The crowds outside the Canterlot palace had gone deathly silent as a unicorn was dragged screaming from the front gates by the Princess' royal guards.
"Mercy!" the unicorn cried in anguish. "I beg your majesty! One more chance!"
His cries continued to fall on deaf ears as he was taken away and out of view. The crowds began to murmur among themselves, slowly turning their heads away from where he had disappeared and back upon the north tower of the palace. They knew she was watching them, waiting for the next pony foolish enough to attempt her impossible riddles.
"Attention everypony!" a voice cried from a nearby stand. "Her royal majesty Princess Luna has decreed that the unicorn, Solar Sprinkle, is to be henceforth banished from Equestria! Anypony caught communicating with him will suffer his fate! As is Her majesty's pleasure, the gong to my left shall be a symbol for anypony willing to prove their loyalty and love to the Princess. He will be thus presented with three riddles of cunning, bravery and dedication to her majesty. Should he fail in these riddles, he will suffer the same fate as Solar Sprinkle and countless ponies before him. Shall he triumph, he will be rewarded with her majesty's love and devotion. And hailed... as her majesty's true love!"
The murmuring began to intensify as a few ponies looked woefully at each other whilst others regarded the gong on the stand with worry and suspicion, as if touching it would surely mean their demise. Deep in the center of the crowds, a young earth pony stood alongside his oldest and closest friend, a unicorn by the name of Apricot Melody. The earth pony neighed at the herald's speech.
"How can they possibly be so heartless?" he whispered to Apricot.
"They're the monarchy," she replied grimly. "It appears they can do whatever they want."
"But Luna, what caused her to become so malicious?" he asked, huddling closer to her.
"Some say that Princess Luna has gone mad. That in her years of silently watching over the night she has become lonely and miserable.
Princess Celestia believes that only true love can save her from the darkness that infects her heart."
"Loneliness?" The earth pony nickered. "How lonely can she be? She's a princess... everypony loves and adores her."
"Perhaps," Apricot responded silently. "However, I believe it is something else, something darker that has taken control of her."
"And true love is meant to save her?"
Apricot regarded her friend closely. "Princess Celestia believes love is powerful enough to overcome even the most darkest of hearts."
"I certainly see no love here," the earth pony replied, gazing at the nervous crowds around him.
Apricot simply shrugged. "The Princess believes it will save her sister and that is all that matters. I can only hope she is right." She regarded the gong on the stand with a sigh. "Not that it seems anypony will ever manage to get that far."
***
High above the crowds and nestled comfortably in her tower, Princess Luna stood by her window, regarding the ever growing crowd of ponies in the palace square below. She desired nothing but for them to simply leave her be, and soon, they would. For if nopony could answer the riddles she had posed before sunrise tomorrow, she would be free to never have to marry any of them.
The hour had grown short, soon she would raise the moon over them as was her duty. There she would observe them plainly one last time before retreating into her room and waiting for the next fool to tempt fate. And they were thankfully on the decrease ever since Solar Sprinkle's banishment. He was the favorite to succeed after all. Wise, handsome and from noble birth, yet still he wasn't cunning enough to win her heart. And so, the pony all had thought to be prince had been shamefully extradited from the city like any common mule. Who would be brazen enough to try to best him?
"Seventeen," the woeful voice of Celestia spoke from behind her. "I've had to willfully stand aside and allow the banishment of seventeen ponies from my kingdom. Their only crimes being that they wished to love you."
"Sister," Luna replied, turning her head to the side. "They knew the risks. They were not forced to do anything."
"And they will be remembered as the most gallant and bravest ponies of this kingdom," Celestia said softly. "And you... a tyrant."
"Love is tyranny, dear sister," Luna shot back, turning from her window and moving gracefully towards her balcony. "I despise its premise, I despise its promises. But most of all, I despise its frivolity. For one moment it promises to be eternal, and the next it leaves you... cold... and empty."
Celestia remained silent before slowly and regretfully moving towards the door. But before she saw herself out, she turned to speak one last time. "Dear Luna," she chimed. "I fear you have already grown cold and empty." With that, Celestia turned and departed from Luna's company.
Luna silently watched the empty space where her sister had stood. She felt alone all of a sudden, deprived of the solace Celestia's company had granted her. Not that she would ever admit to it, but Celestia was the only thing keeping her dark thoughts from running wild. Secretly she knew she was losing her way, yet a part of her desired more. Something inside of her had arisen, something that spoke to her even. It had been there when she had felt most alone and it had offered her companionship when nopony else was there. Yet something about this voice, this spirit, had seemed more than just a voice. It began to make promises of power and grandeur and it had affected the very way Luna thought and behaved. Her behavior had started to change, her thoughts, dark and corrupted, her words, harsh and unnecessary and her actions, cruel and heartless. Her sister, of course, had noticed this change and had hoped that something as simple as true love could change her wicked ways. Perhaps she was right, but Luna doubted it.
