Chapter Twelve: Over The Hiccups and Through The Chills

“Bloody impossible ...” Rising grumbled as the broken pencil was taken from him to be resharpened and replaced the lost graphite point with the help of an assistant.

“Indeed!” Grouched his writing mentor Crossed Quill, as the stallion looked at the splotched mess that Rising had on the parchment, “I’ve met ponies with terrible hoofwriting, unicorns that had to switch from their horns to hoofs or mouths, and one mare who could only write with her wing, but never have I met or had to teach an Alicorn who broke as many pencils or barely made a recognizable word on paper!”

As much as one would’ve commented that when one was ill, they would be more focused on bedrest, but boredom was one of the first things that would cause them to complain and demand some kind of engaging activity. This certainly was the case for Rising. Despite Celestia’s attempts at reasoning that she could have a pony be assigned to write letters for him, Rising was adamant on having something to do. Adding on that he would want to keep in touch with Twilight and her friends, after getting a promise out of them that they would write.

Writing with magic however, was out of the question between both Celestia and Rising. As much as being an Alicorn normally would mean magic came easily to them, Rising was never born as a pony, let alone as either a unicorn or an Alicorn and as such magic was well outside his capability, requiring a full course of magical lessons.

Which was not happening while he was still sick and bedridden. Especially since magic can go haywire whenever a sneeze or cough would come out of nowhere and nothing to stop it.

Rising didn’t even have the will in him to question how Equestria had invented pencils when quills were used just as much within the castle as he attempted again to write in Equish.

«««✧✦✧»»»

’He’s only ill, Celly. He’ll be back on his hooves in no time. Tartarus Celly, he's not going to disappear on you either.’ Celestia mentally chided herself while she listened to the ranting of one noble who was unhappy about an inconvenience.

It was a curious feeling. She knew where Rising was; She knew how he was, that he would recover to wander about the Castle with much less problems except for the labyrinthian nature of the Castle, and Celestia knew both she and her sister could visit Rising at any given time after Court.

And yet for some damnable reason, she still felt like life dimmed just a bit.

’Am I just this starved for casual conversation with somepony that will see me as a pony and not for my title?’ She frowned carefully, so as to not have the noblespony notice. It wasn’t entirely out of the question, as she knew every mare and stallion inside the castle by name. She could instantly remember names and professions from Chef Evergreen Leaf, to the recently recruited Fair Longhoof. So to want to know about somepony she didn’t know about would certainly be a welcoming change.

Except with every pony in Equestria, she could probably find out almost everything about them either by her presence indirectly demanding them to confess anything, even their personal secrets, or by looking at their documents and recordings of their lives. With Rising, there was barely anything about him or the Legion and he held his secrets much closer to his chest. What made him interesting was that he only revealed what he felt was worth telling to her and Luna to know.

Or the two are just not asking the right questions, either answer did seem to be the case.

“Your Highness, she’s waiting for an answer from you.” Forward Bastion’s voice cut through Celestia’s thoughts, bringing her back to the present and saw the noble that she let ramble on without paying attention to was staring expectantly at her.

Celestia blinked before giving off her best excuse to pacify the noble on ... whatever it was she was complaining about, “Very well, I’ll be sure to give some time and thought into the matter. You will be notified of my answer within the near future.”

The excuse seemed to work, as the noblespony gave a happy smile, “Very good, Princess. I’m thankful for you hearing me out on this and I’m certain the issue will be resolved on that front.” Without a farewell, she trotted off and left the throne room.

“Is everything well, Your Highness?” Forward asked once the door closed shut.

Celestia waved him off with a hoof, “Yes, Forward. Just had a bit of personal thought that went too long, I’m fine.”

He gave a few moments of staring at her before relenting, “If you say so, Princess. Next!”

Perhaps it was just best to hold off on thinking about her drawing attraction ...

Oh Faust, she wasn’t falling in love that easily was she...? She barely even knew a lot about Rising, let alone give any emotional attachment … .

Oh right, she kept sneaking out of school and home to have Rising, when he was a statue, be her companion and confidant. That’s about as close to having an emotional attachment as one could probably get … .

Alright, so maybe there was a good reason as to why she was attracted to Rising ... when he was a statue and not the Rising as he is now.

Celestia finally gave a grumble and asked her Majordomo, “Forward? Could you send for a maid to have some chamomile tea be brought to me?”

«««✧✦✧»»»

Luna gave an exasperated huff as she turned on her side in her bed and failed to find any sleep again. She looked out the window once more and learned it was still early afternoon.

