Lunaby Bob JetChaptersChapter 3Chapter 5Chapter 6Chapter 7Chapter 8Chapter 1Chapter 2Chapter 4Chapter 3A month passed. Sombra was sure he had blown it that night. He had made her feel valued, but somehow, he had blown it. He could not focus; he could not sleep. His conversation with Luna kept running through his mind. He wished he knew what he had done wrong. He sat on the edge of his bunk one day, looking at his mail. It had been an excruciating day, and he decided that reading his mail would be the last thing he would do before hitting the hay. The sun was just starting to set, and the new day would bring long hours of staring stolidly ahead, and patrolling corridors and halls that had not seen crime in centuries. That was a minimum. One letter was from his parents, keeping him updated on family and life in the outside world. Another was from his best friend in high school, inviting him to a class reunion in a few weeks. The last one was very odd, though. There was no return address, and the recipient address was written in a beautiful black scroll. He carefully opened the envelope. Dear Sombra, It was a pleasure to speak with you several weeks back. Nopony has ever complimented my on my sky before, let alone watched it every night since they were sixteen. Therefore, I have a challenge for you. Within the next couple of nights, I will hang a new constellation. I would like for you to come up with a story about it, and then tell me, inpony. Sincerely, Princess Luna Sombra could not believe it. He must be dreaming. He was about to pinch himself when he decided that, if this was a dream, he did not want to cut it short. Instead, he got up, walked outside, and found a bench with a decent view of the sky. Suddenly, he was sitting in a field overlooking Canterlot. The city shimmered and twinkled in the distance. The tall spires of Canterlot Castle glowed red above the strait rows of firefly streetlights. Pegasus’ carrying orbs of flashing green, red and white light landed and took off from Canterlot Airport. Sombra could not remember the sky ever being as dark as it was that night. Even the moon was not out, and the stars shone so brightly that he had trouble identifying constellations. After some time, he was able to discern the brightest stars in the sky and connect them to form constellations. Off to left, under the Hydra, a new cluster of stars had appeared. “That must be Luna’s new constellation,” Sombra thought. He started connecting the stars with lines, trying shapes representing Celestia, carriages, castles, ponies…ponies. That was the closest thing he could get to look right. Then it hit him. The cluster of stars suddenly materialized into two ponies locked in an embrace. One was a unicorn; one was an alicorn. Sombra was floored. “Figure it out, yet?” asked a silky voice. Sombra spun around. There standing behind him was Luna, even more majestic and beautiful then when he had last seen her. She seemed to have an internal radiance that illuminated her, and only her. “Figure it out?” she asked again. “Y-- yes,” he stammered “I see a unicorn hugging an alicorn.” “Yes!” Luna exclaimed, throwing herself into his hooves. Sombra was so shocked, so excided and happy that he woke up. He was alone again, lying on a bench in the castle gardens. The sun was beginning to peak over the horizon. Chapter 5Sombra had been spent several weeks sleeping on the park bench, looking for Luna’s new constellation. Even though he had not found the constellation, he had been having very vivid dreams. In his latest dream, Sombra had been standing on a rocky mountain, looking at the sky. His rule was being given back to him, but in the form of a falling gem. Odd, he thought, but he did not really care, just as long as he got his rule back. He almost had it when a pink blur shot in front of him and stole it. When he located it again, to take it back, it had started to spin. Then there was a blinding light, and Sombra woke up. -- “You are following a path that will lead to your destruction,” Kismet told Sombra over dinner that night. “What do you mean?” Even though Kismet was something of a dream interpreter, his interpretations were unbearably vague. “These dreams you are having are prophesies of the future. They foretell of your demise.” “What should I do about it then?” “You must give up the treasures of this world, and seek Him.” “Who? And give up what treasure? I am almost broke!” “I only know what He tells me, but I do know that what you desire most will destroy you.” “How could Luna be my destruction?” Sombra wondered under his breath. “Friend, I wish I could tell you, but I do know that if you do not follow Him, you will find out,” Kismet answered. Chapter 6A lot was on Sombra’s mind that night as he walked through the castle gardens to his park bench. Kismet’s words kept ringing in his mind: “What you desire most will destroy you.” He sat down and tried to focus on the starry sky overhead, but it was useless. He just could not focus. Sombra decided to sort everything out during a nice long trot. He got up and headed towards the moon. -- Luna’s spirits were high as she trotted down the corridor towards he sister’s chamber. She did not get to spend much time with her big sister, and she cherished every moment that Celestia was with her. Luna had something special planned for tonight, something she had been working on ever since she sent a letter to that unicorn guard that she ran into. Now, it was time for its unveiling, and she wanted Celestia to be the first to see it. She reached Celestia’s door meticulously carved door, and tapped on it with her hoof. “Come in.” Luna walked in. Even in the dim light of the firefly lanterns, the room glowed with color. There was not a speck of paint or stain in this part of the castle. Everything was varnished or lacquered wood. One wall was adorned with an image of their parents, carved into panels of solid cherry, ebony, walnut, and mahogany…the variety of wood in that engraving was staggering. Celestia was at her teak desk as usual, pouring over something. “You ready to go?” Luna asked. “Go where.” “Out. You promised were going to spend time with me, remember.” “Oh. That.” – Celestia turned around in her chair – “I’m sorry Luna, but there is a meeting I have to prepare for. We are going to have to do it some other night.” “But you have had this has been scheduled for months!” “Sorry, I can’t do it. The calendar is on the wall. See when I have another free day.” Luna walked over to the wall, and with a flash from her horn, summoned her own calendar. She did not need to. A quick look at Celestia’s confirmed her fears. “The next