Eclipsed Deceptions

Chapters

Dreams
My New Vessel
How Little We Know...
The First Day
Two Travel Together

Dreams

Eclipsed Deceptions Chapter I

A dark coated alicorn stood silently starring up at the night sky in awe. Her filly eyes were wide and twinkled as the bright stars shone off the blue glow of her vision.

“Hello little sister.”, A voice gleefully called out from behind her. A larger, pink manned alicorn slowly walk to the filly’s side.

“Oh hello Tia!”, The young filly jumped in glee at the sight of her older sibling. The white alicorn lowered her brow and the pet name that her sibling had called her she despised that horrid designation, yet her opinion was not worth seeing her sister’s gloom so she placed and positive attitude upon her face.

“Luna, why are you out here so late?” The white alicorn asked. The small dark blue alicorn eased her energetic bouncing and gave her sister a great grin.

“I watching the night sky, at the moon!... Someday…” The filly stopped. “Someday I’m going to rule that sky! The stars and the moon are so pretty. I really like them a lot!” The older sister gave big smile and giggled.

“Young one, do not get ahead of yourself.”, The young filly stopped and glared at her big sister.

“What does that mean?”, The young filly questioned.

“Well you see…” , The white alicorn continued. “You are still very young and not nearly ready to take such a great responsibility. Take time now to enjoy your childhood. Look to the present.”, after hearing this the Luna lowered her head in disappointment.

“Well… Will I be big enough soon?”, Luna asked in great excitement. Her big sister smiled at her.

“I’ll tell you what. Tomorrow morning I’ll wake you up early and you can come with me to raise the sun. How does that sound?”, The blue filly stared at her in bewilderment which slowly adapted into a big smile that spread across her navy blue face. She began to hop in continuous circles around her big sister.
“Oh thank you, thank you, thank you!”, she beamed with excitement and glee as she began doing summersaults. Celestia just rolled her eyes sarcastically.
“That will have to wait till tomorrow little sister. But for now let us head off to bed. I shall tuck you in.”, and with that, the two turned and headed inside.

…

Luna lay still under her warm blanket, head placed ever so onto her expensive silk lined feather pillow. A single candle sat lit to the side of her bed.

“Are you comfortable, little sister?”, The little filly shook her belligerently nodded in response to her sister’s question.

“Delightful!”, Celestia sat down as she picked up a small snow globe from the desk aside from Luna’s bed. The globe had a small silver stand with rose designs, each pedal and thorn was in perfect detail. The globe itself was made of a thick shinning glass that reflected the white walls of the room off of its newly polished surface. Inside stood a model castle. Sitting in the front of the castle were four sculptures of individual ponies. Of the four two sat behind. One was a royal red color and was just a bit taller than the pink one sitting at its side. In the front were two others. Again one was a bit taller. The white pony sculpture had its jaw raised towards the sky and looked very dignified, while the looked on ahead, its head tilted to the left. This one was a navy blue pigment.

Tia turned the snow globe upside down revealing its underbelly and a small crank. She placed a hoof on it and began spinning it in a clockwise direction. As she spun it she asked “How about a lullaby?”, The blue filly responded with a smile. Celestia stopped spinning the crank and turned the globe back right side up. She held the treasure between two hooves as it began to create the magnificent sound and music, a very soothing and calm tune. The white alicorn began to sing.

“Hush now, quiet now.
It’s time to lay your sleepy head.
Hush now, quiet now.
It’s time to go to bed.
Drift, drift off to sleep
Leave the exiting day behind you.
Drift, drift off to sleep.
Let the joys of Dreamland find you.”

Luna looked up at her sister. Her voice was so calm and radiant. The blue filly gave her sister a droopy-eyed grin before quietly yawning and falling into her dreams. Celestia finished her song and looked down at her sister, peacefully sleeping. She gripped the blanket in her teeth, covering the rest of Luna in sheets to keep her warm and placed her favorite stuffed animal, a white rabbit with black button eyes under Luna’s hooves, giving her a companion for the night. Before leaving she kissed her younger sister on the forehead, blew out the candle and walked off. Before closing the door she stopped in the frame of the entrance and looked back at her sister.
“Sweet dreams, young one.”, and with that she quietly shut the door behind her.

…

Luna had awaken to the bright glow of the sun’s rays. As she always did she rubbed the sleep out of her eyes but stopped quickly when she realized, “Oh no! I’m late!” She quickly shoved the sheets off of her as she jumped out of her bed and ran to the doo , the same sheets that her sister had tucked her into every night 13 years ago.

Luna quickly ran through the halls of the castle towards the balcony as she attempted to fix her mane by patting it down with a hoof. She had made it up the stairs and to the balcony where her sister and many impatient ponies stood waiting for her. She stopped at her sister’s side and hopped that she wouldn’t get another talking to. Her luck wasn’t so suitable this time around.

“Your late again.” Celestia whispered to her younger sister.

“Yes, yes. I know I’m late. I slept in this morning.”, Luna whispered back.

“Don’t act so smug. I’ll have you know that I had to raise the sun without you.”

