Luna's Lesson
Dayspast
Part 1
As Luna and Nox flew off towards the rising sun, they playfully swooped in circles around each other. The morning air filled their minds with a blissful sensation as they enjoyed each other’s company. On their way to Ponyvile they flew over the shack that Nox and Cupcake called home, and into parts of the Everfree forest. As the sun rose higher they had made it about half way to Ponyvile before they bumped into a strange cyan pony.
"Hay watch where you're... OH Princess Luna what brings you all the way out here?" Rainbow Dash asked trying to cover up her mistake.
"Nothing in particular I just wanted to see some of the countryside and maybe get something to eat in Ponyvile," Luna said while swooping around Nox and Dash.
"Who's this guy?" Dash asked.
"I am Nox Draconis ma'am it's a pleasure to meet you" Nox answered with a twirl of his hoof into a flying bow to Dash.
Dash looked at the strange new pony for a while then the question came to her "How common are Alicorns?"
Nox looked at her puzzled for a moment "I'm sorry in not an Alicorn I’m actually just a Unicorn these wings are a kind of... spell I guess you would say"
"A Unicorn huh? I bet Twilight would love to learn a spell that gives you those awesome wings" Dash said pointing a hoof at the dragon wings.
"Say Dash would you mind doing us a favor?" Luna asked with a big grin on her face
"Sure thing Princess what is it?" Dash asked
"Would you mind being a tour guide for me and Nox for the day? I will explain to your boss later why the clouds aren't in place later if you do and I'll Buy you breakfast," Luna asked happily.
"Well when you put it like that it's kind of an offer I can't refuse isn't it," she put a hoof to her chin as if to weigh the pros and cons of the offer. "You have got yourself a Deal, but just letting you know I will need to take my nap at around 10am I have been up all night practicing my moves for the Wonderbolts!"
"All night you say? You must be dedicated if~~" Nox was cut off half way through the sentence by Luna putting a hoof over his mouth
Luna whispered in his ear "We will be here all day if you open that 'can of worms' so to speak" and she turned to Dash and politely asked "It’s a deal then shall we get going?"
Part 2
As Dash showed them around Nox noticed the industries in this town flourishing like Sugar Cube Corner having a line out the door to the end of the block with ponies waiting to get their orders, and the library was full of fillies and foals trying to learn something new. At one point he saw two ponies Dash had introduced to them earlier as Lyra and Bonbon going into a store that didn't look like it was for children at all... 'I guess fun is different for some older ponies'
When they decided it was about time for some food they stopped at a little out of the way restaurant called the Everfree Cafe. The air smelled of freshly brewed coffee that woke Rainbow Dash up. They sat down and were greeted by a blue mare with golden hair "Welcome to the Everfree Cafe I am Coco and I'll be your waitress" she said with delight.
As after they had ordered their food the group of three was left alone, Nox was the first to speak amongst the awkward silence "Dash you said you were up all night do you normally do that or is it just your way of training?'
"Well to be honest I have always liked the night sky, especially after a hard day’s work moving the clouds. Sometimes it’s nice to sit on a cloud and look up at the stars you know?" Dash said while chugging her drink "I mean it’s amazing what you do with them Princess especially when you schedule a meteor shower those are my favorite nights"
"Aww thank you Rainbow Dash your words are inspiring" Luna said blushing.
"Princess if it doesn't bother you... who is this colt? I mean I do know your name and all but I don't think I have seen a pony quite like you before," Rainbow asked trying not to offend
"Quite the observation my young mare there really isn't another pony like me" Nox said grinning, and showing off his sharp angular teeth.
"Well he's actually from the Everfree Forest, but I thought maybe I could show him around and teach him some of our culture" Luna said almost breaking out in a sweat trying not to give too much of Nox's past away.
"Oh I guess that makes sense I haven't really seen any ponies from the Everfree before, other than the Shadowcolts but wasn't that you just testing me princess?" Dash looked around the table looking at their faces.
"My race of ponies is down to but 2 of us now, to be honest our home is not of this world" Nox said understanding that Luna didn't want to tell Dash the whole story.
"Oh cool you are an alien?" Dash asked
"Of sorts yes" Nox replied "but we are still ponies through and through. Our magic is a little different then your worlds though and that's what fascinates me" Luna shot him a glance of disapproval, and a second later he understood why.
