“Karateka!” Digit Crunch called through the empty house made of clouds. When she got no reply, the pink pegasus snorted and turned to her husband, sitting at the table, computer open in front of him, tablet in hoof. “Can you believe that filly, Mangaka? Where is she this time?”
Mangaka, a lavender pegasus with a black mane and tail looked up from his work. “Celestia has lowered the sun. Where do you think our daughter is?” He pointed his hoof toward the window where their daughter Karateka could be seen sitting on a lone cloud a few yards away.
“Again?” Digit moaned, trotting to the window and staring at the violet pegasus seated under the moonlight. “That’s the fourth time this week! It’s no wonder she’s tired all the time...she stays up all night...just...Talking to herself!!!”
“Not talking to herself.” Mangaka corrected, looking up from the panels he was inking. “Talking to the Mare in the Moon.”
“Oh, come on,” Digit groaned exasperatedly, turning away from the window. “You and I both know there is no such thing. Just like Santa Hooves and the Tooth Filly, just an old pony’s tale.” She paced in front of her husband. “Yet she has it stuck in her head that this entity exists....It drives me near to madness! Why must our daughter be so...Weird?!”
“Why such harsh words, Digit, dear...?” Mangaka asked setting his stylus down on the table. “Despite her...quirks, she is still our daughter.”
“Don’t play innocent with me.” Digit snapped looking up at him. “You feel the same way. That filly hasn’t made any friends to my knowledge at any point in her lifetime. And I guarantee you, it’s because she insists on the existence of fictional characters! She’s insane! I know it! This obsession is hampering her maturity! She hasn’t even gotten her cutie-mark yet!”
Mangaka stood up and walked over to her. “Calm down, calm down. I understand you’re frustrated, but what can we do? We’ve tried everything we could to help her find her special talent, but thus far, nothing’s worked. You and I both know she has to find it on her own.”
“Manga, if we don’t do something, her special talent is going to be in insanity!!! Do you want that for your daughter? Do you want to be the father of the filly with madness for a cutie mark?! She’s a yearling already...And all she does is sleep all day and sit up all night talking to herself! It is not healthy!”
“Digit, just don’t to anything rash. You know where she would end up if anyone found out...”
“I know...” Digit replied with a sight, walking toward the door. “Karateka!!!” She called out into the darkness. “Come in here this instant!”
The violet pegasus spread her wings and flew back to her parent’s house. She landed on the soft grey cloud and her black forelock fell back over her left eye. “What mom?”
“What have I told you about sitting outside in the dark? What’s more, talking to things that don’t exist.” Digit asked, pushing her daughter’s forelock out of her eyes and behind her ear. “Also, stop wearing your mane like that. You won’t be able to fly straight if you can’t see.
Karateka didn’t say a word, but waited for her dam to turn around before tossing her mane and letting her forelock fall back in it’s place.
“Now, get to your stall and go to bed.” Digit continued. “Do you have any idea what time it is?”
“It’s just after midnight...on the longest night of the year.” Karateka replied, a snap in her voice.
“Exactly.” Digit snapped back. “You were so tired this afternoon, it’s a wonder you haven’t put yourself to bed.”
“I’m not tired anymore.” Karateka mumbled.
“Oh, is that so? Did you have an energy drink again? You know how I feel about those things.”
“Mom! You treat me like I’m a foal! I’m not a baby anymore!”
“No, and you’re not a mare either, Karateka. You are a yearling! A yearling that has NOT earned their cutie mark yet, may I add!!!”
Karateka rolled her eyes, mumbling, “Oh, Celestia, here we go again...”
“How do you expect to make your way in the world without a talent? What, are you just going to feed off the society like a parasite? Never having anything to offer just living your miserable life feeding off everyone else, like you have for you’re whole life?!!!”
“Digit Crunch, I think you had better calm down.” Mangaka said, stepping foreword.
“Where have I gone wrong, Karateka?!” Digit raged on, ignoring her husband. “What do I have to do to get you to get off your flank and do something for a change?!! I’ve tried to mold you into a decent citizen of Equestria but what do you do? You read fairy tales and talk to your imaginary friends!! By Celestia, you can’t even move a cloud right! Do you want to end up like your grand-dam? Is that what your trying to do?!!! Get your act together, young filly. Actually do something with your life! I won’t be bailing you out like I bailed out my mother all the time!”
“What? You think I don’t WANT to have my cutie mark?” Karateka snapped, her tail lashing up and down. She stomped a hoof. “Do you know how much mockery I have endured, just because of this stupid destiny thing? I know I’m worthless, and I don’t need you reminding me!” She galloped off. Finally reaching her stall, she slammed the door. Her chest heaved up and down with rage as the last strand of patience in her adolescent brain finally burst. With hot tears rolling down the purple fur on her cheeks she let out a scream and kicked with both hind legs at the desk that sat in her room. The cloud structure broke apart on impact and was enveloped in the cloud of the floor and the wall, making an unshaped lumpy mass. Karateka stomped on it some more until the whole room was a haze filled with the gaseous precipitation the yearling had stirred up. She walked over to her window, hanging her head and front legs out, and dropped her face into her hooves sobbing in frustration until she had no more tears to give. She pulled her face out of her hooves and stared up into the sky at the moon shining back down on her. The vague image of a unicorn cast in the shadow made her feel a little better. “You’re misunderstood too, aren’t you?” Karateka sighed. “It’s days like this that I wonder if we’re the only ponies who understand each other...”
