Star-Strider

Chapters

Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30- Moonscape
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 16- The River

Prologue

Branches were snapping rapidly, as the gray earth pony ran through the woods as fast as he could. I have to get there, no matter what. The thought of another one of his dear pupils meeting an early end only worked to quicken his pace. The cackling of the monster grew louder as he came closer to his destination. He passed a wounded colt as he ran, hesitating only a moment.

“Help me sir… I’m cold and don’t know where I am!”

The gray stallion slowed his traversal, as he gazed at the young unicorn that lay before him. He peered closer, careful not to get too close. He looked at the colt’s flank for his cutie mark, noticing the sheared off portions of fur along his back. As he looked upon the spot where the colt’s cutie mark should have been, he saw the all-too familiar and sickening blue glow in the shape of a weaning moon where the mark should have been. The gray pony reared back and continued his pace with haste. Come on, you’re smarter than that. In what world is a young unicorn not able to conjure up some sort of magic to heal or at least lessen the pain?

In this one. He shivered, hoping it was not too late to save his student, and defeat the true horror behind the impersonating ponies.

As he finally crossed a clearing in the trees, he saw what he feared most; the large shimmering-blue figure was closing in on a young gray unicorn, who did not look all too different from himself. The figure was on a quick course to envelop the poor colt before a moment’s notice. I have to get there NOW! He sprang from his stance and ran faster than he thought possible for any earth pony. As he ran, he began reciting the incantation he hoped would work. As he closed the gap, a young unicorn looked up and saw him.

“Star-strider DON’T!” was about all he could yell out before his master had placed his now glowing hoof against the menacing entity. As his hoof made contact, Star-Strider cried out in what seemed to be the most painful cry ever mustered. A large, purple energy field shot out from his body, enveloping him and the creature in a massive orb of magic. The creature was letting out a ghastly scream of pain, as it saw its conquest slipping away. The young pony ran towards the orb, attempting to summon his own unicorn magic to open some crack for his beloved master to escape, but he knew better and this would not work. He heard his master yell something, but from the cries of agony to the barreling storm of magic surrounding him, he could only make out a part of it.

“Swirl!—Don’t… you need to find!”

“Master! I can’t understand you! please stop this and come back! We can defeat the Lichen together!”

“LISTEN! Find—friend—Cel… When you can!”

“Master!”

With a loud clicking sound, the entire orb began to shrink, pulling massive winds into it. The young unicorn could only watch in horror as the orb went to being smaller than the figure, to smaller than his master. With one final spin, the orb closed itself away from reality.

The unicorn had been so focused on the screaming and trying to listen, he failed to notice the tears pouring down his face, or the fact that the sun had now risen, and the woodland creatures emerged to investigate what the ruckus was from the previous night. He had been sitting there for what he could only guess was hours. He slowly sat up, closing his jaw, and fastening his robe closer to his body. He looked down as it rustled and jingled with the bells of an apprentice.

How am I going to do anything when I couldn’t even hear you? He felt himself welling up again. But I will do everything in my power to bring you back master. Everything. With one final glance at the clearing the epic storm had just taken place over, the unicorn turned and began trotting back to his observatory in the mountains of Equestria. He knew whatever spell his master conjured was not of permanence. And I want my teacher back. He paused as he thought, I want my friend back. And he would stop at nothing to do just that.

Author's Note

Jumping in straight to some action for a little tease of what is going on. I have chapters 1-9 written and will be releasing weekly! Let me know if you want more content earlier or have any suggestions. Feedback very much appreciated. Thanks for reading!

Chapter 1

Ponyville was bustling and full of the lively faces of cheerful ponies everywhere. The sun was shining as the pegasi had cleared the clouds, allowing for just a few stray cirri clouds to remain and provide some shade and a breeze. Ponies went throughout their days without seemingly large worries, other than avoiding the galloping white unicorn who seemed to be going nowhere fast. She knocked over a cart of flowers as she ran, pausing only a moment to help pick them up hastily and shove them back in the cart. “Sorry darling, I’m in such a rush. But I must get going right now! I’m sure you can rearrange them anyway. After all, you’ve done it before!” Rarity shouted as she kept up her pace. The cinnamon-colored pony rolled their eyed and began pulling the flowers out to arrange them again. Rarity ran all the way to Twilight’s castle, where Twilight and Spike were waiting at the front doors for her. “I am so TREMENDOUSLY sorry dear, but I simply had to finish this beautiful scarf arrangement for Spikey here. Scarves are almost in season after all, and you need to be ahead of the curve if you are to use those fabulous wings for any useful fashion!” Rarity beamed at Spike.

“Sure, what else would wings be for…” Spike mumbled as he lowered his eyes in slight contempt for the ensemble piece.

“What was that dear?” Rarity asked as she fixated the red scarf with emerald inlay around his neck.

“I said it looks great Rarity! As always” Spike responded as he blushed and turned even further away from her gaze.

“Wonderful! It looks magnificent!” Rarity said with glee as the final knot was pulled. She took a few steps back to admire her handiwork.

“Rarity,” Twilight started, “while we appreciate the scarf, I’m sure you know that isn’t the reason I asked you over today. I’ve been meaning to ask you for a favor.”

“OOOOH of course Twilight dear, whatever shall I do for you?”

“Well, for starters, Spike,” she nodded at him. He ducked his head and excused himself outside, fiddling with his scarf as he walked out into the sun that most certainly didn’t treat a scarf too kindly in this heat. Once the door closed behind him, Twilight refocused on Rarity. “I need to ask, but only because I am so inexperienced and all the reading in Equestria couldn’t help me figure this one out so I figured I would ask a close friend but as I started thinking about who—”

“Twilight dear slow down and just say it!” Rarity put her hooves on her friend’s shoulders to steady her quickened breathes. “It is just a simple question, what could all this fuss be over?” Twilight shuffled nervously around her foyer.

“I need to know if I… I mean if you, or anypony, Creature for that matter, I just want to know if…”

“Yes dear? Just spit out the words you can do it.”

Twilight paused looking at the floor.

“Am I really meant to take over and rule Equestria alone?” The question seemed to hurt asking even as she spoke it. Rarity cocked her head to a side as she looked at her downtrodden friend.

“Whatever do you mean dear? We are here for you, are we not?” Twilight crossed a hoof in front of another, signifying her discomfort with the topic.

“Well, sure, but ever since I became an alicorn, my aging is slow and will eventually stop. I live forever while all my friends…” she trailed off, not wanting to think about that inevitable end far off in time but getting ever closer.

“Twilight, my dearest friend” she put her hoof to her chest, “you are strong and smart. You hardly need us now! And of course, we will be with you to the end and beyond!” Twilight let out a soft smile and closed her eyes for a moment.

“Yes of course, but eventually I’ll have to make new friends. And it’s not exactly like there’s a line of immortal stallions I can afford to fall in love with for eternity while shirking my princess duties.”

Ever since Celestia and Luna had proposed to Twilight and her friends that they would inherit the kingdom of Equestria, Twilight had been drawing up plans, working on new protection spells, and finding anything to help her choose assistants that would succeed the current ones. Needless to say, she was not exactly relaxed about it. She already knew she would pass the school on to Starlight, but that was one problem of a seeming million she just happened to solve. Plus, the castle was large and awfully lonely between herself, Starlight, and Spike. Truth be told Twilight had wanted someone to be her special somepony once she had a close group of friends there in ponyville. She always felt too embarrassed to say anything, as her friends got along just as well without one. Applejack had the farm to run, a sister to raise, and a grandmare to care for. Rainbow Dash had the wonderbolts, training, and as many races as the world could provide to think about. Pinkie’s baking would attract any stallion with a belly for sweets, so she never had any trouble flirting with the right customers. Fluttershy preferred her animal friends anyway, and everyone knew she and Discord saw each other more than any “friends” would for tea parties. Rarity could have any stallion she wanted, and she knew it, hence Twilight asking her over in the first place. Maybe she could help find somepony special that would treat Twilight right for the time being. Sure, Twilight loved her reading and studying, but she felt as though she had come so far that there was hardly much for her to read anymore anyway. She had once sensed a connection with Sunburst, Starlight’s friend from the Crystal Empire, when he came to town to visit and boded with Twilight about the magic and properties of the land. But he and Starlight had been friends since foalhood, she couldn’t exactly just make a move on someone clearly so close to Starlight. Twilight sighed, and Rarity looked up at her.

“Twilight, I know how you must feel, but surely you don’t think that a stallion will solve your problems, do you?”

“No! Of course not” Twilight said with a hoof in the air, “but don’t I deserve somepony special to love even if I am a princess?”

“Of course, but like you said, immortal stallions are awfully hard to come by. Come to think of it, there isn’t even an alicorn stallion, is there?” Rarity questioned. She had actually never thought of the possibility of a prince existing in the land. The only immortal “stallion” they had met was king Sombra, and he had been vanquished not once, not twice, but three times at the hooves of their friends.

Twilight groaned and stood a little straighter. “There was a few a long time ago, before even Celestia was born. They were the students of an earth pony sorcerer who taught Starswirl almost everything he knows.”

“I’m sorry, did you say earth pony sorcerer?” Rarity peered at Twilight as though she had sprouted another hoof from her head.

“Yes, but he was lost to history a long time ago. Even Starswirl has vague and little memory of him, probably lost memories from his time in limbo, but he used to teach talented wizards and sorcerers from all over, leading to many earning wings or other magical abilities otherwise thought to be unattainable by males.” Twilight shook her head. “But that is hardly relevant, I need a real stallion in today’s time, not getting caught up in legendary stallions of the past like all my other books.”

Rarity chuckled a bit at the admission of Twilight’s fantasies over her heroes in literature rather than real ponies. “Yes, yes, of course. And I assume that is the favor you have come to ask of me? Matchmaker?” Twilight shuffled again and crossed her hooves.

“Yea. I just figured you get so many ponies falling for you, maybe a few leftover would fall over to me? If it isn’t too much to ask anyway.”

“Darling of course not! I can’t very well love ALL the stallions in ponyville now, can I?” Rarity said with a wink. She moved behind Twilight and began pushing her to the library where they would begin reviewing the long lists of potential candidates. “I have so many ponies for you to try things out with! I can’t tell you how excited I really am for this adventure we are going…”

The voices faded away, as a dark pony retreated from the window after having eavesdropped on the two friends. She could not help but feel a little guilty and jealous of the options princess Twilight had due to her close friendship with the most attractive mares in all ponyville.

“You fool, get over yourself and get ready for retirement. You are too old for anypony anyway. Might as well get used to Celestia’s pancake princes. They’ll be the only men waiting on you for eternity.”

Princess Luna sighed and turned away from the castle to begin leaving, but she was caught off guard by the small dragon that was standing behind her.

“Uhhh… princess Luna?” Spike asked as he looked up at her.

“Oh, my apologies, young dragon, I was just... uh, looking at Twilight’s décor for some… inspiration for my own.” Luna sold with a faulty grin to Spike. He didn’t buy it for a second. He crossed his arms and narrowed his eyes.

“You know I know better, after all, I know what they were talking about because Twilight asked me first, you know, being her closest friend and all.” He said with the bravado of a full-grown dragon.

“I—er yes Spike of course you do.” She sighed with defeat. “I had been monitoring Twilight Sparkle’s dreams and noticing her planning for companionship and was just curious how she would move forward, nothing more.” Spike shrugged, seeming to buy it for now.

“You could always just ask her, you are friends after all, and I think she knows you watch her dreams sometimes.” Spike waved a hand at her. “I’m headed into town now, if you want to come look at her potential ‘suitors’, but I wouldn’t hold your breath.”

“No thank you, I must return to Canterlot and continue packing.” She turned away and spread her wings but just before looking back and asking “and Spike? Please don’t let Twilight know I was watching. I will tell her in time, but I must think first.”

“Sure, why not, you watch people’s dreams anyway. What’s looking at them through a window going to change?” Spike said as he turned back, but Luna was already up and gone. “Of course, I’m just the dragon who knows everyone’s secrets.” He sighed again as he started into town, wondering why anypony got so obsessed with love or another pony in the first place.

Author's Note

First chapter to kick things off. A little on the slower side compared to how it opened, but I'm just trying to pace it well. This story mainly focuses on Luna, but does feature other characters in their own arcs. Again, leave any feedback you have please, or just enjoy the read!

Chapter 2

Luna flew towards the high spires of Canterlot, safely embedded in the mountain ranges of Equestria. As the towers came into view, she sighed and wished she had anywhere else to be besides her “royal duties.” She had been grateful to return to the world and its inhabitants, even if it took the population a little while to adjust to her homecoming. But after having ruled for a thousand years and being banished for another, life had become predictable. How I wish retirement were upon me now, I don’t know how much longer I can stand through these dignitaries and night shifts. Celestia and Luna had decided that remaining on the thrones while Twilight and her friends prepared for inheriting the kingdom, seeing as how their stresses were warranted and they needed a fair time to adjust. But still, Luna could hardly bear the overpowering boredom she dealt with daily. Plus, I can’t very well look for a special somepony while ‘sitting on the throne and dealing with Equestria’. Of all the duties and responsibilities Luna encountered, the most harrowing one had been being alone. Thousands of years of responsibilities had put Luna’s mind to work, hardly allowing for the want of more. Now that the troubles of Equestria had slowed, if not vanished, she had much free time, and little ways to spend it.

As she landed atop her personal tower meant for raising and lowering the moon along with her ‘dream perch’ as it were, two royal guards clad in the Canterlot gold standard awaited her. “Your highness” they said with bows, “we had begun to worry for your safety. You have been gone nearly the day through and Princess Celestia awaits you at the thrones.”

“Ah yes, thank you Cobalt Trotter, Candled Essence.” She said with a nod to the both of them. “I will be able to take myself from here.” Though why an alicorn needs mere guards to walk about her own castle, I’ll never know. The guards nodded and turned to trot away to their other duties. Luna admired the clean looks they carried as they strutted away in uniform. The castle had always picked the most capable and strongest of guards, and ever since Flash Magnus had returned and begun training, the guards had done well to increase their regiments. Along with the overall attractiveness of the stallions Luna thought as she passed by more alert guards who were pretending to pay close attention to the rooms as they fought the sheer boredom of standing for hours. Thoughts of long-term relationships with a guard had crossed her mind often, but none of them had yet to treat Luna like a pony rather than a princess. Truth be told, she was looking for someone who would remind her of her times as a filly yet feel as though she could fly through the stars above with. Of course, the royal sisters had the option to ‘relieve stress’ whenever they asked, as many guards envied the moment to be called to the princesses’ chambers for some R&R. To them, it was a job with benefits.

As Luna entered the throne chamber, Celestia was laughing with some final dignitaries of the day as she escorted them through the chamber doors, brushing against Luna as they passed.

“Oh, you simply must tell me how your tournament goes afterwards!” Celestia said with a large smile.

“Of course, princess, and you will be the first to know! Then, I travel Equestria with my success!” the silver pony beamed as he held his head high. Silver Cup had always been a prideful pony with too much to say to the princesses about his personal exploits. Luna couldn’t wait to stop hearing about them once she was in Silver Shoals.

Celestia waved them the rest of the way out of the corridor, dropping her hoof and smile the moment they passed through the doors. She sighed heavily and turned to Luna, “Sister, I am so glad you made it. I apologize for the delay. Silver had another golf tournament he planned to take the second-place in. Again.” She let out a small chuckle as she thought of his pride in always coming second.

“Yes, dear sister, how I cannot wait for the tales of always losing first to be over” Luna returned the chuckle with her own, covering her mouth with a hoof. She regained her demeanor and asked, “yet that is not the reason you have asked me here, is it?” Celestia let out another exhausted sigh.

“No, my dear sister. I am afraid that would be too simple a request.” She paused and ducked her head. “I have been speaking with Starswirl, as I want to know what powerful ponies are supposed to do in their retirement. He has not the faintest idea, but his one suggestion was to visit old friends and mentors.” She smiled softly at the thought that Starswirl was imposing his personal visits with the sisters was somehow not on their minds. “He sent us this letter though, and it has some awfully sad undertones to it and I thought as a nice ‘thank you’ gift to our old teacher would be to help him out” Celestia said turning to Luna and bringing a parchment up with her magic. Luna unfurled it and read the horn-writing:

My dearest students,

I know retirement seems as exciting as uneventful, scary as fun, and relaxing as stressful. But I assure you, your time spent on this trip will allow you much deserved solace and relaxation. I have not many ideas for your time spent on these trips, but I can say that visiting old friends will always have a place among us ‘old ponies’. I would hope you would not forget your old teacher and visit occasionally. I only wish I still had my teacher to talk with in my old age, swapping stories and bragging about whose students turned out better (which clearly, mine did). I again urge some kindly intimate time with old friends and comrades alike.

Hoping to see you both soon,

Your teacher, StarSwirl the Bearded.

Luna caught herself smiling from ear-to-ear hearing how much her teacher hoped they would stay in touch. “Of course we will visit him! How could he think otherwise?” Luna said as she rolled up the parchment and passed it back to her sister.

“Yes, but did you not catch the other message he planted?” Luna paused at the question and thought for a moment.

“Him missing his teacher? It was more a metaphor for us to talk with him rather than anything else. He said himself that he ‘barely remembers’ his old master. Star… Walker? Wasn’t it?” Celestia began walking back to the thrones, turning her head to Luna as she went.

“Strider. Star Strider. And yes, but that may be part of the problem. He never got to know deeply and affectionately the pony who taught him everything, unlike us.” Celestia said as she sat down, rubbing her hooves to her tired eyes. Luna again thought for just a moment before raising a hoof to her sister.

