(Luna’s POV)
Seventy years, that is how many years had passed since the first humans ever crossed over to our world, seventy years that many races fought against each other, true, none of them were war base, but many were harmed, even more were killed, simply because of who they were. Seventy years, to a being who’s life span could reach to that age, and above the norm, to even grow even older, this seems like such a long, long time. But to someone such as myself…seventy years is as quick as one blinks. Decades have gone, seasons passed as well, from spring, summer, fall, and lastly winter, I, my sister, her former student and our niece, we all watched as the world changed before our eyes, and for once, it was for the good.
At the start, there were two groups, fighting against one another, The True Humans, and Harmony, both groups had one thing in common, they hated one another, racists, that all they were, back then I wonder why my sister and I did not do anything other then harsher punishment, in olden days, we would’ve killed them before everyone, setting a example to what would happen. But such days passed while I, Princess Luna of the Night stayed on the moon for my thousand year hold. Before I was sent to my moon, I remembered the time where all the races, stayed with their own, none liked the other, and we were at war with the Gryphons. We left the dragons alone, simply because they left us alone. But when I returned, treaties were made, what were once our foes were now our friends. it was hard, to say the least, my inner self, would twitch for magic when I would see a guard from another race come, ready for anything, and yet my sister, she was clam, collective. How could she, when I myself, watched her kill many kings and queens that were once our foes.
Sister told me after she banished me to the moon, she’d changed, no longer did she want to fight with other races, and she wanted true peace. However, small steps had to be taken. Equestria use to be far larger then it was, but when she made the peace sighs, she gave up much of the land. The Gryphon’s city in fact, the main hub where transports are going to and fro, I remembered that city use to belong to my sister alone, The Sun City, a simply name, but she gave it up for ease. Many of the old buildings were gone, but the castle where the king now sits, still holds the olden look. The Everfree, becoming a nest for vile monsters, and where we use to live, against my sister better judgment I would go back at times, to relive our past, both good, and bad.
I was not like my sister; I still clung to the old ways when I was released from the Nightmare that clouded my mind and body. I count my blessings that my sister forgave me, saying the Nightmare was the case of me going insane…if only that was true. I allowed the Nightmare to take over me. I allowed it to make me become what I needed to be. As Luna I was weak, but Nightmare Moon…no, I mustn’t think of such things. Yes, for many years…many, many years they will haunt me, but I must not allow myself to be pulled into the darkness of doubt. Because of Twilight Sparkles and her friends, I was saved, from no doubt the end result of me going to Tartus, if they had failed.
Jumping forward in time, I remembered when the portal was open by mistake, this was before young Twilight became a Alicorn…she reminded me so much of Star Swirl the Bearded, her thirst for knowledge. But she has one thing he could never understand; friendship.
I was there, as well as Cadence to help counter the spell Twilight was testing. A large teleporting spell she claimed to have found a way to send someone across the world. For an Alicorn, that is easy, we simply think of the place and we are there, but for a unicorn, well, the magic it takes is great. We were there just in case she couldn’t handle it. But something happened…something we did not ever think would happen! She made a portal…to a world unlike our own.
The creatures we found out to be called as humans, looking like a monkey like creature. They were advanced, no magic and yet they did things magic users only wished to be able to do! I will be the first to admit, I was scared of them, they were a race we had never seen before, and even more, races that looked like us, they treated them as nothing but…well they are animals of course. I was just glad they were not smart enough to form words. When we thought the ponies numbers were large, the humans they easily out numbered us, how, I did not know. I remembered one human saying because they were survivors, their race fought and dealt with many hardships. Ponies have as well…but the humans, their history were much more deadly. I use to think that the ponies tribes, back when all three types lived with their own ‘kind’. I thought that was horrible and wrong…but the things the humans did to one of their own…I do not even wish to think about it.
The time was short, but treaties were made, we agreed to share some of our tools of living, magical filled crystals that could power their own tools, in exchange the same thing. In the years that followed, phones, TVs, a basic thing you would find in a human home, was found in our world. Though many did not jump for the chance of change, ponies do not like change, it scares us. The Gryphons took it to heart quickly, by standers, the gryphons know more of the human tech then we do, I remember one other human saying the Gryphon were the China of their world; whatever that meant.
Myself, I loved what the humans had made, so much in fact I was nicknamed Gamer Luna by many who loved to play video games, even now, I hold yearly a video game contest, each year is different, last year was a fighting game, ‘old school’ using the Play Station 3…I remember when that was new and all the rage!
But enough of the past, I grow weary of what once was. Though I will say, those without a past will never have a future…losing friends from the past, is always hard. Alicorns are old…very old, my sister and I are thousands of years old. Twilight and Candace are new to this life, and they are taking it hard. Twilight with losing her mother and father, and yet, still looking the same the day she became a princess. Shining Armor, passing next and again, her and Candace wept. Tia, would tell them, not to sound cold, but it is the way the lives they must live now. Twilight nearly said she would never make another friend outside of our group, but I stopped her. “Was it worth it though?” I asked her as she looked up at me. “The memories you have of them…was it worth it?”
“Y…Yes but…”
“Keep them in your heart Twilight…I know your pain, your friends are slowly dying, your mother, father, and brother are gone. But they will never be forgotten, because you,” I pulled her to a hug, her arms wrapping about me. “You…you keep them alive with their stories.” Candace soon joined in the small hug, as did my sister. It was hard yes, every time. Over my many years of life, I have taken husbands, and at times wives, I watched them grow old and die, and each time was harder then the last. Friends, also too passing away, were disappearing as if the wind took them, a wind of death. I've a few human friends…and I watched as they too passed one, one of such, was the lover of a queen.
Brandon Casey was his name, it was because of him, and I believe greatly on this, that the Changelings hold peace with at least pony kind. The other races are still weary of them, some cities not allowing them in at all, but in Equestrian’s boarder, they were always welcomed. Chrysalis, the very one that once tried to take over Canterlot, once stole Shining Armor and kidnapped Candace, she now stood in the Council of Unity. It is still hard at times, many of the other leaders, newer, younger then the ones that first became the Council of Unity, they still held their beliefs on that the Changelings were vile creatures. Provoking her to attack them, to prove she was a monster. But she was always calm, mostly because that human, one of my friends, stood beside her. It still surprised me how Brandon stood up for her, almost being thrown in jail himself because of he knowing who she was! I thought at first she had him under her spell, but Candace, she looked deeply into his heart, and told us all, he was in love with her on his own.
This human, who gave up his own world to live in our, living among ponies that at times, disliked humans, a human that put many before himself, was risking it all, for a Changeling. Such a rare trait, a rare being though I did not have feelings for him, I felt…envy, I wanted someone I could care for, but, I was worried about what would happen when they grew old…and passed. I was greatly surprised myself when I found out that Chrysalis, was indeed a few hundred years old, nearly four hundred years in fact. Part of the treaty she agreed to, were to share some secrets of Changelings to us, in case at such a time a Changeling was to attack. It took but a few days, but she agreed to tell us some, not all. Normal Changelings, if given a steady supple of emotions can live far longer then a pony, it was said that the normal life span of a changeling, varied depending on if they are getting enough emotions. If so, a changeling could live up to be one hundred and fifty, queens however could live far longer. Could they live as long as Alicorns? We did not know, the longest living Changeling, Chrysalis told us was just about six hundred years old, and was only killed when a new queen was born, and the two fought to the death.