“And?...”

“And… Some ponies consider a day moon a bad omen.”

“Yes, and some consider it a blessing!”
Celestia sighed. “That isn’t the point. The point is that it is your job to look over the moon. This is a big responsibility and you need to treat it that way.”

“Whatever… Mom and Dad wouldn’t have acted like this…”, Luna rolled her eyes. Celestia gave her an angry glare.

“Just raise the moon! We will talk about what you just said later.”, She looked away from her sister, ending the hushed argument.

“But I just…” Luna sentence was cut short as her older sister gave her a cold shoulder. It stung but Luna’s hubris got the best of her as she returned the gesture and lowered her head. The moon disappeared over the horizon. Both sisters than bowed to the crowd in the court yard as they all bowed back. The two then turned and headed back inside, double doors closing behind them.

Once they were inside Celestia vegan to speak. “Little sister?... Mother and Father aren’t in charge any more. I am! And soon you will be. You must raise the moon every night and lower the moon every morn. Mother and Father would want us to take that job seriously...”, The white alicorn was cut short by her sister.

“Tia, Get off my back! Stop talking about Mom and Dad like that! They are gone! They have been gone and there’s no bringing them back! Get that in your idiotic mind and stop being so stubborn! I’m a mare now! Not a filly! So stop treating me like one!”, Celestia stopped. She was in shock from her sister’s raise in tone. She attempted to respond.

“Mother and Father…” She was once again interrupted.

“THEY ARE DEAD! DEAD, DEAD, DEAD, DEAD, DEAD!!” Luna collapsed to the ground and began to cry. The white alicorn stopped, wide eyed and lied down next to her sister to comfort her.

“There, there little sister.”, Her voice was calm and comforting. “They did what they had to. They lived happy lives and made a happy choice in order to save us.”

“I didn’t do anything! I was asleep! I should have saved them! I... I should have died!”, Luna sobbed. Her sobbing continued. Celestia had no idea what to do. The room stayed silent aside from Luna’s cries. When the silence was broken with a sweet sound.

Luna stared at her big sister, tear still pouring from her eyes. She grinned and placed her head under her older sister’s chin.

“Luna, you are strong. Far stronger than me. Fallow your heart and you will always triumph over the darkness. You have the heart’s gift now use it.”

Luna wiped a tear from her cheek. “Thank you, big sister.”

“No, thank you little sister.”

…

My New Vessel

Luna had awaken the next morning before the sunrise. She wouldn’t let her sister down today. She was determined. Putting on a smile she quickly sat up taking her head off her pillow revealing her mane in a mop. She was about to throw the smooth silk sheets off of her when she stopped. Feeling a sharp pain rush through the front of her skull she hurriedly slammed her head back on her pillow and cried out in pain.

“uh… ouch my head… Wha?... Why does it sting so bad?”, Luna could feel her pulse with each wave of pain as the blood traveled threw her arteries. Each beat of her heart bought with it another wave of agony. The blue alicorn groaned with each pulse until she finally rang a bell that lay on her desk. Shortly after small pegasus in velvet clothes walked in. Luna, still groaning, face dug into her pillow, built the strength to ask, “Could you please invite my sister in?” in which the small servant answer, “Yes Princess.” Luna than stopped her to say, and please, call me Luna.”, The pegasus just smiled and walked out the door. Moments later Celestia walked through the double doors of Luna’s bedroom.

“Is something bothering you little sister?” She asked in a trivial yet worried tone.

“Oh, sister… I have the worst migraine… Please could you get me some medicine. Not the one down in the kitchen. The one that mom used to make.”

“Of course dearest.”, and Celestia turned to a closed cabinet on the south side of the room. When she had approached the cabinet she opened it with a hoof revealing 3 items. A framed picture of the two sisters after they had gone to their first Grand Galloping Gala as the guest of honor, there was a silver and glass snow globe and finally there was a bottle of brown liquid. Tia grabbed the brown bottle and held it to her nostrils to take a whiff. The smell was bitter… yet… very strange, sweet like vanilla. She turned around to show the bottle to her sister.

“Would this be the medicine little sister?”, she asked.

“Yes, thank you so much.” The navy pegasus weakly responded. Celestia grabbed a silver spoon and poured the brown elixir in till it reached the outer ring.

“Here, this will help you feel better.” She placed the spoon in front of Luna’s face as her younger sister took a sip.

“Tia, I just need to lay down till it kicks in. When are we supposed to raise the sun?”

“About 7 minutes ago.” The white alicorn giggled. “Please lay down I have worked with both moon and sun . You are ill for today I shall take your shift.”, Luna smiled. “Thank you, sister.”

After the daily ceremony Princess Celestia gave her goodbyes to the crowd and turned to the door. “I must check on Luna. She looked dreadful this morning.”, Celestia headed down the stairs towards Luna’s corridor. She approached the large polished wood doors. They bared the shape of a crescent moon and three stars. Like the walls, the door was painted in shades of blues, purples and other cool colors. This calmed Celestia. It was always such a nice change from the usual oranges and yellows she was always surrounded by in her corridor.

