The Bright Equestrian Moon

When we get to the library, I take my time to truly appreciate its size and scope, since last time I saw it was during a tour. Each subject seems to have its own wing in the library, as well as a wing devoted to some unicorn stallion called Star Swirl the Bearded. I’ll have to inquire about that sometime later, he must be important to have his own wing.

After properly scouting out the library, I sit down with Luna at a desk in what must be the history wing. There is a small pile of books that Luna had selected sitting on the desk. Every book on the desk has an intricately designed hard cover. I look up at Luna from the books. “So, are these the books about the basic history of Equestria?”

Luna smiles and nods in affirmation. “They are indeed, although we only need to read a few chapters from each. Unless you would prefer to read them all from start to finish.”

They are pretty thick books; I don’t think I’d want to read all of it straight away. Maybe sometime later I could take more time with them, but I should probably just stick with the important chapters for now. “No, just the essential chapters would be better for now.”

“Of course, it would take us a rather long time to read the entirety of them.” Luna lifts a book over from the pile with her magic. “This is the book that we should begin with.”

I smile at Luna. This is going to be so interesting. I’m actually going to be learning the history of a whole new world. “Are we going to read them in the order of each one going back, or in the order of when the history took place?”

Luna giggles softly and opens the book. “In the order of when it took place, of course. Do humans learn history backwards?”

I chuckle a bit too. “It depends what type of history it is, and however we feel like learning it.”

“Would you rather learn it going backwards?”

I shake my head. “Nah, going from the start is more my style.”

Luna smiles. “Very well, I shall continue as planned.” She flicks between the pages telekinetically until she finds the chapter she’s looking for. “For now, I will teach you the history of the Equestrian Kingdom. If you wish to learn the history of other lands in our world, I could teach you another time.”

Hmmm, she didn't say other lands in Equestria, but other lands in 'our world'… Does this mean that Equestria is just a country on a planet? “Isn’t Equestria the name of this world?”

Luna shakes her head. “No, Equestria is the name of our fair nation. This world goes by many names depending on whether you are talking to an Equestrian, dragon, griffon or so on. Ponies and most Equestrian citizens call the world Equus, however for example, griffons call it Grypem. When the world is discussed between the different cultures, it has been agreed upon to neutrally refer to it as Mundus.”

I nod… Wait, did she just say griffons and dragons? “Ah, I see, that is pretty interesting to know. It also makes sense though that it’s called different things. It’s the same on Earth, due to different languages and cultures. Also, did I hear you correctly? Did you just say that there are griffons and dragons?”

Luna nods back with a soft smile. “You did in fact hear me correctly. There are indeed griffons and dragons both in Equestria and other lands. The griffons used to have a sprawling kingdom, but I have been told that their kingdom has suffered a terrible degradation during the time I was gone.

“As for dragons, not much is known about them. They are sapient, yet do not seem to have any form of kingdom, but due to our lack of knowledge it isn’t out of the question. Once in a generation they migrate as a group, however most of their late life is spent in solitude hoarding gems and treasures.”

I nod even more, absolutely loving all of this new information. I mean, dragons, do I need to say anything else? This place is so crazy; I have to find what other mythological beings live here. “What other sapient races are there with full civilisations?”

Luna giggles softly. “I can list a few more, but I will only go into very little detail about them, lest we not have time to learn any Equestrian history.”

I pay her eager attention and nod, wanting to know what else there is. “I’m all ears, this is so awesome to me.”

“Hmmm, there are minotaurs, diamond dogs, centaurs, yaks, changelings and more. Minotaurs have a large and powerful stature. Diamond dogs burrow and live underground, and are usually focused on acquiring gems. Centaurs are not very well known, but Equestria had to face a power hungry centaur recently. Yaks are rather militaristic and live past the Frozen North.

And finally, changelings, who are similar in build to ponies, but are like insects. They have the power to transform into the appearance of others and feed off of love. The changeling hive is a declared enemy to Equestria after they had attempted to perform a hostile takeover of Canterlot during a royal wedding.”

