A nightly guardian

Chapter 7

Mourning

Lyra yawned, while laying on her bed. Her last lesson with Luna had been over a week ago, and she hadn't even seen her mentor since then. She was just nowhere to be found. Her personal study in the archives was locked, and even Celestia had no idea, or didn't want to say, where her baby sister had gone off to. Deep down, Lyra could understand that Luna needed some time to herself, since the last story she had told her, was bound to bring up unpleasant emotions. She had looked happy enough, but Lyra saw that for what it was. A mere mask. Nopony would seriously enjoy their wedding to turn into a massacre after all.

How had Zeo felt about the whole thing? Those questions haunted her pretty much each time she thought about the stories Luna had told her. She had told her many things from Zeos point of view, but nothing to deep so far. He seemed like a likable guy, but she was not to sure what to make of him. On some occasions, she thought he would definitely be a candidate for her life-long friendship, on others she couldn't help but face hoof. Had she caught him drinking each night, even if it didn't affect him, she would have smacked him over the head. Apparently humans were much more complicated then she had always thought.

Up to the point where she had started her studies with Luna, Lyra had thought they were not so much different from Ponies. Up to a certain degree she still thought so, but she had also found some behavior patterns, that were unseen with Ponies. One of the strongest of these being, to smoke. She had never seen a single Pony smoke. But just the other day she had found something in one of the books. „Cigarettes“ were mentioned AND described as quite unhealthy. Not not only that, but also addicting. Except from Pinkie Pies addiction to sweets, or Twilight Sparkles addiction to books, Lyra had yet to see another being to act upon urges of addiction.

The book she was currently reading, was one she had sneaked out of the archives. Storing something in her own body, using the phase shifting spell though, was something she could sure live without. The book had rested just under her heart, while being in a state of phase shifting. It would have only threatened her, had she lost her focus on her way to her room, but that wouldn't be a problem. By now she could use that spell without any problem. Sure.... It had been pretty embarrassing when she had lost control of it, a day after her last lesson with Luna. She had been in the bathroom by that time, and taken a shower. Just to fool around a bit, she had tried to phase shift her hoof through the wall.... The result had been screams of horror from the other side of the wall. Curious of to what was behind it, Lyra stuck her head through the wall, just to discover that her bathroom was next to the guards dressing room....

So far so good... She had apologized and tried to pull her head back, but then had slipped in her shower and fell right through the wall. At first the guards were shocked beyond good and evil, since they obviously had never seen this spell at work, but when she had picked herself up off of the ground, the laughter had started. They surely hadn't wanted to laugh at her, but she couldn't really blame them. She looked like she had fallen into the pool, and due to her wetness, the fur that usually hid her mare hood, was now hanging down limply... Galloping back to her own room, in that state, had not helped much either.

Lyra had been so shocked at being exposed, that she actually totally forgot the most logical thing to do. It hadn't been until she had slammed her rooms door behind her shut, that she face hoofed. Had she just used the spell again, she could have just stepped back through the wall, and avoided running wet maned, and apparently pretty arousing, through half the palace. Why there was no corridor that connected the part of the tower in which her and Lunas bed chambers were, to the part the guards used as barracks, she just didn't understand. To make matters worse, the incident had been brought to Celestias attention. The solar Princess had not punished her or anything, but she had been subtly hinted that her guards were quite distracted these days, and that she did not encourage such behavior....

Sighing Lyra closed the book on the world humans lived in. There were some plants and animals in there, that looked very interesting, but what had made her unable to go back to the tower without it, had been the section about human evolution. Equestria had no such thing. Nopony knew how their race came into being, and apparently nopony cared. Humans on the other hoof had gone to great length, just to find out their origins. She had hoped to find some similarities, but had found nothing.  The most interesting thing was, that humans actually were omnivores, so Luna had not stretched the truth there. Lyra could not imagine eating another being, but then again.... She already knew that there were predators in Equestria. The most intelligent ones among them, being the Griffins. Taking a look over to her nightstand, Lyra saw that it was already ten past midnight.

„So no lesson today either....“, she sighed, putting the book away, and using her magic to put out the lights.