With a heavy heart, she turned to her balcony and opened the double doors, the cool breeze of the night's air whisking across her face. The crowds had begun to point in her direction, many of them bowing their heads respectfully. With a forced smile, Luna raised her head to the heavens and concentrated her magic. Her horn began to glow violet as the moon raised itself from the horizon, slowly edging its way towards the summit of the sky and casting a white ray of light over the crowds below her.
***
The earth pony turned his head to balcony high above him as the subtle light of the moon illuminated Luna. In an instant the pony had become transfixed by the image of the princess. Her tall and slender body, the sublime features of her face and the ever ethereal elegance of her mane and tail made to glisten like the stars by the moonlight. He was encapsulated by her form. She was truly the most beautiful creature he had ever laid his unworthy eyes on.
"Hey..." Apricot nudged him. "You okay?"
"I..." he stammered, his eyes still fixed on the Princess as she bowed her head and backed slowly into her tower. "She's..."
Apricot stared from his dumb struck face and back to the tower. "She's the princess, yes," she answered, still looking upwards. "Doing her nightly duty. I suppose the act never gets old. In fact, I would even go as far as to say that- Hey... where did you go?"
Apricot looked back around for her friend but he had simply vanished. She twisted her head towards the front of the crowds just in time to see his tail disappear behind a few ponies and head in the direction for the gong.
"No..." Apricot felt her heart drop into her stomach. "No, no, no."
The peach coloured unicorn began to panic, pushing her way past the crowds and towards the stand that the gong had been placed on. She called out the earth pony's name as she tried in vain to catch up to him. She had to stop him from what she dreaded was his inevitable fate. Yet she knew him too well to know that she could ever get in his way once his mind was set. But how, when moments ago he was criticizing her tyranny, did he change his mind so suddenly as to make such a rash decision?
Apricot continued to struggle past the crowds until she saw him climb the stairs to the stand, intent on reaching the gong. She forced her self to go faster, angering a few ponies as she shoved as hard as she could to reach her friend. He had now made it to the stand's landing and was moving towards the gong. Hot on his heel, she had made her way to the stairs and began to climb them as fast as she could, reaching the landing only to see the gong hammer in his mouth as he swung it towards the ornate instrument in front of him.
DONG!!!
The sound resonated through the crowds and perhaps even through her very soul as she stared at him in disbelief. The silence had once again begun to descend over the masses as each and every head had turned upon the two ponies on the stand.
"What have you done?!" Apricot stammered.
The earth pony dropped the hammer to ground and stared back at her. "She is beauty itself," he heard himself say. "I have to prove I am-"
"Mares and Gentlestallions!" the sound of the herald's voice boomed as he made his way up the stairs and towards the earth pony. "It seems fate has decreed yet another soul shall risk his own banishment in hopes to gain the Princess' favor!"
The earth pony turned his head to the herald and stood firm, as if readying himself for the battle of his life. The herald strolled past Apricot as if she wasn't even there and placed a heavy hoof on the earth pony's shoulder, grinning at him before turning his attention back to the crowd.
"An earth pony no less!" he chuckled. "I do hope you know what you've gotten yourself into, young colt!"
The crowds began to murmur among themselves once more, some shaking their heads at the site of the young pony on the stands, others grinning with a sort of dark satisfaction.
The herald smiled and turned his face towards the earth pony. "Tell us, brave young stallion, what is your name?"
But before he could even open his mouth, Apricot had stepped forward in resolute defiance. "It's all a big mistake," she tried to reason. "My poor friend here is beside himself. He doesn't know what he's doing... Just... let us go and we will trouble you no further."
The herald chuckled again. "My dear," he said, regarding her for the first time. "He cannot simply back out once he has sounded the gong."
"But he can't-"
"Yes I can," the earth pony hissed back at her. "This is important, Apricot Melody. Trust me when I say, I have never felt so sure of anything in my entire life."
"Please," she pleaded back. "Don't..."
"My dear!" the herald called again, grinning like the Cheshire cat. "As I have said, the decree is final. Besides, your young friend here is dead set on his wishes, would you deny him his right?"
Apricot sunk her head, hiding the tear that had streamed down her muzzle. She could hardly believe what her life long friend had done. Out of all his stupid decisions, this had to be the worst of them. She could hear the crowds begin to talk excitedly once more, just as they had done when that handsome unicorn had tried his luck and failed. Could this be the last time she ever saw his face? Either way, things would never be the same again.
"Ahh!" the herald cried. "It seems her majesty's envoys have arrived to escort you to her!"
Apricot lifted her head to witness the sight of two elite guards making their way through the crowds and towards the stands. They seemed almost like the death squad to her, coming to take away her closest friend and leave her with nothing but memories. She stood paralyzed as he passed her by, trying his hardest not look at her as he stepped down the stands and towards the guards. The ponies in the crowd had begun to part ways as the trio made their way up the square and towards the gates to the palace.
"Interesting day for you, dear unicorn," the herald said, walking up beside her. "I do hope you realize you may never see him again."
She remained quite, glaring at him through the corner of her eyes.
The herald shrugged. "Not that she would ever accept him anyway... What can an earth pony do that a noble unicorn like Solar Sprinkle could not?"
