Lonely Lunaby Blitz StratusChaptersMissing a Lost LoveFinding What You LostEternal LoveThe Things We FeelMissing a Lost Love"Sister will you please come out of your room its been three days now!" Celestia called to her sister Luna through her bedroom door. "You haven't even eaten a thing please sister I'm worried for your health." There was a long pause before Celestia heard her sister speak. "I'm sorry to make you worry sister but I really just want to be alone." "Will you promise to at least eat something Luna?" "Yes sister I will eat but will you please leave me now I need to try and think." Celestia knew she was getting nowhere. "As you wish sister." She said pulling away from the door. "I will send for a pony to bring you some food." she said as she made her way down stairs. Luna was laying on her bed with a pillow nestled under her chin staring at a old photograph. It was of her and Celestia before she was banished to the moon. But it was the pony on her right in the picture she was looking at. There arms wrapped around each others neck both were smiling, happy to be with each other. It was all she had to remember her first love by. "How I miss you." Luna said as she slide her hoof down the colts mane. She could still remember that day as if she was still there in the streets watching it unfold. It was Hearts and Hooves day Luna was walking into town looking for her-special some pony. They had played this game many times before but it never seem to grow old. He had left a note on her dresser written down in his beautiful hoof writing. "Come find me my midnight star." She knew where to look, there was a white stone deck that over looked Everfree city and the forest that lay around it. It was where they first met as foals. She was at the corner of the street heading to the path that lead to the deck when she saw him. His alabaster coat gave him away against the blue of the sky. He was leaning on the rail over looking the city his charcoal mane blowing in the breeze. "It seems like I'm always waiting for you." He playfully called at her. "And yet I wouldn't have it any other way." He said, as he turned around to face her. "And neither would I." She whispered, as she kissed him. "So are you ready for your date my midnight star?" "Yes what do you have planed?" "A day we will never forget." He replied, as they walked off the viewing deck, heading for the city. Knock! Knock! Luna was jolted out of her memory by some pony pounding on her door. "What is it!" She bark out, angrily some pony would disrupt her memory. "Lady Luna I have your dinner." One of her servants called through the door. "Thank you leave it by the door side I'll get it when I'm finished." "Yes lady Luna." The servant called. When she heard the servant leave she let herself drift back into the memory. "So what have you been up to lately." Luna asked, as they trotted down the stone road. "The same as always. Father whats me to leave Evercity to became the leader of the Equestrian Guard like he was." "And what did you say to him?" Luna was afraid of what his answer would be. His father had been trying for two years now to try and make him follow in the family hoof prints. "I told him my place belongs here in Evercity with you." He whispered, as he kissed her on her forehead. "You know he won't give up." She replied in a playful whisper. "Yeah but I don't care your more important to me then making him happy." He said with a smile. "Hey you two love birds!" Some pony shouted towards them. "Good morning Celestia. How are you?" "I'm just fine. So what are you and my sister plan on doing today?" Celestia asked with a mischievous smile. "Oh well we were thinking about throwing a nosy pony into the town fountain for starters and then we would go from there." He said mono tonal. "WHAT! You wouldn't dare!" Luna started laughing. "Lighten up sister we're only joking." "Its far too easy to push your buttons Celestia." The colt said with a chuckle. Celestia face turned beet red. "That's not funny you know." She pouted angrily "Relax miss wound too tight have a little humor in you. Is all that time in the royal court getting to you?" Luna watch her sister give up on trying to be mad. "No pony ever could stay mad at him for long. It was one of the many things she loved about him. He was always so caring, worried about every pony's well being then his own. He could always make you smile no matter what mood you were in." "Well I guess I'll leave you two love pony's alone. Have fun you two and Luna remember not to come home too late." Celestia said as she walked back to the royal castle. "I will sister don't worry." Luna shouted. "Now lets get on with that night that we'll never forget." She said pulling him along. Luna sat the picture back on her nightstand and stared at the ceiling above her bed for an age. Then from the silence her stomach growled breaking her concentration. "Fine I guess I will eat something." she said rolling out of her bed. She removed the heavy latch from her door and reach out the gap to pick up her food. "Hhmm hay fries and a dandelion sandwich with a blue berry muffin." Luna sat down on her bed and began to eat. She glanced over to the old photo as she bit into the muffin. "The only thing missing would be a rose and it would be just like that night." Luna drifted back into the memory. It was getting dark out and the two had slipped into their favorite little place. The Sliver Feather seemed empty when they entered only later did she find out that he had the whole place reserved just for the two of them. Their table was in the back by the wall next to the window so you could watch the sun set and the moon take the sky and fill it with stars. "So what will be doing next?" Luna asked. She was starting to get worn out but she wanted to know what he had left in his bag of tricks for her. "Oh but if I told you that would ruin the fun of it all now." He said with his sapphire eyes looking out the window at the raising moon. "Well aren't you the mysterious one. Luna teased. He had always been like this since they were little." "Do you remember the first spell I tried to cast?" He asked suddenly. His eyes now falling upon her. "You mean the one where you were blown back into the shelves because you built up too much magic." She giggled. "Yes, that one." He replied, his face turning bright red. "He's really cute when he blushes." Luna thought to herself. "Here's your meals you two." The waiter interjected. "So what have you two been up to?" The old pony asked. "Nothing really we've just had some fun this hearts and hooves day." Luna replied. "Oh really, tell old Feather what kind of fun you two have been have in." He said his mind going south. "Nothing like that you dirty minded old colt you." A voice rang out from the back. "Why don't you get back here and help your wife instead of bothering those two." "Yes honey." Mr. Feather answered his wife defeatingly. "She always wins doesn't she?" He commented bringing Luna's attention back to their table. He was holding something in his hoof. "Can you guess what it is?" He asked playfully. "Let me guess is it a engagement ring? Or is it one of your tricks?" His eyes twinkled from the moons light as she made her guess. "You always were a sharp one but no." There was a flash of light in his hoof and when the smoke drifted away a rose floated in front of her. It was midnight blue and when he moved it she saw bits of light twinkle off it. And in the center the rose petals were as white as the moon. "In honor of the princess of the night, the mare that holds my heart this is for you." He let the rose drift down into Luna's hooves. Luna was left speechless. "How....did you....do....this?" Was all she was able to squeak out. "Like it that much huh?" He asked as he bit into his blueberry muffin. "I don't know what to say. To do this level of magical manipulation to a object is unheard of." "Hhmm if you like that wait a little longer." He hummed to himself. "Shall we be going its getting rather late and I have one more thing to show you my princess." With this he stood up and placed the bits to pay for their meal down on the table. "Thank you Mr. and Mrs Feather for the wonderful food as always." He yelled back to the kitchen. "Your welcome lad. Oufh!" "Get back to work you." ""Yes dear". "Have a good rest of Hearts and Hooves night you two." Miss Feather called from out of the back. "We will don't you worry." ~o~o~O~O~o~o~ As they left the Sliver Feather Luna notice how late it really had become. "I guess we should be heading in?" She said with sadness in her voice, she didn't want this night to end. "Not yet." He said mischievously. "I have one more thing for my midnight star to see." "Really? But what else could we do most all the shops are closed." "Aw Luna have some faith in me will yeah." He said messing up her hair. "This way my dear princess." He said with a bow. "This walk to what he's planing is taking forever." Luna thought. But she didn't mind as long as he was next to her she would go were ever he went. But at least he could do was hurry up. "Well we're here." He said as they reach the top of a grassy hill over looking the city, as his horn began to glow. Luna wasn't sure what he was going to do but she could guess it was going to be something big. Sparks began to arch from his horn and go into the ground spreading out in all different directions. He raised up on his back hooves and released the ball of magic creating a shock wave of energy. "What did you do?" Luna asked dumfounded by his display. "Watch" He replied, as he clapped his hooves together. At first nothing happened but slowly the flowers around them began to light up in a million different colors. All sparkling from their own light or that of the moons. Luna was in awe. "How could any pony do this." She thought to herself. He simply smiled at her. "May I have this dance my princess?" "What do you mean....?" Then she heard music begin to play. "Claro de luna by Beethooven the song you use to play to me to help me sleep." "That's right. You always loved my playing even though I messed up you still wanted me to play for you." He grabbed her front hooves and they began to waltz. "Hmm you always were a good dancer. Even though you tried to avoid the royal dances. They always tired to make you dance with some annoying mare but you still went when I asked." Luna sighed. "Yeah but I always knew how the night would end. A slow waltz with the mare that I love was all the reason I needed to go. I always hated when the song ended because then I would have to let you go. But not tonight I have you all to myself". "I love you Auroran Skies" Luna said as tears filled her eyes. "I love you too my midnight princess." They held each other close as the music played through the darkness it was just the two of them surrounded by a sea of soft colors. Then the shutter opened waking Luna from her memory of her love. She found herself crying. Tears spotted the glass over the photo. She whipped her eyes as she got up to close them. She looked up at the night sky as she latched them shut. "I love you too Auroran Skies." She whispered to herself. When she turned around what