The white alicorn took a deep breath before entering. She always seemed so confident at this sort of times but she would get so nervous when she needed to calm her sister. She inhaled… and exhaled, building her strength, then finally opened the door. When she entered she was greeted by the sight of a well groomed Luna, looking very prepared for the day, a smile on her face.

“Oh, good morning Tia!” Luna said happily.

“Well, sister… You look much better.” Celestia was so surprised. Luna had looked so horrid this morning and now she was better than ever. A smiling face and all.

“Yes! It was the medicine. Mom’s recipe works wonders!” Luna was very cheerful.

“I’m glad you are feeling better. Now are you ready?”

“Ready for what?”

“We have a busy day ahead of us. First we have a lunch to go to with the prime minister of Manehattan and the opening of the Canterlot Palace Labyrinth is today. We must make appearances to both.” At this point Celestia was putting away the medicine and the spoon that she neglected to put away earlier. Luna rolled her eye and gave a face showing her disgust.

“Do we have to? That sound an awful lot like work to me.” Luna gave a dramatic pose. She was clearly just over-reacting. Celestia giggled.

“Yes, dear sister. It is work. But we must do our part for Equestria.”

“Uh!... Fine!”, and with that the two sisters walked out the door towards the throne room.

Throughout the day Celestia sat on her throne answering questions that ponies had and giving advice to those in need of it. When she wasn’t sure of and answer she would turn to Luna who sat by her side. Luna always knew an answer. Aside from her stuck-up attitude, Luna was the brains of the castle. She had a overwhelming fascination for art, writing, alchemy and of course, science. She loved to learn, to know, to read, to understand. She loved the smell of chemicals mixing when she worked in her lab or the scent of copic markers as they touch the surface of paper. Yes, she was extremely intelligent. Sometimes she even wondered why she was not the one sitting on the throne answering questions yet she knew that her older sister was far more qualified for that job with her bravery to face challenges ahead or her loyalty to her kingdom. She was the true face of a leader and a role model.

Hours had passed as sis needy ponies but finally it had reached 5 in the afternoon and it was time for their dinner. Both sisters sat up and gave a bow to the knights and servants. Everypony bowed back as they made their exit.

The two made their way to the garden where a large table was set for 3. Each chair was lined with silk lining and was accompanied by a white china plate and a white tea cup, all with weaving flower patterns. To the side of each plate bore a set of shining silverware, many types of forks, spoons, knives and other utensils were present. In the middle of the table stood a rose bouquet, represented as the main décor piece. It stood front and center, in all its glory. Prime Minister, Scrolls had already arrived and taken a seat. The two sisters had walked up and taking a seat in the two remaining chairs.

“Awwe! Hello Luna and Celestia.” The prime minister greeted.

“Why hello Scrolls. Pleasure to see you again.”, Celestia turned to her younger sister. “Luna, please take a seat.”, Luna did as she was asked.

Celestia and Scrolls had long conversation about politics, their lives and business. Most the time Luna just sat silent. In mid conversation after a chuckle from Scrolls, the Prime Minister asked “So Luna, Celestia tells me you enjoy science.”, Luna quickly went wide-eyed in surprise. She didn’t think anypony would be interested in her scientific studies. She looked up to face Scrolls for her conversation but found that the massive bouquet was blocking her sight.

“Oh…um… Yes! My science is…um… very interesting to me…”, She weaved left to get a better look at who she was talking to while Scrolls weaved left as well. She continued to have the confusing conversation while trying to get a better view. “My studies have… um…well… I… might have found something the other day. It seems to be a gem of a sort.

“A gem? Why that is amazing!”, Prime Minister Scrolls seemed interested aside from both of them being visually interrupted by the pointlessly vast set of flowers.

“Yes, very… um…strange. It is a shade of pink and the shard I have been studying seems to have a sort of…uh…um… flow much like the loyalty gems.” , Luna was getting very impatient with the Roses till Celestia picked them up and placed them on the brick ground aside from her chair. Luna was very embarrassed yet tried to continue the conversation. “Yes, it possesses qualities of the element gems.”

“My, my! Luna! Could you have found a sixth element?!” Scrolls was now in full attention to Luna. Celestia looked at her younger sister.

“Why wasn’t I informed of this?”, the white alicorn glared at her sister.

“Well I doubt that it would be an element gem but I wanted to study it more to confirm if it was.”

“That is reasonable.”, Scrolls replied.

“Yes, I suppose so…” Celestia agreed.

Suddenly a waiter pony came out wearing white chef robes, pushing a cart with 3 bowls of warm, steaming soups. The waiter placed the 3 soups in front of them. Celestia and Scroll used one of the spoons on their napkins and began so slowly sip the hot broth. Luna stared down at her meal and the massive collection of silverware to its side. Four different spoons were present and she honestly couldn’t tell a difference between any of them so she picked up the first one on the left, closest the her bowl. She was just about to dip her spoon into the soup when she was spoken to.

