Chapter 1 - The Moon and the Warrior.
Luna glanced nervously around the circle as three of the four stars made their final preparations for her return. It was the thousand year anniversary of the summer solstice, and the anointed time for her return. There was one opportunity for this to work, just as Celestia rises the Sun in Equestria, a door will open in Ponyville, a small town that had established itself near the ruins of the sisters former castle which now lay in ruins.
All the Stars need do was open the door this side, from there it was up to Princess Luna to complete the spell and return to her home. However this was not what made her nervous, as she grew more and more restless by the minute.
“Hey beautiful, looking for someone?” came a whisper in her ear. Luna startled and recoiled away from the sound, her snout blushing bright crimson as she turned to face her accuser.
Aiden stood there grinning ear to ear having got the reaction he was hoping for. Luna scowered back at him, still leaning away and with one hoof up in her defence.
“Aiden, you Cur, would thou’st have thee a heart attack! Thy thought thee may not arrive in time…” Luna’s steadfast resolve began to show cracks, her eyes darting to the ground and her Royal Caterlot Voice wavering.
“…a-and I thought I…” A large lump formed in her throat cutting off her words.
One thousand years was a long time by any standard, and forced exile only made it seem all that much longer. Without the Stars it would have been impossible for Luna to resist the Mare in the Moon at all, let alone this long.
At first it was all she could do to contain her sorrow at her betrayal of her beloved sister, after all, no matter how much it would have been easier to blame Nightmare Moon for her actions, she knew in her heart it wasn’t true. It was her jealousy and bitterness that created the beast, and she did little to fend it off. In fact she relished the feeling of freedom it offered her, throwing off the repressive chains castle life had shackled her with, and allowing her true feeling to take the form of actions.
But the shame and grief it bought with it were entirely unexpected. She spent her nights crippled by despair, unable to even raise a hoof on her own, whilst the Nightmare exerted her influence during the day. Were it not for the care of the Stars she was sure that she would have merely faded from existence leaving her husk for the beast to rule.
Thuban, Serpens and Leo all tried to console the Princess in her first day’s, but to little avail. Looking to the Warrior for his compassion, he just stared at the midnight blue mare with contempt in his eyes and stated as matter of factly as he could that it was not his place to play nursemaid to one who had given up the will to fight, and merely turned his back walked away. The Dragon and the Lion saw this as uncaring and cold, and took offence to the Warrior and his actions, but the Serpent saw meaning in his words, and sought his council.
Surpens approached Aiden as he sat on an outcrop, looking out to the stars. Once a great human Warrior, he earned a place amongst the stars not only for his many deeds in War, but also for his just and compassionate ways despite the chaos he caused. He was a deep thinker, and was often found in places such as this lost in his own thoughts.
The Serpent knew that the Warrior was aware of her presence, and waited for him to address her. In time his shoulders sagged and he let out a sigh.
“She lacks the will to fight. I can but harness it, guide it and even make her will completely indomitable, but it must exist first.” The Warrior spoke, leaning forward and resting his hands upon his knees.
“So what you’re saying is she lacks hope?”
“She LACKS anything!” He shot back, turning to face Surpens.
“She lacks drive, she lacks any sort of motivation and none of these can exist without… a something!” Aiden snapped, expressively drawing his hands to the front in the shape of a rough sphere.
“A guidepost…” Surpens replied, giving a gentle smile.
“Yeah a… what?”
“A centre, a point from where she can begin, and a marker she can look back upon to see how much she has progressed.” Explained the Princesses beacon of Hope, coiling herself to make herself comfortable. Aiden thought on this. Surpens was right of course, but why didn’t she…oh.
“So she also lacks hope?” Questioned Aiden, looking expectantly to the Serpent.
“Quite astute, and as you say, I cannot foster hope where there is none.” She gave her dejected reply not meeting the Warriors eyes, but looking back out to the stars. “So I was hoping that one who has led Army’s to victory where all hope was lost may have some insight…”
“Manipulative” Aiden cut in.
“…but effective.” Surpen’s hissed as she giggled, knowing she had him in a tight corner.
Again, Serpins was right. It was the Warrior that held the greatest chance of reaching the Princess now, and if anything was more powerful anchor then hope, he did not know of it.
“Alright I’ll do it, but I do it my way, and I do it alone and completely without interference once I start. I doubt any of you are going to like it, but all I ask is that you trust me.” His displeasure in being wrangled into this task evident in his tone, he glared down fiercely at the serpent who simply smiled back at him.
“…and don’t do that, it’s creepy…” Aiden shivered at the reptilian smirk, causing a hissing giggle to escape Serpens lips.
“…that to… creepy…” Aiden joked as he stood and headed back down toward the Lunar Mare where their friend’s awaited.
