Pushing Towards Tomorrow

Three days later, Luci was released from the hospital. She had to stay off her hooves until her leg fully healed. When she was released Twilight sent Spike to pick up Luci. “T-Thank you S-Spike for coming to get Me.”, “it’s no problem Luci; it’s the least I can do for a hero like you.” Luci blushed and sat there quietly until her and Spike arrived at the tree house.

“Welcome home Luci! Glad to see your feeling better, the doctor told me how you need to stay off that leg, there are plenty of books to keep you company and if you need anything Spike is here to help you. I’m off to go hang out with the others and I shall be back later.” “Umm… T-Twilight can I ask you for a favor?” Luci said with a nervous look on her face, “C-Can you teach me how to use m-magic?” Twilight looked at her for a moment, “Of course I can teach you! I suggest reading these books to help give you an idea. Anyway, I’m off, when I get back we can start with your training.”Twilight ran out the door looking forward to teaching Luci to use magic.

Twilight met up with Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Fluttershy, and Pinkie Pie, “Alright girls I invited you all out here to talk about our new friend; Luciana Midnight. I know some of you haven’t met her yet, but I swear on Celestia she is the sweetest pony I have met. As you know she risked her life to save a filly she has never met before. So, I was thinking we do something that helps her feel at home, here in Ponyville. For those that don’t know, I found Luci unconscious in Everfree Forest. She has no memory of who she is and where she is from. So far what we do know is she doesn’t like the sun, prefers to be out at night, loves the moon, gets nervous around large groups, good cook, brave, and loves to read. So, I was thinking that we should build her a house to make her feel at home.”

Applejack stood up to speak next, “Ah fer one am with Twi on this one, and if any pony wants to help come down to Sweet Apple Acres tomorrow. I have a plan for the house already drew up.” “I will be in charge of the decoration of the house.” said Rarity, “and I’ll be sure she gets the coolest looking house ever!” cheered Rainbow Dash. “Yay!” Pinkie Pie jumps up and down in excitement, “and I’m sure she’ll want a special welcome to your new house party!” Pinkie screamed. “I-I w-will help, you know... if you need me.” Said Fluttershy quietly. Twilight stood up in excitement, “Great! Operation: make Luciana feel at home is a go! Thanks girls for being such amazing friends, I have to get back to the tree house and keep Luci company.” Twilight gave every pony a hug and hurried back to the tree house with a wide smile on her face.

While Twilight was galloping back home she noticed flashing lights coming from the tree house, “I wonder what’s going on?” she thought. Twilight barged through the door, only to find what she could only describe as Discord paying her a visit. Books were flying around, bouncing off of walls, Spike was being held down by a lamp, and water from the faucet was flowing in every direction; leaving a still stream trail behind it. Twilight frantically looked around, but could not find Luci. “Luci!? Luci, where are you?!” Twilight screamed while dodging the magic infused objects. “T-Twilight helllp!” Luci screams, “I-I’m up here!” Luci was walking on the ceiling of the tree house with her horn shining brightly and out of control.

“Luci, you have to calm down, and don’t worry I’ll catch you when you fall.” Twilight coached. Twilight could see Luci was nowhere close to calming down. Luci had tears streaming down her face, visibly shaking, and too frightened to move. Twilight tried to use magic to bring her down to the ground, but Luci’s magic was too out of control that it canceled out Twilight’s magic. Soon enough Luci’s body couldn’t keep up with the constant strain of using magic for so long, and started to get weaker.

Twilight started to get worried, “she could re-injure herself, if she doesn’t calm down.” Twilight thought. At that moment Luciana passed out, unable to take the stress of using that much magic for so long. Twilight used her magic to gently bring Luci down to the ground, “Luci? You okay?” Twilight said in a concerned voice. Luci slowly opened her eyes, confused about what happened, and then the pain she felt made her realize what happened. Luci couldn’t look Twilight in the eyes, ashamed that she had not followed Twilight’s instructions. “I… I’m sorry; I just was so excited to use magic that I couldn’t help myself. Before I knew it I had lost control,” Luci said tears sliding down her face.