In the Canterlot royal gardens

Luna sat in a clearing between some trees, looking up at her moon, when she felt the presence of a fellow Alicorn coming closer. These last few days, she had always relocated herself whenever that had been the case, but not tonight. Not due to lack of trying though. The golden Sphere that had suddenly come into life around her, was a dead give away that her sister was tired of her moods. It faded away the moment Celestia trotted up to the clearing, giving her an annoyed glare.

„So we are using imprisonment spells on each other now, big sister?“, Luna pouted.

„You have left me no other choice Luna. For nine days and nights now have you avoided me, and everypony else. What is the matter?“, Celestia said, a tad worried.

„I need time to think Tia. Can't you respect that?“

„All the trouble of Nightmare Moon could have been avoided, or at least delayed, had I been a little more interested in your feelings. I don't want to make the same mistake again. I don't know if I could survive it, should you turn again.“, Celestia said, while nuzzling her sisters neck.

„Don't worry Tia.... I have myself under control, and the traces left in me are harmless, unless they are reconnected with the mind that was behind them.“

„I wouldn't call something that makes you barren harmless. Also is your magical ability not what it used to be. That horn of yours, is just not meant to channel our amount of magic.... And you used to be so...“

„I know Tia... I know.... And I miss my magic. All I can do with that.... prosthetic... is basic magic. If Discord were to return these days, I'd be more useless then a teenage Unicorn. Tia... I want my horn back.“, Luna cried into her sisters shoulder.

Celestia let her cry, while stroking her back with a wing. Lunas horn had been lost over a thousand years ago.... It still was in the possession of the royal family, yet Celestia did not dare to try and attempt to put it back onto Lunas forehead. The spells needed for that, were  not beyond her, yet were there other dangers, involved with that cursed thing....

„Luna... you will have to tell her eventually....“

„I know... Celestia... But I must do so gradually. If I rush things.... my last hope could be lost.“, Luna pressed forward between sobs.

„You miss him, don't you?“

„More then you can imagine.... It's my fault... It's my f....“, she stammered, unable to say much more for the rest of the night.

The next morning

Lyra woke up slowly, when the first rays of sunlight hit her face. Still half asleep she noticed a flowery scent hanging in the air, and jolted wide awake. There, sitting right next to her bed, was Luna, smiling as if nothing had happened.

„Luna!“, she called out, before catching the Princess in an enormous hug, that would have made her friend Pinkie Pie proud. The midnight blue Alicorn endured it with dignity. She understood that it had been unfair to her student, to avoid her for so long. But today would be the day, on which she would reveal her second worst memory in her long life.

„Hey... When have you gotten so clingy?“, Luna laughed.

„You idiot! I was worried! Nopony knew where you were!“, Lyra shouted, almost directly into her mentors ears. Luna on the other hoof, let the insult slide. Lyra was more then just her student for her, and she just couldn't bring herself to act like a Princess anyway, unless it was an official event.

After some more screaming, some tears of relief, a few explanations from Luna and some more screaming later, the pair found them self in front of Lunas private study. But instead of unlocking the door, Luna paused, and looked over to the bigger door to the right.

„What's wrong Luna?“

„Ehm... Lyra... Would you... Would you like to see „his“ study today? But I must ask you to keep out of it's bedroom.“, Luna asked, throwing Lyra a serious look.

The Unicorn in question smiled widely, and nodded her head. She had been Lunas student for over two months now, and finally she would see what was in there. Not that she had not tried to get in there herself, but to no avail. Which was something she didn't understand. She had even visited Princess Celestias study once, with and once without the sun Princesses invitation.

With a heavy sigh, Luna stepped away from the door to her own study, and placed herself in front of the one emblazoned with a big „Z“.

„Lyra... I have not been in there since I came back from the moon, so I don't know what it will be like in there. The door has been sealed for over a thousand years, by my sisters magic, so not even one of the maids could get in there to clean. It could very well be, that all we will find has turned into dust.“, Luna warned, before putting her hoof onto the door. A soft blue light began to emanate from the door, before it was replaced by a golden one, that faded out as well. Lyra recognized a magical barrier when she saw one. But why hadn't she noticed it when she had tried to unlock the door herself? And... why had there been two spells that needed to be broken? The golden one, was by Celestias magic, no doubt about it, but the blue one....

„Was that...“

„Yes. That first spell was placed here by my husband himself. It was to keep Celestia out in fact. She did not approve with some of his research, so he made sure that everypony except my sister could get in. But since my magical presence has changed since those days, that spell could easily mistake me for my sister. That is why I had to break it.“

„Then why didn't Princess Celestia break it?“, Lyra asked, tilting her head in confusion.