“Oh Deary! You are such a jokester! Using a desert spoon for soup!”, Scrolls chuckled. Luna’s cheeks went a bright red color as she placed the spoon back in the row of utensils. Luna looked up at her big sister, giving her a pleading look. Without hinting that she had no proper table manners, she pointed a hoof at the second of the spoons. Celestia slowly and silently shook her head. Luna then pointed the third spoon. Again her sister shook her head. Finally she pointed to the last spoon in which Celestia gave her a facial expression probably meaning to say, “Yes, that one.” Luna picked up the spoon and dipped it into her soup and began to sip. Scrolls didn’t chuckle so she must have read her sister’s face correctly.

The dinner had ended and Scrolls gave them a fair-well as he stepped into his carriage. Both sister made a sigh of relief.
“Well, that went swimmingly…”, Celestia joked. Luna giggled. Celestia picked up the giggle and they both began to laugh.

“So what now?”, Luna asked.

“Now we head over to the opening of the new labyrinth.”

The two sisters stood on pedestals as the quest of honor. Many ponies had lined up to experience the beautiful maze of flowers and neatly trimmed bushes. A red coated pony stood inform of the crowd and began to speak.

“Welcome, everypony! We are so pleased to announce that the new Canterlot Labyrinth is now complete! You are all very welcome to roam free once our guest of honor has cut the ribbon! Princess Celestia?”, After he was finished Celestia flew down to the stage where she was greeted by the smiling faces of the crowd and a red ribbon blocking the entrance to the maze.

“When you are ready, please cut the ribbon.”, the announcer said. Celestia lowered her head and was about to cut it with her horn but she stopped, lifted her head and said, “It is such a treasure to be the one to take this honor…but … I believe my sister would be better for the job.”, Celestia looked up at Luna who was smiling. The navy alicorn than flew down to the stage and whispered, ”Thank you.” Luna lowered her head and cut the red ribbon with her horn. Everypony began to orderly walk in to explore the beautiful Labyrinth.

Luna and Celestia both walked together through the hedge maze. It was very beautiful. Roses lined the freshly trimmed hedge walls in white and red shades and were accompanied by vases holding beautiful petunias, jasmine and lilies. The two had been walking, discussing their lives and joking. There were having a fantastic time. After about an hour of walking they turned a left corner, entering the center of the Labyrinth.

“Luna, look! We made it!” The hedges were green and healthy, showing off there roses. In the center stood a great stone fountain. It’s waters flowed elegant and quietly, Shining like crystals.

“Luna! It’s so beautiful here!”, the white alicorn was in shock at the exquisiteness of this place. She galloped up to the fountain were water splashed leaving cool mist to fly into Tia’s face. The chill of the water gave Celestia a tranquil feeling and she smiled.

“Luna, this place! Isn’t it lovely?!” Celestia turned to see not her sisters smiling face but what she saw was Luna in a daze. The night princess stared blankly into a void of nothingness. She lacked motion. She just stared strait. Suddenly a bright light shot out of her eyes falloweed by streams of darkness. Luna shut her eyes and collapsed.

“Sister?!”, Celestia jumped at her sister and caught her before she collided with the dirt. Tia began screaming, “Sister what happened?... Sister?!... Luna wake up!”, Luna was unconscious .

Inside a dark void a voice called out, “Luna… My new vessel…”

How Little We Know...

Eclipsed Deceptions Chapter III

Luna awoke to a strange sight. When she had opened her eyes she could see nothing but darkness. It seemed to go on for miles, if not forever. The navy alicorn surveyed her surroundings, beginning to hyperventilate.

“What is this place? What am I doing here? Could… Could this be a dream?” She asked herself, settling her breathing. “No. This… Feels too real to be a dream.”, echoing laughter emerged from a distance but still loud enough to feel as if it was right behind her.

“Smart, smart… You are right. This is in fact, NOT a dream.”
“Who’s there! If this isn’t a dream than… where am I?”, Luna took an attack position.

The voice rang in Luna’s ears. “So many questions. I guess that’s what you scientists do best I suppose. Your current location is to be unknown… for now.”, Luna looked around the dark, empty void trying to spot where the voice was coming from. The voice began to speak again. “Your mind is like a gold mine for me. I have hit the mother load here!”, Luna began to sweat, What could she have meant by that?

“Anguish, fear, curiosity… Oh, and what do we have here?! Would this be… guilt?”, Luna’s eyes went wide. “A good amount of guilt at that too. What is it that you have done, Luna?... Yes guilt is a commodity, simply delicious! Not to mention hard to find, and in such a rare condition too!”, Luna felt something slide across her shoulder. She turned but nothing was there. Luna laid down covering her ears.

“S-Stop! Get out…Get out of my head!!”, She stood lifting her head to the sky and began to scream. Nopony could hear her cries but she had nothing else to do. The noise echoed through the darkness till a familiar voice called out.

“Luna, Luna wake up!”, It was her sister. “Luna please!”, The navy alicorn collapsed once again and blacked out…
The next moment a bright light greeted her as she awoke to find that she was in her room. Luna looked around the room and to her right was Tia.