"OH YOU SHOULD GO SEE TWILIGHT THEN!!!" Dash said stomping her hooves on the table. "Her special talent is magic and she runs the Library in town, and she just turned into an Alicorn last night"
"Oh how could I have forgotten to tell him about that haha" Luna said with a hint of anger in her voice 'why Nox why did you bring up magic, If we go see Twilight she won’t be so easy to talk around about what you are unless you change into a normal looking pony, and on top of that we just lied to Dash and changing the story won’t help us any now'
"AAAND here's your food sorry about that wait" Coco's voice was almost like a sigh of relief for Luna
'I didn't lie to Dash, and she is clearly a night pony, but she is also a special case she lives in both night and day so she is neutral when it comes to who she falls under' Nox replied with their mental link
"So how long have you to known each other?" Dash said with her mouth full of food.
"Haha quite a~~~" Nox was again cut off by Luna.
"THREE WEEKS" she stamped her hoof down then sat back down in her chair and slumped over feeing embarrassed.
"Hahaha yah it’s been about three weeks hasn't it" Nox folded a wing over Luna to comfort her.
"Oh almost month now? No wonder you came to Ponyvile. I just have one more question, and I'll be done. Are you two dating?" Dash asked hesitant of how the responses might come out.
"Yes" Luna said softly nuzzling up to Nox's side "Sense last night actually."
"Awesome I take it you two will get along well you seem like you belong with each other” Rainbow sipped her coffee as she looked at the two feeling the urge to tell everyone about Luna’s new Colt friend.
Part 3
Dash left the company of the princess and her friend and flew off at a high rate of speed like she was determined to do something before she took her nap. Luna and Nox trotted down Mane St. and started to catch the eyes of the towns ponies Nox slipped into a bathroom to release Cupcake but had her take the shape of a coin as to not arouse suspicion ‘papa are you and mama doing ok?’ Cupcake asked. In her dragon wing form she can’t hear anything because she doesn’t like the sound of wind as they are flying
‘Yes Cupcake everything is fine’ Nox said with a smile on his face as he walked out of the bathroom.
Luna was waiting outside sitting on a bench nearby Nox sat next to her and she wrapped him in one of her wings “Do you really want to go see Twilight today?” she asked.
“That would be up to you my dear” Nox replied.
“Ok then I need to go see her anyways and congratulate her on getting her wings” Luna said with a small smile on her face, “It’s not every day a normal Unicorn becomes an Alicorn”
They got up and a few paces from where they were sitting they could start to see the library tree that Twilight lives in. as they kept walking Luna couldn’t help but notice a sky colored streak jetting out of the library, she had a bad feeling this was going to be more than just a ‘congratulations’ visit.
As they got to the library the door flung open and Twilight dashed to examine Nox “Hi Luna” she said quickly returning to studying the strange colt
“Umm congratulations on getting your… WHY ARE YOU TAKING HIS ARMOR OFF?!” Luna exclaimed as she started to feel embraced.
“My dear I hardly know you,” Nox said trying to back away from Twilight as she was still trying to get his armor off.
“Oh I’m sorry,” Twilight felt some blood rushing to her face as she realized what she was doing.
“Congratulations on becoming an Alicorn Twilight….” Luna said with a tinge of awkward still in the air
“Congratulations on getting a fine Colt Friend Luna” Twilight said only adding to the awkward.
“Dash told you didn’t she?” Luna said lowering her head.
“Yep, she just left before you got here” Twilight said with a beaming smile on her face “She said something about having to tell everypony before she takes her nap.”
“uuugh” Luna lowered her head to the ground embarrassed that she told dash about Nox “Why did I have to tell it to the fastest pony in Equestria?”
“Well she isn’t the fastest, but fastest living pony? Probably,” Nox interjected.
“What do you mean?” Twilight asked, her head tilted to one side
“Uuuuh Twilight,” Luna started.
“Yes princess?” Twilight asked
“I am a lot older then I look my young princess” Nox said smiling with his eyes fixed on the purple princess.
“Oh really? How old is that exactly” Twilight was skeptical
“Longer then anypony can remember” Nox said sticking his Tung out at her.
“So you are older than Luna? Older then Celestia?” she asked.
“Yes Twilight he is,” Luna wanted to avoid as much as possible.
“YOU MUST BE SO FULL OF KNOWLEDGE, but why would you tell Dash you wanted to learn pony magic?” Twilight’s excitement was getting the better of her again.
Closing his eyes and looking away he said “it was Luna’s idea.”
“NO IT WASN’T” Luna said angerly.
“I’m sorry who didn’t want me to tell Dash who I was? I can trust Twilight because she is a princess, yes, but the fact remains that you didn’t trust Dash enough with this knowledge” Nox said giving Luna a smile just so she didn’t take it the wrong way
The smile backfired and just angered Luna more “I’m sorry but what part of ‘I can’t get involved with other pony’s lives’ was a lie again?’ Luna shot back “besides… I just wanted to spend a little time alone with you, and now that everyone knows we are together its going to be even harder now”
Tired of just listening Cupcake slips out from Nox’s armor and takes her filly form once more “I’m sorry mama but with me around you and papa would never really be alone” she stated her tone unwaveringly serious.
“OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG you are so CUTE,” Twilight shouted and scooped the little filly up in her hooves.
“With Twilight around it doesn’t look like that would be a problem” Nox said laughing
“Indeed” Luna agreed with a look of shock at how fast Twilight scooped up Cupcake.
“Hmmm Twilight? Would you mind looking after Cupcake for a little while?” Nox asked politely.
“How could I not want to take care of such a cute Filly” Twilight swooned
“Then would it be ok if Luna and I went off on our own for a little while?” Nox said with a little smile.
“Papa you tricked me,” Cupcake said with her stone cold expression on her face
“It will only be for an hour,” Cupcake you know we can’t be separated for long
“Just an hour? Ok I think I can handle her for an hour,” Twilight said enthusiastically.
“Just remember she can’t go outside. She is an Albino and the sun is really harmful to her,” Nox said
“Wait did you plan this?” Luna asked
“I’ll explain in a sec hun” Nox said with a smile on his face. “We will be back in about an hour please behave yourself Cupcake” He opened a portal for both him and Luna.
Cupcake tried to run after them, but the portal closed to fast. ‘I will remember this papa’ Cupcake thought angrily, but was given no time to brood as Twilight snatched her up and set up a chess board with her magic.
Part 4
As they stepped out of the portal’s threshold Luna asked again “Did you plan that, and why is it so dark?”
“Yes, and because we are someplace I wanted to take you” Nox said opening a large swinging door that lead into a throne room. “Do you remember it?”
“…. Yes…. Why, why would you bring me here? Of all the places why would you take me to the place I betrayed my sister?” Luna asked her heart sinking a little bit as she saw the destroyed roof of the throne room into the afternoon sun.
Nox made himself a new pair of wings to hug Luna close to him. “For one, it is my favorite place in Equestria, and because I wanted to know how you truly feel about what happened here.”
Luna sat down on her haunches along with Nox and began to talk to him about her past and about how she was approached by a sales pony about a potion that could cure even the saddest of hearts. How that after she had drank it all of her sadness turned into rage and resentment. Almost as if the mare she was, was being stuffed into a box while her body moved on it’s own.
“What if I told you the pony that sold you that potion still lives?” Nox asked
“What do you mean?” Luna turned to him with anger the Celestial Maned princess’s voice.
“First you must answer me this one question, What would you do to him if you saw him again?”
“…. I don’t know but it wouldn’t be good” Luna said almost about to break into tears.
“Stay here for a moment,” Nox said as he stood up and trotted to the center of the room. His eyes flashed and the sky grew dark as he opened his maw and out came an Olive green Pony with silver hair “Let me explain something to you right now,” Nox was speaking to the Pony that just came from his mouth “You are only here because I willed it so, you will die no matter what happens after this no exceptions.” Nox leaned in closely and whispered in his ear “and if she doesn’t kill you, I will take it slow this time around” he laughed evilly in the stallion’s ear. With another flash of his eyes a chain came out from the corner of the room and latched itself to one of his hind hooves. “You have the floor my princess.” Nox said as he trotted back to Luna and explained a little further “If you truly want to be my Mare friend, I must know your response to this. Even though I can read your mind there are times where your mind doesn’t completely unfold to me because of what this pony did to you. There is only one way for you to remember who you are and that is where this test is, look into your soul when you were created I put a specific response to this, I want you to reach for it and show me you are a part of my night, and the princess I loved enough to share it with” Nox sat down as Luna stud up
“If this is what you truly want me to do my love…” Luna said trotting slowly to the scared pony.
“W-what are you going to do with me ma’am” the Olive stallion asked slowly backing up into the wall he was leashed to.
“What is your name?” she asked
“F-Foxglove your highness” he answered
“Foxglove? How original” she said in a softer voice.
“T-thank you ma’am” Foxglove started getting more and more frightened.
“There is no need to fear me Foxglove I just want to talk for now, and depending on your answer I will give you your Punishment” Luna said with a straight face. She herd Nox chuckle in the background calming her a little bit. It helped to know she wasn’t alone.
Luna and Foxglove sat on the floor face to face and talked for a good twenty minutes or so, with each passing question Nox could hear Luna’s voice getting more and more agitated, and he wondered if she could remember the answer to this question he had imposed on her.
At about thirty minutes in Nox could tell she was almost out of questions and she had a look of almost complete despair across her face. Then in that moment she asked one last question, “Are you a night pony like me?”
