“Mummy... can I ask you something?"
“What is it, My Little Star?”
“I heard that a long time ago, you banished Auntie Luna to the moon because she was lonely… Is it true?”
Celestia felt a cold shock engulf her.
Her little filly with had such an innocent look on her little face…
“Where did you hear that?”
Astra winced at the sharp tone her mother spoke with. “I found a story book and after I read it, I asked the librarian if it was true and she said it was and then she told me a few other things about the story…”
Celestia was at loss for words, she had thought all those books gone, the last one was published over almost two thousand years ago and she had thought they had simply perished with age… well, unless…
“Which library was it?”
“The one in Ponyville's castle, during the Summer Sun Celebration… I kinda got bored during the ceremony, so I snuck off to the library.” Astra looked at the floor sheepishly, awaiting the scolding that was sure to come.
But it didn't. She looked up to her mother staring out of the window with a sad look on her face.
“Mummy, are you okay?”
“Yes… um, yes. Yes I am, dear. What was the librarian’s name? Did she look well?”
“I dunno. I think so but she did seem a bit sad.” She cocked her head, “Why?”
“No reason,” Celestia lied. She really didn't want to tell her nine year old daughter all the horrors and sorrows of her life. Not any time soon.
Astra’s brows furrowed. She could clearly tell her mother was hiding something. “Why won’t you tell me?”
The princess sighed and chuckled, a small smirk on her face. “Forgive me for saying this but you’re too young.”
“I am not!” the filly cried, the frustration clear in her voice.
“I’ll tell you when you’re older, alright?”
“How much older?”
Celestia pondered a moment. Another moment and yet another, all the while Astra slowly grew angrier and angrier and was about to ask her mother to hurry up when she said, “Around ten years? Maybe a few more…”
“What?!”
Celestia chuckled.
Astra huffed.
~~~
Astra strode into the throne room where her aunt sat upon her throne.
Luna smiled at her niece and said, “And what does my niece request of me in my Night Court?”
The filly looked slightly uncomfortable.
“Did Mummy banish you to the moon?”
The princess looked very uncomfortable. “Y-yes, a long time ago…”
“How come?” The little alicorn asked, her head cocked to the side.
“It’s a very long and complicated story, Little Star.”
“Won’t you tell me?”
“It is not something you should have to hear just yet. Enjoy your ignorance whilst you still have it.”
“But I want to hear!”
The moon goddess sighed as she weighed her options. She could see so much of her younger spirit in the filly. A spirit that wished not to be restrained. The girl’s curiosity would not go away, she knew that. Perhaps telling her would be the best course of action.
“Very well. The issue started quite some time ago, when the rule of your mother and I began. But to fully understand what happened you would need to know how we came to be who we were then.”
Luna’s face began to look sad, nostalgic.
“We were born just before the conflict between the three tribes turned to war.”
“War?” Astra asked, surprised.
“The history lessons nowadays do not include the specifics. It is extremely watered down, the truth of what happened is much more than some squabbles and quests to find some new lands away from some magical spirit ponies,” Her aunt replied with a hint of bitterness in her tone.
“Oh,” The filly’s eyes started to sparkle as she realized that she was about to learn something few ponies new of.
“Your grandmother was an earth pony, your grandfather a pegasus. Back then, such close relationships between different races were unheard of and so their relationship and children were kept secret.
“Your grandmother’s name was Golden Harvest. She-“
“What about Grandfather’s?”
“… Hurricane Storm.”
“I think I’ve heard that name before.”
“You might have. But regardless, we had lived in a tiny village earning a living through farming. At that time your mother and myself plus our brother, your uncle-“
“I have an uncle?! Where?”
“He died a long time ago, Astra. His name was Klay.”
“But wasn’t he e…immotal… mortal… something. Like you and Mummy?”
“Immortal, yes but there are ways we can be killed and somepony murdered him using one of these methods.”
“Why would they do something so horrible?”
“There was nothing but war in those days, Star.