Mangaka knocked and opened the door to his daughter’s room a few hours later. By now Karateka was laying on her bed staring off into space. Still fuming, her sire was not the person she wanted to see.
“I see we’re going to have to call the cloud-shapers again.” Mangaka asked after a pause, seeing the misshapen lump on the floor where his daughter’s desk was supposed to be. “You know, calling them every time you get angry is not a cheap way of letting out your frustration. I may start having to have YOU pay for each repair.”
“Just leave it, I don’t even care anymore.” Karateka snorted monotonously.
“Can we talk?”
“I don’t have a choice in the matter.”
“May I sit down?”
“Do what you want.”
Mangaka sat down at the foot of Karateka’s bed. The two were silent for a while, then Mangaka spoke. “You know, you’re the only person that really gets your dam so riled up.”
“Yes, that is a special talent I do seem to have, isn’t it.” Karateka replied dully. “Though why I haven’t my cutie mark in arguing yet, I have yet to find out.”
“You and she do seem to butt heads a lot, don’t you.” Mangaka chuckled. “You obviously got your stubborn streak from her...I’ll be the first to admit, your mother isn’t always the easiest to live with.” He paused. “Though, I do believe you do owe your dam an apology.”
Karateka sprung up, looking at her sire with a mixture of anger and betrayal. “Me owe HER an apology?!”
“Yes.” Mangaka replied, “She’s pretty torn up out there, I had a bit of a hard time keeping her contained.”
“ME owe HER and APOLOGY?!!” Karateka asked again, a little louder. “She’s the one that started the whole thing!!! Did you even hear her? She called me worthless!”
“No, she never called you worthless; you called yourself that,” her father continued. “And I assure you, the thought never crossed either of our minds. We both love you very much and just want you to be happy.”
“No. You don’t want me to be happy; you want me to be what you think is best.”
“Sometimes it may not look like what we’re saying is the best path, but when your in the thick of a problem you sometimes can’t see all the solutions.”
“I can see well enough to see that your solutions aren’t working either.”
“Karateka, I don’t want to start an argument with you. But I do want you to go apologize to your dam.”
“Why?! If anything, I deserve the apology!” Karateka snapped back, pinning her ears.
“Neither of us appreciate this recent attitude that you’ve taken with us.” Her father replied, his voice deepening. “You know your mother had a hard life before she married me. She doesn’t want you to become irresponsible and a slacker letting everypony else do everything for you, waiting on you hoof and foot because you were too lazy to do anything for yourself, as her dam and brother were. She’s just trying to look out for you. So please go apologize to her.”
Karateka snorted.
“NOW, young mare.”
Karateka gritted her teeth and stifled a groan and pushed herself off the bed. Tears of anger again burning in her eyes, she walked with stiff legs to fulfill her sire’s order.
****************************************************************************************************
“All right, class, have a good weekend. Remember to read up on the sections about the Draconequuus in your book on Equestrian History; there will be a quiz on Monday.” Miss Starsong called over the clamor of the class. All the young pegasi stood up and rustled to get out of the room. “Karateka, I’d like to see you at my desk please if you have a moment.”
“Blank flank handing in Blank papers again?” A blue pegasus with an orenge mane and tail taunted.
“Shut up, Water Fire.” Karateka growled, as she stood up and stalked to the teachers desk. The rest of the ponies filed out, and Starsong turned her attention back to the young purple Pegasus. She pulled out a piece of paper, doodles lining the edges. “Would you mind telling me what this is?”
When Karateka didn’t answer, Starsong continued, pointing to the letter grade written in red ink at the top of the paper. “Karateka, this is the third D in a month. Last year your teachers were raving about you. What went wrong?”
Again, Karateka didn’t answer. Starsong sighed. “You can’t continue like this. You’re failing in every subject! What is wrong? Are the classes going to fast for you?”
“No.” Karateka replied quietly.
“Then tell me? What is the issue? How can I help you succeed?”
Karateka didn’t say anything. Starsong looked back to the quiz. “Well, perhaps we can learn something from these doodles...” She looked them all over, then looked back up at the purple pegasus. “These are all the cutie marks of the foals in this class.” Karateka looked away. “Is this the issue, Karateka? The fact that you don’t have a cutie mark?”
Karateka’s ears pulled back, the only clue of affirmation. Starsong clopped her hoof onto the table. “You can’t let this issue distract you so much. This was an easy test, you should have had it in the bag. You were the only pony to get a grade less than a B! Have you talked to your parents about this issue you’re having?”
Karateka shot a hard cold glare. “Oh like they’re going to help. They’re just as, if not more, frustrated about it than me!!!”
“Well, either you will have to talk to them or I will. But something must be done. They are going to find out sooner or later that you’re failing this grade.”
“Can’t I do something for extra credit? I’ll stay late every day! I’ll do all you’re errands! Anything! Just don’t tell my parents!”
“Karateka, you know I cannot in good conscience let you do that. Just bring your grade up, and we’ll call it good. But one more grade lower than a C+, and I will have to talk to your parents.”
