Bliss in Darkness

Black Clouds with Silver Linings

"You thought you could leave without saying goodbye to me?"

"No... It's just. I'm sorry. It's painful... and what happened last night doesn't help."

"I already told you... The kiss was meaningless. We were both intoxicated and besides... I wish to remain just friends."

It was that statement that echoed through my mind for the whole trip back to Ponyville. The conversation played back in my head over and over like a broken record. It was then I started to lose hope. I thought this world was perfect and everything would be smooth sailing from now on. At least I still had my six friends backing me up. I hope I did anyways... I had only just met them. Is that long enough to constitute as friendship? So many questions were buzzing through my mind. I perked up my ears as I heard Applejack saying something to Rarity two seats ahead of me. I silently gave thanks that it was night, as my senses perked up enough to decipher what they were saying.

"Ah just don't understand... Why is he so worked up about this?"

"Well as he said, there are horrible things after him."

"After him yeah, but he is actin' like all of Equestria is doomed. That kinda' attitude makes me wonder if he just doesn't wanna' face his punishment for whatever it is that he did. He has us all worked up over his punishment."

I sighed very loudly at that statement, causing the pair of them to look back at me. I beckoned to Applejack and smirked at her. The tension in the train car was almost palpable. I would not stand to be made fun of. Not after what happened to me. My 'attitude' was very just in this situation. I watched her whisper something to Rarity, then she kicked herself out of her seat and meandered down the hall to my bench.

"So... I see ya musta' heard what I was sayin'..." Said a very flustered and embarrassed Applejack.

"Do you want to know what they did to me Applejack? Do you want to know the horrors they put me through? Because I will tell you."

"Ah just... uh..." I cut her off with my next statement.

"I am not human. Not technically. My eyes shouldn't be like this. My senses and muscles shouldn't get stronger at night. I sure as hell shouldn't be able to drain and give the force of life. Once these people... these monsters found out that I was different.... the tortured me. They told my family I was dead. They stabbed me, cut me, punctured me, day in and day out, over and over again for three years. The only way I was able to survive was by feeding off other living creatures. You tell me how that is 'my punishment.' Then, they killed my family." I whispered very intently. I did not wish to fight with her, but if she was going to be on my side she would have to know all that happened to me. She needed to see why this must be stopped.

"Ah'm... ah'm so sorry... ah didn't know..."

"Well now you do. And do you know what will happen if they find me here? Do you know what these people will do to your alicorn goddesses and your beautiful peaceful land? I shudder at the thought. I'm not just blowing smoke here, Applejack. I need you and your friends to stop this. Please... if not for me, do it for them." I said motioning to all of her friends who were now staring intently at me. I then noticed how loud I was speaking. I was grateful that we were the only ones aboard the train this late at night.

"You all heard me didn't you..." I said lowering my head in embarrassment.

"Yes, but it is nothing to be ashamed of. I'm still your friend." Twilight said reassuringly from a few seats away. I heard various affirmatives throughout the train, Rainbow Dash's being the loudest.

"Ah'm sorry for doubting you Charlie... Ah was just confused."

"It's alright Applejack. But now all you know the true danger we face. These people are pure evil. I'm going to need all of your help to figure this out."

"We are behind you Charlie. I promise." Twilight said, now taking a seat beside me where Applejack had been.

"Thanks Twilight. Coming to Equestria was the best thing that ever happened to me and I don't want to see it ruined like everything else in my life has been."

After our heart to heart talks, the rest of the journey was silent. My thoughts ranged from internal to external as I looked out the train window. Twilight had fallen asleep, and I didn't feel like talking anyway. There was something eating away at me. Something I couldn't quite place a finger on. I turned my gaze to the midnight sky and it came to me. Luna. I missed her. I had spent the past few weeks with her, and she was the first to forgive me after learning the full truth of my past. I felt like we shared a connection, both of us being so attuned to the night. I loved it. I loved her. And the last thing I heard as I left Canterlot castle may have crushed my hopes of being with her forever. Sure it was just a stupid kiss shared by two drunken fools, but for me it was more than that. I felt for her... and it hurt to be turned down.

I pushed the thoughts out of my head and lost myself in the blissful darkness that I was surrounded with. I wanted to sleep, but the night was so captivating. It was as if an artist had painted the night sky with feelings of great emotional distress. The whole time I was thinking about Luna, I felt like I was being watched. It was the same feeling I get when another is listening to me very intently. It was annoying, as I knew everypony on the train was asleep and there was no way any of them could be reading my thoughts. I banished the thought from my mind. I shut my eyes and listened to the rhythm of the wheels on rails as it carried the train to Ponyville, and carried me to sleep with it.

