//-------------------------------------------------------// Fire & Ice -by Supernova_Explosion- //-------------------------------------------------------// //-------------------------------------------------------// The Witching Hour //-------------------------------------------------------// The Witching Hour Twilight Hour, The end of a day under the sunny rule of Celestia where she put the sun to rest for another evening before her sister raised the moon to guard over Equestria at night. Celestia had just completed her duty as she finished lowering the sun. She smiled to herself as the last glimpse of it's golden rays slipped away. She nodded to Luna and then wandered into the palace to allow Luna her space to raise the moon. It's last rays were fading fast, the rosy pink painting the horizon quickly being replaced by the bruised blue and purple of a clear evening. This was Luna's moment. Inhaling the cool, crisp, evening air deeply, she began slowly raising the moon. It was a new moon. The tiniest sliver of a silver smile in the night sky. Steadily the moon rose until it had reached it's resting place for the night, then Luna began painting the sky with stars: Large and unblinking supernovas, tiny, twinkling stars that seemed to Luna like dancers, and all other stars in between. Stars were a secret favourite of Luna's. There was something mysterious and tragic about the way they danced and seemed always out of reach, to even her, the princess of the night, who knew the moon as well as she knew herself knew only that she could move the stars and nothing else of them. Luna felt that perhaps the stars were not a part of her. That they seemed to have a purpose and life of their own. She felt that nopony owned the night. It was almost as if they were like a bird. Wild and free. Not something to be tampered with or tamed. At least not by her. And if not by her, the princess of the night. Then by whom? No. The stars were things that belonged to nopony. Looking up at her beautiful sky, Luna placed one last dancing star and then proceeded to doing her night fly, visiting the sleeping colts and fillies, soothing their nightmares and bringing with her warm, happy dreams on a light breeze. It was Luna's job, along with bringing the night, to ensure that all of the ponies in Equestria were soothed in their sleep. That they were protected in their dreams from the mosters in their minds that plagued them. As Luna continued her journey over Equestria, she passed Fillydelphia, Appaloosa, Manehatten and eventually reached the end of her flight at the edge of the Everfree forest. Here, she slowed, stalled and came to a smooth landing in a barely-lit, quiet, clearing. She loved this part of Equestria. It was so still and serene. Bathed only in the silver light of the moon with no lights from the larger towns, no dreams came to this part of Equestria either. To others it was a dangerous and lonely place. To Luna it was a haven and this was were Luna came to reflect. She walked for a while, taking to some time to revel in the majesty of her glorious night. She did not understand how so many ponies could not see the mysterious beauty of the night. The night afforded so many things day could not. It allowed a pony to reach into the very depths of their own soul. Allowed them to see the beauty of their secret selves that every pony had but few knew how to reach. She felt particularly strongly about this tonight. There was something different about this night however. Something was different about it, something she did not understand. She was the Princess of the night! She dominated any changes, she created the differences! But not this night. And it bothered her. Just as she came to the end of her musings, Luna reached a small lake, not more then a pond really, and as she stepped to the waters, she sang a high, quiet melody that matched the dancing rythm of the stars. A few moments later, A white unicorn with a free flowing pearl coloured mane and tail with a deep purple and gold moonflower cutie mark appeared followed by a Sea blue pegasus with a slightly darker, ragged and haphazard mane and tail and a firefly cutie mark. 'Good evening Moonflower, Evening Nightlight' Greeted Luna 'How does it fare with my most two loyal subjects?' 'Good evening princess' Adressed Moonflower,bowing low. 'I have no complaints, the moonflowers are blossoming beautifully, They are almost ready for the summer equinox' 'Excellent' Smiled Luna 'And what about you Nightlight?' 'I too am content' smiled the pegasus 'My night flight practice has been going well, I have almost completed my lesson on galaxy clouds. And may I compliment you on a beautiful sky this evening.' 