Normally at this hour, she would’ve been dead asleep to the world and nothing would wake her up, as it's part of what she inherited from her father aside from the nightly duties and night-owl habits.

But apparently, a lull after a week’s worth of recent events was enough to disrupt any plans for Luna to rest as she turned on her side again and flipped her pillow upside down.

Finally after an hour, Luna threw the blankets off of her and got out of bed. Since her mind and body was refusing to relax and find any rest, she may as well be up and about. With that decision in mind, Luna went to her bathroom to shower and look presentable, using a moderately cooler shower to shake off any drowsiness that had settled.

As she washed her mane and tail, Luna considered what to do. She could just visit Rising, as taking the trip to her sister would end up with her sitting on her throne and definitely finding sleep.

Or she could take a leaf out of Rising’s book and visit the library to get a bit of exercise in her reading ability. It seemed to work well for him.

In the end and by the time she finished washing and dried herself off, Luna decided to go visit Rising and maybe grab a book from the library. That way she could have the benefit of both and if she was lucky, her sister wouldn’t be aware of Luna’s whereabouts and she’d have almost a full day of free time.

And as it turned out, she had the fortune of reaching Rising without a sight or sound of her sister, and entered Rising’s room to find him struggling unhappily at trying to write with his mouth and an equally unhappy scribe trying to teach him.

The two stallions turned to look at Luna before Crossed Quill gave a polite bow, “Your Highness.” While Prince Rising gave her a slightly surprised look with the pencil still in his mouth.

Rising set aside the pencil and said, “We thought you’d be asleep at this hour, Princess Luna.”

“I couldn’t sleep, so I sought to occupy myself for a while before trying again.” Luna admitted, “And I hadn’t wanted to find it with my sister at court.”

“The Lunar Princess with insomnia?” Rising said with mock astonishment, "And we thought this day wouldn't be any stranger! Is a dragon about to fly through the windows next?"

Though Luna almost expected something like it happening, she gave a sullen look at the stallion, “I merely thought you would appreciate the company, if thou hath not then very well we shall visit the library and return to our quarters.”

She didn’t get far as Rising gave a chuckle, "Forgive us, Princess Luna. Just the thought that someone such as yourself with duties that take place at night has insomnia strikes us both amusing and odd.”

Luna stopped from trotting away, but she still wasn't amused by Rising's jab. Sadly, that still made Rising chuckle.

"Forgive me, Your Highness. But I still have a stallion in dire need of learning how to write properly." Crossed Quill said, giving an unamused look at the new Prince.

“Thou hath troubles with writing?” Luna asked, somewhat interested and somewhat confused.

“Indeed he does, Your Highness. And honest to Faust herself, I’ve never seen anypony struggle as much as this stallion does.”

“We’ve never had to write with our mouths before.” Rising grumbled, “And we can’t afford to try with magic since we’ve no innate knowledge of it and if we recall, being sick and casting magic is a good way to transform someone’s eye out.”

Luna gave a small wince, as both she and Celestia had fallen ill a few times as fillies and could attest how easily miscasted magic could be, “Well, thou hast finally found out how we feel as we struggle upon adopting recent habits, including proper dialect as my sister puts it.”

The stallion shrugged, “Had to happen at some point, wouldn’t it?” He gave a low curse when the pencil broke again.

“For the love of— Don’t press so hard, I’ve told you this several times by now!” Crossed Quill complained as he resharpened the writing tool.

“It’s not intentional! Otherwise we’d get barely visible chicken scratches!”

Luna gave a small giggle watching the two stallions bicker as she found a chair to sit in. As Rising’s instructor gave an audible grumble, “At least these pencils aren’t coming out of my pay.”

The banter between them continued onwards even during Rising’s attempts at writing for quite some time as Luna treated the sight and situation as entertainment, somewhat regretting she hadn’t brought tea or a drink with her.

After a good hour and a half later between Crossed and Rising arguing, Rising finally succeeded at carving a legible sentence in Equestrian.

His instructor however, wasn’t pleased knowing what the sentence called him, making Luna stifle her giggles as hard as she could as Crossed Quill swore up a storm at Rising, who himself had a semi-rebellious look.

Everypony’s attention turned when Celestia opened the door saying, “Hello, Rising. How are your lessons?”

“Bloody awful.” Both stallions groused together.

Celestia gave a giggle and was about to ask as to why when she spotted Luna, “Luna? What are you doing up so late in the daytime?”

