midnight farwell

Luna hardly left her room for days. Not sense her birthday. no one came to bug her either. she didn’t eat that much and she desperately needed a shower, but she just couldn’t find the strength to do anything. "Why daddy, what was wrong with you. The door crept open enough so that Adrian could bring her some dinner. "Princes you need to get cleaned up, now come on" sighing she rose and walked past him to the bathing room. the halls where as silent as the rest of the castle, no one spoke much at all. she swore she could here her mother crying but couldn’t bear to find out if she was right or not. Solemnly Luna retreated into the shower and turned on the water.

it came crashing down onto her in a light warm jet. Socking her hair she finally noticed that the kings crown was on her head still. she touched it for a sec then left it alone. its all she had left of him. Letting another lonely tear rundown her face, se jumped as the door opened, and Celestia walked in. they stared at each other for a moment. her big sister looked like she had not slept in months. "um Luna, I just, I wanted to check on you Hun are you doing ok i mean not OK, but, um" Luna turned of the water and shook out her fur and main. it wasn't until her tail poofed up that they both saw it in the mirror.

they both stared astonished even though they both knew what it was,

Luna trotted over to the mirror to make sure. Lifting her tail they both gasped. apon her flank laid a patch of now black fur and in the center a crescent moon. Luna had her cutie mark.

Hours latter Luna stood outside the chambers of the royal negotiators. once word passed in mere hours royals started showing up . none said a word to Luna, except Adrian.  her came over to her and wrapped his hoof around her. "Hey my little mare of darkness, what’s up" Luna smiled up at him. "so i got my cutie mark. Apparently I did when daddy...." Luna looked down. She missed her dad. The way he looked, his smile, his deep voice, but most of all, the moon. It had not risen in several days and she felt empty inside. Finally remembering her sister there she came back too. “Died, I didn't even notice it” Adrian gave her a big hug. “So what is it” his smile could barely hide his concern.

She lifted her tail and turned so that he could see. “It’s a crescent moon” Adrian examined it for a moment. “That is so cool little filly! So what’s it for” Luna opened her mouth but then stopped, "you know I don’t know, its just there. I got it when…I …put on dads…….crown” Luna’s eyes grew wide. Even she could understand what it might mean.

Adrian picked her up and put her on his back. “you know what screw the conference lets go out for a picnic” Luna’s face lit up. Even if it was day it felt good to do something again. “Come on Celestia, you can come to” Adrian looked around the corner where the other princes stared at him in shock. “Oh…ok”

Finally outside Adrian picked an open field for them. Laying out a blanket and pulling out a box of food they sat down and ate. None of them knew what was coming soon but for calm in the storm it was a good start to face it.

After a long day Adrian stood up slowly. “hey Luna come here" the happy young filly ran up onto his back. "Luna i want you to remember something for me princess" "sure thing Adrian go ahead" remember to keep your head up little pony, no matter what happens, especially with your sister she will always be here for you. remember to smile and above all else, never give up, OK hun" Luna could swear his voice was cracking, but she didn't want to upset him. "ok adrian" he smiled and set her back down. "OK now,go ahead and get a head start we’ll be right there” smiling the young filly  ran across the field. Once she was out of sight, Adrian collapsed. Celestia caught him just barley. “Celestia, I’m sorry but this is, this is the last time were going to se each other. I’m sick your majesty and your father was keeping me alive” a look of disbelief crossed her face. she couldn't say anything. "he, he used his magic to keep me alive, and now im slowly fading away" she could tell it hurt to talk. slowly standing back up he hugged her. “you are a beautiful young mare, and even if your mother wont see it you are a strong and wonderful princess, one day you’ll see that to, and you will be an inspiration for all” before she could say anything he let go and trotted off in the opposite direction of the castle. limping slowly then galloped at full speed (ignoring the fact he was practically dissolving away to get away as fast as possible. he hated that he had to do this

Tears rolled down her face again she had lost her dad twice in one week. Flying up she finally caught up with Luna. “Hey sissy what’s wrong” the young filly finally smiling again couldn't be told the truth. “Umm Adrian… its.. he, um, had to go home he’s taking a vacation for a while” she managed to smile. “oh ok that’s cool, come on I need to talk to mom about this stupid crown” she rubed her head trying to remove the black symbol, but to no anvil

They grew closer to the castle and something felt eerie. The closer they came to it the more they noticed the smoke. Finally they stopped and looked at each other. “Maybe it’s the funeral pyre” Luna shrugged it off. Finally they reached the last hill, both so tense that they couldn't take it. They bolted up the hill. "Celestia whats going on, is that the funeral pyre" gasping the taller princess grunted an answer. "No Luna that's to much smoke for just a small pyre" They got to the top only to be frozen by the sight of there home. The castle, the monument for the entire kingdom. There beautiful home was ablaze.