An Empire Lost in Time

It was mid-morning, the sun was bright, and Luna was tired. Over the last couple of weeks, she had been forced to stay up later than usual. As she and Twilight traveled to the empire, she had resigned herself to staying up all day yesterday to change her sleep schedule. She never slept well at night; as such, her sleep was restless. In the distance, she saw the city. It looked very different from when she last saw it. The once-pure white marble walls had now turned the shade of aged parchment. Greenery seemed to cover much of the old walls. Places that her memory told her were once dry now had deep pools of water. Large dark shapes of unknown fish passed to and fro in several of the large pools. Large ships were docked along the sides of the city, as smaller vessels moved back and forth to their destinations. Just past the edge of the city, farmland and orchards surrounded sparsely-positioned homes. Beyond that, a ringed wall of marble marked the next section. It was filled with closely-packed homes and merchant shops. Stalls and tents cluttered many of the busier places. Beyond that was another ringed wall of marble. Standing with lush green beauty were larger, more decorated houses. They had gardens and canals of water. Beyond that at the heart of the city stood the Imperial Palace. It was elevated above the rest. Tall spires of gold and silver kissed the sky. Ancient high marble walls formed a ring around it, and the towers of the wall were crowned in gold. Within the walls at the foot of the palace were small but lavish homes. Gardens with lush green trees and plants choked every bit of available space. There were deep pools and rushing streams of water.

Passing above the streets in a royal sky carriage, Luna spotted soldiers parading and crowds cheering them on. Across from her sat the ever-elegant white unicorn mare, Rarity, who was gazing out the window. The sounds of a quill scratching on parchment came from Luna’s side; glancing over, she found that Twilight was busy writing.

“Twilight, what are you doing?” Luna asked.

“Oh, just taking some notes. Why do you suppose they are parading?”

“Could be for any reason. You should ask Prince Luminous when we set down.”

“I will have to do that. Still not talking to him, I take it?” Twilight replied.

Rarity’s ears perked up but she said nothing.

“No, I am not, and I don’t see why I should. It's not like he is ever going to feel that way for me again.”

“You know there is no better way to mend your friendship than talking to him,” Twilight gently urged her.

“I’m sorry to butt in, but just so I understand this, darling, would you mind explaining?” Rarity interjected.

“Long story short: a thousand years ago, give or take a little, I was in love with the prince. We had planned to run away together. Through a bit of a misunderstanding, on the night he was supposed to meet me, his city sunk under a massive wave.”

“Oh darling, I'm so sorry. It sounds like you two deeply cared for each other. I can understand how meeting him now would be difficult for you.”

The sky carriage slowly came to a stop within the imperial courtyard, countless guards and onlookers watching as it landed. Luna was the first to step out of the royal sky carriage, she was greeted by the sight of the emperor. His stature was great, his scales were golden in color, and he was adorned with bright silver armor. Blue gems lined the sides of the beast plate with a larger one in the center, and wavelike grooves ran along the breast plate and bracers.

“Princess Luna, when last I saw you, you were not much older than a filly.” His gaze fell upon Twilight, “And this must be the Princess Twilight Sparkle; I must say, you’re smaller than I imagined,” he said as he looked down upon her.

Twilight squeaked but cleared her throat. “I’m only the newest princess, not counting my niece.”

“Ah, so there are four of you alicorns now,” the emperor stated.

“Oh no, there are five of us: Princess Celestia, Princess Luna, and myself you have met. Princess Cadence is the ruler of the Crystal Empire, and Princess Flurry Heart is her daughter. My brother is her father.”

“Is this Princess Cadence a descendant of my friend the Good King Sombra?” The emperor asked.

Twilight and Luna shared a glance before Twilight spoke. “No, King Sombra is deceased. He came to possess a great power, and it consumed him. It drove him into darkness and made him mad with power. He drove his people into slavery. It's only been a few years since the empire returned. Its been gone just as long as yours has. It needed a princess, so my sister-in-law was given it to rule.”

“A shame to know my good friend ended in that way,” the emperor said, pondering the fact. “Who is this white pony next to you? I was not informed of her arrival.”

Twilight glanced at Rarity, then back to the emperor. “This is my good friend and the Bearer of the Element of Generosity, Miss Rarity.”

“Very well. I’ll have another room readied, but tell me, what is her purpose for coming?”