As I thought more and more, it was strange how the Changeling Queen could be considered a…friend, to Equestria. No other kingdom would allow her, or her subjects within their boarders, or they would be caught, and charged. We, the princesses, have allowed them to stay within our boarders of course, but they were closely watched. If they were to wear a fake body to blend in, magical items were given to them that they could not remove without the help of a guard. They were to be closely watched no matter what. A changeling choosing to use its base body, they too were watched, and if they changed without a good reason, they would be questioned. This may have been strict but we were being careful.
The two groups known as TTHs and Harmony, soon slowly died off, were thousands use to join them, turned into hundreds, and now only a few handfuls. The next generations were taking over, some were taught at a young age to hate the other races, and they were now a lost cause, but they were vastly out numbered by those of who were taught the peaceful way. What was once uncommon was now a common thing to see. A human dating nearly any race that wished to date, and with the help of magic, having a child with the alter race was even more easy. However, the offspring nearly always had the body of the mother, but the eyes of the father. The spell was made as such.
My eyes closed as my sister and I worked, her lowering the sun, and me raising the moon, as the world was covered in my cold night’s embraced, the sky above became dotted with the many stars I controlled. Making shapes of whatever my mind decided on for the night. The sky was my paper, and my magic the brush. “A beautiful night as always Luna,” I gazed over to my sister, over the years, I had grown a bit more, now my head nearly leveled with her own. Her pale light grayish magenta eyes looking down at me slightly, a soft smile forming over her muzzle, her mane, waving in with magic, with the colors of cerulean, turquoise, cobalt blue and heliotrope. Her coat, too many thought it was white, but indeed it was not, but it was a light shade of fuchsiaish gray. Her crown, sitting on top of her head showing off her rule over the kingdom, with a matching caller like set of neck brace, and shoes. Her cutie mark, being that of a full sun, easily showing what her talent was.
“I am sure everyone shall sleep soundly tonight.” We no longer said, ‘everypony’ as we once did, many were right when it sounded like we were just singling everyone else out. It took a while, and yes at times even I slip up and say everypony, but very rarely do I do so.
“Yes, I am sure as well sister,” I answered gazing out to Canterlot. It had grown over the years, both because of how the ages were going on, and because of now more beings living there. Humans built most of the buildings, but with our treaties, they did not bring anything that could harm our world through. So there were buildings human made, but also a pony like look to them. The city now, nearly triple it size, where the gate use to be to welcome all to Canterlot, was now gone, allowing a new section to be built further outward. The low humming of a chariot was heard, as I looked down, I noticed a pony sitting down; his hooves along the wheel as he drove off. It was said to be a crude version on what humans had, but this vehicle did not use gas to drive, but magical filled gems. “I wish for our subjects to sleep peacefully tonight, I am glad we could have such a calm, warm night.”
“Indeed,” my sister answered. “And many seem to have the most fun when it is dark, with all those clubs that are opened.”
“Is that envy I hear in your voice Tia?” I jabbed looking over at her, my older sister rolling her eyes. “My, my, the sun sister envying of how it seems ponies are enjoying to party at night more then in the day light?”
“Oh hush,” she playfully pushed me as I gave her a soft chuckle. “At least now you know many enjoy your nights, and even more public adore you more then me,” it was true, some groups, in a playful jest, made poster for their favorite sister princesses. It seemed my side was known as the New Luna Republic, while my sister The Solar Empire. It was rather cute, but all in good fun, my sister and I would go to the ‘bases’ and even we made mock war games. Last year, my fellow followers of the night won, the war games lasting only three weeks. It gave me and my sister a reason to wear our old battle armor. And yes, we did enchant all weapons used so no one was harmed.
“Yes,” I agreed. “I believe the NLR have been gathering more recruits then TSE lately haven’t they?”
“It is not a contest Lulu,”
“Mhm, you jelly,”
“I am not,”
“Jellllly,” I poked fun grinning at her. Even though I did not play as much video games as I did in the past, I still held on to the playful teasing of, trolling the noobs. Again, my older sister rolled her eyes as we walked off. Usually she stayed up; we would share one last meal together before she would retire for the night.
As we made our way down the hallway, we saw the day guard being switched with the night guards, a mixture of both human and pony kind being seen. We started to allow the humans to join our ranks nearly fifty years ago. The reason we did not do so sooner, was because no human had yet asked. But one day, when a human and a unicorn came, both wanting to try out, well, we allowed them. Of course some thought the humans were not yet ready to be trusted then after a few decades, so Celestia and I made a decree that race that wish to join our guard forces, are more then welcome. The human armors looked just like the pony counter part, save that they were more covered. Where the ponies head, chest, and hooves were covered with the golden, or dark blue color armored, the human bodies were nearly fully covered. You could still see their faces of course, but what wasn’t armor was black clothing leather armor underneath for the night guard, while pure white for the day guard. Once the guards were at their stations and saw us, they stood at attention, saluting to us; we thanked them, and went along our way.
“Did you send out the invitation to Chrysalis Luna?” I looked up from my meal, a simple salad with dressing along the top, as Celestia…surprised, was eating cake. I sighed and nodded my head before answering.
“I did,” I replied. “However, she responded with that she would not be attending this year again.”
“I see…” she answered back as she looked down at her treat. “She is still grieving, it is understandable, Brandon was the first person she ever truly loved.” I nodded my head, agreeing with her. Brandon passed a few years ago, near the time of the Grand Galloping Gala. It seemed in his younger years, Brandon had taken seizures, as Chrysalis was away on royal business with me and Celestia to try and strengthen the bond between her race and others. We received a call, sating that the human took one. Chrysalis of course rushed off quickly at once, we followed after, returning to where her Hive was located. The Hive was but a few hours from Ponyville, in a grassy like area, both far enough away that ponies or any other creature didn’t have to go there, or pass there, but also easy enough that they could. We thought we were lucky that there was a doctor we sent there, to study the body of changelings, and they rushed quickly to help Brandon from what we heard, but when we came…it was too late. Brandon was old…and the seizure was a strong one. I had never seen the queen cry before that day, she kept trying to revive him, using her magic, even going to the point that she was about to put him in one of their pods. Long before she even tried to take over Equiseta she told us that at times, she would take ponies that she thought could be used in the hive…and morph them into changelings. These pods would do that, healing them of any thing their pony bodies once held. We stopped her, telling her it was too late; he was gone.
We heard nothing from her for nearly a year, before she returned, she was a shell of her former self, she to anyone that did not know her, looked fine, but we knew, she was hurting inside. Brandon was buried within the Hive, I and my sister went to his funeral, and the friends he made over the years, they came as well. To pay respect to the passing human. “It will be a long time,” Tia spoke taking me out of my trance like thought. “Before Chrysalis is back to what she once was. Brandon, even after she showed him her true form, who she was and everything; still loved her for her. She didn’t have to trick him to make him love her. He loved her, simply as that.” I nodded my head at this as I looked down at my food. “I shall be going to the Hive to speak to her, and to pay respect to her late mate,” we never called them husband and wife, for we did not know if they were married, if Changelings even married in the Hive. Chrysalis always called him, ‘her mate’ and Brandon always called her by her name, or whatever pet name he could think of.