“Well, what do you propose we do? We cannot just remake his master, he died with the defeat of whatever the Lichen monster was.” Luna had only heard brief legends and read the two textbooks talking about the ancient foe that was able to enslave a pony through the negative side of their special talents. Nothing was known about it aside from the offhand accounts Starswirl had both written and preached about… for all of fifteen minutes.

“Not necessarily” Celestia said opening her eyes once more. “I have been studying the spell Twilight conjured to bring Starswirl back and searching for remnants of Star Strider here in Equestria, even reaching out to our allies beyond the borders.” Luna was already shaking her head.

“Sister, while that spell is all in good favor, it only returned the ponies who were in limbo, not dead.” Celestia raised a hoof to stop her younger sister.

“Yes, but Star Strider never died.” A look of perplex crossed Luna’s face.

“Sister, you read the texts same as I, Star Strider took the creature to the grave along with himself if you recall.”

“Not entirely true.” Celestia teleported in a book from their old classroom studies. The cover was the seal that would become the royal seal when they took the responsibility of ruling. She flipped through the pages, landing on some near the end. “When Starswirl witnessed his master save him, Strider and the creature vaporized in a large magical bubble.”

“Exactly. Vaporized. Nothing was left.”

“Yes, but if they had truly vaporized, the ground would be scorched and the wildlife around unable to regrow. Thus is the problem of destruction magic.” Celestia again pointed to the book. “Strider never left a mark, and the place where the battle took place is full of trees and grass blades. Ergo, not vaporized.” Luna scratched her head as she seemed to struggle grasping the concept.

“But if not vaporized, then what? Teleportation?” Celestia again shook her head.

“If they teleported, then they would still be in this realm and the creature still control ponies. I am not entirely sure what he did, but whatever it was, they must be in another dimension or realm or whatever his solution must have been.” She zapped the book back to where it came from and sat up, starting for her quarters. “I must say, I am thoroughly exhausted and must retire. But if tomorrow, you would be up for a little visit to Starswirl for some conversation and viable solutions to our surprise? And please do keep it a surprise if you can.” Luna was still in place, thinking of the possibilities.

“Hmm? Oh yes, of course sister.” She nodded half-heartedly. But if we bring him back, what is to say we do not bring the Lichen creature back with him? The way the Pony of Shadows did with the Pillars? The writings of the Lichen creature had made it sound like a feral beast rather than a corrupted pony. One that could not be reasoned with as it had no conscience to reason with. Celestia let out a little snort as she again turned away from her intensive sister.

“Do not stay away from your duties too long sister. We will have tomorrow to think about whatever we want.” With that remark, Celestia closed the doors behind her and went off to sleep. Luna had nearly forgotten to raise the moon to full sky during her thinking.

“Working alone has got me too comfortable waiting to do things when I want, and how.” Her head raised back slightly as she grinned. “And still talking to myself. I suspect I will never get over that.”

With the moon raised and Luna on the watch for any nightmares, she became apathetic to her standing. She leaned on the balcony and gazed upwards at the moon. My home she thought. Spending one thousand years had done much to her person, even if she was dominated by Nightmare Moon at the time. She had fallen in love with the landscape of it all. The Ocean of Storms, the cobbled surface of the meteor-ridden plains, the vast mountains that dominated the horizons, the vast star to look upon and trace with her hooves upon the surface. It was beautiful in a silent giant kind-of-way. She hoped to truly live the remainder of her days there, gazing on the untouched land that she alone controlled. Her nostalgic thoughts were interrupted by a young filly screaming in their dreams. Not a filly, a mare Luna saw as she entered the orb of Twilight Sparkle.

Author's Note

Here's the chapter for the next few days. Probably will release chapter 3 pretty soon. Next chapter has the first explicit NSFW content. You have been warned.

Chapter 3

Luna touched gently on the carpeted areas of Twilight’s made-up mind halls. She was having a nightmare of repetitive action, a common one for a pony with any form of OCD or likewise mindsets. Twilight had six pictures of stallions in front of her, all strangely resembling male counterparts of her five elemental friends plus Starlight. “Ohhhhh… which one to choose! They are all just too similar I don’t even know where to start!” Twilight raised the one of Applejack, and with the touch of her horn, the stallion manifested himself in front of Twilight. He was a large stallion, resembling Big Mac with the coloration, eyes, and cutie mark of Applejack.

“Howdy miss, Jack Apple at your service of course. May I honestly say you look mighty fine this evenin’.” The Stallion grinned at her, crossed a hoof, and adjusted his hat. Luna had to admit, Twilight’s mind could conjure up some good-looking stallions.

“No no no, that isn’t at all what a stallion would say to me.” Twilight rushed with her eyes pacing back and forth. She touched her horn to the stallion, and he reset to his original position.

“Howdy miss, Jack Apple at your service. May I honestly say you got quite the brain round these here parts, and I for one envy it.” Luna covered her mouth with a hoof, chuckling at the compliment Twilight wanted. Any other mare would have loved being called a fine piece, but Twilight of course always wanted intellect over looks. Twilight began to breathe heavily as she started panicking.

“Who am I kidding! No stallion will want me if they look or act anything like this! I’m not a match with this brawn!” Twilight dispelled the male from in front of her and turned to the next photo. This chain of conjuration continued with everypony saying the same things to Twilight and her breathing even harder. Luna had to intervene before Twilight destroyed her self-esteem or set her standards to an impossible metric.

“Twilight Sparkle, hear me and be calm” She bellowed in the dream realm. This is always the best part she thought as Twilight turned to her and breathed a sigh of relief.

“Princess Luna! Thank goodness this is just a dream.” Luna floated over to her, waving the background away to a neutral back drop for them to stand on. She placed a hoof on her shoulder.

“Twilight, you cannot torment yourself with the ideal standards of stallions. Trust me, I know.” Twilight looked towards the ground and shuffled awkwardly.

“I know, but I figured if I don’t get the perfect mate before I’m ruling, then it’ll be too late! I mean you and Celestia don’t have a special somepony and you’ve ruled for thousands of years! Uh, no offense.” Luna looked slightly hurt at the comment, but knew it to be true, nonetheless.

“While you are right Twilight, my sister and I have not worried over such things with as much energy as you.” Luna winced slightly as she knew the lie of her statement. “Continuing this struggle could leave you lonelier than you started. I may not know how to ‘woo’ a pony, but I do know you cannot let this fantasy consume you lest you shut your doors on company forever.” Twilight looked up at Luna with seeming resolution filling her eyes.

“You’re right princess, my friends came naturally, I’m sure someone worthwhile will as well. And if someone doesn’t, well I’ve always got spike for a few hundred years right?” Luna smiled and began to float away from her, solving her troubled sleep.

“Rest well then my friend. More pressing matter face you. Sweet dreams.” The pocket to the dream closed as Luna’s consciousness returned to her body. If only I could fix my own problems that easily. She sighed and again stared at the moon.

Moments later, a guard passed by her corridor. For the fifth time in five minutes, she thought. No guard stayed around longer than two at most for fear of interrupting Luna during her night watch. She got up and approached the door. “Guard, I have need of you.” The guard turned and rushed to the door, seemingly too eager to get there.

“Yes, your highness, what can I do?” Luna recognized him from the new battalion that had just passed their graduation tests. Thought she could not put a face to the name, he was handsome all the same. His light blue coat had a pearly finish against the cold silver he wore, signifying his place in the night battalions that reported directly to Luna.

“What is your name, Private?” She looked at his badge to confirm his low standings in the army. It was odd that such a low rank would guard the princess unless specifically requested. “And why are you the only guard here at such a low rank?” The guard did not break his demeanor for a moment as he saluted and replied.

“Streak Lighter Ma’am, 513th royal pegasi night division. I requested your personal detail this evening to get a feel for the more rigorous duties, Ma’am.” His dedication to service seemed almost laughable. Guarding Luna at night was comparable to playing a game of how long you could sleep before getting caught. A devious smile broke on Luna’s face.

“Oh my, such a loyal stallion. To think you wanted to guard me just to be closer. Well, I must say that I am flattered.” She batted her eyes and turned her head to the guard. He began to blush and shift a little more uncomfortably.

“Well, uh, princess I just wanted to—”

“Oh, don’t worry” she cut him off, “I love a little company in the cold hours of the night. Especially someone as handsome as you.” He rubbed the back of his neck, clearly baffled, and aroused by the words Luna gave him. It’s too easy now a days she laughed in her head. Oh, why not, he needs the extra confidence and I need the relief. She moved closer to him, brushing his exposed wing her own. “I know it seems impossible to be with a princess when you’re just a guard, but who’s to say I don’t want to be with you?” She turned to him, putting their muzzles only a breath apart and pointing a hoof at his chest piece.

“Uhh ha uh I would—I mean there is not--” Luna cut him off with a hoof to his mouth.

“Shhhhh soldier, tonight, you can let go a little. Now, Lighter, what’s say you help me unwind over here?” She motioned deeper into her chambers. The guard gulped as his previous bravado was replaced with shaky steps and a trembling voice.

“Of course, Ma’am, uh, anything I can do to help.”

Luna grinned again as she took off her crown and began to remove her royal dressings as she made her way across the floor. “Please dear, tonight just call me Luna. Tonight, we are no more than two ponies who need a little… relaxing.” She turned and pulled his helmet off as she stood in front of him, completely disrobed. The princesses hardly wore anything to begin with, but there was a certain charm to seeing Luna with nothing on. She almost looks… normal he thought as he followed her more intently. He lifted his chest plate of and frantically kicked his boots off. “My, someone is a little eager, isn’t he?”

“My apologies Ma’… I mean Luna. I’ll go a little slower.”

“No,” she said now laying on the bed on her side, “by all means. I know it’s awfully exciting.” Streak Lighter clambered in the bed next to her, meeting her face-to-face. He could not believe what was about to happen. Ponies only dreamed of this moment. She would know. He leaned in for a kiss but was halted by her hoof. “My dear, while I want to make this enjoyable, this is nothing intimate, okay? I cannot show favoritism among my guards, can I?” He shook his head, a little disappointed which clearly showed on his face.

“Of course not, I apologize. I will not kiss you again.” Luna again smiled.

“Oh, you misunderstand my brave stallion, it’s all in good fun so long as we have that agreement, yes?” He nodded. “Very well. You may proceed.”

Streak leaned forward, and this time, Luna received his lips with her own. They held the first kiss a moment, then as they kissed again, he pulled her in with his hooves. His tongue began touching the soft lips he was meeting, asking for permission seemingly. Luna responded by opening her mouth more to intertwine their two tongues. They danced in each other’s mouths and feeling the soft sides of each one. Their hooves now wrapped around each other; Luna began making her way atop him. They broke for a moment, as a wicked smile played across Luna’s face. “Well, my dear, someone couldn’t help but poke the invitation” she probed. They both looked down to see his little soldier in a proud salute and standing tall for Luna to ‘inspect’. She made her way down his neck with kisses placed and sensual licks around his chest. His musk was somewhat strong after spending all day in armor. It only aroused Luna more to inhale the man she climbed on. She had made her way down to his penis, eliciting small moans as rewards for each of the tender kisses she placed. She looked up at him and gave another toothy grin.

“Luna, you don’t have to if you—” He was cut off as she gave a small lick to the tip, causing him to buck his hips up. It was the softest motion ever placed upon him yet stimulating all the right nerves. Luna was pleased with his uncontrollable response to her perfect mouth. She began licking and kissing his penis, careful not to take it in just yet. Streak Lighter was growing hotter and hotter with every lick she placed on. Celestia on high, she knows what she is doing he thought. But all her teasing was not enough for him to come close to release. And she knew it. She looked up again to his face, noting the strain of pleasure that was crossing his complexion. With that, she gave a long lick up the side of his cock and once she reached the tip, enveloped his whole shaft with her mouth. He let out a cry of pleasure as his dick began to be sucked by the perfect mouth of Luna. She bobbed slowly up and down on it, coming just off the tip every time shortly to allow the air to hit all his saliva-covered penis. “Luna… Celestia my grace, please I can barely hold” he strained to keep his orgasm from coming. Luna was relentless and went faster, taking in his whole member without missing a beat. He bucked his hips to the back of her throat with a final burst of energy. His cock sprayed hot cum in Luna’s mouth, causing her to gag a little as it covered the back of her throat. She pulled away and coughed just a little. “I am so sorry Luna; I couldn’t stop, you are just… too good at that” he said with beads of sweat tracing his forehead.

“No worries love, I liked it all the same.” She smiled again at him but winced internally. She longed to call someone her love in a way that meant something to the both of them. She mentally shook herself off and returned her attention. “But I hope you’re not done; I still need some attention after all.” He caught his breath and smiled at her.

“Of course not, your majesty. Just tell me how you want it.”

“You seem smart, go ahead and surprise me hot shot.” He flipped her over, so her full body was on display. He began kissing her chest and stomach, similarly to how she had pleasured him before. She smelled of lavender strangely enough. Duh, she is basically the princess of sleep he thought. Her coat was exquisitely soft as his face was buried in it with each kiss. She let off soft moans to show her enjoyment. “Oh Streak,” she said softly. Having the princess moan his name was something he never thought he would hear. He moved lower and lower to her marehood, noticing that she was already moist for the most part. He began teasing her clit with his tongue as his right hoof coaxed more juices from her pussy. “Oh Streak!” she moaned louder. Her moans began to evolve to screams as he began to push his hoof deeper. She was soaking already, and the sheets were becoming stained in her cum. Her wings were spreading slowly and stiffly as her pleasure elevated more and more with every touch. “I’m going to—I cannot bear this. I’m CUMMING” she screamed as more juices poured from her and she panted loudly. His face was soaked with her cum, and he pulled back, trying to wipe it before he could look like too much of a fool.

Luna softly laughed as her hoof covered her eyes. “My apologies love, much like you I have a knack for producing maybe a bit ‘much’ as far as that goes.”

“No worries, I’m just glad to see I’m decent at that.”

“Decent?!” She sat up looking at him. “My love, a princess does not just cum for anyone. Hold yourself a little higher. At least for my sake.” He laughed and nodded.

“Sure thing princess. I won’t say no to being told I’m not bad.” She smiled and pushed him.

“Well, I hope you’re ‘not bad’ at the next part. I’m just dripping with anticipation, aren’t you?” She lay down again spreading her legs for him more. He could not believe it. He thought they would end it there, but to actually lay witha princess? This had to be a dream.

“My lady, are you sure? I mean, sex with a princess seems to be just a step above my paygrade.” She smiled at him and rolled her eyes.

“We have come this far, have we not? Plus, I am not fully ‘relieved’ yet. And judging by your erection, I would say neither are you.” She pointed to his dick, once again at a full pump and ready to enter the coveted cave of the beautiful mare before him.

“Ha, yea I guess so.” He spoke. “But I was wondering before we continue… what about protection or anything? I assume you don’t want a foal with a random guard?” She nodded at him.

“Yes, but seeing how this is not my first time around the barn, I know how to protect myself. Plus, I just crave that feeling deep in my body. And don’t lie, pulling out always ruins the finish.” She winked at him and wrapped her legs around his back pulling him in closer.

“No, I guess you’re right. Again.” He sighed and smiled. “Very well. Princess? You ready?” She nodded towards him.

“Enter me, you fierce beast.”

With her words, he pushed forward with more force than he had ever before. Perhaps just too excited. “Woahhhh my dear” Luna gasped. “That may be just a little too hard to start with. I think my hips are bruised from that” she panted as he retreated.

“Apologies miss, just a little too eager I suppose.”

“Right, no apology necessary. Just ease into it.” She leaned up to his ear, “besides, I like it hard and rough once we’ve warmed up.” His dick stiffened even more at the thought. He smiled and pushed her on the bed with his front hooves.

“Very well, you dirty pony, let’s see how you really are.” He pushed into her a little softer this time, but with just as much craving as the last. Luna moaned at the entrance, showing he was doing it right. She reached a hoof down as he backed up again to push into her deeper. She played with her clit as his dick buried itself inside once more, the walls of her vagina clamping down on the invader. She started to cry out again as he picked up the pace. The sounds of moaning and panting were mixed with their hips colliding together and juices leaking from her pussy. She sat up again and gasped between thrusts.

“Streak… Oh… Ahhhh please, get me—OH—on top!” She begged as his penis slapped harder and harder into her womb.

“As—ah—you wish my lady!” He quickly flipped over as he pulled out for a moment, grabbing her, and hoisting her above and finally catching her atop his penis again, this time able to bury it deeper than before.

“AHHHHH YES! YES, THAT’S IT MY LORD!!” She cried as she threw her head back. Her wings were fully out in an awesome display and her vagina leaked even more lubricant on his dick and pelvis. She leaned forward and placed her hooves on his chest getting a grinding motion in with her hips.

“LU—I… I am about to!”

“I know! DO IT I NEED YOU I NEED YOU SO BAD!” She screamed at the near top of her lungs. He worried for a moment if anyone would hear them but was quickly snapped out of his thought as her hips began going in a circle, burying his penis even deeper inside her vagina.

“HERE IT COMESSSSSS”

“AHHHHHHHHHHHH I’M CUMMING I’M CUMMING I’M CUMMINGGGGGGGG” Luna screamed as her own orgasm hit its peak and she began shaking. A huge stream of fluid ejaculated from her vagina, drenching the remaining area of their sexes. She cried and moaned at every wave of release, convulsing at her own orgasms being released from her marehood. Her pussy clenched his dick inside, forcing his cum to hit all the way inside her. She shook a few times as her orgasm hit in multiple waves, riding it out to the very end. Her eyes were rolled to the back of her head and her wings trembled at the little jumps she gave on his semi-stiff cock. One thing the guard failed to notice was the tears that were forming at Luna’s eyes.