„You do... didn't know Zeo. Had he come down here, and found his spell broken... Lets just say it would not have been pretty. My sister and him have been at it more then once. The result of their last „argument“ was that the west wing of the palace had to be rebuild. After that, they agreed to try  and not loose control of their emotions again, since that was quite expensive, considering they only fought over the usefulness of the phase shifting spell. They could get quite aggressive when they were emotional.“, Luna explained matter of factually, pushing the door open.

The inside of Zeos study was dark. There was not a single source of light inside. Luna was first to canter inside, and immediately start coughing. After she found the fireplace, and had lit it, Lyra could see the outlines of ancient looking furniture. The layout was quite different of Lunas. There was only one sofa that faced the fireplace. Or at least Lyra thought it was a sofa. The remains of it consisted mostly of rotten wood, black fabric and sawdust. Behind that stood a big table with several tools, parchments, books and some things that Lyra did not recognize. Strange enough this was the one and only furniture that was neither rotted, nor buried under a ridiculous amount of dust. The table itself looked as if it was made of wood, so Lyra was a little confused. Even more so, as she noticed that the table looked pretty strange in it self. Under it were what looked like miniature book shelfs and cupboards. They looked so small that barely one of her hooves would fit in.

Luna noticed her student staring at Zeos workplace. She chuckled.

„Never seen a preserving spell before I take it?“, Luna asked, stepping closer to the table.

Lyra just shook her head in awe. A flash of Lunas horn later, much of the dust in the room was cleared away, and the lights in the ceiling began to spring to life, illuminating a giant room. It wasn't so much the width of it, but the heights... She could see metal staircases that winded up several stories high. The stairs also seemed to be under the influence of the preservation spell, since they were not rusted in the slightest.

„How... How is this possible? This is so high it must go up into one of the castles towers!“, Lyra wondered.

Luna chuckled. „That is, my dear student, not the case. We are in fact several miles below the ground.“

„What?“

„Well... We are not even in the city you know as Canterlot. I mean... we are in Canterlot, but not the one you know.“, Luna explained, still chuckling a bit. Even so just being here awoke many memories from so long ago.

„I don't understand. There is „another“ Canterlot?“, Lyra asked, obviously not catching on.

„Well... the city you know... it's actual name is NEW Canterlot. We are currently in the original one, which is located in the part of Equestria, known to you as the Ever-free forest.“

„WHAT? We are in Ever-free? But... how?“

„The door to this place, as well as the elevators that connect our studies to the royal kitchens, are magical portals. It was pretty much easier to install them, then to try to move or destroy the archives. To destroy them, would have been impossible for Celestia on her own, since we both placed our best protection spells on this place, and so did Zeo. Her own, and maybe even mine she might have been able to break with time, but Zeos added protection was too much. She could have broken it alone, but not with the other two spells in place as well.“, Luna tried to explain.

„Ah, so like when you can easily break a branch, but if you take several branches of the same size, it suddenly becomes impossible? But... Wait... you said you crashed into Ever-free when you summoned Zeo. So if the capital was IN Ever-free....“, Lyra asked hopefully.

„Yes. Pretty much like that. Anyway, Celestia installed the portals since the knowledge down here is way to precious to be just lost. Even if she had destroyed all of it, she would have done so, using a spell to absorb all the knowledge, so it would basically not be lost. Also... Yeah... You must know Lyra, the forest was much bigger back then. You know the area in which Ponyville is now? That whole area was part of the forest back then. Sure I did crash in the forest, but still miles from the city.“, Luna said proud of her pupil.

Gesturing to follow her, Luna began to walk up one of the staircases, until they reached the third floor, whichs door was, in turn, locked like the entrance had been. This time Luna put her horn into the keyhole, to pour a bit of her magic into it. With a loud screeching sound the door swung open, and revealed but a single pedestal, standing in the middle of the room. The room was dark, and only the pedestal was illuminated by a circle of light. Cantering over to it, Luna looked at the two objects that lay on it with a sad face. Lyra could see the tears forming in her mentors eyes, even through the indirect light of the single source of light.

