Lunar Obsession

Some time later, Luna slowly woke up from her nap. Despite her eyes remaining shut, she knew that she didn’t have to lower the moon for quite some time yet, as she could feel it. Once she finally did open, she was surprised to see that she was the only one in the large royal bed. True, the batponys didn’t need to sleep at night, but she had discreetly made them them feel the nocturnal pressure to spend a little more time with them inside their dreams. They would have had a particular reason if they manage to free themselves from the alicorn’s power. When she suspected the most reasonable of conclusions, Luna felt her heart tightened a bit, knowing she abused her powers to make them sleep.

Raising slowly, she felt all the weight of yesterday, but hadn't felt any regret, au contraire. Her long mane was tousled in some places, breaking the illusion of an ethereal mane with stars inside, giving her the appearance of a normal mane. The Princess thought that, with that kind of night she just had, she must have looked horrible, so much that it made her smile.

I am the alicorn of the night, I bring darkness to give you another light. I live in a nocturnal kingdom and only a few privileged have the right to look at me every night.

Luna got off the bed and left the room to go back to the big central one that served as her office. Even if she was often absent to enjoy the place, the big bay window gave her a large view of Canterlot and her sky, the one thing Luna needed the most to work. At this hour, nothing was seen in the streets of the city. Still, Luna had a thirst for evening activities, which enlighten the city until late. Why couldn't they last until the next day?

Hearing a voice from separate room, Luna turned to what sounded like a song. The sound was coming from the royal bathroom. Pushing away a strand of her mane, the alicorn mare figured that it couldn’t hurt to go and investigate.

When she opened the door, a cloud of hot steam blew against her face while the singer still sang. Behind the shower screen, Luna saw a recognizable shadow, his mane quite ruffled yet still looking good on him. He was armorless, as usual. It didn't require more details for Luna to recognize him, as she knew this batpony by heart.

“You look like an angel, your beauty scares me~! You float like a feather, in your oh so wonderful world~! I wanna be so special for you, you’re so unique~!” Luna moved behind the screen, but Funk still continued his song while staring at her. “But I’m a bastard, I’m a loser! What am I doing here? I didn’t belong with you~!” He stopped. Still looking at her, he couldn’t help but smile. She was there, watching him, but there was no longer any anger on her face. “Hi mom, the moon won’t be lowering for another two hours, so, you wanna take a bath?”

With him, that was an underlying question; how could she say no to such an offer? The stallion turned back to the bathtub, which looked more like a private pool. As a princess, one would need such space.

“This bathtub alone is even bigger than my old place, can you believe it?" asked Funk. "And don’t even get me started on this huge castle. I mean, how many times did I lost here myself, huh? Heh, luckily, you were still here.” The alicorn sat behind him, waiting for him to turn back. In order to have a discussion, two ponies must be ready to do so. Without breaking his smile, he then turned back to Luna, who obvious had just woken up. “You looked terrible, mom."

"What’s going on, Funk?” Luna asked. The stallion's smile faltered a bit, yet he still tried to maintain his happy look.

“Me?" He shook his head. "Nothing. I wonder how I could have something going on, though."

"You know very well what I’m talking about. How can you justify your recent behavior?” She tried to look him over with a scrutinizing gaze, but the batpony wouldn’t look her in the eyes.

"Oh nothing. Rest assured, I’m still the same. And a little while ago, in your bed, I was the same too.”

Being intimidating wouldn't be successful with this pony, Luna knew that. If she wanted him to talk, she'd have to play his game.

She put a hoof on his shoulder before raising it to his neck, then sliding it down to his chest. The batpony let her do so, enjoying the warmth coming from the alicorn’s body. She didn’t need to exchange anymore words with him. He was usually so shy about his feelings, and he could only let himself relax when in the presence of somepony like his mother.

Finally, moments later, Funk relented.

“When we slept close to you, I...I woke up first...”

Luna held him tightly against her.

“Another nightmare?" she asked.

"Like every awakening."

"I’m sorry,” she whispered.

He suddenly freed himself from her hooves.