“Y-yes ma’am it was the reason I gave you the potion in the first place, I saw you didn’t like how things were, and I saw you didn’t like your sister’s showboating, so I gave you that potion that would increase your power and insure your new power was pointed at what you wanted an eternal night” Foxglove lowered his head in shame “I am sorry my selfish desire caused you so much grief my princess”
Luna stood up and commanded Foxtrot to rise and take his punishment. Nox was watching carefully as Luna charged her horn up with magic. She shot a beam directly into the chain around Foxglove’s hoof breaking it. “All night ponies must live free and happy” she stated “those who turn from this path are no longer considered night ponies”
Without making even the slightest pin drop of a sound Nox appeared beside Luna and laughed a hearty laugh “You passed” he said kissing Luna and taking her by surprise “As for you Foxtrot, I am a Colt of my word” his eyes flashed and Foxtrot fell to his knees “Seeing as you should have died almost an eon ago your life has been shortened, you have one month before your death. Live it free and happy and you will have been forgiven for your past transgressions. Do you understand me little one?” He said the last part with a fatherly love tone in it.
“Y-Yes sir” Foxglove said trying to comprehend what just happened.
“Hay, I said I was going to kill you slower this time” Nox said with a wink “but this way you won’t even feel it when your time comes”
“I wonder what Cupcake and Twilight are doing.” Luna asked.
“I don’t know but we have about fifteen minutes before we need to head back and my spell wears off” Nox said.
“Your spell?” Luna looked at Nox curiously.
“I put a charm spell on Cupcake so everypony not connected through our link would love to be with her, it will wear off in about fifteen minutes” Nox said “…. So what do you want to do in the meantime?”
Luna kissed Nox and asked “Why don’t you tell me more about your past?”
“Hmmm I think Cupcake should be here for that one. She is where I keep my memories of my past. Some things are just not worth keeping inside you know?” Nox politely suggested.
“Ok then shall we cut our alone time a little short, I want to get to know the Stallion who knows all of me.” Luna stated.
Nox opened the portal once more and off into Twilights library they went.
Part 5
After losing to Cupcake a couple times Twilight decided Chess was probably not a good idea. So she went and got them a snack. Cupcake was slightly amused by how flustered Twilight had gotten over losing to a filly. Her anger towards Nox and Luna were still ebbing at her mind. “Why would Nox just leave me here with this… odd creature” she thought “It just doesn’t seem fair that I can’t even go outside, but I guess it’s for the best…”
“Ook I hope you like peanut butter because I made us some crackers and I only have peanut butter right now because Spike is trying to make a cake…” Twilight laughed hesitantly remembering the last time he tried to make something from scratch.
There was a loud crash that came from the Kitchen, and a cloud of smoke came from the doorway. The little dragon stumbled into the room in a daze. “Twilight I think I may have blown up the stove,” Spike said with a concerned look on his face.
Finding herself transfixed to the little dragon Cupcake slowly started to feel drawn to him like a magnet, but before she could say anything the portal that took Nox and Luna away from her reopened startling her from the dream like state she had fallen under. As Nox and Luna came back into the library Cupcake remembered why she was so mad “PAPA IM MAD AT YOU” Cupcake said puffing her cheeks out in anger
“Cupcake you know why I left you here,” Nox said in an exaggerated tone.
“That makes it even more of a reason I should be mad at you papa,” Cupcake continued to scowl at the purple stallion with authority.
Nox just grinned and laughed at the childish threat Cupcake seemed to pose “And what if I was right about it?”
“You still… this isn’t the time to be talking about this papa,” Cupcake paused remembering the extra ears in the room.
“Umm I don’t quite know what you two are talking about but would you like to sit down and eat some crackers with me? I got them out for Cupcake, but I didn’t know you would be back so soon,” Twilight’s voice seemed to cut the tension that Cupcake and Nox seamed to create.
“We would be happy to join you,” Luna accepted trying to further avoid the debate between Cupcake and Nox.
“I’ll just be over here I have been trying to work on this experiment for a week now, but the past few days have set me back. Some of the things I needed to complete it got destroyed,” Twilight cantered over to where a small box and a mess of odd mechanical parts lay on the ground.
Nox walked over to look at it “This looks like something my brother would be interested in,” he stated with a tone of interest. “No matter where I am, it always intrigues me to see ponies wanting to create things. If you don’t mind me asking, what is it?”
“It’s supposed to be a puzzle box,” Twilight’s eyes seemed to light up. “I was going to give it to the school when I was done with it to see if any of the little fillies and colts could figure it out.