Karateka was silent for a long time. “Are we done.”
“Yes. We are done. You may go.”
Karateka stood up, swinging her saddlebag over her hindquarters. She made her way toward the door before Starsong called out again. “Karateka, one more thing.”
“What now.”
“A word of advice. If you want to bring your grade up, I suggest you stay awake for the whole lecture. Going to bed at a reasonable time should help.”
“Good to know.” Karateka mumbled sarcastically, poising her wings and flapping out of the classroom.
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“It’s been a month since I’ve seen your whole face, hasn’t it?” Karateka whispered up into the dark sky. The full moon beamed down upon her the silhouette of the magical mythical mare more distinct than ever, and to Karateka, feeling even more alive. She plopped her hindquarters down on the small dark cloud, letting out a poof of frozen white raindrops under her weight. Karateka shivered. “Winter is coming again.” She continued. “I’ve heard that the ponies down on earth love it...with the snow and all, but I don’t go down there much, so I really wouldn’t know what it’s like. I personally don’t like winter. I mean, it’s cold up here all the time, but come Winter, it gets even colder....”
“Karateka, what are you doing outside? You’re going to freeze to death. You still have your summer coat!” Her mother suddenly called from the house.
“Mom! I’m fine! Lay off, would you? The full moon only comes once a month! Can’t you just let me enjoy it for once?”
“Are you talking to yourself again?!” Digit Crunch whinnied.
“I’m NOT talking to myself, Mom, I’m talking to the Mare in the Moon!”
“Young filly, what have I told you over and over and over again?! I’m beginning to sound like a broken record! There is no such thing as the Mare in the Moon!”
“Yes there is!” Karateka shot back, standing up and taking a stance toward her mother. “We just learned about her in Equestrian History! Princess Celestia banished the mare to the moon 1000 years ago!”
“Oh yes, 1000 years ago. Sure.” Digit Crunch shook her head. “Karateka, nopony can live on the moon. You’re a fool to believe that stupid legend.” She tossed her head back toward the house. “Now get your flank in here. It’s a school night. You know that.”
“Mom, it’s 9:00 o’clock!”
“Plenty late enough for you to have talked to your imaginary friend.” Digit shot back coldly. “Come on, Karateka, don’t make me ask twice. Besides, you know how tired you are in the morning. What you need is more sleep. Not more caffeine.”
Karateka sighed. “Sorry, Mare...I’m going to have to cut our meeting short.” She spread her wings and glided across the dark abyss to where her mother stood in the doorway waiting for her.
****************************************************************************************************
Karateka galloped across the cloud floor toward the living room, book in mouth. She burst into the room where her parents were seated, her mother paying bills and creating the budget and her father working. She dropped the book to the floor, causing both of them to stop what they were doing and look at her.
“Karateka, what are you still doing up?” Mangaka asked, setting his stylus down, as Karateka bent her head, rustling through the pages. Finally she stomped her hoof onto one.
“There. Proof.” She snorted defiantly. “ ‘Princess Celestia banished Nightmare Moon from Equestria after the evil mare had tried to overthrow her throne. It is said that after this, the lunar formation, commonly called the Mare in the Moon appeared.’” She stomped her hoof again. “There. Proof.”
“Young filly, watch your tongue.” Her father snapped. “You know the punishment for treason!”
“I don’t care! It’s the truth is it not?” Karateka slammed the book shut. “And whatpony said anything about being treasonous? I’m loyal to the princess.”
“Your behavior is speaking louder than your words, Karateka.” Digit Crunch growled. “You almost worship this mare in the moon, but I don’t ever see you honor the princess who supposedly put her there to protect all of Equestria!”
“Just because I’m interested in the truth does not make me a traitor!” Karateka shot back.
Mangaka stood up and walked over to the window, where he simply stood with his eyes closed. Finally he opened them. “Get out.” He growled. Karateka was stunned for a moment and didn’t move. Mangaka looked over his shoulder at her. “Get out.” He growled again. “I’ve tried to be a loving father, I’ve tried to guide you down the right path, but I can’t try to yank around a stubborn mule forever! Increasingly you have done nothing but strew disharmony throughout this house. You are a disgrace to your dam and me. Leave.” He opened the door. Still, Karateka did not move a muscle. “You heard me!” He screamed, rearing up on his hind hooves. He slammed back to the floor so hard the cloud shook. “I will not be known as the father of the filly that committed treason! I disown you; Get out. NOW!!!”
Karateka felt numb and dizzy as she moved her front foot off the book and foreword onto the cloud floor, then her back foot, then her other front.... She stopped and looked at her mother. She had the same look of anger and disappointment that her father had. “You heard him.” She said calmly, though her voice had an edge like a broken shard of glass. Karateka continued to place one hoof down, then the next, little puffs of cloud swirling up under each hoof-step. Finally Karateka found herself out the door and on the edge of the cloud. She looked back, not entirely believing what was happening. Her parents stood in the doorway, watching. Karateka spread her wings, then paused, looking back again. Mangaka snorted, lowering his head and pawing the floor. His tail snapped against his hind legs with the velocity of a bull-whip. Karateka pushed the tears from her eyes and leaped from the cloud. Though her wings carried her, she felt as heavy as a rock and her body plummeted to the hard ground below.