***
Luna crept along the shadows and behind the heavy tapestries that lined the side walls of the palace throne room. She had hoped for a night of rest, that she had seen the last of these suitors. But it had appeared she was once again called to test another would-be lover. Luna had grown tired of having to barter with her own body. Hiding here in the shadows and spying on them before they could see her was her way of trying to discern whether or not they had come out of love or just simple desire for her form. Most of them had eyed her in that particular fashion, as if all they wished to do was lay with her. It simply aggravated her further.
The sound of voices penetrated the vast expanse of the grandiose room and echoed around her. She could hear guards murmuring as well as the voice of her own sister. Pulling back the tapestry, Luna peeped towards the entrance and laid her eyes on him for the first time. There, walking next to her sister, was her next potential suitor. He was dark brown coated with a white mane, he had a long yet seemingly plain tail and he was an earth pony... an earth pony. His features were benign and unremarkable, yet something about the way he held himself was different. There was no show of flash or bravado, instead, he seemed resolute in his conviction... and almost humble. Luna drew back the tapestry and shook her head. It mattered little, soon he would be nothing but a memory.
The voices had drawn nearer and had become more audible.
"I must say," said the voice of Celestia. "That you should be commended on your bravery. These riddles are not for the soft of mind."
"I understand," Luna heard him respond softly.
Celestia stopped, inches from where she was hiding. "Do you?" she asked, her voice becoming more urgent.
"Your majesty?"
"I must tell you, now that we are alone," she whispered. "That you will not succeed. That Luna will never allow you to marry her and that all you are doing is damning yourself."
"Your majesty, I-..."
"I urge you," Celestia continued, pressing her muzzle closer to his ear. "Don't do this, don't throw your life away. I offer you the chance to leave this quest behind and continue with your life unaffected by it. I cannot... No... I will not stand by and watch as yet another innocent soul is condemned to exile. It would break my heart."
"I can't," he stammered. "I have seen the face of true beauty, your majesty. The sight of which will haunt my very soul should I turn my back on her. I must do this, for reasons I can never explain, even unto myself. Love is a mystery, and I believe I am infected with it."
Luna heard nothing but silence after that. Whatever her sister may have wished to say next she would never know. All she knew was that who ever this pony was, he was enamored with her. A young and innocent stallion bearing his soul out for love, almost bringing a tear to her eye to hear him speak of her with such high regard. Many a pony had called her beautiful, but his sweet naivety had brought her back to her younger days, when love seemed... simpler.
Stop. Do not let these thoughts deceive you, Luna. You are a princess, an immortal alicorn. He is naught but a simple earth pony. A nothing. Go now and test his resolve. He will fail, and you will be alone to do as you wish once more.
Luna groaned silently, at odds with her herself. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath before leaving her hiding place and sneaking back to her room to await formal summons. Soon this earth pony would be under the fiery gaze of Luna's entire court. He would surely crack under the pressure.
***
It was the loneliest he had ever felt, standing in the palace hallway among the two royal guards that had brought him here. The princess Celestia had been the most gracious mare he had ever spoken to and even though she had warned against what he was about to do, she had still managed to somehow set his mind at ease. Yet as resolute as he had felt, he could not help but feel the insurmountable pressure and the reality of his situation dawning on him. He had always had Apricot by his side to defend and care for him. She had always been the closest friend he had, even though she was five years his senior.
Now all he had for company were two of the least talkative guards he had ever met. They stood as still as statues, motionless and entirely menacing. He wondered as he stood there, whether their presence was in order to keep him safe, or to simply cut him down the moment he were to get cold feet and make for the door. Not that it mattered, soon he would be formally brought before the Luna, a prospect he desired above all else. For even if he failed, just to lay his eyes on the alluring alicorn would be enough to satisfy his his ever growing love and desire for her. Or would it? He still had to prove himself. He still had to answer three of the most important riddles of his life, a feat that nopony before him could accomplish. Yet something inside him, a spark of pure hope and tenacity reassured him of his success. For in truth, he would pay for his love for her with his own blood if it needed be.
The time had finally come as the double oak doors of the throne room had once again reopened, revealing him to the silent and scrutinizing crowd of Canterlot's nobility. The guards ushered him through and he slowly trotted down the center aisle, gazing left and right at them as he went. The looks he received back were not pleased or welcoming. He knew he had stepped into the viper's nest. Then, with bated breath, he drew he his sight along the aisle until his eyes had finally fallen upon her magnificence. Luna's sublime features took his breath away now more than ever as her turquoise eyes had fallen upon him, as if bearing into his very soul.
It appeared that Luna sat on the throne alone tonight. Celestia was not present, yet who could blame the kind-hearted princess from not desiring to see what she assumed would be his demise? The guards stopped in front of him and signaled that he should do the same, and in that instant, the trembling earth pony fell to the floor in a bow so low his muzzle had almost hit the burgundy and gold carpet he was walking on.
"Your gracious majesty," he said. "I come here as your most humble and devoted servant to offer my love and devotion to you."
