Bliss in Darkness

Waning Crescent

"Indeed."

I was startled at Luna's abruptness with me. Certainly she knew I still cared... somewhat. Regardless of her emotion, I would have to handle this situation and hopefully win back her heart.

"Now Luna... There's no need to be short with me. I've had my share of yelling for the night, and I don't need two mares mad at me."

"Fluttershy never yelled at you..."

'Fuck. She is on to us.'

"How did you...." I started.

'The presence! It was Celestia! I knew we have felt that before...'

"My sister and I have our... methods. So is that all I am to you? Somepony's backup plan?" Luna's voice had risen slightly, and I was afraid that she would snap at any moment. She seemed very cold and distant. I knew she was cross with me but...

"Wait wait wait.... Why are you black, Luna?" I asked, my fear replaced by intrigue. I knew it probably was not the time for questions but I could not place a finger on the mares' sudden change in fashion. Perhaps black coat was in season? Perhaps I would ask Rarity. But... had she grown in size as well? Now I had to know.

"It is a long story. But it is my time to ask questions! Tell me, Charles. What am I to you?" She said, using a terrifying voice filled with power and volume beyond measure. This must be the royal Canterlot voice Twilight explained to me during her recap of last year's Nightmare Night festival. It sounded like two ponies were yelling at me at once through a megaphone, or large public address system. It was definitely frightening and caught me slightly off guard.

"Ugh... fine. But stop with the voice, it's giving me a headache."

I paused briefly and shook my head. It felt like something had dislodged inside my ears. I would have to visit the doctor after this ordeal to make sure Luna hadn't popped my ear drums.

"Look, this whole thing is just a stupid misunderstanding. I'm sorry. It's just... well... where I come from, romance between species is strictly forbidden and wrong. It is a crime in fact." Luna looked at me as if she was going to turn around and buck me straight to the moon, and she probably would have if I hadn't continued.

"But Earth is different from Equestria. On Earth, humans are the only intelligent species. No offence, but where I come from, ponies are unintelligent animals who sit around and eat grass all day. They are incapable of reasoning, higher thought, or speaking. They do not build cities, they do not construct monarchy style governments and they certainly do not control the weather or raise the sun and the moon."

"But..." Luna looked genuinely hurt, and it was evident in her voice. "How does that work? Do humans raise the sun and moon? I thought humans did not possess magic, or wings..."

I was glad that Luna had calmed down, but I was also rather sad that she had taken this news so harshly. Then, I remembered she had not been there when Twilight explained the works of that unicorn in Canterlot. Luna had not heard of the Imagination Theory. But then again, she was an immortal goddess. Surely she would have remembered the creation of her world? So many questions, so little time. I thought briefly, and continued my explanation.

"No, Luna, we do not. We don't control the weather or the celestial bodies. Earth is a harsh land ruled by the sheer forces of nature and evolution. That's why humans have become so powerful. Over the thousands of years, we have grown and adapted to the harsh world. Tell me, how many ponies exist in Equestria?"

"Just over one million." Luna answered promptly.

"What if I told you there were a little over seven billion people living on Earth right now? It is a very different place. They are much less in tune with life than you ponies are here. And also... there's something else I should tell you, but I don't know if you will believe me..." I said, preparing to drop the news. I always wondered how the Princesses would react when I told them this, and now was the time to get my answer.

"There... can't be that many living in one area. What? What is this information?"

"Well... on Earth, there are many many people who believe in Equestria. They write novels and create art of the ponies."

"Why is that? I have never seen a human here before. Are you saying they worship us as deities?!" Luna cried, thinking highly of her sophisticated answer.

"No... its the other way around. The people of Earth... may have created Equestria."

"..."

***

“What’s wrong Applejack?” Pinkie whispered to her lover.

“Ah… Ah just don’t feel right lyin’ to all our friends…” She returned with a gloomy stare. Keeping secrets wasn’t easy or pleasurable for Applejack, but what would Ponyville think if she was a filly fooler? How would Big Mac react? Celestia forbid Granny Smith’s reaction. But she had to tell somepony... they couldn't keep it a secret forever, especially if they were going to try to make it a permanent relationship.

"Neither do I AJ, but I just don't know if the others are ready to know yet.." Pinkie said in a reassuring tone, that made Applejack question. Pinkie Pie was known for many things, but being withdrawn is not one of them. The only thing she had held in terms of secrets were her famous Pinkie Promises. But nary had a Pinkie Promise been made.

"Ah just... We gotta tell somepony. There's no way we can keep this up forever Pinkie..."