free day you have is five months away! I don’t want to wait that long!” “I am sorry, but there is nothing I can do.” Celestia had turned back to her paperwork. “Why can’t you make time for me?” Celestia again turned around, slowly, to look directly at Luna. A quizzical look had spread across her face. “I do make time for you.” “When? We have not had a sister’s night out in several years!” “You are always welcome to attend these events and meetings with me,” Celestia said softly. “That is not spending time! You talk with everypony else, and I listen. If I did not know better, I would think you did not love me.” “I’m glad you do know better.” “But we never talk. You are always off somewhere or here doing paperwork.” Celestia sighed, and turned back to her paperwork. “Luna, just because I am doing paperwork does not mean that I am not listening to you. My door is always open for you. I wish I could spend more time with you, but I have to maintain my image in the kingdom. Everpony loves me, and when they stop loving me, the empire will surely collapse. If you paid more attention…” “Great, here we go again with the attention lecture. Maybe I should try a different tack,” Luna thought. “Do you like all of the paperwork, events and meetings?” She suddenly asked Celestia. “Oh, yes. Very much so. I have to…although the paperwork gets old occasionally.” “Do you like it more then you like me?” “…” “You do!” – a tear welled up in Luna’s eye. This is not what she had expected – “I did not know better. You do not love me and you never have!” “That’s not true!” – Celestia spun around in her chair, fast – “I have a duty to the ponies of Equestria, and I am doing it. A good princess has to put her subjects first.” “Above family?” “Unfortunately.” Luna began to cry. Her sister, her role model, her best friend had just abandoned her. Celestia had thrown her on the ground like the piece of garbage she was. Through the tears, she heard Celestia say, “Calm yourself, Luna. Stop taking things so seriously.” “You Diamond Dog!” Luna bellowed. She turned hoof, and galloped out of the room. Celestia looked after her, shook her head, and went back to her paperwork. Chapter 7“Ridiculous,” Sombra thought as he walked back to his barracks, “the thought that Luna could kill me. The Royal Sisters have been the kindest, most benevolent rulers in Equestria since… since.” Sombra could not remember any rulers other then the Royal Sisters. He gave up. “Anyway,” he said to himself, “I cannot forget about her, and I do not want to follow Him, whoever He is, if it means that I cannot love Luna.” Sombra smiled to himself, having finally put his mind at ease. He would make his own path, and deal with whatever situations may arise. Kismet was crazy. He was about to pass a water cooler when he thought he heard the clack of galloping hooves on the highly polished marble floor. He stopped, and pricked up one ear. Indeed, somepony was galloping down the hall, and they seemed to be heading his direction. Then he thought he heard crying. He pricked up his other ear, trying to locate where the sound was coming from. He had begun to turn around when something hit him in the side. Hard. It was sharp, piercing his barding, and lancing him slightly. The force of the blow threw him into the air. He could feel something heavy was on the other end of whatever pierced his armor. The object dislodged itself just before Sombra slammed into the high ceiling. “I am going to die,” Sombra thought. “Somepony is trying to kill me.” His fall was arrested by a dark Pegasus. He landed on the pony’s back as it flew under him. It seemed to know he was in its back because the Pegasus suddenly headed for the floor. Just before impact, the Pegasus pulled up and landed softly. She (he thought is was a mare) gently rolled him off her back and onto the ground. “I am so sorry,” the pegasus cried, “I didn’t see you.” “I recognize that voice,” Sombra thought. “Where have I heard that voice before?” Then it hit him. “Princess Luna?” he asked. “Y-yes.” Sombra could tell she was crying. He rolled over gingerly, and tried to stand up. He could. Every part of him was sore in some manner. His neck was sore from whiplash of Luna catching him, and the side that hit the ceiling burned. The side that had been lanced was wet, and in excruciating pain. Upon closer inspection, he noticed a hole in his barding with blood trickling out of it. He looked up at his love, and decided not to find a doctor until he had comforted Luna. She was not beautiful tonight. Nopony is when they are crying, but something was drawing him to her. He wanted to stand by her side, console her, pour his love into her, and somehow make everything better. She looked at him, and then inspected him. “Oh, no! What have I done?” Luna wailed. “You are injured! You must get to a doctor at once!” “No, no. I am fine.” “No you’re not,” – Luna gently reached out with a wing and lifted the burly gray unicorn guard onto her back – “I am going to take you to the doctor.” Sombra was torn. On the one hoof, getting a piggy back ride from Luna was once in a lifetime event. On the other hoof, he could feel his ego taking a killing blow. If this ever got out in the barracks…he did not want to think about it. “I can walk, Your Highness.” “Are you sure? I don’t want you to hurt yourself.” “Yes, miss. I am sure.” She gently set him down on his hooves. “What is your name, soldier,” she asked. Sombra had never met a pony who could stop crying so fast. “Sombra, your Majesty.” He bowed before his Princess. She looked at him for a long moment. “Sombra…” she mused under her breath. “That name sounds familiar.” “Ah, yes. I do know you. Come, we must get you to the doctor,” she said finally. Sombra began to dutifully follow Luna down the corridor. They had not gone twenty steps when Luna turned around and asked, “Are you going to walk with me, or follow me?” Sombra was dumbfounded, “A thousand pardons, your Highness, but I do not understand.” Luna rolled her watery eyes. “Walk next to me. I want to talk to you.” Sombra was not sure he could do it. Literally. He was on the verge of fainting from shear… he could not put words to it. Joy? Excitement? Both were understatements. His sore and battered body was not helping matters either. He summoned all of the courage and strength he had left, and the two ponies began down the corridor again, walking abreast. “Celestia is so mean,” Luna began. “She works all the time. Even when I try to spend time with her, she always claims that some event has popped up that she has got to go to. She tells me to reschedule on another one of her free days, but she is