The Search for Light: Finding New Hope.

Chapter 2: The Midnight.

This is probably the most amazing, fantastic, extraordinarily, insane moment of my life. Well, at least right next to the time I ate 37 pounds worth of apple pie, then downing a few gallons of cider. . Man that was awesome. But besides that, this is amazing. Im finally going to become an official member of the Night Guard. I can see it now, me standing there, in a line with all the others who passed, all of us in turn being handed the official Night Guard Armor. And then. . . And then? What happens after I become an official Guard?

Hmm, I guess I should have thought that part through a little more. Though, from what I hear, depending on one’s talent you will get assigned to a division. Such as personal guard, castle guard, front line, something along those lines. I just can’t wait. I guess it doesn't matter what division I'm in, just the fact that I’ll be a part of the guard. Oh and, sweet Celestia, all the perks that come with it. I get to travel anywhere for free. I will get so much respect from everypony. Everypony back home will be so proud. Oh! And all the mares are gonna dig me. “Yeah, I’m apart of Luna’s official Night Guard. Impressed?”

“Psh, why would I be impressed?” I hear a voice behind me, slightly laughing and startling me. I scramble to turn around, making the pony laugh even more. Once I regain my composure and brush myself off, I open my eyes to see who is there. A dark gray mare, with a short messy, golden blond mane and tail. Not only that, but she is wearing Night Guard armor. I can’t help but just stare at her. “Hey? You alright?” I hear her ask, and I shake my head, regaining consciousness. “Marry me.”  I mumble.

Her expression quickly changes from concern to shock and disgust “What did you say?” She asks as her hoof raises in the air, ready to hit me. I step back, cringing slightly “Scaring me! I said you were scaring me.”  I hold my hoofs in front of me, to block any incoming hit.  “Really? That scared you? I only asked a question.” She sets her hoof down, and laughs again. “Well, I was kind of daydreaming.” I say with a slight blush. She smiles “Yeah I could see that. I was trying to get your attention for a bit. Then I just decided to see how far away you would get from camp. before you came to.” I look around, realizing that I have walked much farther than I meant to.  “Oh, how far did I walk from camp?” She shrugs “About a mile or so.” My jaw drops “A mile?” She nods “Or so, maybe a little more, maybe less. anyways whats your name? cadet.”

“I’m Silver Shot. And yours?” She mulls over my name for a moment “Oh, Midnight Aegis. you can just call me Midnight though, or Aegis, doesn't matter.. Say, do you have a brother?” I let out an exasperated sigh. “Yeah, has everyone heard of him, or what?”  I walk past Midnight, heading back towards the camp. “Well, he’s good at what he does, and where are you going?” I keep walking “Heading back to camp, where else?” She laughs “The camp is the other way, and it  would be closed down by now. There’s no getting into it.”   I sigh again “Well, what do we do then? Just stay here? In the woods?” She shakes her head “No. I know a secret way in, just follow me, cadet.”

Heck, I’d gladly follow her anywhere. I shake my head getting rid of those thoughts quickly, and stumble to catch up with her. As I walk, slightly behind her, trying not to be too obvious with my staring, I start to wonder. Wonder why she followed me, and why for so long. She does seem nice though. Or at least, she has no ill intentions to me. She seems to be easily agitated. Or maybe that’s just me.  “S-so. . How are you?” I stammer out. Celestia damn it. Is that all I could come up with. “I guess so. Other than following a cadet into the woods, could be better”

I let out a nervous laugh “Hehe, sorry ‘bout that.” She shrugs, looking back at me, a soft smile on her face “It’s no problem. Just don’t make a habit of it.” I smirk “I’ll try” We laugh slightly. A sudden rustling comes from the bushes all around. “We better keep it down.” She says, her tone now hushed, and cautious. I nod in compliance, and follow her closely, and quietly. “Why did you follow me?” I am quickly shushed by her. “Come on, you have to answer me.” I am quickly shushed once again. “Fine, I was just. . “ I am abruptly cut off by her. “Will. You. Be. Quiet!” The last word  rings out, breaking the (sort of) silence, echoing through the woods.

Silence again. Dead silence. The still air turning stale. Then a rustle here, or there, hard to tell, with the moon serving as the only source of light. I squint while looking around, catching only glimpses of blurry silhouettes, passing by quickly.  I keep low, and reach back for my bow. . Shit. I didn’t bring it. I reach to my other side. I flip out my dagger, catching it in between my teeth.  The tinge of metal quickly filling my mouth, as I bite onto it hard, grasping it tightly. “Now now, there’s no need for that.” I hear a voice chuckle. I spin around, looking through the shadowed trees, and moonlit bushes. More rustles surround us. .  Scratch that. Me. Just myself, left to die alone. And I thought she was nice. Scratch that again, I will not die here, I refuse to.