Luna could feel consciousness creeping back in as she began to awaken, dreading yet another night in this cold, lonely and desolate place. She could feel the weight of the shackles around her hooves, used to keep her dark self in check whilst she slumbered. It didn't matter, they could just stay on, she had no intent on moving. If it were possible, she would lay here for eternity, wasting to nothing and blowing to the wind.
She became aware of a presence, and chose to ignore it, instead concentrating on making her shallow breathing seem more regular so as to appear in slumber. The hairs on the back of her neck stood erect as the presence approached, it’s malevolent intent triggering a primal instinct to defend herself. Despite her every nerve screaming at her, Luna remained in place without so much as a twitch, cracking open only one eye to see the Warrior standing over her, fists clenched at his sides, and obviously extremely agitated.
He had naught said a word to her the whole time she had been imprisoned here, and she assumed him to be her Gaoler. How long had it been now? Day’s? Weeks? It felt as years, but she knew that would be too fortuitous for one such as her.
“I swear to the GODS if you ever look at me as though you don’t see me again I will knock your mussel clean off your face.” The Warrior rumbled, so venomous was the delivery that he now had her complete and undivided attention.
“Now get the Hell up”.
Luna did as instructed, retreating as far as the chains on her legs would allow. The shear amount of violence that seemed to emanate from this ...creature was enough for the Moon to know that his ere was something to be avoided.
He grasped the Chains in his hands as though a tuft of wheat, and they seemed to shatter like glass, making their way to her bindings until they too shattered as though they never existed. Luna remained fixed in place under his glare as he walked past her and on in the direction to her rear.
After a short distance he stopped expectantly, turning his head slightly so as Luna could see his scowl.
“Walk.” He instructed, and continued on his way. The Princess took this as a cue to follow the Warrior, and set off to do so at a safe distance. This proved troublesome, as the Warriors stride was long, and she found that she needed to trot just to keep pace. In time the Warrior stopped, placed his hands on his hips and looked up, surveying the beautiful green, grey and blue orb in the sky that was Luna’s home by night. She stared on, wondering if this was where he intended to bring her. The Moon wondered what was to come next, a more secluded prison, beatings, torture? She knew she deserved all these and more, and was resigned to her fate.
“Show me”.
“I, uh, what doest thou… uh?” Luna stammered weakly, completely taken aback by the unexpected question.
“Aiden.” He replied “Aiden the Warrior, but you address me as Aiden”.
“Oh.., Lord Aiden…”
“AIDEN! Not Lord, I worked for a living.” The Warrior gruffly cut her off, causing her to startle.
“I… very well then, uh, Aiden, I am sorry but I…”
“Don’t be sorry, be correct!” He snapped, yet again cutting her off mid-sentence.
Luna cowered at his reproach, still some ten meters to the Humans back.
“Now, come up here and show me” He asked again, and the mare meekly obeyed. She sat by his side and followed his glare, also looking back upon her world. This caused a sudden and heavy twinge of sadness within her, and it grew rapidly to a point it threatened to crush her very soul.
“Show me the kingdom you rule by night” Aiden instructed, delivering the final crushing blow to her delicate psyche. The sound that issued forth from Luna’s maw was truly the sound of a heart breaking, her body reached by heavy sobs her legs gave way beneath her. Luna howled with tears that she felt would drown her, for such a time she felt it eternal. Her whole body ached from her exertions, to the point breathing was painful.
When she did finally raise her head, tears still streaming from her eyes and fighting for breath he still stood there, unmoving, staring back at the planet and it’s beautiful night. Feeling her eyes upon him, he looked back down on her as stern as ever.
“Show me”.
“T-tis for naught…” Luna choked between sobs, rising back up onto her forelegs, glancing back upon the world. “I-I no longer h-hold claim to…” a fresh outbreak of sobbing cut her off, causing her to screw her eyes shut and drop her head “…Equestria…” The last word escaping with such pain that it physically caused her pain deep within her heart.
“I-I…”
“Failed your People, your Kingdom, and your friends, betraying your sister out of jealousy and hate and became a monster wrought on rule by fear and oppression of those who trusted you to protect them and keep them from harm”.
Luna sat there horrified by the words. She knew them, each one, to be true, but having them spoken aloud was beyond anything she ever thought she would have to face. The cold grip of fear permeated her stomach, and all she wanted was to flee. Her legs again refused to obey her as she sat struck with fear as the voice that gave wind to the horror she now experienced turned to her and continued.
“This caused the one being who loved you without question to not only banish you from your kingdom, but from the face of the planet itself, abandoning you for one thousand years for your sins.”
