Author's Note

Welp... Finally... Finally done... ^^

II. Chapter 16: A two months later

Part II - Silence before the storm

It's been two months since the demon was driven away. At last, Colin was free, he gained friends and family, and I became his mother.

A week and a half after the demon was gone, I took Colin to the hospital for medical examinations. I wanted to make sure he was okay because he was still weak. The results of the tests made me calmer because everything was normal, his body was slowly recovering, although... Colin was an unusual child. Research has shown that the DNA in his blood has been constantly changing and mutating. This surprised not only me but also doctors who wanted to continue research. All they needed was a few samples of his blood, and my consent, as I was his guardian. I agreed, and the doctors took several samples of his blood. The hospital in Canterlota also received blood samples from the hospital in Ponyville. After all, I returned with Colin to Canterlot, where we later spent time together.

A lot has happened during this time. Colin lived with me in Canterlot. Sometimes I had to leave him with my sister, because I had many things on my mind, however... Colin often spent time with Iris, with whom he became friends. Sometimes I would see him and her, how they talked, or trained fencing together. Colin really liked the fencing lessons given with Iris. He learned the right combat posture, dodging, steaming, and how to properly hold the sword, but... He still had to learn a lot. My sister had mentioned earlier that he should start learning how to defend himself if... It, would come back. Fencing lessons made him happy, so I didn't mind.

Even though everything was fine, sometimes I saw Colin who was looking sadly at Ponyville. He missed the Elements of Harmony, I knew it, but... I preferred to have him with me, I just worried about him. Sometimes Rainbow Dash visited him and played with him, but still, the longing was in his eyes. However... The worst of it was his nightmares. Even though the demon has gone, bad dreams not. Often at night, he woke up screaming and with tears in his eyes, but his worst dream was a week ago.

It was a dark night, I was awakened by a loud scream. It was Colin, who was laying beside me. He struggled, tossed, and did not stop shouting agonizingly. When I was able to wake him up, he immediately got up and started moving away from me. Tears flowed from his eyes, and he... He was afraid of me. I did not know why, so I asked him if he was all right, he did not answer. I started to approach him, he started nervously retreat. He fell to the floor, trying to escape from me all the time. When I reached him, he covered himself with hands, he was terrified. I hugged him then, he tried to fight, but... I calmed him down very quickly. I asked him why he was running away from me, what happened? He told me everything. He said that... I was screaming at him and... That I hurt him. He told me that in this dream I was beating him and I told him that I would never love him and that, all of it was looked very real. It may have been like this because I can travel between dreams, but... That what he told me about was terrible, I wondered what had caused him such a nightmare, the demon wasn't there anymore. I hugged him gently and told him it was just a bad dream that I love him very much and that I would never hurt him. When he was crying, hesitantly embraced me with his hands and hugged me, I pressed his head gently to my chest. He finally fell asleep in my arms, so I went back to sleep with him. After that what happened, he often avoided me, shivered at my sight, he was afraid of me. It's awful when a child is afraid of his mother. He lived with the knowledge that I could really hurt him, or... Do something a lot worse, but the truth is that I would never do it.

Night has fallen. The sky took on a navy blue color, and hundreds of stars appeared on it, and I sat with Colin on the balcony. The night was very calm and cool, so I embraced him with my wing. We watched the stars together and talked. I told him about my stay on the moon and quarrel with my sister, and he listened with interest.

"So... You spent over a thousand years on the moon?" - Colin asked, pointing at the moon

"Yes. Believe me, it wasn't easy"

"How is there?"

"Well... There is nothing except stones, craters, and sand. It's just wasteland"

"I can't imagine it, spend a thousand years in such a place, and in addition... Alone"

"Unfortunately, I had to. Despite the hate and rage, I missed my sister. I loved Celestia and I love her now too. Just like you"

"I love you too, Mom. If I could, I would like to be banished to the moon with you"

"You wouldn't want to be there, believe me"

"At least you would not be there alone, and... You wouldn't be sad"

I smiled and pulled him closer to me. Colin had not been the same, shy and fearful child for a long time, at least... Not so much. He was happy and had a loving family. I wanted to talk to him about certain matters. I wanted to let him return to Ponyville for a few days to meet his friends. He missed them very much, but he masked his sadness very well. I wanted to know why he didn't tell me about that.

