Redemption

Opening my eyes, I suppress a groan. Choosing instead to give a simple yawn. Taking stock of my situation, I feel Vine sound asleep, laying out on my back, in fact, I think she's on her back atop mine with her wings laid out to either side. Any other time I'd find that awesomely cute, but I need to wake her up, preferably without causing her to lash out at my unprotected back.

Reaching a hand back and up(Rather uncomfortable I must admit.), I slowly stroked her cheek. "Vine, hey Vine," I spoke gently, causing her to twitch, but otherwise not respond. Rubbing a little more thoroughly, I try again. "Vine, time to go soon," I state gently, thankfully, she opens her eyes this time round. Nuzzling back into my hand sleepily, she rolls off me, retracting her wings.

No longer constrained, I stretch and push myself up, backing up on my hands and knees until I can put my legs on the floor and stand. Taking a moment to stretch, I savor the feel of muscles stretching and joints flexing smoothly before heading to the bathroom to make sure my face is clean and my demeanor presentable.

After washing my face and hands, I rest my hands on the counter as I stare at myself in the mirror. What. The. Buck. Why did I just try to throw away everything I'd fought so hard for? Why did her memories of pain, even partially unhealed, throw me off the deep end, triggering my fury? I sit there pondering for awhile, before I remember the trigger. The moon. An object of beauty and calm in a world covered in storms and death. A ball of rock and stone, with a spirit all its own that'd been one of my only accepting companion in a world that despised and hated me. It didn't care what I was, it shared its light and beauty all the same. That I'd betrayed and slain as I'd pulled it apart, ripping most of it out of orbit and starting it on a collision course with my old world.

Sighing, I stare sightlessly at the mirror, remembering the haunting melody the moon's spirit had sang as it sensed Queen Nightmare Storm's impending demise, only to turn to screams of unbearable agony as I'd channeled my Queens power through myself to forcibly pull the moon out of orbit. Nightmare Storm, Luna, one and the same, just different realities. My mind could comprehend the difference, but my emotions? No, they were more primal, less shaped. I didn't have enough mental fail-safes. I would have done anything for my Queen, and my emotions couldn't tell any real difference betwixt Luna and Nightmare. I'd have to be more careful from now on.

Scrubbing my face with still damp hands, I take a moment to plan possibilities. What if she told Celestia about the dream? Then I'd tell the truth of course. If this made her more suspicious of me, I'd just have to work to prove myself.

My mind made up, I inspect my attire and demeanor once more before I put a blank look upon my features and return to the bedroom. Vine sits by the door idly inspecting the door's scroll-work. I just shake my head. "What are you doing, Vine?" I ask, she just turns her head to look at me.

"The door has some really nice detail. Whoever made it knew what they were doing." Vine states enthusiastically, I just laugh.

"I certainly hope so, this is the palace after all." I retort, Vine just grins.

"Yeah yeah, they have a really nice recreation of this particular vine, it's called a sa-" Vine starts but is interrupted by a knock at the door.

I instinctively move to flank the door as Vine moves in front of the door while standing slightly to the side watching me. I nod and she slowly opens the door, muscles tense. My own are equally tense, various moves and attacks floating through my consciousness as I await whatever is on the other side of the door.

"Miss Bloom?" A feminine voice asks, I give Vine a nod and she responds with a smile.

"Yes?" She asks.

"I'm here to escort you to Princess Luna, we're heading out shortly," the voice responds.

Vine nods. "Alright, let me grab my human, and we'll be right out!" She states happily, pushing the door closed.

I lean against the wall, taking deep breaths as my body slowly purges the adrenaline. Vine just gives me a small smile as she moves to my duffel still resting on the bed and pulls out one of my plainer collars, just a black strap with her name on the plate. Grabbing it in her mouth, she tosses her head, launching it to me.

Catching it, I put it on and move in front of the door as Vine moves back to my side and opens it up again. I'm greeted with the sight of a pegasus mare in dark armor, a night guard, obviously. Two leathery wings adorn her back, her coat is a charcoal gray with the telltale feel of an enchantment telling me her natural color is probably very different. Meeting her yellow eyes for a moment, I'm gratified by the presence of a rather intelligent glint in them.