Wow, Equestria sounds like a rather eventful place to live. Changelings and power hungry centaurs are dangers that are faced here, not to mention Luna’s past as Nightmare Moon. “Will I learn about the changeling attack and that centaur by the end of learning the history of Equestria?”

Luna gives me a gentle smile. “If you so wish to learn of those events. After all, they are in the past now, and therefore history.” She then magically lifts the book up that she had opened before. “Shall I begin teaching you now?”

I sit upright in a form of attention and focus. “Yes please, I’m really eager to get started.”

Luna giggles again and smirks a little. “Forgive my laughter, you simply seem to be very much like Twilight Sparkle when it comes to having an interest in history and learning.”

Twilight sounds like a pony that I could get along with fairly easily. I wonder if she’ll come by the castle today to discuss the whole portal thing? “She sounds like somebody I’d really like to meet, hopefully she’ll be able to see me today or sometime soon.”

“Indeed, Twilight’s visit is also rather important due to her experience with beings of similar stature to you, and to discuss the possibilities of a portal… To send you home…” Luna looks down at the table slightly distantly.

I almost mirror her. I’m not really all that keen on going back to Earth, but I understand why it would be considered the right thing to do. “You know, even if a portal is made that could take me back, I’m not sure if I would actually go. If it was capable of a return trip, then perhaps I’d go to let my family know about me being fine, but then I’d come back here. You have no need to worry about me leaving, Luna.”

She looks back up at me with an expression I am unsure of. Is it care? Relief? Need? No, that’s too far, it’s probably a bit of care and relief. “Truly?”

I give her what I hope is a reassuring smile, although I must admit that her constant uncertainty about things I say is getting annoying. “Yes, truly. Besides, I thought I’ve already told you that I never really felt at home on Earth anyway. So, are we gonna start with getting through the history of Equestria now?”

Luna appears to bring her attention back to the present. “Oh, of course, Travis.” She the regains her composure and skims through the pages of the chapter, before going back to the page she originally opened the book to. “Roughly the start of the Equestrian kingdom comes from when ponies were divided into three tribes. The earth ponies who would tend to the land and farm for food, the pegasi who would keep the weather in favourable conditions, and the unicorns who magically raised the sun and moon.

“The tribes relied upon one another for their different abilities. The pegasi demanded food from the earth ponies for managing the weather, and the unicorns demanded payment from the other two tribes for their control of the sun and moon. Over time, a blizzard came to their land and the earth ponies were unable to grow food. A meeting was called between the three tribes about the food shortage, but they were unable to cooperate, the meeting only ending in an argument.”

I chuckle and then stroke the small bit of stubble on my chin. “It sounds like ponies aren’t all that different from humans after all. That’s the usual situation on Earth between different countries and governments.”

Luna looks up from the book. “Your governments still argue with each other on Earth?”

I nod. “Yeah, there hasn’t really ever been a time when all governments on Earth have been unified. They are always in a constant state of arguing, mainly for selfish reasons, although there a few people within them that I suppose are trying to help.”

“How have things fared with such disharmony between your governments?”

I shake my head. “Not well, there is almost always a war being fought for one reason or another. Whether it be over beliefs and religion, or morals, or the simple desire of land and material commodities. Not only are there always people in constant fear of their own lives and wellbeing, but the Earth itself has sustained a considerable amount of damage from human activities.”

Luna raises an eyebrow. “And the governments do not see the suffering that their wars and arguments are causing?”

I shrug. “Beats me. Either they are blind to the needs and wellbeing of others and the Earth, or they do see the consequences, but don’t care about them. It’s pretty despicable, and the main reason that I can’t stand politicians, or hell, even the human race as a whole.”