****************************************************************************************************
Karateka galloped hard over the desolate field. The course grass grew over the plain as far as anypony could see. Karateka had hit the ground without the grace or coordination a pegasus in her right mind would have, plus, the rocky terrain covered in coarse woody grass was not nearly as soft as the clouds she was used to landing on. However, despite her rough landing leaving her a little worse for wear, Karateka pulled herself up and ran. All the energy she had left, she just ran. She ran until her lungs burned so badly she began to feel lightheaded. Only then did she slow, finally coming to a stop. The clouds above had broken, letting down the beaming moonlight, as the Mare in the Moon glared down at her. That’s when the tears started. Her lungs felt so tight she vaguely feared she might suffocate. Tears pored down her long horse-face in a flash flood of salt water. Karateka managed to gasp a single breath but after doing so, that only caused another tidal wave of tears to cascade down her fur. She choked another breath and pulled her head up to look at the moon above her. “Why did you let this happen?!” She screamed in rage, more tears pouring down her face. “Why couldn’t you help me?! Why couldn’t you be real?!” She sobbed again. “Why couldn’t I just be a normal filly! The normal foal my parents wanted?” She screamed and thrashed her legs about, but in the emptiness her hooves found nothing to break. Without the satisfying crack of contact the filly’s anger boiled hotter. She screamed again, her voice resonating over the empty hills echoing back at her, reminding me she was alone. No pony cared about her. Not a single soul under heaven gave a whoop if she lived or died. Even the only thing in the world that gave her solace felt void and dead. With no release for her fury of emotions, she extended her wings and began yanking out her feathers with her mouth and smashing her wings against the rocky ground. In pain and anger her knees buckled and she collapsed onto her side, more tears streaming out of her eyes. Her wings were now ragged and twisted at odd painful angles. Broken violet feathers lay strewn around her in the moonlight. Her sedation lasted only a moment. The breeze blew over the vast open landscape and reminded Karateka that she was now alone in the world, driving her again to madness. Gritting her teeth and pushing more tears from her eyes, Karateka rolled over onto her stomach and stood up. Her wings useless now, she made her way slowly toward the edge of the canyon that the earth ponies called Galloping Gorge. She looked down into the deep crack in the earth. It was probably a mile deep, with uneven sides and sharp rocks at the very bottom. A pony wouldn’t survive a fall. Karateka looked up again at the moon and the silhouette of the mare. “Why did you let this happen to me!?” She called up to no pony. The moon felt as lifeless as ever. “WHY CAN’T YOU HELP ME?!” She screamed. “WHY CAN’T ANY PONY IN THIS FORSAKEN LAND HELP ME?!!!” Tears rained from her eyes, her chest heaving in despair as she stared at the lifeless shadow out in space. Vaguely through the blur of her tears, she thought she saw it blink, but ignored it. She lowered her head and closed her eyes. “Of course you can’t hear me.” She continued, lowering her voice. “Your not alive. Just another lie, like everything else in my life. A lie. Family is a lie, Friendship is a lie...” She cast a glance back at her hindquarters, still void of purpose. “Destiny is a lie... The only thing real; the only thing any pony can count on, is death.” She took a small step forward. “And that’s the only destiny I will ever need.” Suddenly, her thoughts were interrupted by a bright light which Karateka could see even through her closed eyelids. She turned around quickly to see what it was, but the light blinded her already swollen and irritated eyes. She held her fetlock to her face, trying to shield some of the brilliant light.
“Greetings to thee, young pony.”
Karateka lowered her hoof from her face and looked up to see another standing there. Blue fur covered the long slender body of the pony, at least 15 hands tall. On her hooves she wore crystal horseshoes that came up to the middle of her fetlock. Around her neck she wore an onyx collar, adorned with a crescent moon made of mother-of pearl. Her wings were longer than anypony’s Karateka had ever seen. Her strong slender neck was cloaked with a flowing blue and black mane that sparkled like the stars under the moonlight. Her ears were long and perfectly shaped. In front of them sat a crown made of pure onyx. In the center of her forehead sprouted a long unicorn’s horn. Karateka glanced back up at the moon. The mare’s silhouette was gone.
“T--The Mare in the Moon...” Karateka managed to sputter out.
“Princess Luna will suffice.” The alicorn replied.
“P-princess....?” Karateka muttered again.
“T’is thou who enjoys this time of day as much as we, and spends many an hour making conversation with us during the long watches of the night.” Princess Luna went on gently. Karateka remained speechless. “We have heard thy cries this night and have come to offer our assistance and friendship in this, thy dire time of need.”
A light snow began to fall, and Karateka remained silent. Suddenly, she pulled her ears and stepped back. “No Princess....you’re too late...I’m not worth it...”
Luna stepped toward her. “Young one, you must not speak as such. No pony is worthless...and much less you.”
“Stay back...!”Karateka warned, stepping back again as Luna continued to advance, beginning to get a little hysterical. The edge of her hind hoof slipped off the edge of the canyon kicking a number of loose pebbles off the edge and into the abyss. “You can’t....I’m not....No....!” Tears began to pour from her eye’s once more. Luna gently reached out her neck and stroked Karateka’s forehead with her velvety blue nose. Karateka whinnied and shied away. “N--no...get away from me...just leave me alone...let me die....!!!” she sobbed through her waves of tears. “Where were you when I needed you?!!! Now you’re too late!”