"Rise," she called down to him with a stony drawl. "I am Princess Luna. Watcher of the night and ruler of the moon."
The earth pony stood back up and and gazed at her again, his heart beating so fast he could hear it in his head. "I-..."
"We would ask," she cut across him. "If you are ready to undergo our trials of cunning, bravery and dedication to Us."
"Y-yes, your majesty," he replied, taking a breath in preparation. "For nopony in this kingdom loves you more than I. I humbly submit my very existence to you, for even if I fail, I shall willingly suffer the pain of banishment for your pleasure."
He took note to look directly at her the entire time he spoke, checking to see for the slightest hint of compassion in that icy facade of hers. The glimmering in her eyes was all he truly needed to know his words had moved her.
"Answer Us this," she announced, her resolve returned. "What is born each night, and dies each dawn?"
The earth pony remained silent, his mind becoming clouded. He had no idea of the answer, he had failed before he had even begun. Yet as he stood there, his eyes drifting upon Luna's face, a vision of his future with her had begun to surface. He thought of his tenacity in pursuing her, his sudden desire for her and his ever growing love for her being. Was it not bravery that he had shown as well? Even the slightest bit of...
"Hope."
He heard himself speak the word without even thinking. The crowds around him now beginning to murmur among themselves softly. Yet Luna's gaze remained steady and unwavering.
"Correct," she announced.
The crowds had gone silent again, their eyes once again upon him.
"Answer Us this," she announced again. "What flickers red and warm like a flame, yet is not a flame?"
The earth pony's mind had remained clearer this time, his thoughts upon the role in which each riddle had taken. Bravery was out of the way, that had only left dedication and cunning. Yet something about this question had the air of sacrifice lingering around it. He thought of her face, what he was willing to give up for her, what he was willing to do for her. He would sacrifice his own life for her, he would give of his own...
"Blood?" he answered to the sound of the crowds once again breaking out in whispers. Their voices had now sounded excited, could he truly have broken her second riddle? The one he knew was dedication? He looked upon her face once more and this time she had betrayed a hint of worry. He was right, he knew it. All she had to do now was admit to it. The silence had taken longer than the previous question, but eventually Luna closed her eyes and readied herself to respond.
"C-correct," she replied.
The crowds had responded by talking among themselves so loudly that one of the guards had to shout for them to remain silent before Luna could ask her final question.
"We ask you finally," she announced rather quickly, yet pausing long enough to allow the suspense to envelope the crowds. "What is like ice, but burns?"
Cunning. He knew this one was a trick question. He looked around at the crowds, their expressions almost hopeful, as if edging him on rather than simply waiting for him to fail. He gazed upon Luna once again and she gazed back with and icy wrath. It was in that instant that she had unwittingly betrayed herself. He had won.
"You," he responded slowly, staring straight into her widening eyes.
This time the crowds had said nothing, not a peep could be heard from them. The earth pony assumed it was because not even they truly knew if he was right. Their faces now slowly turning to Luna, waiting for her confirmation. Her expression was that of utter disbelief, her eyes darting from face to face in the crowds, hoping for a way to trip him up.
"You are... Correct," she answered in resignation.
The crowds had burst into cheers and hoof stomping, all of them staring at the simple earth pony in front of them in complete awe. He had accomplished the unthinkable. Even he himself, standing in the center of it all, could hardly believe his own good fortune. He was not to be banished, yet love her now in earnest. He smiled around him at the crowds, bowing his head to them before gazing back towards the Princess. Yet as soon as his sight had fallen upon her, his smile had vanished. The look she bore was of utter rage.
"We will not marry him!" she shouted to the crowds, silencing them almost instantaneously. "We offer you, gentle earth pony, a thousand bits, the right to live as noblepony in Our city and the privilege of being a member of Our privy court. But We will not marry you. We refuse."
The earth pony looked upon her face, the anger she bore for him had stung a little but he was prepared for this. All along he had known that no matter what the outcome of this trial was, she would refuse him. It was evident on her face from the moment she had looked at him for the first time. Yet now it was time for his trial.
"Your majesty," he announced over the deathly silent crowd. "I cannot accept anything above or below what was promised me. I refuse your counter offers. Upon my honor, I could never live with the knowledge of taking anything less than what I had earned. You, my princess, are the ultimate prize, the center jewel of any crown. But I see now that you are too great a prize to be won by simple riddles. I, myself, could not see a worthier cause than to continue fighting for your love and your honor as a mare."
The crowds began to murmur to themselves yet again, confused by his words. Luna on the other hand listened with intent, watching him closely.
"Speak plainly," she replied, although not altogether unmoved by his charm. "We would hear you one final time."
"Your majesty," he began, taking a step forward. "I will have nothing but your love, but I offer you a challenge. A chance to escape the contract you have bound yourself to. If your majesty can find out my name before dawn tomorrow, I will take leave of your gracious presence and never return to Canterlot." He watched her for a moment, thinking about his proposal. "Nay! I shall not leave you. I... I shall forfeit my own life!"