“If I may,” I spoke up. “Why don’t I go alone? You have done so many times before, and I wish to see her on my own.”
“May I ask why?”
“No offence Tia…but Brandon was more my friend then yours,” I remembered in the younger days, where me and Brandon would play video games a lot. He would come over to spend the night as we played throughout the night and well into the morning. There were rumors at one point that we were lovers, but we stopped that. We were friends and nothing more. I was saddened to see him go, but I knew, I knew sooner or later it was to happen. But I do not regret becoming his friend, if I had to go back in time, I would do it all over again.
“Very well,” she answered with a soft nod. “When will you go?”
“Ill send a call to her,” I answered. “Asking to come tomorrow after noon, if she agrees, then I shall head off in the early mornings.
I was granted and allowed to come to visit. Even after all these years, and now, I consider myself to trust her with my life, there was still a part of me, which would glance about as I watched the many eyes watch me, the buzzing of wings. It is a known fact that most Changelings, they enjoy the ‘taste’ of love, however they get it, they share among each other. Truly, I do not understand, how something like this works along the Changeling race, and truthfully; I will no doubt never understand it. Deep underground I went, feeling the earth swallowing me as I ventured deeper and deeper. Two guards flanked my sides, the others outside watching the chariot, as many had said; we still went, old school, when it came to driving from one place to another. Or flying in this case. The Changelings worked, that reminded me of ants in a sense, and many were workers, making new tunnels to be used for whatever they wished of them to be. Many more were soldiers, wearing armor that bore the same colors as the harden shell along their back. Much like the guards at home, the armor covered their heads, chests, and hooves. They stood still, like stone, but their eyes followed us, I paid them no heed, but nodded to them, and they nodded back.
“Greeting Princess of Dreams,” I stopped before a Changeling, they all looked the same body wise, and so I could never tell one from another. This one however, wore what looked to be a loose bandana around the neck, the voice being male. The Changeling bowed, his head lowering before saying. “A pleasure to have you within the walls of the Hive, if you will please follow me, I shall take you to our Queen.”
“Thank you,” I responded. The hive, looking about, the only two colors that stood out, were green and black, a choice, or was it how all Changelings did so?
“How has Queen Chrysalis been, as of late?” I asked, walking beside the Changeling, my guards still close behind. I heard him release a small sigh as he lowered his head.
“Not good,” was all he said. “Yes, she puts on a brave face, but I have worked along side her for many, many years now. She is still in pain, greatly still.” I looked down at him, watching as he shook his head. “She clings to anything that was his, not allowing anyone to touch or move it and when she is not addressing us, she is with him, standing over his grave.”
“She is grieving,” I pointed out.
“Such a thing I have yet to understand,” the Changeling pointed right back. “We are not heartless Princess, we do feel sadness, regret, like any other being does, but…we accept things quicker. The dead is dead, and no matter what we do, they will not return.”
“Perhaps one day,” I offered. “When you fall for someone you deploy care for, and maker forbid the day he or she is gone…maybe then you shall understand.”
“Perhaps.” He agreed.
We walked in silenced for the remainder of the small walk, before coming up to the castle of the Changelings. Much like everything underground, the castle was mostly all black, the windows and few others things, a see through green. It was strange and I still yet to find out what the glass was made out of. The area around the castle was dug in deeper, making a crater of sort to make it look bigger. It was no Canterlot Castle, but from looking at this, smaller to my home, it looked much more fortified for a battle. The guards at each door gave a polite bow as I walked on by, myself, I returned each gesture. We’ve indeed come a long way, when changelings and ponies are bowing or nodding to each other. “The Queen is out back,” the one I was following sated. “She is already known of you being here as of now, you may go and see her now if you wish, or we can give you a room to rest in.”
“I don’t plan on staying long enough to have a room for myself,” I answered. “But thank you,” he nodded softly and walked off.
Following where the changeling told me, where Chrysalis would be, I made my way through the small hallway, before coming out to what seemed to be a garden of sort. Though it did not have plants such as the ones at Canterlot castle, I could still see that it was in a sense still a garden. The same plant like things sporting out of the ground, allowing shapes to be seen, some reminded me much of those strange twisted arts that everyone would have a thought on, while others were that of changelings, standing guard. A stern look much like the real life guards. I saw her standing in the back, her back toward me as she sat down, her gazed down at the tombstone before her. It was a simple tombstone, but at the same time not. It stood nearly as tall as six feet, with an engraving of roses along the edges, as well as wings, changeling wings coming out of the side. In the middle, was a craving of which the grave belonged to. Him standing, giving a gentle smile, forever frozen in time. She chose to use his face of when they first met, of when she fell in love. “Greetings, Princess Luna…” her voice held a bit of an echo to it, hollowed in a way. Was she born with the voice, or magic, I never asked. “I was surprised you asked your sister to stay at home, and not allow her to come.”
“She may have known him,” I answered back walking closer. “But it was I, who was more of a friend to him then she was. They barely spoke, and I felt it was time I start coming here alone as well, to pay my respects.”
“I thank you then,” I came and sat down beside her.
We said nothing, how long did we stay there, just looking at the grave, I could not tell. Before at last she spoke. “It does not get any easier…does it?”
“What doesn’t?”
“This,” she spoke pointing to Brandon’s grave, over the years, it still looked the same as the day it was place here. Magic enchantments can do wonders. “This painful feeling…I loved him, I still do, and yet, yes I have lost many subjects in my rule, even though we changelings live long lives, but this…this is different.” I said nothing for a moment, looking at the queen beside me, before I at last said.
“I wish I could say it gets easier…” I started, my eyes closing softly as my lips moved. “I wish I could say the pain grows less and less…but it doesn’t. I have had many husbands in my life, wives as well; I have watched them die before me in ether battle, or from old age. I have at times thought to myself, never to allow anyone but those who could live as long as I, to be within my heart…but that would be ether my sister, Candace and Twilight, yourself, and the dragons.” I gave a small chuckle before saying. “And I remind you, I thought of this before dragons started to slowly enjoy ponies and the other races. But…then I got to thinking…it’s worth it.” I watched as her green eyes turned to look at me, sadness in her eyes, as I closed my eyes once more. “My past lovers, I loved them all differently for many reasons. One because he was so caring, one because she knew me so well…each of us had a moment…a spark. I believed you can love more then one being. We may live longer then most, but we still have feelings, we still have needs.”
“But to answer your question, as I said…it doesn’t, I haven’t had a husband or wife since I returned back from the moon, ether I do not feel like I wish to have another lover yet, or that no one had caught my eye. Maybe when I feel that ‘spark’ that I will see where it would go, but until then, I am…content with what I have. I will not lie; I have taken lovers, but not a mate.”