“What, no! Sorry for what? Because it’s your fault that I wake up with a start every night? That, every morning before going to sleep, I know my nights will be painful without being able to get out of it before the next moon? Is it because of you, mom?” He knew the answer, he knew what Luna felt when he told her this, that she was being eaten by remorse by the moment.

“I…”

What could she really do except maybe apologize again?

“Yes, I know you’re sorry," Funk said. "I know it must be horrible for you, because what you did was for our own good at first. But that's how it works, you didn’t have the right--I did, and I want to blame you…but…” This time, Funk held the Princess tightly against him, resting his head against her neck. “But I can’t. Every time I try to hate you, I just end up loving you more…” That was what every batpony felt: an unbreakable love for their queen. That was what Luna gave them, in addition to a second chance; they didn’t have a choice now. It was simply serve and love with them.

The stallion freed himself again, as he was remembering what sparked his anger before.

“And yet, I’ve gotten the impression that I’m the only one who can understand. The others don’t even search to know who you really are…. But really, who are you? I've spent all this time searching without knowing who you really are. I’m a monster, mom, but who are you?”

Without realizing it, Luna had lowered her head, unable to meet the heavy gaze of the batpony.

“The others might not see things as you see them…" she added solemnly.

Funk chuckled lightly. "Yeah, you’re right. I needed time to think that I was different simply because I’m the oldest, but not at all… I think we all react differently to your power, mom."

"What makes you say that?" she asked.

"Jazz.” The alicorn raised her head, curious. “I did everything to make her angry, all in vain."

Luna raised a puzzled brow. "But she was."

"Yes, exactly. But for how long? You saw it with your own eyes. I did everything to make her angry, even almost breaking her jaw.” He snickered when he remembered that moment. “Still, she only needed a few minutes to forget all her anger. She kissed me and was even ready for more. Why, mom, why? Even the soldier. We didn’t hate each other, but I wouldn't say that we all love each other either. At least not that much. And yet…and yet I was ready to kiss him if he got too close to me! I must be getting crazy!"

Luna gently shook her head. "You love your family, they're your brothers and sisters. You can’t reject them."

"But that’s what I want to do, mom! I want to reject them! I don’t want to see them, I don’t want to touch them, and yet, they go through my head just as much as you!” Funk said, unknowingly increasing the sound of his voice. “You asked me to make them learn the power of the shadows, but even I don't know it fully. She won't…” He couldn’t finish his sentence, but Luna gestured him to do so. “She won't have that… this…"

"What do you mean, Funk?"

"I can’t rightly explain. But, all the others batponys have that thing. Jazz, she…she doesn’t. I can’t tell you why, but it just seems like she doesn’t have…that thing."

Luna's eyes widened a bit in realization. "I...think I understand..."

"Really?"

"Yes, you remember the change?”

Funk burst out laughing.

“Ha, you kidding, Mom? How could I forget the night that still haunts me to this day?” He got quieter, as to remember the past. “One day, agonizing. Unable to stand up, unable to scream for help. I don’t know why, but I crawled towards the big fountain in Canterlot, where I still thought I could find help. So, knowing that I would die, alone, and in the cold… I cried.”

He stared at the alicorn, who stayed neutral. She knew the story, she had lived it, but she had never heard it from his own lips before.

“Leaning against the fountain, I looked up at the sky, towards the moon. I kept wondering if I still had a chance to live. If she actually existed, I would have given everything to…”

Going silent, he turned to her and stared into her eyes. The two of them were silent. Soon, without desiring it, a tear fell down Funk’s cheek.

“You heard me…and then… you came. A first, I was deathly afraid; I didn’t know the Princesses of Canterlot. I must say that the street raised me before you, and she wasn't one to care about rulers. I mean, not in the places where I used to live.” He sighed before continuing. “I only looked at your eyes. They were so beautiful, you know. Sometimes, it’s like there're stars inside… You then asked me a question. Heh, what was it by the way?” Her throat tightened and she refused to answer. “I'll help you then. You always start your speech by asking if we're okay. It’s quite silly, you know. You see somepony bleeding out, clearly in pain, and you ask him if he’s okay? Hmm, dark humor, I suppose. And after that, this sweet princess asks us another question. She seems common at first, and the answer seems easy: Do you wish for a second chance?” The tears flowed freely now down the sides of Funk's face, him unable to refrain them. “You...you think I should have said no?"