'Thank you Nightlight' murmerd Luna The conversation regarding the general state of evening affairs continued for some time before the Princess and her two companions eventually began to settle down into their routine of general nightime merriment. This meeting was a monthly occurance. A time where Luna taught other night ponies, ponies, who like her, revelled in and thrived in the misunderstood beauty of darkness. This was where she groomed them to be her companions and confidants of the night. A time where she too learned new things of the night but most of all a time where Luna could be herself without the pressure of being a Princess. She too was a pony afterall. This night, however, as Luna had sensed was not an ordinary night and at what must have just been past what she called the witching hour, something extraordinary happened. Author's Note Characters in this chapter: -Luna -Moonflower: Moonflower is a unicorn of my own invention, she is white in coat colour with a pearl mane and tail and a Moonflower Cutiemark. Her Unicorn ability is to grow and utilize the properties of the moonflower, a magical plant that can only thrive in the moonlight and whose magic must be enhanced by that of a unicorn with the gift for it to be effective. In my story, the Moonflowers properties are: It can heal, it has the ability to expose unknown magics and it is also one of the ingredients in an uncomplete youth serum. -Nightlight: Nightlight is a blue Pegasus pony with a firefly Cutiemark. She is similar to most Pegasi with no particular outstanding ability with the exception of she loves to and can fly exceptionally well at night or in the darkness. I have made her a wonderbolt in training, under Luna's request to better her flying skills, based on her ability to fly in the dark. However this will not play a large role in the story. -Witching hour: An old/alternative name for midnight. This chapter is somewhat of a prologue. The story will develop with time. Have mercy. I have not written in years and fanfiction even less so. //-------------------------------------------------------// Unexpected Surprise //-------------------------------------------------------// Unexpected Surprise Just before midnight, Luna and her two subjects, Moonflower and Nightlight were gathered around their usual meeting spot discussing, learning and usually socialising. This particular night, their discussion progressed towards Moonflower's grove of her namesake plant and it's medicinal and magical uses. 'I tested a tiny amount of pure moonflower serum on a few creatures with various ailments, A hare with a sniffle was cured, and I observed that a mouseling with an injured paw healed at a faster rate then what is usual for a mouse. There is definately something about the blossom that can be tapped to increase healing' Moonflower finished off her sentence by presenting a moonflower to the princess 'Perhaps princess, your powers can unlock the secrets to the blossom that I can not.' 'Nay Moonflower, we all know that the moonflower is your forte. However, I do believe that there is something in the moonflower that could be useful in another field of study I have at the palace.' Luna picked up the beautiful purple and gold blossom and stored it in a tiny pouch that she had hidden inside her breastplate. She then rose and waded into the pond until she was hock high in the cool, crystal water. The warm evening allowed for a swim. An activity Luna thoroughly enjoyed. First Nightlight and then Moonflower followed Luna into the water, Nightlight dipping her wings, then extending them into elegant arches, allowing the water roll off of her wings in tiny streams. The three mares swam, splashed and frolicked merrily in the cool water. Laughing as midnight drew nearer. Nightlight had just dunked Moonflower under the water when it happened. From the West, came a brilliant stream of light, carrering wildly, towards the three mares in the pond. All three stared in horror as what appeared to be a blazing fireball flew directly at them. Then suddenly, just as Luna was about to scream at her two companions to submerge themselves in the water to be protected from burns, the fireball spiralled off course and crashed into the ground in a haze of grass, dust and smoke 300 meters away from the three mares. Luna, being both a royal, and a naturally inquisitive pony, waded out of the stream and started towards the spot where the fireball had landed. 'Princess, do you really think it is safe to go towards that thing?' Questioned Moonflower 'We don't know if it is a dangerous object, of what harm it could be to us.' 'There is a possibility of danger Moonflower, However, you ought to have learned by now, that by avoiding the object of your fear, especially if you know not what it is that you fear, will only increase your fear of it. Besides, you ought to also know that it is my royal duty to ensure that all the ponies in Equestria are kept safe from harm from things that may happen in the night. And if I am correct, It is still night.' And without any further explanation then that, Luna continued forward. Nightlight and the now sullen, rebuffed uniorn, close behind. As Luna approached the small hole that had been created by the fire ball, she was surprise to see that the object was smaller then what she had expected her. The object itself however. Was the biggest surprise of all. As the princess peeked over the rim of the miniscule crater, her eyes widened in shock to see, not a blazing ball of rock as she had expected, but a foal lying in the ground. A young, grey, pegasus foal with a silver mane. Author's Note I know this chapter is a little haphazard... But hey... Writers block is being mean. I have the end in mind, but the story is being developed as I go. In this chapter, you are being introduced to the subject of the Story. Advancing Star: Star is a Pegasus Filly, of grey coat colour and with a silver mane and tail with varying shades of silver. //-------------------------------------------------------// Luna's