"You know... I would like to talk with you about something"

Then he looked straight into my eyes. There was uncertainty on his face, but also curiosity.

"Is this about this bad dream which I had a week ago?"

"No, that's not the point. I wanted to ask you, how are you feeling here?"

"I'm fine, it's quiet here, and the city it's beautiful"

"You know... Sometimes I saw you when you were sadly looked at Ponyville"

Then Colin got a bit sad.

"I..."

"You miss your friends, am I right?" - I asked, then he turned his head back to me

"Yes... A little bit"

"Why did not you tell me about it?" - I asked, with a smile

"You know... Sometimes... You have a lot of things to do and ... I just didn't want to disturb you"

"I understand, you must know that you shouldn't be afraid to ask me about it, besides... I don't always work."

"Yes, but... Sometimes you are very tired, and..."

"Hey, look at me"

Colin looked at me again, and I put the hooves on his shoulders and looked into his eyes.

"Listen to me, if something happened, if something makes you feel unwell, tell me about it. Don't be afraid to talk with me, I also know that you still have trauma after this bad dream and I understand it, but... It never happened" - I said reassuringly - "Understand that, I love you no matter what happened and I would never hurt you. So don't be afraid to ask me something and don't be afraid to talk with me, okay? "

"Okay" - he said, nodding

Colin hugged me, and I gently pressed him to myself. He still seemed uncertain, so I wanted to cheer him up. Then I came up with an idea. When Colin wanted to let me go, I didn't do it. Instead, I pressed him to myself a little harder but carefully.

"Mom?"

"You are mine..." - I said, trying to imitate the scary voice

"W-what?" - He asked, trying to free himself

"Only mine"

"Oh no... I'm begging you, let me out"

"No... You belong to me!"

"Help!" - He shouted, still trying to break free

"Gotcha!"

At that moment, I began to tickle him under the armpits. Colin was lay on the floor, writhing and laughing to tears. I tickled him constantly.

"Mom, ha, ha, ha, stop. Please!" - He said, drilling and laughing

"Never!"

"Ha, ha, ha, ha, please, I cannot breathe" - He said, not stopping to laugh

"Beg for mercy!" - I said, without stopping

"Ha, ha, ha! No, I will not give up!"

"Are you sure?" - I asked, tickling him more intensely

"No, please, ha, ha, mercy!"

"I don't know what mercy is!"

I tickled him for a dozen or so seconds until I finally stopped. Colin was lay on the floor, still chuckling. I put the hoof on his chest and held him in triumph.

"Ha, ha! I won!"

"And I was already afraid of that, you're this demon" - Colin said, still chuckling a little

"Well... If you mean a tickle demon, yes, you re right" - Then Colin and I laughed

The black-haired boy rose to a sitting position. I sat in front of him and smiling. Then he looked at the night sky and smiled even more.

"So... Can I visit my friends tomorrow?" - He asked

"I don't have any contraindications. I bet they will be happy to see you, especially your sister."

"My sister?"

"Rainbow Dash. Do you remember how she called you her little brother?" - I asked, smiling

"Hah, I remember... Actually... Not only her is like a big sister"

"Not only her?"

"Twilight, Fluttershy..."

"Ah, yeah"

I looked at the moon, against the dark blue starry sky. It looked beautiful, I wanted to sit with my son, but it was late.

"I think that you should go to sleep, you have to have a lot of strength tomorrow" - I said, getting up

"Okay, let's go"

"But before that happens... Ready for round two?" - I asked, jumping to him

Colin was made dodge very quickly, for a moment I was a little dazed, but then I saw him standing, on the left.

"Not this time" - He said smiling, then began to run away

I slyly smiled and started to chase him. Colin passed Celestia, who was somewhat surprised. Then she looked at me with a questioning look.

"Sister, will you help me?"