Luna shook her head, uttering, "No! Of course not!"

"Oh stop! My love for you might just be an illusion, but what about yours?” He looked at her with anger in his eyes. “Do you sincerely share a love and complete devotion for every one of us, or do you only fake that? Or maybe...are you the first to feel the power of the moon that forced you to love us? I know that you don’t mind, but not me, mom, not me. One night, one of us will have to wake up!” He smiled. He smiled so much in an attempt to stem the flow of emotions, but felt that the tears stains didn’t help. “Well, mom, you shouldn’t be sad. I’m sure to love you. And the life you gave me is a most wonderful one. I asked the moon for help, and I got the Princess of the Night. Does the Sun only know?”

He then laughed, standing on his two hind legs before letting himself fall backwards in the deep water, splashing it all around the spacious bathtub. His body rose from the water, him floating on his back.

“Come on, mom. Nothing will make me happier than seeing you with me there.”

The alicorn could have said no, she wanted to, he had deserved it. But she knew of the happiness she would give him with all the time they would spend together. Before, he was alone, he was scared. Now, she was there. She knew it, the love he had for her wasn’t magic, and it was completely sincere. Hers was as well.

Slowly immersing her body as she joined him in the bath, she noticed that the water was at a perfect temperature: very warm. She raised her head towards the big arc door that lead to the balcony. From there, one could see the nightly sky, with hundreds upon thousands of stars. Luna couldn’t helped herself when she saw her work, as it made her smile. The arc allowed the moonlight enter the bathroom, to glow towards the water in a blue light. This bathtub was the reflection of her lunar prison, but this time, she had no fear of it.

Funk had gotten out of the pool, as Luna could no longer see him floating along the clear surface of the water. He shouldn't have disappeared so quickly from the Princess. He was the most powerful batpony, able to control the powers of the shadow easily, but even shouldn't have been able to pull that off so easily.

Soon enough, he reemerged from the blue, driving the Princess of the Night into the deep end of the bathtub. In her surprise, Luna opened her eyes within the water, the moonlight giving her almost all her vision. Funk was there too, watching her while their two bodies were submerged. She wasn’t afraid, she knew he wouldn’t hurt her; he couldn’t and wouldn't wish it. Sometimes, he was hypnotized by her eyes: two sapphires with enchanting glints. He was often jealous of them.

He got closer to her, circling around her and sifting through water as easily as if he were in the air. She let him play his little game. After all, he was still young; abandoned by all, he gave up his long-forgotten childhood to survive. Were it really his fault if he was looking more for a mother than a princess?

Holding Luna’s body between his hooves, Funk flapped his wings to pull them from the water. The mane of the Princess was even more impressive than usual; she shone even brighter with the humidity and the lunar rays. Bringing the alicorn back where the pond was not so deep, he wedged her body against his, the water at their waists. The mare’s face was only a few inches away from his, so much so that they could compare the color of their coats that, even they had to admit, were identical.

Funk focused on her eyes, so beautiful, yet so scary at the same time. It was one of the most cold looks of all of Equestria, and yet, she looked at Funk with so much warmth.

I don’t deserve it, mom, he thought. Your love is cold, distant and shy, but it’s normal since you’re a princess. Precious and prestigious, you shouldn’t lower yourself to these little games. But it was all in your eyes! And when I used my tongue, I destroyed all of this.

With his lips soon pressed against his queen’s, time didn’t seem to matter to the two. With her mouth preoccupied with his, she lowered one of her hooves to a place on his body that was more than patience. The stallion grunted in her mouth, but she didn’t care. She started to do up and down strokes with the shaft while it was still in the water. The stallion, in response, started to knead her royal rump with his hooves.

“Our cutie marks?" he soon realized.

"What?!" the Princess asked, breaking their kiss and stopping her gestures.

"Why don’t we have them anymore?"

