Luna's Lament

***Luna's Lament

Chapter 2: The Leader of the Troupe

By: Clue Tzes***

Twilight and her friends made haste for the train, quickly climbing aboard and finding seats. The conductor watched them all get on, yawning quietly. He wasn’t used to late-night runs, especially those demanded by Celestia herself. He closed his eyes and pondered what the rush could be, but before he got too far in his thought he heard the angry voice of the purple unicorn that had climbed on. She was screaming at him to stop sleeping and get the train rolling. Such manners… he thought to himself, I understand Princess Celestia called for you, but that doesn’t mean you snap on me for being tired… He turned and trotted into the front car of the train, pushing up on a lever and getting it on its way.

Twilight sat there, fuming at the conductor’s poor way of acting, “How can some ponies be so uncaring!”

Applejack yawned quietly, her hat covering her messy mane, “Well sug’, ya gotta think,” she yawned again, “It’s nearly one in the mornin’.”

“Even the owls were barely awake when you c-came and got us,” Fluttershy told her.

“We don’t even know what all the fuss is about yet, unless you just haven’t told us,” Rarity said, giving Twilight a tired, yet condescending look, remnants of her nightly facial mask still visible.

“I’m not entirely sure myself, all I know is the guard said Celestia was crying when she told him to come get us,” she turned her gaze to the floor of the train, saddened by the thought of her mentor’s despair.

“Well, maybe it won’t be that bad… What if she just spilled milk and we’re there to clean it up? Of course there’d be no point crying over it because it’s just spilled milk!” Pinkie excitedly said, bouncing around the train car.

“At least one of you is awake with me,” Twilight mused.

“I’m not awake by choice, but by force,” Pinkie told her with a large smile, “I have insomnia and when I can’t sleep I get hyper!”

Rainbow Dash groaned from the luggage rack above the seats, her tail dangling down near them, “Then let those of us who can sleep do it.”

Pinkie eyed the tail, wonderment in her eyes before she leapt at it, grabbing and pulling down on it shouting, “DING DONG!”

Rainbow Dash cried out as she was pulled from her spot above and crashed hard into the ground, “Pinkie! What the hay!” she screamed at her pink friend.

“Sorrrrryyyy Dashie, at least you’re awake now!” she smiled back innocently.

Rainbow growled and dove at Pinkie, tackling and looking down at her, “Do it again and you’ll wake up to a prank every morning for a year!”

Pinkie’s eyes brightened and widened as she leaned up and hugged Dash, “Do you mean it?! You’re the greatest!”

Twilight sighed quietly, watching everything unfold before losing interest halfway through, “Aren’t you used to getting up early Applejack?”

Applejack rolled her eyes and sighed, hidden by the tilted hat she wore, “Ah do get up early, but not this early Twi’.”

“Oh, my bad,” Twilight looked away embarrassed, the irritation in Applejack’s voice not well-hidden.

“Psst! Dear, you can come back here with me if you wish for more,” she looked over at Applejack, “Polite conversation.”

“Say what ya want Rarity, I’d argue but I’d rather get some shut-eye in before the Princess has us do somethin’ for her. Might clean off that facial mask too while you’re at it,” Applejack said with a slight chuckle before turning away and going to sleep

Rarity grunted in anger but looked back to Twilight, smiling once more, “As I said, I’m more than capable of staying awake if you need it. Speaking of staying awake, where’s Spikey at?”

Twilight trotted back in the car, stepping over the now-sleeping Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie and taking the seat next to her white unicorn friend, “I decided it wasn’t worth the trouble to bother waking him up fifteen times just to get him out of bed, so I let him sleep.”

“That was quite kind of you dear.”

“I almost woke Angel, but he has a n-nasty temper in the morning so I figured it best if I left a few carrots and a note,” Fluttershy said from the seat behind them.

“You’re still awake Fluttershy? I’d have thought you of all ponies would be tired, aside from Applejack of course,” Rarity said, slight worry in her voice.

“No, it’s fine really, I’m used to being woken up at all hours of the night. A-after all, not all animals are awake in the day,” she reminded her.

“True, Opalescence was off on a nightly hunt when I left. I think we can safely assume those two,” she motioned towards Pinkie and Rainbow who were now cuddling, “Left their pets at home.”

“Doesn’t Gummy hang out in Pinkie’s mane?” Twilight asked.

“Let’s hope he didn’t tonight. I don’t think I could stand the thought of that thing latching onto me out of nowhere,” Rarity said, slightly shivering.