The bed sheets were soaked in cum and sweat as the two fell next to each other. Luna turned to him and began making out with him again until they grew tired. Streak struggled to keep his eyes open to gaze on her majestic form, but her lips coaxed him into a deep sleep with not a care in the world. Luna sighed and smiled as she wiped her eyes and picked herself up to go clean up. My that was fun. She thought. But she still wished she could do that daily. With the same pony. Sadly, for Streak. It was most likely he would get transferred. The privates always got switched out once Luna had “broken them in”. With less wonderings about sex with the royalty, most division ponies would move on with the confidence to seduce any other mare and leave the sisters alone. Alone she thought. Classic royalty. She showered off and went back to her balcony, returning her wardrobe to her body. She put her hoof on the railing and looked back at Streak, fast asleep. Poor guy, he might be sad when he hears about his transfer tomorrow. She sighed and gazed back up to the moon to dream of her perfect pony once again.

Author's Note

There's the first sex scene. I'm not entirely sure how to write those well, but the main point was to convey character aspects. I'll be releasing the next chapter sooner than a week as it's got some pretty important plot points. Hope you enjoyed!

Chapter 4

Starswirl awoke with a cold sweat. His nightmare had been so real. Too real. I thought I taught Luna to watch over us better than that he queried. He sat up from his bed, the sun barely half up. He dawned his robe on and began making some morning tea, trying to shake the horrifying thoughts of last night’s dream. It was nothing more than a dream. The Lichen is gone, and so is my master. I needn’t worry about this; I am THE sorcerer after all. He sipped calmly as the morning birds began arising singing their tales of glory that the sun was back. He thought for a moment as he looked out from his cottage porch. This was a nice retirement life he could get used to. Still, he missed being important and contributing. He knew his time was running out. He wasn’t as young as any of the other pillars, save Mistmane. They all still had important jobs they could pass to others. Starswirl was content knowing his teachings were passed on and he did not hold anymore teaching positions. I only need to see my friends every now and again and this would be perfect.

His thought was interrupted by a scroll appearing in front of him from the magic delivery system he set between himself and his former pupils. Speaking of… must be my lucky day! He unfolded the letter and read the text. “Ah! They want to visit me? Today? How wonderful! This will be a glorious day after all!” He sat up quickly and began moving his cottage around to make room for the two grown alicorns that would keep him company later that morning.

Celestia and Luna had their small saddlebags packed for a day trip to Starswirl’s with food and books for them to discuss. Luna had noticed quite a few of the castle’s patrons sporting exhausted looks as though they slept with little rest the previous night. She worried only for a moment as her sister interjected- “So what do you think?”

“Hm? Right. Yes. I think the idea could be a good one, but again, we must know if the Lichen would return. But maybe there would be a way to defeat it anyway?” Celestia was fixated on bringing back Starswirl’s old master by any means necessary. Luna only hoped it was a promising idea. Bringing back the pillars, although it resulted in great accomplishment, had brought back a truly fearsome foe. The Pony of Shadows was able to be reasoned with, but from what she had studied about the Lichen, it could not be.

Celestia and Luna arrived at Starswirl’s cottage a little past the midday. He waved them down as they descended in his front yard. “Luna! Celestia! My favorite ponies!” He said with a large smile on his face as he hugged them both. “I’m so glad you came to visit! Tea?” He pulled out a tea pot that was boiling with what smelled like peppermint leaves.

“Of course, Starswirl! We are so glad to see you too!” Celestia said gesturing with a wing to his whole cottage.

“Yes, quite delighted.” Luna graced with a grin. “How have your studies been going?” she asked as they made their way to a small table where he began to pour the tea.

“Quite swell I would say, but I am seemingly stuck on the elements of harmony and their ties to ritual magic. I know I planted the darn things, but they still perplex me!”

“Well, their nature is very unknown to many ponies, even Twilight. And with the tree destroyed after Sombra’s attack, it seems even harder to study them at all.” Celestia commented as she sipped on her tea. Luna thought about the elements, and how even if they were able to bring Star Strider back, the elements would not be around to protect them all. Twilight and her friends had shown that even without the physical elements, it lived on inside them. Though no one knew how they controlled it or IF they controlled it.

“Would there be a way to plant another tree perhaps? Or make new elements?” Luna questioned as Starswirl mixed more honey in his tea.

“Unfortunately, my dear Luna, the seeds the pillars and I planted took a lifetime to find much less nurture. Even if we could, I am not sure where to plant the new ones.” He leaned back in his chair and stroked his beard. “Plus, there is not much more I need from them, nor Equestria. Twilight Sparkle will have the spirits of the elements under control for her long-reigning stead, and with me living here at the edge of the Everfree forest, I can make sure it does not take over. I even have a few backup plans for when I pass.” Luna’s brow furrowed. Except we want them in case an all-consuming evil monster returns with your Master she thought in a huff. “Luna? What is troubling you?” She glanced up, noticing she had not so much as sipped her tea.

“Nothing, my old master, just thinking of different possibilities.” She paused and looked back into his eyes. “Starswirl, what can you tell us about the Lichen?” Celestia almost choked on her tea, coughing horrendously as she swallowed some down the wrong tube. Starswirl’s eyes widened a bit and he sat forward.

“Well, that is one I’ve not put thought to for a long time. I am happy to share, but I must inquire as to the reason of your interest?” Luna realized why Celestia had choked. I’ve backed myself into a corner. How do I explain why I ask? ‘oh, we were just wondering what happens if we bring your master back and it’s weaknesses!’ you fool!

“I believe Luna is interested more in the recounting of the tale than the actual fierceness of the beast” Celestia said after recovering from her ‘fit.’ Starswirl chuckled softly.

“Fair enough, I suppose it will do me good to recount the details of such a riveting tale.” There was a twinge of pain in his face as he started.

“Long ago, when Equestria was still a ‘manual labor’ job, ponies all around were discovering the first cutie marks. They used the special talents associated with them to found the very core practices we use today. One of these, was magic. Back in the day, magic was not exactly exclusive, but also not inclusive. There were but three earth ponies who could wield sorcery at their hooftips. One of them was my old master, Star Strider. He was a cunning wizard, and even more brilliant warrior. He hailed from a small village on the border of the Dragonlands. From the time he could walk, he was given a sword to protect his village from the fearsome looters. As he grew, he looked for new ways to protect his ponies. Safer ways. He travelled to the far mountains in the East where we know today as Canterlot. His traveling’s led him to a wellspring of water imbedded in the mountain. There he found a wise old sage who had mastered magic through internal balance. This sage was the only earth pony who used magic at the time. As Star Strider began his studies of self-mastery, he also began his studies of his innermost desires and thoughts. For an earth pony to cast spells, they must detach their cravings from their needs entirely and focus solely on the practicality of the spell. Where unicorns and alicorns use magic in their daily routines very casually, earth ponies would struggle to levitate a single item if it were not necessary for their life or if they had yet to master themselves.

“With his practice, Star Strider became more aware of his demons and battled harder to subdue them. He spoke with his master about his struggles and proposed an idea: to embody his wanton desires into a physical vessel that could then be destroyed. The sage master hesitated at this as there was never an account of somepony succeeding, nay even thinking of casting embodiment magic. After much debate, the sage master agreed. Now at this time, another earth pony by the name of Shyamalan from the western settlements had joined the two in magic studies. She could not wait to see the plan play its course.

“Star Strider practiced his spell over and over, embodying little things first, like his hunger or his sadness. As he became more accustomed and better at dispelling or reabsorbing the vessels if they could not be destroyed, he gathered his two friends to cast the final spell. To all their astonishment, it worked! They were able to help Star Strider create a literal creature that was all his foolish desires or irresponsible wants. What they did not know was that this creature had the same mind and aptitude to seek these desires with none of the self-restraint or control to suppress them. The creature moved quickly after its spawning and consumed poor Shyamalan.”

Luna held up a hoof. “What do you mean consumed? As though it physically ate her as some food?” Starswirl turned to her.

“If you would let me continue” he said narrowing his eyes. Luna looked away and rubbed her leg with the other.

“My apologies. Please, continue.”

“Yes, it consumed her. Its whole form enveloped Shyamalan. The two ponies believed her dead, that is until it moved away. She stood there with a blue color among her eyes and her cutie mark replaced by a weaning moon. She reached out trembling for the others, but they could not help her. The sage began casting repulsing spells immediately but was too close to the creature to be of any use. He suffered the same fate. Star Strider was the only one left and began to run, attempting to teleport away. The creature chased after him, but he was able to escape before it consumed him too.

“Star Strider spent the next five years studying ways to contain the beast. He finally found a stasis spell that was able to stop the creature, though only after it had consumed much of the residence of central Equestria. With the creature held in stasis, many ponies began to regain former elements of their magic, but never to their fullest potential. Many of the ponies that had encountered it long ago never recovered, both of Strider’s friends included. They were in a permanently weakened state as thought they had aged a thousand years in mere seconds. Star Strider named the creature ‘the Lichen’ as the moss plant that is a lichen tends to stick to any surface in dark caves and feeds of the air and accomplishments others provide around it.

“After containing the beast and returning what aid he could to the ponies, Star Strider decided to open a school of magical understanding for all ponies, in hopes of training the next wizard generation as well as furthering his own studies. Sadly, with the loss of the sage, Strider could not teach earth ponies or pegasi to wield magic. He turned his attention to the unicorn wizards. By applying the skills as taught in his studies, he found that the unicorns were able to magnify their power tenfold due to their natural proficiency with magic. That is where I was put into school and grew. And I don’t mean to toot my own horn, but I was one of his star pupils!”

Starswirl poured another cup of tea for himself as he smiled. Luna cut in as he poured, “yes, but what of the Lichen? And your master? Surely that is not the end? They cannot be found anywhere so they must be away!” Starswirl raised a brow at her.

“My, someone is eager to hear the riveting ending, are you not?” Luna blushed and Celestia put a hoof upon her sister’s.

“My sister, like me, can sometimes get very caught up in a good story. I think we are both just a bit eager to know where your master went” she said as she cast a side glance at Luna. The look was filled with the silent warning of Don’t spoil it just yet. Starswirl laughed again.

“Yes, I suppose a good story is hard to put down, especially when the storyteller is as good as I!” He looked at Luna with a confused look for a moment thought; “Luna, before I proceed, surely you must have seen this in my nightmare last night and thus the reason you let it play out, yes?” Luna gulped and looked at the ground. Oh no, I had almost forgotten that I didn’t even save the dream scape! Celestia looked over to her younger sister with a shunning look on her face as though she already knew why the dreams had been so vivid last night.

“I… uh I just was a little… preoccupied.” She stuttered over her words, hoping he would leave it there. He seemed to drop it as he stroked his beard.

“All in good favor. Even princesses have stress sometimes.” Luna and Celestia let a look of relief cross their faces, though Luna know she would be getting a lecture the whole flight home.

“Now, returning to the tale, Star Strider taught for years at his school, drawing unicorns in from across the lands. He was even visited by the Kiren! The creatures had such a tenacity for nature magic that they sought to further their healing abilities under his tutorship. In his downtime, he and I would search for the spell to return his masters to their former selves… and the spell for immortality.”

Luna and Celestia both went wide-eyed at the same time, Celestia choking on her tea yet again. “I-i-i I’m sorry, but did you say the spell for immortality?” asked the princess of night as she leaned across the table.

“Quite so” Answered Starswirl, “you did not think that immortality just came from nothing!” Luna shuffled a little in her seat as she pondered the question.

“No, I suppose not, but surely alicorns existed before us?” Starswirl was already putting a hoof up to halt her questions.

“Then tell me Luna, who were they? Where is the recorded history? You see? No one was immortal until the gift of alicorn wings were given to you.” He said pointing a hoof at her chest. Luna was shocked. She cannot believe the thought had never crossed her mind before. She was not the historian that her sister was or some other ponies, but she knew enough.

“Anyway, we had spent years studying. Him even more than I. I would pack my bags for the night, and he would resume his studying late into the night. One day, I came back to class after it ended, and he appeared not to have left his desk the whole night. He was enthralled with his studies. Nothing could deter his focus from saving his masters. Sadly, the time came when it did not matter if he saved them or not, they were too old by pony standards to live a life. This was always on his mind and his driving force for finding immortality. He may have been the first and only pony to seek immortality for non-selfish purposes. With his masters passing away, he grieved for a long while, but then shifted his focus to educating the future generations. What he did not realize was that his stone spell would not hold forever.” Celestia and Luna looked at each other with a look of understanding and slight embarrassment, as clearly the memory of Discord’s escape dawned on them both.

“Yes, we may have an idea of that” Celestia said with a small laugh in the back of her throat.

“Mmm, yes I had heard of Twilight’s defeat and subsequent rehabilitation of the master of Chaos. Truly remarkable by the way. I thought it never to be accomplished.

“As the years went on, the Lichen was able to muster strength enough to break its prison, which was still in the long-forgotten forest of Ponyville. The spirit of the Everfree forest comes from the Lichen and its lust to consume and control all. By the time we had found out about its escape, most of Ponyville had been consumed and some neighboring towns. We rushed with the most powerful unicorn students he had in his classes to battle it. During the fight, we were separated, and I faced the creature alone. No spell I could muster did a scratch against the beast. Star Strider knew what had to be done, but I…” Starswirl gazed longingly into the sky as small tears graced the corners of his eyes. He lowered his head and sighed. “I could not handle it. With one great magical spell, he created a summoning vortex that banished both him and the creature to the eternal plains of limbo. At least that is what he said it would do. When I was sent to limbo with the pony of shadows, part of me hoped to see him and reunite again. But the plains are vast, and it was as though I blinked my eyes before I was summoned back by Twilight. Part of me thinks he just told me he went there so I wouldn’t worry about him or try to bring him back.” The table was silent as all three of the ponies stared at their cups with wandering thoughts.

“So… you think he’s really gone then?” Luna said after what seemed like hours of silence. Celestia glanced up at her but had no reprimand or care for spoiling their surprise. At this point, not even she knew if what they were trying to achieve was possible. Starswirl sighed and looked up at the two of them.

“Not entirely, the last words I heard him say sounded as though there was a solution to his return, but I cannot decipher them. What I have left is his journal and mismanaged notes. It is how I discovered the ability for you to gain your wings and immortality.” Celestia looked at her old master with kind eyes as she put a hoof on his shoulder.

“Starswirl, we could never ask you to give up the only memory you have of your master, but we were wondering… may we read his journal and notes? I believe Equestria has much to gain from the knowledge inside. Plus, Twilight would kill for new ancient material to study.” Starswirl chuckled softly.

“I’m sure she would.” He looked at the two of them, with a seeming dawning moment in his eyes. “Yes, I think it will be good for you two to read it. Give me just a moment!” He jumped from his seat very suddenly and ran inside the house. Luna looked to Celestia and said, “I did not think he would part so easily with his only memory.” Celestia looked down to her younger sister and shrugged.

“Maybe he is excited someone else wants to preserve his master’s memory.” Starswirl returned moments later with an incredibly old and well-worn green book with a golden seal on it. The years had not been kind to its condition, but Starswirl had cared for it to the best of his ability, making it still a viable book.

“Now, I will say, most of it is written in old Ponish, some in a modern dialect. If you have trouble making anything out, let me know. Or just reach out to Twilight as I am sure she would love the opportunity to demonstrate her proficiency in the language.” He went over to the front of his cottage where the royal chariot waited for the sisters, despite them insisting on flying themselves both ways. “Up! Up! You have not a moment to lose studying those materials! The time for chatting is over! Read now and chat later once you understand his writings!” The sisters scrambled up from their seats, caught off guard by his sudden outburst of wanting them to go. They trotted to the chariot as he walked them there.

“But Starswirl—”

“No! Nothing more! I have very important business I forgot about, and you have very important reading to get to! I will see you another day my students!” With that final remark he slapped the lead stallion’s flank. The guard let out a whinny and reared and took to the skies. The sisters leaned out of the chariot and waved as they raced away.

“That ending was… odd” Celestia said, examining the book they had between them.

“Yes… quite.” Luna said. But something tells me he has not given up hope yet and knows something about us not even I know. As the chariot raced towards Canterlot, Luna began turning the pages of the weathered book and reading the ancient texts.

Chapter 5

In Ponyville, Spike was wandering across town once again. He passed by the stalls with their amenities to sell to the travelling ponies throughout town. As he walked, his stomach was rumbling with a hunger like none other. He put a claw to his stomach; “Whoa there boy, I’ll get you something. But what is the question…” He trailed off as he looked around the different food carts. He spotted Big Mac over by what looked to be a veggie kebab cart, so he made his way over to his friend. “Big Mac!” Spike yelled as he came closer, waving at the broad pony. They exchanged hoof-bumps and slapped each other on the back. “How’s it hanging? I was just looking at these kebabs myself and thought they looked awesome!”

“Eeeeyup!” The red stallion said with a smile on his face. He took another bite of one he already had purchased. Spike handed up the bits to the cashier and grabbed two for himself, downing the first in seconds.

“Mmmmm! That hit the spot dude! What a find!” Spike licked his lips as he looked at his other. Something was off about it. The zucchini on the top had sprouted what looked like… eyes.

“Well boys, I was hoping to find you two together!” Discord’s face appeared in front of the zucchini. “And with such delicious snacks for our session of O&O!” He turned into his ‘normal’ self between the two friends and snapped his finger, making the kebab turn into the cardboard cutout of Spike’s character.

“Sorry Discord, but Twilight is using the whole castle today with her friends and doesn’t want anyone disturbing her.” Discord scowled and turned to Spike.