“That’s not really a princess-like thing to do.” she pointed out with a soft smile.
“You should see my sister…you really think she is clean?” we both shared another laugh, before she sighed and placed a hoof along the grave stone. I placed my hoof over her own and spoke. “Do you think he would want you to be like this…stuck in the past never to move forward?”
“No…he no doubt would…heh…boop my nose until I gave in and did what I had to.”
“Boop…your nose?” I asked before she looked over and poked my snout with her hoof, making a ‘boop’ noise as I blinked and shook my head.
“There was a time I wouldn’t get up out of bed…I wanted to just have him with me all day, so he kept ‘booping’ me, until I got out of bed.” She chuckled softly, as I soon joined in. “I just…I miss him.”
“I know…” this was all I could really say…what else could one say, to another who is grieving.
“I've been meaning to ask you something, Princess Luna.” I turned my head as she lead me through the castle, I decided to stay just a bit longer, though the only thing we had in common was that of my friendship with her lost lover, I could see that she needed a friend more then ever.
“Please,” I spoke lifting a hoof. “Call me Luna, no needs for such titles between friends.”
“Friends…” she whispered to herself. “Very well, you may call me Chrysalis only…I believe we both have earned the right to be on a name basic with one another, don’t you think?”
“That I believe.” I agreed before the she went on.
“Ether way.” we passed a small group of changelings who were busy carrying food. There was now a program that allowed ponies or any race for that matter to allow the Changelings to feed off them for food. What the changelings were carrying were in fact real food for those willing to give up some of their love, or emotions. It was sad that if a single changeling feeds until they are full, they are good for nearly a week, but the one they are taking from, becomes rather weak. So as payment, they get a free meal, and stay until they are able to walk again. It is usually only a day. “As I was saying…or trying to…do you ever believe in…the ideas of being re-born?”
“Hrm?” I stopped and turned to look at her, my eye brow slightly rising as she sighed and spoke.
“Do you believe that this life, the one we are living in now, do you truly believe it to be the one and only life we have? That perhaps when we do pass that there is another life after death. If so, what would be the point of this life then…why not just have everyone in the same place if that is where we were all just going to end up in the first place?” I wasn’t liking where she was going with this…what was going on in her mind that she was trying to think of what every living being have thought about to try and understand. “But…what if…what if after a while, we are brought back, a never ending cycle of life and death?”
“Where is this…coming from?” once more she sighed, before stopping and looking over to the side. I followed my gaze, as we were looking outside. Or perhaps I was, and she, at nothing really. “Chrysalis…if you think Brandon has been brought back to life, but as another being…”
“Who’s to say it’s not possible?” she asked. “Anything is possible, I thought there couldn’t be peace with our races and yet here you are before me, as a friend.”
“Chrysalis…I don’t know the answers you seek. Maybe, maybe what you are saying is true, maybe there is indeed life after this life, and maybe we are reborn as you pointed out. What if this has already happened with me, or you? I don’t remember anything from my old lives if I had them.”
“Perhaps dreams are the way to remember.”
We spoke very little after this, I have never seen someone in such a way before, she still believed, that in a matter of speaking, her lover would return. Perhaps the way he was, or she could somehow make him remember who he once was. Perhaps I was thinking too much on this, perhaps it was just a simply question, and my worry was for nothing. True to what I said, I did not stay long; I left just as the sun was slowly starting to set, making my way back towards my ride home, with my guards.
My eyes were closed as I started to raise the moon; my sister’s light slowly lowering, allowing the world to be covered in my dark embrace. The guards seemed to be a bit happier now, visibly smiles seen along their muzzle. That allowed me, to smile as well. But, the chill stillness of the night was cut off, by a single noise…the sound of crying, but not that of crying as if someone was hurt, or someone that lost a love one.
It was the sound, of a baby crying.
“Hold my subjects!” I called over the rushing winds, using my magic to hold us all in the air in a hover; I looked to where we were, right above the Everfree forest.
“What is it, your highness?” One spoke who looked back toward me. I held my hoof up, and waited…and waited…before…yes there it was! Even their ears perked up, as we all looked down. The sound of crying nearly below us. Ordering my guards to land, they did so at once, unlike my sister guards, who would always try and keep her safe; by at times not doing what she asked if they deemed it too risky. My guards knew I could take care of myself, if the need rose.
The area of which we landed was flat, clear of anything but the dead like ground. The trees around, seemed to make a circle, as if this place where trees wouldn’t, or couldn’t grow. My moon’s light, giving the area a pale light to see. As I exited out of my ride. I could see it, right in the middle. A simple basket, with a blanket on top. “This has the making of a left behind child,” one guard muttered softly as the other nodded his agreement. Even I nodded my agreement, having read many stories over the years, mostly of heroes who were raised by another because they were found by a kind soul. Ether way, how cliché it all sounds, I made my way over toward the basket, as the crying went on. The sounds would bring any beasts here soon, this I knew.
Lifting the blanket away, I was greeted to a wet face human child. I would lie when I say I had never seen a human baby, over the years, I would see humans, or other creatures who had taken in the child if they did not have a family of their own. I've seen some babies when they were only a few months old, some nearly a year. This one, I could tell was male, it was just the way his face was shaped, even when it was rounded of a baby’s face. His cheeks, stained with tears, his mouth opened wide in a cry. Was he hungry, scared, cold? A pain in my chest, which would leave such a child alone, and in the Everfree none the least! I saw him open his eyes…and his crying stopped slowly. His green eyes looking back up to my eyes, the child seemed confused perhaps. He was old enough that he had hair growing on his head, slightly curly, but I knew that this hair was new, so it would be curly at first, from what human mothers have told me. His skin was pale, perhaps from the cold, even though he wore a pair of PJs and the blanket that was wrapped about him. This unknown baby just stared up at me, eyes a bit wide. And what was strange was that he would look just at me…right at me. “A human foal?” one of my guards asked as I softly chuckled and shook my head.
“In human terms,” I corrected. “He would be baby,” the guard only nodded as the other, coming along my other side asked me.
“What shall we do? We simply can not leave this child here!”
“I did not plan to,” I answered once more before looking at the two, the other still strapped to the chariot. I thought for but a second and said. “You two,” the ones next to me stood up straight at once. Using my magic, I brought a bag of bits out of thin air, or rather teleported my money from my room to me. “Take this bag, and make hast to Ponyville, it is still not truly late yet, and there should be a shop still opened that will have baby items.”
“I know of a shop,” I looked to the one on my left side. “I was raised in Ponyville, theres a shop that’s open all the time, the owner believed that if there is a need for baby items, and some does not have it, it would be a good idea to have one open.”
“Very well, gather human baby food, and any other things that are needed, but not a crib, I do not believe we will need that.”
“What will you do with the baby?”
“I shall return to the castle, and speak to my sister,” I told them. “See if we can find any information on this child. If anyone placed a missing child report that matches his looks, we shall be in luck.”