Twilight chuckled to herself and leaned back in the seat. What could’ve been so urgent that Celestia would call them so early in the morning? Or was it night… Wait… It WAS the nighttime, but Celestia should’ve been asleep, Twilight began thinking, so if Celestia is calling for us and not Luna… Then that means… “Something must be wrong with Princess Luna!” Twilight shouted in realization, quickly covering her mouth as she realized everypony else had fallen asleep. “I might as well rest up too… Still have about two hours until we even get there…” She leaned her seat back and closed her eyes, getting as comfortable as possible before drifting off into sleep.

The train jerked to a hard stop an hour and a half after, sending everypony in a seat flying forward. They all grumbled and got to their hooves, still in a groggy state. Rainbow Dash woke up from the sound, finding herself in Pinkie’s embrace¬ and quickly tugging away. “We finally here?” she said, a small yawn distorting her voice.

“I-I think so...” Twilight responded, peeking out the window only to be greeted by a pitch black view, “Or not…? Let me go ask the conductor,” she began moving up the aisle, stumbling and tumbling as she did.

“Been hittin’ some of the wrong kinds of cider there sug’?” Applejack asked, watching her friend.

“Just haven’t really slept in a few days is all,” she awkwardly giggled, walking muzzle first into the door and falling back onto her plot.

“A few days!? Are you loco in the coco Twi? Even I can’t stay up that long; well, there was this one time where I partied soooo hard and drank WAYYYY too much punch and had enough sugar to make Fluttershy into what I am right now and I didn’t sleep for a whole month!” she said, all in one breath.

“Why haven’t you dear? That’s not the healthiest thing for your complexion… or mind for that matter,” Rarity asked, ignoring the rambling Pinkie Pie.

“Celestia has been giving us incredibly hard tasks lately, and I just wanna make sure I’m prepared for the next task by studying as much as I can… Now give me a hug you!” Twilight said to the seat next to her, wrapping her hooves around it.

Pinkie Pie leaned against a seat, laughing and snorting, “I’m really liking this Twilight more than the awake one!”

“Uhh… Somepony else go check with the conductor… We don’t need Twilight asking the wrong thing, er pony…” Rainbow Dash suggested, stifling a laugh.

“Come on Fluttershy, let’s go figure out where in Equestria we are right now,” Rarity said, dragging the half-sleeping pegasus with her magic.

“N-no Angel, momma wants to sleep…” she mumbled as Rarity dragged her through the door.

“Pardon me,” Rarity said, approaching the conductor from behind, “Why have we stopped?”

He turned around and gave her a worried look, “Your guess is as good as mine… We’re only about a ten minute walk from Canterlot though, so it isn’t as bad as it could’ve been. I’ll hoof it with you and your group on one condition.”

“What condition would that be?” Rarity asked, using her magic to stand Fluttershy next to her.

“Keep that purple unicorn quiet and we’ll be fine. I know my way from here so I’ll meet you in the other car in five or so minutes.”

Rarity dragged Fluttershy back through, sending a jolt of magic through her, causing her to shriek and jump awake, “AHH! I-I’m sorry!” she squealed loudly, hiding behind a seat.

“My apologies dear, you just needed to wake up. We’re going to need quite a bit of help getting to Canterlot from here,” Rarity said, filling her in on the situation as they crossed back.

Pinkie had tied strings to the now-sleeping Twilight’s hooves and head, the other ends in the respective positions on Rainbow Dash who was flying above in a standing position. She walked through the sky towards the returning pair, Twilight mimicking the movements and staying upright the whole way, “So what’s the news?” Rainbow Dash asked.

“Uhh… We have to er… W-walk from here, but the conductor’s going to help us. So your little contraption-” Rarity began with a frightened look but was cut off.

“It’s MY contraption thank you!” Pinkie jutted in.

“Sorry, but have fun with it because we’re walking through this darkness.”

“We can’t even see out the windows! How in the hay are we gonna walk?” Applejack asked.

“With these,” the conductor said, coming out with a saddle-satchel of headlamps, “Strap one on and let’s get go-” he stopped short seeing Twilight tied to Rainbow Dash, “Do I even want to ask?”

Rarity simply shook her head no and lit the end of her horn, “Shall we then?”

Everypony nodded, all equipped with the headlamps, and began following Rarity as she led the way out into the night. The darkness around Canterlot was at an extreme as they made their way along the tracks. Once or twice one of them would stumble and scream, mainly Fluttershy, and everypony stopped, immediately shining the light in that direction. Finally, they found the entrance to the city and made their way into the shopping district. Here the darkness stopped and everything seemed normal, even when looking back the way they came they could see clearly. It still looked off to Rarity though, her eye for detail kicking in.