“But what if I’m as quiet as a mouse!” He exclaimed, turning into a tiny mouse that ran between Big Mac’s legs. “Or even better, Fluttershy!” He yelled. Spike had a disapproving look on his face. Discord stopped and came back to himself. “Oh, you’re right, pink mane was never my color anyway.” Big Mac was already turning to head back to the farm, but Discord turned and grabbed his yoke and hoisted him into his arms. “Say, your barn wouldn’t have a quite sufficient pile of hay in it that could substitute as a table?” He asked as he batted his eyes at the stallion in his arms.

“Eeeeenope” Big Mac said as he huffed at Discord. Discord opened his arms, letting Big Mac fall to the ground with a thunk.

“Oh, very well, we can go to my place then!” He raised his hands to snap them away, but spike flew in front of him to catch his fingers.

“Discord! Stop. Big Mac still has half his chores left, and I have to get back and help Twilight with whatever it is they’re doing. She was really demanding that I get back in time before Celestia and Luna show up.” Discord opened one of his eyes and looked at the dragon.

“Tia and Lulu are visiting Twilie??? And I didn’t get an invite! What has this world come to.” He turned a shade of green that was putrid to look at. “Say, Spike, why don’t I come help with you and maybe with my added help we can make enough time for a game!” Before Spike could respond, Discord snapped his fingers and they teleported right into the library of the castle of friendship, where the three princesses were already sitting around a table together. Between them was an old looking book. Just before Spike and Discord came crashing down on the table, Celestia snatched the book and Discord made himself hover. Spike remembered he had wings just before he hit the table and floated up to Discord with a stern look on his face.

“Spike! Discord! I said no O&O today! I’m super busy and kind of WITH THE OTHER PRINCESSES!” Twilight yelled as she glared at them both.

“Sorry Twilight, I tried telling Discord, but he insisted on ‘helping out’.” Discord was lounging in the air as he peeped down at the four who were so upset by his appearance.

“Oh, my deepest apologies your highnesses. I just thought I could be a good friend and help you finish whatever you’re doing so the guys can get back to painting the town red! Or should I say Spiketopia.” He winked at Spike who facepalmed at the comment.

“Discord, while I appreciate the offer, we are kind of in the middle of a very sensitive matter that is also a little PRIVATE!” Twilight steamed again. Discord looked hurt and put his paw to his heart.

“My deepest apologies your majesty, I just didn’t think friends kept secrets, or perhaps my friendship lessons didn’t go over so well! Woe is me!” He feigned as he smirked through his over-dramatic one-pony play. Celestia raised a hoof and spoke.

“Actually Twilight, Discord may be of some use in this matter. He is the only one besides Starswirl who still existed at the time.” Discord stuck his tongue out at Twilight, believing he had won the contest. Twilight sighed and put her head down on the table. “Discord, we wanted to know if you have any knowledge of the Lichen creature?” The question stopped Discord in his tracks. He lowered himself down with his talon hand to his chin.

“Lichen… ah yes that ghastly creature that caused so much chaos all those millennia ago! He almost put me out of a job you know! Sometimes too much chaos can be bad for the economy!” He pulled out a wallet and showed the room how empty it was.

“Then you must know of the pony who made it, Star Strider” Luna interjected before the performance could continue. Discord again thought deeply about the name.

“It is familiar, but I can’t put a face to the name. When you’re the lord of chaos you meet so many famous ponies its hard to keep them straight!”

“Discord” Twilight said sternly as he began another act. He caught the fire in her eyes and cleared his throat.

“Well, since you all are so eager to know and I don’t really feel like remembering, I’ll just play the memory on this new-fangled T.V. I found!” He snapped his fingers, and a wide screen filled a wall of the library. On it, a perspective appeared of what seemed to be Discord’s. A Steel-colored earth pony stood in front of their view, wearing a cloak, and looking worried.

“So, master of chaos, I give you this, and you show me the chaos dimension spell?” The view shook with laughter as the old Discord put his paw to his face.

“Oh, you make it sound so important! Honestly, the fact any of you ponies would want to go there is so amazing! Maybe one day, I can share it with this world!” The gray pony pulled out a bag of black pebbles, ones that Twilight recognized as the seeds Discord planted to kidnap Celestia and Luna and destroy the tree of Harmony.

“256 seeds, yours to sew. But be careful where you use them, they have a mind of their own.” Discord reached forward and grabbed the bag, popping a few into his mouth. The screen shivered as he swallowed, clearly enjoying the little seeds.

“Delicious. Any for you? They have quite the nutrition you know.” The pony held up his hoof in rejection.

“Thank you, uh, Discord, but all I need now is the spell for the dimension. It’s my failsafe.” Discord shrugged and conjured a scroll in front of the pony.

“Here, but I don’t know if you can use it to get out, just to enter, since that is all you asked for.” The pony grabbed the scroll and tucked it in his cloak.

“Thanks, but I just need the one-way ticket.” The pony turned and started away, and the vision on the screen faded. The Princesses stood with their mouths agape, and Discord was munching on popcorn he had made sometime during the show.

“Oh my, you all should see your faces! You look as though you met me! Which of course is always breathtaking.” He did a show bow in front of them, but they did not react in the slightest. “Hey, what gives? You’re all acting boring. Well, more boring than normal I should say. Spike shrugged when Discord pointed towards the three. Celestia was the first to move. She blinked and closed her mouth, clearing her throat as she did.

“Discord, may we inquire of you the spell you gave to Star Strider?” He was twirling a scroll in his hands and looked over, making the scroll disappear.

“I could… but what do I get from that? That’s like you just barging into my home!” Twilight glared at him again.

“And what kind of friend would do that.” She seethed. Discord reared back and tugged at his neck.

“Fair point, but listen, Fluttershy is the only one I’ve taken there, and she had my protection. She hasn’t even been out of my house! All that chaos would drive a pony mad for sure.” Luna floated up to him and asked “but time stands still there, does it not? So, anything inside does not grow with the seasons?” Discord smirked at the princess and snapped his fingers, teleporting him to Twilight’s throne.

“Quite so my dear, one of the most maddening things is nothing happening at all!” He laughed as he thought about the friends wandering his homescape of oblivion all on their own. As his laughter died, he cleared his throat and conjured up two scrolls. “Very well, these are the opening and return spells to the dimension of chaos. But I cannot attend you while there. If the other creatures of chaos knew I helped you, they would protest on my lawn for all eternity!” Luna accepted the two scrolls in her hooves and floated to the table, spreading them next to the book they had. Discord rolled his eyes and started up, “Well, as much fun as nerding out with you was, I’d rather be doing… anything else. See you in the madness!” He saluted and twisted into himself until he disappeared.

The princesses looked over the scrolls and the book thousands of times without speaking. Spike wandered away to find more food, knowing Twilight would yell his name if she needed him. Suddenly, Celestia jumped up and yelled ‘A-ha!” as she pointed her hoof at a passage in the book. “Star Strider writes here: ‘I will use the spell from the Lord of Chaos to trap the creature forever in a place where it will not be out of place. My only hope is that it can be accomplished without my coercing through physical force.’” The two other princesses gather around the book and read the words themselves.

“This is the last page of the book…” Twilight said.

“Which means, he most likely had to use that physical force he was talking about.” Luna added as they all sat back in their chairs. Celestia stood and scooped up the materials.

“Thank you for all your help, Twilight, but Luna and I must go. We will resolve these matters in our own time.” She started for the door as Twilight leapt up to join them.

“Oh, it’s no bother, but please, let me know what you find? I just can’t stop thinking about all the discoveries that could occur if you really succeed in rescuing the mentor of Starswirl. I mean, who knows more than the pony who taught the pony who knows everything?” She snorted as she walked them to the door. Celestia turned back with Luna and embraced her student.

“We will, but please keep this a secret as long as you can so we may surprise our old teacher with his.” Twilight nodded.

“I promise.”

“Good, then we must be off. Thank you again Twilight. It is always a pleasure to see you.” With their goodbyes said, Celestia and Luna began flying towards Canterlot to attend their royal duties.

Author's Note

Bit of a shorter chapter with a couple extra characters to help flush out the story, hence the earlier publishing. We're getting to the meaty part of the story so stay tuned!

Chapter 6

Night had fallen again across the land. Luna stood in her tower overlooking the now empty roads of Canterlot. She was thinking deeply about what could be done for Star Strider. She paced around the balcony talking to herself; “If we go into the dimension… we could be lost forever if we lose the scrolls. We could go mad ourselves. We could just waste our time entirely!” She paused as another hoofstep passed outside her room. Again. She laughed to herself, but then became exceedingly frustrated. “I’m not just something that all the new guards can use to boost their confidence. I don’t even know why Celestia bothers putting them with us anyway!” She huffed out a stream of hot air. The hoofstep moved again, this one slower than the last. Luna was getting angrier and angrier thinking about whatever sex-driven stallion was placed at her bedside tonight. She stormed across her room, frustrated by being interrupted in her thoughts. She hurled the door open with magic and was about to let the guard have a piece of her mind when she caught the eyes of the stallion. They were hazy gray and completely clouded. The pupils were unseeable beneath the thick cover of the grayness. She took a step back as she realized he must be a blind pony. But we would never put a blind on guard duty, much less the royal guard duty. He was dressed in the armor of the night battalions, but she was still so confused by his presence. Finally, she realized she was just staring at him for the past two minutes after having slammed the door open violently. “May I… help you?” Luna asked, careful of her tone so as not to give off the wrong impression. The stallion turned away from her and walked towards the end of the hall slowly, stopping just before the corner.

“I know what you are trying to do princess, but I encourage you to remain safely in Equestria. Do not follow through on your plans.” The stallion said with a surprisingly enforcing voice. Luna was now even more confused.

“I beg your pardon. What do you know of me and my plans? You are but a guard in this castle, albeit unnecessarily posted outside my door.” She thought for a moment and considered that she may have spoken her entire plan aloud at some point. The stallion was turning its head back to her as he spoke again.

“I just needed a vessel for my message. This body will be returned to its sad and depraved state in a moment, but I must again say. Do not go there. It will not end well.” The stallion turned his head again away from her. His whole body shook, and he sank a little on his knees. Luna was both scared and intrigued by what had just occurred, so much so that she failed to notice the guard turn to her and leap up in excitement.

“Princess Luna!” The guard said in a higher voice than was spoken before. He saluted quickly and trotted towards her. “I apologize for bringing you out of your bed chambers, is there anything bothering you?” Luna was pulled back to the reality of the guard in front of her who was not doing well hiding how eager he was to speak with her.

“No… no nothing at all. Thank you, uh”

“Shimmer skies, ma’am”

“Yes… that. Tell you what, how about you get some rest for the night. You’re clearly new and to be honest I don’t need a guard anyway. Goodnight” She turned quickly back to her room, catching the disappointed look on his face. She knew why he looked so but did not care in the slightest. I am done. No more sleeping with stallions until I find the stallion. Before he had time to respond, Luna slammed the door shut with her magic and rushed over to her desk. What the Tartarus just happened? She could not push the words out of her head. Her Head! She realized quickly as she conjured the dream realm spell and fell into the inky abyss. The space around her glowed with the orbs of the dreams of the ponies around her and she quickly began looking through them. “Come on, anything anypony please have something for me!” She rushed through nightmares, sweet dreams, blank canvases, but found nopony dreaming of what had just occurred. She sighed in frustration as she began returning to consciousness. She opened her eyes to find Discord sprawled on her bed and reading a book. My book Luna realized as she recognized the cover of her journal. “Discord! What are you doing here?” She snapped quickly at the draconiquis. He closed the book and looked over to her with a smug expression.

“Well, I just figured I would catch up on some light reading!” He snapped and the book disappeared, and his face became a bit more serious than she was used to seeing on him. “But in reality, princess, I felt some magic appear here that was sent from the chaos realm. You haven’t been trying that again, have you?” Luna shook her head, then paused as she considered the event.

“There was…a stallion who seemed as not himself earlier. I don’t know what happened really.” Discord pulled a fork through his beard.

“Yes, well someone from the chaos realm was here without my knowledge. Possession really isn’t our thing in that realm, so I want to know who is messing up our style.” Luna contemplated telling Discord what happened in full, and decided he deserved to know.

“He told me not to go through with my plan, which I don’t even have figured out yet. Whoever it is knows what Celestia and I are trying to do and doesn’t want us to succeed.” Discord stood and stretched with a dramatic yawn.

“Ah yes back to the old pony you want to get some brownie points with your old teacher. Well, maybe he is onto something. The chaos dimension isn’t something you should tamper with. You of all ponies should know that Luna.” He smiled devilishly. “Unless of course, you want to tamper again?” One of his arms snaked around her mane. She pushed him off with a disgusted look on her face.

“NO Discord, never again. I’m done having sex with random ponies. Especially with the likes of you.” She huffed indignantly. Discord scowled and retracted his arm.

“You? Done with sex? Has the moon suddenly become the sun and ponies all grew another pair of legs or did I miss some major changes to the desires of the royal pony herself?” Luna’s horn began to glow as she gritted her teeth at him.

“Leave, Discord.” She spat at him with hatred. He shrugged.

“Your loss but do give me a ring if you ever need another romp in the hay. I hear Applejack has some lovely new bales in her barn again.” He winked and poofed away. Luna relaxed for a moment and sat back down on the floor. Disgusting cretin. She turned to the sky and noticed the sun starting the peek up, signifying her to lower the moon. She began doing so and thought about how to tell Celestia about the warning she received tonight.

Chapter 7

Twilight had been pacing around her library so long that she had hardly noticed the knocking on her castle door. She snapped up to hearing Spike opening the door for whoever was outside. She quickly composed herself and began towards the front to greet her guest. As she approached, she could hear spike speaking with the visitor. “Yea, she was with the other princesses yesterday reading that book, but she hasn’t left the library since. I think she’s in one of her ‘brainstorming sessions.’”

Have I really been in there an entire day? Twilight thought as she sped up. She knew she tended to zone out and think often, but usually someone snapped her out of it earlier. She turned the final corner and saw that Spike was talking with Starswirl the bearded. “Starswirl! Hello and welcome in! I would have opened the door myself, but I was just a little preoccupied haha…” She trailed off as she extended her hoof for the pony. Starswirl returned her hoof and walked through the threshold.

“No worries, Twilight my dear. I was actually hoping you had been called up for the task the princesses were going after!” He strode into the communal area up the stairs to sit at a table with Twilight.

“Wait, what do you mean the task?” She said with anxiety tipping her words. She hadn’t even told Spike what was going on, how did the secret already get out? Was Starswirl a mind-reader??

“The journal I gave them! My old master’s. He had so many unfinished spells in there that I was hoping you would be on the case with them to try and finish it!” Twilight felt relieved. He still was unaware to the plans Celestia and Luna had. “And of course, I was hoping you would help them bring him back!” Twilight’s eyes shot wide open as she started sweating.

“What do you mean? Haha I don’t even know how to do that even if they requested which they definitely didn’t because who would ever try to reincarnate a powerful pony or two or six other than just the one time bec—”

“Twilight,” Starswirl held up a hoof, “You mustn’t lie to your friends. Also, I knew what they were up to about when they left my cottage the other day. A teacher always knows when their student is hiding something.” Twilight’s cheeks were red with embarrassment as she let out a small chuckle.

“True, I am all too familiar with some of my students fibbing.” Starswirl held himself up a bit as he sat.

“Truth be told, bringing my master back would be difficult. But if anyone could do it, it would be you three.” He paused and looked up at the ceiling. “Twilight, what do you know of Star Strider?”

Twilight looked up at the old pony, the redness faded from her face entirely. “Not a whole lot. There is almost no written documentation about him other than scarce mentioning’s in ancient sorcery texts. I know he was a powerful wizard, and I know he taught you, and I know he disappeared very similarly to how you did.” Starswirl nodded to her.

“Indeed. I based my spell with the pillars from his containment notes. But you are right about all those other things. He was my teacher, and he was amazing. Something you may be interested in knowing is that he was the only earth pony to wield magic for his whole life.” Twilight was taken aback at this. Magic was only ever used by unicorns, at least explicitly. The pegasi were tuned to weather magics and the earth ponies were tuned with the natural magic of the earth’s growing, but unicorns could actually wield it because of their horns. She leaned forward, intent on what he was about to say next. “He worked extremely hard to master himself and magic. I only wish he was able to teach the next generation how to do it as well. Imagine an Equestria where earth ponies and pegasi could cast spells and protect themselves with the same magic we do! It would be another industrial revolution of sorts.

“I came to you to ask if you would do everything you can to bring him back, but more importantly to protect Celestia and Luna. If they hurt themselves for me, I could never forgive myself.”
Twilight was shocked at this request. “Me? Protect the two most powerful ponies in the world? Uh, no offense to you of course.” He chuckled, but quickly resumed his serious demeanor.

“Yes Twilight, they could get blindsided if they have tunnel vision on this goal. I never tried bringing him back because every time I did, I neglected important ponies or goals of my own that caused suffering. I can’t see that happen to them too.” Twilight nodded and raised her hoof in the air.

“I promise Starswirl. I will do whatever it takes to bring your friend back, but I will also do whatever it takes to protect the princesses.” Starswirl sighed and closed his eyes. He rocked back in his chair and looked back at Twilight. So young and full of life, ready to take whatever the world threw at her.

“Thank you, I cannot tell you what it means to me for all of this to even be considered. For now, I will return to my home and await any updates while I study. Let me know if you need anything or if I can help in any way and I will be there.” He gathered himself and returned to the front. Opening the door, he turned back to Twilight. “Thank you again, I just hope this all plays out favorably.” With his final remark he closed the door. Twilight heard the teleportation sound go off as she turned back to Spike. She didn’t realize she was holding her breath until she let it go.