The nobility that had sneered at his arrival not minutes ago had now changed their mind about him completely. They cried in protest to the apparent injustice he was suffering at the princess' hoof.
"Silence!" cried a guard as Luna lifted a hoof to calm them.
Luna's expression had softened at his proposal. For a moment she seemed as though she wanted to offer him her heart right there and then, that his death was never her desire. Instead, she simply nodded. "We accept your proposal," she announced to the crowd's jubilation. "And We decree that shall We fail in discovering your name, We will most graciously offer you Our heart and hoof in marriage."
The earth pony bowed once more and turned on his hoof as the guards escorted him from the throne room. He gazed back at her one last time, her expression unreadable. It chilled him somewhat to see her watch him that way. Something inside her was keeping her cold and detached. He knew it was fighting for her to remain alone and in the dark, he knew it despised his presence and he knew he could end it for her, restoring her sweet and loving nature. It was only a matter of time.
The night air had once again greeted him as he stepped across the palace entrance and back into the sight of the masses, their eyes all falling upon him, unsure of his success. And there he saw her, Apricot Melody, pushing past the crowds and towards the palace entrance with fiery ambition.
"Well?" she called out, pushing ponies aside. "Will he be banished? Because I swear I will go with him!"
"Apricot!" the earth pony called out. "It's okay! I've been-..."
"Mares and Gentlestallions!" announced the herald who had somehow appeared right next to him. "Her royal majesty has conceded that this earth pony beside me has gallantly and bravely taken and passed her trials! However, her majesty has decreed that she shall refuse to marry him because he is not of nobility!"
The crowds began to murmur in discontent, some of them even starting to boo at the herald.
"Yet! The pony has graciously allowed her majesty a chance to forgo her contract of marriage if she is to discover his name! Not only shall he forfeit her love, but his life as well! Thus said, it is at her majesty's pleasure that nopony shall sleep on pain of banishment until his name has been found out!"
If the earth pony had never seen such a confused and distraught crowd before, tonight would have been baffling to him. The cries of anger and dismay had come like wildfire, spreading among them as the weight of Luna's decision not to marry him had come crashing upon them.
"Her majesty is a liar!" one called from the back.
"Why does she betray you so?" another cried. "Is she saying you are too low for her?!"
"Nopony shall sleep!" the earth pony cried out at them. "Not a single one of us!" The crowds had begun to die down, listening to what he had to say. "And neither shall the princess, enclosed as she is in her cold and dark tower. Watch the stars, everypony, watch them! For they glisten with love and with hope! For my secret is hidden within in me. Nopony shall know my name. No! Not a single one of you. Not until her gracious majesty, Princess Celestia, raises the sun over our heads. And when that moment comes, I will speak my name to my beautiful Luna. And at that moment, my lips shall find hers, forever banishing the darkness of that which grasps at her heart."
The crowds had begun to cheer him on as Apricot Melody had finally pushed her way up towards him, placing a hoof around his neck and pulling him into her embrace. She held him for as long as she could before whispering into his ear through her tears. "And should she ever discover it before then, you will surely die."
The earth pony held her tight. "Don't worry, Apricot," he cooed. "Let the night vanish, let the stars set. For when dawn comes, I will win, I promise you, I will win... I will win."
***
It was truly dark and cold in her tower.
Luna knew she had been beaten in whit by a pony she viewed as beneath her. It was as humiliating as it was exciting. Never in her long life had she met somepony quite like him. He was young and beautiful to her. His stoic disposition and his devotion to her had touched her deeply. Indeed, she had even felt stirred by him. His charm and cunning, his bravery and dedication, these were the qualities she had sought in ponies throughout her life. Qualities she had rarely found all together.
Luna stood up from her curled up position by the fire and moved towards her window to gaze upon the crowd. He excited her, and she wanted to possess him, to own him. She thought of what it would be like to touch his body, to feel it against hers, to feel that intimacy she had long forgotten. These base thoughts were nothing new to her, yet it had been so long. They had made her feel younger and altogether hunger for him even more. She pressed her face against the cold glass.
Stop these crude thoughts, Luna, they are beneath a pony of your standing. You are a princess, you're duty is to no stallion. Your heart, your devotion, it should all belong to the moon. To me. Do not forget you have an oath to fulfill, a contract to dissolve. Discover his name and cease your foolish desires.
Luna banged her head against the glass. "No..."
Yes!
"Why do you haunt me?!"
There is no room for another in your heart. You can only love me!
"What must I do?"
Do you see him in the crowd? Do you see that mare who hangs on his flank like a lovesick schoolfilly? She is the key. She will know his name.
Luna glanced to the crowds below and spotted the earth pony addressing them. She supposed charisma was just another one of his fine qualities. But to his left she spotted her, the peach colored unicorn standing by his side. There was something about the way she stood there that angered Luna. Yet even now as she was plotting to rid herself of the nameless earth pony, she could not help but feel that base instinct creep in once again. She was jealous.
"Guards!" she called turning her head to the entrance door. "Guards, come here!"