Luna’s pupils shrunk to mere pinpricks at these accusations, as she visibly began to quake in fear of the Warriors words.
“It would have just been easier to see you dead. Don’t you think? Yet here you are. What do you think that means?” The Warrior posed the question, fully meaning for it to be answered.
“T-that.. my… sis.. ‘T-tia… hates…” Luna was shaking so much now she could barely form a coherent sentence.
“Hates? Hates?!” Aiden burst out, a booming laughter echoing across the barren Moonscape.
“She loves you so much that she sent you to the MOON rather than see harm come to you. It will take her a thousand years to gain the strength to defeat your darkness, a seemingly impossible feat, but your sister did not even flinch in the face of such a hurdle to see you whole again.” Aiden smiled as he looked down at the Alicorn as she returned a bewildered gaze.
“And she pleaded with the stars themselves to watch over you for this, the longest of times. Not too many who love anyone so much as this, let alone enough to get four to answer her plea’s.” Aiden said, as he returned his gaze to the world.
“As far as your rule goes? You defeated one of your kingdoms greatest foes by shear grit and determination alongside your sister who holds your seat vacant for your return. The two of you have shown the residents of your world that together you cannot be defeated by all and any who seek to harm your people and by virtue of that, in just one thousand years’ time you will return to rule along by her side. This was the oath I swore to your sister, and the one I now swear to you.”
There it was, that slight glimmer in her eyes. Hope.
“You stay here and decide what that’s means for now, and tomorrow night I will ask the same question. I want you to show me the kingdom you rule by the night.” Aiden said, as he turned and walked away, leaving Luna to stare back at her home for the first time in seemingly so long with something other than sorrow in her heart.
As Aiden walked back, Serpin’s appeared before him, her mood apparent.
“UN-necessary!” she hissed, the anger burning in her voice.
“But effective.” Aiden replied, unfussed. “I’ve done my part, now it’s up to you.” He said as he continued on his way. He could feel the angry glare bore holes in his back as he did so, but was not concerned. He had given the Serpent exactly what she needed, and done so in a manner that she would look to be a soothing force after what he had just put the Princess through. The other two, on the other hand, well, that would be interesting.
Author's Note
Chapter 1! Could also be called "Aiden is a Jerk and gets away with it, maybe." Not overly long, cos I cut a buncha emo crap out of it where Luna whined about Ponies shunning the night and Aiden got angrier and was an even bigger jerk. Let me know how much I suck!!!
Chapter 2 - The Moon and the Serpent
Luna reflected on the Warrior’s words, and his role in this whole affair. It was clear he was no warden, at least not to her, otherwise why leave her to her own devices? Was what he spoke true? Had her sister banished her here in order to protect her, or were these just words? Doubt laid it’s leaden fingers across her as she pondered these things, and she went completely unaware of her next visitor until she spoke out.
“Don’t mind the Warrior my dear, his methods are crude and boorish, but he means well in his heart”.
Luna turned her head to see a great pure white Serpent, a welcoming(?) smile upon her reptilian lips. She remembered her from the few previous night’s where she had just lay prone, her grief too heavy a burden to bare. She had been a caring and motherly voice who insisted that the other all-too eager to help stars were kept in check.
“Who is he, and why did he bring me… OH! Wherever are thy manners, We don’t believe We have introduced thyself!” The Princess stood in order to offer a formal greeting.
“I am Luna, Princ…” Her Royal Caterlot voice failed her before she got the words out.
“No, not anymore…” though barely a whisper, her words stood out against the silent backdrop as she sat and dropped her head.
“Tis alright my dear, I know full well who you are, after all it is why the four of us are here. As to my name, you may call me Serpens, the Serpent star. The Human you met is called Aiden, the Warrior Star. He is here to, believe it or not, provide you with compassion and guidance whilst you battle your Darkness” Serpens hissed, trying to make light of Aiden’s recent lack of subtlety.
“Hmpf, I find that creature, that “Human” as you call it, almost without compassion or any form of useful guidance outside of demeaning thee for pleasure.” snapped Luna, remembering back to the way he had spoken to her. “What manner of creature is a “Human” anyway, We are sure that We hath never seen nor heard of such a beast before, erstwhile we most certainly hath avoided such an encounter!”
“Well some is feeling better” thought Serpens, whilst she positioned herself better to address the Princess.
“Humans are a warrior race not of your world, and he, Aiden, was one of their most celebrated.” Serpin replied as simply as she could manage.
“Not of thy world? Then which? And why is he here?” Luna demanded crossly, forgetting decorum and speaking as such. Serpens merely gave a gentle smile and continued unabated.