“Holy cow Spike, the most powerful wizard is asking me to protect the most powerful ponies to resummon the former most powerful wizard all while hoping the most powerful creature of destruction doesn’t also ruin our day? I need a break.” She sighed and flopped down on the ground. Spike loomed over her with a goofy smirk.

“Well, they did say being a princess wouldn’t be easy, but it does have some perks! Free massages! Let’s go right now!” He grabbed Twilight’s forelegs and dragged her towards the door.

Author's Note

Double upload today as these chapters are rather short and filler. Once I finish writing the whole story, releases will be coming more frequently than a week!

Chapter 10

Luna led Star Strider down the halls of the Canterlot palace. He moved softly and gracefully, which surprised Luna seeing how large he was. She had so many questions for the mysterious pony and all of them were racing through her mind at once. Before she could ask anything, the stallion raised his voice in question for her. “So, this is what has become of my mountainous study? I daresay the architecture is quite beautiful. The adornments on the hall walls also entrance me. The lavender bushels radiate a calm beauty; clearly whoever decorates knows what they are doing!” Luna found herself blushing as he mentioned the lavender.

“Uh… yes, the decorators put much effort and care into the design.” She spoke softly as though she feared to upset him with any word. One question she could focus on came to mind and she turned her neck towards him as they walked. “Why did you study in this mountain? I mean, we know the magic that flows through it and subsequently settled our kingdom here, but did you know the same?” She appeared to have struck a chord with Star Strider as his eyes glistened over.

“My… master taught me in this mountain. I came to him. Along with another friend of mine, we called this place our home for years until…” He trailed off and turned his head away. She didn’t want to pry anymore, as she could clearly see the tears welling in his eyes. He only took moments to regain his composure. Luna thought it impressive how both in tune with his emotions he was and how quickly he could control them. Not many ponies were able to experience their emotions and not allow them to interfere with their actions. The pair walked in silence for a few more corridors, but the silence hardly felt awkward. His presence somehow calmed and excited her. They finally arrived to a room close to the watchtower entrance in the west wing, which would have a clear view over the valley that Canterlot rested over.

“Here we are, your new home! Or I guess your old one from a certain point of view.” Luna laughed awkwardly as she opened the door with her magic. Why would you say that? She scolded herself silently. Star Strider returned her laugh with a small chuckle.

“Indeed, although I sense there is a lot more to do here than sit next to a mountain stream and meditate for hours.” He laughed a little louder at his comment. They entered a rather simple room, by Canterlot standards that is. A duvet lay against a wall to the left with a blackboard positioned near it. A few dressers and nightstands were close by with a balcony that looked out towards the waterfalls of Canterlot. Star Strider walked towards the railing, leaning on it with all his weight so that Luna thought it would crack. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. “Yes, I believe this will do just nicely.” He sighed out in content. He turned back towards her and met her eyes with his own. Luna felt her heart flutter as they stared at each other. She felt like she could stay in that exact position for the rest of her life and be happy. All too soon, he broke his eye contact to survey the room. “Though I believe I will make a few rearrangements. He began pushing a dresser away from the balcony and towards his bed. Luna watched for a second, curious as to why this powerful pony was pushing with his body after she had witnessed him move the sun and moon with his hoof. As though reading her thoughts, Star Strider cast his eyes on her and smiled. “I do not use my magic if I don’t have to. I find it makes life a lot more boring when everything is easy. I also was not raised in the ways of magic for convenience.” He set the dresser close to his bed and rotated back to Luna.

“Why did you learn it in the first place? If you don’t mind my asking of course.” Something about talking to him kept making Luna feel like she was doing it wrong, but he seemed to enjoy every word that was exchanged. He raised his hoof and cast a small spell that illuminated just above him. An image of a village appeared with dragons swooping overhead, burning houses, and looting the ponies below.

“When I was but a lad, I lived on the border of the dragonlands. Every young stallion was given a spear by the time they could walk. This was not done with cruel intention or to throw a conscript of bodies at the enemy, but because there were so few defenders left alive. And fewer after every attack. I trained in a camp with about twenty or so other young stallions.” The image panned to a group of young ponies lined up with spears laying next to them. “I grew close, despite our trainer’s advice. We trained day and night, very vigorously, with only a few hours of slumber to break the routine. Over a few years, I watched my friends shrink from twenty some brave ponies, to three stalwart stallions. The dragons were ruthless. No one even tried to sue for peace because there seemed to barely be any time to gather ourselves.”

“Why didn’t your village just leave and move on?” Luna interjected, hoping it wasn’t too rude a question.

“Our ancestors founded that village before the dragons expanded. Many ponies were too attached to the farmsteads that spanned the acres. My own included. But because of how little time I spent on my actual homeland with my actual family, I found it easier than most to seek out external aid.

“I left my village with the promise to return and protect it when I had found better weapons or allies to our east. Upon my travels, I came across the Appleoosans; A kind family with an apple orchard bordering the desert. While they were not warriors, they were strong and brave. I watched their children fight off an Ursa Minor when it raided their grove.” His hoof again changed to show small ponies roping down the large bear of constellations. “They cared for me but could not leave their farm to help. I continued to move east. As I came across a shantytown of ponies settled at the base of a large mountain with majestic waterfalls above. These were ponies who had been driven from their homes because of predators around the valley. I tried to recruit them, figuring some would be sympathetic to our cause out of understanding. I found more broken ponies whose wills were irreparable than anything.

“My search led me to a group of mages who had begun experimenting with destruction magic, the first of its kind. Unicorns, all of them, but good folks who wanted to teach me regardless. I trained with them for months with no results. They finally decided that I must have had the willpower to master magic, because they sent me to the top of the mountain to meet with their teacher. I was shocked to discover there an earth pony.” His magic changed to show an old looking pony with a neatly trimmed white beard and bells circling his head. “This pony tested my fortitude with hundreds of physical trials: carrying water upon my head while dodging spells, crafting pieces of equipment with no tools, being beaten down and told to get back up every day. This went on for another month or so, when he finally approached me and asked a question, I still ask myself every day. ‘Is magic something you want? Or something you need?” I pondered for a moment and thought of my family. I told him that magic was something I wanted not for myself, but to help those who could not. I told him my whole life I had survived without it and never needed it, but I knew the capabilities for good it had and would seek out any way to protect others.

“Apparently, that was the answer he needed. The next day we began training. He always reminded me that magic was not for ease, but a way to harden the user into a pony for good. We were discouraged from using it on simple tasks to remind us of the beauty in simplicity. Never take it for granted. Self-mastery was the key to magic, and it took me years to come close to his level. I knew I was being held back by something, but I could not figure what kept me from my potential.”

Luna was staring at his conjuration image when a look of confusion washed over her. “But from all we have heard, you mastered it and then some by making the Lichen. Did you ever return to your village and save them? Broker a temporary peace with the dragons? Anything?” A dark look crossed his face, and he lowered his hoof.

“No. It is one of my deepest regrets. I summoned the Lichen, and it occupied my life from then on. Once I captured it and started my magic school, thoughts of my home crossed my mind every now and again. I did return once, but too many years later. I came to find a ghost town of burnt rubble, skeletons, and horrible memories. It regressed my magic mastery by years just visiting the thoughts. I had to let myself understand that there was nothing left and nothing that I could have done to help. Had I stayed, I likely would have burned with the village. My magic teaching went on to found some of the very core principles you use today that could not be lost. I hate justifying my escape, but destiny is a tricky mistress. I would be wise to humble myself to the path laid before me."

Luna saw the regret that burdened him and reached a hoof out to rest on his shoulder. “I know leaving your home is difficult, I cannot imagine the pain you must be in. But you are right, I am eternally grateful for you even if I didn’t know it these last few thousand years.” Star Strider lifted his head and their eyes met again. They stood in silence, her hoof on his shoulder and their eyes locked. She seemed to be inching closer involuntarily. Or was he the one coming closer? His complexion was soft and sweet, yet rigid and trained from the years of strife. Something Luna could stare at for centuries. He raised a hoof to rest on hers. Her heart was pounding, and her mouth was dry. She couldn’t remember the last time anypony had made her feel this way. As she leaned in closer, she was disappointed when he stood up tall and dropped her hoof off his shoulder.

“I think we would be wise to return to the others now, they must be wondering where we got lost to.” Luna was downcast as he walked towards the door. Did I misread the situation? Was the chemistry just not there? She shook herself and began following him through the door to the library.

The four ponies were gathered around a large map of Equestria. Large Xs dotted the map close to wells of magic that had been discovered over the years. Star Strider was studying the contents very closely. “My, the world has grown bigger since I last saw it. So many towns and friends to the east and west. I would have never thought this possible in my lifetime.”

“Indeed, my friend. I was almost as surprised as you when I learned that Twilight opened a school of friendship for all creatures to attend!” Starswirl patted his old friend on the back. Star Strider kept gazing at the map, occasionally tracing a hoof over certain areas. Luna was awkwardly sitting across the table from him, looking down and stealing the occasional glance in his direction. Celestia had her nose buried in a scroll that had just been received from Twilight.

“Twilight has provided us a detection spell for any magic that involves altering a cutie mark. She also has given a list of protection spells she thinks we would do better with. What more can we do to prepare?” She turned to Star Strider and lowered the scroll. He met her eyes and scratched his chin.

“How is the army? The guardsmen? What magic do they have and what protection have they received? If the Lichen is spotted, they must be the first defense while we muster our power play. I need to inspect the magical regiments especially and figure their capacity.” He sat up and began pacing around the table.

“Our royal regiments are trained daily, and with the return of Flash Magnus, they receive the most rigid of discipline. The magical guard hardly sees the outside of the walls as they are reserved for foreign magical entities. I have never been able to cast a protection spell on them large enough to cover all forces. Surely that kind of spell would require much effort outside of our limits.” Celestia began drawing up her records of troops and their placements. Star Strider stopped and looked back to her.

“No spell is too great when it comes to the protection of others.” His words hung in the air, heavy with knowing. His tone had made Celestia look back up to him in discomfort, and Luna finally look at him again. He started walking again towards the door. “Starswirl, my trusted, I would inquire you to help me organize the armies into training battalions so we may begin casting spells and inspecting them. Princesses’? Shall this order be in accordance with your wishes?” Luna was a bit shocked that he was asking them permission. He certainly owed nopony his plans and had no need to ask. She found him more and more respectable every moment she knew him. Celestia nodded and lifted multiple scrolls into a saddlebag.

“Indeed, and thank you for your asking. But to make this operation efficient, we ought to grant you royal access to all equipment, personnel, and resources you need. Are you in agreeance sister?” Celestia poised herself towards Luna. Luna could tell that Star Strider’s influence was already rubbing off. Celestia usually never consulted Luna with her opinion on how the daily operations were ran. Luna nodded.

“Yes, I think that will do just as well. I'll draw up the papers and get him his crest.” She started up and sped past Star Strider through the door. Before I can make things even weirder. Star Strider turned to watch her rush off, then focused his attention back on Celestia.

“Very good. I will begin the regimental training at daybreak tomorrow.” He strode down the hall with Starswirl in pursuit, the saddlebags around his waist. Celestia sat back down and smiled to herself.

“This certainly beats listening to showponies all day.”

Chapter 11

Flash Magnus stood at attention at the head of four hundred ponies. The first group of the day to be inspected was the 4th royal magic guard. These ponies were the heart of Canterlot, expertly trained many by Celestia herself. Star Strider stood next to Magnus, facing the crowd with Starswirl on his opposite side. The sun was barely up, and no food shop had been open. None of this seemed to impact the posture of anypony in the battalion. Star strider lowered his voice to Magnus, “Is this everyone?”

“Yes sir, these are some of Equestira’s finest. I’m sure they won’t disappoint. Any that do are getting toilets for a month.” He chuckled as he stamped his hoof. “BATTALION! Columns! Double wide!” The entire battalion moved in unison, forming orderly lines head to tails with enough space for two ponies to walk between them. Star Strider began moving through them until he reached the center. He raised a hoof, flicked it, and a large aura of brilliant blue descended on the group. He began sweating as he kept the spell under control. Starswirl joined in with his horn, casting small arms from the sphere into every guard’s cutie mark. The soldiers didn’t move an inch as their bodies were coated with a light blue glow. The sphere shrank as its magic was absorbed, until it vanished from sight. Every guard’s glow slowly faded until they were normal looking again. Star Strider sat down and breathed heavily as Starswirl rushed to his side.

“I believe it worked. Starswirl, if you would, please nullify this guard’s cutie mark.” Starswirl turned to a crimson coated pony in the gold attire of the army. He cast a spell directly at his cutie mark which bounced off immediately. “Very good, the spell is in place, albeit not as strong as I had hoped. But at least it is permanent.” He walked back to Magnus’s side. “Run them through their combat routines, I need to see their capabilities and weaknesses.” Magnus nodded and again stamped his hoof.

“BATTALION! Form up into combat groups! Starting in twenty, we are doing sparring until deemed otherwise by…” He turned to Star Strider. “Uh, what’s your rank in the military?” Star strider chuckled.

“Never got a formal rank son, but in my village, I was one of the last surviving ponies. De facto commander if you will.” Magnus smiled at him and turned back.

“Until Commander Strider deems you worthy! Now FALL OUT!” The battalion saluted and began moving into smaller squads around the field.

Commander Strider? Not a bad ring to it. Luna watched from above in her tower, exhausted but unwilling to sleep. Or perhaps unable. The magic she had just witnessed again impressed her. She wanted so badly to learn from Star Strider, and to know him better. She watched for hours as the troops battled each other using their magic, Star Strider at the head of the group inspecting every pony for their stances and casting. She failed to push what had happened the day before out of her mind. Was I acting as a fool? Or did we share that moment? “AGH how did I let myself be thrown head over for a stallion I barely know? Or do I even like him that way or just find his mystery attractive? What would Celestia even think of my feelings? And so close to retirement, GET A HOLD OF YOURSELF LUNA!” She shouted so loud that the three ponies in charge below her looked up to see her watching. Star Strider cocked his head at her and shouted, no, that was just his voice slightly raised?

“Doing alright princess? Notice any flaws I missed?” Luna blushed so hard she thought she would turn red for the rest of her life.

“Ahh—Nope! All good from here, just… trying not to fall over the balcony is all!” She blushed even harder and cringed away from her balcony.

Star Strider laughed and faced Starswirl. “Charming student you’ve founded old friend, though I sense she has much to master of her own being.” He leaned to Magnus again and whispered something in his ear. Magnus stamped and ordered his men to return to ranks.

“Commander Strider has been impressed, but not too impressed. He would like to demonstrate something for the battalion. Any sparring volunteers?” This seemed to shake the battalion as they all looked around at each other, no one knowing what was next in store. A hoof shot up from the middle right of the regiment.

“I’ll take the old pony on! But don’t worry sir, I’ll make sure to go easy.” Magnus sighed and rolled his eyes.

“Fine… Ember Arrow get up here.” A pony with a pearly black coat and fiery mane strode to the front with a large grin across his face. Star Strider approached him with a kind smile.

“Ember Arrow, a fascinating name. I assume aptly so because you seem to have a knack for pyrotechnical spells and an aim that never falters?” The grin slightly diminished on Arrow’s face.

“Uh, yes. I mean yes sir. My first spell was an arrow made of fire. Almost burned my farm down doing it.” Star Strider patted him on the shoulder.

“Very good my boy. Now, take your place across the sand from me. Your only goal in this fight is to knock me on the ground. Think you can handle that?” Arrow scoffed and backed up.

“Well sure, I mean no offense, but I am one of the top fighters here and you barely have more than farm boy training in combat! So, I’ll definitely go easy on you.” Star Strider smiled wide again. He had failed to mention his importance to any of the soldiers other than his fights with the dragons in his youth.

“Very well! You may not want to take it so easy, but you know your strength better than I. Let us pace.” The two moved to opposite ends of the hastily drawn sparring ring. Star Strider bent his legs in a pounce-like stance, while Ember Arrow crouched down in a running position. Flash Magnus moved to the center.

“The name of the fight is to knock Star Strider down. This will qualify as any of his body other than his legs touching the ground against his will! Fighters! Are you ready?” he motioned to both of the ponies. Star Strider nodded and closed his eyes. Ember arrow scoffed again and rolled his shoulders.

“Born ready sir.”

“Very well. Let the fight begin in 3…

“2…

“1…

“GO GO GO!”

Flash Magnus rolled out of the way as Ember Arrow began galloping towards his opponent. His horn lit up with a crimson glow and he began to unleash a flurry of bolts directly at Star Strider. Who had not even begun moving? This shook Arrow’s confidence for a second but kept on his pace. The first bolt was about to make contact with his foe, when suddenly Star Strider leaped up above the barrage and angled one of his hoofs down. He slammed into Arrow, knocking him off course and sending him tumbling over the edge of the ring. The wind had been knocked out of him from such an impact as he struggled to stand back up. Star Strider landed without even making a thud. Arrow regained his composure and began to get angry.

“Alright, I see how it is. You wanna use strength magic? I got some of my own. Rematch!” Flash Magnus set a hoof on Arrow’s chest.

“Woah there hot shot, he didn’t use any magic. Plus, he has to agree to the rematch first so don’t go too far.” Arrow was huffing in anger as Star Strider walked up to him.

“Your general is correct, young stallion. I used no magic. But I am more than delighted to indulge you in a rematch. Perhaps this time you don’t hold back?” Arrow huffed in annoyance.

“Oh, believe me, you’re going to feel this in the morning.”