Vine moves forward, distracting the guard from her scrutiny of me as she nods to Vine. "Lead the way!" Vine chirps.

"Aren't you going to put a leash on him?" The Night Guard asks, pointing at me. I keep my face carefully blank, if she's not in the know, I'm not breaking it to her.

Vine shakes her head. "He won't stray far from me," she responds, before tilting her head. "After you?" she queries.

The gray pegasus stares a moment to be sure she's serious about not leashing me before she nods and turns around, walking off. Vine follows on her heels with me pulling rear guard. A couple minutes later, we arrive in a courtyard, from the looks of it. The one just inside the main gate, I nod my head as parts of my mental map start lining up, this place is huge.

Looking at the center of activity, I'm met with the sight of a silver trimmed carriage. Looking it over, I suppose it's our transportation for this evening, considering the guards setting up to provide escort. My guess is confirmed when our escort takes us directly to the carriage and opens the door.

Vine nods her head before stepping up into the carriage, I follow after her, causing the guard to do a bit of a double take. Dismissing her from my mind, I sweep the inside of the carriage with my eyes.

Ridiculously nice layout, the ceiling is obviously designed with alicorns in mind, I don't have to bend over at all. There's a small bar containing a number of various bottles, I can only assume of the inebriating sort(Salted drinks, bleh) for ponies. And the rest of the carriage is taken up by well padded benches.

Vine moves to a back corner, with sight lines on all the windows and doors, before taking a seat. I follow suit and settle myself down beside her, between her and the closest set of windows. Sitting back to give the appearance of relaxation, I wait.

Not even a minute later, the door is opened again, and Luna steps in. The first time I've ever seen her in the flesh.

Bodies litter the ground, swarmling and Night Guard both. Laying in the center of a ring of charred and broken corpses, coughing weakly, blood streaming from a multitude of cuts, Nightmare Storm lays on her side, her ravaged horn ending in a splintered tip only inches above her forehead.

The feeling of a hoof rather roughly inserted into my sternum serves to bring me back to the real world. Blinking rapidly, I look around the carriage, seeing only myself, Vine, and Luna. Both of whom are watching me with concerned looks. I just shake my head and give a weak wave. "I'm fine, just some mental baggage." I sigh.

Vine gives a soft sigh and a half smile before patting me on the arm, to which I respond with a nod before carefully blanking my face as I look out the window, part of me waiting for Luna to start talking with more than a little dread.

Luna reclines on her side of the carriage before nodding out a window. "We're ready," She says, I hear a muffled response before we lurch into motion.

Almost against my will, I find myself looking at Luna as we go. Seeing me looking at her, she gives me a soft smile and a minuscule shake of her head. I nod my head slightly in response, relaxing.

"How art thee enjoying thy time here thus far?" Luna asks, considering the both of us with a small smile.

I chuckle. "It's had its shares of ups and downs, but it's been mainly ups, considering," I say, leaning back more fully to take advantage of the awesomely padded seat I'm sitting in.

Vine nods her head as well. "It's taken some getting used too, but I have high hopes for the future. You know, the usual bit. Get myself a farm, maybe a few more workers to help me run it, find a good stallion, maybe a herd," she states with a dreamy sigh. I can't resist raising an eyebrow at her. She just grins back at me.

After a moment of looking mildly bemused, Luna nods her head appreciatively. "There is much merit to that idea, and We dare say few who are as deserving of a . . . quiet life as thee. I wish thee the best of luck in thine endeavors." She states bringing her eyes back to me. "And what dost thou seek?" She asks me with an... odd smile on her face, one might even call it motherly, or at least, an attempt at it.