was sitting on her nightstand nearly made her heart stop. There next to a piece of yellow parchment was a midnight blue rose. She ran over to it and picked it up. "It's real." She said in disbelief as she moved it back and forth making it shimmer in the candle light, its center as white as the moon. She looked down at the note and picked it up in her other hoof. What it said made Luna's heart skip a beat. In his scroll it read. "Its been too long my midnight star. Come and find me I'll be waiting for you like I always have." "Love Auroran Skies." Finding What You Lost"Sister I'm happy that you've come out of your room but to leave right away." Celestia was deeply confused by Luna's behavior. Before she wouldn't see any pony now she was packing her bags. "I sorry to leave sister on such short notice but a issue has arisen that I must see to." "Which is what dear sister?" Celestia growing suspicious when she saw Luna put the photo in her bag "The town of Grimhoof of requested my assistance of the matter of over seeing the finishing of the town wall." Luna replied as she threw her saddle bag on her back. "Very well sister but be careful Grimhoof is located deep within the Everfree valley" Celestia was trying everything to keep her sister from doing something foolish. "Do you still remember the way sister?" "Yes. South from Canterlot, west over Pegasus mountain that stands above Ponyville." Luna said as she made her way down the towers staircase. "And anyway sister the night guard will be escorting me." "I'm only making sure sister that your journey goes well." Celestia knew Luna was getting annoyed by her questions but she didn't believe her sister was telling her the truth, but there was nothing she could do. Luna had made up her mind and she wouldn't change it unless she had to. o~o~O~O~o~o They walked in silence the rest of the way Celestia not sure what more she could say. The bottom of the stairs were approaching fast if she was going to say something now would be the time. "Luna? Celestia finally spoke up when Luna was about to open the massive wooden door. "Yes sister?" Celestia knew what Luna's journey was about. It was now or never should she tell her the events that transpired after she was banished. But when she went to speak a sharp pain shot through her. "Never mind its not important." Celestia said with a forced smile. Luna pushed open the door and made her way to the royal courtyard where her coach was waiting, her night guard were hooked to the yoke ready to take off. As Luna boarded she looked back at her sister. "I will be back shortly sister." Luna said as she signaled her guard to go. "May your visit to Grimhoof go well sister." Celestia called as Luna's coach began to raise into the sky. "I will send notice when I arrive sister." Luna replied, her guards pushed hard against the air with their wings and they were off. "Good luck sister." Celestia said to herself as Luna's coach faded into the night. "I just hope when your journey is over you won't be disgusted by what I have done." Her head lulled as her mind replayed a moment from her past. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "What do you mean you banished her!" Auroran screamed in disbelief at Celestia. "I had no other choice Auroran she was going to destroy Evercity and all its residents!" Celestia retorted. "But the moon no less! And if you haven't notice Everfree city is now overrun by creatures only found in the darkest of dreams. And plants that strike at passersby and wolves made of tree bark and bone!" "I HAD NO CHOICE!" Celestia didn't want to hear this. She had just banished her only sister to the moon with the Elements of Harmony and now she was being criticized for her actions. "What would have you done Auroran!" Celestia yelled. Tears streaming down her face. "What would've you done!? Your only sidling transformed into a wicked beast by Discords whispers!? Let her cast the world into eternal night!?" "Of course I wouldn't but I wouldn't have done something so rash!" He said slamming his hoof against the marble floor cracking it. Celestia saw tears fall from his eyes even though they where hidden by his mane. He was going through the same emotions she was. Celestia put a foreleg around his neck. "Auroran listen I'm not proud of what I had to do but what else could I do?" He didn't answer, his midnight star was gone forever. His heart felt like it was smashed into a million pieces. "I couldn't let her hurt all those pony's and you know that Auroran." Celestia said, as she slowly pulled her foreleg away from his neck. What she was about to ask of him might be to much for him to bear. "If you need time to think this over I'll understand but now that Luna's gone will you take over for her and raise the moon an control the night?" Auroran didn't answer to what Celestia requested of him. He couldn't. He turned and began to leave the Cantersville hall passing many of the royal guard before he stopped at the doorway his sadness giving way to rage. "Celestia." "Yes Auroran?" His tone was very low Celestia had hardly heard it. But she could have never seen what happened next. She was picked up and slammed against the stone wall by a wave a magical force. "HOW DARE YOU!" Auroran roared, his eyes shone like two suns, white light shooting from them. "FIRST YOU BANISHED MY LOVE TO THE MOON AND NOW YOU EXPECT ME TO STAND BY YOUR SIDE IN HER PLACE!" His voice was warped sounding demonic in tone. "Auroran please I was trying to be...." "SILENCE!" He screamed pushing her harder against the wall. "I'M GOING TO MAKE YOU SUFFER FOR WHAT YOU CALL YOUR ONLY COURSE OF ACTION!" The marble wall was beginning to crack from the pressure of his magic. But it wasn't giving way fast enough to save Celestia. "Release the princess!" A guard shouted as he charged Auroran. He made it half way when he was thrown back by Auroran's magic. "DO NOT INTERFERE!" His voice rang out as he sent the guard flying. He hurled the guard through a marble pillar at the other end of the room. His grip loosened on her for a second. That was all she needed as she summoned and threw a fireball toward his face. "ARGGHH!" He reeled back in pain but his grip didn't slacken. Instead he slammed her harder against the stone. "Forgive me." Was all she was able to wheeze out as her sight blackened. o~o~O~O~o~o Luna saw her goal as her coach landed at its stopping point for the night. The guards were tired. Luna had been pushing them so they would reach their destination before sun raise but that was too much of a burden on her guards they needed to rest. "You two wait here and rest I think I'll walk around StoneBridle while you two catch your breath." "Yes princess Luna." One of the guards panted the other collapsing to the hard ground. 'StoneBridle has changed." Luna thought to herself as she walked through the long deserted streets. StoneBridle had once been a thriving outpost before the war against Discord in which it had been turned into a military training ground. Its walls still held many of its scars from the attacks launched on it. But Luna remembered it as where Auroran got his cutie mark. She wandered onto the training grounds over hanging the mountain when the memory began to play in her head. It was a cold October morning and Auroran had dragged her out of her warm bed to show her his new trick. "This better be worth it." Luna said with a shiver. "Have some faith in me princess?" The little foal said messing up her hair. "I do but why do we have to be out here so early?" Luna sighed "So there's no pony in my way of course." He said as he pulled on his goggles. His wings began to beat feverishly as he flew off into the sky. He quickly gained altitude as he looped around so Luna could see him. "Just watch Luna and be amazed!" He yelled down as he was nearing the upper atmosphere. Frost began to form on his wings as he leveled out. "I hope this works." He said as he began to barrel roll. He spun slowly at first the picked up speed as he flew a little lower. Static began to build up on his wings as he continued to spin. Dust started to drift around him as he went into a steep dive. "Please don't let me black out this time." He whispered to himself as the world began to blur around him. The air began to push back at him as he approached super sonic, electricity arching from his feathers. "Well here goes nothing." He gulped as he spread his wings out to stop. He was well below the platform where Luna was watching when the dangerous part started for his trick to work. His speed dropped for a second and then the air sprang back launching him into hyper sonic speeds heading straight up. "Enjoy the light show Luna!" He shouted at her as he screamed by. His horn flashed as he came to a hard stop. At first there was just a gentle hum then the energy shot into the dust around him causing his entire body to glow like a star. Then the sky erupted into a massive aurora borealis all swirling around him. Luna's jaw was still on the ground when he landed his body still faithly glowing. "So what you think?" He said shaking off the glow from his feathers. "It's beautiful." Luna's eyes had grow to the size of dinner plates at the light show taking place above her. A smile came across his face. "Good so all that practice didn't go to waste." Crack! The sound of a twig snapping shocked Luna back into reality. "Who's there?" She called out her horn a glow ready to go if things turned violent. "Hold it! I don't mean any harm princess." A voice rang out in the dark. "Then come out and show yourself." The voice did as it was told and stepped into Luna's light. It was a light gray pony that the voice belong to. When he raised his head though Luna felt her heart skip. Behind his maroon mane where sapphire blue eyes. "Who are you?" "Miss Luna I'm Treblen Cleft Skies and I have a message for you from some pony and this." He said as he pulled something out of his saddle bag. If there was any doubt in Luna's heart about what she was doing it was quickly forgotten for what Treblen pulled out of his bag filled her with resolve as solid as stone. It was a lotus but it shown like a star. Its pollen coiled down its stem glowing like the aurora that cold October morning. Attached to the lotus was a piece of yellow parchment write in his scroll it read. "This is for you my midnight star for the day when you stole my heart away and I knew I would always love you. Come find me my princess I'll be waiting for you like I always have." "Love Auroran Skies" Eternal Love"Sister how could you!" Luna screamed. "Ah Celestia now do you see how your actions can come back to haunt you" A voice rang in her head. "Luna please listen to me, he was.." "What? Acting like he has feelings and isn't cold hearted!" "Please sister don't make me.." "What, try and banish her again?" The alicorn laughed. "You don't have control over the Elements of Harmony anymore." He said as he drew nearer to her. Celestia tried to cast a spell but she was too exhausted from the battle. "You always were the weaker one Celestia." He said as he kick a guard out of his way. "Only because you were the eldest did they give you the control over the sun." "Auroran