As she got closer, she saw a lock of hair that seemed to belong to someponies tail, and a strange device. It looked like a metal pipe with a handle and a trigger attached to it. When Lyra wanted to reach out with her magic, to inspect it, a quick flash of magic struck her horn and caused her incredible pain. It happened all way to fast, for Luna to react. When Lyra stumbled back a few steps, she rushed to her friends side.

„Lyra! Are you OK? I'm so sorry, I should have warned you... That ray of light is a magical protection, that Zeo put up. It's also a preservation spell, that only he himself and I could penetrate.“, the Princess of the night explained franticly.

Lyra just waved a hoof, prodding her horn with the other. She winced a bit when she touched the little charred spot on it's tip, immediately relaxed when she noticed that her ability to use magic was not affected. So this was just a little slap on the hooves, if you wanted to get at whatever these two things were, without Zeos permission... Pretty effective, she had to admit. She on her part, had surely not desire to try again in the near future.

„So... why is it so important to preserve and protect these two objects anyway?“, Lyra inquired.

Lunas head dropped a little, before tears began to break free from her eyes.

„The hair is from our daughters tail. Zeo wanted to preserve it, as memento to her. The object is a weapon he build on the very day she was born. It is in there with it, since he was intending to use it on the Pony that poisoned me, as a revenge not only for me, but also for our dead daughter. It's dangerous so he put it in there, so nopony would accidentally trigger it and kill them self.“, Luna explained with a sigh. Hesitating a moment, she levitated the hair out of the barrier and held it close to her own muzzle, taking in the scent that had also been preserved for so long. The scent of a Pony that had never seen the light of her sisters sun, nor the beauty of her night, just because somepony thought it unfitting how she had been conceived....

Lyra stared at the pure black strand of hair, and the streak of midnight blue that ran through it. From the scent her nose was picking up, it was the hair of a female. Lyra could only assume, that had that Pony been allowed to live, she would have been beautiful indeed.

„Silk Light...“, Luna muttered.

„Pardon?“

„It was her name... We named our daughter for her burial, and since we wouldn't have been able to live with ourself, if we had buried her without a name....“, Luna explained tears rolling down her face, before she began her story...

Princess Celestias birthday celebration. Something that Luna and Zeo alike, did not look forward to, but there was just no avoiding it. They had already celebrated with Celestia in the kitchens, but the celebration that was planned for the nobles to congratulate the Princess of the sun, would be boring indeed.

„Do we really have to go?“, Luna whined, her pregnancy definitely showing. Being ten months along, didn't help her mood swings either.

„I am afraid so dear. If we don't go, Celestia might understand, but the nobles don't like our relationship as it is. If we don't go, then they will definitely make things harder on us, as they already are. But I think it might be OK if I went alone. I can always say you are not feeling well, if you really don't want to go.“, Zeo said, while stroking Lunas mane as she lay on the bed.

„And let you roam that party alone, so you can pick up some other mare? As if!“, she tried to growl, which was pretty hard for her since she enjoyed his stroking way too much. That was another thing that Zeo had to deal with these days. Luna had become incredibly jealous of other mares that were around him. Just to avoid any more ugly „accidents“ like the other day when he had asked a female guard, if she could run an errand for him, he had it arranged that all the guards around him were male. He had even gone to the length as to reroute the female guards and servants to an entirely different part of the castle, since he did not want to have to restrain Luna ever again.

A jealous Alicorn, with mood swings like a paranoid child, and an anger potential that exceeded everything he had ever seen, was serious if you were on the business end of her horn. The guards mare had barely survived the encounter, and most likely wouldn't have, if he had not interfered....

Half an hour later Zeo already regretted attending Celestias celebration. Shortly after he and Luna had entered the ball room, he had been separated from his wife by some Professors from the local school for magic. They were quite taken with him being able to use magic, and for quite some time now had they bugged him to participate in some experiments. Luna on the other hoof, was quickly encircled by lesser nobles that wanted to get back into her good graces... Ever since their wedding, the younger of the two sisters had turned a cold shoulder their way. Zeo could understand that quite well. They had not bothered to attend the wedding, and so Luna was now not bothering to see to their requests. Now both of them were stuck with annoying Ponies that wanted something from them, that they were not sure they wanted to give....

„So Mr. Zeo, how are your studies of medical magic coming along. I have heard that you are trying to find less harsh ways to heal internal injuries.“, a magenta coated mare with gray mane and tail asked.