Celestia also smiled slyly - "With pleasure" - Then I and Tia started to chase him together

We were chasing Colin, but our attempts to catch him was fruitless because he was simply too fast. When he disappeared around the corner, I and Celestia decided to change the tactic. We spread our wings and started to fly, and after a few short moments, we managed to catch up with him. We tried to catch him, but Colin did dodges very well, this trainings with Iris was really effective.

"You can't escape. We'll catch you anyway!" - Celestia said

"Hey, you cheating!" - He said, laughing and trying to run faster

"We didn't set any rules" - I said, getting closer to him, and finally I managed to catch him - "Gotcha!"

"Sister, look out!" - Celestia shouted

I looked forward and I almost would hit the wall. I was confused, I suddenly turned left and then I lost my balance and I fell with Colin on the soft carpet. I was lying on the carpet, and next to me was lay a Colin who tried catch a breath.

"You all right?" I asked, rising

"Yes... And you, Mama?" - He asked, worried

"I'm fine"

At that moment, Celestia landed on the floor and immediately ran to us.

"Colin! Luna! Are you okay?" - She asked, worried

"Relax, Tia. It's okay"

"Phew, I was worried that something has happened" - Celestia said, coming up to us

"As you can see, these worries were not needed, at least... This time"

Then Celestia looked at Colin, who was laying on the carpet and trying to catch his breath.

"I told you. We will catch you anyway" - She said, sitting next to him

"Okay... You did it, you got me" - Colin said, rising to a sitting position - "I got tired, can we go to sleep?"

"Wait, I'm not done with you yet" - I said, slyly smiling

"Huh? But what did you m..." - He didn't finish his sentence

I ran up to him immediately and started to tickle him. Colin began to laugh and trying to breathe. Celestia was stood and watched it, trying not to laugh.

"Ha, ha, ha! No, unfair!" - Colin said, weeping with laughter - "Auntie, help!"

"Help? All right!" - She said, and then Celestia also began to tickle him

Colin fidgeted and wept with laughter, and I and Celestia laughed and didn't stop at least for a moment. After a few dozen seconds, we stopped tickling him so he could catch his breath, but... Something very unexpected happened.

"Sister... Why he doesn't move?" - Celestia asked

"Wait, is he..."

"Fell asleep?"

We looked at each other, then we laughed. I was expecting everything, but... That he will fall asleep, not.

"I cannot believe this, he just fell asleep?" - Celestia asked, laughing

"Ha, ha. He had to get tired, I'd better take him to bed" - I said standing up and taking Colin on my back and heading towards to my room - "Goodnight, sister"

"Luna, wait"

"What happened?"

"As soon as you take him to bed, come to the throne room. I wanted to talk"

"Oh, okay. I'll be back soon"

I went to my room, Celestia to the throne room. I walked through the corridor, every now and then looking at the boy who was sleeping on my back. I could not stop smiling. Motherhood is a big responsibility, I've changed during these two months, I was more careful and maybe... A bit overprotective, but it's not bad. Although everything was fine, I had some concerns. When I was going forward, I thought about what he might dream about again. My spells didn't work, and Colin still had nightmares. Even when I tried to look into his dreams, I just couldn't, I didn't know why, but then either I woke up, or I was in somepony's dream. I could only hope that everything would be fine.

I put Colin in bed and covered him with a duvet. I sat next to the bed for a short while. I liked to watch him sleep. He looked very calm, and the room was dark and silent. Sitting there, I recalled the day when I decided to adopt him. I wanted to do It, ever since I saw his memories. I felt good because Colin finally had a loving family and he was happy. I was worried, however, because I was constantly waiting for the return of this nasty demon. There was still a claw mark on his back that still reminded me of it. I kissed him on the forehead, then stood up and started to turn towards the door, through which I left and quietly closed it. When I walked through the corridor, I passed the guards patrolling the castle. Even though they tried to hide it, they looked very scared. When I walked away from the guards, I knew what had disturbed them so much. Being halfway to the throne room, I felt like someone was watching me. There was an unpleasant, bad atmosphere in the air. I decided to speed up a bit and that's when I got the impression that something followed me. After reaching the throne room door, I turned around sharply. I didn't see anything, but the anxiety still remained.

I took a deep breath and opened the door to the throne room. I noticed Celestia, who was standing and staring at the colorful stained-glass window through which the moonlight was falling.