booked several years in advance. Ever since Mother left and Father died, she has been my role model and my mother. I ask her if I can help her with anything, or go the events with her, and she lets me, but then ignores me. I wish we could talk about or lives and how our days went, I wish we could be a family! I don’t know what to do, Sombra. I fell so abandoned.” “Permission to speak freely, your Highness.” “Of course.” “Have you tried talking to her? Let her know your true feelings?” “Sort of. We were supposed to have a mare’s night out tonight, but she canceled on me because of some event that popped up tonight. I got mad at her and ran out crying. Why did she have to cancel tonight? I had something very special planned tonight.” “May I ask what, your Majesty?” “I was going to unveil a new constellation. I have been working on it for some time.” Sombra stopped dead in his tracks; slack jawed. Luna looked at him. “Is something wrong?” “You sent me a letter a while back, asking me to watch for a new constellation that you were hanging. I have the letter right here.” He reached inside of his breastplate and retrieved the letter. He handed it over to her. “I have been searching for it every night since you sent it.” She blushed when she read it. “I-I’m sorry,” she said, “I completely forgot I sent this.” She looked at him, and he saw a spark flash in her eye. “Would you like to be the first to see the constellation? After you are well of course.” The two ponies reached the castle medical unit. The doctors took Sombra immediately. Luna waved goodbye as the doctors ushered him into the emergency room. Chapter 8The next morning, Luna went back to the E.R to see how Sombra was. Luna had never been in this part of the castle before, and she was floored by the artistry and craftsponyship as she trotted through the heavy stained glass doors. Engraved on the front of the receptionist’s solid marble desk, was the staff and serpent, centered between the engraved cutie marks of her and her sister. Celestia’s cutie mark was polished so that is shone like the sun, while Luna’s cutie mark was cut deep into the marble, casting a shadow on the darkened parts. The moon and several stars were left raised, and polished to a high gloss so that they sparkled in the light shining through the stained glass windows. The floor was covered in sheets of gleaming black granite, the walls: varnished birch. Luna could not help the feeling of hope and optimism the room generated. “Good morning Princess,” the receptionist greeted her. “Have you come to see that stallion you brought in last night?” “Yes,” Luna replied with a smile. -- Upon entering the room, Luna was greeted by a doctor grilling a clipboard. “How is he, Doctor?” she asked. The doctor turned from his clipboard slowly. “Sit down,” he said, giving her a mournful look. Sombra had passed out in the emergency room. The doctors found he had three broken ribs; a fractured skull; a broken neck, and a punctured spleen and small intestine. He should have been in a wheelchair dying; how he walked in, nopony could be sure. “Will he survive?” Luna asked. “Now he will,” replied the doctor, “but there could be any number of conditions resulting from his injuries” “Such as…” “Brain damage, paralysis, lung damage, to name a few.” Luna closed her eyes and turned her head toward the corner where the stone floor met the ornately tiled wall. She shook her head. “This is all my fault,” she said. “If I had not been so caught up in myself, if I had been paying attention to where I was going, none of this would have happened.” “Do not feel bad, your Highness,” the doctor consoled. “I’m sure…” “Is there any way he could be dreaming?” Luna interrupted. “I… um… huh… what?” “Is there any way he could be dreaming?” “I don’t know. Probably not…” Luna thought for a second before galloping out the door. The doctor blinked twice before recomposing himself and turning back to the other patients in the room. -- Luna tore apart her library. Blue tendrils of magic clawed at the books, ripping them off the shelves and whipping them in front of Luna before being discarded against a far wall. “Where is it!” she growled. “I’m always tripping over that darn book, and now that I need it, it is nowhere to be found.” The shelves were rapidly being emptied. A second layer of magic layered on top of the first, picking up the haphazardly discarded books and levitating them into neat counter-rotating rings. Books were still being added to the fray when a knock resounded through the room. “What is it?” Luna barked. Celestia entered. “Whoa, what is going on in here?” she inquired, observing the intricate dance of floating books and scrolls. “I am looking for Dreams: A Reference Guide To Sleep And The Pony Mind.” Celestia looked confused. “You know, that really old, dark blue book Father gave me when I received my cutie mark? “Oh, that. Isn’t it right there?” Celestia asked, pointing to the untouched stack of books next to Luna’s reading pedistal. Luna followed her sister’s hoof, and groaned. “Ahhrrrg!” – the spellbound books dropped out of the air, falling on Celestia. Luna grabbed the book in her mouth and shot out the door. – “It is always in the last place you look,” Luna thought as she rounded a corner and continued her gallop towards the Castle’s medical wing. -- A doctor and three nurses were in Sombra’s room when she entered. They were banging gongs, dumping buckets of ice water in him, and poking him with blunt objects. “Is everything alright?” she asked. Everypony stopped, spun around and bowed at the sound of her voice. “I-I-I’m sorry y-your Highness. This guard se-seems to be in a c-c-co—co…” “Coma?” The doctor could only nod. “I am not surprised. The Plug Thugs use similar techniques to put members of the Gryphon Gang into a coma.” There was a twinge of sarcasm in her voice. “I-I’m s-s-sorry, your Highness.” The doctor was trembling. “This is the recommended treatment.” “Perhaps, but would you mind if I tried something different?” The doctor nodded again. Luna opened up her book, and began to read. Minutes passed, the room was totally silent. The medical staff looked expectantly at her; she continued to read. One of the nurses quietly moved over to the doctor, and asked, “What is she doing?” “I don’t know,” the doctor replied, “But I am scared to find out.” “Its your job,” the nurse replied. “You must make sure she is not attempting something that will harm our patient.” “She is a Princess. I’m sure she knows what she is doing.” “How? Does she have medical training?” “How do I know?” “Well? If she inadvertently kills him, it will be your fault. You will loose