The two set up back in their spots for another fight, Magnus in the middle again.

“Fighters, the rules are the same. Are you ready?” both ponies nodded. “Alright, 3… 2… 1… FIGHT!”

Ember arrow reared his head back as he charged a spell that unleashed a whip. It soared with extreme haste towards Star Strider. As it did, Arrow dug himself into the ground, ready to wrestle the beast to the ground if he had to. Star Strider walked towards the energy whip, ducked, and stepped to his left, causing the beam to overshoot and slam into a tree far outside the ring. It wrapped itself around the false target as Arrow began struggling. Star Strider calmy approached him. Arrow finally released the spell and rolled away from his opponent. He cast another conjuration that projected a lance aimed at Star Strider. Magnus shifted uncomfortably as he knew the lance could seriously injure someone if it wasn’t a blunted spell. This didn’t affect Star Strider in the slightest. He stepped aside to the lance and thrust his hoof into it, causing the spell to shatter. Arrow’s eyes went wide as the stallion began running at him. Come on Arrow, think! Bring down this guy! He’s not even using his magic you can beat him! He jumped up and shot a beam directly from his horn at Star Strider. He traced the path he ran as he fell back to the earth. He held the beam as long as possible, trying to predict his foe’s every move but always coming short. The beam cut out as he lost his energy to hold it. Star Strider came face-to-face with him. In a last-ditch effort, Arrow grappled the stallion round his neck, and threw his whole weight to the ground. He had no belief he could tackle such a creature but was surprised to feel his target falling with him. No, not falling, he’s spinning himself! He realized all too late that Star Strider had control over this fall, not him. They spun a full circle as his body slammed into the ground. He felt his hips crack as he forcefully stopped against the sand, crying out in pain. Star Strider stepped back as Ember Arrow was bleeding from his hip, the broken fragment of his pelvis bone jutting out above the skin.

“FUCK! How the Hell did you win AGAIN! You have to be using magic you son of a bitch!”

“Ember Arrow! That is enough! You two, go get the medical team. And for that little spat Arrow? You’re on toilet duty anyway!” Ember Arrow moaned as a gurney was brought out for him. Star Strider stepped in and lowered the gurney.

“Please, allow me, friend.” He lowered a hoof onto the injured stallion’s hip. The tip glowed and the skin mended back to its natural state, the bone no longer sticking out. The only trace of an injury was the dry blood and sand mixed on his coat. Arrow stopped his squirming and looked in astonishment.

“How did you… it feels brand new? That kind of healing magic doesn’t exist! What did you do to me?” He backed away from Star Strider as he raised his hoof off the young pony.

“Fear not, my friend. I have many magical elements at my disposal. It was the least I can do after you put up such an amazing bout of combat. You had many powerful spells that take much training to conure. Well done.” He reached his hoof out to help the pony to his feet.

“Yea… I guess. Thanks, I mean. I didn’t mean that stuff I said I was just, well you know.”

“I know. You have nothing to be sorry for.” Star Strider turned to the battalion. “But let this fight be your first lesson: your magic is not your greatest tool. Far from it. If you have not mastered yourself, you have not mastered your magic. Starting tomorrow, you will all join the earth pony companies for their physical training. You will not use magic for a single task around the castle unless deemed otherwise, and you will spend time meditating on what magic is to you. I shall be leading these thoughtful classes at sunset daily. I expect everyone to attend at least a few until you feel as though you have a better understanding of who you are. You don’t deserve your magic if you are nothing without it. I am proud of the work and discipline you showed today, but for the threats Equestria will face you must be better. That is all I have for you today.” He turned to Magnus. “You may dismiss them general and bring in the next group.”

The training went on like that all day—normal sparring, a demonstration against a powerful unicorn, and Star Strider beating them without magic and giving them his lecture. Luna watched in awe every hour of the day. How could he beat them so easily without his magic? She had seen Applejack buck plenty of times to know earth ponies were strong, but she had never seen one actually overpower a unicorn alone while the magic user was using their full strength. She was caught up in his demonstrations until she was disturbed by a royal emissary.

“Ah, your majesty. Your sister has requested your presence for the changing of the times.” Luna was startled by the shrill mare that entered her room. She had lost track of time watching the battalions come in and out.

“Yes of course. My deepest apologies. I shall be right there.” She shooed the mare away with the flick of her tail. She turned back to look at Star Strider once more, his commanding presence shifting the atmosphere of the groups of ponies that came before him. He had a way of keeping everyone’s attention on the littlest of details, the shortest of phrases. He knew that he could command and so he did. Luna stood up and caught his eyes wandering up to her balcony. The first time all day besides her embarrassing outburst. She blushed as they made eye contact again, and he smiled. His warm inviting smile almost to say to her you should come on down. Perhaps it was just the whims of her heart speaking, but as she turned to leave, Star Strider felt his heart sink. Just a little.

Chapter 12

Confusion chewed through Star Strider’s mind as the last battalion left for the day. I have not felt that emotional since before I separated myself… Why have these desires begun to reappear? He walked through the corridors to his room. Tired from a long day of drilling and fighting, he looked forward to relaxing just a little. He stood in the shower that sat adjacent to his room as he pondered. Perhaps all my time spent with the Lichen has caused me to reabsorb some of its essence? Perhaps the summoning spell that returned me brought it into me again. Yet if that were true, how can I still cast my magic so proficiently? How have I not felt other urges or desires until her? His mind raced as he clambered into his bed. He lay awake for hours, tossing about his sheets as he was unable to calm his queries. He finally decided to take a stroll through the halls again, as to jog his mind for solutions by physical stimulation. He looked up at one of the large drapes that held over the windows. Summoning a small amount of magic, he pushed it back with no effort. So, my magic is still here, but my desire remains as well. Have I overlooked something? His thoughts were interrupted by the dark blue alicorn walking through the halls with a basket of lavender bushels, replacing them along the walls. She had yet to notice him as she hummed to herself. He felt a bit excited as she came closer.

“How goes the watchful night, princess?” He apparently startled her as her wings fluttered out for a moment. She saw him and smiled.

“It goes, I’ve tended to many ponies dreams already. I needed a break and most Equestria seems to rest easy tonight. For that I am thankful. I hardly ever get an easy night.” Star Strider walked towards her as she swapped another holder.

“May I join you for a bit? I found myself deep in thought and needed a rest from my rest.” Luna nodded and continued pushing her cart forward. They walked in silence much as they had the day prior. The last time I had company on my shift was when Starlight helped us, I don’t think I’ll ever take company for granted again. Especially this kind. Luna again was nervous and calm at the same time with him around. Perhaps I should say something? Maybe he wishes to talk of his troubles. But before she could speak, he spoke for her. “Tell me about yourself princess. I wish to know of your life and how you have grown. What made you the princess of the night?” Luna was caught off guard by the question. She had never answered one so deep.

“You envisioned my sister and I, yes? Surely you do not wish to hear a story you already know?” He shook his head softly.

“While it is true, I was given visions of the princesses of the future, they were brief and broad. I was given a path to follow that you might one day inherit the magic I crafted for thee.” Luna began racking her brain through her whole life, thinking of all her shaping experiences.

“Well, I was born a unicorn as many others, same with my sister. We were both strong and came under the tutelage of Starswirl. He led us through many spells and practices before he disappeared with his friends, ensuring the safety of Equestria not unlike yourself. A few thousand years ago, my sister earned her wings through her own magical exploits, and I followed suit by raising the moon. We were the first alicorns. At least that we knew of.”

“Indeed, you are. The alicorns of old never kept their wings. Either taken or lost by the greed of others, the very few that experimented with my spells were lost to time before I was. It was not a burden meant for my generation.” Luna thought about all the battles she had gone through simply because of her crown.

“That makes sense. I had wondered why we were the first for so long. But after earning my wings, my sister and I encountered many more problems like you were saying. Lord Tirek and his brother from beyond the badlands, Discord and his attempted reign of chaos, tyrants of the north, the crystal empire, so many more foes.” Luna shied away as she thought of her next event. Some say her defining event. Star Strider must have sensed her discomfort as he spoke in a soothing tone.
“You need not speak of hardships that still haunt you. The heart is a fickle thing, and it must be treated with the respect it deserves lest we damage it again and again.” Luna closed her eyes and took a breath. For some reason, she trusted this pony more than anypony else, almost as much as her sister.

“I became jealous. My sister was given much credit for our battles as ponies saw her daily. I became bitter and lonely in my night. The dream realm served as my only real connection to ponies, and they never knew me back. I knew everyone’s deepest fears, secrets, loves, desires, anything, but nobody knew who I was. Why I mattered. I couldn’t take it and I recklessly acted out against my sister. I became a monster so horrible that my very family had to banish me to the moon for a thousand years.” She had started to shed tears from her eyes as her voice broke. She felt his arm reach around her shoulder as he comforted her. She wanted so desperately to sink into his chest and be held. “I thought myself trapped there for eternity until I discovered the celestial bodies attempting to aid my escape. And when I returned to Equestria still as the monster ponies feared, I thought all was lost again. Twilight Sparkle and her friends saved Equestria from me, and they saved me from me.” She was now openly sobbing, both in happiness and sad as she thought of how grateful she was to return, and how scary it was to almost lose everything. Star Strider pulled her in close and embraced her as she cried. She had never felt such comfort from a pony before. It was as if his arms were made to hold her perfectly, his coat soft enough for her head, and his body warm enough to lull her to sleep. He broke the hug all too soon and looked into her eyes.

“You have grown tremendously because of it, do not forget that. You are one of the most powerful ponies not because of your magic, but because of your experience and humility to accept the flaws you have and to better yourself thereof.” His words warmed her heart as she stopped her crying and wiped her tears.

“I suppose an eternity to learn is a bit of an unfair advantage.” She chuckled as she pushed her mane out of her face and dried her cheeks. “But my time on the moon did me well. I feel as though I was meant to be there. I fell in love with the surface, the vast canvas before me, the cosmos above, and the stars to gaze upon. A thousand years crawled by, but they also went too fast.”

“I know what you mean.” He turned to show her his cutie mark. “Do you know my story of gaining my mark?” She shook her head.

“In my time, names were given at birth completely different from one’s talents, family gifts, or future. They were given as blood names to honor those that came before. My birth name was Walks-with-strength. An homage to my ancestors who crossed the treacherous lands with all they had on their backs. Official names were given once the cutie mark appeared on those fortunate enough to earn them. It was a new magic and hardly understood, so many ponies never gained a mark or only did at the end of their lives.

“I earned my mark very early, making me a special case among my peers. It happened as I wandered away from my village to find aid. I spent a night alone in an open field and gazed up in the sky. Entranced by the beauty of the moon and stars, I began to draw patterns in my mind. I walked these patterns along the ground below while staring up. As I did, something marvelous happened that I still cannot comprehend, but served as the basis for my spells. I traced runes from the stars that raised magic up in the land around me. I could not believe it, but I managed to write down what I saw as quickly as I could. Many of the runes I saw served as the starts for nature magic when I presented them to my teacher. He aptly named me ‘Star Strider’, in recognition for my dance with the stars above.”

Luna hung onto every word. This was the pony she dreamed of, the one who loved the night as she did. A pony who did not fear the dark but saw the light within and found it beautiful. Her heart pumped as their eyes were locked together. “That is one of the most beautiful stories I have ever heard.” She spoke in a whisper, as though she did not want to disturb the ground around them with her voice.

“The sun will always have its place as the giver of light and life, but it is the moon and stars that allow us to experience beauty… and love.”

Silence stood between them. For what felt like a lifetime but went by so fast. She wanted so badly to move closer to him, feel his embrace again, look into his eyes with nothing else around. She began to softly step towards him, and he returned a few. They were a hair away from each other, she could feel the heat of his breath coming from his nose, the warmth of his body radiating towards her. In the silence, she could swear she heard his heart beating as fast as hers. They dared not move to preserve this moment, but she wanted more. Suddenly, one of the night guards rounded a corner rather noisily. She quickly drew back from him and returned to her cart. She caught a glimpse of his eyes downcast as he resumed his stoic posture. He looked disappointed that she had moved away, even despite someone approaching. The guard spotted the two of them and bowed to Luna.

“My lady, I did not know you would be strolling so late. It is… good to see you again.” Luna looked at him as his eyes widened in a look of desperation. She suddenly remembered from those weeks ago who she was staring at. She closed her eyes and rolled them as she realized.

“Streak Lighter, yes indeed. Glad to see you on a post more suited for your passion for work.” Streak Lighter glanced up at Star Strider, the imposing pony smiling kindly back down to him. The night guard had yet to train with him, so he knew nothing of the giant that stood before him.

“Yes, my princess, but I did request to be your personal guard after… my watch and was denied. Perhaps if you speak to general Armor, he could—”

“No! I mean, that is quite alright. I told the general I shouldn’t be needing any more personal guards. The castle is safe enough with you patrolling the halls. I hardly need a babysitter upon my door every night.” Lighter looked disappointed. But in a very different way than Star Strider had she noted.

“Yes, of course. You know best what you need. But I shall remain vigilant for you, my princess.” He put a hoof to his chest and nodded to Star Strider, but with a slight malice underlying his eyes. He marched off in the direction he was headed and the two waited for him to be out of earshot. Star Strider turned to Luna.

“Chipper fellow, is he not?” Luna facepalmed and started walking again.

“Unfortunantly, most of the night guard cadets used to be stationed on my personal detail, for a bit of confidence boost. I grew tired of their advances over the years and finally requested to no longer have guards outside my room every night.” She grimaced as she remembered the very un-lady like things she had done over the years. Star Strider laughed and threw his head back.

“Yes, I can imagine how annoying it must be to have young men court you at every turn, despite your beauty compelling any creature with a brain to try so.” He continued chuckling at his thoughts and failed to see Luna blushing immensely. He thinks I’m beautiful. Or maybe he just means that everyone else thinks I am. He slowed his walk as they approached the courtyard door.

“So, you are a powerful pony indeed, but I was meaning to test everypony in the palace at some point. Considering this is probably when you have your highest level of alertness…” He gestured to the door with his head, “…care to spar with an old pony? See what her highness is really made of?”

Author's Note

I can't tell you all how much it means to me that you guys are liking and favoriting this. Even just the small amount of readers makes me happy. I really hope you guys grow to love this character the way I have. Thank you so much for reading this far! We've got quite a ways to go.

Chapter 13

The two ponies stood on opposite ends of the courtyard. The terrain was not as open or rough as the field Star Strider had trained the battalions in earlier, but it was good enough. They faced each other at the ends of their makeshift ring.

“The rules shall remain as those from earlier: knock the other down. Anything is on the table for defeating each other, but let’s try not to ruin the yard, yes? Reconstitution spells aren’t the most fun thing to cast.”

Luna laughed heartily. “That depends entirely on you! If you spend the whole fight dodging my attacks, they’ll crash into your room!” Star Strider laughed back.

“Very well. Let us commence on the chirp of the next bird!”

They stood silently locking onto each other. Both poised regally yet ferociously. A band of intensity dominated the air of the courtyard as they observed the other, trying to read what the first move would be. He won’t move first, based on everything I’ve seen, so that leaves me to make a decisive move. The silence grew louder as not a soul was in sight for the combat about to happen.

Suddenly, a small bird sitting on a branch high above the yard let out a shrill and short note. The fighters’ eyes went wide as they realized it was on. Luna quickly took off and swooped directly above Star Strider, attempting to ram him into the ground. He turned his body to move away so that she would miss him and land painfully. She corrected for this as she adjusted her wings to a sharp turn straight into him. She clearly caught him off guard but was unable to topple her opponent. He let out an HUMPH as she pushed him back. He slowly regained control of the momentum by wrapping his right hoof around her head and grappling her torso, attempting to pin her. She struggled enough to create room for her horn to glow. Where he expected a blast, he was met with empty arms as she teleported directly behind him. He realized what she was doing and ducked before her hind legs kicked right where his head had been.

“Ah, come now! Surely you can do better princess! Centuries of combat for this display? Show me your strength!” He antagonized her loudly as he rolled to his left and swept her legs. She almost fell but managed to use her falling momentum in tandem with her wings and spin mid-air to land on her hooves again. She let out a huff and took off again. He’s trying to get me to slip. She had watched him egg on his opponents all day with the same tactic. She would not fall for it so easily. She cast an aura around him that entrapped him in a dome of blue magic. It began to shrink and push him into the ground. He knelt under its size, closed his eyes, and spoke a single word. “Oppnar.” The dome shattered in a great display of blue flakes. He shot his eyes open as Luna capitalized on his position. She pinned up against his shoulders with her hooves and wrestled him backwards. As she did, she cast a spell to tie his hind legs together. Even with these hinderances, he stood far longer than Luna expected. She pushed back hard, flipped upside down and kicked him right in the chest. He let out a large breath of air and fell backwards. I did it! I got him down! She floated for a moment, only to see his left hoof begin glowing. As he fell backwards, he reached behind himself and touched it to the ground. He suddenly sprung up into the air, stretched his legs and broke the magical binding on them, and dove right at Luna. She moved barely in time, but he clipped her wing. Damn it! Pain shot through her left side as she spiraled toward the ground. She managed to roll and spring back into a fighting position. Now my flying is out of the question. Star Strider whipped around without breaking step and cast a dart of energy right at her. She countered with her own and their beams met in the middle creating a small yet brilliant explosion. They paused for a moment, as both fighters breathed heavily. Luna could feel the sweat pouring down her neck and forehead. She wiped her brow and resumed her stance as he did the same.

“I must say princess, this is the best fight I’ve had in quite some time.”