Luna didn’t make any reply to the young pegasus, merely bent her head and touched Karateka ever so gently with the tip of her horn. “Peace....” At her words, Karateka felt weakness come over her. Hey eyes began to feel heavy, then finally closed. Her front knees buckled underneath her and she fell into the light powdering of freshly laid snow.
Luna slowly walked over to the violet pegasus. Using a combination of her magic and physical effort, she pulled Karateka’s limp body onto her back. Finally, she stood up and, with Karateka in tow, made her way back to Canterlot.
Author's Note
The way I usually write fan fiction is with extremely short chapters. Thus, this "Chapter 1" is actually comprised of a number of smaller "chapters."
Also, this story is still a bit in development. I go back regularly and change wording all the time. If you have a suggestion on how I could make something better, don't hesitate to let me know.
Also, the conversations between Karateka and her parents are based on actual conversations I've had with my own parents. So please note, these parts of my story are mostly based on nonfiction, so please tread lightly.
Karateka awoke from the spell hours later to find herself wrapped in a blanket, lying on a thin mat on a large marble floor. Her wings had been set and wrapped in bandages so they could heal. She rolled herself onto her stomach and looked around. There was a small glass of water siting nearby. But other than that the hall was mostly empty. Stained glass windows lined the walls. Some of the pictures Karateka knew from school, but most of them she didn’t. On each side of the room there was a door. One door was extravagantly decorated with a sun in the center and a unicorn lock, a lock that only a unicorn with the right magic spell could open, and the other, though also decorated, was relatively plain in comparison. As Karateka was examining her strange surroundings, the plain door opened and Princess Luna came in. Karateka shrank back a little.
“We thought the spell we cast on thee would be wearing off soon.” Luna said kindly. “We see, thou art awake. That is good.” She dropped a small hoof full of hay in front of where Karateka lay. “Eat this. It is good to eat a small amount of roughage after one has undergone a sleep spell, such as we have cast on thee. If thou dost not, thou whilst come down with terrible colic...which we can say from experience is not ever a joyous occasion.”
Karateka wrinkled her nose at the hay at first, but then slowly reached out and took some of the stalks, chewing them slowly. The thick dry stalks crunched and snapped between her teeth, filling her mouth with the dry stinging sensation that the hay cut early in the year always gave. Clearly this cutting was truly roughage and didn’t have any of the sweet alfalfa that the later cuttings had. She took a hard breath and swallowed. Finally she looked up at the blue alicorn. “Why are you helping me.” She asked quietly.
“We have watched thee for some time, Karateka. Thou hast spent every full moon sitting out and conversing with us. Though we could not reply to thee, thou didst still consider us thy friend, yes?” Karateka nodded as Luna laid another hoof full of hay in front of her. “We also have enjoyed thy company. Thou art one of the few ponies that enjoys the night as we. And because of this, we could not allow thy life to be wasted.” She gazed down at Karateka, who turned away as she took another mouthful of the bitter hay.
Luna was silent for a while, then went on. “We.....I...also came in to tell the--you...that you’re room was prepared. When you are feeling strong enough, I shall show it to you.”
Karateka’s head picked up, still partly chewing the mouthful of hay. “My room...?!”
“But of course. This was only a quiet short-term place for you to rest. Surely you did not think that my sister and I would allow a guest to sleep in the tower.”
Karateka’s cheeks took on a shade of pink as she continued to chew the hay then swallow it. “I don’t want to cause any more trouble than I already have...”
“I assure you, you are no burden.” Luna replied nudging the water toward the pegasus lying on the floor. “I apologize for the unaccommodating surroundings as of now. We did not wish to put thee in a place so cold and isolated, but it was the only place that was assuredly quiet. But we believe that you will be much more comfortable when you are settled into your new surroundings.”
Karateka drained the water and slowly got to her hooves. “Thank you, Princess. I am feeling a lot better now...really.”
“Good.” Luna replied. Her horn began to glow and the mat, blanket, and empty glass disappeared. “Very well, I shall show you to your room and allow you to get settled.”
The Princess of the night led Karateka down a maze of long hallways and corridors, finally stopping outside a large wooden door. She pushed open the door and stepped aside, allowing Karateka to walk in first.
“Is it to your liking?” Luna asked, after a moment of silence.
“Yes, but even if it wasn’t, I couldn’t complain....” Karateka replied in awe. This room alone is the size of my old house...!”
Luna smiled. “I am pleased you like it.” She turned. “I shall give you time to settle in. Supper is an hour before twilight, you may join us in the dining hall if you are feeling up to it. I shall meet you on the tower balcony for the raising of the moon where we may talk through the night, face-to-face. In the meantime, if you wish, feel free to roam the grounds. I shall see you later tonight.” With that she gently closed the door behind her, leaving Karateka alone.
The pegasus stood for a moment, then walked slowly over to the window, trying to not let her hoof-steps echo through the empty room. She stared out over the palace grounds, a vast expanse of alabaster beauty, adorned with flowers, shrubs and statues. Karateka heard laughter and her ears perked up. She looked out over the palace labyrinth to see a group of the well-to-do ponies playing polo on the lawn. Karateka sighed and lay her head on her fetlocks, as she watched them laugh as they continued on with their game. She slid off the windowsill and walked over to the bed. Climbing up onto it, she lay out on the thick pink and white comforter and closed her eyes, trying not to think of home. Within moments, she had again fallen asleep.