Luna was quiet for a spell before speaking up with, "Funk, I think that…"

"NO! Answer me--I want to hear you say it!" he interrupted. "I know your answer, but I want it to come straight from your mouth!”

Luna didn’t try to escape. Plucking up her courage, she answered with:

“Because you're…” She couldn’t dare say the last word. She trained herself to say it, but in this instance, she was still unable to. Funk laughed loudly before bringing the alicorn to himself, kissing her fiercely.

“You’re so cute, mom," he teased after breaking from the kiss. "But don’t worry, I’m a fallen, but it’s still the best thing that ever happened to me. So, say it to all the others; they fell but will feel great afterwards, as they've never felt something like this before. That’s the story of a long nightmare and a cutie mark in less.” He wasn’t mad at her, that was truly what he meant. Still, Luna was mad at herself. Thankfully, the stallion peppered her with kisses, slowly making her forget all the remorse she had over what she had done. “I love you, Princess.”

Invigorated by his words, Luna tumbled their two bodies in the bath. Quick to returning to their water games, Funk swiftly reemerged entirely while Luna watched him from the surface. The moonlight reflected at the surface of the water, and the Princess had just stuck her guardian into her astral jail. Quickly--even for Luna--Funk made their two bodies roll, reversing their position.

He smiled when seeing that his princess always kept an eye on him.

There you go, mom, back to jail, he thought. She never seemed to bother you, like you preferred that place instead of here. I feel like I’m struck there. I only sleep during the day, I wake up at the same time as her, I have an obsession for you, and the only I like is to be link to you. So, mom, who banished who?

Slowly raising his head, he helped her to join her lips at the surface. The sexual tension soon became too strong, as Funk wanted to play more interesting games now!

Bringing her back to where the water was only a few inches deep, the stallion laid on his back, offering his entire body to the alicorn so she can do what she pleased with it. Seeing the excitement coming from the male, she didn’t wait to grip her hips to be the only owner of the tense shaft. She stared at him for some time before engulfing the penis deeply into her mouth.

Funk was tired of her subtle ways and only wanted to fuck his queen. Hypnosis, lies, hypocrisies, bewitching, manipulation, he didn’t want to know anything. She was there and it was the only thing that mattered.

He started with slow thrusts, following the rhythm of the alicorn’s moves. Their two blue bodies mixed and broke away gracefully, making the water splash around them all the while. Soon enough, there came an urge where, pushed by a wild pulse of his, Funk grabbed the horn of the nightly mare and push all her face against his lower abdomen. She didn’t complain, even continued her licks on his balls while they stared at each other. It was all in his eyes. She only wanted to give pleasure to her batponys. In the end, she often thought who the slave really was.

Soon releasing her horn, Funk waited to be scolded for brash his actions, but instead, his queen stayed a few more moments on his penis before completely taking it back in, ascending slowly while stroking the long shaft with her tongue. Once she pulled it out again, she played then sucked on his balls, covering them with her saliva. His shaft was already coated in a thin sheen of it, but she liked to run her tongue over it again, to play with his sensible tip, only to glide back down and start again.

“I want to be a part of it, too!”

The alicorn, without a word, rose to turn the still lying batpony around. They looked at each other, him lying in the water, and her standing up backwards. The Princess then decided to return to her fun by lowering herself atop the floating stallion’s body.

Funk could finally enjoy his Princess. In their new position, there was only the server and the served; no grade, no princess, and a simple guardian. All Equal. He quickly licked at his Princess's sex intimacy of the Princess, prompting her to instantly raise her rump, making Funk laugh. He traced her pelvis with his hooves in order to avoid those kind of surprises for later. His next brush of his tongue was slower, stronger along her vulva. Luna let out a long moan of pleasure, the shaft of the male still into her mouth while she massaged his penis with her hooves.

The stallion couldn’t help but buck his hips upwards, trying to bury himself much deeper and more violently into Luna's maw. But wouldn't voice any objections, she was his, and she wouldn't complain. However, it was a double-edged sword, because the lunar ruler, curt by his actions, arched and pushed her pelvis a bit more against the pony’s lips.