“Thank heavens!”, Celestia sighed, she was relieved that her sister wasn’t in a comma… or worse.

“Wha… What happened?” , Luna sat up rubbing her head. She had sleep in her eyes and was very groggy.

“You were asleep. You passed out in the Labyrinth. I took you to a doctor and he said to get you in bed, looked at me funny. I’m glad you are finally awake!”

“How long was I out?...”, Luna was rubbing her eyes. Tia paused, looking towards the ground.

“About 3 days…”, When Luna heared this she stopped whatever she had been doing. She was shocked.

“3 days?! “

“Yes.”, Celestia nodded. “ Did anything happen?... When you were asleep?”

Luna opened her mouth to tell her sister about her terrible dream but something was stopping her. She tried again to speak and once again she couldn’t. Finally she sighed, “No. Nothing at all…”

Celestia nodded. “Thank you. Now, I must be off. I have important matters to attend to. My new student, Starswirl and I have our first lesson together. Are you sure that you will be able to get up and ready on your own?”

“Yes sister, I will be fine.”, Luna responded. And with that the white alicorn made her exit.

What could have happened there? Luna had never lied to her sister. She was a generally honest pony and rarely lied. But to her sister?

Throughout the day Luna got out of bed, made a small meal and work around her studies. After a long day she headed to her lab where the pink rock was alone on the table, eliminated by a spotlight and being watched carefully by a magnifying lens. The navy alicorn pulled up a chair to the table and placed a notebook and a pencil to her side. She looked through the lens to get a better look. She did not find anything unusual or different. The rock was clear and had a smoke-like substance dancing inside it. This was usually considered unusual but still not different from her earlier observations. She spent the next 20 minutes staring at the stone until she felt a tug on her tail and turned to see what caused it. A small light blue coated pony stood tugging on her tail. His mane was a white shade and his cutie mark appeared to be a single star. He looked up to see that Luna was looking down at him.
“Oh hello!” He said stepping back and blushing. “ I am Starswirl, are you Princess Luna?”

“I… I am but… young one… How did you get in here?”, Luna was very confused. She had never seen this young colt before.

“I used a teleporting spell to get in. I wanted to meet you. Your sister tells me you like science!”

Luna was astonished. A teleportation spell?! How could a pony so young know such an advanced spell?, “You know my sister?”, Luna asked.
“Yes, she is my new teacher. She tells me I am very talented and special!”
“Well if you were able to perform such a spell as teleportation than I can see why she said that.”, Luna smiled.

Starswirl looked at the table and the equipment atop of it. “Is this what you are studying?”, he asked as he stood up on his hind legs to get a better look.

“Why, yes it is. This stone was found under the castle garden. It is very strange.”

“THAT’S MY STONE!”, Starswirl gasped with excitement.

“YOUR stone?”, Luna was confused.

“Yes, look!”, Starswirl grabbed a necklace around his neck and showed it to Luna. The navy alicorn stared at it in awe. It resembled the stone on the table in every way but one. Instead of a pink it was a dark violet color. The smoke inside the gem like rock glistened and sparkled.

“Where did you find this?!”, Luna asked.

“It was a gift from my mother before…”, Starswirl looked down at the ground and continued, “Before she died.”, Luna looked at the young colt and took one of his hoofs.

“We share the same pain, young one. If it is okay with you, may I barrow this for study? I promise that I shall bring it no harm. It must be extremely important to you.”, Starswirl wiped a tear from his cheek and smiled at the night princess.

“I… would love to help you. Please, take it.”, he lifted the necklace over his head and placed it in Luna’s hoofs.

“Thank you, Starswirl.”, Luna put a hoof around the young colt.

After Starswil had left Luna began to study to violet stone. Hours had passed same as Luna’s tea supply. She wrote down observations. Once in a while she would say ,“interesting” or, “strange” out loud. She took a quick break to raise the moon with her sister yet she would head back to her work. All night she didn’t leave her lab. Seconds, minutes, hours had passed until she noticed something. It was so obvious! She laid the two stones next to each other and her eyes popped. “Oh my…”

The First Day

Luna ran as fast as she could down the halls towards her sister’s room. She would occasionally bump into a guard or another pony who was still up and roaming the castle. She had finally made it to Tia’s corridor and sprinted towards her bedroom, still holding the two stones in her mouth. Luna had just about made it to the door when a stinging sensation pulsed threw her skull. She knew this feeling. Luna had experienced this just days ago. The navy alicorn shut her eyes as she collapsed to the floor, unconscious.

Luna opened her eyes but couldn’t make out a difference between them being open or closed. It was very dark where she was. Luna stood up knowing what was bound to happen here. A voice in the distance echoed.

“Luna, welcome back. I must say, I am very disappointed in you. Your studies, your, ‘need to know the truth’. .. It will destroy us. You realize that don’t you?”, Luna took a step back though she had no clue where the voice was coming from.

“Destroy us? What do you mean?”