Rarity was the one to speak up. “I wish to learn about culture and customs. Your empire has been gone for so long that I wanted to jump at the opportunity to explore it. The culture here from what I have seen is just marvelous.”

“Very well, I will have my oldest daughter show you around.” The emperor said then to Luna, “I will have somepony show you to your guest chamber; you seem ready to pass out.”

Luna swayed on her hooves. “Yes, thank you.”

“My emperor, it would be my pleasure to do so,” Sir Phoenix spoke up.

The Emperor looked toward the knight. “Very well. They will be staying in the east wing, next to the library,” he told Phoenix.

Twilight’s ears perked up. “Since we are going to be next to the library, may I have permission to visit it and read up on your culture?”

“That’s why I have placed you there. Tomorrow I will be showing you around the city myself.” The emperor looked toward his son. “I wish to see you in my study.”

Phoenix stood near Luna. She looked very tired. He noticed bags under her eyes and her heavy hoofsteps as she followed. He led her through the main gates and into the eastern garden. “I figure for your benefit we could walk this way so you don’t have to put on a show for any pony we might run into.”

“Thank you; I appreciate the gesture,” Luna graciously replied.

Bright red and yellow flowers dotted the path. An elegant siren statue stood near the entrance: a depiction of Empress Nightsong that Primarch had carved himself. As they walked further down the path, the flowers started deepening in color, reflecting shades of the the night sky: nightshade, night sky petunias, rare blue roses, and much more.

Phoenix stopped in front of a large rock that had nothing but moon flowers around it. “Say, could you read this plaque for me?”

Luna lazily looked down to focus on the words. “‘To the Love of My Life. May our souls forever be one.’” She stared at it for a long moment. “Ok, what about it? It’s sweet poetry, but I don’t understand. Why did you bring me here?”

“Just thought you would like the flowers, and it is a nice little plaque,” Phoenix replied.

Luna looked more closely at the flowers around it. She noticed the beautiful white flowers and the strong pleasing aroma they gave off. “These are moon flowers, my favorite.”

“Oh, I know,” Phoenix replied.

“I would ask how you know, but I'm going to guess it’s because you spend a lot of time with Luminous. Again, I ask: why bring me here?”

“Luminous had it commissioned many years ago. When I asked why, he simply told me, ‘So I never forget the love of my life.’”

“But he has made it clear he doesn't feel that way for me anymore. So once more I ask, why bring me here?”

Phoenix shook his head. “Mighty odd that he came here before we left for Canterlot, and he will no doubt be here tonight,” he replied. “Just thought you may like to see it.”

Luna pondered his words. “How can I trust you? You could just be telling me this to make me think he cares for me.”

“Aye, I could very well be lying. In fact, I could even be part of some game to hurt you even more. The thing is, that would hurt my lord just as much if not more. So believe what you will; don’t take my word for it. Maybe you should see for yourself tonight.”

Luna thought about his words as they continued walking.

Soon they stood in front of the room, and Phoenix opened the door. “Please enjoy your night princess. I will see you tomorrow at the winter banquet.”

Luna could hear a sweet, sorrowful tune echoing softly through out the garden. Small clusters of fireflies floated around her dancing on the wind. The sea breeze brought salty scents that mingled with the garden flowers. She slowly walked to the spot Phoenix had shown her. She was in her element. The cold night air calmed her nerves. Her moon shone brightly above her, giving her the confidence to do as he had suggested. She walked as quietly as she could. The sound of the music was louder now. She turned the corner at the sight of moon flowers and saw Luminous sitting next to the plaque humming softly. She listened for a moment longer before speaking up. “I remember that song, though I never recall you humming it before.”

“Thou shouldst be careful sneaking around in the dark; I might think thou art a spy,” Luminous replied, not turning to face her. “As for my lack of singing, I… I no longer can.” He sighed, still facing away from her.

“What a shame, I would have loved to hear it again.” Her voice had a touch of truth and sorrow.

He lowered his head. “I would ask what brought you here at this time, but I have a sneaking suspicion Sir Phoenix had something to do with it.”

Luna moved closer to him, leaning over to sniff a particularly beautiful moon flower. “‘Tis possible, however, I am the princess of the night and I could have simply wished to stroll amid the garden. It's quite lovely. I especially love these moon flowers.”

Luminous shook his head. “I planted them for that reason. I take it you’ve seen the plaque?”