“Oh, there is also something in here,” I looked over, seeing my guard reach in and pull something out. Whatever it was, it was beside the baby. “Looks like a tag of some sort, maybe a pendant? It even has a name! Seems to be his, it has a date of birth,” at least now I could know how old he was at least. Holding my hoof out for him to hand it over, I could see that this child was born nearly half a year ago, it was June, so he was born January. Looking at it, it even held the date as well. But that was not what caused me to just stare at the tag; it was the name, just a single name.
Brandon.
Why…why did this name cause me to just look at it, It was just a name was it not. A simply name, however, I believe what cause me to think like this...was because of the words Chrysalis and I spoke about not even a few hours ago. I turned my head, looking back down at the child, the two guards, having started to fly, they had their mission. The child…Brandon, was still looking up at me, before I watched as his little hands reached up toward me, opening and closing. He made a sound, a soft cute sound that reminded me of cooing. Another sound, which sounded almost like a laugh of sorts; I wore a soft smile as I sat down on my hind legs, and reached down to pick him up. Cradling him in my arms ever so softly, as I felt his hands rub along my coat, and his hands rubbing along my muzzle. My mane, still flowing because of the magic, and he saw this, reaching out to try and grab at it, but his hands moved through. “Princess?” I looked back, seeing the ones that were to fly me home. “Shall we leave? The Everfree is no place for a human child.”
“Yes…you are right,” I agreed looking down at him once more. Brandon…was this his name?
The fly back to Canterlot castle, felt longer then before, Brandon, seeing how this was what the pendent called him, slept in my arm after a moment when we started to fly. He was, is very cute the way he sleeps. As I sat down, one arm cradling him, he moved his face toward my coat, nuzzling it softly as he sucked on one of his thumbs. It was rather cute and it allowed me to smile. Using my other hoof, I moved his hair a bit, before waiting as we flew in my darkness. I sent a small note to my sister, explaining what we had found, and that I wished to speak to her, when I first saw the child, I wanted at first to let him stay in the castle for the night; and then possible find him a good home…of course this was what I thought of at first.
Landing in the garden, I lifted the human with my magic and left my ride in the night, once more placing him in my arm, and started to walk on three legs. It was not that hard, just a bit awkward at first. Tia was waiting for me, as well as Twilight Sparkle and Cadence. They were to come, simply so we could meet for a few days, the last time Candace was here, was a few months back. Luckily she had good ponies to watch over the Crystal Empire. The three Alicorns, watched as I walked up toward them, going softly so not to rouse the sleeping child. I could see the eyes of the two younger ones light up, as they saw the human child in my arm.
“Aw…” Candace cooed walking over once I was up the stairs. “He’s so cute, doesn’t matter what race one is, they are all cute as babies,”
“I know right!” Twilight spoke a bit too loudly causing Brandon to stir in my arms a bit; the purple Alicorn covered her mouth and mouthed a sorry as she went back to whisper. “Did you really find this child in the Everfree Forest?” she asked me as I could only nod my head in agreement.
“Yes, on to how this small child came to be in such a place is still unknown to me. Did someone simply leave him there, unable to care for the child, or did someone just not care what would happen…what could compel a being to do this to a child; I shall not know.” I looked between the two younger Alicorns before asking. “Would you two be willing to care for him for a moment, I wish to speak to my sister alone,” the two nodded their heads as Candace took Brandon in the grasp of her magic. I had long since placed the pendent along his little hand, allowing it to dangle a bit as he slept. “I've sent some guards to gather some items for the baby, I shall send word for you to meet with them…would you mind going to my bedroom with him?”
“Of course Luna,” Twilight spoke as she clapped her hooves. “Oh it’s been so long since I held a baby human!” she whispered happily as she and the Alicorn of Love disappeared into the castle.
I turned to look at my sister, moving my hoof to show her I wanted to walk and talk. She followed beside me, as we made our way within the castle. “You are troubled dear sister,” Celestia spoke as I sighed and nodded. “About where you found the child?”
“Yes…and to what me and Chrysalis spoke of before I found him.”
“Explain?” she asked softly as I sighed once more, and closed my eyes. I started to tell her how much she still missed Brandon, her one I mean, not this new one. How she was still grieving, which she had all the rights to do so. Then telling Tia of her ideas on how reborn could be possible. “This is understandable,” she said as we made our way down another hall, a few guards passed us as they bowed, we bowed back as we went on. “Every lover thinks that somehow, the one they’d lost could return. You have felt this, as have I.” I could only bop my head at this.
“And now…you feel confused because of the name of this child, that perhaps she was right?”
“It just seems…strange,” was all I answered. “I know human give each other pretty common names, I’m not saying I've seen or heard of other humans named Brandon…but on the same day she tells me of this, I find a child in the Everfree Forest with the name Brandon? That forest is cursed, and unknown. Two ponies could walk the same path, but somehow become lost, or see different things each time. How I wish to burn it to the ground, but the monsters within…”
“True,” she spoke to me. “But…I've a feeling there is still more you wish to speak of to me.”
“Yes…, Tia…I wish to adopt the child, I wish to become his mother.”
My sister didn’t say anything, and that was ether of one or two things, one, she was ether upset because of what I said, though I really doubt that. Or two, she was in very deep thought. After nearly a moment pause, she then at last said. “That is a very large tasks little sister,” she looked away, forward as we walked side by side once more. “Raising a child is no small job, if you are to be his mother, it will be a lot of work.”
“I know of this sister,” I answered as she looked back to me, her face did not have a stern upset look, but a small smile. “I’ve been thinking of…adopting for a while now,” of course I did not, well in a sense yes. I've always wanted a child of my own, but I was so worried that any suitor that wished to be my husband, only wished to do it for the title of Prince. A child though…what was wrong with me taking someone in that had no family, raise him or her in a loving family.
“Hrm…are you truly sure of this?” she asked. “He is human, not that this is wrong or anything, but he will find out sooner then later that he is not your blood son.”
“Sister I am not stupid, I know of this, and I shall explain when he is of age to understand that! But ether way, I do want to have him as my child, it seems only right.”
“Well…if you are truly sure,”
“I am,”
“Then I shall bring in the right ponies to bring the paper works.”
“You do not disapprove?” at this she only laughed softly at this, shaking her head.
“Lulu…you do know that before you were brought back, I adopted both Candace and Blue Blood, into the royal blood line, if you truly wish for this human, Brandon, to be your son, I shall not fight to say other wise. Perhaps this will be good for you. Yes, between me, Cadence, Twilight, and even Discord, we all treat you as you are, not as princess. Everyone else loves you, but as a princess. Perhaps having this child as your adopted son, will be good.
“Or the fact you’ll have another one to call you Aunty,”
“Oh, can I be the Uncle?”
We both jerked and turned toward the left side, seeing Discord, lying along the cloud. His body looked mix and matched, truly he was discord the way his body was. Because of Fluttershy, the former wielder of the Element of Kindness, she converted Discord to be, good. However yes he would play a prank or two, but it was not as bad as what he use to call pranks. Lying along his side he snapped his talon, popping before us. “Come now please!” he nearly begged. “It would be good for this human to have a good role model!”
“A good, role model…you?” I questioned as he leaned back, a bear paw on his chest.
“Dear Luna, I am wounded! I so can be a good role model! And beside, he is going to be surrounded by far too many females, he needs a male guardian!”