"Who said we were going to keep it up forever?"

"What... but ah.... what?"

"Well... I asked you if you wanted to try a mare... I'm a mare and we tried it. I thought that's all you wanted from me..." Suddenly Applejack's throat tensed up. A lump was steadily rising, starting from her heart. Had she just heard that correctly?

"But Ah thought... you said you loved me...."

"I did AJ, but we always say that. All best friends love... each.... other..." Pinkie said as Applejack got up and left Pinkie's room. She didn't even say goodbye to the Cakes who had just returned from their stay in Fillydelphia. Thoughts swarmed Pinkie's mind ranging from 'what have I done' all the way to 'what did I want to do.' Pinkie had thought Applejack just wanted to test it. She never thought Applejack could have actually loved her. Love was puzzling.

Puzzling indeed.

***

"Lies! All Lies! I was there when this land was created! It was eons ago! Your people could not have created us so recently!" Luna shouted as her eyes began to glow. She rose from the ground and threatened me with a pose of pure anger. This must be why the entire world feared Nightmare Moon. Luna was a monster, just like me.

"Look, I'm not saying that's how it is. But look at your designs! How the hell could a non-magical pony use a pair of scissors without fingers? Because they were designed for humans! There are cities here in Equestria that are named after Earth cities! Canterlot, Fillydelphia, Stalliongrad... all based off of Camelot Philadelphia and Stalingrad. You can't deny the evidence, our worlds are linked. How is it that we just happen to speak the same language? English. It developed in England on Earth. Pegasus and unicorn are both earth words. Manticores and Dragons appear frequently in Earth stories and artwork! EARTH PONIES for Christ's sake!"

"But that doesn't mean we were created from you!"

"I don't know what it means, but you don't have to take it personally! Come back down here and talk to me like a civilized pony!" I shouted, as Luna had been raising into the sky at a steady pace ever since the fight begun. I would have to end this quickly, and calm this mare down before the storm she was creating caught the eyes of the ponies who were waking up in Ponyville.

"I just.... Fine. Just let me lower the moon so Celestia can take over..." Luna said in a calm tone as she fell from the sky and landed gracefully on four hooves. The storming stopped and the cool morning breeze flowed peacefully once again. The moon fell, and the sun rose up just as it had every day for many generations.

"You know, it still amazes me to see you do that."

"Oh, I thought you would tell me that Earth does it better..."

'God dammit why does she have to be such a drama queen?'

'I don't know... but she is MY drama queen.'

'Not yet she isn't... get in there.'

"Lets talk about this normally, shall we? I know a place that isn't too far from here. It's not the Everfree Castle this time." I said as I started walking off into the forest, praying that she would follow me. My prayers were answered, as I soon felt hoofsteps and gentile breathing behind me.

It took a little while, but I eventually found a familiar path in the forest that led me straight to my destination. A hidden lake secluded in the mountains of the Everfree that I had found while I was Manticore hunting under the influence of Nightmare Moon. The perfect place for reconciliation between two quarreling lovers. It was free of the darkness surrounding the other portion of the forest, and hopefully there wouldn't be any predators out to interrupt us.

I led her over to a small clearing with a perfect view of the lake and all the surrounding meadow.

'Fluttershy would love this place.'

'Oh so now you want me to go back to Fluttershy?'

'Hey, I'm your conscience. I only tell you what you secretly want to hear.'

I sat on a log, and Luna laid down on her stomach facing me and folding all her legs under her. It was a very equine pose, and I was frightened my natural defense against outer species romance would kick in. It did not, as I still found her to be quite beautiful. Her hair blowing just right in the wind, her eyes staring at me with all the inquisitiveness of a mare scorned. She had grown in height. Sitting down, she almost came up to my waist. I secretly reveled in my height, it made me feel superior when I realized I towered above everypony around.

"What is it you wish to speak of."

"I no longer want to speak of Earth, that's for sure. Let's talk about us." I said confidently.

"What us? Since when was there an 'us'?"

"Oh don't be coy. We both know there was something there before."

"Was, indeed."

"Will you stop with the sarcasm?"

"It is my nature."

"Good, cause it's sexy on you."

Luna's black face somehow turned deer crimson as the complement sunk in. Oh how I found joy in embarrassing her. There was a certain thrill that came from calling someone of extreme power and importance sexy. It brought them back down to earth and stripped them of their immortal guise. Which was exactly what I was trying to do. I had started up the game again, and this time I would win.