The door opened almost instantaneously as two royal guards flooded in at the ready.
"Your majesty is beset?" one inquired.
Luna merely beckoned them to her. "Come closer," she whispered. "Do you see that peach colored unicorn with the Nameless One?"
The guards peered down below into the square, squinting slightly.
"Yes, your majesty," the other responded. "I see her."
Luna grinned at him and pushed her face against the glass, gazing down at the unicorn. "She knows his name... bring her to Us. We would question her further."
***
"They're calling you the Nameless One," Apricot chuckled, joining the earth pony as he stepped from the palace stairs and into the crowds. "I think it suits you."
The earth pony smiled. "I still don't know how I managed to convince her to accept my proposal."
"Princess Luna?" Apricot turned her head away from him. "A part of me had always hoped that you wouldn't..."
"Wouldn't what?" he asked, stopping and facing her. "Apricot?"
"Its nothing," she smiled. "Soon you'll be her prince, and she your princess."
"Apricot... why do you sound so-..."
Before he could finish his question, the earth pony was swamped by the crowds. All of them patting him in the shoulder or offering words of encouragement. The sounds of their voices had drowned his own out, leaving him having to try and attend to all of their well wishes. Soon he had become separated from Apricot, her peach coloured form now obscured from his view by the crowds all ushering him along from one pony to the next.
Apricot could only smile as she watched him disappear among the crowds. In a way, she was proud of him, he was always so young and foolish, making decisions that usually always got him into trouble. But tonight he had shown so much bravery and self sacrifice in doing what he had done. Apricot had only wished that he might have shown her the same kind of passionate desire as he did for the princess. In the back of her mind the thought of him realizing what her true feelings were had always been something she may have hoped to achieve in the long run. Now, however, it had seemed that the dream had been only been... a dream.
She was happy for him none the less, but worried about him too. The sheer magnitude of his deeds would have far reaching consequences, nopony could predict the outcome of his gambit with the princess. But Apricot knew, somewhere and somehow, that the princess' play was far from over.
"Ma'am," said a deep voice from beside her.
Apricot turned her head to face the royal guard who addressed her and chuckled. "Waste no time, do you?"
"Her majesty, Princess Luna, wishes to seek an audience with you," he announced.
"I know what she wants and she will not have it." Apricot turned away from him to face the crowds. "You can tell her that-..."
A heavy hoof landed on her shoulder. "I'm afraid this, young pony, is no request."
"Get your hoof off me!" she shouted, shaking him off and stepping back. "I reserve the right to refuse any requests."
"Not from the princess," he replied, taking a step closer and grabbing her by the tail.
Apricot spun around and bucked him as hard as she could in the chest. However the guard's chest piece had absorbed most of the kick and he swayed only momentarily before whinnying in anger and darting towards her. Panic stricken, Apricot could think of doing nothing else but gallop in the opposite direction. Unfortunately, that direction was the palace entrance, still left open by the guard who had come for her. She dashed in and stopped, already beset by four more guards who were alerted to her arrival. All directions but the stairs were closed to her, so she dashed upwards and as quickly as she could.
"Stop!" one of them cried. "This area is off limits to the public!"
Apricot began to lose all sense of direction, she had no idea where she was going or how to get out. All that she knew was that she couldn't let them capture her. They would never learn his name. She had dashed through hallways and rooms, knocking over vases and pushing over chairs and tables to help her get away from her gaining pursuers. Each time she had hoped to get through a door, they had been there to flank her, leading her towards a place she could not escape. She had reached the end of the line, stopping at the end of a major hallway that opened out into a balcony. The balcony had been fixed on the highest point of a massive atrium. She trotted breathlessly to the railing, lifting her hooves up onto it and looked below her. There was no where to go.
"There she is!" cried one of the guards.
"We have her now!" yelled another as he stepped onto the balcony from the hallway. "You have caused us a lot of trouble tonight, young mare."
Apricot turned her head around to face them. "It was not my intention to harm any of you," she stammered breathlessly. "But you have no right to try and take me against my will."
"The princess only wishes to speak with you," a guard responded, taking a step closer.
"The Princess has no intention of just speaking to me," Apricot shot back. "She wants his name, and I will never give it to her."
The guards all chuckled to each other. "We have ways of making you talk, young mare."
Apricot gulped. Torture. If she refused to give up his name willingly, they would force it out of her. She gazed back at them, watching as they silently inched closer towards her with determination. She swallowed hard and turned her head to look bellow her once more. She was resigned to it.
"None of you will touch me," she said, tears now welling up in her eyes. "You will never touch me and you will never know his name. I swear this upon my life and my love for him."
Apricot gazed up at the giant glass dome set in the ceiling, she could see the twinkling stars of the nights sky. Oh, how they shone with love and hope. She pictured his face and found her solace. With this act, she knew she would forever insure his survival. And then, with a new sense of determination and courage, Apricot closed her eyes tight and lifted herself upon the railing.
"Stop!" one shouted, "what are you doing?!"