„I am making quite some progress actually. And yeah.... I mean using a fire spell to burn out the inner wound, may be effective, but it is also dangerous. If you put too much strength into it, like that one case in the Canterlot general hospital the other day, your patient will be redistributed on the rooms walls. Further more does that create another injury, which can put the patient into a state of shock. I am sure I don't have to tell you that this can be lethal as well.“, Zeo explained a little annoyed.

„But you must admit, that invading ones body with strands of unrefined magic has it's risks as well.“, a stallion with red coat interjected.

„Yes it does, but the worst thing that could happen is that you damage the patients magical circuit. He or she would be rendered unable to use magic to the same degree as before, or be cut off from the mana all together, but isn't that still preferable to loosing ones life?“

„I am not too sure about that. A Unicorn without magic, or a Pegasus without the ability to walk on clouds... That could do much damage to the mental health.“, the mare threw in.

„Professor Candy is right. Loosing those abilities, might very well drive the patient insane. Isn't death the better option then?“, the stallion agreed.

Zeo sighed, letting his shoulders hang a bit. They just didn't understand. Medicine in Equestria was even worse then in the medieval times he had read about back home. Not to mention that the concept of therapy in any way was far beyond their understanding. Those few unlucky ones that were suffering from mental illnesses, he had been horrified to discover, were simply locked away or put down on the spot.

„Listen... I have explained to you already that the mind is not as fragile and beyond repair as you all make it out to be! With the right therapy and medication, maybe even applying magical means, can heal mental illnesses. And even if they cannot be completely healed, you can weaken the symptoms to a degree in which the patient can live a relatively normal life.“

„Are you sure? I mean... what would you do to a Pony that.... let's say... has hallucinations? You can't simply tell them they are not real.“, Professor Candy asked.

„Even those originate either in a chemical imbalance in the brain, which you could try to heal with magic, or in a trauma. The later you can attempt to heal with therapy that anchors the patient in reality. Such a treatment might be life long, but he or she could still live relatively normal. The way you are treating these Ponies right now however, is disgusting! I have seen one of your „Madhouses“.... The patients don't even have the opportunity to use a restroom, but have to relief themselves on the ground. The same ground by the way that they have to sleep on.“, Zeo was getting quite angry at this point.

„So? The cells are cleaned two times a week, which should be sufficient.“, the stallion huffed.

„And you seriously wonder why so many of your „patients“ die due to infections in minor cuts? I have seen those „cells“.... And that is another matter. Cells are for inmates in a prison, not for patients in a hospital so....“, Zeo was starting to unload on the two Ponies in front of him, when he felt an immense surge of magic.

Looking for it's source, he spotted a group of minor nobles that were slowly backing away from something. He could only assume that somepony had offended his emotional unstable wife. As politely as he could, Zeo excused himself from the two Professors and made his way through the crowd. As he heard Lunas scream of pain however, he stopped being considerate. Pushing Ponies out of his way left and right, he ran to her side. For some reason Lunas eyes were glowing white, while her body was enveloped by tendrils of black magic. Closing his eyes, Zeo inspected Lunas magical circuit. He could see that the tendrils were not only invading his wifes circuit, blocking the parts they invaded, but were also headed for their child.

Zeo put his hands on her flank, injecting his own magical tentacles into her body, halting the black ones at bay for the moment. It was a loosing battle, and he knew it.

„What happen? Someone get the damn royal physician!“, he shouted.

A young mare, one of the servants, ran off to get the doctor, while one of the nobles approached him and began to explain.

„Ehmm your highness... The Princess ate one of these....“, the noble pointed at a plate with melon Cupcakes, „.... and then she suddenly began to shake and these things came out of her body....“

Even without checking if there was magic in those Cupcakes, to see that there was something wrong with them. Instead of the light red filling that those usually had, the only one with a bite taken out of it, leaked a pure black liquid. Taking a quick smell, he noticed a sweet smell, and assumed that it would taste just as sweet, but it smelled nowhere close to melons....

That was when the doctor arrived with two nurses and four guards with a stretcher. Taking a step backwards, he let the Ponies do their work, all the time keeping a close eye on them. His wife had just been poisoned, and he did not trust any of them just now. Celestia had pushed her way through the crowd, and now stood next to the petrified Zeo.