your license.” The doctor sighed. His nurse had a point. He quietly approached the reading Princess. “Excuse me your Highness…” “Hmm?” “My I ask what you are planning to do?” “Oh, yes. I intend to try and enter Sombra’s dreams, and convince him to wake up.” “Is that even possible? Are you sure he’s dreaming?” “I do not know. That is what I am trying to figure out.” The doctor was dumbfounded. On the one hoof, he was not about to contradict his Princess. On the other, he really had his doubts about her idea. Luna closed her book and prepared to cast a spell. She was nervous. She had never created magic before, but she felt confident that her spell would do what she wanted. “FROM THE SLEEP THAT COMETH “DEEP IN THE NIGHT “DREAMS, WITH GUIDANCE, “GRANT GREAT INSIGHT” Her horn glowed a bright translucent blue before thick gray fog flowed from it, surrounding her. She inhaled deeply, and her hooves began to disappear into the mist. Two more breathes, and she had completely dissolved. Finally, with a loud crack and a swish, the fog disappeared into Sombra’s head. Chapter 1Celestia was beautiful, there was no doubt about that, but she lacked something that he could not put his hoof on. He remembered the first time he saw her. She was standing on the balcony, wings unfurled, head held high. The moon was slowly rising over the kingdom, illuminating her turquoise mane, and reflecting off of her glossy coat. Her cutie mark shone like a jewel, emblazoned across her flank. Even from a distance, he thought he could see her eyes twinkle. He was only sixteen years old, but he knew right then that she was the only mare for him. He could love no other. He also knew that the chances of him marrying such a pony were between slim and none. Regardless, he went back to that bench every night in hopes that she would appear. Sometimes she did, most of the time she did not. In time, he learned how to tell if she would appear. The faster the night came, the less likely he was to see her. Once, the moon rose in a half hour, and the stars lit up almost simultaneously. He did not see her that night. As this ability to determine the rate of the moon’s ascension became second nature, he started to appreciate more and more the sky over which it ruled. Daytime was fine, the sun rose, the sky was blue, puffy clouds moved overhead; but it was at night, enveloped in its peace and tranquility, that he could let his eye control his mind and let the two run wild. Maybe that was what made her far more attractive. Celestia controlled the day. She controlled the more interesting night. -- A month later the Royal Guard set up a recruitment booth at his school, and he realized that was his best chance to meet her. The booth itself was an abject failure; the two ponies manning it merely stared strait ahead. They did not look at any of the colts that stopped, and they definitely did not answer any questions. In fact, they did not talk at all. He was the only colt to enlist, and he only did it because he knew that guardponies were allowed around the royal sisters. If he could not marry Luna, at least he could protect her. Eighteen months later, he found himself standing on the parade ground among a class of 136 other recruits, listening to Princess Celestia congratulate them on their accomplishment, and charge them with their duty. Chapter 2It took a year for him to finally meet Luna. He had asked for night shifts, he had asked for day shifts. He had sucked up to his superiors, and tried everything else he could think of, but he was never posted guard by Luna’s door. It was by shear dumb luck that they ran into each other. Literally. He was guarding a water cooler with a friend, Kismet, when Luna walked into him. She was reading a book called the Astronomical Astronomers Almanac To All Things Astronomy when she walked into him. He looked behind him when he felt the impact, and immediately his eyes dilated. “Princess Luna!” he gasped. The alicorn had grown even more beautiful with age. Her now azure mane actively twinkled with the stars she put in the sky, flowing on an ethereal wind, and her indigo coat shimmered in the dim light of the castle torches. “I’m sorry,” she said, “I didn’t see you there.” She moved to continue walking down the hall. He saw his moment sliding out of his horseshoe, and he was not going to let it slip by. “It is such an honor to finally meet you, your Highness.” She stopped, turned, and smiled at him. He felt his heart palpitate. He prayed that God would guide his tongue. “Thank you,” she said. “No, don’t leave yet!” he thought. “I have stayed up every night since I was sixteen and watched the night sky unfold,” he said without thinking. It did not sound eloquent, and, frankly, seemed a little creepy, but it did the trick. “You have?” He nodded. “Did you enjoy it?” “Immensely. Your Majesty has a keen eye for story telling with the stars.” “What a lovely compliment,” she said. “It is nice to know that somepony appreciates my talents. If I may ask, what is your name?” “Sombra, your Highness.” “Thank you, Sombra.” With that she smiled, turned, and faded into the dark hall, reading her book. Chapter 4Sombra was posted on guard duty with Kismet, which made his day far more bearable. Kismet hated guard duty, and had no problem talking with whomever he was posted with. This was forbidden, but Kismet knew when somepony was coming. He could tell when they were within earshot, and would promptly resume the stoic, expressionless stare. It was his special gift. So it was that they were discussing their leisure time from the previous night. “I had the strangest dream last night,” began Kismet, “involving you and Princess Luna.” Sombra cocked an eye at him. “It was more a nightmare, really (no pun intended). I saw you and Luna in a strange kingdom. I do not know where, but it was not Canterlot. She was fighting with herself emotionally. You were providing what support you could, but the sin inside her eventually consumed her. You followed shortly thereafter.” … “Is that it?” Sombra asked “Yeah. I woke up after that.” “What a strange dream.” “It seemed very prophetic.” … “I had a dream about Princess Luna last night, too,” Sombra said. Kismet looked at him. “I dreamt that I was in a field overlooking Canterlot, gazing at the stars. I was trying to find a new constellation and decipher what Luna had in mind for it. I found it and, after a while, realized that it depicted an alicorn hugging a unicorn. Then Luna appeared, and when I told her what I saw, she cried ‘Yes!’ and fell into my hooves.” Now Kismet looked very concerned. “Sombra, my friend,” he said, “You are in grave danger.”