“How interesting… I would have never thought of something like that before. I am more of a straight forward thinking pony myself. Like fighting and such,” Nox said with a wave of his hoof
“You know back in ancient times I read that some ponies would study the art of war, and study to become artisans at the same time,” Twilight stated
“You even sound like my brother,” Nox said with a half-hearted smile as he looked away as if he were ashamed he asked.
“Your brother seems to be very smart,” Twilight said.
“He seems to thinks so too,” Nox said rolling his eyes
“Nox told me that you remember reading a book about the ancient past Cupcake, how about you tell us about it,” Luna looked at Cupcake with a smile.
“Cupcake, she want to know about that book we read together. I think it was ‘The Creation of the Sun and Moon,” Nox gave Cupcake a slight nod
“OH you read too Cupcake?” Twilight asked.
“I read a little bit, but this story really came at me, almost like I was there,” Cupcake said with a hint of sarcasm
Part 6
Two brothers one mighty in strength and the other in intellect, created a peace of clay. The two worked together tirelessly to make the clay into a ball and continue to make it grow bigger and bigger. This is what they called their masterpiece.
As they began sculpting their masterpiece they would party together. What flowed in their cups was the purest of water, which would occasionally spill onto their new land. This is how we have our Oceans, and lakes.
Then the wise brother asked “Don’t you think we should shed some light on our glorious creation for all the universe to see?”
The strong brother agreed as he watched his brother cup his hands. When the wise brother released his hands a brilliant light appeared though it was way to hot for it to be close to their creation. So he set far away.
The Strong brother asked “Our creation seems rather still don’t you think we should give it motion?”
The wise brother agreed as the strong brother used his mighty strength to knock a mountain in half and their world began to revolve.
“Brother, what are we going to do with this peace of earth you have just sent into orbit?” the wise brother asked.
“I will show you brother,” The strong brother then grabbed the peace of earth from the sky and formed a new ball and placed it back into orbit.
“Very well placed brother look at the oceans, they seem to have sprung to life as well,” the wise brother complemented.
“The land seems baron,” the strong brother said sitting on the orb he had just placed in the sky.
“Leave that to me,” the wise brother said digging his hand into the ground. The green grass and tall trees seemed to spring to life all over the land.
“Such beauty brother, I’m sure others will appreciate it too,” the strong brother complemented.
“It would be even better if our sky wasn’t so dull,” the wise brother said looking to the orb in the sky.
“I can fix that,” the strong brother said as he tore off a chunk of the moon and hurled it into the sun. Sparks rained across the sky and held suspended as if to take in awe of the world they were born into.
“That is truly fantastic brother, but what of the moon? I can only see it from one side now,” the wise brother was impressed.
“The moon will be fine, but brother lets meet on the land and decide what we are going to fill this world with,” The strong brother said leaping from the moon to the land below.
As the two brothers came closer their world and stars above grew, or rather they took the size that they thought was fitting for this world. The wise brother spoke first, “Now all we need is to decide on what we should bring into this world.”
“Indeed, I was thinking we shouldn’t do humans what say you brother?” the strong brother asked.
“Agreed, but I was thinking maybe, Ponies.” The wise brother said looking at the vast field of grass.
“Ponies brother? You can’t be serious. They are so… unmanly” the strong brother started “I was thinking dragons.” As he finished he looked up at the vast blue sky.
“Dragons are to overbearing brother besides there are others who would think us mimics,” the wise brother added.
“Fine I have a way we can settle this, lets flip a coin and whomever wins gets their choice, and the other brother gets to make their choice a less substantial race how’s that sound brother?” the strong brother said.
“I thought I was supposed to say the smart stuff brother, but that sounds like a good deal to me. No complaints about losing though for whoever does,” the wise brother reached out to seal the deal.
As the strong brother and wise brother accepted the terms of the wager they picked up a coin and tossed it in the air the wise brother called out “Tails”.
The strong brother already knew he lost because the coin was one sided, he used this same coin to win a wager with his brother once before because he knew his brother always called heads because he was the wise one. He caught the coin and put it away “You win brother.”
“You can’t use the same trick twice brother,” The wise brother laughed “Ponies it is,” as their forms shifted to the race the wise brother was about to create. As the wise brother created the first of the pony kin they were first lifeless husks waiting for a purpose. The wise brother individually gave each pony a purpose each slightly different then the last.
The strong brother took a breath and as he released his breath a mist formed as the mist cleared the eggs of dragons were left behind he then took the eggs and told his brother “I am going to go set these near a volcano so they have a place to grow and thrive,” as he walked off the wise brother nodded to him and helped his new creations to start their lives.
These brothers still watch over this world and all the ponies who inhabit it.