"Alright then. What did you want to talk about?" - I asked

Celestia turned her head to look at me.

"Luna... I know you don't like this topic, but... It's important"

"What is so important?"

"I wanted to tell you earlier, but... We had to catch Colin" - Celestia said, laughing

I also laughed. I don't conceal that this situation was fun in itself.

"Yes, but you didn't want to talk about it?" - I asked, still laughing a little

"Well... Actually, I wanted to talk about two things"

"Sure, what is it?"

Celestia came up to me and looked at me.

"I have to admit that as a mother, you do very well. At first, I had some doubts, but... When I saw you can deal with it, my doubts have been dispelled. Colin is happy with you"

"Thanks, sister, and you are doing well as his aunt" - I said, laughing

"Yeah, but... there is something that worries me a bit"

"What exactly?"

"You know... Sometimes I saw Colin looking sadly at Ponyville"

"Oh... So you noticed it too, don't worry, Tia, I talked to him about it. Tomorrow he is going to his friends, for a few days"

"I'm glad, but ... There's something else"

"What?"

"Two months ago, Blueblood gave me a book about mythology from the Griffon Empire. I told you about it already, but... I found something else"

Celestia's horn shone and then in front of my eyes appeared a few old, yellowed pages.

"I found these notes, they were hidden between the pages of this book, it's written about humans and not only"

"Okay, but... Did you learn something new?" - I asked

"Yes, I finally know who is the author of the book on mythology from our kingdom"

"You mean this one, where human is described as a monster?"

"Yes, it's an author is... April McClein. The author of these notes is Leonard Heartstrings"

"Wait... Heartstrings?"

"Exactly! In his notes, he wrote practically the same thing that was written in the book from the Griffon Empire, although I'm not sure if that what is written in the book is his work. Somepony had to find these notes and interpret them in his book because there is no signature of the author "

"Well, but what about McClein? She didn't sign, either.

"I'm not sure, but from the notes it appears that she was murdered before she signed her work"

"By who?" - I asked, inquiringly

"Leonard Heartstrings conducted his own investigation, recalling in his notes that McClein had found other humans, who came from the underground, at the foot of the mountains bordering on the Crystal Empire... They were feral and... totally deranged. McClein set off with an expedition because then nopony didn't know what these creatures were. She wrote about mythological creatures, and she had heard about the humans before, and the accounts of witnesses indicated that... the two-legged creatures they saw, were these ones.

"Aand?"

"When they reached the place where this cave was, her crew diminished day by day. Her team managed to catch one human, and that's what happened, she described him as a merciless, bloodthirsty beast. McClein was... superstitious and unthoughtful. She didn't know that not all humans were like that. She didn't study their culture thoroughly and didn't look for any traces of their origin, but... Leonard Heartstrings has described humans as they were, but... "

"But what?"

"Somepony other got laurels, and Leonard was just robbed. These notes were cleverly hidden between the pages of this book, I don't know where they came from"

"So... This whole thing, is one big vicious circle, and... McClein was probably killed by the ferals"

"That's how it looks"

"Sister, I have to go back to the room, besides... I'm glad it finally cleared up. As for the surname... I've heard it before"

"Colin is going to Ponyville tomorrow, right?"

"Yes, but... What's the matter?"

"Leonard in his notes asked that the person who read it would return it to a member of his family. If Colin goes to Ponyville tomorrow, he could deliver it. He told me about Lyra Heartstrings before. He said that she is his friend"

"Wait, you want to make a courier of him?"

"Of course not. I just thought that if he was going to Ponyville, he would give it to her" - Celestia said

"I would like to ask you something. Leonard studied the culture of the humans, right? When and... Where? "

"Kaer Jerveen wasn't the only humans city, I told you about it, they built their cities and villages in other places, both in Equestria and on other continents"

"Aright, alright, but... It's something else, which wonders me. What happened to the author of these notes?" - I asked

"I don't know, but... On the last piece of paper, his writing is very crooked. As he wrote it in a hurry, he said that they are chasing him, but... Here the sheet is torned"

Celestia showed me a half-torned note. The paper actually looked as if this person was in a hurry.

