A Darker World

        Faded. That’s what they were said to be. Faded stars. According to legend they had once shown brightly in the night sky, light pinholes of light in the sea of the sky. Sure you could still see them even now but they hardly stood out any more next to the majestic images in the sky. They said the Day Star was the same way. That it used to brighten up the sky and paint it a light blue, now though it was little more than a moving circle of light in the sky. Sure it lit up the days still, but it did nothing to push the curtain of the night sky back.

        However, faded as they were they still looked down on the world. And because of this the stars whispered to her still. They spoke to her often, but now, just like her, they sounded old. Aged. But still they saw, and thus they told her about the pony walking up the mountain near her cave. An earth pony they said, just reaching adulthood. Hiking up the tall mountain and through the cold. Weak, they said, suffering from the cold winds and the freezing snow. What was he doing here, the stars asked, even the pegasi didn’t fly this high.        And so she walked out of her cave, heading towards this earth pony. He wasn’t far, only a short walk down the mountain. When she reached him he hardly noticed, his head down while he pushed forward. She walked up next to him and spread a wing over his body. The sudden increase in temperature finally got his attention and he looked up at her, shocked to find another pony. He opened his mouth to speak but she shook her head and motioned forward, moving along side him back to her cave.        It wasn’t long before they were inside, seated down by a small fire with two cups of tea. The stars pestered her to find out his intentions, something was bothering them, something they wouldn’t say yet. However, she ignored them. The answers would be forthcoming in time, right now she needed the care for the stallion. He needed to eat something to regain strength. She didn’t keep much food up here, she really didn’t need to after all. However her guest had packed plenty it seemed.        “Why did you pack so much food, stallion?” the voice echoed off the walls. It had been so long since she had spoken, or heard a voice. The only contact she had had for ages had been the stars, the moon, and the sun, and they spoke without words.        “I am traveling to the top of this mountain, ma’am. I packed for double the length of time I thought it would take me.” His deeper voice rested easily on her, filling the space in the small cave.        “Why would you do that? There is nothing up there,” spoke the mare        “I go on a pilgrimage to the top. To mediate on stories my teachers have told me. They said that I am too prone to ignore what they say when others are around so they have sent me to where there are no other ponies. Though finding you is a great miracle, I was sure I would freeze to death,” replied the stallion, his voice gaining strength as he sipped from the tea.        “You would. This is no place for ponies, stallion. Once you have rested you should return to your teachers,” the mare’s stern and commanding voice would not take his refusal well.        “I believe that I should. But before I rest, might I ask your name wise mare?” the stallion asked politely, the mare had taken him in and warmed him up and was preparing to share a meal with him at least he could ask her name.        The stars were buzzing now. Meeting this stallion may have been chance but it would set in motion much more. The stars were certain of it, times would be changing soon. A great change was coming, a great conflict. She would have to find out more later. For now her guest, the first contact with another pony she had had in too long.        The old mare smiled at him, “My name is Luna.”