please, it doesn't have to end like this." "Ah but it does." "Please no.." Celestia's breath was forced out of her as Auroran's magic rapped around her, lifting her into the air. "Celestia do you know what its like to be blind for a thousand years?" Having the whole world change around you and not being able to see it, only knowing darkness?" A twisted smile formed on his face. "No of course you wouldn't know how that would feel." Celestia was slammed against the stone floor, blood spilled out of her mouth."Oh but you will." A evil laugh echoed through out the throne room. "Auroran dear why don't you show my dear sister what it feels like to be blinded for so long." Luna suggested with a evil grin as she slid her hoof down his chest. "Ah my dear midnight star that's a wonderful idea." His black eyes falling upon Celestia. "Enjoy the darkness Celestia." He said as a evil light glinted across his eyes. "AURORAN PLEASE DON'T DO THIS!" She screamed as her eyes where ripped from there sockets. "AAAHHH!" Pain shot through her. Auroran cast her body to the ground as she writhed in pain. "Now, now sister here let me help you." Celestia felt something cold press against her neck. "By ending your life like you tried to do to my Auroran." Celestia felt a sharp pain as Luna sliced open her neck. "PLEASE NO!" Celestia eyes shot open. She was breathing heavy, her body was covered in a cold sweat. "What have I done?" She sobbed in fear as she griped her head, trying to tell herself it was just a dream. o~o~O~O~o~o "Miss Luna I don't know what he looked like." Treblen said as he sat across from the moon goddess. "I just found this laying on my violin case and a note telling me that you would be here an to give you that flower. "Are you sure there was nothing else?" Luna was siting on the edge of her seat, she was so close to seeing her love again. "I'm sorry but that was all that was there." Luna's heart sank. She had been hoping that there would have been more for her to go on. "You said you found it on your violin case correct?" "Yes that's where I found it." "Could you bring it to me?" "What the violin?" "Yes I need to see if is his please." Treblen was a little confused on how she was going to tell if it was this Auroran's instrument but he did as he was asked and he got up to fetch it. "Princess if I may ask how do you know if it really is this pony you think it is?" The sand colored pegasus asked. He had been silent for most of the conversation. "What is your name pegasus?" "Its Hayden miss Luna." He replied. "Well Hayden in truth I don't know. Its been a thousand years since I've seen his face, but in my heart I know its him, I hope at least." Hayden just sighed. "That's all we can do it seems now a days princess." Luna was going to ask Hayden something when the stone colored pony entered the room with the case in his mouth. "Here princess." Treblen said through clenched teeth placing the case on the table in front of her. Luna glanced over the exterior of the case. It seemed too simple in design to be his Luna thought. She reach down to open it but when her hoof touched the gold latch the case was enveloped in light. When the glow subsided Luna's heart felt as if it was about to beat out of her chest. The case before was just plain black leather was now had a complex design over it. At its center was a picture of her and Auroran on that Hearts and Hooves day. The case click open and laying on the black violin was a piece of yellow parchment. Luna picked up the paper and opened it. In his scroll it read: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Dear Luna if you found this you are on the right track, let the love in your heart guide you. Its been so long since I've seen my moon goddess and my heart has ached every moment we have been apart. Come and find me my midnight star I'll be waiting for you like I always have. Love Auroran Skies ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Tears began to roll out of her eyes. After a thousand years of waiting she was going to be reunited with her love. It was dusk when Luna set out again. Her guards had protested fiercely about her going on by herself but she knew this was something she had to do. "Princess what your asking goes against our sworn oath."One of the guards protested. "I know but I feel I must go in alone for this." "It could be a trap you highness." "Theres always that possibility but I'm still going." Luna made her way to the edge of the platform to take flight but her guards stood their ground. "Princess we can not allow you to..." There was flash of hazel behind the two guards, the sound of an impact and the guards crumpled to the ground. "Princess Luna I would recommend getting some better guards." Hayden said as he pulled one of the unconscious guards out of her way. "Was that really necessary?" Treblen asked as he dragged along the other one. "No, but it worked" He replied with a smile. "Well princess I think you should be going, it would rude to keep Auroran waiting if he's waited a thousand years for you." Luna was struck speechless, the pony's she had just met had knocked out her guards, but she understood why. "What you have done will have you both thrown in to the equestrian dungeon for the rest of your lives." "Yes it would princess, but something we call love is worth such a risk." Hayden said with a smile. "I thank you for your help."A smile came across her face as she spread her wings and pushed hard against the air. "May our paths cross again someday." She shouted down as she rose higher into the sky. "Yeah but next time over a better set of circumstance's." Treblen yelled back. They waved goodbye as they watched her soar off into the direction of the Everfree forest. "We should probably get out of here while they're still knocked out." Treblen suggested as he looked back at the two guards. "Yeah there going to be more then a little upset with me when they wake up." Hayden chuckled as they both took off into a gallop. o~o~O~O~o~o Celestia's eyes were open but all around her was darkness. She tried to move her head but found her body was frozen as stone. "Well, well, well, looks like your awake." A familiar voice rang through her head. "You make it far to easy." It chuckled. Celestia tried to speech but she had no voice within her throat. "Oh are you not use to being second chair Celestia? Ha ha haha! Ah but soon you will no longer be needed in Equestria, for your reign is nearly at its end. Oh but whats the fun if I can't hear you beg for your pathetic life." There was a loud pop and Celestia felt her voice return. "What do you plan on doing Auroran?" She wheezed out. "Ha ha ha, always to the point Celestia." The voice seemed to resonate all around her, not having a origin but having no end. "The answer is quite simple really, I plan on finishing what my love started all those years ago." "You wouldn't! The repercussions would be......" "AH HA HA HAHA!" "You monster you'll kill millions!" "Yes and its all thanks to you." Auroran said, stepping out of the darkness. Celestia's eyes failed her, what stood before her was no longer the Auroran form her memory's but a being born from the darkest pits of hell. "Whats wrong Celestia? AFRAID OF THE DARK!" Its charred skull was mere inch's from her face. Its eyes black as coal smouldered the flames of hate. "Or are you afraid of what you have created?" Its bloody jaws clicked as its razor sharp fangs twisted into a evil grin. "What happened to you Auroran?" "Have you already forgotten your little fire spell?" He said, as he drew back from her. "That day you tried to kill me you showed me how deluded my thinking was. To think I was blinded by a silly thing called love. A love that I thought would be eternal." Its black body moved closer to her. The smell of rotting corpses filled her nose. "But you showed me how foolish I was when you took my love away and burned it out of me." "Auroran I..." Celestia felt one of his leather wing slide down her neck. "Its a little late Celestia." He whispered as spikes grew from the end of his wings. "THE DAMAGE HAS ALREADY BEEN DONE!" o~o~O~O~o~o Luna was flying over the final rise in the Everfree forest when she heard it. "Claro de luna." the whisper escaped her lips. As she landed on the viewing deck the ground began to shake violently. Then before her eyes Evercity transformed back to that Hearts and Hooves day. All the faces from a thousand years ago were walking by her as if that day was just unfolding. Next to her stood the ghostly image of her love. "It seems like I'm always waiting for you." His voice seeming distant called out. "But I wouldn't have it any other way." When he turned Luna saw the image of herself standing there before him. "And neither would I." She said as the two phantom pony's kissed and drifted away in the wind. Luna couldn't find words to explain what she had just saw. Then out of the corner of her eye she saw them again. They were heading to where they had waltzed. Luna took off after them. "Their leading me to where he is." Luna huffed as she tried to catch up with the phantom lovers. But when she reached the top of the hill where they had danced her heart drained of the hope she had been holding on to for so long. There before her sat a tombstone that bared his name. "No" Luna's eyes filled with tears. "All this time he was...." Luna collapsed. She had come so far only to find that her love she had longed to see again was dead. "Why did you have to make me go through this for nothing?" Her sobs come heavily as she tried to breath. Her heart felt cold and empty the last spark of warmth fizzled out. "Have some faith in me princess." A voice whispered behind her. Luna bolted up right at the sound of the voice. There, standing behind her was Auroran the ailcorn that she loved so much. A smile drifted across his face."Time has been good to you Luna" He smiled, as he pulled the hood that covered his face. "But time has not been so easy on me Luna. The thousand years you have been gone have done there damage." Luna now facing him saw what he meant. Both of his eyes were milky white. "Auroran what..." She fell silent as she gazed into the eyes she had missed for so long. "But there is one thing that hasn't changed." He said as he put his hoof under her chin. "My love for you is still as strong as it was the day you first stole my heart Luna my love. He leaned down and kissed her, his eyes clearing showing the love that had been waiting for all this time for her. Luna felt her heart burning bright again with the love she had missed for so long, for the first time in a thousand years she didn't feel alone. "I love you Auroran Skies" She whispered as she laid her head against his chest. "I love you too my midnight star." His sapphire eyes closing as a little hum filled the air. With a flash of his horn they were bathed in the soft light of a million lunar roses and lotuses as the melody played through the darkness. Together again and that was all that mattered to them as they held each other close. The Things We Feel"So whats Cantersville like now a days?" Auroran asked as they made their way back to Stonebridle. "Well for one thing its now