“I couldn’t sleep, sister. So I figured I would come and visit our friend and then head off to the library to practice for a bit.” The deep blue mare replied with a shrug.

Celestia gave a small grumpy huff at how she was left alone in trade to give the stallion company before she shook her head and asked, "May I see? Perhaps I might help you with your problems."

Rising said nothing as Crossed Quill sourly passed over the results of half a days worth of learning.

Celestia took one look at the final result and eyed Rising with a look that silently gave the dull question, "Really?"

She was rewarded with Rising sticking his tongue out, causing Luna to giggle more.

The alabaster alicorn gave a scoff and muttered, “You are a conglomeration of some untold number of souls and how old are you? As a whole?” She specified when Rising was about to ask a question.

The stallion’s eyes flicked to the left and right in mental consideration and in deep thought as he and the Legion started recalling and recollecting just how long they’ve existed, excluding the time they’ve been encased within stone.

For almost a minute, Rising stayed silent until finally he answered with, “At best guess, we’ve lingered for a total of around four thousand years.”

That caused Luna to sputter and Celestia to just stare at the ill stallion with wide eyes and amazement. Not even the ages of her mother and father combined were that old!

How in Tartarus could one want to live on after that many centuries, even Celestia already began to feel the pull of existential exhaustion after being barely above a thousand years old...

“Though given in comparison to how our kind existed for over a hundred thousand years, our perpetual cycle is not as impressively long.” Rising continued, his expression turning reminiscent, “Still. Having existed in such a long connected string of years, we have wandered and saw everything our ever changing world had to offer. We have seen events and sights of beauty and of profound ugliness, even if others had differing opinions to what they saw as ‘beautiful’ or ‘ugly’.” He gave a small chuckle, “We’ve even seen multiple times where one part of the world thought and considered it was the end of days, where all life collapsed either through one event or another, never really knowing just what apocalypse truly awaited before we would be set in stone.”

Luna sat there in silent awe as Rising informed them how long humanity reigned on earth before ponies ever came into existence all while Celestia stood there in a more thoughtful silence. It certainly was shocking and awe-inspiring that a race stood for so long, but what caught her attention the most was what Rising had said about his “perpetual cycle” and “long connected string”.

What exactly was he talking about? Did he just mean that he and the Legion were simply a conglomerate of souls and lives that spanned so far back? If so then what was the “birth” of him and the Legion? It couldn’t have been for very long if he experienced what amounted to the death of his species....

With that thought in mind, Celestia decided to ask Rising about it, clarifying about what she figured.

Rising gave a small smile, “You’re certainly an attentive mare, Princess Celestia. Though perhaps it’s on us for letting slip that many hints and tidbits... No, while we are a conglomeration, we didn’t come together all at once. No, our Lord wouldn’t even dream of making something and someone such as us on the eve of the End.”

“Then when exactly were you ... “Born” as it were?” Celestia pressed, hoping for either a straight answer or a more obvious hint.

Rising didn’t answer as he merely stared at the mare, the colors of his iris’ didn’t change in the slightest. Indicating that he and the Legion were not going to deign an answer to her.

Celestia gave a frustrated frown at Rising, and nearly considered pushing her luck in getting what she wanted. But seeing at how the stallion was resolutely silent and wouldn’t budge, if not become further reclusive if she tried to force him, reluctantly changed her mind.

Still, now she had questions and possibly find her answers, whether or not Rising intended for her to do so or not.

Crossed Quill, who had been silently taking in the information he was being allowed to hear but hadn’t made the connection that Rising wasn’t talking about alicorns, gave a light cough, “Forgive me if I speak up, but regardless of the fact that our Prince is four thousand years old, I still do not understand how he can be so foalish and impetuous, not to mention woefully inept at writing in Equestrian.”

With Crossed Quill reminding Celestia, the alabaster mare was now more unhappy as her mind reconnected to what she had been trying to say before Rising explained himself, “Indeed. Much as I lost my train of thought, you’re four thousand years and yet you act like a foal with your mentor?”

Rising only gave her a cheeky grin, only making Celestia further irritated at his antics and Luna giggling louder before hearing the door open again, revealing the Royal Doctor bringing in a small tray with a bowl of what appears to be medicine.

“Time already?” Rising asked, his eyebrows rising as he turned to look out at a window before remembering two certain alicorns being responsible for what consists of “Time” in this new land.

Hibiscus gave a happy nod as she replied, bringing the tray to lay on the bed before bringing the bowl over, “I’ve been working on this for a while with an apothecary, so this potion should give an extra helping hoof in your recovery.”