***

"What have I done..." The weeping alicorn sniffled as she painted the night sky. The colors of the night blended together in the intense self-inflicted rage of their creator. Luna shot tendrils of emotion into each and every corner of the sky until all the stars gleamed with pain.

"I noticed the night sky is looking extremely... stressful?" Sighed the larger of the two alicorn sisters. Alarmed by the sudden intrusion of her sister, Luna let out a small yelp and dried her eyes as nonchalantly as possible. It was dark, and Celestia couldn't see the look of pain on her sisters face, but instead sensed it seeping through her veil of mixed emotions. Her sister was in turmoil. About what, remained to be seen.

"You know Luna, you can tell me anything. You are my sister, and I love you." She said, trying to calm her sister in distress.

"I... I just can't Tia. Leave me alone.." She cried as she threw herself on her bed in agony. Celestia couldn't just step aside and let her sister drown in her pain. The last time this happened, she almost threw the land in everlasting darkness.

"We both know I won't just leave you here. Please tell me?" Celestia said as she lit the room dimly with her horn.

"I don't know where to start sister... I have done something awful." Luna said, deep in thought. Her tears ceased, and she spoke with the tone of a voice that had no soul left behind it.

"And what is that?"

"It's Charlie... He left Canterlot without saying goodbye. I caught him leaving and I... confronted him."

Celestia sat silently, waiting for her sister to continue.

"We... well... He kissed me last night. We were both drunk and it was stupid, but I'd be lying if I didn't want it to happen. Oh Celestia shouldn't I be beyond these things?"

"We are not perfect beings, Luna. We are immortal, and hold great power, but we are not immune to the trials of the heart. Are you saying that you love Charlie?"

"I... well... no I don't think so. But I think he does and I hurt him by turning him down... I mean... I don't have anything against him but..." Luna said with a small quiver in her voice.

"Luna... You know you can't hide your feelings from me. Tell me the truth." Celestia said, detecting the slight untruth in her sister's previous statement.

"I just... I don't know if I have feelings for him or not. He is the only one I have seriously talked to since... since I came back from banishment. He listens to me and he loves the night as much as I do. I just don't know how to feel..." Luna said from underneath a large black satin pillow.

"Luna... There is no shame in your feelings. Take some time to figure it out and go talk to him in Ponyville. I'm sure his task has him stressed, and a visit from you will help him." Celestia suggested, trying to comfort her sister.

"I don't know... after what I said I don't think he will ever want to see me again."

"Oh, you'd be surprised as how much he wants to see you right now."

"How do you know?"

"I have been in his mind the whole time."

***

I awoke when the train came to a shuddering halt. I felt sore, which was no surprise when I realized my neck craned the way it was. I was in pain, emotional and physical as I stumbled to my feet and picked up my suitcase from under the bench. Twilight had left my side in the night at some point, and was now magically lifting her bags out the door. I sighed as I took one last look at the train. I decided I was going to need a better place to sleep tonight.

My heart heavy in my chest, and my neck throbbing in pain, I proudly exited the train with my head held high. Even though I was in distress, I never felt better. Having my past out in the open to my new friends was very relieving. I thought nobody would ever accept me for who I had been, but then I came to realize something. It was just that. Who I had been. Not who I was. I had changed considerably from the vengeful boy who killed his lover out of spite and malice. I had friends now and even though it hurt, I still had Luna. Even though she would never be more than just a friend.

I was so caught up in my internal thoughts I didn't notice the barking sound coming from behind me.

"It's so cute!" Said Fluttershy, who leaned down and somehow picked the small creature up in her hooves.

I couldn't believe my eyes. It was a dog. I scanned its life and it gave off the familiar pulse of an Earth creature. I shuddered as I figured out what that meant. If this animal had made it through, how much longer did I have before somebody called the police to report a missing person? How long would it take for the police to call the special unit that had captured me? I called out to Twilight.

"That creature... That dog. It is from my world. I can feel it. We need to figure this out before somebody on Earth figures this out." I said in a grave tone of voice.

"How do you know? Oh, right. The powers. Well we should head back to the library. I'll tell the others to drop off their things and meet us there as soon as possible. I have a spare room, so you can stay there with me." Twilight said calmly. I appreciated her tone of voice. She was very serious, but still polite and pleasant. I could see myself becoming great friends with Twilight.

We set off for the library. I took the puppy in my hands and scratched him behind the ears. He seemed to like it here. Maybe he could be my new pet. He let out a high pitched yawn and fell asleep in my arms on the way to the library. It reminded me of why I had to win this coming fight. If I let my past catch up with me here, everybody's lives are over. I couldn't let that happen. All my friends have been so kind to me... and I will never give up on Luna. I have been given so much in the past few weeks, and I couldn't hold in my gratitude for any longer.

"Twilight?"

"Yeah?"

"Thank you."