I shrug my shoulders, prompting Luna to blink in confusion at the odd body language. "I'm not really sure, Ma'am. To this point, the focus in my life has always been following and protecting my Alpha, then following the orders of my Queen first, and Alpha second, with protection detail tossed on top for laughs because the universe was a complete biscuit munching Cerberus. Now? I only have one 'order' anymore; To live" I respond, shaking my head. "Everything past that is all on me," I state in an unsure tone of voice. I'm in control of my life now, to a certain extent anyway. I can choose where I wish to go, if I wanted to just walk away, sure. But not likely to happen, Vine's always been there for me, I'm certainly not abandoning her.

Luna tilts her head as she examines me some more then shakes her head as she inhales through her teeth. "Freedom is an interesting concept. Just because thee hast the ability to do so doesn't mean thou should necessarily do so," She warns, I nod my head.

"Agreed, but it still makes me . . . I don't know, I kinda feel giddy, but scared at the same time," I shake my head at my confused feelings, Luna just laughs.

"Thou can expect a lot more of that as thou progress through life," Luna states with a smile.

"Awwww, little wolfie is finally growing up!" Vine snickers beside me, I give her a deadpan look in return, this only serves to make her start laughing. I roll my eyes and wrap an arm around her giving her a sideways hug.

"Don't expect very much of it, some of the antics you 'grown up' ponies go through are just ridiculous," I roll my eyes, Vine stops a moment to retort, then ends up nodding her head in agreement.

"Now now, there's plenty of things adults get to enjoy!" Luna snickers, valiantly trying to suppress her mirth, why it's so funny is beyond me.

"Eh, true, like concerts!" I state with a large does of enthusiasm, Vine just busts out laughing. I look at her and raise an eyebrow. "What?" I ask exasperatedly.

"Nothing! Absolutely nothing!" Vine snickers, I let it drop because she'll just drag me into a mental minefield if I push I think. Glancing at Luna, I find myself giving her a deadpan look as she sits there with a hoof over her mouth trying to hold in her laughter.

Seeing my face, she fails to contain her laughter and ends up collapsing onto her bench as she does so, I'm starting to feel less confused, and more annoyed.

"Ugh, females," I grouse, rubbing my forehead, they both just start laughing harder. "Okay, what the buck? Come on! What's so funny?" I ask in a frustrated voice, both of them stop laughing and return to a modicum of decorum, with only the occasional snicker or giggle.

"Nothing Frix," Vine looks mildly bloated as she holds in her laughter. "I'll tell you in a few years," She's states as she relaxes, almost completely calmed down.

"Ugh, whatever. Are we there yet?" I whine, this stuff is getting out of hand.

"Actually, We believe we're almost there," Luna states, glancing out a window, I perk up as well, glancing out, I'm met with sight of the white building I'd climbed a so long ago. I take a moment to consider the events that had happened, running for my life, finding my Queen one last time, rescuing Vine, ahhh good times.

As the carriage comes to a stop, I move to flank the door on the left side out of habit more than anything else. Luna just gives me a bemused look before shaking her head and standing. Several seconds later, a pony in a fancy red suit walks up and opens the door with a bow.

Luna steps out with a small nod to acknowledge the pony. Vine disembarks next and tosses her head for me to follow, I step out just after her, causing the pony holding the door to do a double take, but I ignore it as I move off after Vine and Luna, keeping my face carefully blank as I see all the various ponies in multitude of different outfits watching us, mainly Luna, thankfully. The general sounds of the crowd are almost annoying in their intensity. Fortunately, Vine seems to be holding up well, paying no mind to the crowd and simply walking along just behind Luna as if she were an assistant or something, and the human is just plain ignored, yay.

After about 20 feet of attention riveted stares and entirely too much noise, we reach the doors to the building, rather fancy looking ones with lots of gold trim and windows mounted in the doors. Stepping inside, we're greeted by another pony dressed in a slightly fancier red uniform. The stallion bows, to which Luna responds with another nod. Standing, he gives a smile. "Welcome to the Canterlot Amphitheater, Princess. The Royal Box has been prepared for you, will you require anything more?" He asks.

Luna nods her head and starts talking to the stallion, but I miss most of what they say as I'm too busy glancing around as we walk towards what I assume is the 'Royal Box'. All too soon, I find my sight-seeing cut short as we end up at a door that's flanked by two Night Guard.