That didn’t really displease Funk, as he only introduced his tongue deeper into his queen. He took care of lapping at all the water that was on and around her sex, leaving space for her natural lube. She liked his tenderness, and made to return it well. It simply wasn’t enough for Funk.

Before long, Funk, still enjoying the taste of his queen, did a roll to reverse the positions of their two bodies. Now, Funk was on top, and he would enjoy it fully. He didn’t have to apply much force to insert his long, hard penis into Luna. She was at his mercy, but not displeased.

She moaned more and more, secreting from her vagina directly into Funk’s mouth, giving it the same treatment as to the water before. The flavor of his queen was the most delicious thing he'd ever taste. It was that of the moon’s perfume. He couldn’t stop his thrusts, letting his shaft going deeper and deeper into the mare.

Suddenly, a strong magical shock made Funk jump before falling heavily in the water, unable to catch himself with his wings. He only recovered for a few seconds before seeing the mare next to him into the clear deep of the water. She brought him back at the surface, resting her hooves on his shoulders to kiss him more easily.

“Are you trying to stave it off?”

Luna shook her head. "Not at all, but I don’t want this to end like that."

"Hmm…so…you still have cravings to satisfy," Funk said. "And where’s your desire to give pleasure, Princess?"

"Oh, don’t worry, you’re gonna like it.”

She didn’t push him off when he then took the lead. As violent as it seems, Funk loved that. Resting against the edge of the bathtub, where the water couldn’t cover his back, Luna waited him to take up his role again.

He plunged underwater, raising the rump of his queen until he put it against the edge, facing him. This way, she could stroke his blue mane while he lubricated her again. One could think the water gave an easy access, but it wasn’t true, and Luna liked when he took his time. All could have all night if he needed it.

Funk, however, couldn’t hold himself back any longer. After abruptly penetrating abruptly Princess's marehood with his tongue, he returned her against the edge so he only saw her hips. After a long last lick that made all the alicorn’s body shiver, he put his two hooves on both sides of the Princess.

His nose followed the curve of her spine, from the tip all the way to her muzzle, as to smell her oh so particular scent, so intoxicating. The mare slightly tensed when his stallionhood stroked her warm lips. He only penetrated her slightly, as to warm her up, but when the Princess made to protest, he elicited a cry of surprise from her when he buried the rest of his shaft into her.

The lunar ruler panted, seeming to struggle before finally calming, letting herself be ravaged by the savage rhythm of the stallion. He wasn’t gentle, always pulling his hips back only to fiercely reenter her. Her hips perfectly followed his, giving him more need to be closer at one moment and wait during a longer time in that position, so he can feel the wet and royal rump against his lower abdomen.

But he wasn’t over yet, and the screams of pleasure from his queen gave him more strength. Luna’s head was spinning. Nothing could hold her, not even her hooves, seemingly drained of all their energy. She stayed the victim of a wave of passion that collided into her with the rhythm of the batpony’s thrusts. Every breath took great effort and she always let out a pleasuring moan as he eased his way out.

He quickly extricated himself, straightening Luna against him. They were both in the large pool, Luna resting on Funk’s hind legs, who was just behind her. He didn’t waste time to replace his burning shaft where he was seated and where he was desired. She gripped the stallion’s neck with one of her hooves, allowing herself to maintain visual contact with Funk’s face, and especially with his lips.

The batpony lowered his pace. In fact, in his new position, Luna led the dance. If it wasn’t a proof of Funk's love… But Luna wanted to kiss him before anything else, even if she needed to forget their dance during a fleeting moment. He felt this rhythm decrease, giving her what she wanted.

The lunar magic ran from her lips seemed to spread into the batpony’s body. Or what is the contrary? Who really fed from whom? Who needed the other? The moon both gave them the same desires. The magic burned into their two mixing bodies, causing Luna’s horn to glow. Funk was just an animal, unable to think reasonably and only pushed by base desires. His queen laughed, intoxicated by the magic that swirled around them from her horn. Leaning back into the stallion’s thrusts, Luna flapped her wings, unbending a little more every time before having them fall more fiercely while she impaled herself on the raised stallionhood of her guardian.