Chapter 3A month passed. Sombra was sure he had blown it that night. He had made her feel valued, but somehow, he had blown it. He could not focus; he could not sleep. His conversation with Luna kept running through his mind. He wished he knew what he had done wrong. He sat on the edge of his bunk one day, looking at his mail. It had been an excruciating day, and he decided that reading his mail would be the last thing he would do before hitting the hay. The sun was just starting to set, and the new day would bring long hours of staring stolidly ahead, and patrolling corridors and halls that had not seen crime in centuries. That was a minimum. One letter was from his parents, keeping him updated on family and life in the outside world. Another was from his best friend in high school, inviting him to a class reunion in a few weeks. The last one was very odd, though. There was no return address, and the recipient address was written in a beautiful black scroll. He carefully opened the envelope. Dear Sombra, It was a pleasure to speak with you several weeks back. Nopony has ever complimented my on my sky before, let alone watched it every night since they were sixteen. Therefore, I have a challenge for you. Within the next couple of nights, I will hang a new constellation. I would like for you to come up with a story about it, and then tell me, inpony. Sincerely, Princess Luna Sombra could not believe it. He must be dreaming. He was about to pinch himself when he decided that, if this was a dream, he did not want to cut it short. Instead, he got up, walked outside, and found a bench with a decent view of the sky. Suddenly, he was sitting in a field overlooking Canterlot. The city shimmered and twinkled in the distance. The tall spires of Canterlot Castle glowed red above the strait rows of firefly streetlights. Pegasus’ carrying orbs of flashing green, red and white light landed and took off from Canterlot Airport. Sombra could not remember the sky ever being as dark as it was that night. Even the moon was not out, and the stars shone so brightly that he had trouble identifying constellations. After some time, he was able to discern the brightest stars in the sky and connect them to form constellations. Off to left, under the Hydra, a new cluster of stars had appeared. “That must be Luna’s new constellation,” Sombra thought. He started connecting the stars with lines, trying shapes representing Celestia, carriages, castles, ponies…ponies. That was the closest thing he could get to look right. Then it hit him. The cluster of stars suddenly materialized into two ponies locked in an embrace. One was a unicorn; one was an alicorn. Sombra was floored. “Figure it out, yet?” asked a silky voice. Sombra spun around. There standing behind him was Luna, even more majestic and beautiful then when he had last seen her. She seemed to have an internal radiance that illuminated her, and only her. “Figure it out?” she asked again. “Y-- yes,” he stammered “I see a unicorn hugging an alicorn.” “Yes!” Luna exclaimed, throwing herself into his hooves. Sombra was so shocked, so excided and happy that he woke up. He was alone again, lying on a bench in the castle gardens. The sun was beginning to peak over the horizon.
Chapter 5Sombra had been spent several weeks sleeping on the park bench, looking for Luna’s new constellation. Even though he had not found the constellation, he had been having very vivid dreams. In his latest dream, Sombra had been standing on a rocky mountain, looking at the sky. His rule was being given back to him, but in the form of a falling gem. Odd, he thought, but he did not really care, just as long as he got his rule back. He almost had it when a pink blur shot in front of him and stole it. When he located it again, to take it back, it had started to spin. Then there was a blinding light, and Sombra woke up. -- “You are following a path that will lead to your destruction,” Kismet told Sombra over dinner that night. “What do you mean?” Even though Kismet was something of a dream interpreter, his interpretations were unbearably vague. “These dreams you are having are prophesies of the future. They foretell of your demise.” “What should I do about it then?” “You must give up the treasures of this world, and seek Him.” “Who? And give up what treasure? I am almost broke!” “I only know what He tells me, but I do know that what you desire most will destroy you.” “How could Luna be my destruction?” Sombra wondered under his breath. “Friend, I wish I could tell you, but I do know that if you do not follow Him, you will find out,” Kismet answered.
Chapter 6A lot was on Sombra’s mind that night as he walked through the castle gardens to his park bench. Kismet’s words kept ringing in his mind: “What you desire most will destroy you.” He sat down and tried to focus on the starry sky overhead, but it was useless. He just could not focus. Sombra decided to sort everything out during a nice long trot. He got up and headed towards the moon. -- Luna’s spirits were high as she trotted down the corridor towards he sister’s chamber. She did not get to spend much time with her big sister, and she cherished every moment that Celestia was with her. Luna had something special planned for tonight, something she had been working on ever since she sent a letter to that unicorn guard that she ran into. Now, it was time for its unveiling, and she wanted Celestia to be the first to see it. She reached Celestia’s door meticulously carved door, and tapped on it with her hoof. “Come in.” Luna walked in. Even in the dim light of the firefly lanterns, the room glowed with color. There was not a speck of paint or stain in this part of the castle. Everything was varnished or lacquered wood. One wall was adorned with an image of their parents, carved into panels of solid cherry, ebony, walnut, and mahogany…the variety of wood in that engraving was staggering. Celestia was at her teak desk as usual, pouring over something. “You ready to go?” Luna asked. “Go where.” “Out. You promised were going to spend time with me, remember.” “Oh. That.” – Celestia turned around in her chair – “I’m sorry Luna, but there is a meeting I have to prepare for. We are going to have to do it some other night.” “But you have had this has been scheduled for months!” “Sorry, I can’t do it. The calendar is on the wall. See when I have another free day.” Luna walked over to the wall, and with a flash from her horn, summoned her own calendar. She did not need to. A quick look at Celestia’s confirmed her fears. “The next free day you have is five months away! I don’t want to wait that long!” “I am sorry, but there is nothing I can do.” Celestia had turned back to her paperwork. “Why can’t you make time for me?” Celestia again turned around, slowly, to look directly at Luna. A quizzical look had spread across her face. “I do make time for you.” “When? We have not had a sister’s night out in several years!” “You are always welcome to attend these events and meetings with me,” Celestia said softly. “That is not spending time! You talk with everypony else, and I listen. If I did not know better, I would think you did not love me.” “I’m glad you do know better.” “But we never talk. You are always off somewhere or here doing paperwork.” Celestia sighed, and turned back to her paperwork. “Luna, just because I am doing paperwork does not mean that I am not listening to you. My door is always open for you. I wish I could spend more time with you, but I have to maintain my image in the kingdom. Everpony loves me, and when they stop loving me, the empire will surely collapse. If you paid more attention…” “Great, here we go again with the attention lecture. Maybe I should try a different tack,” Luna thought. “Do you like all of the paperwork, events and meetings?” She suddenly asked Celestia. “Oh, yes. Very much so. I have to…although the paperwork gets old occasionally.” “Do you like it more then you like me?” “…” “You do!” – a tear welled up in Luna’s eye. This is not what she had expected – “I did not know better. You do not love me and you never have!” “That’s not true!” – Celestia spun around in her chair, fast – “I have a duty to the ponies of Equestria, and I am doing it. A good princess has to put her subjects first.” “Above family?” “Unfortunately.” Luna began to cry. Her sister, her role model, her best friend had just abandoned her. Celestia had thrown her on the ground like the piece of garbage she was. Through the tears, she heard Celestia say, “Calm yourself, Luna. Stop taking things so seriously.” “You Diamond Dog!” Luna bellowed. She turned hoof, and galloped out of the room. Celestia looked after her, shook her head, and went back to her paperwork.