“Some things are better left unknown. The world is not yet ready for this discovery. “, Luna felt a hoof across her cheek.

“No…”, Luna shook her head. “I’m letting everyone know of this! This is important! Equestria must know! You don’t control me!”, Luna panted from lack of breath. Silence emerged from the darkness but was shortly cut off by the voice.

“Hmph! Bravery, It will not get you far! Fine! Tell your sister! You will get what’s coming to you.” A bright light emerged from the distance and was quickly heading for Luna. It blinded her. She shut her eyes again. The light that passed threw her lids began to fade as Luna peeked. When she had opened her eyes she found that she was standing outside her sister’s room. The two stones lay on the ground together.

Celestia was reading letters from her subjects when she sensed something outside the door. “Ah. Luna dear.” She stood up and walked towards the doors to open them for her sister. When she had opened them for her sister she glanced down, yet there was no one there. “Strange, I could have sworn that Luna was just here.

Two days had passed, Luna had not come out of her room. Celestia knowing her sister’s condition after their parents deaths, she decided to check on her sister. Walking down the halls towards the lunar towers, thought and images rushed through her head. She tried to ignore them, saying, “Luna wouldn’t do that.” Or, “That could never happen.” Yet she felt like something was wrong. Celestia halted outside her sister’s room, gathering her strength. She placed a hoof on the door and opened it slightly. She walked into the Lunar sweet where she stopped in her tracks. Her sister was nowhere to be found in her room. Instead she found that the medicine cabinet was empty jars spilled onto the floor. Her mother’s recipe and the glass jar that contained, was gone. Next to the bed lay the broken pieces of the once beautiful snow globe. Its mechanics where ripped out and the four figurines appeared to look sad as they lay on the wet floor.

…

A flash of images rushed through Luna’s mind. One of the moon, one of bubbles dancing as they make their journey to the surface of a spring, an image of 6 shinning lights and an image of her sister smiling as she began to appear further away. She tried to run after her, but it was no use. She just became smaller and smaller through proportion. “Tia!” Luna called out. She opened her eyes to find that it was a dream. Her awakening was greeted by the warming rays of the sun. She sat in a field of grass, still damp from the morning dew. Strange plant life grew around her. Trees with curled branches and flowers in a multitude of colors grew far larger than she usually had seen them before. The stems reaching up, allowing the pedals brush against her chest. Crystal clear water hiding in the flower’s shade sparkled and shone. Violet mountains stood in the background. A slight wind blew in her face, the smell of lilac and lilies welcomed her senses. Luna had never seen a place so beautiful before in her entire life.

She stood up, fully enjoying her surroundings, though she did not know where she was. “I have to figure out where I am and how I got here. Every journey begins with a single step.” She placed a hoof down in front of the other and a strange sound met her ears, the clanking of metal. She looked down at her hooves to see that they were covered in armor plates. A pink shade glowed off them as they were hit by the sun. She noticed the metal on her hooves were accompanied by a matching plate upon her chest and shoulders. Even her crown had changed from its basic night black shade with a bright pink glow. The armor was marked with flower and vine patterns, all curling into spirals and waves.

“Pink really isn’t my thing, but it sure is pretty. Where did it come from?” She had many unanswered questions.

Looking for a destination she stared at her surroundings. It seemed that the field went on for miles, yet mountains in the distance suggested otherwise. She stood underneath a swirling tree in puzzlement. “Where to start?” she thought. Her concentration was interrupted by a voice behind her.

“Lost? I’d suggest going west.”

Luna turned around to find a colt. He leaned up against the twisted tree. His mane and tail was black and untidy, sticking out in large spikes, yet it seemed to suit him well. His coat was a dark brown shade and appeared to be well groomed. His eyes were a bright blood red that pieced Luna’s soul. He too wore armor, but his was black with red details of spirals that matched his eyes. His hind legs were concealed by metal and leather black boots, while his front legs were free of any cover. Luna didn’t like the looks of this character but had no clue where she was or where she was going next.

“West?” She asked slowly approaching the situation with caution.

“Beyond the mountains to the west is a place called ‘Sanctuary’. There you will learn where you are and why you are here.” The colt said still staring at the ground, covering his face.

“Sanctuary? Well I don’t know where I am and I don’t have much of a choice on where to go so that what I’ll do. Tank you… uh. I’m sorry I didn’t ask what your name was.” Luna turned to face the western mountains.

“My name isn’t important. Just think yourself lucky you found me and not any of the others.” He grinned.

“Others?” Luna was confused and a bit worried.

“Yes. Now go you have a long way to travel and not too much time. If you don’t make it to sanctuary by the eclipse of the third day you’re stuck here.”

Luna stopped in her tracks “Stuck here? Where is here-“ Luna turned back to the mysterious colt but found that no one was there. “Hmm… Well, you heard what he said. I have 3 days to get there.” Luna began to walk towards the west through the brush of the fields, unknowing of the danger that lay past the horizon.

Morning of the 1st Day…

A bag of supplies lay at the edge of Celestia’s bed. The white alicorn was preparing herself for a long search ahead to find her beloved sister.

