which the Ursa feed on. Other Ursa colonies will not support the added numbers of these.”

The cream pony gaped at the princess. “But, Your Highness, I’ve already invested so much time into the plans for this. And we have the equipment ready to install.”

Luna regarded her with a steady gaze. “Thou shall have to install thine equipment elsewhere. The Ursa cannot be moved. Anypony found attempting such a deed shall be punished. You are dismissed, Ms. Gedda.”

The pony stood in place, blinking as though she could not believe her ears, before being ushered out of the way by a servant. Another pony, this time a unicorn, quickly took the cream pony’s place and began another dialog with the Princess of the Night.

I sat beside and slightly behind the princess. I eyed the crowd in the small reception hall. It looked as though the swarm of ponies even went outside the door. Princess Luna would definitely have to think about holding general court in the main throne room soon. This small reception hall was no match for the great numbers of ponies here this night. Where had all of the ponies been yesterday when I sought audience with my princess?

“That will be all for now. I shall return anon, when the moon enters the third quarter, for those who still seek audience,” Luna’s voice broke my thoughts. There were various statements of displeasure through the crowd, but Luna turned to leave anyway, I slipped in behind her, and we both retreated through a doorway behind a curtain at the head of the room.

I followed my princess through a winding back hallway. We climbed several flights of stairs before the hall ended abruptly in a blank wall. To the right, was a large window opening to a short balcony. Princess Luna’s horn glowed as she used her magic to throw the doors wide and stepped out into the cold night air. She turned back to me.

“Wouldst thou join me for a flight?” Her eyes, large and clear, were unreadable as ever. I could never tell what she was thinking. She always took me by surprise.

“Happily, my princess,” I replied eagerly. It had apparently been over a thousand years since I had last flown through the sky. The prospect was a heady one.

“Come.” With the simple command, she leapt gracefully into the night sky, flying briskly away from the castle. I was right behind her, my wings stretching wide.

Luna flew straight ahead. Did she have a destination in mind? I didn’t know. There was no telling. It didn’t matter. The freedom of flying was intoxicating. The feeling of the wind filling my wings, the comfortable ruffle of my feathers. I yearned to dart ahead of Princess Luna, racing her across the sky. But that would be impolite; one didn’t outdistance a princess. Besides that, she would surely out-fly me were she so inclined. I settled for making loops as we passed over a village below.

As I arced again, I saw Luna’s form below me, matching my speed. As I descended, she came up beside me, spiraling around me as I looped. I smiled, increasing my speed and spiraling the opposite direction and doing a series of triple loops. Luna matched me again, continuing a lazy-looking spiral around me. The spiral was anything but lazy. We were going too fast for lazy. But she made it look easy, the fulgor of her hair seeming to leave a trail of sparkling stars in her wake.

We passed one another, barely a yard apart. She looked at me, head tilted with a slight smile and a questioning look on her face. I was already grinning. As I finished the loop I was in, Luna pulled ahead of me, straightening her spiral and evening out into a straight line again. I stopped my aerobatics, pulling alongside her, slightly behind.

The landscape beneath me came into better focus as we began our descent. The lay of the land seemed intimately familiar, though I could not place exactly where we were in my mind. I hadn’t been paying attention to our direction as we flew. The area was wild with vegetation and little else. Then I caught sight of a river.

The river. Memories flooded me as I saw the familiar snaking shape of the river. A river I had known for as far back as I could remember. I stopped in mid-air, hovering and looking below me in disbelief.

“What happened here? Where... where are all of the ponies?” The thoughts escaped me as I struggled to take in what I saw. Which was nothing. Nothing but the river itself, cutting through a tangle of untamed forest in every direction. “Where is the city? The villages? The main road?”

“Scattered and gone,” Luna’s voice came from my right, where she was also hovering. I didn’t remember her stopping and coming back to me, but my attention was obviously elsewhere. She continued, her voice subdued, “After the war, Celestia felt it best to leave our castle. Establish a new center in the attempt to banish the old memories and any hard feelings that were left behind. Many ponies from the city and villages along the river followed her to Canterlot. Slowly, their numbers dwindled until they could no longer keep back the forest. The stragglers were eventually forced to leave as well and the forest did what forests will do; take over.”

“But... my village...” I choked on the words. I had grown up along this river, a small village to the south of Zapple City and the Castle of the Two Sisters. Now there was nothing. No sign that a village had ever even been present along the banks of the river, nor a large metropolis city. Nothing stood except trees and other vegetation.

I blinked back the sudden tears that sprang to my eyes. Certainly, I knew that things would be different after the banishment, but this? I had never imagined that the whole of what I had known my entire life would be gone, as though it had never existed at all. Since I had first awoken and Heart Charmer told me how much time had passed, I had a half-formed plan to come back to my village when time allowed and see if there were any distant relatives still here. I could see now that such a plan was pointless. There was no village to return to. Where would I look for relatives now?

A timber wolf howled below us, breaking the silence of my thoughts.

“Come.” The command was softly spoken before Luna began moving forward again, in the direction I now recognized as toward the old castle. Her speed was decidedly slower now.