Chapter 7“Ridiculous,” Sombra thought as he walked back to his barracks, “the thought that Luna could kill me. The Royal Sisters have been the kindest, most benevolent rulers in Equestria since… since.” Sombra could not remember any rulers other then the Royal Sisters. He gave up. “Anyway,” he said to himself, “I cannot forget about her, and I do not want to follow Him, whoever He is, if it means that I cannot love Luna.” Sombra smiled to himself, having finally put his mind at ease. He would make his own path, and deal with whatever situations may arise. Kismet was crazy. He was about to pass a water cooler when he thought he heard the clack of galloping hooves on the highly polished marble floor. He stopped, and pricked up one ear. Indeed, somepony was galloping down the hall, and they seemed to be heading his direction. Then he thought he heard crying. He pricked up his other ear, trying to locate where the sound was coming from. He had begun to turn around when something hit him in the side. Hard. It was sharp, piercing his barding, and lancing him slightly. The force of the blow threw him into the air. He could feel something heavy was on the other end of whatever pierced his armor. The object dislodged itself just before Sombra slammed into the high ceiling. “I am going to die,” Sombra thought. “Somepony is trying to kill me.” His fall was arrested by a dark Pegasus. He landed on the pony’s back as it flew under him. It seemed to know he was in its back because the Pegasus suddenly headed for the floor. Just before impact, the Pegasus pulled up and landed softly. She (he thought is was a mare) gently rolled him off her back and onto the ground. “I am so sorry,” the pegasus cried, “I didn’t see you.” “I recognize that voice,” Sombra thought. “Where have I heard that voice before?” Then it hit him. “Princess Luna?” he asked. “Y-yes.” Sombra could tell she was crying. He rolled over gingerly, and tried to stand up. He could. Every part of him was sore in some manner. His neck was sore from whiplash of Luna catching him, and the side that hit the ceiling burned. The side that had been lanced was wet, and in excruciating pain. Upon closer inspection, he noticed a hole in his barding with blood trickling out of it. He looked up at his love, and decided not to find a doctor until he had comforted Luna. She was not beautiful tonight. Nopony is when they are crying, but something was drawing him to her. He wanted to stand by her side, console her, pour his love into her, and somehow make everything better. She looked at him, and then inspected him. “Oh, no! What have I done?” Luna wailed. “You are injured! You must get to a doctor at once!” “No, no. I am fine.” “No you’re not,” – Luna gently reached out with a wing and lifted the burly gray unicorn guard onto her back – “I am going to take you to the doctor.” Sombra was torn. On the one hoof, getting a piggy back ride from Luna was once in a lifetime event. On the other hoof, he could feel his ego taking a killing blow. If this ever got out in the barracks…he did not want to think about it. “I can walk, Your Highness.” “Are you sure? I don’t want you to hurt yourself.” “Yes, miss. I am sure.” She gently set him down on his hooves. “What is your name, soldier,” she asked. Sombra had never met a pony who could stop crying so fast. “Sombra, your Majesty.” He bowed before his Princess. She looked at him for a long moment. “Sombra…” she mused under her breath. “That name sounds familiar.” “Ah, yes. I do know you. Come, we must get you to the doctor,” she said finally. Sombra began to dutifully follow Luna down the corridor. They had not gone twenty steps when Luna turned around and asked, “Are you going to walk with me, or follow me?” Sombra was dumbfounded, “A thousand pardons, your Highness, but I do not understand.” Luna rolled her watery eyes. “Walk next to me. I want to talk to you.” Sombra was not sure he could do it. Literally. He was on the verge of fainting from shear… he could not put words to it. Joy? Excitement? Both were understatements. His sore and battered body was not helping matters either. He summoned all of the courage and strength he had left, and the two ponies began down the corridor again, walking abreast. “Celestia is so mean,” Luna began. “She works all the time. Even when I try to spend time with her, she always claims that some event has popped up that she has got to go to. She tells me to reschedule on another one of her free days, but she is booked several years in advance. Ever since Mother left and Father died, she has been my role model and my mother. I ask her if I can help her with anything, or go the events with her, and she lets me, but then ignores me. I wish we could talk about or lives and how our days went, I wish we could be a family! I don’t know what to do, Sombra. I fell so abandoned.” “Permission to speak freely, your Highness.” “Of course.” “Have you tried talking to her? Let her know your true feelings?” “Sort of. We were supposed to have a mare’s night out tonight, but she canceled on me because of some event that popped up tonight. I got mad at her and ran out crying. Why did she have to cancel tonight? I had something very special planned tonight.” “May I ask what, your Majesty?” “I was going to unveil a new constellation. I have been working on it for some time.” Sombra stopped dead in his tracks; slack jawed. Luna looked at him. “Is something wrong?” “You sent me a letter a while back, asking me to watch for a new constellation that you were hanging. I have the letter right here.” He reached inside of his breastplate and retrieved the letter. He handed it over to her. “I have been searching for it every night since you sent it.” She blushed when she read it. “I-I’m sorry,” she said, “I completely forgot I sent this.” She looked at him, and he saw a spark flash in her eye. “Would you like to be the first to see the constellation? After you are well of course.” The two ponies reached the castle medical unit. The doctors took Sombra immediately. Luna waved goodbye as the doctors ushered him into the emergency room.