Rising gave a small huff as he took up the bowl, carefully juggling it between his front legs before gently sipping the potion.

He sputtered and coughed at just how sour it was, spilling a good portion of the liquid from the bowl and across his chest and on the blankets.

“Prince Rising, I understand it’s not as sweet as mother’s milk but I’d appreciate you not wasting the potion.” Hibiscus Stem tutted as she refilled the bowl away from him so as to give a moment to recover.

“Doctor, we expected it to be incredibly bitter. Not sour.” Rising coughed again as he could already feel his tongue recoiling and blistering from the acidic drink.

This made Hibiscus pause as she took a look at the potion before dipping a hoof and tasting it herself. She immediately recoiled and said, “Must have been a bad root.” She started grating her tongue against her upper teeth as she muttered, “Ponyfeathers ...”

After a few moments, the two ponies recovered enough from the sour drought as Hibiscus said, “Well, despite how horribly sour this is. You still need some of it.”

“And lose our tongue in the process? We’d rather wait for a proper and bitter medicine than that.” Rising grouched, “Lord Almighty, It’s worse than apple cider vinegar and ten warhead candies combined."

Both Alicorn mares looked at Rising in confusion before Celestia tutted, her horn lighting and working her magic, “A bit of magic should help with this. Though I’m surprised your apothecary didn’t taste this before hoof, doctor.”

Hibiscus gave a helpless shrug, “He simply said the potion would work, and I suppose I simply assumed he had already taken a small taste before sending it to me.”

A few moments of silence before the bowl gave a small puff of magic and Celestia levitated the potion back to Rising, “I believe this should be more tolerable now.”

“The way you speak, it sounds like you’ve done this out of experience, Princess.” Rising said as he gave a wary look at the potion.

“As a filly who hath been under mine sister’s care, she had to.” Luna commented, barely recalling the more vivid memories of being nursed and helped when she fell ill or injured.

Rising hesitated a bit more before taking a second try at the potion, now nearly spitting at just how quickly the incredibly sour taste had been transformed into an incredibly sweet taste.

“And we can see how she likes to push her sweet tooth on others.” He muttered before drinking the potion as best as he can, Celestia scoffing at the ingratitude, “Princess, we’ve well noticed the times you keep sharing and pushing cake and other sweets to your servants and guards, and don’t think we noticed your sister pawning some of them as well.”

Luna suddenly straightened up as she seemed to remember something and hopped off her chair, turning to the occupants, “I’m afraid I must bid thee good day, now. I’ve spent enough time and it is best I return to my quarters. Good day, sister.”

She barely waited for Celestia to bid her goodbyes before Luna trotted quickly from the room, leaving Celestia confused and Rising watching with interest at the sudden leave.

«««✧✦✧»»»

After she visited the library and acquired a few primer books for her to practice on, Luna moved off to her room, attempting to be both swift and quiet as she could.

Once Luna reached her room, she deposited the books on a nearby desk before moving to lie down on her bed. Though she would normally make an attempt of getting comfortable, what she planned and had meant to follow through allowed her to forgo the effort.

With practiced and experienced aptitude for her speciality, Luna breathed slowly as she prepared for entering the aether-like realm that was the dream realm. She had gone through numerous rituals and habits on herself and her given bed in order to have the most efficient and most effective method in performing her duties as a Princess of Dreams.

She breathed one more time before her mind slowly disconnected from her body and lost contact from the physical world as she ‘fell asleep’ and ‘woke up’ in the dream realm.

The world around her now took on a more ethereal space, as she stood on the atmosphere and the numerous wispy clouds of a planet. In front of her were three more similar looking planetoids, two of them small enough to be hidden behind a bit, while the third was dominating a part of the void that was called space. Cosmic dust arrayed in beautiful patterns that could only be made in the imaginative minds of young and old danced and settled in the background, the unseen sun shining down on the planetoids, making them shine and glow brilliantly as Luna observed the realm.

She sighed in content, already feeling that she had been gone far too long in the cold and black silence upon the moon during her exile. Though this was only her interpretation of the dream realm and she never saw the true face of it, she wouldn’t trade such a sight in the world.

Knowing she had much ahead of her, she opened her wings and flew up and away from her planet and crossed the vast empty void, planets appearing and disappearing as she traveled, like fireflies at night.

She flew to one little planet that glowed in an unhealthy blue, signaling to her of a thestral undergoing a nightmare. Once she landed upon it, she looked down and through the turbulent clouds and atmosphere, she saw a little colt running in fear of an exaggerated creature.