The guards dashed for her in a panic, trying to stop her from what she was about to do. But they were too late. Apricot Melody had lifted her entire body up and over the railing and disappeared over the edge. She could feel the the rush of air begin to scream into her ears. Faster and faster she fell, her eyes tight shut and her tears streaming painfully across her face. In that last moment before the end, Apricot snapped her eyes open to see light once more. The beautiful parquet flooring was the last thing she ever saw before all became black in a deafening crunch.
***
It had gone too far.
Luna stood alone in the atrium, her eyes fixed upon the broken form that lay before her. The desire for his failure had cost her more than she herself was prepared to pay. For here was the ultimate price. The life of an innocent, paid in blood for the crime of love. A crime this poor unicorn had not even committed.
A stream of blood had begun to flow through the cracks of the flooring from the young mare's crumpled form, pooling around Luna's forehooves. The symbolic irony had not been any clearer to her and it was in that moment that Luna had begun to weep. She fell to her haunches and cried mournful tears of regret, tears she knew could never be enough to to replace the life that was now no more. The life that had been sacrificed for her own selfish desires. The life that had been snuffed out because of her.
Her blood is on your hooves, Luna. You know you desired this.
"How?" she groaned through her tears. "How could I have ever desired such a thing?"
You have nopony to blame but yourself. You should have banished the earth pony.
"I should have banished you!"
True love... t'was my salvation. For how could he ever love you now? Knowing what you had done? Knowing that his heart should never have been yours, but this poor wretch's before you?
"This... this was your plan all along?" Luna stood back up, turning her head away from the corpse in disgust.
You did it for us.
"No... no... I will be free from you... I will make this right!"
The voice in her head had disappeared, leaving her standing there on her own. Luna turned her head quickly to each side. Nothing but deathly silence. It had been so subtle at first, and had honestly sounded as if it were simply her conscience. Then slowly, through the months, it had grown its own personality, its own desires. Before she had truly even realized it, the voice in her head had taken control of her thoughts, her actions and her words. Yet when ever she resisted its hold over her, it would leave her in silence. Oh she hated that silence, the loneliness. Even from when she was but a filly, Luna had always been alone. Her older sister had always been too busy for her. She had no friends and she had no company. As evil and as corrupted as the voice was, it understood her. It was always there for her and it's absence had always chilled her more than its presence ever did.
"What have you done?"
Luna turned her head to the entrance of the atrium. There, under the archway, stood Celestia. Luna had never seen her sister look at her like this before. Her eyes tearful and her gaze almost damning.
"I... I didn't want this!" she cried, turning her body to face her sister. "Upon my honor, I..."
"Your 'honor'," Celestia sighed. "There is no honor in this, in murder."
"This isn't..."
Celestia lifted up a hoof to silence her. "No more explaining. These are my people, my subjects. This act, the death of an innocent, is unconscionable. I refuse to allow any more suffering for your pleasure, dear Luna. I will be sure to have the earth pony informed of her death. When all is said and done, I will decide what is to be done with you."
"Sister, please..." Luna pleaded as Celestia turned her back on her and walked out silently. "Please! Don't leave me! Just listen!"
It was no use, Celestia had said her peace and there was no more to it. Luna fell once more to her haunches, her sobs echoing around the walls of the atrium. She lifted her head and gazed around her, only now noticing the guards who had been silently standing around her, observing her every move. It only vaguely occurred to her that they had most likely watched the conversation she had seemingly had with herself. Judging by the look on their faces, it seemed they were deeply concerned about her sanity.
"Get out!" she shrieked at them. "Leave me now or by my soul I will make you all suffer!"
In an instant the guards quickly retreated from her presence, bowing slightly as they backed out of the atrium, leaving Luna alone with the body of Apricot Melody.
Do you see now why I am all you can trust?
"You made this happen," Luna whispered. "You forced me against my will."
No, dear Luna, I forced you to do nothing. It was you who chose to act, you alone are responsible for the death of this pony.
Luna merely continued to sob, unable to find the words to respond to the nightmare in her head.
There, there, sweet Luna. I will never abandon you. I am always with you.
The disquiet of Luna's thoughts continued to hound her as she lay there. How long had it been? Minutes? hours? Days? Time seemed to be irrelevant at this point in her life. The voice had stopped, but she knew it was still there. In some way it comforted her in her lonely state, keeping vigil as she lay next to the unicorn's corpse. Then she heard the sounds of hooves coming into the atrium. She felt their eyes piercing into her back. She heard the gasps as their eyes fell upon the bloody mass next to her.
"Oh no... Apricot... NO!!" cried the all too familiar voice of the earth pony.
She heard him rush past her, felt the air blow over her mane as he came crashing down beside her, clutching at the body and crying in anguish.
"How?" he demanded, his voice distorted by a well of emotion. "How did this happen?!"
Luna remained silent, bowing her head into her hooves and shutting her eyes. She could not face him, she did not dare look upon his face. Even though she knew she deserved it, the judgement in his eyes would have been far too much for her to bare.
