Star Wars: Power of the Dark Side

Star Wars: Power of the Dark Side
Chapter IV: Truth and Reconciliation

She could feel it. The deep festerings of the universe, the pulses of every star, the yearning cries of self doubt and attention to the heavens, the unheard shouts of a baning wolf to their most holy relic, the moon, above all Luna heard her pleas. She was filled with guilt, pity, and remorse that she did nothing as the dark shadows over took her. Luna heard her apologies and replied promptly with a reassuring voice, the voice a mother makes to soothe a child. She calmed and once more the moon settled and her pale rays shone brighter than they did in the early Equestrian times. The moon was senseless at times, a wild creature that if left unchecked would roam the sky freely, showing nothing but sorrow and remorse. Luna could only imagine what her sister had to go through, she certainly would not have the patience for something that large and that hot.

The soothing heart beat thumped in Luna's ears, using her magic a pulse rippled across the night sky and she spoke to the night, "Night. Hear me and listen to your princess. For the day has quieted and you once more grace the skies. Your princess beckons you forth and lets those worthy unrelentingly soothe the scorched earth with your shadows."

Any normal mortal would have died calling upon so many spirits at once, but she was no mere mortal. She was the goddess of the moon and princess of the night, she was Luna. They knew this and they knew their place, those few who were chosen worthy blew forth with the thunderous might of the northern winds, blanketing Equestria with their healing shadows. Those that feared the dark do not know its true nature, that which can take life can also breathe life back.

That was the truth, a truth she learned and made her sister reconcile with. Now if only her subjects could feel the same way.

With the lunar court in session she opened her eyes and there they were. She saw the sleeping spirits of her subjects, upon the silver lined floor they slept and dreamed dreams that many can never see. Inspiration that can never be told. Stories most legendary that mere words cannot describe. Pure bliss. Luna took in a breath, for she was truly at one now.

They all glew an eerie blue, ethereal as she read the waves and ebbs of the dreams, with one mighty spell she guided them all to their right course, some delving deeper into their subconsciouses and becoming nightmares. Others remaining their still course, and keeping their peaceful thoughts. Resting easy. She looked at patterns and saw that while the number had gone down, there was still a fraction of her subjects that dreamed nightmares of her.

Luna came to grips with the fact that nopony will truly get over what harm she had caused, it was a moment of weakness and she allowed herself to grow too greedy and envious of her sister, something she promised she would never do again.

But this did not stop it from hurting, it was her that guided their dreams. Their midnight watcher, their silent guide through the marshy waters of the subconscious, and this is how she is repaid? With hatred and fear. Like she had thought before, she had come to grips with this, the pain she felt in her heart grew more like a numb sensation. Their hatred now no longer effected Luna.

She shook her head as she peered back to her great Lunar court, the waves continuing their path and the eventide calmed even her spirit and soul. She watched with meticulous eyes as their dreams progressed, her night servants would come soon, she would always first open up the night court with dreams. With them well under way and her casting a few minuscule spells she stood up and left the cerebral chamber.

She opened the silver and ebon wood door and opened up into the Lunar Wing, the section of the castle that was all to her own. Somehow though, somehow she felt something distant. Something like a reawakening, a deep dark feeling. Her stomach turned at the feeling and just as she tried to pinpoint the feeling she saw one of her lunar guards scramble towards her.

Her guards were usually the most disciplined guards of Canterlot, their hearts as strong as mountains and their steely eyes can kills beasts with mere looks. If one of them showed fear or concern on their face then something serious was happening. Or he was just a beginner. He skidded to a stop and stood tall.

He was small and compact but held strength within his heart, with a closer look he was definitely new. No veteran had a clean face clear of scars or bruises. Lunar guards show little remorse and mercy, her enforcers of the night. His name was Silver Thunder, if her memory served correctly. Fresh out of basics and eager to serve as a royal guard to Princess Luna. He had a dark blue coat and starry white mane and tail that was short yet accommodating for his size. His armor still glistened and shone as if it was new. She gazed into his dark violet eyes and saw fear, clearly he still needed to come to grips with her expectations and the expectations of his captain, Captain Moonshadow.