The uniformed stallion bows one last time before excusing himself, and Luna proceeds through the door that's been opened by one of said guards. Vine and I follow her in, glancing around, I find us on an interior balcony, with two almost throne-like chairs. One's themed gold and white, obviously Celestia's. And the other is definitely Luna's, with several shades of blue being used, my observations are proven correct when Luna seats herself in it.

Moving slowly as to not attract much attention if at all possible, I glance around the large room, seeing the same area I was over the last time I was here. Glancing up at the 'ceiling' and all the windows, I can't help but chuckle.

"Something humorous?" Luna asks me.

I point up to the ceiling. "I've been here before, although last time I was on the roof," I state, Luna chuckles lightly before turning her attention back to the stage and the crowded seats in front of it.

"They shall be starting soon," She states idly, I nod my head, looking for Vine.

I find her towards the back of the balcony area sitting in a row of seats I missed on the way in. Contemplating the tiny chairs, I settle for kneeling on the floor near Vine rather than trying to squeeze myself into one.

The lights in the theater dimmed, leaving the stage lit up in a sea of darkness. As I watched, the curtains rose, revealing chairs in curved ranks, all centered around one central podium. Ponies of various shades and hues filled the chairs, each one with their instrument of choice. After a moments silence, a lone pony in a black suit walked out from one side and stepped up to the central podium.

She started talking, but I was distracted by Vine very quietly giggling in glee and grabbing my head in her hooves, effectively blinding me and cutting most of the noise out. After a few seconds of this, I finally manage to disengage her forelimbs. Reaching out, I wrap an arm around her shoulders and give her a small hug before letting go and turning back to watch the show.

Her pre-show statements finished, the mare then turns around and faces the orchestra, tapping some sort of stick on the podium in front of her, she raises it, and the orchestra begins to play.

The music, while not to my taste, nonetheless is pleasant to listen to. Vine obviously agrees, as I feel her happiness fill the air about me. This causes me to enter a minor euphoric state. I feel myself sit back with a small smile as I sit there listening and feeling.

After a time, I hear the music wind down. Shaking my head, I open my eyes and close my mouth. Checking my chin to ensure I wasn't drooling, not the best activity for making good impressions. Once I assure myself that I'm dry about the mouth, I lay my head back and look up at Vine.

Vine's looking down at me with a grin of understanding, which i return for a moment before turning my head back to the front.

Glancing at Luna, I make eye contact as she gives me a happy smile of her own. Then she makes a calming gesture at me.

I'm naturally very confused by this until I hear the door to the balcony opening and school my face into non-expression.

In walks a pony in another red uniform pulling a cart full of various snacks, I feel my mouth watering at the sight, we didn't exactly eat much today. Vine's stomach obviously agrees as it gives a loud rumble.

Vine rises and moves to intercept the pony in question, whispering something to him before taking the cart with a nod and pulling it over to Luna.

Luna just smiles softly before gesturing us at the cart, I bow my head in thanks before moving to grab some food and quietly consuming it. The music begins again and I find myself slumping sitting beside Luna's seat as I eat slowly and enjoy the sounds and emotions invoked. Everything after that devolves into a haze.

...

The next time I'm actually tracking, rather than getting high off good emotions and good music. The performance is over, the orchestra has all bowed to the audience, and the other spectators seem to be leaving. Taking stock, I find myself feeling well fed, both physically and emotionally. Shaking my head, I berate my behavior. While the experience was EXTREMELY pleasant, I shouldn't have let myself be distracted like that. Looking around, I find Luna looking at me inquisitively.

"Is something wrong, Frix?" She asks.

I shake my head. "No, Luna. Just got distracted," I state with a frown, not letting that happen again.

Luna just grins. "It's okay to be distracted here, Frix. That's what the point of this performance was, now, We must meet and thank the orchestra for that fine performance. Care to come along?" She asks with a merry twinkle in her eye as she looks at a practically salivating Vine.

Vine almost jumps at the chance, then sits back as her ears fold down, her reticence catching up to her.