Luna gave a deep breath before lighting her horn, enveloping herself and the planet in her magic. The dream within shimmered, evaporating the creature and replacing the world as the little colt saw as a more pleasant dream of him finding a utopia of candy and other assorted sweets. With her efforts, the planetoid turned to a bright and vibrant light blue and the clouds within becoming calm and whimsy wisps.

Satisfied, Luna smiled and flapped a few times before flying away, continuing her search for her goal.

She quickly flew past one certain world that gave a glimpse of one adult bat pony and a dream version of her sharing a romantic room filled with ... interesting tools she didn’t want to look at.

However it was too late as she saw a very large pony-sized dreamcatcher in that dream and now Luna could never look at those trinkets with a straight face anymore. And now the implications of it already made Luna blush hard.

What in Tartarus was with ponies and their thoughts on ensnarement these days?

Luna moved much more quickly through the realm and did her best in suppressing what she saw. Throughout her journey and experience, it was her best response when finding bedroom activity related dreams. Luna shook her head and did her best in casting off her thoughts on it, other than remembering her first time after returning from her banishment she realized just how many ponies and curiously enough a few griffons and dragons held secret crushes on her more than Celestia.

Though one certain griffon was a bit more public and ... Concerningly determined to find his way to personally meet her and try his luck … .

And Celestia wonders why Luna doesn’t attend some events and activities outside the castle grounds … .

Regardless, it was both heartwarming that so many saw her and appreciated her ... and incredibly concerning and self-conscious with the depths of said appreciation.

Luna immediately shook her head and tried to get rid of her blush. Despite her focus and her intention, she knew she’d have to satisfy herself afterwards. And she would likely have to order in a new replacement for her equipment as well as change her laundry, just that sight and the stray thoughts that attacked her was guaranteeing it.

But no matter and no longer did Luna grouse at what happened, she found the world she was searching for and after a moment of taking time to recollect herself, descended down upon the dream.

As Luna “landed”, the environment melded away to show a nearly gloomy castle interior decorated in a midnight theme similar to how her Night Guard barracks were themed. There were banners streaming here and there showing a side shot of a pony silhouette with bat-like wings and a furred mane traveling down the neck towards the middle of the banner.

‘The Lorcan Bloodline. Doth he still worry of his house’s expectations?’ Luna thought as she traveled down its hallways and soon heard audible arguing.

She turned a corner that led to the source of the voices and saw a young bat pony colt standing impetuous with tears in his eyes at his mother, who had been decorated and fashioned with royal garments that trailed down her body and stopped short of her shoes while she was topped with a small crown that held a jewel down the center of face and a long, trailing black coat.

The mare’s words were jumbled and unfocused, with the occasional recognized words “Honor”, “married”, “shame” and “future” in that order. The colt’s response was just as jumbled and unformed, however he delivered it in a staunch defense for his side of whatever the argument was about.

The mother scoffed and gave a glare before using a wing to fling her coat over to her right before walking in that direction before Luna dissipated the dream and spoke, “Midnight Wind.”

The colt suddenly found himself turned back into his actual age and size before giving a panicking gasp, looking around before locking eyes with his Princess and gave a bow, “Your Highness. It is an honor to meet you at this hour ...” He looked towards where he had seen the mare and asked, “How long might I ask, have you been waiting?”

“Not long, dear Midnight. Though it would seem you still hold weight from your family and their expectations.” Luna replied with a concerned look.

Midnight gave a silent huff, “We both know my mother, and how she demands that the line continue to be strong and reach greater heights with every generation.”

“And doth she feel a Night Guard is not of proper grounds?” Luna asked.

The stallion shook his head quickly, “N-no, my Princess Luna. It’s ...”

He fell silent for a moment before one memory started to drift past both ponies as the same mare appeared and demanded, “And praytell, my child, what will you seek afterward? How long will you stay silent? Until you can no longer physically or mentally remain in service? It is an honor to stand in guard of the Night Princess, but not once have I heard any proposal from you or any accepted proposals from the other families. And I will be damned before I see any decline in the Lorcan line!” She fell silent for a moment before adding on, “I already gave my terms on this, Midnight Wind.”

The memory drifted away out of sight and out of mind before Princess Luna commented, “She doth demand foals to continue the bloodline?”

The thestral gave a nod, “So long as the mare and family matches her standards, which are almost as high as your moon, my Princess.” He gave a sigh and laid down on his stomach.

