The Last Pack

December 18th, 1475 A.F., 7:14 P.M.

Two months after the death of Lionel

        Twilight was pacing the hallway up and down to the maternity ward as screams of pain traveled throughout the hospital. She thought about what she would do with the foal when he was born seeing as she was to be the caretaker of the child. She was worried, not one bit did her friends try to calm her down as before when they had tried, they were yelled at causing them to not try again. Her friends sat quietly by on a bench on the side of the room, all the while talking amongst themselves, the only other two that were pacing were Rainbow Dash and Jazmine.

        They had all accepted to come here for the birth but remained secret members of The Pack as to not draw attention to themselves. They were all going to play a hoof in raising the newborn foal over the next few years in Utopia, keeping themselves out of the war unless it was absolutely necessary. At first when the question was asked, they were hesitant in choosing sides as they feared what would happen to their families.

        Twilight accepted graciously but on the terms that she would only be called on when she was absolutely needed. Rainbow Dash accepted it as part of her duty to The Pack, seeing as she was already a soldier, she was now the leader of the squad in which Lionel used to lead. Applejack at first was hesitant as she was more swayed towards the Equestrian Legion, but after she heard about Lionels demise, she accepted on the terms that her family was ensured their safety. Rarity, the only way she accepted was after some convincing and coaxing. Pinkie Pie accepted immediately after she heard of Lionels demise as well, her mane had flattened and she turned from the happy go lucky mare she was into one of depression and anger towards Celestia and the Equestrian Legion. Fluttershy, she was the hardest to convince, but eventually she was swayed over but she was going to only be called upon when the time was right.

        All of them were affected, just as the entire Pack. Not one pony who knew him felt some form of emotion, most of the Equestrian Legion had celebrated at the death seeing it as the turning point in the war, favoring them. There were a few riots against the Equestrian Legion by Pack sympathizers, the Equestrian Legion lost grasp in many areas across the world of Equus.

There was a plethora of recruits in the past two months, trying to aid The Pack after hearing rumors of it being Celestia who had killed him. It wasn't true, but The Pack saw this as an advantage and chose to take it, no matter how distasteful it was. Celestia had not shown her face in public ever since the news reached her, only sending letters to Twilight mostly apologizing for what she had done, asking her to join her, trying to gain her hoof in spying on The Pack, sadly it was to no avail to her.

The air was pierced by the sound of crying, no doubt it came from the newborn foal. Twilight stopped in her pacing and ran towards the door before bursting through she was stopped by Rainbow grabbing her tail and pulling her back.

“Rainbow Dash! Let me go!” she exclaimed trying to break free from the cyan pegasus grasp. She let her go as a nurse motioned for them to enter through the open doors, causing Twilight to fly forwards and hit a wall in the small hallway. Rainbow winced as she watched her hit the wall.

 Twilight glared at her as she got up causing Dash and the rest of her friends to laugh as another cry came from the foal in the room before them causing them to continue towards the foal. As they approached, all the nurses around simply stared at the newborn foal in awe. It was quickly noted that the foal was an alicorn, just as his mother.

Once Twilight saw the foal in Luna's hooves she couldn't help but notice Luna's happy face that held a look of awe as well. Twilight quickly noted that the newborn foal was a pure black, just as Lionel was before his death in the very same hospital. He was quickly quieted by the cooing of his mother as she rocked him in her hooves. He slowly started to open his eyes to take in the sight before him, he had pure silver irises with an outer rim of deep burgundy instead of the silver that was held in his eyes. The whites of his eyes were clearly visible as they almost shined.

His mane was a bright orange that contrasted his coat greatly, it held a small flow to it but did not shimmer. He more than likely inherited his magic from his father, meaning he would either become as strong in the magical arts or even stronger than him. Twilight beamed with happiness watching as the foal laughed as his mother nuzzled him.

The scene soon departed as the nurses went about their jobs and the group huddled around Luna and the newborn foal.

“Luna, what are ya gonna name the lil feller?” Applejack asked with a hint of eagerness in her voice. Luna looked up to the ceiling in thought before looking back down at her son.

“I think…I will call him Lunar Dawn, a sort of combination of my name and…” she stopped her mood suddenly turning solemn. “...Lionel.” she finished holding her child even tighter to her, remembering his father.