She slowly got up and started limping towards the door, in pain from her over-use of magic. Twilight tried to stop her, “Whoa, where are you going in that condition?” Luciana stared at the ground, “I just want to be left alone right now,” she said with a whimper. Twilight felt sorry for the mare, but didn’t want to get in her way, so she left Luci alone and started to clean up the mess.

Luciana was unhappy with herself about losing control of something she felt like she should be able to control. She sought for the comfort in the quiet stillness of the night and the beautiful light of the moon. As she slowly walked toward a lake she like to sit beside, she tried hard to think of something about her past but could not. Frustrated she couldn’t remember anything about who she once was, “Was I special? Was I loved? Why can’t I remember?! Why do I feel that I don’t belong here? Or deserve such great friends…” She thought to herself, while weeping silently. Feeling like nothing can fill the emptiness inside; she begins to wonder if she should leave Ponyville. Negative thoughts start clouding the mare’s mind, leaving her to feel more and more depressed. Luci ended up crying herself to sleep.

Luciana began to dream of a different world, but it was too blurry to make out the details. While she was wandering around her dream, she saw many people but could not recognize their faces. She wander aimlessly hoping to find one person whose’ face she could see clearly. Her dream was reflecting how alone she left on the inside, unable to feel a connection to anyone, even though she had such great friends.

While she was wandering around, a pony she has never seen approached her. The pony had a dark blue coat, with a moderate sapphire blue mane, moderate cyan eyes, and a moon for a cutie mark. It was none other than the princess of the night, Princess Luna. Luciana has never seen such beautiful pony before. Luci couldn’t take her eyes off the new pony, but she wondered why she was different from everyone else. Luna was not blurred and she could make out her details with ease.

Luciana pulls herself together and asks, “W-Who are you?” Luna looked surprised, “Why I’m Princess Luna, by how much you go out and gaze at the moon I thought you were loyal to me. I’ve been watching you little Luci.” Luciana was shocked, “A princess? You have been watching me? And... how do you know my name?”

Luna laughed, “I’m in your dream aren’t I? My job is to raise the moon, and watch over the night. During the nights you sit out and gaze at the moon, so I observed you. I’m not a pony, I am an alicorn, and a alicorn is a pegasus unicorn.”

“I’m sorry p-princess I was found unconscious in the Everfree forest with no memory of who I am or where I come from.” Luna was taken aback by what Luci said, "I see, so why were you crying on this beautiful night?” Luci’s head slinks down, “I feel as though I don’t belong here, there’s so much I don’t know that I feel like I should know. For example, I don’t have a cutie mark, I didn’t know I was a unicorn, I didn’t know I could use magic, and now apparently there’s a beautiful alicorn that is the reason the moon rises and I’m just learning about it. I’m tired of being in the dark, I’m tired of not knowing who I am, and I’m tired of not knowing what my future holds! It’s just so frustrating!” Luci said with a stomp of her hoof.

Luna gives Luciana a soft smile, “I know how you feel little Luci, but it’s not the past that defines a pony it’s how she moves towards the future. Do not forget your friends who will help you along the way. You cannot change your memory, but you can push forward, learn, and make new ones along the way. Now, I believe you have someone waiting for you little Luci, you must not make her worry.” “W-Wait! Thank you princess!” Luna giggles, “please, call me Luna and I’ll always be watching over you. Well, at night anyway.” Luna takes her leave, and when she left Luci woke up.

Feeling rejuvenated by her dream, and no longer in pain, she takes one last look at the moon and continues back toward the tree house. Luciana walks through the door of the house to see Twilight still up waiting for her to come home. “Oh there you are! I was worried sick about you! How are you feeling?” Twilight asked with an exhausted look on her face. “I’m sorry for being out so long, but I’m feeling much better.” Twilight yawned, “That’s good.” Misty chuckled,” Let’s go to bed you’ve had a long day.”