Repressing a sigh, I shuffle over and pat her on the shoulder. "Hey, you don't have to actually say hi if you don't want to, but you enjoyed the show, at least show up and look happy, huh?" I ask.

Vine looks up at me, then gives a small smile. "I'd like that very much, Luna," She says turning back to Luna.

Luna smiles. "Excellent, right this way then," She states as she walks through the door, Vine and I follow closely.

A couple minutes or walking later, and we arrive at the lobby where the various musicians are circulating with the crowd. Rather than get mixed up in a crowd(Vines sticking awfully close to Luna) I decide to sit it out on the sidelines. So as we enter the room, I peel off and stand next to one of Luna's Night Guard, in this case a pegasus.

Part of me finds it extremely funny when said Night Guard ends up shuffling slightly, the nervous footwork being the only outward sign she gives of being uncomfortable. Although, she does end up sneaking several glances at me as the meeting progresses. I find myself repressing a smile as I just keep my eyes centered on Vine and watch the guard from the corner of my eye.

Finally, they Luna finishes her rounds and heads back for the door. I glance down at the guard who looks up at me, I give a nod, then turn and follow Vine, leaving one very confused guard gawking at me, oh life is good.

My antics aside, we quickly make our way out the exit and back to Luna's carriage, once inside Vine once again sits in the back corner and I sit next to her, my repressed grin going full force on my face.

Vine looks at me, sees my grin, and gives a small groan. "Dang it Redemit, what did you do?" She asks in an annoyed tone, I give her a perfectly angelic look of innocence.

"What? I just stood in one place and kept my eyes on you the entire time, honest!" I reply confusedly.

Luna looks about ready to collapse with laughter, but manages none the less to give me a stern look. "We trust there shall be no nightmares resulting for your activities this night?" She asks in a semi-ominous tone, I look thoughtful for a moment.

"Shouldn't be?" I query, Vine face-hooves and I bust out laughing, shortly followed by Luna.

Vine punches me in the shoulder, but eventually ends up giggling herself.

After about minute of acting like complete ninnies, we finally manage to settle down.

"Thou likes to grow things, then?" Luna asks, Vine gives a nod.

"I specialized in climbers actually, spent rather a bit of time working on a wine plantation with my family. We managed it for a rather wealthy pony. Part of our job involved rather a bit of climbing, so humans were actually quite useful. That's actually how we got Frix here, he was on the market as a 'field test' subject. We signed a waiver saying we had custody for a minimum of 5 years, after which point they had the option of recalling him for further testing or just breeding rights." Vine states, giving a small smile at the pleasant memories. "They never told us what the modifications performed were. But growing up, it very quickly became apparent just how different he was. A great deal smarter, not to mention faster than most other humans his age. He was rather loving right up until somepony he cared about was 'threatened', then he was rather violent. He almost ended up getting put down, but we managed to get him tested for aggression and he passed. So I gave him the nickname of wolf, and called him my little wolfy" she snickers, I just groan.

Luna smirks. "Wolf? Indeed, we think that is a very good name, very wild," she snarks, I just give her a deadpan stare. "So, are you planning on taking up farming once more?" She asks, turning back to Vine.

Vine tilts her head a moment, then gives a nod. "I think I'd like that, it'd be nice to watch something grow again, combine that with some of the methods we developed for farming towards the end of the war, and I think I could enjoy myself immensely while making a rather large amount of whatever, sadly I won't have my helper for awhile I'm sure," She gives me puppy dog eyes, I just roll my own. "But I think with the money we've been given, I could get something started, I'll have to take a look at what there is for a market," She states thoughtfully, Luna just nods, turning back to me.

"Do you have any plans for the future?" Luna asks, I shrug.

"I have goals, but set plans? No, not really," I reply.

"Oh? And what might those goals be?" Luna asks.

I shrug, looking out the window. "Safety, somewhere quiet to learn. There's so much I just don't know, killings fun, but I want to do more," I reply, Luna grows strangely quiet after that, and we spend the rest of the ride in an oddly uncomfortable silence.