Luna didn’t speak up for a little, letting silence reign between the two ponies before saying, “I have a task for you, dear Midnight. As this is primarily what brought me here. Though it seems this may in the end aid your own issues.”

“By your command, my Princess. What may your Night Guard do?” The bat pony responded instantly, getting up and letting his training take over, though he sported a confused look at her.

“I am sending you to Ponyville, specifically to spend company of a variety of sorts to a specific pony whom you may recognize having briefly escorted her from said village to the castle.”

Midnight’s confusion worsened as he stared at the Princess and he risked a question, “Princess Celestia’s student...? Your Highness?”

“Your duties there would be concerning and revolving around this mare.” Princess Luna continued, “I feel it is time that the ponies of Equestria become further aware of your kind. With both you and aforementioned mare, it may help in bringing both ponies and thestrals together and bring further friendship between each other.”

“After all. I still hear rumors and whispered false tales of what the ponies consider the thestral race, and it will not do for Equestria nor its harmonious message if both races cannot be brought in friendship.” She finished before giving a small smile, “And I feel both you and Twilight Sparkle might find something in common enough to accomplish this task.”

Midnight’s mind wheeled at what his Princess was saying and considering, “But ... Your Highness. Does ... What about ...”

A memory flew past them again, showing a moment during Midnight’s training under his family’s tutor in history at how ponies and thestrals had a great deal of differences and moments in history where both sides came into conflict and combat, often to the detriment of the thestrals.

“Mine sister shalt be aware and she shall approve my mission to you, with blessing no less dear Midnight.” Luna assured with a smile, “Doth thou understand and partake in this mission?”

The bat pony stared dumbfounded at his Princess before he gave a hesitant, “B-by your command, Your Highness.” He didn’t give a salute to her before he asked, her words and intentions still baffling him, “When do you expect me to begin, my Princess?”

Luna gave a pondering thought before saying, “Thou shalt begin thy journey to Ponyville by morrow evening, it shall give thee time to settle in a home we shall provide. By then, thy first task likely shalt be the changing of thine sleep to increase interaction with thine charge.”

Midnight protested, “What of my mother? I do not think she will—”

“Thine mother may protest, but it is our command and our will. She shall bow to us. Once our sister voices in her approval with us, thine mother’s wrath shalt not find you.”

This didn’t seem to placate the thestral as he looked for another reason to not go, “But how can I help with Princess Celestia’s student? I’m no academic and I don’t have any talent in research.”

“Thou needest only follow what Twilight Sparkle asks within reason.” Luna rebutted, her brow furrowing at the resistance her Night Guard was presenting.

Midnight started looking around for any other reasons as Luna asked, “Why doth thou wishest to avoid this task? Thou struck well with our sister’s student during thy brief moment.”

He gave a mutter and pawed at the ground with a hoof, “Was just a whim and fancy at the time, I didn’t really expect her to take any action with me.”

“Then thine worries are hollow, and we art confident in thy success.” Luna said, her smile returning before turning to leave, “We shalt leave thee to thy dreams now, dear Midnight. Good morrow, and be not afraid of our task to you.”

And with that she flew out of the dream and left Midnight Wind’s dream “planet” before taking a venture around other thestrals’ dreams to check for nightmares, which blessedly were rare.

Once she returned to the physical realm, she quickly set about putting aside what garments she wore and placed the books well away from her next thought and activity that she could no longer put off.

Imagination is both a curse and a blessing, Luna concluded.

Author's Note

Bottom Text

Memes aside, I'm finally delivering on that promise for the new chapter. It's a bit shorter mostly out of me trying to get these out to you all and not have a year or so go by like some of the long stories out here. (I don't have the energy like TDR or Scipio does with their stories, though I'm at least trying)

I'm already getting started on the next chapter so stay tuned and keep a wing and a hope that I won't get as swamped as this chapter did.

At first I didn't really intend to get thestral/bat ponies involved as much more than I had with the chapter where I first had them appear, but after some time and mulling about with idle thoughts on future chapters, I decided to go ahead and start adding them to the world I'm building. (I took serious inspiration from Netflix Castlevania and then Elder Scrolls Vampire Clans with how Thestral families would probably work)

Also yes indeed, I am coupling Twilight. That mare needs a Special Pony, whether it comes from canon or OC. Though this one I'm likely to take things in the slow adorkable path. This is Twilight, after all.

And also yes, Luna encountering NSFW in dreams is honestly an expected occurrence, and in retrospective being gone for 1k years and having to discover what new lewdness was invented while being gone would be a bit confounding to anyone.