Of Radiance and Sacrifice

Of Radiance and Sacrifice

Present Day

Canterlot Falls

     Princess Celestia stood at the edge of the cliff beside the falls. The sound of rushing water filled her mind as she lowered the sun. She finished her duties and continued to focus her ears. It was calming, peaceful even. She looked out towards the east expecting the moon to rise. Alas, it didn’t.

     “Damn it Luna…”

     This was the second night in a row that Luna hadn’t raised the moon, leaving Celestia to do her sister's job. She knew how much Luna hated it when she raised it for her but if it isn’t raised by the time the suns down, she did it.

     Lighting her horn, Celestia raised the moon. It began to appear over the horizon, slowly inching upwards. Once out in full, she released it and let it sit in the sky among the billions of stars out tonight.

     Turning away from the cliffside, Celestia made her way towards the path back to the castle. Awaiting her were two day guards, standing at attention.

     Walking up to the first guard, she asked “Have you received any word about my sister's whereabouts?”

     The guard saluted “No, Your Majesty.”

     Celestia sighed. “Alright. Let us make way to the castle.”

     Saluting in unison, the two guards took lead, Celestia following close behind.

      Luna woke up from her sleep. It was a pleasant enough one. No dreams, just a blank mind. The sound of music was playing off in the distance, a reminder of the nightlife this city was known for.

Typical Manehattan Luna thought, smiling a little.

     She sat up, looking over at her clock. It read 12:47am. A newspaper article was located on the bedside table. Lighting up her horn, she levitated it towards herself and read the front page. ‘Two more alleged gang members found dead in Manehattan.’ There was a part at the bottom that said something about crime rates but Luna paid no mind to it.

At least somepony is making a difference

     Putting the paper down and getting out of her bed, she walked towards her balcony. Upon stepping outside, Luna was hit with the midnight breeze and a sudden spike in the music’s volume. She inhaled the manehattan air and exhaled, visible smoke coming from her muzzle. Her balcony overlooked a park of some sort, lamp lights in the distance lighting up the scene.

     She could hear the cheers from a crowd alongside the music. Perhaps a concert? She questioned.

     Staring into the dark, Luna’s mind wandered. Here she was in the second biggest city in Equestria and she had no idea why. She just upped and left from Canterlot in such a hurry with no plan at all.

     Turning away from the railing, Luna made way for the door.

     “Perhaps a walk throughout the night shall help.”

     She walked to her saddlebags and emptied its contents on the bed, picking up a few things she had taken from Canterlot. What caught her eye was a silver necklace with a ruby crescent moon in the middle. It was a gift she received at her first Grand Galloping Gala appearance. Putting it around her neck, she walked for the door.

     Luna pushed the hotel doors open and stepped outside. The air was just as cool as before. The receptionist from before gave her an odd look when she walked by. At first Luna thought she forgot to cast her spell and change her appearance but after double checking in a window, she concluded that all was well.

Is it what i'm wearing?

     Luna had a grey, fluffy winter jacket, boots and scarf. She thought it contrasted well with her light-blue mane and midnight-blue coat. The necklace was tucked into the jacket, away from sight.

     Not sure of where to go, Luna just walked whatever way was straight. She noticed there weren't many ponies about the streets in the area. And the ones she came across looked paranoid, looking left and right every two seconds as if something was going to happen.

     As Luna was walking past an alley, she was grabbed and pulled in. She was shoved against a brick wall with two silhouettes walking towards her. Fear began to set in, one had a knife in his mouth by the hilt and the other was levitating a half smashed bottle. She hadn’t fought another being since the invasion so her skills at hoof to hoof were at a low.

     “Hoof over any bits ya got and you’ll see another day!” the one with the bottle demanded.

     Luna stood there unsure of what to do. She had no bits to give. But if she didn’t… Looking around for options and finding none, she decided to try and tell the truth.

     “I… I'm sorry but I havn’t any bits on me…” she made a show of emptying her pockets.

     The one with a knife looked pissed. “Thees thying!” he hissed around the blade. In an instant, he lunged forward whilst Luna wasn’t ready. However just before he reached her, a figure flew out of the darkness and kicked him to the side. The pony wore a ragged cloak and took a defensive stance in front of Luna, facing the other mugger.

