The Search for Light: Finding New Hope.

Chapter 10: Understanding.

“Celestia!” Voices ring out. All alarmed, in shock. The normally composed, regal figure, now hunched over, in tears. Under her, is her sisters form, curled up slightly, cradling her cheek. Twilight runs over to the white alicorn, pulling her back. And, surprisingly, Stella moves over to luna, helping her up. “Well, that just happened.” Double says. Yeah. That did just happen. After I explained to them about the kingdom. The people I met. The story they told. Everyone was, more or less, as surprised as I was when I saw it.

Though, Celestia just sat there. In solemn silence.  She got up, and walked over to her sister. First, embracing her in a hug, as she started crying. Then, for no reason that I could tell, just smacked her. “I’m sorry.” Celestia murmurs as she regains her composure. “There was no call for that!” Stella shouts at her. “Seriously, what the hay is wrong with you! What she did back then was the act of the purest kindness, and selflessness. Not one of defiance to you.” Stella keeps berreting Celestia with hard words. “And what were you just talking about? Didn’t you say that fath. . . Neros has powers that can change the way we perceive things? It would be obvious that, since he made her forget about me, that he would make her forget about them too!”

Stella’s argument continues unopposed. Everypony to shocked to argue against. Or they agree.  Stella looks back down at luna, giving her a hug. A tight one. . . For a moment, I see something shifting. On her flank, her cutie mark. It looks like it’s changing. But then, Stella breaks away from the hug abruptly. “You are still in the wrong too!” She calls down to Luna. “I will never forgive you.” What a strange mare. “I’m leaving now. Come on Silver.” She hastily walks to me, grabbing my tail, and pulling me along. “Hold it up there.” Aegis flys out in front of us, blocking the exit. “Move it, Blondie.” Stella says between her teeth. Oh god. I do not want to be between this. “Ain’t moving. And neither are you. We still have questions that need answers. And it seems both of you can get them.”

“Hey. I’m being dragged. . . . partly against my will. . . I did agree to help her with finding her answers too. Help her find a life to live. But, I still have other promises that I intend to keep. One of which is bringing Luna back to her kingdom.” Stella lets go of my tail, causing me to fall forward. I hear Pinkies laugh in the background, but it is instantly silenced by Doubles hoof. “Now, everypony, let’s all just take a moment to calm down. This is all alot for all of us  to handle.” I speak slowly. “Fine!” Stella and Aegis shout at each other. . Did I not just say calm down? Oh great Faust, please help me. You know I need it.

We all return to the table. On one side of me is Stella, seemingly ready to bolt at any moment. And on the other is Aegis, ready to. . . I don’t wanna know. I glance down at Stellas flank, at her cutie mark.  It’s weird.  I mean. It looks like it would be a normal sun. Dark purple, darker than her fur color. But there is this black cross in it. What could it represent? I feel the back of my head ‘lightly’ smacked. I use that word sparingly though, because Aegis doesn't know ‘lightly’ “Stop staring.” She whispers, angrily I might add, at me. I blush slightly. I realise that, to every other pony, I was just staring at her flank. fortunately nopony else seemed to notice. I sigh.

I think two full hours pass by before anypony has the courage to speak loudly. it is only a few simple words that are spoken. But, the meaning that they carry will decide the fate of all of us. Four words. Just four words. “We must decide. Now.” Celestia spoke out, making everypony look at her. And, if those four words could change everything, the discussion that follows even more so. “Luna. You can go and rule your own kingdom, but you have to keep up your responsibilities for the moon.” Luna nods. “But, Celestia. You need help ruling here. You’ve done it alone for a thousand years. I can’t let you rule alone any longer.” Celestia shakes her head. “Luna. There is no option for you. They have been left alone for much longer than me. Silver is right. They need there ruler back.”

Luna falls silent. Celestia turns to Twilight. “You do have a choice though. You don’t have to leave the land that you know. I can still send somepony else searching for the. . . “ Twilight shakes her head. “Princess. This is not an option. We all know that we must search for The Celica. It is our honor to find the light that can save us.” Celestia gives a nod as she falls silent for a moment.

“Silver.” Her voice echos out. I look up the the princess. “You said that you believe the other two Elements bearers would be there?” I nod slowly. Gulping slightly. “Y-yes princess. Like it was explained, it was no mere coincidence that those events brought Twilight and her friends together. From the Rainboom to Nightmare.” I pause looking at Double, Aegis, and Stella. “And, it is no mere coincidence that these events brought us together.” I turn to the princess, giving a confident look. “There are two others that I met. They live in the Lunar Garden. It has to be them.”

Silence again. “It’s all settled then. Twilight, you and your friends should take your time and prepare to leave. Once you feel fully prepared, then you can take your leave.” Celestia says, a little bit despondent. Twilight and her friends nod, taking their leave. “Silver. Bring us to the Kingdom of the Night.” I shake my head. “Princess. I made a promise that I wouldn’t tell anypony about that place, other than Luna. I had to break that promise because the urgency of this situation.” Celestia nods. “I understand. I will honor that, and not come with you. But, we must establish some sort of communication.”

Luna, after sitting in silence, speaks up again. “Celestia. I will explain the situation at hand to them. They will understand. I will contact you when I can.” With a few more curt nods. Me and luna walk out into the hallway. I let out a long, exasperated sigh. I look over to Luna. “Luna?” I say, silently, waiting for the princess to respond. She looks at me. I can see it in her eyes. The look of sadness, and regret. Of actually feeling remorse for what she has done. But, in her eyes, I can also catch glimpses of anger. Of a deep, hidden, fury ready to explode at a pin drop. The same feeling I have been holding back from Gold. “Luna. I know my level of hate can’t match yours.” I start out slowly  “Anyone would feel that way. After being under appreciated for so long. No pony holds any anger towards you. Or your actions.”  Luna just keeps a steady stare at me. “You had a sister that abandoned you when you needed her most. And I had a brother who did the same.”

Luna puts up her hood. “Silver. Now is not the time. Nor do I want to talk about this.” I ignore her, and place my hoof against her. “Luna. We suffer from the same situation.” She shakes her head, withdrawing her hoofs. “No. Silver Shot. I used to suffer from the same situation. I have moved on, and forgiven. You can not though. You can never forgive your Brother.”  I keep my hoof up. “I-I. . . Ok. You’re right. I can never forgive him. But. . . But I will never forget him either. He’s my. . . . He is my brother. We are the only family we have.” Luna stands there. She lifts her hoof, pressing it to mine again.

“Silver. We suffer. We hurt. And we got lost in the dark. Not knowing which way to walk or turn. But, we know where our loyalties lie. And they can lead is in the right way. I sensed it in you from the beginning. But, after seeing you and your friends, I know for sure. The abandonment in your past has led you to never abandon others. Not even Stella, who you barely know at all.” I nod slowly. “Well. I know what it’s like to feel lost, with no direction.” Luna gives a nod as she moves her hoof away, setting it down with a small clack. I bring mine down. I look down at the ground.

“Hey, Luna? If it’s not to much of a bother. Could we go somewhere before we head to the kingdom. It. . . It wont take long.”  Luna gives a nod, and with a flash of her horn, we are teleported to a small hill, overlooking a large field.  I hear a shocked gasp from behind the lone tree. “What was that?” I hear the voice mumble softly, as if just waking up. “We need to talk . . Brother.”