“Oh yes, I saw it on my way to my chambers earlier today. It’s awfully sweet; I would be lying if I said it didn’t strike a heartstring. It’s beautiful, thank you.”

He sat there, not saying a word. A bit of moonlight shone off a single tear that ran down his face.

Luna caught his face; without thinking, she reached over with a hoof and caught the tear. When she pulled her hoof back, she realised what she had done and blushed. “I'm sorry, I don’t know what came over me just now.” She turned her head away and looked at the moon.

“Don’t be. I would have done the same if it was you.” He sighed, finally facing her.

“I see..” She paused for a minute, thinking. “This is hard for me to admit, and I am embarrassed to say it.” She took a deep breath. “I still really like you, and I want us to be friends, if we can’t be more.”

He looked to one of the moon flowers. “I… I can’t.” Tears started to roll down his cheeks, and he brought his hooves to cover his face.

Luna moved closer, her sadness evident. “Then at least allow me one thing?”

“I would give you the very heavens if you wished for it.” He paused, sniffing. “But I can’t, I can’t.”

“At least allow me this.” She took his chin in a hoof and gently kissed his lips. “I never did get to say goodbye,” she said, pulling just enough away to look in his eyes before standing.

“It would have been kinder to put a knife through my heart,” Luminous replied. “At least then I could have died happy.”

Luna jolted, whipping around and smacking a hoof directly in his face. “YOU THINK IT’S KINDER? I love you, I always have, and this is how you treat my goodbye? By wishing you were dead? Don’t you think I wanted to die when I found out your city sunk all those years ago? So don’t you dare say that again!” Luna screamed as hot, angry tears flowed down her face.

He rubbed the side of his face and looked up in shock. “Do you not think I want to say I love you?! Did you not walk in my dreams, did you not think there is a reason Sir Phoenix keeps going behind my back? I can’t because our love would be torn apart if our nations ever went to war. What would I do? Who would I be loyal to?” He put a hoof over his mouth.

Luna’s eyes widened. “What are you implying? Are you afraid we are going to go to war?”

He looked her dead in the eyes, tears pouring from his own. “No, Just... What if we find ourselves on opposite sides of a war, what if our lands found no common ground, and one of us was forced to… to kill the other?”

Luna visibly softened. “If there is anything I have learned since returning to Equestria, it is that love and light are the most powerful form of magic. It wouldn’t matter to me if our countries went to war, because I would have you. Our love could bring us together. Back then, I didn’t know that, and I was a fool. I should have seen our love as a solution to the war, but I didn’t. Instead I agreed to run away so that I didn’t have to face my sister and your father and explain how I felt.” Luna paused, reaching a hoof out to stroke his cheek where she had smacked him. “Love can do anything if you believe.”

He touched her hoof with his own. “I… I want to believe you. I want things to end like the stories my mother told me. But what if it doesn’t work? What if they’re wrong?” he said, looking at her.

Luna sat back down, this time reaching out to hug him. “That's just it, Lumi, they are ‘what if’s;’ the future could hold anything. The joy of going through life is experiencing it with a loved one by your side; you fight through hardships and play through peace. It's the ups and downs that bring you closer together.”

He had a look of shock and glanced down for a moment. “When did you become so wise? Back then, you were so foalish.”

Luna briefly contemplated smacking him again, but thought better of it. “I became wise when I lost you, spent a thousand years on the moon and met Twilight.”

“Could you allow me to give some thought to the matter? I have many things to ponder.” He weakly smiled.

“I could allow that, on one condition,” she said, smiling.

“What would that be?” he asked.

“You tell me how you lost your voice. Oh, and this isn’t a condition, but also allow me to sit out here for a bit. Being in a different country is easier if I am out at night.”

He laughed a bit at the last part. “Of course you may.” He then took on a sorrowful expression. “As to your question, it has a simple answer: you took it when I lost you.”

Luna playfully started patting herself down. “Nope, I don’t have it. I must have given it back when I kissed you.”

He laughed. “Mayhap you did, but it may take me sometime to learn to use it again.”

“Well, when you want to practice and need an audience, do let me know. I'd gladly listen,” she said, nuzzling him. “I missed you. Please don’t disappear again. I'd hate to lose my closest friend.”

“I’ll hold you to that.” He then looked down. “Just, stay safe. I couldn’t live if something happened to you.”