“I think thats a wonderful name dear, I’m sure Lost Solstice would agree with it.” Rarity spoke up, breaking the awkward silence that befell the room. Luna looked up to her and smiled, she smiled back.

Jazmine stepped forwards to get a closer look at the foal. “Luna, we all wish he was still here, but we can’t let what he fought for end here.” she said keeping her gaze on the foal as Luna looked up to her and gave a sheepish smile.

“You’re right Jazmine. Besides, if I think too much on it, it won’t be good for anypony now will it?” she said trying to brighten her mood. “Promise me, all of you, you will take good care of him?” She asked to the pegasi, she nodded in acknowledgment giving her a smile.

“Ah think we should let her rest everypony, ah reckon she needs it after what shes just been through an all.” Applejack stated, motioning out of the ward. They all nodded as they started out the door.

“Jazmine, please don’t go, I want to speak with you for a moment.” Luna said as she grabbed Jazmines tail. Jazmine turned around and gave her a nod as the rest of the group piled out of the door. The nurse soon came in to take the foal away so they could see how healthy it was. “Please be careful with him.” Luna said quietly to the nurse as she took him away.

“Luna?” Jazmine asked quietly as Luna turned towards her. Luna let her gaze drop to her hooves as she thought of what to say.

“I haven’t had the chance to speak with you since Lionel passed away, I mean actually speak with you.” She started keeping her voice low so only Jazmine could hear her. “What I mostly want to know is the question he would have wanted to know, why did you do what you did?” She asked lifting her head up, pain heavy in her eyes.

Jazmine turned away seeing the look, thinking of what to say. She sighed as she turned back to her, “Luna, I did what I did not out of anything more than love for him. It hurt me more than you can believe, watching from the crack of my door every time you came over with him. I wanted so much to jump down those stairs and hug him tight, but if I did, it would have been a fatal mistake.” she started lowering her head.

        “Why would it of been fatal Jazmine? He loved you with everything he had, even during the time we were together, I could tell he never fully let go.” Luna said, reassuring the pegasi who wriggled away from her hoof.

        “I knew he hadn't but if I revealed myself to be alive, Celestia would have killed me.” She said her voice slowly increasing to fill the room. “Celestia made me a deal, if I watched over Twilight while she was in ponyville during the war, she would only capture Lionel and allow me to say my goodbyes then. If I chose not to, I would have been really dead right now. She soon added on that I was to remain “dead” to The Pack for the duration of the war.” she stopped, choking on the anger that created a lump in her throat.

        Luna frowned as she heard this news. “Yet many ponies still wonder why this war continues.” she says under her breath. “Jazmine, you no longer have to fear about Celestia hurting you, if she finds out about you revealing yourself to us, she will answer to us if she even lays a hoof on you.” she says grinning at the pegasi. Jazmine mustered up the strength to give her a weak smile as she walked towards the door. “Jazmine” she said before she opened the door. Jazmine looked back to her. “Thank you” she said giving her a radiant smile.

        “You’re welcome, Luna.” Jazmine said as she exited the room and into the hall to the ward.

October 18th, 1482 A.F., 7:45 P.M.

The darkness has been going on forever without a single hope of returning to Luna or to my friends or to my family. From what it feels like, it has been at least ten years yet my senses tell me otherwise. The cold has seeped into my bones leaving me in the grasp of an eternal frost that never leaves.

I’ve started hearing voices, ever so faintly from the darkness. Some telling tales of days long past, some telling tales of days yet to come, some telling of the life I had only just left. The only thing I have left to do is think back on that very life, my body was void of tears or any strength at all. The last memory I have, is Luna holding me in her hooves as I fell into this darkness.

Lost Solstice…

What? Who’s there? I think into the darkness hoping that the voice would respond. I fell for what seemed like hours before the voice finally returned to me.

…It’s time to wake Lost Solstice…

What do you mean wake? Am I not dead? The years have gone by, I have no place in the world anymore, by this time Luna and the ones I love have forgotten me, just as I had forgotten Jazmine. Leave me to fall, for I no longer belong.

…You are an immortal Lost Solstice, you never truly died.

Faust?

Yes, it is me and your journey has only begun.

~The End~