“When Grandmother had Mummy in her tummy, she had to run away and hide in the Everfree Forest. Back in those days it was much, much larger, stretching out beyond Equestria. It was a cruller place, also. However, that was where we grew up, at least until I was old enough to control my disguise spell without a fault.
“After that we moved to the earth pony village I told you about earlier. We were happy enough back then but one night-“
Luna was interrupted by a guard bursting in through the door.
“Your Highness! There is a problem in the courtyard, your help is needed.”
“Alright, I’ll be down immediately.” Luna replied in her calmest voice she had. One does not let others read fear in oneself, after all.
Then turning to her Astra, “Go to your Mummy’s room and stay there, alright?”
“Yes, Auntie,” she replied glumly, “but you’ll tell me the rest later, right?”
“Very well, Astra.”
The girl brightened up visibly.
She beamed and trotted out of the throne room then spread her wings and flew up to her mother’s bedchambers.
~~~
The next night Astra visited her aunt again.
“So what’s the rest?” She asked, jumping up and down eagerly.
“That cursed, fateful night…”
Luna was extremely bored and sleepy. She fought to keep her eyes open as she listened to her family breathing. The sounds seemed slow enough so she decided that they were sleeping. She hoped so at least.
Stifling a yawn, she quietly slipped out of the bed and looked back, peering into the dimness.
She let out a tiny sigh of relief; they were all still fast asleep.
She rubbed her eyes and started shakily tiphooving her way to the door. She smiled. I didn't make a sound!
She opened the door slightly, just enough for her to squeeze through; it squeaked when opened too far.
The filly cringed remembering the first time she had tried to do this.
Her mother had not been happy.
Luna, how could you do this? You know how dangerous it is; we'd be burnt at the stake if they found out! Don't do this again. Never again, do you hear me?!"
"Y-yes, Mummy!" she had cried as her mother beat her backside with an old piece of wood. Her flank was glowing bright red and tears and snot ran down her face. Looking to the side she could see her brother and sister trying to give her smiles of reassurance.
Afterwards her mother had cradled her by the fire, stroking her mane as she went to sleep.
But just as she was drifting off to dreamland she'd heard faint murmurs of apologies and sorrowful promises to never lose her and Klay and Tia. It had made her feel a little guilty. Her family had taught her to keep the secret ever since she'd been born. So that they could be safe.
Shaking her head to get the nasty memories out of her head, she closed the door quietly behind her. Creeping to the orchard, she tried to quiet the sound of her hooves crunching the dry grass. The sleepiness left her as excitement bubbled up inside her.
Upon arriving at her little clearing in the trees she looked and listened for signs of life, none were discovered so she took down the spell concealing her wings and horn.
Luna fluttered into the air and peeped above the trees and around the sky to ensure that she was completely alone. She was. Nopony dared to leave their homes once it was dark; there were many dangers after all: spirits, pegasi, unicorns, evil creatures from lands far away, and of course, monsters. Like her.
Grinning, she gave a powerful flap of her wings and ascended into the Pegasi territory.
The night was beautiful. The moon was shining bright and the stars were twinkling at her as if knowing that she’d done mischief and approved.
Her hoof became damp and chilly as she ran it through the wispy clouds as she weaved in between them. She hoped it would rain soon as everything was becoming dry. She didn't like it, the crops looked sick. If only she knew how the pegasi made rain so she could do it herself.
Stopping at a slightly fluffier cloud, she put her face in it, marveling at how comfortable it felt. She bit it and shivered; it was icy cold. She went up higher into the air.
I wish I could visit the moon and play with the stars, they seem so nice. I wish I was allowed to be a pegasus, my wings feel bad when I don’t use them. I hate it when they itch, Tia says I look silly scratching nothing. Maybe if Daddy had stayed I could. I wonder what he’s like. Celly said he’s got eyes like mine… Klay said he was fun. I wish he’d stayed to see me.
Her lip started trembling and her eyes stung. She looked to the moon for comfort and found some in the gentle glow that settled over her.
But that comfort was broken by the sound of drums interrupting the peaceful quiet.
She immediately surrounded herself with clouds, staying silent.
She knew those drums for what they were; the drums of the pegasi warriors, the drums those warriors used as a signal of attack.