called Canterlot, but its pretty much the same as Evercity was." "So there's snooty pony's everywhere." "Yeah pretty much." "Ugh that really gets annoying, just cause you live in the city doesn't make you better then every pony else" Auroran said with a sigh. "Oh you'll live" Luna teased as she nudged him. "Yeah, but hey that makes pranking them so much more enjoyable." He said with a chuckle. "Still a child as ever." Luna said with a frown. Auroran sighed and flipped over her so he was flying upside down next to her. "Would you want me any other way?" He said as he stole a kiss. Luna blushed. "No I wouldn't." She said as she stole a kiss back. "Good now how about a race." He said playfully as he shot off into the clouds. "Hey get back here you cheater." Luna yelled as she tried to catch up to him. o~o~O~O~o~o Celestia's breathing was heavy, her muscles ached, but no matter how hard she ran she couldn't escape the darkness. "THERE'S NOWHERE TO RUN CELESTIA!" The creature bellowed. Its massive leather wings creating torrents of wind nearly blowing Celestia off her hooves. "Why won't this nightmare end." Celestia pleaded to herself. "BECAUSE YOU CAN'T RUN FROM THE DARK." It screamed as a thundering noise rocketed toward Celestia. Celestia was thrown into the air. As she landed she saw what had been the cause of the her flight. Embedded in the earth was a black spire larger then a mountain covered in razer sharp outcroppings. "Auroran please stop." She screamed as she took off sprinting again. "AH HA HA HAHA!" His voice resonating evil all around Celestia. "WHY AND LET YOU LIVE!" He yelled as he threw another spire at her. She tried to cast a spell to deflect the attack but it was moving far to quickly for her to hit it. "STOP DELAYING THE INEVITABLE CELESTIA! YOU WILL DIE BY MY HOOVES!" He screamed as he flapped his might wings hard against the air launching him self toward her. "AURORAN NO!" Was the last thing she was able to speech as he impacted her body. "Now Celestia you have nowhere left to run." He said triumphantly as he stood over her. He had her pinned by her wings, his own crossing over her neck. "I have waited a thousand years for this." He whispered in her ear as his wing edges turned to blades. "TIME TO DIE!" He roared as his wings descended down upon here throat. o~o~O~O~o~o "Are you sure your guards are still here?" Auroran asked as they touched down in Stonebridle. "Yes that pegasus knock them out so I could reach Evercity." Luna stated as her horn lite up so they could see. "Really? The night guards knocked out by a civilian?" Auroran snickered "What has my great nephew gotten himself into." "I was going to ask you that myself." Luna asked as she gazed into the darkness. "I swore they put them around here some where along this wall." "I think I found them Luna." Auroran said stifling back a laugh." My how the royal guards uniform has changed." "Mmhh." Luna wasn't sure what Auroran was talking about till she saw her guards. Their armor had been removed and had been replaced with frilly ball gowns. There manes had been dyed pinks and greens and had been teased up in buns with many sparkling bows. "What in the name of Celestia?" Luna was dumfounded at what was laying before her. "Pppppttttt ah ha ha haha, oh I'm sorry Luna but this is too funny." His hoof was pressed to his muzzle but Auroran couldn't stop laughing. "I hope they don't wake up." Luna said face hoofing. "Why? I would love to hear how they would explain this." Auroran said as he looked over one of the bows. "But we are in a hurry so." With that his horn flashed a blue light and the guards floated to there hooves. Their armor back in place and the colors removed from their manes, they stood proudly before them even though they were still passed out. "If you will my midnight princess." He said as he stepped back from the guards. Luna cleared her throat and as she spoke her voice increased in volume. "GUARDS." As if on cue both guards shot awake, fear in their eyes. "YOU HAVE GREATLY DISAPPOINTED US, FALLING ASLEEP WHILE YOUR DUTY IS TO PROTECT US." Lighting crack behind Luna's head for effect. "Princess we didn't we." "SILENCE! WE DO NOT HAVE TIME FOR YOUR PETTY EXCUSES." The guards knees shook violently as Luna's gaze seemed to burn through them. "Princess Luna." A voice interrupted her causing her to jump a little. Luna turned to find a one of her night guard flying out of the moonlight toward her. "Sorry princess for interrupting but princess Celestia sent me to locate you. She has been greatly worried about your return from your journey." "Then will make haste then." She glanced back at the two guards. "I will deal with you two later." She spoke in a low tone, both guards gulped as sweat slide down their necks. "Nice performance." The third guard said with a smile as his sapphire eyes reflected the moon light. "I learned from the best." Luna said with a wink as she stepped onto her coach and they took off for Canterlot. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Celestia couldn't stop from pacing as she waited for her sister to return. "What's taking her so long?" She nervously looked out over the castle wall. She was afraid that she would have some pony with her. Then she catch a glimmer of motion just as the sun began to rise. It was Luna's Carriage. She watched as it broke over the horizon growing ever closer to its landing point. Celestia was overjoyed when it was just Luna and her three guards. "Wait Luna left with only two night guards." The carriage was directly above her and making its decent when this thought entered her mind. With a light thud the carriage made its landing, the wheels creaking slightly as the full weight of the carriage rest upon them. "You my go." Celestia motioned to the guards, she needed to talk to Luna in private. "Well sister how did the matter in Grimhoof go?" Celestia ask as Luna stepped off her carriage. "It went well sister." Luna said as she walked toward Celestia. "No surprises then?" "Well there was one sister." Luna mumbled, as she shuffled her hooves "And what was that Luna?" Nervousness creeped into Celestia's voice. "Well." She paused. Luna was afraid how her sister would react to the 'surprise' that her journey was really about. "Are we talking about me?" A voice chimed in. "You know I really don't like to be left out." The guard said hopping off the carriage. Celestia was confused. "I thought I dismissed the night guard." she said as her body began to tense. "Oh sorry, I'm still wearing this disguise. Black smoke enveloped his body covering every thing from his hooves to his wing tips. It coiled and swirled growing ever more menacing as it moved closer to Celestia. Then it began to pulse making it seem that the smoke had a life of its own. There was the sound of a sharp breath and the smoke drew in on its self and it shot back into Auroran's body as he flicked his mane out of his eyes. "You always did put on a good show." Luna said with a smile as she nuzzled against his neck. "Your not to bad your self." He chuckled causing Luna to blush. "How did you learn to do that Auroran?" Luna asked trying to change the subject. "Oh you pick up a few tricks here and there on down the road." "Oh which means you won't tell." Luna said with a pout. "Oh I don't know but, yeah pretty much." "Your no fun Auroran, you never tell how you do any your tricks." "I will." He said as he kissed her. "One day." She put her head on his chest and sighed. "Your such a tease." She said as they walked into the castle. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "Luna?" Celestia finally said something after they had walk up several flights of stairs. "Why don't you go and get some rest, its morning and by the looks of it you must have flown all night." "But sister I just got back and I think murph." Luna stopped talking when Auroran put his hoof to her lips. "She does have a point my midnight star you should get some rest." He whispered as he pulled his hoof away. "I'll still be here when you wake up." "I guess your right." Luna said through a yawn, she was a little tired. Auroran watch as she went up the final set of stairs and listened until he heard her bedroom door click shut before he turned to face Celestia. "Its been a thousand years Celestia." He said staring at her unblinking his sapphire eyes seemed to burn into her body. "A thousand years since you blinded me." He stepped closer to her as he spoke. "Do you know what that's like, seeing darkness for so long?" Celestia collapsed to the ground, she couldn't take it any more." PLEASE DON'T KILL ME AURORAN." She screamed as she held her hooves above her head. Auroran only sighed. Celestia felt being picked up by his magic and was set on her hooves. "Why would I kill you Tia?" Celestia was struck dumfounded. "Your not filled with hate toward me for what I did to you and Luna?" "Celestia what happened to me was my own fault not yours." He said as a smile drifted across his face. "But what I did was..." She trailed off, it was painful to remember that day. "Have you been having nightmares Celestia?" He asked recasting the force field around them. This would remain a private chat. "Auroran how did you..." She stopped talking, how did he know about her nightmares. "Tia magic is a lot more then just a force. It in its self is living creature having a will all it own." He said as he step closer to her. "What are you going to do?" Celestia said slowly backing away from Auroran. "This." His horn flashed and Celestia collapsed into darkness. ~o~o~O~O~o~o~ Celestia awoke in her bed and bolted upright. "What happened to me?" She muttered rubbing her temples. Then she remember Auroran casting a spell that knocked her out. "Ah your up." A cheery voice called out. "How did you sleep?" Celestia turn to see Auroran walking toward her with a tray on his back and his charcoal mane braided back out of his eyes. "Auroran what are you?" She was cut off by a banana nut muffin being put in front of her muzzle. "Eat first then talk." He glared as he floated the tray onto her nightstand. "Auroran what did you do?" Celestia finally ask after taking a couple bites of her muffin. "The whole putting you to sleep thing?" He said biting into a blueberry muffin. "Yes that." "Oh I needed you to go into rem sleep so I could remove my magic energy from you. It was causing by the looks of it some very dark dreams." He said as the black smoke formed in his hoof. "How did you?" "Tia there are somethings that not even you know." He smiled as the smoke dissipated. "Like for three days I raised the sun while you slept." Auroran thought to himself. "So I won't have any more of those nightmares?" "From now on, no more nightmares." With that he made his way out of her room. "Thank you Auraron." She said as he reach her door. "Just doing my job Tia. I am two-hundred years older then you after all." He said as he shut the door. "You should have killed her you foal." A low voice rang in his head. Auroran smiled and glanced at the door to Celestia's room. The door knob glistened like gold. He reach a hoof toward it and took hold of the knob. "It would be so easy, just one spell and you'll have all of Equestria for the taking." The voice sounded again.