Karateka awoke hours later. After realizing where she was, she noticed the room was dim...very dim. She immediately jerked her head up. The sun was already almost half under the horizon. “Oh, no...I’m late!!!” Karateka cried, jumping out of bed and bursting out of the room. She galloped down the halls to the dining hall, nearly knocking down the servants and guards as she flew past. Finally, she plunged into the room, flinging the doors open and causing them to bang against each wall and resound throughout the entire castle. Both princesses stopped eating and turned to look at her. As the loud echo finally began to reside, Karateka felt herself grow red and hot in her cheeks. She lowered her head and slunk quietly into the room, her hooves seeming to make sounds as loud as the doors had. Finally coming to the table she bowed onto one knee. “M-my apologies, your majesties for arriving so late.” She said, hardly over a whisper.
“Please, do not be ashamed.” Princess Celestia replied kindly, gesturing with her horn toward an empty chair. “We only guessed that you were not feeling up to dining with us this evening, but we are pleased to see that we were mistaken.” As Karateka sat down, the princess pushed the chair foreword for her with her powers, then nudging a basket of whole wheat rolls toward her. Karateka took one, but instead of eating it, fiddled with it nervously with her nose, still feeling a little red in the face.
“So then, Karateka,” Celestia continued as the servants, some of whom Karateka had almost tackled (and who all gave her slightly dirty looks because of it), came in with more food. “Tell us about yourself. My sister says that you enjoy the night and that you like to sit out and talk to her in the moon.”
“Yes....” Karateka answered shyly. “Or...I did...your highness...”
“Well certainly that should not change just because you are living here.” Celestia continued, motioning to one of the servants who had a pitcher of water in her mouth...and whose mane was also sopping wet. As the mare was pouring the princess’s water, Celestia noticed. “My goodness, Tenderhoof...what happened to you...?”
The mare set the pitcher down on the table so she could answer. “With all due respect your majesty,” She cast a glare toward Karateka, “If this young filly didn’t run through the halls as though they were a race track....!” Karateka shrunk in her seat and felt her cheeks grow hotter as fresh tears stung her eyes threatening to escape onto the white pressed tablecloth.
“I see.” Celestia replied, picking up a towel nearby with her powers and handing it to Tenderhoof. “Go ahead and dry yourself off.”
“Thank you, your majesty.” the servant blessed the princess before casting another harsh glance toward the young purple pegasus and walking out.
After the mare left, it was silent for a few moments before Celestia looked again at Karateka. “You were in a hurry to get here, I see.”
“I didn’t want to be rude and ignore your sister’s invitation, your majesty...” Karateka replied quietly, her voice cracking.
Celestia only smiled. “It is alright, young filly. No real harm was done.” She looked out the window at the fallen sun. “But unfortunately, we shall have to call this meal to a halt...” She pushed back her chair. “Luna, it is that time again. I trust you can handle the raising of the moon on your own...If you don’t mind, I will be turning in a little early tonight...” Luna nodded and Celestia turned to Karateka again. “It was a pleasure to meet you, Karateka. I hope to learn more about you in the days to come.” Then without another word, she turned and left the dining hall.
When the hall was quiet again, Luna stood up from the table. “Come, Karateka, we have much to do. We may discuss on the way.”
****************************************************************************************************
“How are your wings faring?” Princess Luna asked when the two equines had gotten to the top of the tower.
“T-they hurt a little, but they are ok.” Karateka replied uncertainly.
“Good,” Luna assured, her horn beginning to glow, as the sun of the night crawled it’s way into the sky. “I’ll admit, I’m not the best at healing magic, but I did the best I could. They both should heal without any complications. If you wish though, I could have a doctor unicorn heal them for you.”
“No, that’s ok, thank you.” Karateka answered quietly, then the two stood in silence for a while in the chilly winter air. “Um...Princess?” Karateka started, nervously.
“Yes?”
“Why...um...why did you come for me last night?”
“I did not wish to see your life wasted. It is as simple as that. Life is a precious gift and it should not be thrown away.”
“But why did you come then? Why didn’t you come when you saw my parents were about to throw me out? Or when I was screaming for you? Or when I broke my wings? Why did you wait till the last second to show yourself.”
“I did not know if you were truly desperate enough to do something so drastic. I hoped you weren’t; I hoped that you would come to a realization of something to live for, but when I saw that wasn’t the case I had to stop you.” The princess turned to look at the violet pegasus. “I told you before, Karateka, though we have not met face-to-face before today, I view you as a friend. I hope you see me in the same way.”
“Y-yes, Princess.” Karateka answered sheepishly.
“Good.” Luna replied turning back toward the moon. “As the Castle is your home now, you are welcome to explore on your free time. You should feel comfortable in the place you reside. I understand it shall take a little getting used to--living in the castle even took a little time for ME to adjust to after having been banished on the moon--but I assure you, it is a safe place. You are welcomed here.”
Karateka averted her eyes. “But what about the servant-ponies...They don’t seem to like me very much...”