“Drop the butter knife, shorty.” I hear from behind me. I turn and face a black cloaked pony. A long, double edged sword, held by the pony’s mystical silver arua. I let my dagger fall to the ground. “What do you want” I ask. “No need to be so hostile, shorty.” He says, chuckling. “It’s just that, you wandered pretty close to. . . A place. One I call my home.” I nod slowly “So, you come out to attack me?” He shakes his head, chuckling again. He flips his head back, letting his hood slide off. . .  I face him, Stark white fur, and mane, with red eyes. “I haven’t attacked you. Just careful surveillance.” I glare at him, lowering my body, staying in attack position. “Then why carry a sword?” He laughs. “The same reason you carry a knife, just a sword is. . You know, more effective.”

“A weapon is as good as the pony carrying it.” I say in a low snarl, not letting my guard down, despite his how nice he may seem. He nods slowly “I guess that can be true.” I look around, making sure nopony is else with him. “If you don’t want to attack us, what did you do with Midnight then?” I ask, as I take a step closer, position my forehoof right at the base of my dagger.  “Hmm? I only heard, and saw, you. If there was another pony, they got away quickly.”  I nod slowly, sliding my hoof just a bit closer to the dagger. “I see. So she did just abandon me.”

I look down at the ground, feigning sadness. Just lining up a good shot. I move my eyes, glancing up at him. Perfect. I quickly flick my hoof forward, sending my dagger flying, skimming right across his side, tearing the cloak, and slightly cutting his skin. I lunge forward, grabbing his magically lifted sword in my teeth. (magic tastes weird) He keeps it in a tight magical grip, so I wrench my head back, making him stumble forward. I charge  forward, just to be stopped by the white stallion, pushing back with his magic. “Mmph” I let out a slight grunt of pain, feeling the handle of the blade grind against my teeth. “You just made a big, big, mistake shorty.” He looks up, his red eyes, seemingly glowing from the moonlight. His horn glows a brighter silver, making me squint from the sudden rush of light.

He then pulls his head back, forcing his sword out of my mouth. “Well, I seem to making a lot of those recently. Hasn’t stopped me yet.” I smirk, and launch my self up, flying around. “Get back down here!” He shouts at me, swinging his blade at me, coming close a few times. “Come on, I thought you would put up a better fight.” I say, taunting him. I dive quickly, snatching up my dagger. “Again with that fucking butter knife?!” He shouts. I fly around, dodging any of his swings.

“Enough! Drop your sword, Blade.” The white stallion, apparently named Blade, turns around, facing a white mare. She has long white mane as well, with a matching white flower in it. “Star, What are you doing here?” He says, as he slides his sword into a sheath at his side. “I told you to stay home.” She glares at him, walking up, straight to him. “And I told you to not be brash. And look, your standing here fighting.” He looks back at me. “He attacked first.” She sighs “Stop acting like a kid.” She turns away from Blade and walks over to me “So sorry about my brother. Did he hurt you?” She says, looking over my shoulder slightly. I shake my head, and a moment of silence pass’s between us. “Well, did he?” She says again, tilting her head to the side. I shake my head again. “Can’t you speak?”

I give a confused look, and squint, leaning in slightly. I notice she has murky light blue eyes. “Oh, im sorry. I didn’t realize. . “ I trail off, as she laughs slightly “It’s ok. I can see fine. Well, sort of. The stars are my guide.”  I nod slowly “Uh huh. Well, I’m fine, he didn’t even scratch me.” I say, and smirk back at him. “Yeah, only because he kept flying in circles.” She glares back at him, shutting him up instantly. “Again so sorry about him. I’m Starseeker.” She closes her eyes, giving a very sweet smile. “Silver Shot.” I reply. “I’m just trying to head back to camp.” She opens her eyes wide, slightly gasping. “Oh, you’re training at the camp?” I nod slightly “Mmhm. Yeah, I am.” She smiles excitedly. “That’s amazing!” She smiles wider. See, I told you, mares would dig me.

I smile “It’s not really. I’m just doing what I love.” I smile. But then I frown. “You didn’t happen to run into another pony, did you? A mare. Midnight Aegis?” I ask “She was leading me back to camp. But your brother showed up, and she disappeared.” Star nods slowly, and then shakes her head “No, sorry. I only followed brother here.” She frowns “If you want though, you can to our home, till day.” Blade lets out a frustrated sigh “Star, we’ve talked about this. We have to keep it secret.” She shrugs, looking back at him. “I know. But it’s the least we could do, for you keeping him stuck in the woods.” Her brother sighs, and starts walking away. “Fine, but if the elders get angry, you are the one to blame.”  She nods slowly, letting him walk away. “He really is a good guy. Just cautious, and over protective.” I nod slowly “It’s ok. I did kind of attack first.” She shakes her head. “It’s ok. I think any sane pony would’ve” We laugh and she starts walking.