“…I’ll think of it,” was all I said. “IF you follow my conditions!”
“Oh? And what is that?” he smiled sitting crossed legged in the air.
“You can not prank him…at all,” I spoke softly glaring at him. “And you can only prank me or anyone in this castle once a month!”
“What? No way, counter offer, allow me to prank once every week and I’ll agree to be more…good, ugh,” he fanned his mouth as if he ate something most foul. “Beside, all I want is to able to give him a good childhood, knowing you Alicorns you would teach him to be orderly and such, he is a human! All humans have a bit of chaos within them, that’s why they are my most loving race that I so enjoy having around!”
We spoke a bit more, and as we did, I could see that he was getting more and more happy about the idea of being a uncle to this child. Now that I think of it…he and my sister have been seeing each other more then normal lately, I would have to speak to her of this.
Going off to my room, Discord and Celestia leaving me to return on my own, I was greeted with the two guards who went to gather the items the baby would need. They both stood at attention and gave a salute, telling me that Candace and Twilight were, babying the child. I gave them slight blank looks at their choice of words, but said nothing as I entered the room all the same. I was greeted to the sight of Candace laying low on the ground, her chest nearly touching, and her rear in the air. Brandon, dressed in a rather cute dark blue one part sleeping clothing, the Alicorn of love, covering her eyes, and uncovering them, saying ‘peek-a-boo’ causing him to laugh loudly. The sound of the baby laughter, it didn’t matter who or what you were, it would always make you smile. “Oh Luna, you are back!” Twilight called out as she was sitting off to the side watching the two play, Candace looked over as she sat back down, holding Brandon in her arm. “He woke up a bit ago when the guards came, we were about to feed him when we had a good idea!”
“And what, pray tell would that be?”
“Why don’t you feed him?”
“Me?” I repeated, looking down at my sister’s former student.
“Ya, I mean, when will the next time be when you feed a baby human?”
“About that,” I spoke as the two looked to me. “I shall be adopting the human as of tomorrow.” The two were rather still when I said those words, Candace and Twilight looking to each other before then they…squealed?
“Oh then you must feed him now!” Candace cried as I only smiled and nodded, walking over and sitting next to her. Cadence, even though she was now a Princess, she still at times baby foal sit, many families paid her even more, because she was a princess. She started to tell me the right way to hold a child in my arm as I sat on my hind legs. She nestled Brandon into the nook I made as he looked up with his pretty green eyes. Taking a milk bottle, which she must’ve warmed a bit ago, she brought it to me as I took it in my magic. “So yes Luna, all you have to do, is hold the bottle up just a bit…yes just like that!” when I brought the nipple of the bottle to his mouth, he held on to it with his lips and started to suck. I watched as he drank down the milk, rather surprised on how someone so small, could drink so quickly. She then told, and showed me how to burp a baby, holding him along my shoulder slightly, tapping his back lightly with one of my hooves until a rather large belch was heard. It caused us three to all let out a small laugh. “Doesn’t matter what age they are…stallions are all the same,” I could only nod my agreement as I held him softly once more in my arm. He, looking up to me with his green eyes, before reaching up with his hands, softly rubbing my muzzle with his tiny little hands. Yes…I would raise and make sure this child is loved.
(Eight years Later, Brandon’s POV)
I was rather busy, doing what? Well sleeping of course, even though I was known as the Prince of the Night…hey I still slept in the night. For one, Aunt Celestia’s sun light wasn’t keeping me up as I slept, well, it was until SOMEONE drew the blinds open, causing me to groan and roll my back toward the most evil of all lights! “It is time to awaken Princes Brandon Eclipse,” I heard a voice that I had grown to know since I was but a young child…even though I was still considered a child, I hated it. I wanted to be treated like an adult, not a silly kid! The voice belonged to my bodyguard that mother assigned to guard me the very next day she adopted me as her son. I just learned three years ago that I was not her son by blood, I’ll tell you, I was a bit upset, to the fact that she lied to me. But I think I always knew, in the back of my mind, seeing how I was human and not a pony. Eclipse was the name she gave me to be my surname as what my race would call. Many ponies in this world would have only one name, or two names. Like Twilight Sparkle, or my guard, Shade Moonlight. Mother wanted to give me a name that thought would be fitting for a Prince of the Night, and Eclipse seemed to fit it.
Humans couldn’t gain cutie marks, to the fact that, from what I learned of history class, that so far no human had ever gained one, even ones that were born and raised here in this world; they just never got one before. However, much like mother said she would do for me, when a human thought they had found their talent, a unicorn would place a spell over them, allowing their talent, once they show it and use it while the spell is about them. A pony made cutie mark would cover their shoulder. Or they would, if they wished, simple go and get a tattoo.
I covered my head with my large blanket, it was blue much like mother’s coat, and held her cutie mark on it. The pillow I rested my head on, help my Aunt’s colors and Cutie Mark. Releasing a soft groan I tried to return back to the wonderful world of dreams, but it would not be. I felt something hit the top of my head lightly, a hoof, poking it. It grew slow at first, before more, and more it became faster and faster before I threw the blankets off and glared at the pony doing it, or should I say, bat pony.
A smug smile crossed over her muzzle, her coat, a dark grey like color, as her bat like ears perked up. Her golden eyes silt like cats, or much like Nightmare Moon, looking back at me. She held a patch over her left eye, she told me one night when I wanted to know more of her, that she lost it in battle, but she wouldn’t tell me what the battle was. Shade was no normal guard, in fact she was captain on the night guard, you would think she would need to sleep, and not be with me 24/7, but there was a secret only a few knew about her, and luckily I was one of them. Shade was a Vampony.
Now some may think that, why would I want one as a guard, why would mother allow such a creature to be a guard, or more so guard me! Well for one, she was different; she did not want this, ‘curse’. She was attacked and turned by another and barely lived through the transformation. She did everything she could to never harm a living being. She could still eat food, but blood was so much better, from what she told me. Yes she was still vastly stronger then a normal pony, but she never took blood. Mother would pay a blood bank or even pay some of the guards that willing gave her their blood. This kept her good for a while, and the guards got paid, and a few days off to regain some composer. When I found out what she was, I had asked her many, many questions, which she gladly answered. She told me she was nearly two hundred years old, that her kind never aged, and yes they could die, but it took much more to kill her. Cut off the head or in the heart were a sure way to kill her. She could still walk out in the sunlight, but it always made her weaker then normal, and it rendered some of her senses a bit dull. This was about a year ago she told me, and when she asked me if I feared her, I said no, because I didn’t need to fear her; we’ve been closer ever sense then.
“Ugh…do I have to…right now?” I questioned my body guard and one of my best friends. It would seem strange how I considered her my best friend, but it was true. I rarely left outside the castle on my own, and beside, everyone knew who I was. And mother was rather worried that any ‘friends’ I made, were to just be using me. I thought it silly when I was a bit younger…but I understand what she means now. Yes, an eight year old understanding something like that. But when you live in a castle, and was brought into a family to become Prince of Equestria, I was raised to be a prince. Sure I still had fun with Uncle Discord, but I was vastly more mature then children my own age. Only once so far, was I invited to a group meeting with the other leaders of Unity. It was rather a bore feast, but I could understand why it was needed.