Duty //-------------------------------------------------------// Luna's Duty As Luna stared, sided by her two companions, contemplating the perculiar sight before her, the little foal began to stir. At first it was tiny flutterings of her wings, then a stretch of her legs and then finally, she opened her eyes. They, like her mane, were a brilliant silver, with the exception of a few golden flecks dashed haphazardly in them. The filly, slowly sat up, stretched her wings, and then turned to face the three, still flabberghasted mares. She observed them silently each in turn, with a bright spark of intelligence in her silvery gaze. After what must have been five minutes, but what felt like must have been an infinate amount of time, the minute filly stood up, shook herself off, and scrambled out of the hole. As she did so, the three, still silent mares, scrambled back, still unsure of what to make of the little creature before them. The filly, now out of the hole, stared for a few seconds longer at the mares, then, spying Luna's Cutie Mark, hobbled towards her on shaky knees. 'Ama!' Exclaimed the little filly in excitement 'Ama, ama, Mama!!!' At first Luna was taken aback, her wings extended to their full length in shock. 'No... no little one' She stammered 'I am not your mama' 'Mama!' Insisted the little filly as she frowned. She was rather annoyed now. She knew what she wanted to say, but her tiny, undeveloped foal body would not allow her to express the words so clearly formed in her mind. 'Princess?' Questioned the two mares alongside Luna 'Is she yours?' 'Where did she come from?' 'Who's the father?' 'What's her name?' The questions flew at Luna like arrows, all too many at once. 'Silence!!!' Boomed Luna in the double, royal Canterlot voice. Her shock getting the better of her. 'I don't know who she is, where she came from, nor who her father is. And I am certainly not her mother!. The filly, who had been gazing up at Luna, decided that now was the point to intervene. If these silly mares could not put it together herself, she would have to show them. 'Mama.' She stated simply, pointing at Luna's cutie mark with her hoof. She then pointed to herself, and then up at the evening sky. 'Are you saying I am your mama because you fell from the sky?' Questioned Luna The filly pondered on this for a minute, shrugged slightly and then nodded her head. She would have to make do with this arrangement of understanding until her body caught up with her mind. Luna's wings lowered as she assesed the situation. 'Well' She said, Adressing her two companions, 'We can't just leave her here. I will take her back to the Castle and see what my sister has to say of this. You two will accompany me to look after this little one until we have settled what is happening. Nightlight, will you be able to carry Moonflower all the way back to Canterlot?' 'Yes princess.' 'Good. Then let us be off' Said Luna, lifting the filly onto her back and spreading her wings. Nightlight lifted Moonflower, and the three mares and their tiny companion, who stared around her in wonderment began their flight back to the castle. Author's Note Okay I made Advancing Star mentally the age of say the CMC. However because of her strange existence which will be explained later, she is still in the body of a young foal and as such has the physical capabilities of one. So she as of yet, can not express herself with cohesive speech. However she will mature faster physically then typical colts and fillies. //-------------------------------------------------------// The Elementals //-------------------------------------------------------// The Elementals Luna began to enjoy having the little filly around after a few days. The little grey mare, at this point still unnamed to everyone, was full of energy, intelligent and reminded Luna on a regular basis, through her actions to smile. Luna's most favorite thing about the filly was that, like Luna, she seemed to be a night owl. She spent hours a day napping and far more time playing around at night. Whether this was because she had adjusted herself to Luna's way of life, or she was just inherently a night wanderer, Lun did not know, nor did she care. She simply delighted in what was. A few weeks later, in the precense of both sisters, in the royal library, the filly finally found her tongue and managed to relate her tale to the to sisters, who, enraptured by the find and the events thus far. paid her mind, eager to hear where exactly this little one had come from. The little filly was reading a book on stars, and the sisters were looking on and conversing when the little mare cleared her throat, demanding attention. 'What is it little one? Are you alright?' Questioned Luna 'Yes. I'm fine.' Replied the filly The royal sisters' eyes widened. The filly's words were clear and enunciated, not a young foals words. Had the filly been able to talk all along? Why hadn't she said anything? 'My name is Advancing Star' said the filly 'I have been waiting for so long to be able to speak. I apologise for taking so long princesses, my foal body had to catch up with me.' 