Heart beating fast, she lit her horn and teleported home.
Amid the roaring flames consuming her house.
Collapsing, she screamed out as the heat seared her fur and her mane was set alight. Even with her eyes tightly shut she could see the bright, angry red and although her ears were flat against her head the sound of the blaze was loud in her head.
“LUNA!” She heard her mother screech her name but she couldn't bring herself to reply as she tried desperately to breathe, her lungs hurt more than they ever had.
“I’ve got her!” The frightened filly felt her brother’s magic encase her in a soothing glow, it eased the pain a little. He placed her on his back and galloped out of the burning structure.
As soon as they reached the outside, Luna threw up all over her brother. He didn't yell at her. She was glad for that. She coughed and drank the air regardless of the smells of smoke and vomit. But when the sickening smell of burning flesh reached her she turned green again.
“To the forest!” Her mother’s voice was thick with panic.
“No; look! They’re guarding it!” Celestia shouted gesturing to the pegasi hidden in the shadows whilst steering Golden in the other direction.
Calm down. Calm yourself. They need you. she tried to collect her wits.
Luna kept her eyes squeezed shut and she held tightly onto her brothers neck. Her throat was sore. She wished this was all just a horrible dream. She knew it wasn't though.
She gasped as she felt his feathers brush against her leg.
“Klay! Your wings!-” then she remembered hers too "-My wings!"
“Horseapples! Can you cast yours?” He felt so exposed, naked. It had been years since he'd been like this.
“N-no, my horn hurts, it's too hot!”
“Mine as well. Mum! We have to hide!” he yelled behind him.
“I can see that clearly, Klay! Just follow your sister for ponies’ sake!” Golden was fast but her children were much, much faster. She was struggling to keep up with them. She gathered up more magic from the ground into her hooves, it gave her a slight burst of speed. She knew she was going to feel like hell later from all of this.
Together they all galloped towards their emergency hideout in a cave as if the windigo themselves were chasing them.
Luna had always thought it a bit silly that her mother had kept such a place. She didn’t anymore. In fact, she wished there were more. What if it was on fire? She really didn't like fire anymore.
They suddenly swerved and Klay hissed as an arrow dug itself deep into his flesh, the pain darkening his vision for a moment. He forced himself to continue running; he had a sister to protect. Luna’s eyes opened and widened in horror.
“Klay! Are you okay?!”
“Yes, Lulu. Don’t worry about me,” he said through gritted teeth.
“B-but you have an arrow stuck in your side!” her voice rang high with fear.
“It just hurts.”
“But ponies die from that kind of thing!”
“I'm not going to die, Lulu.”
“B-but what if-“
“I said I won’t.”
“How do you know?”
He sighed, his head felt like stone, he felt like there was a cloud surrounding him and he could feel warm blood matting his fur. They were fleeing for their lives and everything was in flames. He didn't even want to think of how his friends were faring, he couldn't bear to. So he really didn't want to explain this right now. But what choice did he have? Luna was terrified, he needed to reassure her, possibly, hopefully, even distract her from the tragedy they were a part of.
“When you were still a foal, I fell down a cliff in the woods one day. I woke up with my head turning the wrong way and my horn broken. Normal ponies wouldn’t have woken up, but I did. We’re lucky, I think that whatever we are doesn’t die.” he shuddered at the memory.
“What happened afterwards?” she asked, shocked at the fact that her brother had almost died two times! What would she be now without him?
“My body mended itself. I was alright in a few hours.” But those hours were agonizing, Lulu. I could feel my body repairing itself and it was agony. There was nothing to distract me. Just me, my pain, and the dead forest around me. He didn't dare tell her that, though.
Luna was silent as she looked about, her eyes shining in fear.
Their small village was like Tartarus in all its bloody glory. Flames consumed everything, ponies ran about screaming trying to escape the inferno, and fallen bodies embedded with arrows littered the ground, the blood glistening cruelly.
She started to weep, burying her face deep into her brother's mane. Klay was right; we are lucky. Really lucky.