“You know I will; nothing's going to touch this powerful alicorn.” She smiled, kissing his cheek.

He reached out with both hooves and touched her on the muzzle. “Doesn’t seem that hard to me.” He then squished her cheeks. “In fact you feel a lot like a plushie to me,” he joked.

Luna’s face turned bright red. “Um, can you stop doing that, please,” she said through smooshed cheeks.

He continued his assault. “I don’t know, this is kind of fun.” She playfully pushed him, laughing.

Luna was content to sit out there and chat with him all night. They enjoyed each other's company as they chatted about things they missed in the time they had been apart.

On a balcony overlooking the garden, a certain princess watched the two with malice in her eyes. “You will not have him again. I can’t let you hurt my brother like you did so long ago.” Not wishing to watch them any longer, she stormed off.

Twilight awoke to the sun shining in her face. Instinctively, she looked down for Spike, her number-one assistant, only to remember he was not there. Frowning briefly, she stood up. She yawned, stretched, and put on a simple but regal gown Rarity had made for her. Rarity had insisted she wear proper clothes becoming of her status while in the empire. She felt her tummy growl and remembered she hadn’t eaten last night. She had been too held up in the library to eat. The books she’d read had her hungry for knowledge, and she’d forgotten about her true hunger. Deciding to find something to eat, she headed out of her room.

***

Twilight had walked a good deal before she broke down and found a guard to ask him the way. “Excuse me, where might the kitchen be?”

“Of course, Your Highness, it's just a little further down on your left. Just follow your nose; they should still be serving breakfast right about now.”

“Okay, thank you,” Twilight said, smiling.

Reaching the kitchen, she walked in. The smell of pancakes and waffles reminded her of Spike’s cooking in the morning. She missed her little dragon and wished she could have brought him. Twilight grabbed a plate and picked a seat near a window.

“Greetings, Princess Twilight Sparkle. May I join you?” the emperor asked, looking down at her.

“Of course, Your Majesty,” Twilight said, looking up.

He moved to seat himself in front of her. “How has the world been in the past thousand years?” he said, asking curiously.

“Well, that depends on what you want to know,” Twilight replied.

“Tell me about the recent happenings of your kingdom; seems so long to go without some kind of action.” He paused, thinking. “As I recall, it was still plagued with monsters, but it doesn't seem that way now.”

“Well, we have had quite the assortment of happenings, there was the attack of Nightmare Moon, then Discord and of course we had the changelings; you already know about Sombra, after that we had Tirek.

“A nightmare! A mighty foe indeed! However did you overcome such a beast?” he asked.

“That’s an easy one: through the power of friendship.”

“Through friendship? I have seen cohorts be cut down and towns burn with just one nightmare. How could you befriend a beast?”

“That ‘beast’ was the Lunar Diarch, Princess Luna.”

“What do you mean? Nightmares use possession and mind games to gain their goals. A pony can’t become a nightmare, only host one.”

“I am unsure of how the nightmare came to be part of Luna; only when she returned did we free her.”

“The only way to free the pony is to kill them. By what means did you manage to banish the nightmare?” He paused. “When faced with a beast like that, we sirens would use hearts to sing sounds of death, in the hopes that the soul of the possessed would find peace.”

“Wait, what is the siren's heart? You make it sound like a tool.”

He tapped the crystal on his chest. “This would be the siren's heart; it’s what empowers our voices,” he replied. “Now tell me, how does friendship cast out a nightmare?”

“Well, in Equestria, there are relics called the Elements of Harmony. Ponies who represent those elements are able to spread friendship and light, healing those who are lost to darkness.”

The emperor smiled. “Then those are indeed relics of great power. Can simply anyone use them?”

Twilight hesitated; she wasn’t entirely sure, and his questioned seem odd. “The Elements are linked to the ponies they choose; only ponies that truly embody the attributes that make up the Elements can use them.”

The emperor seemed to grow larger. “Then there must have been many over the past years who have used them?”

“No, Luna and Celestia were the last ponies to use them before my friends and I found them. It was only through my friendship with my friends that I was able to find and harness them. Before that, they were lost to the wilds of everfree for a thousand years.”

Seeming content with their talk, he looked at her plate. “I see you finished your meal. Would you like to see our great city now, or do you feel the need to have another plate?”

“No thank you, I would like to see the city now.”