Like Celestia's guards, she had a captain-of-the-guard as well. And speak of the she-devil, she was hot on his heels as well. Her gaze delivered back to Luna who nodded and gave permission to Silver Thunder to speak. Sweat stained his brow and clung to his forehead as he appeared out of breath, his wings flapping senselessly as if they were tired as well. He spoke, standing at full attention, "Your majesty, Private Thunder sent to deliver a message."

Moonshadow joined his side and her stern as stone face looked at Luna and nodded, Luna bowed respectfully to the well decorated captain. Her chest puffed out with better posture than that of Silver Thunder, well practiced and more known. Her main and tail a dark aqua, matching her icy blue eyes. Her coat, or what was visible, was a light shiny grey. A scar crossed her cheekbone and almost made its way to the lip. She wore bright silver barding, fitting that of a seasoned veteran as she was and with her medals displayed on her chest.

Luna spoke in a regal but soft voice, "Proceed, Private Thunder."

He nodded, "Yes ma'm. I was told to say that a ward was broke."

Luna raised in eyebrow in disdain, "A ward broke? Where?"

"In the old castle, your majesty," Silver Thunder explained, "It was discovered by one of our patrol groups. It-"

"It was a powerful ward break," Moonshadow said in her always grovel and grueling tone, "We don't know for sure and I only just ordered a company of guards to investigate what was done."

Luna thought carefully and looked out the window to the countryside, looking for answers. Sifting through memories Moonshadow asked, "I am not well versed in what lies in the old castle, milady. But perhaps you know what could have been stolen?"

Luna shook her head, "No, Celestia nor me put a ward on anything valuable. Likely it was on something dangerous so if you are thinking this was some belligerent thief, then you would be wrong. No..."

Her face grew pale as she muttered shaking her head, "No...that is impossible."

Moonshadow shot her head to Private Thunder and said, "Go to the barracks and await my debriefing."

Silver Thunder saluted respectfully, "Yes sir."

Luna exchanged looks with Moonshadow and she nodded her head to follow and Moonshadow did just that. They walked alongside one another and their hoof falls echoed over the quiet halls of the Lunar Wing. The pegasus captain was about a head smaller than Luna but carried herself as if she was taller and therefore Luna and many other ponies treated her as such. Luna can remember back to when she had chosen Moonshadow, 'Seemed as though it was only yesterday.'

Crossing into the main halls of the Lunar Wing, they were passing many of the servant's quarters and barracks of the noble suites. A few meeting rooms, indoor training areas, and bathrooms.

Moonshadow spoke as they traveled the halls, "My lady, a message was sent by Master Adamas. She says that our worst fear has been realized."

Luna halted Moonshadow as they stood at a closed doorway, there was concern written on her face ready to transform if needed, "What?"

Moonshadow gathered her words carefully and looked away briefly to return to Luna's gaze and she spoke firmly, "The Sith Lords are rising."

Luna's face dissolved into shock and her eyes lost all emotion, it was impossible. They were wiped out from existence when Darth Venator and Darth Vex died. The other Sith fell unceremoniously by Twilight Sparkle. Luna saw personally Darth Venator die by Celestia's own hooves, it was impossible. Her skin shivered and her hair stood up all over her, her skin crawled at the feeling and her past visions and fears returned, after so many years the Force returned to her. Her magic laying dormant as her connection to the Force awoke once more. Her body soothing itself from the Force's warm embrace.

Luna breathed out calmly, "Do not fret, my apprentice. This was as I had predicted."

They continued on their way, Luna's movements more calculated and more precise, the ebb and flow of the Force showed her many things. She gazed in close and yes realized this, she felt the Dark Side somewhere. It was but a faint whisper, a powerful whisper. Seducing whatever unlucky pony thought to gain its power. This was no accident, now Luna knew why a ward was broken. There was a ward in place around the Holocron, it broke because somepony stole it. Now who that was, she could not know at the moment.

Moonshadow asked in a desperate tone, "Yes but now that it is back in their hooves then-"

"Then we must wait patiently for the Sith to reveal themself to us," Luna spoke in a soothing and yet commanding tone, "We cannot go in blindly at our wits end. We will draw them out."