I follow closely behind. She leads me to a cave entrance. “This it?” She nods, then shakes her head. “Yes, but trust me, the inside is way better.” She smiles and walks in. I hesitate slightly and step in. I feel a cold chill sweep through me as I am led through a magic barrier. “Welcome to my home.” She says. I think back, through this entire event. Who knew a simple walk would lead me, to not only two weird ponies. But an entire, hidden city. Building’s of all sizes scattered about, each made of beautiful amethyst, sparkling like stars. And a giant castle in the middle, of this brilliantly made city.

And despite entering a cave, the entire ground is covered with grass. And, I’m pretty sure that is a sky up there, and not what should be the rocky ceiling.  “W-what? Where am I?” I ask, still in a state of shock and awe. “It’s the Lunar Garden, our Kingdom of the Night.  My home.” I nod slowly “Lunar Garden, Kingdom of the Night.”

I notice other pony’s walking around. All of them in colours of ranging from bright white, to the darkest black, with gray in between. A few odd ponies here, or there, with a different colour, than the apparently typical white, black, or gray. And every race as well. Pegasi flying around. Unicorn’s magic-ing about. Earth ponies walking around. Each of them, minding there own business. Reminds of a small village, Ponyville. Only way bigger. “Cat got your tongue?” I shake my head, looking back over to Star. “Oh, sorry. It’s just. . So amazing to see.” She smiles and nods “Yeah. It really is.” I look over at her, frowning slightly “Umm. What’s it look like to you?” She smiles and faces me. “Like a clear, night sky.” She leaves it at that, and we continue walking.

As we walk closer towards the center of the town, I decide to break the silence. “So, what’s that flower?” I ask, glancing at it again. “Oh, it’s a spring star flower. My favorite kind. They grow around here.” I smile as I look keep looking at it. A star flower, how appropriate. “Thats nice.” I say as we keep walking.

Every pony we pass, stopping to look at me. Some glare, some look confused. Other’s just glance at me, and ignore me. “It seems I am drawing some attention.” I whisper to Star “Just ignore them. They won’t hurt you much.” I nod slowly. “Wait, much?” I ask, and she smiles “Here we are.” She motions to a modest looking purple quartz house. “This your house?” She nods slowly. “Well, kind of. Everything here belongs to our Mother.” I nod. “Wait, here as in this house.” She shakes her head, laughing. “Here as in the kingdom.” She smile. and opens the door, both of us walking in.

“So, you’re like a princess then?” She laughs more “No, far from one. Long ago, a mare made this place, and let us live here. She is a Mother to us all. Our dear Mother, and we are her Children of the Night.”  I nod slowly “That’s pretty amazing actually.” She smiles, and nods  her head slightly. “I guess it is.” She smirks at me. I laugh and nod. “It really is” We take a seat on a couch. “So, what were you doing in the woods?” She asks innocently, stareing just past my head. I look back to see nothing but the empty wall. Oh yeah, blind. “Umm. Nothing really. Just walking. Trying to calm my nerves before this big test.”

Star smiles, adjusting her head to look more at where my voice is coming from. “Oh, thats nice. What test?” She asks. “It’s a test that, if I pass, I will become a full member of the Night Guard.” She lets out a tiny, barely audible gasp, as her eyes widen ever so slightly. “Really now? That’s amazing. Oh, where are my manners, I invite you in, and haven’t even served you any tea. Let me go make some.” She start to stand. I look at her, slightly concerned.  She is both blind, and just an earth pony. It’s amazing she gets around as it is. I wouldn’t want her burdening her self just to make me tea. “Oh, no. You don’t have to Star. I’m fine. Really.”

“Oh, it wouldn’t be a problem Silver. I love t. . “ There’s a knock at the door, interrupting her. Star inhales sharply. “oh no.” She whispers, before calling out “Come in!” her voice is back to her cheerful one. A older mare steps in. An old unicorn mare, gray with age. “Starseeker. Care to explain why there is an outsider?” The old mare speaks calmly as she walks in, closing the door behind her. She takes a seat right across from me, half glaring, half observing me.