“That is rather disheartening to hear, however, it aligns in a similar fashion to the beginning of Equestrian history.” Luna casts her gaze back to the book. “For the leaders and advisors of each tribe had each decided to find a new land to call home. They all found land, but they had all arrived at the same place. Commander Hurricane of the pegasi named it Pegasopolis, Princess Platinum of the unicorns called it Unicornia, and Chancellor Puddinghead of the earth ponies named it Earth.”

I laugh at the fact that Equestria could have been called Earth. “If the earth ponies had their way, it’s weird to think that Equestria would instead be known as Earth. It definitely would have made things more confusing for me.”

Luna laughs as well. “Indeed, it would have, the thought had not occurred to me until you pointed it out.” She then focused back to the book. “They argued over who should rightfully claim the land, until they had realised that the blizzard had followed them to this new, fertile land. The leaders and advisors of the three tribes then took shelter in a cave from the blizzard, where they continued to argue.

“It was then discovered by the unicorn advisor, Clover the Clever, that the blizzard was brought by windigos.”

I tilt my head, what are windigos? They sound like a pun based off of the native American monster known as the wendigo, which is a man who has turned into a monster by eating human flesh. I highly doubt that they are the same though, since wendigos don’t have power over weather. “Windigos?”

Luna nods and explains. “Windigos are magical beings that feed off of hate to cause freezing weather.”

I nod back in understanding. “Right, very different from the monsters that humans call wendigos. Which are people transformed into monsters by practicing cannibalism. Continue.”

Luna gives me look of disgust. “You have such monsters on Earth? And humans partake in cannibalism?”

I shake my head. “I don’t think wendigos are real, they’re just a myth, but then again, that’s what I thought of magic. As for cannibalism, yes, it occasionally happens, although it’s generally illegal in most countries. I myself am not a cannibal, rest assured. Could you continue with the historic tale?”

Luna relaxes and continues telling the story. “Very well. The advisors Private Pansy from the pegasi, Smart Cookie from the earth ponies, and Clover the Clever, agreed that they did not hate each other at all. Clover then created a flame of friendship, which was powered by the friendship between the advisors, to ward off the windigos.

“After this, the three tribes unified and claimed the new land as Equestria.” Luna closes the book and slowly levitates it down to the desk.

I smile and pick up the book, turning it over to study the cover, before putting it back down. “Very interesting, but is that all we’ll be reading from the first book?”

“For the time being, yes. You may choose to read more if you so choose, but as I have already said, it would take too long to read the entirety of Equestrian history in a day.”

That makes sense, but I’ll definitely have to read more of this sometime, and same would probably go for the others. “That’s understandable, what’s the next historic event that you’ll teach me about?”

Luna lifts up a second book with her telekinesis and opens it. “The reign of the spirit of disharmony known as Discord, and how Celestia and I sealed him in stone to become the rulers of Equestria.”

My eyes light up at that. I would love to hear of how Luna and Celestia came to power. “That would be amazing to hear about.”

Luna smiles and, is it just me, or did she just scoot over a little closer to me? “I will gladly tell you about the time my sister and I worked together to bring harmony to Equestria. I do not need this book to tell you, although you can read it later if you would like to.” She levitates the book down to sit on the desk in front of me.

I look down at the book to see an illustration of some creature that looks like a hybrid between a bunch of different animals. It has an equine head, with a large fang and two varied horns, a serpent’s tail, an eagle’s talon, a lion’s paw, a goat’s hoof, and a dragon’s foot. It also has a membranous wing and an avian wing. I then look back up at Luna. “Is that Discord?”

She nods and is about to speak when another voice interrupts, it sounds like a male. “How astute of you. Yes, I’m Discord.”

I look down to see the illustration moving and looking back up at me. I shake my head. Did that drawing just respond to me? It laughs at me and then there is a bright flash of light. When my eyes recover from the assault of light, I notice that this Discord is no longer just an illustration, but a living being floating above the desk.

