The Search for Light: Finding New Hope.

Chapter 13: decisions.

“You broke our trust.” One voice says. “How could you betray us like that?” Another rings out. I cover my ears with my hooves. Gaining weird looks from everypony. “Is something the matter silver?” Star asks from behind me. My guilt is making these voices ring through my head. For telling their secret. I know they are not angry, in fact quite the opposite, but still. “It’s just. I feel bad. For telling others about this place.” I get a chuckle from White. “It’s quite alright Silver Shot. It’s not like you told any common pony. So I guess we can forgive you for that.” Though she only means to tease, I tense up slightly.

I sigh, and let myself relax. “Ok. Now is not the time for joking. Let’s just get to the point.” I glance to luna, and she gives me a nod. “We’re all here. The possible Element bearers.” I turn to face everypony.  “We are all connected though a similar event, just like like the old Element bearers. Though this time, it is much more grave.” I point to each of us in turn. “Me, Silver Shot. Midnight Aegis. Starlight Blade. Starseeker. Double Lift. And finally Stella Dusk. Six elements. Six of us, brought together by no mere coincidence.”

“What are these elements?” I hear Star ask. “Loyalty. Kindness. Honesty. Generosity. Laughter. And Magic.”  I list out, as I look between us. The only question I can’t answer, is who is which. There has to be some easy way to tell. “How are you for sure that’s it us?” Blade asks. I give a shrug. “We don’t know for sure. But, we have no other option right now. And, you both seem to be good candidates.” He shakes his head. “I mean. All of us. You four as well. How are you for sure?”

He asks his question slowly. The words traveling through me. Luna speaks up before I can. “I used to be connected to the Elements once. And I can feel them connected to you six as well. That’s for sure.” I don’t think the princess completely erases his doubts, but its a start. “We won’t have the elements to use. But, we embody them, and just that can make us stronger. But, it can only work if we get along. I know some of us started out on the wrong hoof. And we are all confused. But we must push through. But. We can’t stay here. You two have to come with us. To Equestria.”

I hear Star gasp. Balde’s hoof hits against the table. “Impossible. We’ve never been outside the forest before. That place is a foreign world to us.” Luna nods slowly. “Yes. I know it is much to ask of you two. But you must go with them, in order to keep the Lunar Garden, and Equestria alive. And all the other lands.” Blade looks away, and Star just stares forward blankly. “Ok.” She says with a slight nod. “What. No way. It’s dangerous out there for you. I can’t let you go out there and get hurt.” She turns and glares at Blade. “It is my decision, not yours Blade. And I want to go!” She shouts at him. Wow. I’ve never seen the normally timid Star act like this. “Star. . “ He says in a low voice. “I’m tired of you thinking I’m helpless. Blade. I know you care for me. But, I can walk for myself.” He lets out a scowl. “You can’t though! Not out there. You don't know the lands at all. The sky will be different as well.” She turns away from him, pointing to her cutie mark. A shimmering Star flower, like the one in her mane.

For a split second, I could have sworn i saw him blush. To be fair, I think I did too. “It won't matter, Blade. Just give me one night in that place, and I can travel it with no problem.” Oh yeah. What did she say? The stars are her guide? Something like that. But, she’s been in the everfree before. During night. Well, I guess that place works differently. Maybe the stars do as well? The sibling continue fighting between themselves. “Enough!” The elderly white mare yells. “Both of you. I hate to see you fight. Now, the decision has already been made. Since you two were busy bickering. Both of you will be going with Silver and his friends.” Blade lets out a grunt and flops into his seat, and stare jumps up and down excitedly.

“And Silver. Please tell Celetia that I will be staying here. To rule. But, I will keep open communications with her.” I give her a nod. “I think she already knows. But. I will tell her.” Luna smiles. “Now, you all better get going.”  White shakes her head. “No. It’s getting late out, and, even though I don’t doubt all of your strengths. . . I’d just rather not risk it.” The six of us look between each other. All nodding in agreement. Even if we didn’t agree with White, I don’t think any of us would’ve argued against her. “Yeah. I guess there are plenty of rooms we could use in this castle.

Stella who has been silent this entire time, finally speaks up. “I’m sorry everypony, but can you all excuse me and Princess Luna for a moment. I need to speak to her. . . Alone.” We all glance between the Princess and Stella. Without a word, they both step away from the group, walking out into the hall.

(In the hallway)

The moment me and Luna step into the hallway, she puts up a dark bubble. “So they can’t hear us.” I give her a glare. “Oh, so you think I’m gonna yell at you again?” My voice is already raised. “You so insensitive Luna! I just wanted to talk to you. . . . “ I breath slowly. Why? Why am I already so angry. Neros. He put that curse on me. How can I break it though? I open my mouth to speak to Luna. But close it instantly. Only more words of hate will come out. “Stella? What is it dear?” I shake my head, fighting back tears. “Stella. You came out here to talk. So talk!” Luna sounds like she is getting impatient.

I give her a glare, and open my mouth again. “Will you just shut up! I’m trying to speak, but you just keep talking. You know how annoying you are?” Great Faust, there I go again. “Luna. . Just be quiet.” I say. My words are full of hate. But I don’t mean any of it. I just want to tell her. . . Tell my mother how much I want to love her. How much I want her to love me back. But, this curse will only increase the distance between us. Well. If I can’t show what I mean through words. . . Maybe through actions? I sit there for a moment, sniffing slightly as a tear rolls down my cheek. I hold open my hooves as I look at Luna.

She just stands there for a long, silent, moment. She gives a small smile, and her eyes grow misty. She steps up to me, and pushes her hooves around me. I close mine around her, and we embrace for the first time in a long time. I feel a warmth spread through us. I open my eyes to see a glow as well. Memories flow between me and luna. Filling in only small gaps. She loved me. She always has. And always will. I’m her only daughter. She hid me from Neros, but he knew. And he froze me in that dark place. Along with trying to rearrange my memories. My subconscious mind fought him though. Finding it too tough to change my mind completely, he just shattered it. My memories. Piecing together small bits, then left me there, in the cold. Longing only for the warmth.

I have that now though. The warmth. And I love it. “Luna. . . Mother. I love you.” Finally able to speak the truth, I pull away from the hug. “I love you. I do. I’m sorry I couldn't say it before.” Luna looks as if she is going to speak. But she opens her mouth, and it just hangs there. Now a look of astonishment on her face. “Wings?” What does she. . I look to my back, a long pair of purple wings. . . I let out a sigh. “Well, I broke part of the curse.” I look down at my cutie mark. One black line fades away, leaving one more.

Sooner than I expected. His voice rings out. I’ll only have to keep moving quicker. But, not that quickly. It will take you even longer to get your horn back. “Stuff it, Neros.” I say, and his voice fades from my head. Luna looks at me confusedly. “He’s been speaking to me. Sometimes. about this curse, and moving to get her faster. That means we only have to move quicker as well.” Luna nods slightly. I decide to explain more. “I remember, barely, that I was like you. An alicorn. But Neros cursed me. I guess, finding my love for you broke the first part.” I give my mother a big smile, and hug her again.

“It looks like I have to get used to no horn, and having wings now.” I let out another sigh. “I-I can call you mom, right?” I ask with a light giggle. . .Weird. It seems for the first time, since I woke up, that I’m actually happy. I hate curses. Luna only gives me a nod in response .Still seeming shocked by the wings. I kind of am to. The others will be to. Looks like we only have more to explain.