She could feel herself getting better. The hurt was going away and strength coming back to her. The frightened filly steeled herself for flight, for seeing the evil again. She knew that her brother must feel very, very tired and hurt. She'd help him a little.
She whispered in his ear, “I’m going to fly now, Klay.”
He whipped his head around, startled. He looked at her determined little face that was also reflecting her reluctance. “No! Don’t, Lulu. You don’t need to. Just stay on my back and keep your eyes closed.”
“But you’re tired and hurt.”
“I don’t want you to be hurt.”
He glared at his sister as she began to fly next to him.
“At least if you’re flying, go faster!” he said with irritation.
She did so and he was surprised at how fast she was going. She’d barely used her wings; the last time had been years ago, before they’d moved out of the woods. Right? Or had she since then?!
“Damnit, Luna!” he cursed under his breath.
He was beginning to lose sight of her. Flexing his own wings he discovered that they felt alright.
He leaped into the air and felt an extraordinary sensation rush through him; it had been too long since he had soared, he had forgotten the feeling.
Gaining speed he caught up with Luna and they both passed by Celestia.
Celestia internally facehooved. Why didn’t I think of that?
She stopped and grabbed her mother as the mare caught up with her.
"What are you stopping for, Celestia?"
"Hold on."
She let unfurled her wings and held her mother in her magic.
She formed a barrier around them, worried that they’d be hit.
Celestia winced as her friend, White Lily paused and stared up at her in disgust. I’m sorry, Lil! A wretched feeling flooded her chest as her friend was almost hit. She couldn't save her and her family both. She wouldn't even want her to save her. Nopony would want help from a abomination like her.
Golden Harvest’s gaze snapped to the sky suddenly. No, they aren’t, are they? She could hear the whining of descending ponies performing a certain pegasus magic. Then she saw the white specks of light. The explosive Rainboom. Her husband had told her of it before.
As she peered, trying to do the impossible and identify the pegasi above, she felt a twisted kind of hope take hold of her. Perhaps if Hurricane were there… and what? Was she glad that he might be the cause of his family’s death? She snorted and looked back down. She told Celestia to hurry.
“We have to get there now, Celestia! Why don’t you teleport?”
“It’s too risky, Mum. We coulds end up imbedded in rock; I don’t know the place well enough.”
“Damnit.”
“Language, Mum," she chided, smirking slightly.
“Don’t you be cheeky with me, chit.” She sighed glad for the distraction, even if it lasted only a second.
~~~
Hurricane Storm looked around, disgusted at the sight of barbaric carnage they were wrecking upon these innocent civilians.
But this was the key they needed, they needed the chancellor’s daughter. Or so that half-crazed general said.
Quite frankly, he wished he had just stayed home tonight. Of course he couldn't though. Bloodshed was his job.
His whole family were warriors, it was mandatory for everypony in the Storm House to become one.
At least his children would be spared from that particular kind of life. He hoped.
But at the very least they wouldn't be here tonight; Goldie had said that she’d wanted to move to someplace by the sea. He was grateful for that.
She’d always loved the sea, it was so full of mystery she’d said.
He cursed as he leaped to the side, avoiding being hit on the head with a shovel a stallion had swung at him. Focus. He in turn swung his sword, severing the stallion's head.
He turned and began to move again but was stopped short at the sight he was seeing; a glowing bubble was floating through the air. It must be unicorn magic, but there aren't supposed to be any unicorns here! Crap, what if there’s more?! Our agreements with them will be completely off the table!
He began to follow it.
~~~
“Mum, we’re being followed," Celestia said, unease evident in her tone.
“By who?” Golden replied her voice mirroring her daughter's.
“Soilder.”
“Horseapples, should we fight? I don’t want them finding the cave.” Golden was torn; on one hand she didn't want to put Celestia in danger and on the other they were all at risk if the pony found the cave.
“You keep running, the sheild will cover you,” Celestia said grimly. Was this to be her first fight? Perhaps even her last? If she was being honest, she knew nothing about fighting and dreaded the idea of doing so. But... the thought of revenge for all this was rather tempting. Red creeped into her vision as she took in her surroundings fully. Yes, she would make them pay.