"You're highness..." said a tender voice from behind her. "This was our doing." The voice now seemed to be addressing the earth pony. "We had requested that she come with us, but she refused."
"Why would she refuse?" the earth pony shouted back at the voice.
"I... she said she would not give us your name and ran into the palace. We gave chase, and followed her up to the balcony above us. We tried to stop her but she would not listen. Instead, she leapt from the balcony and..."
"Oh goddess, Apricot... why would you do such a thing? why!?" the earth pony cried though his tears
.
Luna finally raised her head, seeing the distraught pony in front of her clutching onto the corpse of his friend. "Because of me..." she stammered.
"You... Your highness?" he replied, looking straight at her.
Luna felt of pang of regret. His face bore no judgement or hatred, only sadness and confusion. Some part of her had wished he would simply scream at her, hurl insults. The fact that he had held her in such high regard enough to stay his anger made her feel ever more sickened by her actions.
"I desired your name..." she continued, no longer throwing up the pretense of the 'Royal We'. "I wished to know the pony who had outsmarted me. I wished to know his name so that I could see him fail, so that I could be alone as I have always been. I saw her. I knew she was the key. I would have done anything to find out the truth. She sacrificed herself in order to save you... Possibly even me."
The earth pony looked dumbstruck, unable to to find the words to respond. Then, slowly, he stood from the unicorn's side and trotted towards Luna, raised his hoof and waited for her to take it up. Luna stared at him in disbelief, but accepted his hoof, slowly standing herself up, her form reaching higher than his. In that instant, the earth pony stood closer, his eyes fixed upon hers. "Your majesty," he whispered. "I would have plummeted to the depths of the oceans and scoured the four corners of Equestria if only to have to share this moment with you."
Luna lowered her head slightly, her muzzle inches from his. "I would have done the same only to deny you. But I see now that it was only because I was unworthy of you."
The earth pony smiled weakly then turned his head away. "The cost was too high. I have lost all I have ever held dear for a fantasy. I believed, your majesty... I believed so hard that I was destined for greater things, destined for a princess. Yet I failed to see what I had truly had..." The earth pony stepped away from Luna and fell back down by Apricot's side. "She was... She looked out for me in every possible way. She always protected me, always loved me. How can it be so clear to mey now? How only now when she is no longer with me?"
Luna hesitated only for a moment before seating herself down next to him, folding her wing around his body. He did not resist her, he simply sat motionless. It was in this moment of intimacy did Luna realize that never had she physically held a pony so close to her. The guards behind them did not matter. It was just her and him, a moment she would cherish for as long as she would remember.
The earth pony stirred, twisting his head to face hers. She stared deeply into his eyes, her lips parting and her heart rate climbing. And then he leaned forward, touched his lips to hers, closed his eyes and savored the kiss. Luna felt a wave of emotion flow over her body, a palpable sense of euphoria and deepened desire for him. She did not care for anything but this moment, their lips intertwined and her heart beating ferociously. Yet no sooner had he kissed her had he pulled away from her, turning his head away in shame.
"The price was too high, your majesty," he whispered, unfurling himself from her wing and standing back up. "I am no prince. I am simply an unnamed pony who has overreached."
"But I..." Luna stammered. "You cannot give me my heart's desire and turn me away like this."
The earth pony turned his head back to Apricot. "Your heart will never be mine, and mine can never be yours. What ever love I may have bared for you is broken. For I am now broken."
The tears glistened on his face as he turned on his heel and began to walk steadily out of the atrium, unable to look upon the scene before him anymore.
"No, no... You cannot!" Luna called after him. "Please, I beg you!"
The earth pony paid no heed to her calls and continued on, out of the atrium and out of view. The guards turned to look at one another then slowly filtered out after him. Luna knew they were petrified of being alone with her, and they had good reason to be. She could hardly fathom the emotions that were flooding through her at this point, she could hardly even comprehend what she would do to them had they come any closer. She sunk her head into her hooves, the emotions fading and leaving her feeling empty and defeated. No tears, no pain, no remorse, just nothing. And then a wave of darkness crept over her. So cold was its grasp that Luna had to huddle up on the hard floor.
I told you...
"You told me..."
Such a pity you never learned the pony's name
"I already know his name... It is.... True Love..."
Ahh, such a pretty name. How unfortunate that such love was never meant for you... not truly...
"He kissed me... I had thought that..."
You had thought what? That something so benign could dispel me? No, dear Luna... quite the opposite. Your sister knows barely anything of my true nature. Of our true nature. You and I are one and the same, inexplicably bound. We are not destined for the trivialities of love or its weak promises. No, we... are destined to rule.
This was it for Luna, she had nothing but herself left to bear the loneliness. No sister to offer her comfort and guidance, since it was clear she had finally given up on her, and no love from the earth pony she had broken in order to selfishly banish. What was left for a princess to do?
"I see it now... I see the folly of it all... You were always right." Luna stood up and stretched her wings. Then she turned her face to view the body of the unicorn, touching it gently on the horn. "You have done me a great service young pony. Your death has released me."
Who are we? We are their nightmare...
"We are the moon."