“Where would I start? Oh, I hope she is okay.” Celestia looked at herself in the mirror sobbing. “I’m an awful sister. She could be hurt, or worse. What do I do?” She shut her eyes and a single tear traveled across her cheek and dripped onto the floor. The splash echoed through Celetia’s mind just as images of her sister did.

A Blue light peeked its way through Celetia’s lids. She opened her eyes to find that the puddle of tears had been glowing.

“Wha?-“

The light grew brighter and blinded her. When she gained back her vision she realized that she was standing in a white void.

“H-hello?” She was confused, waiting for an answer from somepony. “Anyone there?” A voice began to ring in her ear.

“Tia, you have to find Luna.” The voice was calming and eased Celestia’s confusion and sadness. “Passed the Everfree Forest is a stone temple. This place is called ‘Sanctuary’. Find it, and it shall lead you to Luna.”

“Luna?!”
Celestia suddenly felt weak and her eyes began to close putting her into a sleep. Images flashed through her mind. One of a child, one of a river, and an image of 6 lights. The lights began to spin around a black figure. The figure came into the light and took the form of Luna. The six lights danced around her chanting a strange language, The lights then vanished as Luna followed. In the background an image of the moon appeared.

Luna awoke to find that she was at the side of her bed. Her bag packed. Celestia knew what needed to be done… She had to head to the Everfree Forest.

Two Travel Together

Eclipsed Deceptions Chapter V

Celestia walked down the dirt road leading to the foot of the mountain in which her castle lay atop. Night shaded her stealthy escape from the guards and the moon seemed to float above the forest to the west, leading her to her destination like a northern star. As she walked down the path she gained a strange feeling that someone was watching her. She would turn to look and see who it could be, yet she did not see anyone following her. Patches of tall grass blew in the cold night wind, whispering secrets. This was a beautiful area.

“Someday this will make a nice orchard. Not a bad place for a town either.” She imagined a bustle of houses and businesses lining the streets. What a sight it would be.

An hour had passed since she reached the foot of the mountain and the Everfree Forest was at a small distance. The travel to the forest would not be the challenge though. Making through the forest itself alive would be nearly impossible for somepony with such little survival skills.

“Luna would do the same for me…” Celestia took in a deep breath. The cool air was comforting and calmed her nerves. She took a step forward when she heard a shuffling in the long grass behind her.

“Who’s there?!” She turned to face where the noise had come from, preparing herself for an attack. Two eyes poked out of the long grass. It was a young colt. Not just any young colt though. She knew this one.

“Starswirl? What are you doing here?! It’s far too dangerous!”
The white unicorn stepped out of his hiding place, dragging a hoof across the ground in shame. “I- I heard that Luna is missing. I went to ask you about it and spotted you flying out the window. I got curious and decided to follow you here.” The blue mane colt stared at the ground.

Celestia took a quick pause, trying to find something to say. “Child… I am not mad at you. I just don’t want you to get hurt.”
Starswirl quickly looked up, bravery in his eyes. “Trust me princess. You are going to need me. I’m trained greatly in magic. That includes my combat spells, in which I am experienced nearly as much as a basic levitation!”
Celestia looked down at the col, taking a breath she said, “I just don’t think it wou-“ She was cut short be screams from Starswirl.

“Agh! Timberwolves!”
Celestia turned to find 5 Timberwolves at the entrance of the trees. One charged them. Celestia jumped in front of Starswirl, “Watch out!” She swung her head around, butting the timber wolf in its side, knocking it to the ground. Another began to charge at her. She prepared herself. The beast jumped at her but was flung into a tree when a beam of blue light blasted it in midair. Celestia looked over to the colt, who stood in an attack position. Smoke emerging from his horn.

“I told you that you’ll need me.”
Celestia looked at him and smiled. Starswirl smiled back, nodding their heads to each other before turning their attention to the last remaining enemies. Both sent out a blast of magic toward the Timberwolves knocking two down. The last one stood alone as Celestia charged it. Horrified the beast retreated back to the dark forest where it came from.

“Yes! That was awesome princess!” Starswirl danced about the tall grass, celebrating the victory, his eyes shut and a big grin on his face. Starswirl opened his eyes to find the princess looming over him like the shadow of a mountain.

“Starswirl, my faithful student. I need you to turn around and head home. This is my quest.”

“No! I won’t! Luna’s my friend too!”

“You are just a child! A place such as the Everfree Forest is far too dangerous for a young colt like you.”
Starswirl lowered his head. Staring to shake, holding back tears. “I-I know I’m just a kid but… But I have the heart… of a warrior!” Starswirl lifted his head quickly, showing off a face of bravery and confidence, a tear was travelling down his left cheek. “And I believe that I can help you save your sister and my friend! I’m sorry princes, but I’m going with you!”

Celestia smiled at the white colt. She kneeled down next to him placing a hoof on his heart. “It’s warm… I can tell that you have a strong heart. I can feel… Courage… Bravery. Starswirl? Do you know the difference between the two?” Starswirl shook his head, responding with a no. “You will learn someday. Or now we need to get moving.”