"I.. uh... thank you Charlie. Now should we resolve this once and for all?"

"It will never truly be resolved Luna."

"Whatever do you mean?"

"You are a princess, and I am a man. As long as you keep up your mask as the Princess, I will never be with you." I said plain and simple, enjoying the look on her face as she fell from hopeful to dismayed.

"What... what does that mean?" She said, the spark of humanity returning to her. Ponity? Nevermind.

"It means that I fell in love with Luna. The cute and caring pony who visited me in the hospital every day for weeks to ensure I would be alright after nearly giving my life to save her. The Luna that gave me this book." I said as I pulled the secret weapon from my cloak. I had carried it with me all this time, grabbing it right after writing Fluttershy's note.

"You... you liked the book?"

"I loved the book. I love the night sky. I love the night, and the one who creates it. I enjoy peering into the abyss, not knowing who or what is staring up at the same sky. The night protects me, gives me strength when I need it."

"That... nopony has ever said that to me before."

"No pony did say that to you. I did. A human, from Earth. And I'll say it again. I love you, Luna. I have from the day you gave me this book, and I'm fairly sure I always will. I went to Fluttershy to forget you, but I only ended up reinforcing my feelings. She is a lovely mare, but she is not Luna. Nopony but you can live up to that standard." I started my speech. I didn't know I even felt that way about her until my feeling came pouring out of my mouth. It would have been embarrassing, if not for what happened next.

Luna stood up and stepped over to me ever so slowly. I thought she was just going to keep walking, but she did not. She stopped inches from my face and took a deep breath.

"If that's how you feel then now is your chance to prove it."

And prove it, I did. For I kissed her with such force it nearly knocked her back on her flanks. I continued kissing as she gasped and opened her eyes. I stared at her for a second before pulling back and catching my breath. I smiled as I spoke.

"Where did you get that chocolate cake?"

***

"Spike...."

"......"

"Spike!"

"SPIIIIIIIIKKKKEEEEE!!!!!!!"

"Huh?! What's up Twilight? Where's Charlie?"

"Get my coffee... and hurry..."

"Ugh... fine. But you owe me some answers!"

"Fine."

Twilight rolled out of bed, her mane even worse than it normally was. She did not sleep well, her thoughts were too concentrated on Charlie and the situation out in the forest. If they didn't do something soon, bad things would happen. Twilight was not as informed as Charlie, but she could only sit and believe what he said about Earth. She had hoped that Charlie was over exaggerating, but she could not say so for certain. She only knew what he told her, and he had not told her a lot.

Several seconds passed, and then several more. Once Twilight ran out of things to occupy her mind with, she noticed that Spike had still not returned with her coffee. And she could not live without her coffee. She would just have to get it up and get it herself, and bump Spike a couple notches down on his assistant grade. That will show him.

Twilight yawned and headed to her mirror. She was startled by the monster that stared back at her. Bloodshot eyes, gnarled hair. If it did not share the same lavender stare, she would have screamed and hid under the covers. Wiping the crust from her eyes, she magically lifted a brush and started untangling the snarls.

Stroke by stroke, and very painfully, she managed to get her mane at least halfway presentable. She slipped out of her nightgown and started to head out of her bedroom. Briefly pausing to wonder why she even wore a nightgown, she headed down the stairs.

"Spike? Where are you... I'm going to knock you down a grade if you don't get.... over.... here....." She stammered as her brain struggled to comprehend what she was seeing. Spike was nowhere to be seen, and her coffee was boiling over in the kitchen. That was the least of Twilight's worries, as there standing before her were several large beasts. Their coats were rigid, and colored black. They wore hats atop their heads and had strange mechanical devices inside their ears. They wore black gloves and black shoes. They were...

"Humans?"

"Good morning, Ms. Twilight Sparkle."

Authors Notes: Many of you keep referring to shit hitting the fan, and here is is! Hope you enjoyed this chapter, and all the glorious buildup and cliffhangers! Also, I am going to begin the search for OC characters. Now before you go throwing Photoshop ponies at me, I'm going to request that they be human!

That's right, you heard me. I'm going to shake it up quite a lot in the coming finale, and I need another human to throw into the mix. I was going to incorporate myself into the story personally, but that's no fun! The human can either be you, or someone you know, as long as they aren't some super powered unique crazy bad-ass human. (We will get to that part later). I want average joe's here people! Men (or Women) that want to make a difference where it counts. May the contest commence!

(Warning: If I don't get any OC submissions, I'll be very sad that nobody cares, and won't be able to finish the story properly.)