Luna chuckled, “Yes, well, they shall learn to cope. Their sour faces today were only because your hurry almost caused an accident.” Karateka blushed and turned away. “Do not let it bother you, Karateka,” Luna continued. “You are welcomed in the presence of me and my sister, and that is all that matters.”
“I suppose that is true, Princess,” Karateka answered quietly. There was another long pause. “So, tell me: I know the story from the history books, but I’d like to here it from the mare herself, what is the story of the Mare in the Moon?”
Luna was silent for a few moments, then she opened her mouth. “Many years ago, when I was young, and naive, I grew jealous of my sister Celestia for being the ruler of the day. I saw how the ponies everywhere loved and admired my sister, while all my deeds went unnoticed. A dark entity overtook me and I took on the name of Nightmare moon, determined to force the ponies to appreciate me. In a final attempt to save me and save Equestria, she banished me to the moon, also creating the formation commonly called the Mare in the Moon to remind herself of me.”
“So the books were right all along,” Karateka added after the princess had finished.
“Yes, though in 1000 years, generations go by and ponies forget what happened in the past. They believe stories to be Old Pony’s Tales and myths.” Luna answered.
“Like my parents?” Karateka asked.
“Like your parents.”
“Princess?”
“Yes?”
“Thank you for rescuing me.”
****************************************************************************************************
“For your treason against the throne of Equestria,” Princess Celestia’s decree boomed down on Karateka, “I hereby declare you to be banished to the moon for all of eternity.”
“B-but...Princess Celestia...I don’t understand! I’m not treasonous!” Karateka begged.
“By caring for the night more than the day, that alone is an act of treason.” Celestia corrected, as her horn started to glow.
“No...Princess Celestia...Please....!” The panicked pegasus turned desperately to Luna, “Please, Princess Luna, help me...!”
Luna only smirked, “If you love the moon so much, maybe you’d like to live there for a thousand years.” She replied coldly.
Tears streamed down Karateka’s face. “Please...You said I was safe here...!” Luna only turned and walked away and Celestia zapped Karateka with a teleportation spell. “NOOOO!!!”
“Karateka! Foal, what is the matter?” Princess Luna exclaimed, bursting into Karateka’s room. The pegasus lay curled up on her bed sobbing bitterly.
“You sent me away. Celestia banished me to the moon. She said I committed treason but I didn’t! I didn’t!” the young pony cried shaking.
“Hush. T’was only a dream. That shall never happen, I promise.” Luna comforted coming over to the bed and nuzzling the filly with the tip of her nose. “You have had a hard couple of nights; return to sleep now.”
“I--I don’t think I can...”
“Make the attempt.” Luna replied. She got onto the bed and knelt next to Karateka. “I shall stay to make sure you get a restful sleep tonight.”
Karateka curled up next to her, snuggling into her shoulder. Luna draped her wing protectively over the pony. As Karateka slowly started to drift off, Luna cast a sweet dream spell over her and let her fall into a calm peaceful sleep.
****************************************************************************************************
The next afternoon, Karateka felt brave enough to explore the gardens a bit. As she walked slowly over the acreage, unbenounced to her, Celestia watched from the tower window. Luna quietly approached her sister.
“She harbors much resentment.” Luna stated without prior speech. “I have seen her dreams. Without proper guidance, she could easily be led astray.”
“Do you understand the task you are requesting?” Celestia asked, not removing her eyes from the purple pegasus on the ground, who was now curiously watching a squirrel nibble at an acorn under a tree nearby. “Are you sure you could handle the responsibility? Considering your past, I fear this filly might remind you…”
“Sister.” Luna interrupted sharply. “The child has no one else. Her own family abandoned her. I cannot allow her to suffer as I once did.”
The pain in Celestia’s eyes was obvious, as she knew her younger sister was correct. “Luna, you know I blame myself for what happened to you. If I could do it over, I would.”
“Twilight Sparkle is your protege; why will you not allow this hope-lost pegasus to be mine? She has no where else to go. If I don’t take her under my wing then who will?”
Celestia was silent for a while, then sighed and nodded. “Alright, Luna. You may take in this filly. Just be careful to train her well; anger is a powerful force, and if misdirected…” She turned to look at her younger sister, “I do not want to have to use extreme measures.”
A few hours later, Luna guided the young pegasus to a large open basement room. It was a humongous gymnasium, with all manner of equipment. A display of weapons and armor, along with the cleaning and polishing supplies stood to her left. Next to that stood a couple weight racks, next to that a punching bag and a variety of fighting dummies. On end of the room and taking up the majority of the space, a running track, the center of which was taken up by an obstacle course. Hanging from the ceiling, a number of suspended rings used for arial agility, and finally, to her right, a rack stocked with clean white pressed towels. It was the royal guard training facility.
“What have you brought me here for, Princess?” Karateka asked curiously.
“You hold a lot of anger inside your heart.” The princess replied. “You cannot allow it to fester, or it will grow to control you.” She turned Karateka to the left and led her toward the training dummies. “Talking is one way of letting out frustration, but there are other ways as well. And judging from what I’ve seen of you throughout the years, I believe physical labor to be yours.” She walked over to the punching bag in the corner. “Kick this as hard as you can.”
Karateka cocked her head a little but didn’t move.