“Tell me, would we still be able to see the train from here?” Rarity asked the conductor.

“Hmm, well I suppose we should be able to since it’s practically a straight shot; why do you ask?”

“Well, I can’t…” Rarity pointed down the tracks they had just walked, no train in sight for a few miles.

Rainbow Dash, and Twilight by force, rubbed the back of their manes in confusion, “Why does it matter? Maybe it’s some sort of protection thing… Like at the wedding.”

“M-maybe we could ask Celestia?” Fluttershy wondered, turning back towards the castle.

“I suppose you’re right Fluttershy, let’s keep going then,” Rarity commanded.

After a quick trot through the town they made it to the courtyard gates where a night-guard with a brown coat was waiting, “State your business,” he demanded.

“Twilight and her friends here to see Princess Celestia!” Pinkie shouted, bouncing around the guard, “We’re the friends… She’s fallen asleep,” she whispered, jabbing a hoof in Twilight’s direction.

The guard kept spinning, trying to follow the pink mare circling him, “Sh-she is expecting y-you all s-so…” he trailed off, falling to the ground dazed, “Go on ahead, I th-think I’m going t-to be sick…”

“Sorry bout Pinkie sir, she’s uh… unique,” Applejack smiled at the guard, moving past him with the rest of her friends.

After a few more minutes of walking, they finally found themselves at the throne room, crossing the long hall to Celestia who stood facing away from them and gazing out a window, “You called for us Princess?” Rarity began, giving a slight bow.

“Yes, there are grave matters at hoof and our kingdom is split once more. I fear this time for good unless things are done quickly, which is why I called you si-” Celestia turned, facing the troupe behind her. Her eyes immediately darted to Twilight and Rainbow Dash, “I-uh…”

Applejack sighed, “We’ll explain later, as you were sayin’?”

Celestia still looked puzzled, her eyes slightly red from crying, “O-of course… My little sister, Princess Luna, has fled the kingdom.”

“Fled the kingdom?!?! But why?!” Twilight shouted, snapping awake and causing everypony to jump and Fluttershy to dart behind Rarity.

“Twilight! Don’t do that! You scared some of us half to death…” Rarity scolded, running a hoof over Fluttershy’s mane.

“I’m sorry, I’m trying to stay awake,” she stopped to yawn, unaware that one of her hooves were slowly rising, “Don’t worry though, I’ll be fine. Just give me a few…” The raising hoof came into view now and Twilight looked at it with a dumbfounded look, “Why are there ropes on me?”

“We had to get you here somehow… So Pinkie came up with this awesome rigging,” Rainbow Dash told her, trying to hold back laughter.

Much to Rainbow Dash’s dismay, Twilight yanked the ropes from around her and walked to Celestia’s side, “So what do we need to do?”

“I ask you to join with me in searching for her across Equestria,” Celestia told them.

Twilight took on a shocked expression, “Y-you’re going too? But what about the kingdom, who will watch over it?!”

“You did reform Discord keep in mind. I believe this will be his own test to prove once and for all he’s good now,” she explained in confidence.

Twilight reluctantly sighed, yawning at the same time, "Are you seriously giving Discord control of the kingdom?"

"Well, if things go wrong, he can't very well do anything to the elements can he?"

Twilight nodded, remembering the protection spell Celestia had cast after Discord’s first attempt at taking the kingdom for his own nearly a year prior, "When do we leave?"

Celestia thought for a moment, "I was hoping as soon as possible, but seeing as how most of you seem like you're ready to collapse, it can wait until morning. But don't expect to do much sleeping in.” She looked to the train conductor who had remained silent most of the time, “You will stay as well, for wherever we end up tomorrow will be reached easiest by train.”

“As you wish Princes,” the conductor said with a slight bow.

“Thank you…” Celestia trailed off.

“I-it’s Smoke Stack Princess,” he told her.

“Ah, well thank you Smoke Stack and you will be rewarded handsomely for your services. As for the rest of you, was there anything else?”

“Actually Princess, there was one minor thing we needed to tell you before we go,” Rarity began, “It seems that somepony, possibly Luna, has cast a spell around Canterlot.”

Celestia raised an eye, “What exactly is the spell doing?”