“No, I am not leaving you here, Celestia.” Her mother's reply cut her out of her morbid thoughts.
“Just go, I have magic, I have a plan.” She didn't really but perhaps the blood boiling in her veins would be enough.
“No, Celestia. I’m staying with you.”
“But you need to help Klay and Lulu,” Celestia pointed out, knowing that mentioning her younger siblings would convince Golden. She was impatient to go.
Golden stared at her daughter for a moment. She turned reluctantly and ran.
Taking a deep breath, the teen halted and tried to reduce the opacity of her shield but it was useless, she barely knew how to cast it in the first place.
What if they penetrate it and I can’t even see where they’re coming from? I guess I have to use a shape like the earth pony shields. Sweet skies, this is terrifying.
She took down her bubble and replaced it with a flat disc and faced her opponent. She forced her fears down and allowed the anger to brew up to the surface. It felt good. It made her feel violent. Perfect for her task.
She gasped as she saw who her opponent was, shock replacing her hatred.
“No,” she said in disbelief.
Hurricane realized that the pony had stopped.
His sword fell from his mouth as he stared slack-jawed at the pony with both wings and horn. It was his eldest, Celestia. She's so tall. Oh damnit, she's here.
“You aren’t supposed to be here!” he yelled, panicking. What in the name of the sky was happening here? They should be far away safe, and he most certainly shouldn't be the one harming them.
“What do you mean?! Why are you here? Why are the pegasi attacking us?!" All her nerves were a wreck, this was becoming too much for her.
“I can’t say, Celestia. Where is everypony? Are they alright?” he asked awkwardly.
He was watching for danger the whole time.
“Yeah, no thanks to you.” She gave him a cold glare, she felt betrayal twist her heart and her ire returned, how dare he leave them then act like- like nothing had happened?
“Celestia I’m not going to hurt you, I- I know you probably don’t believe it, I don't think you should, but I do care. Just let me come and help, alright? I just want you four safe.”
“Tell that to the arrow embedded in my flesh.” Klay flew up to them, hovering next to Celestia he faced his father who had a look of shock on his face.
“Klay, are you alright?!” Both Hurricane and Celestia exclaimed at the same time, in the same manner.
“Luckily, yes.” he said though the pain was still there. He really needed to take the darned thing out so he could heal.
“With a wound like that you should be dead!” said his father.
“It would seem I can’t die.” He felt quite bitter.
“Bloody skies, I’m glad, Klay.” Those words softened him a little.
“What do you want?” he said to his father. He had nothing but happy memories of this stallion and in any other circumstance he would have been elated to see him, but at that moment? No. Though it was tempting to forget and just pretend nothing had happened.
“I… just take me to your mother and let us get out of here. It isn't safe.”
Celestia snorted. Like it wasn't obvious that they were in danger.
“Should we, Cells?”
Of course, her brother was still a child. He acted older sometimes, especially with Luna, but she could see in his eyes that he wanted to abandon all responsible thought and just pretend he was a child again. A child with his father. One that trusted his father completely. The eagerness shone on his face. She sighed.
“Yeah, Klay.” After all, her father only wanted to help, she knew that, no matter what she wanted to believe. Or not believe.
“You know,” Klay said to Hurricane, “Luna will probably be very excited to finally meet you. She doesn’t remember you at all.”
Hurricane’s ears folded back on on his head, remembering the tiny little blue foal. “Damn, I’m sorry.”
“Why did you leave, Dad?” Celestia asked, curiosity eating at her though she feared the answer.
“Did you really want to live in the Everfree for the rest of your life?”
“If it would make you and Mum happy again, yes.” she said looking sideways into his eyes. She still felt some scorn.
“Ouch, Celestia.” he said jokingly though it did sting.
Celestia rolled her eyes, a little amusement twinkled in her eyes though negative feelings still filled her.
They'd arrived at a grassy field away from all the havoc of the village by now, the area was deserted by the living.
Up ahead was the cave; a sanctuary from all the bloodbath behind. Hopefully.