"Hmmm... Apparently, somepony didn't want to anypony to know about it" - I said

"Well, we found out. Somepony didn't make it well. it's all, Luna, you can leave now, I will put these notes in the envelope and ask Colin tomorrow to deliver them" - Celestia said, going to the throne

"Alright, goodnight, sister" - I said as I walked toward the door

"Goodnight"

After leaving the throne room, I started to go to my room. Again, the same feeling accompanied me. I felt trapped and watched, and I heard someone's footsteps behind me. When I was going forward, I turned around nervously every now and then, until I stopped. I turned around again and looked behind me for a few moments. I decided to ignore it and just go ahead. After some time I reached the door of the room, I began to open it very slowly, when suddenly... I heard laughter coming from there. I looked through the repealed door and I saw Nightmare Moon sitting next to my bed, where Colin was sitting. Nightmare Moon still didn't wear her armor, I wondered what she could do with it. She could have destroyed it, discarded, or maybe kept in a safe place.

"So... Twilight was in your castle?"

"She was and soon she regretted it. I chased her away and I told her not to come back anymore" - Nightmare Moon, smiling a bit ominously

"What? But... Why did you do it? And... Did you hurt her?" - Colin asked, sadly

"Do not worry, kid. Sparkle is whole and healthy, I didn't hurt her. I just chased her away, because she started talking about irritating topics and... About my nasty sister"

"About Celestia?"

Then Nightmare Moon frowned, turned her head in a different direction and her ears fell - "I hate that name"

"I... I'm sorry..." - said Colin, shrinking a bit - "I will not say that name anymore, I promise"

"I hope so, anyway... Yes. Sparkle was talking about her"

"What exactly?"

"She said that... I should reconcile with her, and that I should not be angry, because I acted badly. That's right, I made a few mistakes, but I will never forgive her" - Nightmare Moon said, looking back at the boy sitting on the bed - "I've spent a thousand years on the moon. You don't even know what I've been through"

"I know that. My mom told me about it tonight" - Colin said, touching Nightmare Moon's mane - "She said... Despite her hatred, she missed her sister... You know..."

I wasn't afraid something would happen to Colin. Nightmare Moon was very sympathetic to him, I know she wouldn't hurt him, she just liked him. But despite this... I felt uneasy when I looked at her. She reminded me very much about my past, or rather... about ours.

"By the way your mom... Where's your necklace that she gave it to you?" - Nightmare Moon asked, looking at him questioningly

"Oh, I... I don't wear it on a daily basis, I just don't want to broke it"

"I understand, but... It suited you very much, you like the night"

"The night is very beautiful, but this necklace is a gift from her, it means a lot to me"

"Reminds you about her, am I right?"

"Yes... And about you, my lady" - Colin said, smiling

"Well... I think it's time to go back to Everfree, but before that happens, I wanted to ask you something" - Nightmare Moon said, looking at him with a slightly more serious face

"I understand what is going on?"

"I hear you have nightmares practically every night, right?"

"Yes, sometimes... I'm afraid to fall asleep and..."

"I know you are scared, but you must know that a lack of sleep would be unhealthy for you. You have to sleep, otherwise, you will be simply weakened"

" ... I understand" - Colin said, nodding

"Well, how long you have these nightmares?"

"Actually... For two months"

"Tell me what you dreamed about, what were these dreams like?" - Nightmare Moon asked

"But... You will not tell anyone?"

"I promise"

"Okay..." - Colin said, taking a breath - "These nightmares are different, they are often associated with this demon, my real mom, Luna... And even with you, Nightmare Moon..." - He said, shrinking

"With me?" - She asked surprised

"Yeah, sometimes... I had nightmares where you attack Luna and... You know, but once... I had another dream... I saw how... Luna turned into you, then you were exiled to the moon, I heard your scream and... "

"Hey ..." - Nightmare Moon interrupted, catching him by the shoulders - "It's okay. Tell me, what did you feel then?"

Colin turned his head, trembling slightly - "Fear, sadness and... Compassion"

"For who?" - She asked more inquisitively

"For you, or... Luna... I don't know" - He said, a bit stressed

"You felt sorry for both of us, right?"