Missing a Lost Love"Sister will you please come out of your room its been three days now!" Celestia called to her sister Luna through her bedroom door. "You haven't even eaten a thing please sister I'm worried for your health." There was a long pause before Celestia heard her sister speak. "I'm sorry to make you worry sister but I really just want to be alone." "Will you promise to at least eat something Luna?" "Yes sister I will eat but will you please leave me now I need to try and think." Celestia knew she was getting nowhere. "As you wish sister." She said pulling away from the door. "I will send for a pony to bring you some food." she said as she made her way down stairs. Luna was laying on her bed with a pillow nestled under her chin staring at a old photograph. It was of her and Celestia before she was banished to the moon. But it was the pony on her right in the picture she was looking at. There arms wrapped around each others neck both were smiling, happy to be with each other. It was all she had to remember her first love by. "How I miss you." Luna said as she slide her hoof down the colts mane. She could still remember that day as if she was still there in the streets watching it unfold. It was Hearts and Hooves day Luna was walking into town looking for her-special some pony. They had played this game many times before but it never seem to grow old. He had left a note on her dresser written down in his beautiful hoof writing. "Come find me my midnight star." She knew where to look, there was a white stone deck that over looked Everfree city and the forest that lay around it. It was where they first met as foals. She was at the corner of the street heading to the path that lead to the deck when she saw him. His alabaster coat gave him away against the blue of the sky. He was leaning on the rail over looking the city his charcoal mane blowing in the breeze. "It seems like I'm always waiting for you." He playfully called at her. "And yet I wouldn't have it any other way." He said, as he turned around to face her. "And neither would I." She whispered, as she kissed him. "So are you ready for your date my midnight star?" "Yes what do you have planed?" "A day we will never forget." He replied, as they walked off the viewing deck, heading for the city. Knock! Knock! Luna was jolted out of her memory by some pony pounding on her door. "What is it!" She bark out, angrily some pony would disrupt her memory. "Lady Luna I have your dinner." One of her servants called through the door. "Thank you leave it by the door side I'll get it when I'm finished." "Yes lady Luna." The servant called. When she heard the servant leave she let herself drift back into the memory. "So what have you been up to lately." Luna asked, as they trotted down the stone road. "The same as always. Father whats me to leave Evercity to became the leader of the Equestrian Guard like he was." "And what did you say to him?" Luna was afraid of what his answer would be. His father had been trying for two years now to try and make him follow in the family hoof prints. "I told him my place belongs here in Evercity with you." He whispered, as he kissed her on her forehead. "You know he won't give up." She replied in a playful whisper. "Yeah but I don't care your more important to me then making him happy." He said with a smile. "Hey you two love birds!" Some pony shouted towards them. "Good morning Celestia. How are you?" "I'm just fine. So what are you and my sister plan on doing today?" Celestia asked with a mischievous smile. "Oh well we were thinking about throwing a nosy pony into the town fountain for starters and then we would go from there." He said mono tonal. "WHAT! You wouldn't dare!" Luna started laughing. "Lighten up sister we're only joking." "Its far too easy to push your buttons Celestia." The colt said with a chuckle. Celestia face turned beet red. "That's not funny you know." She pouted angrily "Relax miss wound too tight have a little humor in you. Is all that time in the royal court getting to you?" Luna watch her sister give up on trying to be mad. "No pony ever could stay mad at him for long. It was one of the many things she loved about him. He was always so caring, worried about every pony's well being then his own. He could always make you smile no matter what mood you were in." "Well I guess I'll leave you two love pony's alone. Have fun you two and Luna remember not to come home too late." Celestia said as she walked back to the royal castle. "I will sister don't worry." Luna shouted. "Now lets get on with that night that we'll never forget." She said pulling him along. Luna sat the picture back on her nightstand and stared at the ceiling above her bed for an age. Then from the silence her stomach growled breaking her concentration. "Fine I guess I will eat something." she said rolling out of her bed. She removed the heavy latch from her door and reach out the gap to pick up her food. "Hhmm hay fries and a dandelion sandwich with a blue berry muffin." Luna sat down on her bed and began to eat. She glanced over to the old photo as she bit into the muffin. "The only thing missing would be a rose and it would be just like that night." Luna drifted back into the memory. It was getting dark out and the two had slipped into their favorite little place. The Sliver Feather seemed empty when they entered only later did she find out that he had the whole place reserved just for the two of them. Their table was in the back by the wall next to the window so you could watch the sun set and the moon take the sky and fill it with stars. "So what will be doing next?" Luna asked. She was starting to get worn out but she wanted to know what he had left in his bag of tricks for her. "Oh but if I told you that would ruin the fun of it all now." He said with his sapphire eyes looking out the window at the raising moon. "Well aren't you the mysterious one. Luna teased. He had always been like this since they were little." "Do you remember the first spell I tried to cast?" He asked suddenly. His eyes now falling upon her. "You mean the one where you were blown back into the shelves because you built up too much magic." She giggled. "Yes, that one." He replied, his face turning bright red. "He's really cute when he blushes." Luna thought to herself. "Here's your meals you two." The waiter interjected. "So what have you two been up to?" The old pony asked. "Nothing really we've just had some fun this hearts and hooves day." Luna replied. "Oh really, tell old Feather what kind of fun you two have been have in." He said his mind going south. "Nothing like that you dirty minded old colt you." A voice rang out from the back. "Why don't you get back here and help your wife instead of bothering those two." "Yes honey." Mr. Feather answered his wife defeatingly. "She always wins doesn't she?" He commented bringing Luna's attention back to their table. He was holding something in his hoof. "Can you guess what it is?" He asked playfully. "Let me guess is it a engagement ring? Or is it one of your tricks?" His eyes twinkled from the moons light as she made her guess. "You always were a sharp one but no." There was a flash of light in his hoof and when the smoke drifted away a rose floated in front of her. It was midnight blue and when he moved it she saw bits of light twinkle off it. And in the center the rose petals were as white as the moon. "In honor of the princess of the night, the mare that holds my heart this is for you." He let the rose drift down into Luna's hooves. Luna was left speechless. "How....did you....do....this?" Was all she was able to squeak out. "Like it that much huh?" He asked as he bit into his blueberry muffin. "I don't know what to say. To do this level of magical manipulation to a object is unheard of." "Hhmm if you like that wait a little longer." He hummed to himself. "Shall we be going its getting rather late and I have one more thing to show you my princess." With this he stood up and placed the bits to pay for their meal down on the table. "Thank you Mr. and Mrs Feather for the wonderful food as always." He yelled back to the kitchen. "Your welcome lad. Oufh!" "Get back to work you." ""Yes dear". "Have a good rest of Hearts and Hooves night you two." Miss Feather called from out of the back. "We will don't you worry." ~o~o~O~O~o~o~ As they left the Sliver Feather Luna notice how late it really had become. "I guess we should be heading in?" She said with sadness in her voice, she didn't want this night to end. "Not yet." He said mischievously. "I have one more thing for my midnight star to see." "Really? But what else could we do most all the shops are closed." "Aw Luna have some faith in me will yeah." He said messing up her hair. "This way my dear princess." He said with a bow. "This walk to what he's planing is taking forever." Luna thought. But she didn't mind as long as he was next to her she would go were ever he went. But at least he could do was hurry up. "Well we're here." He said as they reach the top of a grassy hill over looking the city, as his horn began to glow. Luna wasn't sure what he was going to do but she could guess it was going to be something big. Sparks began to arch from his horn and go into the ground spreading out in all different directions. He raised up on his back hooves and released the ball of magic creating a shock wave of energy. "What did you do?" Luna asked dumfounded by his display. "Watch" He replied, as he clapped his hooves together. At first nothing happened but slowly the flowers around them began to light up in a million different colors. All sparkling from their own light or that of the moons. Luna was in awe. "How could any pony do this." She thought to herself. He simply smiled at her. "May I have this dance my princess?" "What do you mean....?" Then she heard music begin to play. "Claro de luna by Beethooven the song you use to play to me to help me sleep." "That's right. You always loved my playing even though I messed up you still wanted me to play for you." He grabbed her front hooves and they began to waltz. "Hmm you always were a good dancer. Even though you tried to avoid the royal dances. They always tired to make you dance with some annoying mare but you still went when I asked." Luna sighed. "Yeah but I always knew how the night would end. A slow waltz with the mare that I love was all the reason I needed to go. I always hated when the song ended because then I would have to let you go. But not tonight I have you all to myself". "I love you Auroran Skies" Luna said as tears filled her eyes. "I love you too my midnight princess." They held each other close as the music played through the darkness it was just the two of them surrounded by a sea of soft colors. Then the shutter opened waking Luna from her memory of her love. She found herself crying. Tears spotted the glass over the photo. She whipped her eyes as she got up to close them. She looked up at the night sky as she latched them shut. "I love you too Auroran Skies." She whispered to herself. When she turned around what was sitting on her nightstand nearly made her heart stop. There next to a piece of yellow parchment was a midnight blue rose. She ran over to it and picked it up. "It's real." She said in disbelief as she moved it back and forth making it shimmer in the candle light, its center as white as the moon. She looked down at the note and picked it up in her other hoof. What it said made Luna's heart skip a beat. In his scroll it read. "Its been too long my midnight star. Come and find me I'll be waiting for you like I always have." "Love Auroran Skies."