“Glad I could liven up your day. But please, call me Luna when we’re together.” She flashed him a smile which he returned with a furrowed brow.

“Very well Luna, time to end this.” He stamped a glowing hoof into the ground and roots shot up around her. She sliced through them with a lance of energy and charged him. As she did, she cast an almost invisible spell that changed the dirt he stood on to ice. At the last second, she sprung forward and switched to kicking with her hind legs again. He caught her with his forearms but failed to notice his ground slipping. Before he could stop himself, he toppled again. Luna acted quickly and this time used her magic to hog-tie the stallion as he crashed into the ground. She leapt on top him to ensure he was pinned. With her final move, she had won. She had just overpowered the most powerful pony who ever lived! He let out a laugh as her hoof was pushing his face into the ground. She was panting and sweating from everywhere imaginable. She quickly released her spells on him and stood back.

“Sorry, I did not mean to hold you there so long. I just… got caught in the moment I suppose.”

“Indeed, my dear.” He stood and brushed his face and legs off. He gave a mighty shake of his mane and dust flew out, creating a sort of cosmic background to him. Luna couldn’t believe that after all that, he still looked so handsome. “You fought well. Making me tap into my magic is not something anyone has done in a long time. Well, relatively speaking of course.” He flashed her another grin. She blushed at the praise.

“No, truly it was not as good as it seemed. I-i-i- only overcame you because I was sneaky about it. Not a very honorable tactic is it.” Star Strider shook his head and rested a hoof on her back.

“Quite the opposite, Luna. In fact, you demonstrated restraint, honor, brilliance, and a mind for tactics. Your magic was hardly your leading force. You had many tools at your disposal, and you used them all. It takes a true warrior to humble themselves enough to use even the simplest of tools they have.” She blushed even harder.

“Sure, but you did not tap into your full strength. I haven’t seen oral magic like that in years and it was just a simple shatter spell. Not even spoken in old ponish! What kind of language was it?”

He brushed his mane off with his hoof and stretched his legs. “It was my home dialect. An old language I presume is lost to pony records. I may be the last one to speak it. If you care to learn, I would be glad to try and teach it. It always breaks my heart to see art be lost.”

Luna found herself rubbing her wing and kicking her legs out to stretch them. I must have pulled something with those strikes. She focused her attention back on Star Strider. “I would love to learn it; language and art are some of my favorite things to know.” She looked around the courtyard, which miraculously only had a few burn marks on the occasional dirt patch to bear witness to the fight that had happened. “I’m impressed we didn’t destroy the windows with all the power in that fight.” She remarked as she inspected the trees to make sure they stood tall.

“Well, it takes a master of themselves to restrain when necessary. Overbearing force is not always the right answer to a fight.” He rubbed his front leg and drew up a bit of blood from a cut he had suffered. “Oh dear, looks like a bit of gravel could not stay out of the fight.” Luna turned back to him and saw his injury.

“Please! Let me heal you I am so sorry! I never meant to cause any serious harm!” He laughed and held her at a hoof away.

“That is quite alright. It is merely a scratch. We would be wise to remember the small cuts so when we experience the painful ones, we have a grasp of what pain is. Plus, scars build character.” He let out a jaunty laugh and began walking out away from the courtyard. “It seems we are both in need of a good cleaning and a long rest. Say we shall meet again tomorrow and review more techniques? You are an amazing fighter, but there is always more to learn.” She bounded after him, giddish with excitement from the night.

“I would love to! But only if you’re not tired. You can’t just fight all day and then all night, it will drain you too much.” He sauntered towards his room.

“Do not worry over me, my dear, I can handle my needs. You, on the other hoof, best start lowering the moon lest your sister becomes annoyed once more.” He pointed to the sky where the sun was already peaking up. Damn it again, maybe I should just let her do all the raising for the next few months. But before she could turn back to speak with him, his door was already closing, and she heard the water running. She shook her mane and sighed softly. That was the best night I’ve had in a long time she thought as she turned and trotted away to attend to her duties.

Unbeknownst to the two ponies who spent the night fighting, a lavender pony watched from her guest room above the courtyard. Interest and jealously strung through her as she watched the princess of the night quip and practice with the most powerful magic user Equestria had ever seen. And the most attractive, smart, and possibly only one who could be an immortal stallion too. She longed to be learning from Star Strider the way the guards did, the way her idol did, the way Luna did. Twilight pushed her feelings down as the sun was rising. “I shouldn’t feel this jealous over a pony who yelled at me the first time we met. Both did that actually!” She spun around and walked to her stack of scrolls on the desk. Spike stirred from his rest and looked at Twilight angrily sorting her scrolls again.

“Aw, c’mon, what happened this time to get your feathers in a twist?” He yawned and stretched his claws out as he made his way over to her.

“Nothing, Spike. I’m just really stressed about this whole Lichen thing and a mysterious and super powerful pony just wandering the halls of Canterlot with the highest access of security. That’s all!” Spike scratched his head and raised a finger.

“Uh, Twilight, didn’t you help bring him back? Not only that but wanted to? I don’t think it’s very fair to get mad at him for you bringing him back.” Twilight huffed in contempt but slowed her mind and heeded Spike’s words.

“You’re right, Spike. I haven’t even given him a chance. I guess I’m just worried that this will put a damper on not only my plans for inheriting the throne, but the sisters’ for retiring. I’m hoping that Starswirl’s old master turns out to make life easier and not harder.” Spike patted her back reassuringly.

“I’m sure he’s gonna make your job a million times easier, what with his protection spells and training that is. Hey! I wonder if he’d teach me to be an awesome warrior too! I mean, I know he’s got a thing with dragons, but I’m the coolest one there is!” Twilight rolled her eyes and smiled.

“Oh Spike, I’m sure you will get plenty of training when we go meet with him and observe his courses. But for now, would you help me get my report ready for the princesses? I want to make sure it’s perfect for their viewing.” Spike groaned and began to pull the blackboard over to the desk to review again.

Hours went by when Twilight and Spike finally entered the throne room with Celestia on her throne, Luna barely awake on hers, and Starswirl and Star Strider at the base off to their left. She pulled out a long scroll as Spike flipped the board over to show a map of Ponyville with certain locations marked off.

“These are all the magical wells we have marked down for observation. I have some of the town’s finest unicorns switching shifts day and night over them. The Everfree forest is under close observation by a team hoof-picked by Starswirl. After the castle of the two sisters was transformed into the student’s ‘clubhouse’, the forest has calmed exponentially. But any threats that loom in there, we’ll know before they so much as breath in the direction of Ponyville. The only odd report comes from the dragon lord Ember, as she said she observed a lot of smaller pony camps being set up on the outskirts of known cities.”

Star Strider shifted at the mention of the dragon queen, likely remembering all the trouble his people suffered at the hands of those ages’ past. Twilight noticed and generated an idea.

“Star Strider, I have an idea that involves you even more if you’re up for it. Since the Lichen poses a threat to all creatures, would you consider a training course for the other kingdoms to enroll in as well?” She looked back at Spike and winked. He gave her a thumbs up in response.

“I— Would, but it will take me some time and reflection to come to terms with teaching them. I must be clear of mind if I teach those I once considered enemies lest I fall prey to petty trickery or contempt for my own students. Give me a week’s time to prepare a course outline, select instructors, and reflect on my emotions.” Twilight nodded to him. She looked down at the floor and crossed her front legs in an awkward display.

“I know it may be a bit much to ask, but would you consider giving Spike here a few starter lessons? Just to test out how it might go and prepare him a little better just in case.” Star Strider looked at the small green and purple dragon who bared a large smile with his hands behind his back.

“I… suppose I could start with him. He may yet provide me with familiarity for the next students. But he is young, are you sure he is up for the ordeal?”

“Absolutely. Spike has been in more than his fair share of battles. He even saved the crystal empire and the started the changeling transformations! But just to be safe, I should probably watch the sessions, so he doesn’t get too enthralled with fighting.”

“Aww Twilight come on! I’m strong enough to go my own! You don’t have to keep babying me especially now that I’ve got my wings.”

But Twilight was hardly paying attention to him. Another idea had sprung up in her mind. “Actually, Star Strider, would you be interested in spending the next week in my castle at Ponyville and being a guest speaker for the diverse students at my school of friendship? It’d be a great way for you to get familiar with the more open-minded creatures and their leaders who are due for a visit next week!” Luna sat up at this, looking awake for the first time the whole session.

“No!” the whole room turned eyes on her. “I mean, he needs to continue his training with the royal guards! He’s hardly through the unicorn divisions and has yet to even meet with the pegasi!” Celestia crossed a hoof over her sister’s chest.

“I believe that Luna does have a good point. Perhaps it is too soon for him to abandon his post here in the castle, but we may be able to arrange for another week?” Twilight erased her chalk board and drew up a calendar. She filled every day with precise times of classes and left room for resting periods.

“Actually, if he keeps his current schedule, he would be able to meet with all division heads, run a demonstration block for the first session, and give his curriculum to the respective captains. He’d be through the divisions by the end of this week with a few days to pack and move over!” Luna grimaced at the suggestion, letting her own desire cloud her judgement.

“I think he’d be better off taking his time here and visiting your school a little later. Perhaps your students can come sit in on his demonstrations here? A sort of field trip?” Twilight scoffed at her.

“You really think that convincing the guardians of a bunch of creatures at a Friendship School to let their kids come watch a bunch of soldiers fight all day would go over well? Yea, good luck with that!”

Star Strider walked in between them. “Princesses, enough. My decision is my own, sway me as you like but I will do what I must. Twilight, I will teach the creatures of the earth, all who are willing, the ways of defense. As for your school, give me until I have settled the guard here into a regimental training that does not require my focused attention. I will do my best to be quick with it, but I need to ensure they are receiving proper training before I loose the reins of the horse that is combat.” Luna sat back in her throne, relieved that he would be staying longer. But Star Strider turned to her as well. “Princess Luna, while I appreciate your vigor for the training that occurs in these walls, I trust you will not lose sight of the importance of preparing all of Equestria for the possible threat? Let not your own emotions cloud what is best for the population at large. Both ideas have merit, and I will mull them over. Thank you for your input.”

Twilight smirked at Luna as though she had the final word. Celestia glanced between the two princesses with a look of annoyance as though they had both been acting like fillies.

“Quite so. Twilight, thank you for the report. You are welcome to stay in Canterlot as long as you need. Please ensure that Spike’s lessons do not interfere with Star Strider’s current schedule. The sooner the regiments are ready, the sooner he can get to your school. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have a few department heads to meet with for the day. If you will kindly vacate the room, I would be most grateful.”

Twilight bowed in embarrassment. “Yes of course Celestia, we will be on our way.” She and spike turned and walked away. Luna felt the heat inside her dissipate as she left. Why did I get so heated at my friend? I’m better than that. She caught Star Strider’s eyes as he arched an eyebrow at her as though to ask what in Equestria happened there? She shook her head and stood up to go to her room and try to sleep. Star Strider followed her out with Starswirl, but none of them spoke. The two took a turn that led them to the exit of the castle and out towards the training fields. Idiot Luna scolded herself all the way to her bed for acting like such a child in front of everypony.

Author's Note

For any curious, I chose Swedish to be Star Strider's 'ancient language'. Swedish is my parent language and I figured It'd be nice to throw it in somewhere.

Chapter 14 Author's Note

Just a heads up: Slight violence and gore in this chapter.

Chapter 14

Training continued for days under Star Strider’s instruction. He grilled the unicorn regiments the hardest, always making sure they understood their advantage with magic but didn’t take it for granted. The earth pony and pegasi units ran even more vigorous physical courses than they ever had before. By day’s end, many of the soldiers actually looked forward to Star Strider’s meditative classes as a sort of break before their short sleep to repeat it all the next day. Luna continued to watch through the days, particularly before she went to go raise the moon. She and Star Strider kept their night spars going, some shorter than others, for the next few days as well. On this night, Luna was wandering the halls and tending her bushes again, waiting for Star Strider to meet her by the doors. He stumbled in from across the hall with his eyes half-closed. He looked dreadfully tired.

“Star Strider, are you all right? You look like you just fought a thousand ponies.” He straightened himself and leaned against a wall.

“Yes, I believe I am well, but I would say that description is not far off. The spells I have been casting drain me more every day. I need to study again the meaning of magic.” He drudged himself forward, the grace of his walk completely lost as his head hung low and his eyes drooping. Poor guy, I can’t very well ask him to train me tonight. She steadied him with her hooves.

“You need to rest first. Please, allow me to take you to your room. You look awful. I mean, uh, no offense of course.” He snickered without raising his head.

“None taken. I can only imagine the disgusting countenance I portray. I may take you up on the offer. I’m sorry my dear, tonight may not have a lesson in store.” Luna nodded as she placed his hoof around her shoulder and began escorting him towards his room.

“No worries. We have a few more days anyway. You need to rest there’s nothing wrong with that.”

They finally made it to his room, and he collapsed on his bed. It let out a loud creak as his weight was imbalanced on the lower half of it. Luna grabbed his legs and pulled him up farther on it so the weight would even out. He sighed and seemed to already be asleep. Luna returned to the door and looked at him with a smile. Even as he rests, his face is full of kindness. Sleep tight. She closed his door softly and continued walking through the halls. When she had finished swapping the plants, she went to her dream perch and prepared to enter the unconscious realm. The inky walls descended, and she immediately sensed strife. Coming from close by. It had been a long time since someone in the palace had a nightmare. She sorted through the orbs until she came across a shimmering blue one. Peering in, she saw Star Strider on top of a hill with tears rolling down his face. She was astounded that he was having a nightmare, with all his fears, desires, and recklessness gone. She entered the orb and landed behind him to see a valley completely on fire. Ponies were stabbing spears up as dragons swooped down, burning homes and ponies alike. It was a horrible sight with screams filling the air. She looked at Star Strider as he silently cried at the image. She reached a hoof up to calm his mind but was stopped by his own.

“Please princess, I appreciate your aid, but it is unnecessary. I need to see this.” She lowered her hoof and looked back with him. A young pony that looked an awful lot like the stallion next to her, but much smaller, grabbed a spear laying next to a pony that had been torn in half. Without hesitation, he leaped up and stabbed through the wing of a dragon overhead. With a roar, it crashed down into a barrel pile full of waters. Three other ponies gathered around it as it struggled to get up. The ponies stabbed at it, cutting its face and claws as it reached out trying to fight back. It spat a breath of fire at a magenta-colored pony, who was engulfed in the fireball and screamed for a short moment. The young Star Strider charged from his earlier position and stabbed the spear he had directly into the throat of the roaring dragon. Blood spurted from its neck as the back of it was pierced as well. Without relishing the victory, the now two other ponies turned to Star Strider as they formed up and charged another dragon. Luna was horrified at the scene. The violence was one she had been kept from for a long time. It reminded her of the war Canterlot had with King Sombra all those millennia ago.

As she continued watching, she found herself unable to turn to the stallion next to her or leave the dream. She knew something important was buried in this horror; this was not just another nightmare. Suddenly the entire scene froze, and Star Strider started down the slope. She followed quickly as they came face-to-face with the young version of himself. He was bent over a broken pile of rubble that had once been a house of sorts. In the center lay charred skeletons of two larger ponies and what she could only guess was the small bones of a colt or filly. The younger self was in the midst of tears as Star Strider looked at the scene.

“This was the moment that set me onto my path. My real family… gone. I felt unbound from this town finally.” He walked over to where a dragon was tearing a bag of food from an old pony, clearly about to be incinerated. “Part of me was— no, is grateful they passed. For their own suffering to end, and my ability to leave this place with no qualms. It is one of the worst thoughts I ever had. Gratitude, for the death of my family. What kind of pony could think that?” The scene evaporated as they stood on the murky ground of a slumbering mind. “I used to, until I separated the Lichen from me. And now I do again. Something has gone wrong. I can feel my magic slowing, my desires returning, my heart hardening. I cannot split the Lichen again. The devastation it caused was too much. But I was not ready for my pain to return. My heart is not strong enough. Not anymore.”

His words sat on Luna’s heart like a coating of lead. She touched a hoof to his face and raised it to her own.

“Pain… is what makes us alive. We keep the little cuts, so the big ones don’t hurt so much, right?” She gave him a little grin as she called his earlier wisdom to bare. He lowered his head again and grabbed her hoof.

“I had gone so long without remembering what haunted my heart, I took for granted the peace I lived in daily. The peace ponies die for never to feel. I am a selfish fool, and nothing more.” Luna felt herself become angry as he said those words.

“Selfish? You are anything but selfish! How could you even think that? You gave up your family, your home, so that thousands of years later we could have fancy wings on our backs! You sacrificed yourself for centuries hanging in the void of chaos with a creature of destruction just so no one would have to fear it. You returned and immediately began working with ponies not your own and agreed to help the creatures too. No, Star Strider, you don’t deserve the title of selfish. Your deeds are far too selfless for that.” She was pacing in front of him as she spoke. He sat back on his haunches.

“No, princess, unfortunately, my thoughts betray me. The hatred I harbor for dragons still, the peace I find in the deaths of my family, the… desires, that take precedence in my mind are all too distasteful to be deserving of your praise.” Luna stopped in front of him and sat down. She spoke to him with a heavy voice.

“There is nothing wrong with having bad thoughts. It is the way we let them shape us that matter. Expel them quickly, dwell with them not, and allow yourself to be better than your unrestraint. Everypony has those thoughts, but you cannot let it dictate who you become. I would be one to know.” Raising her eyes to meet his, he gave her a weak smile.