"Yes" - He said, turning his head again to Nightmare Moon. She just smiled friendly, just like Colin. Then the black mare looked at me for a short moment, or maybe... It just seemed to me, but I felt a shiver

Sometimes I saw Nightmare Moon in the dreams of other ponies, but even so, she didn't do anything, but just watched from hiding. I knew it was no longer a threat, but I never had the courage to talk to her, I just... I was afraid of her.

"Well then, I'm going back to the Everfree Forest, and you have to fall asleep"

"But..."

"This is an order. You fall asleep, or I will put you in the dungeon" - She said with the imperious tone

"D-dungeon?" - He asked, a bit scared

"Oh, I was joking, kiddo. You're my friend"

Colin dropped his head down, breathed a sigh of relief and laughed, then looked again at the black mare sitting next to him.

"I like you, Nightmare Moon"

"Me too. Come to me" - She said, grabbing him by the shoulders, then she gently hugged him

Colin embraced Nightmare Moon, closed eyes, and his head was under her neck now. Her eyelids also closed, and then she immediately opened her eyes that looked straight at me. She smiled a little ominously at me, then looked away from me and let go of Colin.

"Now try to sleep, okay?"

"Okay, I'll try"

Colin was put his head on the pillow, and Nightmare Moon covered him with a duvet. Then she looked at me again, but also looked away again

"Goodnight, my lady" - Colin said, smiling and closing his eyes

"Goodnight. Sweet dreams, little one"

Nightmare Moon got up and went to the balcony door, opened it and then went outside. She closed the balcony door behind her, spread her wings and rose into the air. I closed the door from the room and started thinking. Nightmare Moon saw me, but ... She didn't do anything, she only smiled, what she wanted?

"Hello, sister. It's not nice to watch others from the hide" - I heard behind me

I turned around sharply and saw Nightmare Moon standing behind me, who was smiling slyly. My breathing slightly accelerated, she scared me and... It seems that she wanted it.

"Y-you..." - I said, still a bit dumbfounded - "You scared me"

"I know if only you could see your face now, hah!" - She said, looking at me triumphantly

"Very funny, what do you want from me?" - I asked a bit nervous

"We need to talk about you and your son"

"Okay, what is it?"

"I talked with him, but... You know it. I saw you eavesdrop to us" - She said, turning away "Your son very often has nightmares. Before I woke him up, I looked into his memories and I saw a memory of a dream where you hurt him. It wasn't not even hurting... It was a torture"

Nightmare Moon turned her head towards me and looked at me with a frown. She... She really suspected that I could do something like that?

"Nightmare Moon, I... I wouldn't do it, I love him, he is my son, do you really think that I would hurt my own child?" - I asked, a bit nervously

"Calm down, Lulu, I haven't even pointed out the culprit. I just wanted to ask you, why are you do nothing in this situation?"

I sat on the floor and dropped my head down, then I looked at the black alicorn again.

"I just can't do it. No matter how many times I try to see his dreams, it never ends with success, it just can not be done"

"Yhm... good, it looks like I misjudged you"

"Wait... What?"

"You really love him, right?" - Nightmare Moon asked, coming up and sitting down in front of me

"Of course, yes. You've seen what his past looked like"

"I saw and... I still cannot understand, how he endured it. You know... It's good that he got there, now he has a family that loves him"

"What about his real mother?" - I asked

"You are her now" - Nightmare Moon said, putting the hoof on my left shoulder

"I... Thank you"

"You're welcome, I'm going back to Everfree. I'm tired. You better go rest too, I think you need it"

Nightmare Moon rose and walked away from me. Her horn shone, and then she just disappeared.

"Bye..." - I said, getting up

I stood up and turned towards the door, which I then opened. When I entered the room, I closed it behind me and headed towards the bed where Colin was already lying. I discovered the quilt, went to bed, then covered Colin with my wing, and then covered myself with a duvet. I gently hugged him and stroked his black hair. He looked so peaceful, but... Maybe he was having a bad dream now, I could only hope it was not. I lay there for a short time with my child in my arms. I slowly closed my eyes and tried to just fall asleep.

End of Chapter 16...