The two drunk with passion and unable to think, the magic flowed freely. It was during an explosion of pleasure, of magic and light, that the batpony then shot all his essence into her while releasing a hoarse howl of pleasure. The Princess already gave him enough, but once again, the thrusts of the male overcame her needs and she could only throw her head back when the ecstasy hit her.

Soon enough, they were unable to talk, too busy to catch their breath. Luna slowly got off of her guardian, albeit with a bit of regret. But, she quickly brought him back against her by leaning back against the edge of the bathtub. Funk and the Princess watched the moon, framed by the big arch. Luna had surrounded Funk’s body with her wings and, as it wasn’t enough, she held her hooves around his neck. Funk’s face was just under his queen’s chin, and despite what he could have said, he didn’t want to move from there. He felt warm with the one he considered to be his mom.

“Your nights are so beautiful,” he said, stroking her wing with his hoof. “Every time I look the nightly sky, I can’t help but smile."

" I as well,” she whispered to his ear. “Funk… what just happened?"

"We made love, that’s all.” She muffled a giggle.

“The magical currents… did they come from you?"

"I don’t know, I thought you were doing them by yourself. You don’t know?” The alicorn sighed.

“It seems that the lunar powers remain a mystery, even to me."

"You think it’s the moon?”

She raised an eyebrow, looking thoughtful before answering.

“Maybe… I’m not in complete control of that orb. Sometimes, it controls me."

Funk tilted his head. "Really?"

"Mhmm, we complete each other. Each is a part of the other.” The stallion rest a bit more comfortably against the one he called his queen.

“I think… I think that you and me… we are the instruments of the moon. We turned to it for help, and it sent you. We obey it, you and I.” Luna didn’t answer, not wanting to confirm that idea, but she wasn’t sure of anything to be honest.

“Hmm...maybe…"

"And you? Who do I love, mom? You or the moon?” She didn’t wish to answer his question. Funk was like that, always thinking the whole world hated him. It was what he believed before the change, and what happened after didn’t cure anything at all.

“I love you, Funk," she said, hoping to keep his mind centered on her.

"Me?" Funk inquired. "Or the part of the moon I represent? We could play that game all night, mom, but neither of us would find the answer. We’re both slaves. What forces you to answer to our supplications, when we are close to agonized, when we ask the sky to help us? You could have also let us die; ignored us, like nothing was happening. And yet, you came, whatever the reason, you came. Can you seriously say no, mom?”

The silence stretched. She didn’t want to say things that could reanimate the rage of her guardian. He wanted it, hoping it would be the pure truth, that she hadn't lied. But, in another way, he wanted it. He wanted to face disillusion, face the loneliness of the broken dreams. Understanding that, in the end, love is just a nice joke, and in the end, everypony tells lies to keep people closer to them. He wanted so many things that conflicted, and he didn’t even know which came from him."

“Did I already tell you how I met Jazz?" asked Luna.

"Not in a brothel, that’s for sure!” Luna pushed him with her muzzle while he laughed.

“Stupid. I met her at Canterlot’s fountain.” Funk’s ears instantly perked up when he heard that. “But from the other side of the plaza, just in front of the rail. You recall the place, I suppose?"

He nodded. "Oh yes, of course, mom. The view of the forest below is delightful from there.” Luna got her face closer to the stallion’s, closing her eyes, as to forget everything else to focus on her tale.

“She was watching the view, sitting on that railing. I wouldn't have been scared if I hadn’t seen a pair of wings.” She sighed while stroking Funk’s neck with her muzzle before kissing it. “The poor dear cried, her mind wasn’t clear. She had lost her mother. She felt like she was alone, without any guidance, lost. Stories such as these are so sad, wouldn't you agree?” Her attempts to destabilize the batpony succeed to make him frown. “I approached slowly. I was afraid of startling her, so I simply asked how she was. You know, that question can sound silly, even stupid sometimes. But, I had my reasons to ask it. Jazz said that everything was fine. That was the second time I heard that answer, but sadly, it was a lie that time. I asked her a few questions, without wanting to hold her back; it was her decision, and I wasn’t going to stop her…"

"But?” There was a but. There was always a but.