Chapter 8The next morning, Luna went back to the E.R to see how Sombra was. Luna had never been in this part of the castle before, and she was floored by the artistry and craftsponyship as she trotted through the heavy stained glass doors. Engraved on the front of the receptionist’s solid marble desk, was the staff and serpent, centered between the engraved cutie marks of her and her sister. Celestia’s cutie mark was polished so that is shone like the sun, while Luna’s cutie mark was cut deep into the marble, casting a shadow on the darkened parts. The moon and several stars were left raised, and polished to a high gloss so that they sparkled in the light shining through the stained glass windows. The floor was covered in sheets of gleaming black granite, the walls: varnished birch. Luna could not help the feeling of hope and optimism the room generated. “Good morning Princess,” the receptionist greeted her. “Have you come to see that stallion you brought in last night?” “Yes,” Luna replied with a smile. -- Upon entering the room, Luna was greeted by a doctor grilling a clipboard. “How is he, Doctor?” she asked. The doctor turned from his clipboard slowly. “Sit down,” he said, giving her a mournful look. Sombra had passed out in the emergency room. The doctors found he had three broken ribs; a fractured skull; a broken neck, and a punctured spleen and small intestine. He should have been in a wheelchair dying; how he walked in, nopony could be sure. “Will he survive?” Luna asked. “Now he will,” replied the doctor, “but there could be any number of conditions resulting from his injuries” “Such as…” “Brain damage, paralysis, lung damage, to name a few.” Luna closed her eyes and turned her head toward the corner where the stone floor met the ornately tiled wall. She shook her head. “This is all my fault,” she said. “If I had not been so caught up in myself, if I had been paying attention to where I was going, none of this would have happened.” “Do not feel bad, your Highness,” the doctor consoled. “I’m sure…” “Is there any way he could be dreaming?” Luna interrupted. “I… um… huh… what?” “Is there any way he could be dreaming?” “I don’t know. Probably not…” Luna thought for a second before galloping out the door. The doctor blinked twice before recomposing himself and turning back to the other patients in the room. -- Luna tore apart her library. Blue tendrils of magic clawed at the books, ripping them off the shelves and whipping them in front of Luna before being discarded against a far wall. “Where is it!” she growled. “I’m always tripping over that darn book, and now that I need it, it is nowhere to be found.” The shelves were rapidly being emptied. A second layer of magic layered on top of the first, picking up the haphazardly discarded books and levitating them into neat counter-rotating rings. Books were still being added to the fray when a knock resounded through the room. “What is it?” Luna barked. Celestia entered. “Whoa, what is going on in here?” she inquired, observing the intricate dance of floating books and scrolls. “I am looking for Dreams: A Reference Guide To Sleep And The Pony Mind.” Celestia looked confused. “You know, that really old, dark blue book Father gave me when I received my cutie mark? “Oh, that. Isn’t it right there?” Celestia asked, pointing to the untouched stack of books next to Luna’s reading pedistal. Luna followed her sister’s hoof, and groaned. “Ahhrrrg!” – the spellbound books dropped out of the air, falling on Celestia. Luna grabbed the book in her mouth and shot out the door. – “It is always in the last place you look,” Luna thought as she rounded a corner and continued her gallop towards the Castle’s medical wing. -- A doctor and three nurses were in Sombra’s room when she entered. They were banging gongs, dumping buckets of ice water in him, and poking him with blunt objects. “Is everything alright?” she asked. Everypony stopped, spun around and bowed at the sound of her voice. “I-I-I’m sorry y-your Highness. This guard se-seems to be in a c-c-co—co…” “Coma?” The doctor could only nod. “I am not surprised. The Plug Thugs use similar techniques to put members of the Gryphon Gang into a coma.” There was a twinge of sarcasm in her voice. “I-I’m s-s-sorry, your Highness.” The doctor was trembling. “This is the recommended treatment.” “Perhaps, but would you mind if I tried something different?” The doctor nodded again. Luna opened up her book, and began to read. Minutes passed, the room was totally silent. The medical staff looked expectantly at her; she continued to read. One of the nurses quietly moved over to the doctor, and asked, “What is she doing?” “I don’t know,” the doctor replied, “But I am scared to find out.” “Its your job,” the nurse replied. “You must make sure she is not attempting something that will harm our patient.” “She is a Princess. I’m sure she knows what she is doing.” “How? Does she have medical training?” “How do I know?” “Well? If she inadvertently kills him, it will be your fault. You will loose your license.” The doctor sighed. His nurse had a point. He quietly approached the reading Princess. “Excuse me your Highness…” “Hmm?” “My I ask what you are planning to do?” “Oh, yes. I intend to try and enter Sombra’s dreams, and convince him to wake up.” “Is that even possible? Are you sure he’s dreaming?” “I do not know. That is what I am trying to figure out.” The doctor was dumbfounded. On the one hoof, he was not about to contradict his Princess. On the other, he really had his doubts about her idea. Luna closed her book and prepared to cast a spell. She was nervous. She had never created magic before, but she felt confident that her spell would do what she wanted. “FROM THE SLEEP THAT COMETH “DEEP IN THE NIGHT “DREAMS, WITH GUIDANCE, “GRANT GREAT INSIGHT” Her horn glowed a bright translucent blue before thick gray fog flowed from it, surrounding her. She inhaled deeply, and her hooves began to disappear into the mist. Two more breathes, and she had completely dissolved. Finally, with a loud crack and a swish, the fog disappeared into Sombra’s head.
