For Mother Moon

by razpul

Hope

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"Nopony knows that we are still here, smiling beneath the moonlight while remembering our dear mother, for we will forever be... her children of the night." This line from our oldest manuscript gives everypony hope in a world covered in darkness. The others are heathens, the ones who believe that our mother was evil and deserved to be banished by the Princess of the Sun. One of the charges brought against her were the disappearances of a handful of children... Those children are our ancestors. From our oldest manuscripts is where our origin story is told to us. Not much was left of Equestria after Discord was defeated, and the kingdom was greatly weakened. But our Mother started this colony promising safety. We thought she had lied to us, until we learned unity. We survive together, or die together, because we are her children. Everypony has a role to play here. Me? I'm a defender, every night I patrol the village and defend against anything that seeks to harm my family. In the average shift I scare off 6 timber wolves. But in one night, I was no longer sure who I was anymore. It started at midnight under the light of our mother; I was a few hours into my shift and I had yet to see anything. It was oddly quiet, I had usually fended off 3 timber wolves by now, so I unwittingly abandoned my post and went looking for any disturbances, when I saw a bird that flew through the air like fire. I followed it, but I had come face to face with a cloaked figure, a unicorn I believe. I drew my bow and she spoke. "I have been watching you every night for years, and now I know you are the one chosen by the Mother. Take this blade and see your elders to hear the tale they have been saving for you, chosen hero." With a flash of light she was gone. The howling of the timber wolves had began for the first time that night, and I realized for the first time in my life... I was alone, I knew that not even my family could help me with this task, whatever it is. The sun would come up soon, so I grabbed the sword and started back towards home. When I got back to the village, I couldn't help but feel everyponys eyes were on me. I heard the older ponies whisper something about the sword, but I had to go see the the elders before they began their morning duties. "What are you doing carrying that sword, wimp." It was Killer, the biggest meathead in the village, he was so full of himself he could burst any moment. "If anything it should be me carrying that sword, after all I destroy the most timber wolves everynight. What's your record now only 4 in one night? Hand it over" No matter how hard he tried he couldn't un-sheathe the sword, finally he threw it back to me." Stupid fake sword." After Killer left I wondered how I could open the sword so easily when the strongest pony in the village couldn't; I decided all my questions would be answered by the elders at the temple. When I got to the temple on the outskirts of the woods, I was welcomed in with them saying "we've been expecting you, Razpul." I wondered how they know my name since i've never seen any of these ponies before in my life, being as I was too young to enter the temple. "The messenger foretold of your arrival, keep silent for we have a tale to tell. You know the stories of Mother Luna, correct." I told them I had, being that it was the story of our village's founding. " Well the stories go farther than that, she came to visit from time to time, but suddenly she stopped. So we went to investigate and we saw her banished by the hoof of her elder sister, the wicked Celestia. She mentioned how only aligning the power of the stars would be enough to free her. The messenger told us the sword on your back has the power to do just that, but only a chosen pony can wield that sword, and that pony is you. That sword is the same used by Mother Luna to fight King Sombra, it holds great power." I look up and notice they're bowing in front of me. "Oh chosen hero allign the stars and free Mother Luna, as only you can."

After leaving the Temple I was left with more questions than I had answers, How was it that the weakest defender of the village was chosen for a task meant for the strongest? What had I done to deserve this, it couldn't be because of the timber wolves I had chased off, because Killer had killed much more. Why was I chosen? It was getting dark, so I head to my position outside the village. As with the night before not a howl was heard, so I lay looking at the moon; for the first time I saw a mare in the moon, It looked saddened, like it was betrayed, or filled with regret. I never heard her coming... "Beautiful isn't it? For a thousand years i've wandered looking for you, it's not because you are the biggest or the strongest, it is because you are the embodiment of your villages hope.Haven't you ever wondered why nopony knew who your parents were, why you were left at the gate of the village? you were concieved of hope, the same hope that will strengthen you as you proceed through this journey." I just stare at her, it's as if she can read my mind. She began to speak again.  "I will not be able to be with you at all times on your journey, and more often than not you will be alone, but I and the elders will be here to guide you... all you have to do is call." And with a flash from her horn, she was gone; and I was alone again