“But. I would not let her down. She was disoriented; she didn’t know how to make the right decisions anymore. I know, when she fell, that she regretted everything she had done."

"You mean that you saved her, even when she didn’t want to?"

"You see Funk, I’m free to choose.” He couldn’t help but stifle a quick giggle. “The moon didn’t tell me anything, it was my decision to find her, and it was my decision to catch her when she fell. She couldn’t stop crying in my arms, she couldn’t do anything…"

"And after?"

"And after...I changed her."

"But before that?"

"Before that… nothing.” Funk extricated himself from Luna’s hooves, pushing her wings aside so he could face her. His eyes were full of anger.

“When did you ask her if she wanted to be like us? You think you have the right to change ponies so easily?” She gently put her hooves on the batpony’s temples. He let her do so, but the rage still continued to burn in his eyes.

“She didn’t have anything else, Funk, she gave up on her past and was ready to stop everything. I took my decisions, and they are mine!”

He instantly calmed himself, now unable to find the fury he felt before. He let himself fell against the princess’ chest. She held him again, silently.

“That’s maybe why she seems so different from the rest of us," he muttered.

"Surely..."

"Does she have nightmares?"

" I don’t know, she's yet to inform me of anything of the sort. But I couldn’t do otherwise anyway.”

He closed his eyes, not wanting to continue the discussion that slowly broke all the happiness that he had settled in. Silence was the solution to all the questions. But Funk had another answer. Eyes closed by the strain of the slowly rising sun though the arch, he simply said, “You could have saved her mother, and let her live peace…it would have been simpler."

Luna sighed into his forehead.

"Nothing is that simple…”

“Make sure not to look at the light too much.”

Jazz ignored Luna’s warning and ventured towards the daylight. The sun was just rising, and yet, its rays seemed so intense for her poor eyes . She put a hoof in front of her face, but even with that, the rays were still unbearable for her.

Tears she couldn’t control started to flow, and it was with a forward hoof to search for her guide that she tried to move.

“I’m here,” the princess said, catching her hoof and partially hiding the sunlight with one of her wings before guiding her back inside. “I told you to be careful of the light.” She closed the long curtain to dive the entire room back into darkened obscurity. Jazz could reopen her eyes, her eyelids red with irritation.

“The outside seems so…bland," the young mare said. "I mean, where are the colors? I could only see white and feel a burning sensation. What do I have?” Panic steadily grew more and more as she talked. The alicorn tried to calm her as soon as possible.

“That’s normal, Jazz, you don’t have to be afraid."

"But why is it that way?" Jazz asked.

"Your eyes aren’t made to stand the daylight anymore. But later, hopefully with enough practice, it will be a bit better."

"Really?"

Luna nodded. "I promise. By the way, this is the first time you've manage to stay up until the sunrise; that shows that you’re indeed progressing."

Jazz rested her hoof over her forehead, her body swaying to the sides. "Yeah, but I’m literally falling now. I couldn’t stand another minute."

"I know, and again, it’s normal. Do you wish for me to escort you?” The Princess didn’t want to hurry the fragile batpony.

“No!" Jazz was quick to respond.

"Alright."

"No! I don’t want to sleep.” She grabbed one of the Princess’ legs and pressed her face against her chest. “Please, I don’t want to sleep. I… I can’t stop having nightmares. At first, I thought it wasn’t so bad, but they kept coming back every night. And what's worse is that I can’t wake up. I’m scared, and yet, I can’t wake up. Please, I don’t want to sleep.”

The alicorn extricated her hoof to put it on the batpony’s shoulder, bringing her closer. What could she do? The poor dear was finally becoming aware of the curse. The sun wasn’t as benefactor and sleep could seem like a long torment.

“I can’t stop that, Jazz, I’m…"

"No, please, you’re the Princess of dreams; tell me you can help me to stop that. Please!” New tears started to flow, and this time, not because of the sun. Luna lowered on the young batpony, holding her tightly against herself.

“I'll help you, Jazz. I'll help you pass this day. I will keep you so you may be appeased. Please, blame me. It’s all my fault!”