'Wha... How... Where are you from? Who are you and how did you get here?' Stuttered Luna 'Like I said, I am Advancing Star' Said the filly quietly 'And I have searched for you for many moons princesses. I am an Element pony, a pony born of two Elemental beings, However, I am the result of a forbidden act. Elemental ponies are forbidden to form bonds, more so if the result in the creation of new life. The council had kept me as a charge, but I was chased away from the council after trying to find out who my parents were. You see I was different, because I was born out of love, unlike the elementals, I inherently want love and family, things Elementals should not, may not have. I was banished to the corners of the universe to a life time of solitude, but I am a young Elemental and lost control of my flight as I passed your planet and came crashing down' 'You poor little pony.' Murmured Luna quietly 'How can it be that we have not heard of you, who are the elementals and what do they do?' Questioned Celestia Gently, she felt a flicker of empathy for the small filly, but this new life was unbeknownst to her and she had to know as much as possible to protect her planet and Ponies. 'There are Elementals all in all, it is their job to maintain balance of the elements in the universe this is why they may not have bonds, reproduction creates new elements and that could be a grave danger if two of the wrong elements were to pair. These Elements are: Water, Fire, Wind, Rock, Darkness, Light, Love, Hate, War, Peace and Life' The filly paused to see if the two sisters were following her explanation, when Celestia nodded, she continued 'I am the product of Darkness and Light, My Father is the Element of Darkness, My mother of light, their elements are so conflicting that they didn't think that anything could come of it, that her light would cancel out his darkness, yet here I am. You see Princess Luna, this is why I needed to attatch to you, I saw your mark and realised, that you, like me, are of a balance of Light and Darkness.' The two regal sisters were quiet as they pondered Star's last sentence. Celestia frowned deep in thought. It was after all a lot of information to take in. In her Millennia of ruling Equestria she had never come across anything from out of her world that was sentient and it baffled her. Luna on the other hand understood perfectly. She had found a kindred spirit in the little grey mare and it was her responsibility as a mare of the night to raise her so that she could rise back to her place in the heavens one day. Luna felt that she, after all, must have some secret and special purpose just as Luna had. Even when she had felt insignificant. Author's Note Next Chapter is in the future //-------------------------------------------------------// The Castle //-------------------------------------------------------// The Castle Luna, the grey filly, and their two companions reached Canterlot Castle just as dawn was beginning to break. The sky was a fuzzy grey, with just a hint of rose peeking over the horizon signaling to Luna that her sister was just about to raise the sun. She circled the castle grounds once and then swooped smoothly down to land on the outdoor terrace that led into her personal chambers, followed closely by Nightlight and Moonflower. She opened the door to her room and led her two loyal followers inside. Once there, she deposited the grey filly, who had fallen asleep shortly before they had reached the castle, onto her bed and covered her with a dark, fleece blanket. She silently observed the filly for a few seconds before turning to face her friends. 'Nightlight, once my sister has finished raising the sun, please could you summon her here and tell her it is of most dire importance. Moonflower, would you please see to it that breakfast is sent up here. I'm not sure what young foals are supposed to be eating, but I assume that because this one is walking she can at least eat some solid food. Please ask the kitchen to prepare something sutiable for her as well' 'Yes princess' Said the pair in unison before departing in different directions to carry out Luna's requests. Once the two had departed, Luna settled herself next to the filly to wait for Celestia to arrive and possibly shed some light on this unusual occurance. Celestia arrived a few minutes later, followed by Nightlight, Moonflower and a kitchen maid mare with breakfast prepared. The kitchen mare delivered their breakfast and then departed, bowing to the two regal sisters and their guests. 'What is wrong Luna?' Questioned Celestia 'Nightlight said you had something of great importance to discuss with me?' 'Yes, I do.' Said Luna, rising from where she lay next to the foal. This action drew Celestia's attention to the now stirring tiny grey body on the bed. 'Last night, whilst on the edge of the Everfree forest, this little one crashed to earth for no apparent reason.To make matters more interesting, she seems to be under the impression that I am her mother. Other then these two pieces of information, we know nothing of her. Except that she seems to be harmless. Oh and her eyes Tia, it is the most perculiar thing, she has silver eyes'. 'I see so.' replied Celestia, looking at the foal, who now, had woken and was staring up at the two princesses with a solemn expression on her face. 'Well, it looks like until we can find out more about her, you will have to act as a guardian for her little sister' Celestia observed as the young filly fluttered off of the bed to stand between Luna's fore legs.