“He was lost. And his friend disappeared after Blade showed up. So I offered to let him stay till day. He’s an okay pony. I know he won’t tell this to anyone. Please let him stay White, please?” The old mare, White, sighs. “Fine. But I want a word with you, and Starlight Blade in the morning. And this pony.” She glares at me again. White gets up, and starts walking to the door. Star looks at the ground, biting her lip. “White. He’s from the camp. He’s training to be in the Guard. The Night Guard” White stops and looks back. She frowns for a moment, stepping right up to me, looking me over. Slowly, and carefully. “What is your name, young one?” I smile “Silver Shot. I just go by Silver though.” She looks at me closely still “I care not for nicknames, Silver Shot. But you are welcome here as kin.”

“Umm, ok? I’m confused.” I say, letting out a slight sigh. “Silver Shot, follow me. And maybe you will understand.” I nod and look back at Star. “See you later?” She nods as the door . closes behind me. I am lead to the castle. I am brought up it’s steps, lead into a long hallway. The throne room. The old mare lights up her horn, a white color filling the area. The blank purple walls shift, images appearing, in magnificent colour.  “Many, many years ago, the two sisters ended the reign of Discord. Riding the land of chaos, replacing it all with harmony.” I nod slowly, looking at the pictures telling the story. The story that I knew since I was young. “I know. Everypony knows that.” She look’s back and glares “Don’t interrupt.”

I nod slowly, keeping my mouth shut. “The land though, was left devastated. We pony’s struggled. We worked hard, trying to rebuild our homes. Grow food to eat.” She sighs and keeps moving along, telling the story to each picture.  “Misery was every. Especially for the pony’s who didn’t have magic, or wings. . . Or both.” She adds that last part in. “Our dear Mother, the younger sister, thought that the wisest decision would be to spread out the kingdom. Expanding, and found new pony colonies.” She walks to the other side, as I look at the images of saddened, and struggling pony’s. Pictures of a purple alicorn, looking over them, also saddened by their struggles.

“The older sister denied her though. Saying that spreading the kingdom will only tear it more apart. And then shatter it completely, from the lack of harmony.” White takes in a slightly malicious and angry tone. before continuing on normally. “Our mother, feeling like she was in her older sister's shadow, carried out her wise plan anyway. Mother went out, in the night, gathering the pony’s that were affected the most. The one’s living in the street. Kid’s from the orphanage.” She looks down saddened. “She brought us here. Let us live, and we prospered. We lived happily. Then, our Mother, she disappeared. And has been gone ever since.”

She sighs despondently. “I still remember it like it was yesterday.” She whispers to her self. “But that was many, many years ago. And we have ever since, been her Children of the Night”  I nod slowly “So, how does that make me your kin?”  She turns to me, a tear disappearing along her cheek. “Our mother, known to you as Princess Luna. You are in her Guard. You are welcomed as kin. But you must keep this a secret. Even to the Guard. For safety.” I nod slowly “I understand. I promise I will keep your secret safe.”  She smiles “Thank you, Silver Shot.” I smile back, and and then frown. “Y-you know what happened to Luna, right?”

I ask, wondering if these pony’s know what happened. “After our Mother disappeared?” I nod “Yes, we all know the truth of Nightmare Moon.” She says with a small sigh. “even though we do, we do not look down on her. She was taken by a force stronger than she could control.” She trails off “And, wouldn’t you be angered like her? Wouldn’t you want to be recognized for what you do for the world?” I nod slowly “I guess I would. . “ I sigh slowly, and look down. “She’s back. You know?” White looks up. “Yes, I assumed since you are becoming apart of the night guard. The Nightmare has returned.”

“Well, Nightmare did return yes. But a brave mare, and her friends, turned her back to normal. Back to Princess Luna.” White gasps, closing the gap between us. “When, when did our dear Mother return?” I smile sadly “A year ago. That’s why the Night Guard was brought back.”

“She’s back.” White says. Another tear rolling down, and disappearing along her cheek. I nod slowly. “You have to leave. Now.” White says. Her smile turning to her normal expression. “You must leave, and bring our Mother here.” I nod slowly “I can do that. But, I don’t know how long it will take though. See, first I have to pass a test tomorrow. . .” I trail off. How did I forget about it. I leave worrying behind though. I need to stay serious.  “And after I pass that, I can become apart of her personal guard. Then, me and Luna. . Your Mother, will be back.”

White nods slowly.  “Do I have to leave now though? Wouldn’t it be easier to stay here, then leave in the morning?” White sighs. “Fine. But you leave as soon as you can.” She states. “And, please don’t punish Star, or Blade. Neither of them meant any harm.” White nods. “I have cared for them since they were young. Their parents passed when they were young. And I know that they know what is right and what is wrong. And, how could I punish them for doing something they think is right? ” She laughs and I give a nervous chuckle. “See you in the morning. Silver.”