Part 7
“You said you read that in a book?” Twilight asked with a curious look “I haven’t read anything like that before.”
“Sadly it was the only book that I know of that told this tale,” Nox stated “and I may have accidentally burnt it,” He looked down ashamed.
“Sad, but accidents happen,” Twilight said her hopes of reading this book crushed.
“Don’t worry Twilight I can write it all down for you later,” Cupcake said with a smile. “Papa read that book to me so many times it’s like I was actually there.”
Luna and Nox chuckled knowing the truth in the matter. The baby dragon in the room walked over to Cupcake “Did the book say anything more about the dragons?”
Cupcake blushed and stammered with her words “w-well I suppose… it had a little bit more on the dragons. If there’s anything you really want to know I could still tell you though. I love studying dragons,” Cupcake’s body started turning red
“HAHAHAHAHA,” Nox couldn’t help but laugh at Cupcake’s expressions
“Are you alright!?” Twilight was startled at the little filly’s color change.
“Umm… y-yes,” Cupcake curling in words from embarrassment.
“She’s fine,” Nox started “Her magic is a little different then a normal unicorn. She’s like a mood horseshoe if you will.
“Amazing,” Twilight wanted to study her more.
“What does red mean?” Spike asked.
“It means-“ Nox was cut off by a yell
“PAPA STOP IT” Cupcake yelled at him.
Nox started laughing so hard he was rolling on the ground “Twilight do you have a quill and paper?”
“Here I had some close by because I am taking notes on my puzzle box” Twilight gave it to Nox
Nox quickly jotted something down on the paper and used his magic to fly it over to Spike. The note read:
RED – she’s embarrassed
WHITE – she’s feeling fine
PURPLE – she feels uneasy
BLACK – she’s angry
“Those are just the main four little dragon,” Nox said with a grin.
Cupcake tore the paper from spikes hand and swallowed it “Why would you tell somepony that?!”
“To be precise it would be some dragon,” Luna stated looking off in the distance when Cupcake turned black and shot her a dirty look.
Spike gave Cupcake a hug which made her whimper and turned purple “Thank you for the offer. I might have to take you up on it someday,” Spike told her. “But for now I need to get back to making my cake.” The little dragon then dashed off towards the kitchen once more.
“Can I help?” Cupcake said trotting after him turning back to white.
“That was cute,” Luna stated with a small smile.
Part 8
“Nox come sit with me,” Luna beckoned.
Nox trotted over to Luna’s side and sat down with a thump “Yes my dear?”
Luna looked at him, “When we get back to Canterlot I want you to tell me your story,” She asked.
“I could tell you any time you want my dear,” Nox whispered in her ear “This one is a night pony as well,” he motioned towards twilight.
“Nox I hardly think that names alone can be used to judge that,” Luna whispered back giggling
“It’s not just her name I’m talking about. She openly studies astrology. Most day ponies don’t even look at the night sky let alone study it. To add on top of that, she’s close friends with a baby dragon, and the dragon doesn’t mind it. I have never let a dragon be born to like day ponies. Just to give solid proof I know what she’s thinking, just like I can with you. If she wasn’t a night pony Cal would be the one who knows what she’s thinking not me,” Nox testified.
Luna found it hard to disagree on something she had just gained knowledge of a few days ago, “I just don’t want you and your brother to get into a fight because of you saying to much,” she whispered back.
“I understand,” Nox said with a grin. Nox started to look at the floor with intent.
“Are you ok Nox?” Luna asked.
“I thought I felt something wrong, but it’s probably a weak Temmor flying past this world. It happens from time to time.” Nox said shaking his head to clear it. “Those stars also act as beacons to warn me if something enters the world through the sky.”
“What about things this world through portals? Like how you took me to the old castle,” Luna asked.
“That is Cal’s concern. Normally when things show up here through portals they don’t pose much of a physical threat to Cal’s world.” Nox said, almost blowing off the subject.
“That sounds reassuring…” Luna said sarcastically.
“Very, Cal always finds a way to find me if he can’t handle it,” Nox looked to Twilight.
Twilight looked up from her puzzle box “What are you talking about over there?” she looked at the two sitting together mumbling.
“Luna just asked me about my job,” Nox said leaning back.
“What do you do?” Twilight asked.
“I was a guard for a gypsy caravan,” Nox said quickly.
Twilight seemed more impressed by this pony then before, “You must have seen a lot of the world then.”
“You could say that,” Nox said laughing.
Owlisous flew down and perched on Nox’s nose “Who?” his eyes looking into Nox’s golden eyes.
“Who indeed my friend. Though I think you already know for yourself,” Nox said as the owl took off and landed next to him.
“He’s never done that before,” Twilight said.