Finding What You Lost"Sister I'm happy that you've come out of your room but to leave right away." Celestia was deeply confused by Luna's behavior. Before she wouldn't see any pony now she was packing her bags. "I sorry to leave sister on such short notice but a issue has arisen that I must see to." "Which is what dear sister?" Celestia growing suspicious when she saw Luna put the photo in her bag "The town of Grimhoof of requested my assistance of the matter of over seeing the finishing of the town wall." Luna replied as she threw her saddle bag on her back. "Very well sister but be careful Grimhoof is located deep within the Everfree valley" Celestia was trying everything to keep her sister from doing something foolish. "Do you still remember the way sister?" "Yes. South from Canterlot, west over Pegasus mountain that stands above Ponyville." Luna said as she made her way down the towers staircase. "And anyway sister the night guard will be escorting me." "I'm only making sure sister that your journey goes well." Celestia knew Luna was getting annoyed by her questions but she didn't believe her sister was telling her the truth, but there was nothing she could do. Luna had made up her mind and she wouldn't change it unless she had to. o~o~O~O~o~o They walked in silence the rest of the way Celestia not sure what more she could say. The bottom of the stairs were approaching fast if she was going to say something now would be the time. "Luna? Celestia finally spoke up when Luna was about to open the massive wooden door. "Yes sister?" Celestia knew what Luna's journey was about. It was now or never should she tell her the events that transpired after she was banished. But when she went to speak a sharp pain shot through her. "Never mind its not important." Celestia said with a forced smile. Luna pushed open the door and made her way to the royal courtyard where her coach was waiting, her night guard were hooked to the yoke ready to take off. As Luna boarded she looked back at her sister. "I will be back shortly sister." Luna said as she signaled her guard to go. "May your visit to Grimhoof go well sister." Celestia called as Luna's coach began to raise into the sky. "I will send notice when I arrive sister." Luna replied, her guards pushed hard against the air with their wings and they were off. "Good luck sister." Celestia said to herself as Luna's coach faded into the night. "I just hope when your journey is over you won't be disgusted by what I have done." Her head lulled as her mind replayed a moment from her past. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "What do you mean you banished her!" Auroran screamed in disbelief at Celestia. "I had no other choice Auroran she was going to destroy Evercity and all its residents!" Celestia retorted. "But the moon no less! And if you haven't notice Everfree city is now overrun by creatures only found in the darkest of dreams. And plants that strike at passersby and wolves made of tree bark and bone!" "I HAD NO CHOICE!" Celestia didn't want to hear this. She had just banished her only sister to the moon with the Elements of Harmony and now she was being criticized for her actions. "What would have you done Auroran!" Celestia yelled. Tears streaming down her face. "What would've you done!? Your only sidling transformed into a wicked beast by Discords whispers!? Let her cast the world into eternal night!?" "Of course I wouldn't but I wouldn't have done something so rash!" He said slamming his hoof against the marble floor cracking it. Celestia saw tears fall from his eyes even though they where hidden by his mane. He was going through the same emotions she was. Celestia put a foreleg around his neck. "Auroran listen I'm not proud of what I had to do but what else could I do?" He didn't answer, his midnight star was gone forever. His heart felt like it was smashed into a million pieces. "I couldn't let her hurt all those pony's and you know that Auroran." Celestia said, as she slowly pulled her foreleg away from his neck. What she was about to ask of him might be to much for him to bear. "If you need time to think this over I'll understand but now that Luna's gone will you take over for her and raise the moon an control the night?" Auroran didn't answer to what Celestia requested of him. He couldn't. He turned and began to leave the Cantersville hall passing many of the royal guard before he stopped at the doorway his sadness giving way to rage. "Celestia." "Yes Auroran?" His tone was very low Celestia had hardly heard it. But she could have never seen what happened next. She was picked up and slammed against the stone wall by a wave a magical force. "HOW DARE YOU!" Auroran roared, his eyes shone like two suns, white light shooting from them. "FIRST YOU BANISHED MY LOVE TO THE MOON AND NOW YOU EXPECT ME TO STAND BY YOUR SIDE IN HER PLACE!" His voice was warped sounding demonic in tone. "Auroran please I was trying to be...." "SILENCE!" He screamed pushing her harder against the wall. "I'M GOING TO MAKE YOU SUFFER FOR WHAT YOU CALL YOUR ONLY COURSE OF ACTION!" The marble wall was beginning to crack from the pressure of his magic. But it wasn't giving way fast enough to save Celestia. "Release the princess!" A guard shouted as he charged Auroran. He made it half way when he was thrown back by Auroran's magic. "DO NOT INTERFERE!" His voice rang out as he sent the guard flying. He hurled the guard through a marble pillar at the other end of the room. His grip loosened on her for a second. That was all she needed as she summoned and threw a fireball toward his face. "ARGGHH!" He reeled back in pain but his grip didn't slacken. Instead he slammed her harder against the stone. "Forgive me." Was all she was able to wheeze out as her sight blackened. o~o~O~O~o~o Luna saw her goal as her coach landed at its stopping point for the night. The guards were tired. Luna had been pushing them so they would reach their destination before sun raise but that was too much of a burden on her guards they needed to rest. "You two wait here and rest I think I'll walk around StoneBridle while you two catch your breath." "Yes princess Luna." One of the guards panted the other collapsing to the hard ground. 'StoneBridle has changed." Luna thought to herself as she walked through the long deserted streets. StoneBridle had once been a thriving outpost before the war against Discord in which it had been turned into a military training ground. Its walls still held many of its scars from the attacks launched on it. But Luna remembered it as where Auroran got his cutie mark. She wandered onto the training grounds over hanging the mountain when the memory began to play in her head. It was a cold October morning and Auroran had dragged her out of her warm bed to show her his new trick. "This better be worth it." Luna said with a shiver. "Have some faith in me princess?" The little foal said messing up her hair. "I do but why do we have to be out here so early?" Luna sighed "So there's no pony in my way of course." He said as he pulled on his goggles. His wings began to beat feverishly as he flew off into the sky. He quickly gained altitude as he looped around so Luna could see him. "Just watch Luna and be amazed!" He yelled down as he was nearing the upper atmosphere. Frost began to form on his wings as he leveled out. "I hope this works." He said as he began to barrel roll. He spun slowly at first the picked up speed as he flew a little lower. Static began to build up on his wings as he continued to spin. Dust started to drift around him as he went into a steep dive. "Please don't let me black out this time." He whispered to himself as the world began to blur around him. The air began to push back at him as he approached super sonic, electricity arching from his feathers. "Well here goes nothing." He gulped as he spread his wings out to stop. He was well below the platform where Luna was watching when the dangerous part started for his trick to work. His speed dropped for a second and then the air sprang back launching him into hyper sonic speeds heading straight up. "Enjoy the light show Luna!" He shouted at her as he screamed by. His horn flashed as he came to a hard stop. At first there was just a gentle hum then the energy shot into the dust around him causing his entire body to glow like a star. Then the sky erupted into a massive aurora borealis all swirling around him. Luna's jaw was still on the ground when he landed his body still faithly glowing. "So what you think?" He said shaking off the glow from his feathers. "It's beautiful." Luna's eyes had grow to the size of dinner plates at the light show taking place above her. A smile came across his face. "Good so all that practice didn't go to waste." Crack! The sound of a twig snapping shocked Luna back into reality. "Who's there?" She called out her horn a glow ready to go if things turned violent. "Hold it! I don't mean any harm princess." A voice rang out in the dark. "Then come out and show yourself." The voice did as it was told and stepped into Luna's light. It was a light gray pony that the voice belong to. When he raised his head though Luna felt her heart skip. Behind his maroon mane where sapphire blue eyes. "Who are you?" "Miss Luna I'm Treblen Cleft Skies and I have a message for you from some pony and this." He said as he pulled something out of his saddle bag. If there was any doubt in Luna's heart about what she was doing it was quickly forgotten for what Treblen pulled out of his bag filled her with resolve as solid as stone. It was a lotus but it shown like a star. Its pollen coiled down its stem glowing like the aurora that cold October morning. Attached to the lotus was a piece of yellow parchment write in his scroll it read. "This is for you my midnight star for the day when you stole my heart away and I knew I would always love you. Come find me my princess I'll be waiting for you like I always have." "Love Auroran Skies"