“Yes, you do,” she answered in a stern voice. “Princess Celestia and Princess Luna, your mother, wishes to have your morning meal with you. Your classes with Princess Twilight Sparkle are also canceled, due to a meeting with the King of the Gryphons; Talon.”
“King Talon?” I repeated as I groaned, watching as she pulled the other blinds open. King Talon, or as he always reminded me to just call him by his name, no titles were needed between us. It was strange, he was vastly older then me, from what I understood, he just had his one hundredth and tenth birthday. But for some reason, he was one of the few that treated me as an adult. I know, by human or any ‘mortal’ race, I would still be considered a child still, but he told me one day, it was how I acted. He treats those who act an age, not by a number. But still, myself being Prince of Equestria, I still greeted him as King Talon, until he told me, or reminded me as such. Mother always told me, I should use the title when with others, just so they won’t think of me as disrespectful. Much like my mother’s room, I had the same dark blue color, it was always so calming, that because I believed when I would sleep in her bed, because I still do at times when I become frightened…I would always curl about her side. Her coat, it always felt safe. So when I picked the color, I simple asked for my mother’s coloring. I haven’t had any really horrible bad dreams since then. “Why is he here? The big monthly meeting, isn’t until another three weeks,”
“I am not sure myself…but I will admit, your Mother seemed a bit…upset.” Uh oh…that seems like a bad thing.
I won’t say that mother ever got upset, there had been a few subjects that had tested her rage for more then one reason. Many of those in Canterlot are greedy or, snooty, as Discord would tell me, and try and get their way no matter what. Now a days, there not much of that, but it was still there. Whatever Talon was here for, it was enough to make mother upset. “Ether way,” she went on as she went toward the door. “Get yourself dressed Prince, I shall await for you outside.” I nodded as she opened the door, closing it behind her as I sighed. Getting ready for the day.
Going toward my washroom, as I turned on the sink to splash myself with warm water, I sighed as I looked up at the mirror to see myself staring back. My skin had darkened a bit from what I was told I had as a baby, it was still pale, but so much so that I looked ghastly. My green eyes, easily popping out from how pale my skin was; the edges were a bit slanted giving it a somewhat oval look. My hair was long and messy, straight, but because of my just sleeping, it was a major case of bed head black like a raven’s feather. I allowed my hair to grow, or mother allowed it, after I told her I would make sure to keep it nice and tidy. Taking my brush, I started to brush it, to straighten it out all the more. Before taking a magical ring, pushing my hair back, and picking a spot for a pony tail. The ring, easily holding the hair in place. I flicked my head a bit, seeing that it was good. I then noticed a few lines along my hair were yellow, I asked aunt Celestia if she could highlight a bit of my hair, black and yellow to me, which went well. Two lines were seen on both sides of my head, which followed my hair back to the pony tail. Coming back out of my room, undressing and finding my clothing for the day. Seeing how I would be meeting Talon, I decided to dress up a bit more.
Slipping on a pair of black dress pants, and then my black shoes, I straighten and cleaned a bit of my pants, before going and slipping on a long black shirt. Looking about I found my robe, black just as well as he shirt, with a bit of white along the outline. It was opened along the front, allowing a single tie to be placed about the middle. The sides would flap as I walked, but I rather liked the way it was. Along the left chest part and the back, was a logo I made a year ago, that I decided would be what my ‘cutie mark’ would be.
It was a mixture of both Aunt Celestia’s and mother’s cutie mark, I thought seeing how my surname was ‘Eclipse’ why not a cutie mark that would have both the sun and the moon? The back part of the mark was that of aunt’s sun, looking just like her own cutie mark, which stood out from the black coloring. But hanging along the half side, like from what I was told a ying yang look, was my mother’s cutie mark. The white moon, cutting a hole from the dark blue colors. On ether side, were a set of wings. On the moon side, were black feather wings, and the other side, white feather wings. Nodding that I found myself looking good enough to leave, I went to the door, opening it, and following after Shade, as she led me toward the dining room.
The walk was short; we spoke a bit, but nothing that was that of too important. When we did get to our stop, I could see five begins sitting around the long rectangle like table. On both ends, was that of my mother and aunt Celestia, who both smiled when they saw me when I entered; near the middle, sitting on ether side, were aunt Candace and Twilight, I didn’t really call her my aunt because she said it made her sound far older then she wanted to…she was nearly…I don’t even know her age now that I think about it, and lastly was my uncle, who had his trademark grin plastered along his face. “And there he is, mister Prince of Darkness!” he called out, ‘popping’ out of his seat toward me, picking me up and petted his lion paw along my head. I frowned, seeing how he was lucky he didn’t mess up my hair.
“It’s Prince of the Night, Uncle Discord,” I reminded him, before he rolled his eyes and waved his paw.
“Ah but Prince of Darkness sounds so much more...well it has a certain push to it, don’t you think?” he asked as he snapped his talon, allowing me to float before him. I always did like magic, and his magic was always fun. I was a bit upset that I wasn’t one of the few humans that could use magic. Humans that were born in this world, some, and by some I mean a very low count of humans, could do weak magic. Levitation being one of the few spells a human could do. Some said it was because of how the human body wasn’t meant to have magic, but somehow this world when born into it, it was like a lottery ticket. However, when a human was first noticed with magic, they were to be trained at once to control it; though Discord said that his magic was different, something about Chaos Magic. I never really did understand what was different about his magic, and unicorn magic. “I mean, if you were here thousand of years ago…”
“But he wasn’t,” my mother pointed out as I could see a small frown over her face. “You forget Discord; this time is that of peace, no need for war names.”
“As you wish...” his smile seemed to twitch, as if he was stopping himself from saying something he would regret. No doubt he was going to call her, ‘Nightmare Moon’. I’m glad he didn’t, aunt Celestia had to heal him after mother punched him. Of course, no one outside the castle knew of that, and no one dare try to tell that to the papers. The papers would have a field day if a princess wasn’t acting really…princess like.
After sitting down, and was given a plate of eggs, and bacon, I was glad there was a human cook here, willing to cook the meat. I would eat veggies, but I liked meat a bit more. The clicking of forks along the plates were all that was herd. Guards all about us like any other day. I watched my mother as she ate, she seemed to frown a bit more then normal before I then spoke up. “Why is King Talon here today?” My mother seemed to frown even more when I asked this, I blinked, confused even more before Aunt Celestia spoke up.
“King Talon came here to speak to your mother about something,” she answered looking to me and my mother. “I for one agree to what he said, but, that is for you to decide nephew.”
“Me?” I questioned before mother spoke up.
“We promised not to say anything,” she said. “He wanted to see your look when he spoke to you…but Tia I still think…”
“Yes, you consider Brandon to be much too young.” She cut her off as mother frowned. “To us around this table, yes he is young; to humans yes he is still young. However, as Twilight as his teacher, she has seen him grow wiser then anyone his age should be.”
“She is right Luna,” my home school teacher Twilight added in. “Brandon is a smart young stallion, er man, I believe he should make this choice on his own.”