     The two stared each other off for a good ten seconds. All of a sudden, the cracked bottle was sent hurling towards Luna’s savior. The cloaked pony jumped up and in mid air, kicked the bottle against the wall to the left. Upon landing, the shadow trotted up to the now weaponless unicorn, dodging a few punches thrown. They then jumped over him, onto his back and slammed his head into the pavement.

     Getting up from the ass kicking the pony just dished out, they called out “Come, quickly!” It was a stallion no doubt, his voice sounding somewhat young but groggy. There was an opening behind a dumpster that Luna had failed to see. The pony kicked the gate open and ran through to the other end, Luna hot on his tail.

     Luna heard a voice call out from behind. “After them!”

     They were in another alley and at the end was a solid wall. “Keep going!” the mysterious pony yelled. Two wings appeared at his side and he took flight, flying up the wall. Turning around, he looked at Luna. “Come on!”

     “I can’t!” Luna called out

     “You’re a princess! You have wings, use em!” he yelled down at her

     “I… I d-” Luna was cut off.

     Lowering himself and extending a hoof, he screamed “Jump!”

     Jumping to reach the pony’s hoof, she caught it. Lifting her up onto the wall, the two muggers were below and exhausted. “Get... down... here!” he gasped between breaths. Luna and the mystery pony stood atop the wall. He reached into his cloak and pulled out a grey, circular object. He threw it down at the robbers. Nothing happened. Suddenly, a crack rang throughout the alley. Luna looked back down the wall only to find a lot of smoke. The two walked away from the scene, with coughing all that could be heard from below.

     Luna and the pony walked in silence, fog being emitted from both their muzzles. It looked somewhat creepy coming from the cloak since Luna couldn’t see the pony’s face, just the nose and mouth on his muzzle poking out.

     Luna felt exhausted and wanted to ask where they were going. As if he knew exactly what she was thinking, he said “We’re here.” It was an abandoned tower in the middle of the city.

Pray tell why they haven't demolished the building yet Luna mused

     They walked for another minute and a half, climbing up a stairwell before entering a dark room. The only source of light was the moonlight coming through the cracks in the wall and the broken windows. That soon changed when a golden light shone from the middle of the room, coming from a fire the pony lit.

     He sat down, Luna taking a position next to him albeit keeping a distance. The fire warmed her up nicely. Silence was all that could be heard for a few minutes, the pony poking a stick at the fire to keep it alive.

     Deciding to attempt at a conversation, Luna started “So… you gonna mug me now or something?” She fake chuckled. No response came. She sighed and thought of something to say. One thing came to mind.

     “Thanks for saving my flank and all. I don’t have anything of value to give you but if there's anything I can do, then…”

     Silence. Well, so much for an attempt at- a voice cut her off.

     “You know, I try to save as many ponies as possible and sparing those that aren’t a massive threat. Now you, you're quite special, for you happen to be a princess. To be specific, the Princess of the Night… Luna.” His voice echoed throughout the room. There was a sly smile plastered on his muzzle.

     “How do you know that?” Luna inquired. She was still in her standard unicorn form so there was no way this pony could have known that.

     “I think i’d remember the pony I gave that necklace to” he pointed to said ruby necklace that hung freely around Luna’s neck. “When was it? Your first Grand Galloping Gala?”

     The realization began to sink in. She cast the reverse spell on herself, turning back into her signature self but retaining her jacket, scarf, boots and necklace. Her ears drooped against her head. “F… Frost?” Luna questioned

     He began to reach for the hood of his cloak, pulling it back. First came the light-grey fur, then strands of black and red mane and finally those deep, red irises. It was him. Frost. The fire casting a golden hue across his features. He had a calm look etched on his face. One of a pony that’s at peace.

     “So how ha-” he was tackled to the ground by none other than Luna. She hugged him tight, not letting go. He began to feel what he assumed to be warm tears on his back. Then came a sound he thought he'd never hear coming from Luna, he heard sobs. Luna clung to Frost as she broke down, Frost hugging her back.

     “I’ve missed you too Luna.”