Eternal Love"Sister how could you!" Luna screamed. "Ah Celestia now do you see how your actions can come back to haunt you" A voice rang in her head. "Luna please listen to me, he was.." "What? Acting like he has feelings and isn't cold hearted!" "Please sister don't make me.." "What, try and banish her again?" The alicorn laughed. "You don't have control over the Elements of Harmony anymore." He said as he drew nearer to her. Celestia tried to cast a spell but she was too exhausted from the battle. "You always were the weaker one Celestia." He said as he kick a guard out of his way. "Only because you were the eldest did they give you the control over the sun." "Auroran please, it doesn't have to end like this." "Ah but it does." "Please no.." Celestia's breath was forced out of her as Auroran's magic rapped around her, lifting her into the air. "Celestia do you know what its like to be blind for a thousand years?" Having the whole world change around you and not being able to see it, only knowing darkness?" A twisted smile formed on his face. "No of course you wouldn't know how that would feel." Celestia was slammed against the stone floor, blood spilled out of her mouth."Oh but you will." A evil laugh echoed through out the throne room. "Auroran dear why don't you show my dear sister what it feels like to be blinded for so long." Luna suggested with a evil grin as she slid her hoof down his chest. "Ah my dear midnight star that's a wonderful idea." His black eyes falling upon Celestia. "Enjoy the darkness Celestia." He said as a evil light glinted across his eyes. "AURORAN PLEASE DON'T DO THIS!" She screamed as her eyes where ripped from there sockets. "AAAHHH!" Pain shot through her. Auroran cast her body to the ground as she writhed in pain. "Now, now sister here let me help you." Celestia felt something cold press against her neck. "By ending your life like you tried to do to my Auroran." Celestia felt a sharp pain as Luna sliced open her neck. "PLEASE NO!" Celestia eyes shot open. She was breathing heavy, her body was covered in a cold sweat. "What have I done?" She sobbed in fear as she griped her head, trying to tell herself it was just a dream. o~o~O~O~o~o "Miss Luna I don't know what he looked like." Treblen said as he sat across from the moon goddess. "I just found this laying on my violin case and a note telling me that you would be here an to give you that flower. "Are you sure there was nothing else?" Luna was siting on the edge of her seat, she was so close to seeing her love again. "I'm sorry but that was all that was there." Luna's heart sank. She had been hoping that there would have been more for her to go on. "You said you found it on your violin case correct?" "Yes that's where I found it." "Could you bring it to me?" "What the violin?" "Yes I need to see if is his please." Treblen was a little confused on how she was going to tell if it was this Auroran's instrument but he did as he was asked and he got up to fetch it. "Princess if I may ask how do you know if it really is this pony you think it is?" The sand colored pegasus asked. He had been silent for most of the conversation. "What is your name pegasus?" "Its Hayden miss Luna." He replied. "Well Hayden in truth I don't know. Its been a thousand years since I've seen his face, but in my heart I know its him, I hope at least." Hayden just sighed. "That's all we can do it seems now a days princess." Luna was going to ask Hayden something when the stone colored pony entered the room with the case in his mouth. "Here princess." Treblen said through clenched teeth placing the case on the table in front of her. Luna glanced over the exterior of the case. It seemed too simple in design to be his Luna thought. She reach down to open it but when her hoof touched the gold latch the case was enveloped in light. When the glow subsided Luna's heart felt as if it was about to beat out of her chest. The case before was just plain black leather was now had a complex design over it. At its center was a picture of her and Auroran on that Hearts and Hooves day. The case click open and laying on the black violin was a piece of yellow parchment. Luna picked up the paper and opened it. In his scroll it read: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Dear Luna if you found this you are on the right track, let the love in your heart guide you. Its been so long since I've seen my moon goddess and my heart has ached every moment we have been apart. Come and find me my midnight star I'll be waiting for you like I always have. Love Auroran Skies ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Tears began to roll out of her eyes. After a thousand years of waiting she was going to be reunited with her love. It was dusk when Luna set out again. Her guards had protested fiercely about her going on by herself but she knew this was something she had to do. "Princess what your asking goes against our sworn oath."One of the guards protested. "I know but I feel I must go in alone for this." "It could be a trap you highness." "Theres always that possibility but I'm still going." Luna made her way to the edge of the platform to take flight but her guards stood their ground. "Princess we can not allow you to..." There was flash of hazel behind the two guards, the sound of an impact and the guards crumpled to the ground. "Princess Luna I would recommend getting some better guards." Hayden said as he pulled one of the unconscious guards out of her way. "Was that really necessary?" Treblen asked as he dragged along the other one. "No, but it worked" He replied with a smile. "Well princess I think you should be going, it would rude to keep Auroran waiting if he's waited a thousand years for you." Luna was struck speechless, the pony's she had just met had knocked out her guards, but she understood why. "What you have done will have you both thrown in to the equestrian dungeon for the rest of your lives." "Yes it would princess, but something we call love is worth such a risk." Hayden said with a smile. "I thank you for your help."A smile came across her face as she spread her wings and pushed hard against the air. "May our paths cross again someday." She shouted down as she rose higher into the sky. "Yeah but next time over a better set of circumstance's." Treblen yelled back. They waved goodbye as they watched her soar off into the direction of the Everfree forest. "We should probably get out of here while they're still knocked out." Treblen suggested as he looked back at the two guards. "Yeah there going to be more then a little upset with me when they wake up." Hayden chuckled as they both took off into a gallop. o~o~O~O~o~o Celestia's eyes were open but all around her was darkness. She tried to move her head but found her body was frozen as stone. "Well, well, well, looks like your awake." A familiar voice rang through her head. "You make it far to easy." It chuckled. Celestia tried to speech but she had no voice within her throat. "Oh are you not use to being second chair Celestia? Ha ha haha! Ah but soon you will no longer be needed in Equestria, for your reign is nearly at its end. Oh but whats the fun if I can't hear you beg for your pathetic life." There was a loud pop and Celestia felt her voice return. "What do you plan on doing Auroran?" She wheezed out. "Ha ha ha, always to the point Celestia." The voice seemed to resonate all around her, not having a origin but having no end. "The answer is quite simple really, I plan on finishing what my love started all those years ago." "You wouldn't! The repercussions would be......" "AH HA HA HAHA!" "You monster you'll kill millions!" "Yes and its all thanks to you." Auroran said, stepping out of the darkness. Celestia's eyes failed her, what stood before her was no longer the Auroran form her memory's but a being born from the darkest pits of hell. "Whats wrong Celestia? AFRAID OF THE DARK!" Its charred skull was mere inch's from her face. Its eyes black as coal smouldered the flames of hate. "Or are you afraid of what you have created?" Its bloody jaws clicked as its razor sharp fangs twisted into a evil grin. "What happened to you Auroran?" "Have you already forgotten your little fire spell?" He said, as he drew back from her. "That day you tried to kill me you showed me how deluded my thinking was. To think I was blinded by a silly thing called love. A love that I thought would be eternal." Its black body moved closer to her. The smell of rotting corpses filled her nose. "But you showed me how foolish I was when you took my love away and burned it out of me." "Auroran I..." Celestia felt one of his leather wing slide down her neck. "Its a little late Celestia." He whispered as spikes grew from the end of his wings. "THE DAMAGE HAS ALREADY BEEN DONE!" o~o~O~O~o~o Luna was flying over the final rise in the Everfree forest when she heard it. "Claro de luna." the whisper escaped her lips. As she landed on the viewing deck the ground began to shake violently. Then before her eyes Evercity transformed back to that Hearts and Hooves day. All the faces from a thousand years ago were walking by her as if that day was just unfolding. Next to her stood the ghostly image of her love. "It seems like I'm always waiting for you." His voice seeming distant called out. "But I wouldn't have it any other way." When he turned Luna saw the image of herself standing there before him. "And neither would I." She said as the two phantom pony's kissed and drifted away in the wind. Luna couldn't find words to explain what she had just saw. Then out of the corner of her eye she saw them again. They were heading to where they had waltzed. Luna took off after them. "Their leading me to where he is." Luna huffed as she tried to catch up with the phantom lovers. But when she reached the top of the hill where they had danced her heart drained of the hope she had been holding on to for so long. There before her sat a tombstone that bared his name. "No" Luna's eyes filled with tears. "All this time he was...." Luna collapsed. She had come so far only to find that her love she had longed to see again was dead. "Why did you have to make me go through this for nothing?" Her sobs come heavily as she tried to breath. Her heart felt cold and empty the last spark of warmth fizzled out. "Have some faith in me princess." A voice whispered behind her. Luna bolted up right at the sound of the voice. There, standing behind her was Auroran the ailcorn that she loved so much. A smile drifted across his face."Time has been good to you Luna" He smiled, as he pulled the hood that covered his face. "But time has not been so easy on me Luna. The thousand years you have been gone have done there damage." Luna now facing him saw what he meant. Both of his eyes were milky white. "Auroran what..." She fell silent as she gazed into the eyes she had missed for so long. "But there is one thing that hasn't changed." He said as he put his hoof under her chin. "My love for you is still as strong as it was the day you first stole my heart Luna my love. He leaned down and kissed her, his eyes clearing showing the love that had been waiting for all this time for her. Luna felt her heart burning bright again with the love she had missed for so long, for the first time in a thousand years she didn't feel alone. "I love you Auroran Skies" She whispered as she laid her head against his chest. "I love you too my midnight star." His sapphire eyes closing as a little hum filled the air. With a flash of his horn they were bathed in the soft light of a million lunar roses and lotuses as the melody played through the darkness. Together again and that was all that mattered to them as they held each other close.
