The Shadow of the Moon

The Shadow of the Moon

Act 1: Drifting

Chapter 3: Wounds That Never Heal

I opened my eyes slowly as if waking up from a restless night sleep. I was in the Ponyville graveyard standing before two fresh graves in the rain. Above the graves on one large headstone read, “Here lies Broad Oak and Sweet Breeze. Beloved Father and Mother.”

I fell to the ground; tears streamed from my eyes as the memories came rushing back. In the aftermath of Discord’s return, not all was well. Several loved ones were lost during the chaos. The Ponyville Weather Patrol had altered the weather to be more appropriate as several funeral services were held in the following days.

Regardless of the condolences and concerns of others, I was still left parent-less. My dad was killed in his workshop when Discord flipped some houses upside down and left them floating in the air. The lumber and tools that had for so long provided for our family and filled his shop suddenly came crashing down on him. The coroner that came and collected his mangled body wasn’t sure what killed him first; the weight of the lumber crushing him or the tools cutting and piercing him. All that was certain was it was fairly quick and he didn’t suffer long. My mom on the other hoof, had faced a much more terrifying death. When the first cotton candy clouds showed up, she didn’t know what they were. Just doing her job, she tried to break them apart. When she flew through them, the sticky cotton candy plastered her wings together. She plummeted to the ground and died on impact.

Sobs racked my body; I could hardly breathe. Many of the townsponies came to give their last respects during the service. Several mentioned how my dad helped build their home, or provided the table they ate at, or how cheerful and how well he remodeled their home or kitchens. Others remembered how my mom would do them favors with providing a little rain over their gardens when they were sick or spelling messages in the clouds on Hearts and Hooves Day for various ponies.

During the eulogies, I could do nothing but cry. Now that everypony had left, I couldn’t stop. The pain was so deep in my chest and nothing seemed to appease it. I had no clue what to do now with them gone. I didn’t know what was going to happen to me either, but crying felt right, so that’s what I did. I curled up in a little ball next to the headstone. I tried to get as close to it as I could. I remembered the warm touch of my parents when I would sneak into their bed after I had a nightmare. I remembered the way they would look at me, with such love and pride. I remembered the love in their voices when they would talk to me, even when I had done wrong. I remembered the way my mom would sing me to sleep and wake me up softly by nuzzling my back and speaking softly. I cried even harder. This headstone was as close to my parents as I could get and all I could feel was the cold stone, the drenching rain and the mud squishing beneath me. I don’t know how long I was there but I felt somepony kneel next to me and place their wing over me.

“Come now, you can’t stay out here all night,” a familiar mailmare spoke softly, “Let’s go get you cleaned up.”

I looked up at the grey pegasus with those yellow walleyes and nodded my head. I didn’t really want to leave, but Miss Hooves was kind enough and the first to offer to take me into her home for the time being. We had walked only a little ways from the graves when I stopped. I turned my head around and looked upon them once more.

“I’ll make you proud. I promise.”

Miss Hooves and I walked out of the cemetery. I left something at my parents grave though. I left my childish fears and concerns. They had died and been buried with my mother and father. I left my innocence, and my heart started hardening that day.

****

I felt myself start to fade away and soon I was blinded again. The voices were still faint, but I made out a few words this time. Something about pressure and then everything went dark again.