“Young filly, you must trust me.” Luna prodded. “I speak from experience when I say bottling up ones emotions does not make them go away.”
“But Princess, I can’t even kick a cloud right…how do you expect me to kick something solid like this?”
“You are simply not trained. And that is ok. I am not asking you to kick it beautifully—this is not a martial arts lesson. I only want you to let out your aggression. Ever since you have come here, you have been very tense and wary. After we ratify that and calm your mind you will feel much better.”
Karateka was hesitant, but shakily made her way up toward the bag. After a frightened pause, she turned her hindquarters toward it and lifted one hoof flicking it behind her and letting it make contact with the bag. The bag didn’t even move.
“Karateka, your going to have to get over your fear of failure if you want to do this exercise.” Luna admonished. “Try again. Kick harder.”
Karateka nervously obeyed, raising her rump into the air along with both her hind legs and kicked back, one hoof making contact with the bag, but the other missing. The force threw her off balance and flung her forward. Her ears pulled back and her face burned with embarrassment. “You see princess? I can’t do it!”
But Luna interrupted her. “Do not say you cannot do it. That was better. Try again. Harder.”
Karateka raised up again and kicked back, both hooves making contact, but slipping at the last moment. Again the bag didn’t move.
“I have seen you destroy the desk in your room countless times, much to your parents’s dismay. Why are you unsure of yourself now?” Luna asked.
“That was different…I was angry and the desk was made of clouds…It was much softer than this thing…!”
“Try again.” Luna prodded. “This time, imagine, this bag is the desk.”
Karateka wanted to object, but silently she did what she was told. She paused and tried to imagine the last time she was really furious…Her parents came to mind. Their disapproval, their demeaning remarks. She kicked back again. Both hooves hit the back making it sway slightly, but not much.
“Harder.” Luna prodded.
Karateka was now beginning to get irritated, but she did what she had been told.
“Harder.”
Bam!
“Harder.”
Bam!
“Harder.”
Karateka gritted her teeth in frustration. The bag was still hardly moving, but yet the princess continued to prod her to kick harder. “I can’t kick any harder!” She spat at Luna, kicking back again, her hind feet making contact with the bag. The bag swung a but only a few inches. Karateka’s face burned. “You’re trying to make me fail!” She yelled, kicking again. The bag swung back. “Stop making fun of me!” She thrust her two hind feet back as the bag swung forward, making full contact. The canvas bag swung all the way and as it turned and began its decent, Karateka reared again. “I am not your plaything!” She screamed at Luna, thrusting her hooves back with enough force that the bag tore from its bolt and flung itself three yards away. Upon hitting the ground, the seam along the side snapped and the sand poured out.
Karateka stood, her ears pinned back, teeth gritted, staring at the filling pouring out from the ripped seam. Her muscles were still pulled tense and glistened from the sweat of frustration. Princess Luna stood behind her, staring with wide eyes at what her student had just done.
“There, are you happy?” Karateka spat back at her mentor. “Or do you want me to kick even harder?!” Tears were starting to glisten in her magenta eyes and her front legs were beginning to shake, the adrenaline now wearing off.
“No, that will be enough for now.” Luna assured softly.
Karateka’s legs gave out and she fell onto her knees, tears now starting to trickle out of her eyes. Luna walked over to the filly laying a hoof on her shoulders. “I told you you were capable of kicking harder, but it was not until you trusted in yourself that you were able to. You have great potential, but your fear of failure inhibits your ability to perform. You must no longer allow your fears to get in the way.”
“Is this what this exercise was about…?” Karateka asked weakly.
“In a way, yes.” Luna replied kneeling next to her. “I also saw you needed to deal with your frustration in a non-harmful way; during my younger years, this was sometimes one of the ways I would try to deal with mine.” She turned to the pegasus sitting next to her. “Do you feel a little better?”
Karateka paused. “I kinda wish you hadn’t been so hard on me.”
“Perhaps my method of motivation was a bit harsh, considering you did not know what I was trying to accomplish, and for that I apologize.” Luna replied. “But even so, when you no longer felt fear of failure, you succeeded, even better than I had hoped. Your kicks are strong and you seem to have a great talent for it.”
“If your thinking that my special talent might be martial arts, I’ve already tried that.” Karateka answered. “My parents enrolled me in a fighting school for pegasi when I was younger, but I never got my cutie mark.”
“Did you enjoy your lessons?”
“Well…Yes…”
“Then why did you stop practicing?”
“My parents took me out when they saw I wasn’t getting my cutie mark.”
“Karateka, it does not matter what your special talent is or isn’t; if you enjoy something, you should pursue it. Your cutie mark will come in its own time.” The princess stood up. “Many years ago when Celestia and I were still young fillies, it was required of us that we learn at least a little of the fighting arts. It was thought to be a way to help find unity of mind, and body, as well as be helpful should either of us find ourselves in a predicament in which fighting was the only option. It has been a long time, but I shall teach you what I remember, and if you excel, we shall continue from there.”
Author's Note
I feel this would be a good place to state that the placement in timeline of this story would be somewhere between seasons 2 and 3, so Luna is still trying to get a handle on speaking not using the royal "we." Also, Twilight is not an alicorn yet, and for the majority of this story won't be.