Chapter 1Celestia was beautiful, there was no doubt about that, but she lacked something that he could not put his hoof on. He remembered the first time he saw her. She was standing on the balcony, wings unfurled, head held high. The moon was slowly rising over the kingdom, illuminating her turquoise mane, and reflecting off of her glossy coat. Her cutie mark shone like a jewel, emblazoned across her flank. Even from a distance, he thought he could see her eyes twinkle. He was only sixteen years old, but he knew right then that she was the only mare for him. He could love no other. He also knew that the chances of him marrying such a pony were between slim and none. Regardless, he went back to that bench every night in hopes that she would appear. Sometimes she did, most of the time she did not. In time, he learned how to tell if she would appear. The faster the night came, the less likely he was to see her. Once, the moon rose in a half hour, and the stars lit up almost simultaneously. He did not see her that night. As this ability to determine the rate of the moon’s ascension became second nature, he started to appreciate more and more the sky over which it ruled. Daytime was fine, the sun rose, the sky was blue, puffy clouds moved overhead; but it was at night, enveloped in its peace and tranquility, that he could let his eye control his mind and let the two run wild. Maybe that was what made her far more attractive. Celestia controlled the day. She controlled the more interesting night. -- A month later the Royal Guard set up a recruitment booth at his school, and he realized that was his best chance to meet her. The booth itself was an abject failure; the two ponies manning it merely stared strait ahead. They did not look at any of the colts that stopped, and they definitely did not answer any questions. In fact, they did not talk at all. He was the only colt to enlist, and he only did it because he knew that guardponies were allowed around the royal sisters. If he could not marry Luna, at least he could protect her. Eighteen months later, he found himself standing on the parade ground among a class of 136 other recruits, listening to Princess Celestia congratulate them on their accomplishment, and charge them with their duty.
Chapter 2It took a year for him to finally meet Luna. He had asked for night shifts, he had asked for day shifts. He had sucked up to his superiors, and tried everything else he could think of, but he was never posted guard by Luna’s door. It was by shear dumb luck that they ran into each other. Literally. He was guarding a water cooler with a friend, Kismet, when Luna walked into him. She was reading a book called the Astronomical Astronomers Almanac To All Things Astronomy when she walked into him. He looked behind him when he felt the impact, and immediately his eyes dilated. “Princess Luna!” he gasped. The alicorn had grown even more beautiful with age. Her now azure mane actively twinkled with the stars she put in the sky, flowing on an ethereal wind, and her indigo coat shimmered in the dim light of the castle torches. “I’m sorry,” she said, “I didn’t see you there.” She moved to continue walking down the hall. He saw his moment sliding out of his horseshoe, and he was not going to let it slip by. “It is such an honor to finally meet you, your Highness.” She stopped, turned, and smiled at him. He felt his heart palpitate. He prayed that God would guide his tongue. “Thank you,” she said. “No, don’t leave yet!” he thought. “I have stayed up every night since I was sixteen and watched the night sky unfold,” he said without thinking. It did not sound eloquent, and, frankly, seemed a little creepy, but it did the trick. “You have?” He nodded. “Did you enjoy it?” “Immensely. Your Majesty has a keen eye for story telling with the stars.” “What a lovely compliment,” she said. “It is nice to know that somepony appreciates my talents. If I may ask, what is your name?” “Sombra, your Highness.” “Thank you, Sombra.” With that she smiled, turned, and faded into the dark hall, reading her book.
Chapter 4Sombra was posted on guard duty with Kismet, which made his day far more bearable. Kismet hated guard duty, and had no problem talking with whomever he was posted with. This was forbidden, but Kismet knew when somepony was coming. He could tell when they were within earshot, and would promptly resume the stoic, expressionless stare. It was his special gift. So it was that they were discussing their leisure time from the previous night. “I had the strangest dream last night,” began Kismet, “involving you and Princess Luna.” Sombra cocked an eye at him. “It was more a nightmare, really (no pun intended). I saw you and Luna in a strange kingdom. I do not know where, but it was not Canterlot. She was fighting with herself emotionally. You were providing what support you could, but the sin inside her eventually consumed her. You followed shortly thereafter.” … “Is that it?” Sombra asked “Yeah. I woke up after that.” “What a strange dream.” “It seemed very prophetic.” … “I had a dream about Princess Luna last night, too,” Sombra said. Kismet looked at him. “I dreamt that I was in a field overlooking Canterlot, gazing at the stars. I was trying to find a new constellation and decipher what Luna had in mind for it. I found it and, after a while, realized that it depicted an alicorn hugging a unicorn. Then Luna appeared, and when I told her what I saw, she cried ‘Yes!’ and fell into my hooves.” Now Kismet looked very concerned. “Sombra, my friend,” he said, “You are in grave danger.”