“You- you mean I’m going with you?”

“Yes, I would be honored to have such a brave heart at my side.”
Starswirl smiled at the princess as she smiled back. They took a few steps forward between the dark Everfree trees that marked the beginning of their adventure.

.......…

The sun had nearly reached the highpoint of the sky. The felling of grass below her hooves was now replaced by the flat surface of brick roads. Luna looked at her surrounding as she progressed to the west. Tall, red stone walls covered the sides of hills. The red brick road was accompanied by grass and flowers, peeking out of the space between each slab. The color of the crumbling structures were nicely complimented by the green grass on the hills, still covered in dew and the bright blue sky, in which not a single cloud was found. The road seamed to travel passed the hills and into the violet mountains. At this rate she would be there in no time. She admired her surroundings. She had never seen a place more beautiful in her entire life. She shut her eyes in order to take a moment to breath in the fresh air, completely void of pollution of any kind. Luna thought she could fall asleep walking like this, she was so relaxed. When she was away in a world of day dreams a sharp sting hit her cheek as she felt something brush against it. She opened her eyes to find that a small black blob like creature lay on the red slab road next to her.
“How cute.” She went to get a closer look when she felt a warm slimy feeling on her right cheek. She looked down at the ground. Drips of blood lay on the brick. The creature looked back the small drops of red liquid. Its eyes looked vicious and mean. The slime monster jumped at the drops, licking them off the insanitary ground. The thing shook wildly and stared up at Luna. Noticing her bloody cheek it began to shake again. The monster jumped at her face.

“Agh! Back off!” Luna batted it away with a hoof and it flew into a wall. The creature split into two pieces as it fell to the ground. Luna stared at it, trying to catch her breath, trying to comprehend the situation. She noticed that the blob began to move again. Jiggling and shaking. The two pieces grew red dots, which appeared to be eyes. It had multiplied. As a scientist Luna found this remarkable, until she realized that it had done the process again and had multiplied into 4 smaller versions of itself and began to charge head on at her.

“Oh…” After her mind realized what was happening she began to run off as fast as she could. After running for a good amount of time she turned a left corner and was greeted, less than pleasantly by a stone wall blocking her path. Luna turned to find the 4 monsters had cornered her.

“For slime, you guys sure are fast…” She was able to joke even in the face of danger.

The first monster approached her and jumped at her cheek, she batted it away like the last. The next jumped at her again she hit it and it flew a good distance. The next one jumped at her. She was about to hit it until something shot through it at light speed. Getting caught on the object, the monster traveled and was pinned to a stone wall. Luna looked over to what it was. An arrow pinned the monster, the arrowhead was on fire. She looked down at the other three. Two arrows rained down, hitting and catching fire to two monster. Looking back, she found that a figure stood above the wall behind her, holding a bow. Luna could not make out who the figure was until it jumped from the high up point and landed in front of her. It appeared to be a Pegasus. The mysterious Pegasus switched the bow to her right hoof and swung it into the last monster. The beast flew passed a hill.

“Homerun!” The mysterious figure cheered, dancing about in celebration. She has a light gray coat topped with a messy bright yellow mane and tail. She carried a large bow and a leather arrow quiver. She was covered in a gold armor. The chest was decorated with the design of a snakes eye. Speaking of eye, her right eye was hidden by a brown leather eye patch.

“Um… Excuse me…” Luna asked shyly

The mysterious Pegasus stopped and turned to notice the blue alicorn behind her.

“Oh yeah… Um- You okay?...” The Pegasus asked, blushing.

“yeah, I’m fine. Just a scratch.”

“Good! You know you’re lucky I was here to save your sorry flank.” The Pegasus was a bit cocky and stubborn, yet Luna was glad that she was there to save her.

“Yes, thank you! My I ask your name?”

“Hawkeye. Hawkeye Hooves. You must be Luna.”

“How do you know my name?” Luna questioned, a bit curious and worried.”

“You’re pretty famous around here.”

Luna was suspicious about this Hawkeye character but with somepony with that kind of fighting skills, she could use her for protection. Luna decided to ask, “So are you traveling with anyo-“
“No I am not. I’m heading out with you. I have been assigned to protect you. I have rules though. One, don’t ask me about my work, two, No singing annoying long-travel songs, three we do this my way. Got that?” Her outgoing attitude antagonized Luna a bit.

“Yes, I got it.”

“Good! So now we are partners.”

Luna had no idea what happened. It all happened so fast and without explanation. In the blink of an eye, she was now travelling with a strange pony that she had never met before. Everything here was strange to here, wherever, “here” is. She still didn’t know where she was or why she was here, so she decided that this was a turn in the right direction. It was already passed noon and that little… side quest was a setback. With a body guard she would be able to travel much faster if she were to run into monsters.

“Okay princess! We have lost valuable time and we have to get going!” Hawkeye picked up her arrows and placed them back in her quiver for later. Luna sat up and the two began to continue to the west towards the violet mountains in the distance.