„What... What happened to her?“, she asked with a quivering voice.

„Poison.“, Zeo said flatly.

„What?“

„You heard me Celestia. Somepony has poisoned my wife, who is also your sister. Red Steel!“, Zeo explained before calling out to his guard captain. The Earth pony staggered through the crowd, and he could see that his friend had obviously found the stronger stuff he himself had brewed. Without taking that into consideration, he barked out his order once Red Steel came into view.

„Steel! Luna has been poisoned! Lock the castle down!“

The Earth pony stopped staggering, and shook his head irritably before looking at Luna who was still on the ground. Nodding, and suddenly sober as one can be, Red Steel galloped of to fulfill his orders. Luna was put on the stretcher by that time, and carried of the hospital wing. The doctor turned to Zeo and shook his head.

„Prince... I am sorry to say that your wife has consumed Death root extract by the looks of it. That's what is in this pastry over there at least.“

„Will she make it?“, Zeo asked in a panic, before Celestia could get a word in.

„There is a problem your majesty.... Death root is used to abort pregnancies, and can make the mare barren if the doses is high enough. That seems to be the case here.... Prince... I need a decision from you.... I can safe her....“

„THEN DO SO!“, Zeo interrupted him.

„.... or the Foal...“, the doctor finished.

„.... You... You can't safe both?“, Celestia asked, looking worriedly at her brother in law.

„No your highness. It's either the Princess, or the Foal. Her circuit is already infected to much to do much else. If I safe her, then the connections to the Foal with be severed, and it will inevitably die. If I safe the Foal, then it will strain her body very much which will most likely result in her heart stopping... I am sorry your majesties... Your decision please... I have to start soon, or we will loose both.“, the doctor said in a sad tone, letting his head hang, not wanting to look them in the face.

„Safe her...“, Zeo said, tears starting to pour from his eyes.

„As you wish.“, the doctor responded, galloping of to the medical wing.

Celestia put a comforting wing around him, pulling him closer to herself.

„I will find them....“, Zeo muttered.

„We will find them.“, Celestia added.

„No... Celestia.... I will find them, and then I will kill them all. They will curse the day their fathers bucked their mothers.... I will whipe them out... I will...“, was all he could mumble, before Celestia hesitantly put a sleep spell on him. Had she not, he might have snapped in a ball room full of Ponies, and she wouldn't even be able blame him for it. Tears rolled down her own cheeks aswell, as she used her royal Canterlot voice to address all the Ponies in attendance.

„My little Ponies! This celebration is over! The royal solar guard and the royal night guard will soon come to interrogate each and every one of you. Please cooperate with them, and we can resolve this situation peacefully!“, she shouted.

„That is outrageous! I am an Earl! Why should I let you interrogate me?“, a white stallion with blond mane and tail shouted back.

„Because I will personally beat you into a dungeon cell if you DON'T cooperate!“, the usually so calm and collected Princess threatened.

At that point Luna broke out in uncontrollable tears, and collapsed into Lyras outstretched forelegs. For a very long time, the Alicorn was unable to say anything. It felt like hours for Lyra, who did her best to console her friend. It may have been over a thousand years, but some wounds never heal.... After Luna had composed herself, she stood up again and cleared her throat several times.

„Luna, you don't have to say more... It hurts you...“, Lyra pleaded.

„No... you need to know the rest...“, Luna exclaimed, wiping the last tears from her eyes.

„They extracted the Foal from me, using a teleportation spell.... which killed the Foal.... This kind of high level magic is dangerous to use on a newborn.... I hated Zeo for quite some time afterwards... I blamed him for his decision, and therefor for our daughters death. It almost drove us apart. You should have seen... the little one.... She was wonderful... A perfect Alicorn filly. Her coat was dark blue, her mane and tail were pure black, with one singe streak of midnight blue running through them... Her eyes were a different story.... The right one was green like mine, while the left one was brown like her fathers.... We buried her in the castle courtyard, wanting to have her close. After that Zeo buried himself in his research. He blamed me for nothing. It took me three years to realize that he took it way harder then I did.... He had made the decision.... He had beard that pain all alone.... I finally came around, and we talked about the matter. It saved not only our relationship, but also our sanity....“, Luna explained, before a lump in her throat rendered her unable to speak again.