This is bad, isn’t this guy evil? Evil and dangerous enough that he had to be turned to stone? I get up and take several steps away from the desk, looking at Luna desperately. “Luna, do something! I thought you said that you and Celestia turned him to stone!”

She gets up from her seat, soothingly wrapping a wing around me. I can’t help but hug her back, afraid that anything terrible could happen at any moment. Luna then glares at Discord. “Discord! Now is not a good time!”

He laughs again and floats down to lay on the desk. “Oh, did I scare the poor human new to Equestria?”

Luna looks at me with a soft expression, and I try to relax. She doesn’t seem worried about the situation, but I can’t bring myself to speak. “It is all right, Travis. I have not told you yet, but recently Discord was reformed so that he no longer wreaks havoc upon Equestria.” She then glares back at him. “No doubt he decided to show himself before I had the chance to tell you of his reformation.”

Discord is wearing a sly smile. “It’s all in good fun, your dear Travis’s reaction was priceless.”

Luna blushes and glares even harder at him. “It is not like that! He is a friend and my equerry!”

I blush as well and come out from my shock. So now he’s a good guy that was just playing a prank on me? I then look at Luna. “What’s an equerry?”. Discord chuckles at my question.

Luna relaxes and looks back at me. “It is the personal attendant of a royal pony.”

Discord just laughs more and leans close to Luna, nudging her with an elbow. “I never knew you were the type to have an equerry, I thought you liked working alone.”

Luna’s expression darkens to anger and I gently stroke her side, before speaking up to Discord. “You sure sound like a dickhead for somebody who’s supposedly been reformed to be good.”

He then leans down to me and looks into my eyes. I notice that his are yellow with red pupils. “Who said that I had to stay reformed?” He speaks in a worryingly sinister tone and smiles wide, showing off his jutting fang more pronouncedly.

I shut right up and cower away from him, beginning to shake. I’ve never felt such fear before. Damn it, why did I have to speak up like that? I never do that. I always stay quiet to avoid conflict. This causes him burst out in a fit of laughter and pat my back. “Only joking! For a moment, I thought you had really gained some courage!”

This time I’m the one glaring at him. He’s seriously getting on my nerves now. “That’s it, I may not have all that much courage, but I’m not all that scared of you now. You’re just talk. All bark, no bite. Just an irritating bully trying to make yourself feel better about yourself by pestering others. Now if you’re done, get lost.”

Discord recoils and winces. “Ouch, so harsh, but I suppose I deserved that. Would you like to start again?” He clicks his claws and reappears back on the book at the drawing. He smiles up at me and bows. “Hello, yes, I’m Discord and boringly reformed.” He then pops out of the book again to float above the desk. “Are we good now?”

I sigh and shake my head. “Maybe later, I’m really not in the mood to talk to you anymore.” He’s annoying, I don’t think I’ll like him very much. What a terrible first impression he’s made on me.

“Oh, fine, be like that. And here I’d thought that you’d appreciate a good joke and break from the monotony of Canterlot Castle.” He reaches up and makes a zipper appear in thin air, unzipping what must be the very fabric of reality and stepping through it. There is another flash of light, and there is no sign of Discord ever having been here. The illustration is back on the book, and is just that, a drawing and nothing more.

I shake my head and close my eyes, sighing again. I was in such a good mood earlier, and now Discord’s ruined it. Then I feel Luna hug me. “I am so sorry about that, Travis. Discord is rather unpredictable, but it is simply his nature to be so.”

I open my eyes and hug her back. “It’s fine, I’ll get over it sometime, it’s just that I tend to be stubborn about my feelings towards others after first impressions. He clearly didn’t make a good impression, and I’ll probably hold that against him for quite some time.” I let go of Luna. “Can I have some time to myself so that I can relax?”

She nods and lets go of me too. “Very well…” She looks down a bit. “Just do not let anything boil up inside for too long, I am here to talk if you so need to. I know from experience.”

“Yeah, I’ll try.” I then turn away and wander out from the library to where I hope the garden is.