The Things We Feel"So whats Cantersville like now a days?" Auroran asked as they made their way back to Stonebridle. "Well for one thing its now called Canterlot, but its pretty much the same as Evercity was." "So there's snooty pony's everywhere." "Yeah pretty much." "Ugh that really gets annoying, just cause you live in the city doesn't make you better then every pony else" Auroran said with a sigh. "Oh you'll live" Luna teased as she nudged him. "Yeah, but hey that makes pranking them so much more enjoyable." He said with a chuckle. "Still a child as ever." Luna said with a frown. Auroran sighed and flipped over her so he was flying upside down next to her. "Would you want me any other way?" He said as he stole a kiss. Luna blushed. "No I wouldn't." She said as she stole a kiss back. "Good now how about a race." He said playfully as he shot off into the clouds. "Hey get back here you cheater." Luna yelled as she tried to catch up to him. o~o~O~O~o~o Celestia's breathing was heavy, her muscles ached, but no matter how hard she ran she couldn't escape the darkness. "THERE'S NOWHERE TO RUN CELESTIA!" The creature bellowed. Its massive leather wings creating torrents of wind nearly blowing Celestia off her hooves. "Why won't this nightmare end." Celestia pleaded to herself. "BECAUSE YOU CAN'T RUN FROM THE DARK." It screamed as a thundering noise rocketed toward Celestia. Celestia was thrown into the air. As she landed she saw what had been the cause of the her flight. Embedded in the earth was a black spire larger then a mountain covered in razer sharp outcroppings. "Auroran please stop." She screamed as she took off sprinting again. "AH HA HA HAHA!" His voice resonating evil all around Celestia. "WHY AND LET YOU LIVE!" He yelled as he threw another spire at her. She tried to cast a spell to deflect the attack but it was moving far to quickly for her to hit it. "STOP DELAYING THE INEVITABLE CELESTIA! YOU WILL DIE BY MY HOOVES!" He screamed as he flapped his might wings hard against the air launching him self toward her. "AURORAN NO!" Was the last thing she was able to speech as he impacted her body. "Now Celestia you have nowhere left to run." He said triumphantly as he stood over her. He had her pinned by her wings, his own crossing over her neck. "I have waited a thousand years for this." He whispered in her ear as his wing edges turned to blades. "TIME TO DIE!" He roared as his wings descended down upon here throat. o~o~O~O~o~o "Are you sure your guards are still here?" Auroran asked as they touched down in Stonebridle. "Yes that pegasus knock them out so I could reach Evercity." Luna stated as her horn lite up so they could see. "Really? The night guards knocked out by a civilian?" Auroran snickered "What has my great nephew gotten himself into." "I was going to ask you that myself." Luna asked as she gazed into the darkness. "I swore they put them around here some where along this wall." "I think I found them Luna." Auroran said stifling back a laugh." My how the royal guards uniform has changed." "Mmhh." Luna wasn't sure what Auroran was talking about till she saw her guards. Their armor had been removed and had been replaced with frilly ball gowns. There manes had been dyed pinks and greens and had been teased up in buns with many sparkling bows. "What in the name of Celestia?" Luna was dumfounded at what was laying before her. "Pppppttttt ah ha ha haha, oh I'm sorry Luna but this is too funny." His hoof was pressed to his muzzle but Auroran couldn't stop laughing. "I hope they don't wake up." Luna said face hoofing. "Why? I would love to hear how they would explain this." Auroran said as he looked over one of the bows. "But we are in a hurry so." With that his horn flashed a blue light and the guards floated to there hooves. Their armor back in place and the colors removed from their manes, they stood proudly before them even though they were still passed out. "If you will my midnight princess." He said as he stepped back from the guards. Luna cleared her throat and as she spoke her voice increased in volume. "GUARDS." As if on cue both guards shot awake, fear in their eyes. "YOU HAVE GREATLY DISAPPOINTED US, FALLING ASLEEP WHILE YOUR DUTY IS TO PROTECT US." Lighting crack behind Luna's head for effect. "Princess we didn't we." "SILENCE! WE DO NOT HAVE TIME FOR YOUR PETTY EXCUSES." The guards knees shook violently as Luna's gaze seemed to burn through them. "Princess Luna." A voice interrupted her causing her to jump a little. Luna turned to find a one of her night guard flying out of the moonlight toward her. "Sorry princess for interrupting but princess Celestia sent me to locate you. She has been greatly worried about your return from your journey." "Then will make haste then." She glanced back at the two guards. "I will deal with you two later." She spoke in a low tone, both guards gulped as sweat slide down their necks. "Nice performance." The third guard said with a smile as his sapphire eyes reflected the moon light. "I learned from the best." Luna said with a wink as she stepped onto her coach and they took off for Canterlot. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Celestia couldn't stop from pacing as she waited for her sister to return. "What's taking her so long?" She nervously looked out over the castle wall. She was afraid that she would have some pony with her. Then she catch a glimmer of motion just as the sun began to rise. It was Luna's Carriage. She watched as it broke over the horizon growing ever closer to its landing point. Celestia was overjoyed when it was just Luna and her three guards. "Wait Luna left with only two night guards." The carriage was directly above her and making its decent when this thought entered her mind. With a light thud the carriage made its landing, the wheels creaking slightly as the full weight of the carriage rest upon them. "You my go." Celestia motioned to the guards, she needed to talk to Luna in private. "Well sister how did the matter in Grimhoof go?" Celestia ask as Luna stepped off her carriage. "It went well sister." Luna said as she walked toward Celestia. "No surprises then?" "Well there was one sister." Luna mumbled, as she shuffled her hooves "And what was that Luna?" Nervousness creeped into Celestia's voice. "Well." She paused. Luna was afraid how her sister would react to the 'surprise' that her journey was really about. "Are we talking about me?" A voice chimed in. "You know I really don't like to be left out." The guard said hopping off the carriage. Celestia was confused. "I thought I dismissed the night guard." she said as her body began to tense. "Oh sorry, I'm still wearing this disguise. Black smoke enveloped his body covering every thing from his hooves to his wing tips. It coiled and swirled growing ever more menacing as it moved closer to Celestia. Then it began to pulse making it seem that the smoke had a life of its own. There was the sound of a sharp breath and the smoke drew in on its self and it shot back into Auroran's body as he flicked his mane out of his eyes. "You always did put on a good show." Luna said with a smile as she nuzzled against his neck. "Your not to bad your self." He chuckled causing Luna to blush. "How did you learn to do that Auroran?" Luna asked trying to change the subject. "Oh you pick up a few tricks here and there on down the road." "Oh which means you won't tell." Luna said with a pout. "Oh I don't know but, yeah pretty much." "Your no fun Auroran, you never tell how you do any your tricks." "I will." He said as he kissed her. "One day." She put her head on his chest and sighed. "Your such a tease." She said as they walked into the castle. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "Luna?" Celestia finally said something after they had walk up several flights of stairs. "Why don't you go and get some rest, its morning and by the looks of it you must have flown all night." "But sister I just got back and I think murph." Luna stopped talking when Auroran put his hoof to her lips. "She does have a point my midnight star you should get some rest." He whispered as he pulled his hoof away. "I'll still be here when you wake up." "I guess your right." Luna said through a yawn, she was a little tired. Auroran watch as she went up the final set of stairs and listened until he heard her bedroom door click shut before he turned to face Celestia. "Its been a thousand years Celestia." He said staring at her unblinking his sapphire eyes seemed to burn into her body. "A thousand years since you blinded me." He stepped closer to her as he spoke. "Do you know what that's like, seeing darkness for so long?" Celestia collapsed to the ground, she couldn't take it any more." PLEASE DON'T KILL ME AURORAN." She screamed as she held her hooves above her head. Auroran only sighed. Celestia felt being picked up by his magic and was set on her hooves. "Why would I kill you Tia?" Celestia was struck dumfounded. "Your not filled with hate toward me for what I did to you and Luna?" "Celestia what happened to me was my own fault not yours." He said as a smile drifted across his face. "But what I did was..." She trailed off, it was painful to remember that day. "Have you been having nightmares Celestia?" He asked recasting the force field around them. This would remain a private chat. "Auroran how did you..." She stopped talking, how did he know about her nightmares. "Tia magic is a lot more then just a force. It in its self is living creature having a will all it own." He said as he step closer to her. "What are you going to do?" Celestia said slowly backing away from Auroran. "This." His horn flashed and Celestia collapsed into darkness. ~o~o~O~O~o~o~ Celestia awoke in her bed and bolted upright. "What happened to me?" She muttered rubbing her temples. Then she remember Auroran casting a spell that knocked her out. "Ah your up." A cheery voice called out. "How did you sleep?" Celestia turn to see Auroran walking toward her with a tray on his back and his charcoal mane braided back out of his eyes. "Auroran what are you?" She was cut off by a banana nut muffin being put in front of her muzzle. "Eat first then talk." He glared as he floated the tray onto her nightstand. "Auroran what did you do?" Celestia finally ask after taking a couple bites of her muffin. "The whole putting you to sleep thing?" He said biting into a blueberry muffin. "Yes that." "Oh I needed you to go into rem sleep so I could remove my magic energy from you. It was causing by the looks of it some very dark dreams." He said as the black smoke formed in his hoof. "How did you?" "Tia there are somethings that not even you know." He smiled as the smoke dissipated. "Like for three days I raised the sun while you slept." Auroran thought to himself. "So I won't have any more of those nightmares?" "From now on, no more nightmares." With that he made his way out of her room. "Thank you Auraron." She said as he reach her door. "Just doing my job Tia. I am two-hundred years older then you after all." He said as he shut the door. "You should have killed her you foal." A low voice rang in his head. Auroran smiled and glanced at the door to Celestia's room. The door knob glistened like gold. He reach a hoof toward it and took hold of the knob. "It would be so easy, just one spell and you'll have all of Equestria for the taking." The voice sounded again.