“He fought in many wars, and went on to lead many more, but his victories were not celebrated for their military prowess, but more so for their lack of cruelty and less overall loss of life. He always strived to make the quality of life better for those whose territories over which he fought, and for this, he won the hearts of the people. It is said that there was no need to garrison the towns in conquered lands where his influence laid, as the towns people were his most staunch supporters, and whilst I have my doubts, at least some of it must ring true otherwise why would he be here amongst the stars if he were not deemed worthy?” The Serpent asked at length, putting the question to the Moon.
Luna considered this, thinking back to the Palace Guard. She had on occasion watched as they trained, and of course interacted with them on a daily basis. They came across as stiff and brash, always jostling for dominance and perpetually on guard. But many also had their own super special somepony and many had foals of their own, so it made sense that there was more to them than what she merely observed. Satisfied, Luna summoned her composure and once again addressed the Serpent.
“And what of thee, Lady Serpens, what is thou role in this endeavour?”
“Oh ho! And what has become of the pained and depressed lump I have been watching over for these past few moons? It is almost as if I find myself addressing a Princess of the Royal Canterlot Court!” Serpens hiss out a laugh.
“Verily, thou art…” Luna gave pause as she remembered the Warriors words about being sorry “… I was incorrect in thy manner and assumptions, and wish to put the incident to rest.” Replied the Moon, straightening her posture and rising her mussel, looking as regal as she could manage given the circumstances.
“Well, well… what is this then? It looks as though I have grossly underestimated this one…” The Serpent mused, giving a dramatic bow as she made ready her reply.
“Of course, your Highness, I am Serpens, the Serpent star, and I come to you at the behest of your sister, the Sun, Princess Celestia of Equestria, to aid and guide you in these one thousand years of solitude so as to foster hope where the Nightmare would show you none.” Serpin addressed the Princess formally, as befitted her title.
“Hope, you say?” Asked Luna hesitantly “H-how is one to foster hope of all thing’s, in such a p-place?” She stammered, losing what little fortitude she had fought for so far.
Serpens watched on, putting as much soothing effect as she could muster into her voice, approaching her ward and lifting her hanging head with the tip of her tail.
“Tell me this Princess, why do you think that a Serpent has a forked tongue?” She asked, enjoying the confused look on Luna’s face. Unable to answer, she merely shook her head and waited for the Serpent to continue.
“It is because we are a creature of two halves, connected by one heart. The head is said to be violent and cruel, with poisoned fangs and a mouth to swallow our prey whole, yet our tail is supple and cool, without anger or remorseful tone, and yet the two are inexorably linked by a single bright and shining heart.” The Serpent removed her tail from under Luna’s chin as the Alicorn Princess stared intently on, hanging on her every word.
“And thus our tongue must speak for both our halves, and it must speak true from our heart, least our head or our tail rule the other.” She finished in reply, drawing back to give her dutiful student time to take in her words.
“In this way…” she continued “…I may guide you, young Princess, in maintaining the balance between your very own nature and the nature that leaves you out of balance, so that you can once again connect with your heart, and know true well and with confidence that the words that leave your lips are yours and yours alone, as spoken from your heart.” Serpens fell silent, leaving room for The Moon to reply.
These words struck a deep cord with Luna, as though they were being etched upon her very soul. It was as though Serpens was reading from her most fearful and pressing insecurities, and relating to them on the most intermit of levels. They had shaken her to her very core, from which she could feel the slightest ray of light emerge. If she were to be supported and guided by one who could relate to her on such a level, then all was not lost. What she needed now more than anything was someone who understood, someone who could relate to the opposing forces at work within her heart.
Without realising it, she had at some stage screwed her eyes shut. She slowly opened them to see she was looking back down at the barren cold ground. For the first time in longer than she could remember, a small smile tugged at the corners of her mouth.
“Thankyou.” She replied in the smallest of voices, closing her deep aquamarine eyes and opening them again to look upon the Serpent. She sat there coiled, a warm smile amidst a barren and cold moonscape.
“Come Princess, I shall introduce you to the others who will guide you through your trial, and I can assure you, if you found the Warrior boorish, then you will find the others both boring and brash respectively” the Serpent giggled and hissed as she made her way back the way they had come. “It is best if you do try to bare them though, it seems we may have to cohabitate for some time to come.”
Author's Note
And enter Serpens the Serpent Star!
Again.
I'm trying to keep the chapters short to avoid TL:DR'ism, which is a thing now, apparently. What do you guys think? Too short? I mean, yeah, it would be super awesome if they were like a zillion words long and downloaded straight into your brain, but until then folks lazy butt eyes have to do the work, and you know eyes, always wandering off, doing their own thing...
Let me know what you think, and please let me know why if your gunna vote me down, cos then I can fix it for next time <3
Smiles :)