“The creatures of the night have always been this way to me,” Nox said rubbing Owlisous’s head with his hoof.
Part 9
As the night drew near the ponies sat in the library talking and laughing, but something bothered Nox more than usual. Luna could see the worry growing in his eyes “Nox what’s wrong?” Luna asked with a worried expression.
“My dear it’s nothing, but I do fear that I need to get back to my home soon. There is someone who was going to meet with me… and I haven’t prepared for him in the slightest,” Nox’s feelings rolled into the room like a blanket.
“Whom do you speak of?” Luna asked.
“My old teacher has been set to arrive in Equestria within a few days. My brother and I were supposed to get together to meet him, but we haven’t seen eye to eye for so long I don’t know how this reunion will go,” Nox looked down at the floor in concern.
Luna gave him a hug with her wing and Twilight was the pony who broke the silence “What happened between you two?” she asked.
“There came a time for my brother to take a test if you will to see if he was fit for the position he was given, and he asked me to go along with him as his backup. As we are both warriors in our own right this was to be a test of strength and wits. What he lacked I made up for, sadly this took longer than we had intended it to be, and when we returned I had lost someone dear to me,” he said this while looking at Luna “We because it was someone who served under his command who had done it. I put the blame on him. Though I’m sure he has forgiven me for the accusations. I’m not sure if I can face him with this shame I feel for those words,” Nox’s voice choked up a little as he was fighting back tears
“What about when we saw him in the castle last night?” Luna asked trying to console him.
“It’s easy for Stallion’s to hide our feelings while our pride is on the line,” Nox said closing his eyes. “I didn’t want him to see me as a weakling, and I sure didn’t want you two to see me as one. He stamped his hoof making a rumble throughout the tree.
The two mares in the room looked around in shock that the room was shaken by this one act. Cupcake walked back into the room, “Papa sometimes your pride isn’t what’s really at stake here. You need to remember who you are. You have a responsibility to everypony here that at times can seem hard, but you aren’t here for you. You agreed to help your brother with this endeavor before we set foot in Equestria,” she had an intense look on her face as she looked at the stallion under Luna’s wing.
“You are right Cupcake,” Nox seamed to calm down hearing those words with a sniffle he brought his head back up. The tears began fading.
“Of course I am, I have the best papa in the whole Multiverse why wouldn’t I be?” Cupcake said bouncing over to Nox.
“Well if anypony had great timing I would say you have the best,” Luna said to Cupcake
“Well papa turned to me to be his voice of reason after he lost his special somepony a while ago, and she was the only mare that I will call my mama,” Cupcake said rolling onto her back twirling her hooves in front of Nox and Luna.
They all giggled at the little filly. Luna knew she was talking about her because she heard Cupcake call her mama before. Twilight had almost finished her puzzle box when the baby dragon walked back into the room. “Twilight?” Spike asked
“Yes Spike?” Twilight looked over to the purple dragon.
“Do you think you could help me take this to Rarity’s tomorrow?” he lifted the cake into the room. It was a gem encrusted triple decker chocolate frosted chocolate chunk cake.
“Sure thing Spike,” Twilight wanted to go see Rarity tomorrow anyways.
Luna and Nox looked at Cupcake and saw her scowl at Spike for a second “Rarity, Rarity, Rarity,” she mumbled and the expression was gone.
Nox smiled and whispered to Cupcake “I think you’re jealous.”
“SHUT UP!” Cupcake blurted out. She covered her face with her hooves when she realized everyone heard that. “She’s the only pony he talks about. So of course I’m jealous,” she just looked over at Spike with a calm expression, but the air around her was tense and the two ponies next to her could feel it.
“Oh Twilight,” Luna started “I think it’s about time we take our leave.”
“Ok you are always welcome to come back when you’re in town,” Twilight smiled and waved her hoof.
Nox picked Cupcake up by the back of her neck and rolled her gently down his neck onto his back. “We have a lot of ground to cover, but the night is almost upon us” Nox looked out the window. Celestia had started to lower the sun earlier than expected today.
“My sister has already lowered the sun past the horizon?” Luna looked worried “But the moon isn’t supposed to be up for another thirty minutes.”
“Luna I don’t think we have time to fly back to Canterlot, would you mind taking another portal?” Nox looked at her. He could feel something was wrong within the Everfree Forest.
“I don’t mind Nox. I need to know why my sister is setting the sun so early today,” Luna looked back into his eyes.
“Ok, but we need to make a stop at my shack first, is that ok?” Nox asked.
“Indeed,”
Part 10
As the portal opened into Nox’s old shack Luna was the first to step onto the hallow floor boards. The two ponies stood there for a second as Nox looked distracted. “is there something you need to tell me?” Luna asked.