Moonshadow shrugged as they stopped at a secreted room by the end of the hall, gathering her master's attention, "Then what, master? They will already draw enough power that they could use the weapon-"

"Do not allow your emotions to cloud your judgment, padawan," Luna rested a hoof on Moonshadow and said blissfully, "Moonshadow. There is nothing more we can do, we must wait and be patient. Remember that you are still young and you allow your emotions to fuel you, remember the Code, remember your teachings. Do not go blindly at a Sith just to prove yourself worthy. In due time.

"Now, while we wait we must muster our forces." Luna finished as she pressed a hoof to a pad on the wall. Her teachings returning to her and in turn they returned to Moonshadow.

Moonshadow thought carefully as her teachings returned to her and she bowed, "I understand, forgive me my master."

The door opened and they ushered themselves inside. Inside was a statue of a kneeling robed pony, their hood obscuring their main features. Around the statue were glowing books set into shelves, with pedestals and empty holocrons slowly turning in the suspended field. The air was colder in the stone room. A desk on both sides of the statue, was where padawans would plight their skills in the pursuit of the Light Side.

At the foot of the statue there lied a chest, Luna knowing fully well what was inside.

Luna spoke carefully and meticulously to her padawan, "In the mean time, we must see to it that we do not misguide ourselves from what was suppressed."

Moonshadow seemed somewhat withdrawn and said, "Master, shouldn't I train for the arrival of the Sith?"

Luna gave a half smirk as she opened the chest and found all her old belongings. Her Jedi robes, her lightsaber, her old com link, her belt, and her black and midnight blue tunic. Under her belongings lied Moonshadw's old belongings. Her white tunic and robes that matched her master's. She gathered her's first and then tossed over Moonshadow's.

Moonshadow caught her old tunic and they put on their garb quickly, Luna remembering the feeling of her lightsaber at her side. The loose sleeves and her sleeveless tunic with the cloth wrappings around her forehooves. Everything was comfortably tight and well fit, like nothing had changed.

She looked over as Moonshadow put her armor barding over her white tunic, looking like a warrior from a bygone era. She looked back at Luna expecting an answer from her master.

Luna spoke with smile, "My dear apprentice, you must know that while this pony would be Sith, we cannot assume that their motives are directed against us specifically. Everypony is innocent until proven guilty. Sith feed off of raw emotion, more often than not it is their own they feed off of. Only a few have been known to only feed off of other's suffering and emotions."

Moonshadow asked, "How do you know this?"

Luna's smile evaded and she answered with no emotion to her tone, "I was once one of them."

Her gaze fell on her apprentice and she said gazing into her eyes, "I have seen both sides of the Force and know what secrets each hold. They both hold power all on their own. And to think that one is more justful than the other is to embrace the ideals of a fool. Neither can be branded their full titles, some Sith being merciful and some Jedi might be more hateful and emotional than others.

"I justify no side but the one who is the most correct. We will not participate in what is not our business, if the Sith have quarrel with us then they will be dealt with accordingly."

She paused her words as she drew a lightsaber from a pocket inside her robe and hovered it over to her apprentice. It was a long hilt, one that had could ignite two blades. Moonshadow ignited one of the blades, the blade sounding and a three foot blade of a faded light green shot out. Her face was giddy as she had gotten what she has so desired, the hilt old but well built and held a powerful Aedegan crystal. Luna gave a small smile as she sheathed the blade and clipped it to her belt. Luna finished her thought, "But if they do not harm us, then we shall not harm them. Instead, we will learn and observe. And you will come to grips that both sides of the Force are viable to be wielded at once. Do not favor one over the other."

Luna stepped past her apprentice and Moonshadow followed her master. Luna said as they left the room, "If we are called upon either side, then we will give them proper aid. But for now we are with the Jedi."

Luna stopped her apprentice and dictated, "When the Solar Court begins, inform my sister of this information. The Jedi must know. And tell her that I call forth a meeting. Tell Master Adamas as well."

Moonshadow nodded and scampered off, Luna was left to ponder. She looked off out one of the nearby windows and whispered to herself, "May the Force be with us all."