“But…”
“Further more Luna,” Candace cut her off. “One day, he will need to do things on his own, you can not be always with him, learning young to have a responsibly such as this; is a good teacher tool for him.” Mother only gave out a low growling like noise. I love my mother, don’t get me wrong, but she could be, at times a bit over protective. Always having a guard or two watching me when she could not, that being rather tame compared to the time she had a tracking spell on me. That kinda felt…weird, even more the way Aunt Celestia worded it out how creepy it sounded.
“Very well,” mother spoke after a small break. “Brandon, when you are done, Talon is outside in the garden, speak to him, but as always be nice, alright?”
“Of course mother,”
“And nephew,” Celestia called up as everyone looked to her. “Do what you want, not what you think your mother wants.” What did that mean?
We all ate and spoke about what we would be doing today, Twilight, none to happy that today’s class had been canceled due to the meeting of Talon, she was going to tell me a bit of the history of Earth. I always wanted to go there myself one day, mother told me over the years that she went there, the air around there felt…off, to anyone that had been born here. The same could be said to those living on Earth, and coming here. Magic was a key part of this world, it allows the fliers to fly, however there is very little in the world of Earth. Just a small amount. Mother told me that when she and her sister went there, it was as if their magic downgraded quite a bit. They were still powerful, but large spells took longer and were harder to maintain. Pegasus couldn’t fly as often as they could there, and if they decided to live there, they had to train themselves as if they were a foal again. But the strange thing is, if say a Pegasus was born on Earth, and trained to be able to fly in that world, they would be far stronger and a faster flier in this land, because of the magic. Twilight had the idea that Earth, at one point had magic users, and the magic they used, weak as they were, still lingered in the air.
After eating my fill, and making sure to clean my face that has a bit of yoke from the egg, I bid my family farewell, as Shade followed with me, toward the garden.
I found the Gryphon king sitting alone within the garden, just looking at the green that grew around, kept alive by care of the caretakers, and also magic. Some of the plants here no longer grew around the world as they use to, and this would be the only place to find them. Looking around, I noticed two other gryphons walking about, keeping their eyes open for any sort of threat. Unneeded yes, but it couldn’t hurt to be careful.
Most gryphon, the most common colors of their coat and feathers, in fact the most common color you would see one as, would be a brown body, darker brown wings, that would match their tail fur, with a white mane that would cover their face, and as I like to call; ‘feather hair’. However, Talon was a bit different, and it made it easier to point him out compare to his subjects when alone. His coat was that of snow white, a few black spots along his back as his wings also match that of his coat. The tip of his wings, held that of a much lighter black, almost a dark grey. His mane and face, black as the night, able to both stand out the white of his coat and wings. The tip of his tail, also this same color. His golden eyes, from what I always seen when we spoke, seemed to look deep inside of you, as if he could see you for who you were. His beak, an orange like yellow; as well as his talons. Along the back of his legs, scars of old battles could be seen, where the fur no longer grew as much as the rest of his body. Even the left side of his beak seemed to scar a bit. “I shall stay back within the shadows,” Shade spoke as she looked to me. “He did wish to speak alone with you, so I believe I would not be welcomed.”
“You’ll be close?” I asked as all she did was smile and backed away, I looked back to Talon for a moment and back to Shade, but she was already gone. How could she do that?
“It does seem a bit, worrisome how one can easily blend into the shadows, does it not?” I looked once more to Talon, bowing my head slightly as he turned to look at me; his left side of his face was all I saw.
“King Talon,” he just rolled his eyes as he did every time before saying.
“Young Eclipse, we are but friends are we not, please, from now on, simply call me by my name. Not by that of my title.”
“Well, alright, sorry, habits.”
“For one as young as you to say that,” he only chuckled once more before waving his claw and asked. “Will you follow me? I find it is always more pleasant to speak while on the move.” I nodded at this, as the two of us walked side by side. He stood just a bit smaller then my aunt Celestia, I could tell easily. Just the little things I pick up. “I am sure, you are wondering as to why I wish to speak to you?” he asked as we walked around the maze a bit, we didn’t go inside, just around it.
“Crossed my mind, yes,” I agreed as he seemed to nod.
“And I’m sure you saw the look of your mother,” he seemed to smile at this a bit. “She is not too please with what I have offered.”
“And what is that?”
“Do you still wish to learn how to fight, and how to lead?”
“Well…” I answered crossing my arms as we walked. Tucking my chin along my chest. “Equestria is in peace now, which I am grateful for, but…and I don’t want to ruin it by saying, how long?” he hummed at this, sounding as though he agreed with me. “I’ve asked mother if she would permit me to have a sparing teacher, but she refused of course, saying I did not need one, and beside…I would think whoever I had as my teacher would simply just…let me win,”
“And what makes you think that?”
“To please me, and my family.”
“And the leading?”
“I know that comes with experience, I’m sure as I grow older, and if I were to have a small group, it would be hard at first…but I’m sure with the right teaching, I can led.”
“Being sure, and being able to, are two very, very different things young Eclipse,” he pointed out as he placed a wing over my shoulder. “You must know, if you can led, having doubt, that is never a good thing on a battle field.” He gave me a small smile before then going on. “My kingdom, and Equestria, has held peace for a long time, long before the coming of your race. Though I am not old enough to have been part of the old wars, I've heard stories, and we have indeed come far. But there was always something that did not…sit right with me.”
I looked up at him, as he then stopped, his wing still placed along my shoulder. “Over the many years, both sides had sent ponies and gryphon alike to the other side of the boarder, ambassadors, to help keep the peace from ponies living in my kingdom, and vice versa. Now with the more races, under the banner of peace, even more ambassadors are all around, and needed. However, there is something that has always puzzled me, why not have the next generations of royals be part of this as well?” I raised an eyebrow, I did this to try to make myself seem more older then I was, wiser, but he would always laugh. “What I am offering Eclipse, come live in my kingdom for a year, learn from us and our ways. I shall offer you a place to sleep within my home and will offering you teachings of fighting, and leadership from me. You are young in body and age, but your maturity, when I speak to you, it’s as if I am speaking to a young adult, not that of a child.” So that’s why mother was upset…he is asking me to move away, spend a year with him, and learn how to be a leader and to do battle. It was no secret that the ways gryphons act in their laws are a bit…different. Twilight touched on a bit of gryphon culture with me a few months back after I asked if we could. “I am not asking for your choice now,” he pointed out looking toward me once more as we made our way back toward the main garden hub. “Your birthday is coming up soon, correct? A few weeks time?”
“That’s right,” I answered.
“Think on this then, I shall come on your birthday, do you think this will be enough time to think it through?” I looked down thinking on it as I nodded.
“May I speak to my family?” I asked. “This is a big…a very big choice, I’ll admit, I haven’t really spent a day apart from them, and a year…”
“Yes, I wouldn’t dream of making you not talk to your family.” He chuckled a bit at this. “A good leader knows when to ask for help, but you should know, this is your choice, not their own.”
He had a point…this would be my choice, a choice to leave Equestria for a year…or not. What would I do…?