“N-no, but there is something I need to give you.” His eyes glowed once more and two small purple gems formed in the room he then rapping itself around the gems was a dark blue ornate chain that Nox flew over and placed on Luna’s neck.
“What is it?” Luna looked curious
“Consider it my….” Nox seemed to be fighting his instincts “My promise to always come back to you.”
“What does that mean?” Luna’s face went from curious to worry.
“When we get to the castle I’m sure everything will be clear my dear,” Nox said opening another portal as Cupcake turned back into his armor and wings.
They stepped through the portal and found themselves at the doorstep of the castle. Two guards lay on the ground. “Princess where have you been?” one of them asked
“What’s wrong my subjects?” Luna replied.
“One of our royal advisers has been kidnapped. Celestia and the rest of her royal guard have been losing strength, and none of us know why,” the other guard answered.
“Luna, may I barrow two of your guard?” Nox asked.
“Sure, but let’s go see Celestia first,” Luna said.
Nox looked at the two ponies with interest his golden eyes almost piercing them to the core. They couldn’t do much else besides lay there as he looked them over for the sheer intimidation his presence gave them. “Will you two be ok?”
“Y-yes sir,” one of the two reluctantly said fighting for the courage to speak.
“Then we shall go see Celestia. She should have more answers to this,” Nox said strolling into the castle at a leisurely pace.
“Nox shouldn’t we hurry?” Luna said galloping to catch him.
“Huh… my brother has gotten himself into this mess. I’m not in any hurry to go save him just yet,” Nox rolled his head popping his neck. “Ugh I really didn’t want to get into a fight, and on tonight of all nights.”
Luna looked at him curiously “what do you mean? Cal’s the one who was kidnapped?” Luna was trying to wrap her mind around what could have captured him so easily.
“Knowing him he probably went willingly to keep them from harming somepony. He’s a fool if he thinks one pony is worth the life of his own. I mean it is HE who created them. It is HE who has to live for them. It is HE who is always trying to act tougher than he is,” Nox looked like he was getting angrier with every mention of his brother. “HAHAHAHAHA that fool can’t possibly think he’s as strong as I. Though I’m sure he’s tried his hardest, his body can’t handle fights like mine can.” He stomped a hoof down that shook the castle.
Luna was truly confused by Nox’s behavior “Why are you laughing? Are you mad at him or are you happy he’s gone? Why are you taking your time getting to him if he’s in danger?”
“So many questions little one. If I don’t let him at least fight a bit for himself then it would look like I was just there to cover his flank from harm. I don’t want to kill his ego…. Just… boost my own I suppose hehehe,” Nox’s mouth curved up in a wicked grin.
“Then how do you know he’s ok?” Luna asked.
“Three reasons. One, he is the only pony in this world who is truly immortal. Not even I am completely immortal here. Two, the day pony’s’ strength isn’t fading very fast meaning who or what has him is trying to take his soul, but doesn’t understand its complexities. Three, he is my brother.” Those last words hit Luna deep.
“Then what of my sister?” she asked stopping to wait for an answer.
“Well,” Nox started ten paces in front of her. “If I fail in the next couple hours to save my brother. Everypony that isn’t in the Everfree Forest will die. If I can save my brother, let’s just be glad most day ponies get tired around this time of night. No damage will be done,” Nox looked at Luna “This is also why I must ask you to stay with your sister, If anything were to happen to you during that fight… I might destroy this world myself.”
“What? How could you say that?” Luna looked sad and scared.
“Walk with me and I will have everything explained by the time we reach your sister,” Nox looked away and started to trot down the halls. Luna fallowed quickly behind him “I know it’s hard to understand young one, but you are the one pony who holds my sanity, Cupcake holds my memories thus also holds the same power over me. You were the first pony I ever created, and the first pony I have unconditionally loved. To see you hurt is like watching a filly cry. Sadly when you and your sister had that fight Cal and I were not on this planet,” they changed direction and headed straight for the giant doors to the throne room. “Cupcake had a hard time calming me from that fact when we came back thirty years later.”
“Is that why you and your brother don’t get along?” Luna asked.
“Indeed it is,” Nox had an eye fixed on Luna. “Promise me Luna. Promise me you won’t come after me.”
“I can make no promise,” She said with a smile on her face.
“What are you saying?” Nox stopped just short of the doorway.
“To make a promise like that would go against my nature as a night pony,” She said sticking her tong out at him.
“Hehe. Then at least let me have a head start, because if this fight goes bad I don’t want you to see the worst of it,” Nox smiled as he opened the doors to the castle throne room.