“Well, when looking outside from within it, it’s almost as if it’s just a picture of the area around Canterlot… We couldn’t see the train we came in on, despite knowing we should’ve been able to. But the worst part is being close to Canterlot without being inside, it’s almost pitch black out there and without a suitable light you won’t be getting anywhere. We also believe that spell is why the train broke down, unless reason is found otherwise…”

“Alright, thank you Rarity. I’ll look into the spell before bed and let you all know what I find in the morning.”

“Much appreciated Princess; now if you’ll excuse me, I really need to finish my beauty sleep,” Rarity finished, yawning and staggering towards the nearest doors.

“Guards, show them to their quarters please."

The guards came, escorting the stallion and four mares and dragging the tired Rarity, Twilight staying behind, off into another hall. Each went into their room, immediately flopping, or being tossed in Rarity’s case, onto the bed asleep. Back in the throne room, Twilight looked up to Celestia, watching a tear roll down her cheek as she gazed at the night sky.

"Princess," Twilight whispered, "It's going to be okay in the end... I promise we will find her."

"She doesn't mean to be taken back easily..." Celestia whispered back, passing Twilight the note Luna left behind.

After glancing over it, Twilight's look turned to worry, "Wow... She was really serious about this. Well, I guess it'll take some talking to get her back. And when the time comes, I'll do what I do best... Lecture her again! But a nice lecture about how we need her..." Twilight looked to Celestia, hoping to bring something close to happiness or laughter to her, but with no avail.

"Twilight, I'm joining you on this, but understand while we search you will be the leader and your friends and I will follow your command. Consider this a surprise test in your lessons. I want you to take this as seriously as you do your schooling, understood?" Celestia asked in a serious tone, keeping her gaze outside.

"Yes Princess... I swear to you I will be diligent and focused the whole time. Where will I be sleeping tonight?"

"You can have Luna's room... Maybe being in there will give you something of an idea of where to look. Follow me."

Twilight followed Celestia to the room, walking in nervously and getting comfortable in the Night Princess' bed. After Celestia bade her good night and left, she arose from the bed and began to look around the room.

Celestia silently made her way back to her chambers, walking past a few confused looking night guards still unaware of Luna's disappearance. She walked into her room, locking the door behind her and making her way to an open window. She gazed at the outer edges of the town then closed her eyes and focused her magic. The spell was easily undone, and provided her with a good clue as to Luna’s destination.

She sighed, “There’s an even larger chance than before now, but even then, so much room for error…” Celestia crawled into her bed, pulling the covers around her tightly with her magic and began to cry herself to sleep.

Twilight cautiously made her way to the door and locked it, not wanting a guard to walk in on her rummaging through Luna’s things. As an extra precaution she cast a light-hoofed spell on herself, letting her walk silently. There we go, now where do I begin? Twilight looked around the room once more, admiring the dark blue surroundings that inspired a sense of calm into her, and walked to the vanity where the note had been found. She checked through each of the doors, finding only spare shoes and mane-ties. She sighed, hating fashion some, and looked at herself in the mirror. She leaned in closer, her reflection seeming off as she nearly kissed the mirror, and then pulled back. Focusing her magical strength, she slowly pulled the vanity away from the wall, revealing a hole hidden behind it in the shape of the mirror.

Lighting her horn, Twilight gazed inside, finding numerous documents scattered inside the hollow space. Among these she found pictures of Luna smiling with other ponies, all of which were smiling with their hooves around her.

“They were her friends?” Twilight assumed, looking through the letters for confirmation.

The letters were constantly thanking her with immense kindness, kindness Luna hadn’t been shown since before her 1,000 year banishment to the moon. Twilight picked up one of the letters and began thoroughly reading it.

Dear Princess Luna,

Thank you for a most wonderful evening. We all really enjoyed you taking time from your nightly duties to hang out with us common ponies! Your friendship is an amazing honor we are privileged to return! Feel free to return anytime for we will always be welcoming to you for generations to come!

-With love,

Your friends from Manehattan

The letter was from a little less than 1,100 years ago and obviously held in high regard with the others. Twilight put the letter down and put everything else back in its place. She stood there for a moment, letting the pieces click together in her mind. Luna used to be held in high regard, loved by a lot more ponies than today and Celestia had told her of Luna's issues, but it never occurred to Twilight how things were for her before she was Nightmare Moon. Now she saw a reason for Luna's disappearance and possibly a place to start. She crawled back into the regal bed and lied there for a few minutes, lost in stunned thought, before finally drifting asleep.

End Chapter 2