Infernus Astartes: Child of Ruin

When Luna woke up again, she found that dawn had long broken. The sun sphere was already in the sky, it’s radiance shining down on the world of Equestria like it had for countless centuries now. She found herself smiling at that fact.

When was the last time she smiled at the sunrise?

A voice in her head told her that it had been a long time since she’d done that.

It had been a long time since she actually wanted to see the world being cherished by the sun.

She got to her feet, trying to get the feeling back in them as she felt something slide off her back; a blanket.

Now that she actually paid attention to it, she found herself in a room of sorts. The colors, the decorations, told her that this place belonged to someone of importance; and she knew, without the shadow of a doubt who it belonged to.

“Luna.” She turned slightly, her attention quickly turning to the alicorn mare she had spent her youth with.

“Celestia.” The two mares just stared at one another for a moment. An awkward silence passing between the two as Celestia just took a cautious step forward before stopping.

Luna just watched, a small flinch running through her as she looked at her elder sister. ‘Of course she’s cautious about you.’ A voice told her as she just watched her sister. ‘Last time you spoke, you weren’t on the best terms.’

That was putting it lightly, after all, the last time she had saw her sister she had tried to *kill* her.

“I’m sorry.” Luna muttered as she stared at the floor.

“I know.” Celestia muttered. “I’m sorry too.”

“For what?”

“I didn’t realize just what I was putting you through.” Celestia stated as she scratched n arm. “I was so caught up in -”

“Sister… don’t.” Luna muttered as she looked back at Celestia and took a step forward, stopping only for a moment before pressing on. “I was the one who fell into darkness, I was the one who believed the Nightmare’s lies… I was the one who…” She was the one who wanted blood. The mare fell silent as she stopped walking.

“Luna…”

“I wanted to hurt you…” The mare confessed. “I wanted to hurt you so bad. I wanted you to feel the pain I felt you put me through.” Luna whispered. “But in the end… I just… I just really wanted to be seen as your equal. I wanted to stand beside you, just like when we started.”

“Luna.” Celestia whispered, approaching her younger sister as she held out a hoof. She opened her mouth before shutting it and lowered the hoof. A moment later she hugged her counterpart, feeling the mare stiffen out of reflex before she returned it. “I am sorry… I really am.” The mare muttered as she hugged her sister. “If you’ll let me… I’d be more than willing to make things up to you.”

“I know.” Luna muttered as she backed away and wiped a few tears that refused to fall. “I just…” The mare paused as she shook her head. “I don’t even know what I want to say.” The mare chuckled weakly before lowering her head.

“Maybe there’s nothing to say.” Celestia muttered as she rested a hoof on her sister’s back. “I’m just… I’m just happy you’re back, Luna.”

“I as well.” Luna muttered as she looked at her elder. She stared at her for a moment, blinking before her stare became one of curiosity.

“What?”

“You’re… taller than me.”

“I’ve always been taller than you Luna.” Celestia stated with a weak giggle.

“Yes but, I mean, you’re taller than me, but… not as much as you should be.” Luna muttered as she looked herself over. “I’m… I’m not in my suppressed form?”

“It appears so Luna.” Celesta stated. She noticed earlier, but chose not to mention it until now. “It appears some of your magic chose to stay after your essence was cleansed of the Nightmare.”

“How though?” Luna muttered. “After all these centuries, my magic must have been tied to theNightmare, it should have left me after the Nightmare and I were separated.”

“Do you think the Elements had to do with this?” Luna looked at her sister in confusion.

“The Elements?” She repeated before staring at nothing. “No, that’s impossible.” The mare stated. “The Nightmare - I broke them and…”

“That doesn’t appear to be the case Luna.” Celestia stated as she looked to the edge of the ruined castle, and made a gesture to somepony out of sight. Steps caught Luna’s attention as she turned her head, her gaze focusing on six figures that she scarcely recognized. One stood out though, yet what stood out more would have to be what they were carrying.

“The- the Elements? I - but… how?”

“It appears the Elements have self-reconstructing abilities.” Celestia stated as she looked at her flabbergasted sister. “Now I think some introductions are due.” Celestia admitted as she stood between the seven. “Luna, allow me to introduce you to the new Bearers of the Elements of Harmony. Rainbow Dash the bearer of Loyalty.

“Sup.”

“Pinkamena Pie, the Bearer of Laughter.”

“Pinkies fine!”

“Rarity, the bearer of Generosity.”

“Charmed my dear.”

“Fluttershy, the Bearer of Kindness.”

“The Princess knows my name.”

Applejack, the Bearer of Honesty.”

“Howdy.”

“And last but not least, Twilight Sparkle, my personal student and Bearer of Magic.”

“Um… hi.” The last pony whispered as she looked at the dark alicorn. ‘She looks… she looks kinda like Nightmare Moon, but… she doesn’t feel like her.’ Twilight thought as she looked at the dark alicorn.

.”Girls, allow me to introduce you to my younger sister, and princess of the Moon, Luna.”That got everypony’s attention as they looked at the alicorn.

“SISTER?!”

It had been a while since he felt this bored. The Beast realized as he walked through the halls with a frown on his face. His attention drifted, his gaze barely staying on one thing long enough to really pay attention to it. The same couldn’t really be said in reverse however, it appeared the locals of the castle were starting to notice him. Staff; butlers and maids seemed both confused and surprised that he was here. Then again, it wasn’t like he was supposed to be here anyway.

‘I’m supposed to be in the Sea of Screams.’ He reminded himself with a smile. ‘There are battles there, just waiting to be waged, worlds waiting to be broken.and I’m here…’ His smile slipped. ‘Somewhere I am not meant to be.’ He told himself as he turned a corner and heard a yelp. Looking down his attention turned to a tiny stallion who looked up at him.

“Um… hello.” The pony squeaked as he looked at the figure towering over him. “Oh man your big.” Compared to him anyway. The Beast just stared down at him as he looked at the pony. His eyes changed color, something the tiny pony seemed to notice before narrowing his eyes. “Um… can I… Can I help you?” The Beast just leaned down as he sniffed the figure. “Um… ok?”

Equestrian, yet, not equestrian… insectoid energy verified… changeling.’ “Curious.” The stallion shivered at the deep rumbling voice as he saw the Beast lean back before walking off. ‘Something to keep an eye on it seems.’

The stallion shivered as he watched the Beast walk off, staring at his armored form before scurrying off. “If I didn’t know any better… I could have sworn he saw through me… that’s impossible though, right?”