“I suppose so, your words have a wisdom to them shaped by the years. Perhaps I have quite a bit to learn from this world as much as you do mine.” His smile faltered. “But again, my meditation ought to be focused if I am to regain control. If I let these desires overcome me, The Lichen will be the least troublesome monster on the land.” He pulled Luna into a hug. “Thank you. It is comforting to know the dream realm is in safe holds such as yours. I am indebted to you for your soothing words and invaluable friendship. Thank you.” He squeezed her softly and she felt her heart melt at the emotions of this old pony. She was almost brought to tears herself, but they parted, and he stood back. She ascended on the black canvas of the mind and a small rift opened for her to leave.

“Rest easy, Star Strider. Your mind is strong, and your heart is kind. Remember this often, and peace be upon you.” The world closed to her as she saw him smile back to her. She awoke back on her dream perch, with Discord laying on her bed again.

“YOU! What in Equestria are you doing back here?” Discord held his hands up in a defensive gesture, but a smug smile on his face.

“Oh, please Luna, it’s as if you can’t stand my company anymore. I’m a reformed good guy now, remember? You have to like me based on the rules of heroism or whatever. Anyway, I brought some interesting news I figured you would take a liking to. Care to hear?” Luna paused her violent stance and lowered her horn.

“Fine, but it better be good. I’m tired of ponies barging in here uninvited.”

“Trust me, you’ll want to hear this.

“I did a little more research on that ‘vision’ you had from somepony in the chaos dimension. As I scoured the landscapes, I discovered a very disgusting creature. I couldn’t believe something so vile had entered my realm! It was a young pony! Talk about an unwanted guest! He was just floating with a blob next to him. I kept poking the young lad until he finally opened his eyes. He didn’t speak a lick of any language known to the world but seemed very frantic. The blob was tethered to his waist and seemed to be sucking the life out of him. I did my best to sever the chord, but to no avail. I asked other chaos beings what it was until finally, someone was actually useful! They said it was your old friend Star guy. But I thought ‘that’s not possible, they took him home!’ So, I dug deeper. Retracing your rather noisy steps for the summoning process, I discovered that you didn’t actually resummon him correctly. You manifested a vast portion of him, yes, but you left behind something that he had intentionally stuck to himself. The Lichen thing. The young pony in the chaos dimension is actually a gateway of some of your man’s ancient being. It’s keeping the beast alive all while draining the poor pony while he’s here. I am sure that the Lichen is going to figure out how to get back once it’s taken what it needs. I couldn’t use any magic on it, as it only seemed empowered by the chaos realm and my spells.”

Luna had a panicked look across her face as she put a hoof to her head. It felt as though someone had just smacked her so hard it sent her back to the moon.

“I— I don’t even know where to start! This is bad news. That explains why he’s feeling so drained, and why his desires are coming back. The heavens above, this is BAD!” Discord through his hands up in exasperation.

“I told you you would want to know, but no one ever has the time to listen to me!” But Luna wasn’t paying attention to his pity display, she rushed out of the hall into Celestia’s room.

“Sister! We have some bad news.”

Chapter 15

Something has gone wrong. We don't seem to have an archived copy of that chapter.

Chapter 17

Celestia sat on her throne, a troubled complexion resting on her face. Luna sat next to her with her head resting on her hoof, looking far off and miserable. Unfortunantly, Celestia could not trouble herself with her little sister’s qualms as the information she had just received from the master of chaos was causing her mind to race a mile a minute.

“So Starswirl believes that his master still has power linked to the Lichen and must shake it off at the right moment? This has gone from complicated to mind-aching all too quickly.” She rubbed her temples with her hooves. Discord was playing with marionettes of the Mane six, forming his own plot of drama. He snapped to attention as Celestia shot a beam out right in front of him.

“Yes my dear, I’m afraid your old pony friend decided to make this even harder than normal. All I wanted was to play a few games with him and this is what I get in return. More hoofwork.” Celestia sighed and turned to her younger sister, who still seemed in a state of misery because of the windows on the wall.

“Luna, do you have any ideas? Perhaps we should summon Twilight again or tell Star Strider of our plan finally.” His name struck something in Luna as she sat up for the first time the whole meeting. She looked at Celestia with hollow eyes and said in a flat and cold tone.

“Whatever works, sister. I don’t really care how we go about this.” Celestia was put-off by her demeanor. Luna was usually the more apathetic and introverted of the pair, but this was a whole new kind of detached. Even Discord stopped his charades to give Celestia a look of relative concern.

“Sister, is something the matter? I know mornings aren’t really your thing, but you’re acting colder than usual.” Luna let out a lengthy sigh and turned back to the wall.

“It’s… nothing. Call Strid— I mean Star Strider and let him know. I think we should be done with all this as soon as we can.” Celestia gave her one more look of worry before calling for a guard. Discord floated above the two sisters, peering at Luna for a moment and then whispering to Celestia.

“Let me know if she ever returns from wonder-land, and I’ll let you know if I see her mind lost in the chaos dimension.” His tone came with the familiar sarcasm, but also just a touch of sympathy that Celestia could detect. She nodded to him as he poofed away back to his home. The guard entered the throne room with Star Strider in tow. Luna shot her eye to see him and sat up, casting her eyes down to the ground awkwardly. Celestia again caught her behavior and looked to the entering pony. Something happened between these two. Oh Luna, what did you do this time. Celestia shook her mind as she greeted the silver-coated stallion.

“Star Strider, thank you for coming. We have a bit of… concerning news.” Star Strider bowed to the two sisters, not even looking at Luna as she shot glances to him every few seconds.

“Of course, princess. But what needest thou from me? Have you discovered news of the whereabouts of my foe?” Celestia raised an eyebrow at him. This was the first time he had switched back to his ancient formal tone since his arrival. She decided it meant little and moved on.

“Somewhat. Your old student, Starswirl, has been in the Chaos dimension. He and Discord have found what remains of the Lichen. It appears to be holding onto you through the realms and is feeding off you somehow.” The room was silent as Celestia paused. Star Strider’s eyes were fixated on the base of the throne she sat on. He didn’t look worried, no, more like he was both shocked and calm at the same time.

“I— I see. Yes. I must admit, I have felt some… urges that are beyond my normal range of emotion.” Luna let out a little breath at this, one only Celestia could hear. What in the world… But before Celestia could think, he continued. “But I thought them at least suppressed to be nothing more than remnants. I meditate daily to control these. What other reports come from pupil?” Celestia refocused her attention to the matter at hand.

“He noticed that there seemed to be a shockwave sent from our side that loosened the grip of the monster on the gateway. But after it recovered, it gripped tighter. He believes that in order to separate it permanently, we must time an event where you push against the creature at the same moment Starswirl uses magic to separate it. This will be difficult and require extreme precision, but we believe it possible. Discord said that he would report back with any plans that Starswirl forms and we should expect one after a few more days of observation.” Star Strider let his face relax as he heard her explanation. The room still felt tense to Celestia. Finally, Star Strider spoke in his usual tone and powerful voice.

“This news could be good. I am glad you informed me. But I was actually hoping to make a request to you. The both of you.” Luna drew her head up from its hung position to look at him, her eyes wide and head craned forward. Star Strider took a deep breath and closed his eyes. “I think now is a good time for me to leave Canterlot. Not permanently, but until we hear back from Starswirl. Twilight’s plan for me to come to her school and prepare the other creatures of the world seems to naturally fit right now. I think we could all use a change of pace. If it is alright with you, I would make haste for Ponyville by tomorrow morning.” Luna’s eyes grew wet as she let her head sink again. Celestia sat back and shot a look at Luna. Oh no. Please tell me they didn’t. She sighed as she spoke.

“It’s alright if you do. You aren’t bound here after all. But I thought it best to stay close so we could remain in vigilant contact should a sudden event occur.”

“I understand, but I would be at Twilight’s castle, and one spell away. Any scroll you send would come instantly and we would be here in a flash. I believe this to be the best course of action as I could use a break from the intense training I’ve been directing these last few weeks.” Celestia nodded and stood to descend her throne’s steps.

“Very well. I shall have a carriage prepared for you. Should you wish to say any goodbyes and gather your things, you shall have whatever time you need. They will await you in the west stable by sundown tonight. Leave whenever you need. We shall send for you when we hear word from Starswirl.” She put a hoof on his shoulder as they walked towards the door, Luna noticeably absent from their walk. “Thank you. For all the work you’ve done in the last month. We shall keep your regiment strict. Here comes the hard part. Good luck being a teacher.” She opened the grand doors with her magic as he stepped through. He turned and looked past Celestia. But only for a moment. He met her eyes and smiled, bowing before her.

“Thank you both for your hospitality. Until we meet again… Princesses.” He turned and walked away; his head slightly lower than he usually carried himself. Celestia closed the doors and turned to her sister who was quietly crying in her seat. She immediately flew over and held her in her arms.

“Oh, my sweet sister what have you done?” Celestia stroked her head as Luna now cried openly.

“I— I— I’m sorry. He –hic-- I fell too… I love him ‘Tia! And I messed it up so quick—”

She was crying like a newborn foal into her sister’s chest. Celestia didn’t care one bit. She lowered her head down to rest atop her little sister’s. “I’m sorry Luna. I really am.” Luna cried for a few more minutes until she stopped shaking and her sobs quieted. Celestia brought her face to look at her sister. “Can I ask… why? Why him? I mean, I want to know what happened. Do you want to talk?” Luna choked back a few sobs and pulled away, but not in a harsh manner. She couldn’t meet Celestia’s eyes as she started speaking.

“At first, I just thought he was handsome. The most handsome stallion I ever saw. Then I got to know him, and he knew me. I felt… normal with him. I never feel normal with anypony but you. He treated me like a pony rather than a princess. He wasn’t afraid to see me for what I was and could be. We would practice late into the night, just me and him. I fell in love with his eyes. He told me I was beautiful when my mane was covered in dirt and my face all scratched up!” She let out a little laugh as she wiped her eyes. Her smile left as quickly as it appeared. “But when we finally expressed our hearts to each other, I backed off. I was afraid. My heart was so open and vulnerable I felt like anything could have killed me in that moment. But I also felt safe with him. I fucked it all up because some guard I fucked randomly walked in and brought back all my insecurities and fears. I pushed him away. I pushed him away!” She was shouting at this point, visibly angry. Not at Star Strider, not at the guard, but at herself. Celestia wanted to reach out and comfort her again but knew that Luna needed this. “He could be the only stallion that could become immortal too! I sent away the stallion of my dreams who could genuinely be with me forever because I have no self-control. I am a horrible, shitty, insecure little wretch of a pony. I don’t deserve these wings that he so meticulously worked for. I don’t deserve to be the princess of the night. I don’t deserve to be loved, much less by a pony of his caliber.” She was back to crying, but tears of anger rather than sadness. Celestia had heard enough. She once again swooped her little sister into a tight hug.

“You deserve all those things and more, my sister. One little screw-up does not define your worth. If he was willing to leave at the first fight, maybe he wasn’t as worth it as you thought. You’ll be alright, I promise.”

“NO! He is worth all that! You didn’t know him like I do!” Luna broke away from her grip and flew down to the doors. She lowered her head and voice as she pushed one open to slip out “I had the best right before me… Maybe I really am just destined to have meaningless flings for eternity. I certainly shouldn’t be wasting anypony else’s time again.”

“Luna, wait—” But the door slammed before Celestia could speak again. Tears filled her eyes as well. Tears of pain for her sister, anger at Star Strider, confusion at all that had just been explained. She stamped a hoof in frustration and let out a sigh. It won’t ever be easy for ponies like us, will it. She waited in her throne room for a few minutes to regain her composure. She shouldered her concerns and resumed her graceful smile as the doors opened for the first of many pointless dignitaries for the day.

Author's Note

Classic romance drama. Have you ever considered why the other alicorn princesses never dated besides Cadence? Probably something to do with their immortality. But everyone deserves to be loved :)

Chapter 18

Starswirl vomited again. The bitter taste of his stomach acid was becoming all-too familiar to his tongue. He hated it. He wiped his mouth and opened his eyes to refocus on the creature in the distance. God’s above, how long is this going to take! Just as he let the thought cross his mind, Discord snapped into existence right next to him. The lanky beast immediately swam away from him, seeing the pool of vomit that coated the surface in front of Starswirl.

“My goodness, somepony’s been busy I see. Is there more food inside you or outside at this point?” The draconiquis snickered as he came back a little closer. Starswirl rubbed his temples and tried to keep the migraine at bay.

“Discord, please tell me you gave my message. I’m about ready to tear my brain out and give up thinking forever.” Discord wagged a finger at Starswirl as he grabbed the pony’s hat and wore it.

“Yes, yes. The princesses know the plan now and informed that old stooge of a pony. They await more of your ‘infinite wisdom’” Discord finished his speech with a mocking tone and bow to the great wizard. He snatched his hat back and battled the urge to vomit again.

“I should have something soon. I’ve been experimenting with my magic here. Most of it seems to work, despite this infuriating migraine. The only issue is that I have no idea how much longer I can last here. It makes no sense how my master did it for thousands of years.” Discord was lounging in a conjured hammock made from gelatin, slurping on a shake of sorts. He threw the drink down and stood up on the air as he spoke.

“Oh, he had his fair share of madness. I felt it. I think he lasted because of that wretched and majestic creature wrapped around him.” Starswirl suddenly appeared more alert than ever.

“He used the Lichen to survive. How?”

“I’m not entirely sure, I only ever felt the discord that left his body every time it transferred. I never bothered to check because, well, that’s boring!” Starswirl rubbed his head even harder. This news now gave him a little insight into what the connection was that still existed, and perhaps how to sever it.

“So, if he used it to survive, then it equally used him. Maybe that means if we separate it, then it dies for good, right?” Discord sat on a couch with another one of himself as he leaned over to whisper quite loudly.

“I think he’s finally getting it.” The other one nodded. “But, if the creature used him to survive and he used it, would all the discord and chaos and tumultuous thoughts rush back to him and cause him to go into crisis?” The original Discord nodded back and ‘hmmmd.’ Starswirl took a drink of his water to rinse the sourness from his mouth.

“Fair point, but we can deal with a panic attack easier than a creature that consumes ponies. I think our best bet is to tear the creature from him by force. I have teleportation spells, breaking, incineration, many things to try. I think we ought to tell my old master that we will begin trying to sever the connection. And to warn him what he might become.”

Misery

Bitter

Jealousy

Anger

Star Strider sat in the carriage that was taking him towards Ponyville. He cast his eyes over the landscape below, watching the world pass by. He pondered those emotions he thought so incapable of surfacing in his mind. Luna. Why did it happen. Why am I so upset? I should be better. I was so close. He closed his eyes as thoughts of the princess of night rushed through his head. He kept hanging on to the memory of their kiss. A kiss that she regrets. That perhaps I ought to as well. No matter what Star Strider did to turn himself away from Luna, he couldn’t fight the feelings of his heart.

Star Strider was about to start his next role in the new world, teaching a school. Just like old times. Though last time, I was not teaching griffins and hippogriffs. Or Dragons. He had worked hard to overcome his prejudice towards the bipedal lizards, but memories of pain filled his mind whenever he saw one. Even the most harmless one as Spike. He opened his eyes again to see the town below him. The grand castle in the distance was beautiful, dare he say more so than the Canterlot design he had lived in the past month or so. The chariot touched down just in front of the castle doors where Star Strider dismounted. He bowed to the pegasi that flew him and approached the door. Princess Twilight still resided in Canterlot with her dragon companion, but she had given him a detailed schedule and list of things to look for. He appreciated her clarity and detail-oriented personality. He was about to knock on the door when a light blue glow outlined them and swung them inward. A light purple pony stood with a large smile on her face, and a beautiful diamond cutie mark.

“Hi! I’m Starlight Glimmer! May I just say how BIG a fan I am of you? I mean, I know there isn’t much written of you other than old tapestries and even older journals, but I was kinda a nerd for the whole ‘arcane arts’ type of magic. You were like, one of my dream ponies when I was a filly!” She snorted as she finished her sentence and reached out a hoof. Star Strider returned her excitement with a smile and shook her hoof.

“I’m impressed. It seems many had lost the works of me or passed the credit to another. Not that I sought any, but it’s nice to be known sometimes.” She led him through the corridors of the much wider hallways of Twilight’s castle. It was noticeably emptier than the other one. Or maybe I just miss the lavender bushels already. He was shaken from his thoughts as Starlight kept peppering him with questions.

“You ever wonder why so many magic ponies have names after the cosmos? I’ve never really understood that, but it seems like we’re all named ‘Star-something’ you know?”

“Well young one, that is no coincidence. The stars are directly tied to magic. While their natural existence is something far-off and somewhat irrelevant, they are part of a greater scheme in relation to our lives. We live on a conduit plane. Magic flows freely through our world and as such, the celestial bodies are aligned to provide the perfect path. Think of it as a river shaped by the rocks and boulders scattered about. Individually, they are nothing. But when they work together, a mighty stream can appear. They outline the runes that were used for the most primitive magic in our lands.” Starlight was wide-eyed and moving slow as she listened.

“Wow. You are even COOLER in person! How many ponies would even know that!? Oh man, the students are going to love you!”

“Yes—er, I mean I hope so. It has been a long time since I taught. Especially other creatures. I do not know how prepared I am for that.”

“Oh, it’ll be no sweat! They’re all such great learners and eager to as well! You’ll fit right in! If you ever need reassurance, you should talk to Rockhoof. He had some very similar concerns to yours when he first applied.”

The pair arrived at his temporary quarters. There was no balcony, but it had a good window with a view to the water just outside. The quaint quarters were already suited to his humble living conditions. He suddenly felt his heart tug in a very painful manner. He collapsed down, clutching his hoof to his chest, and letting out raspy breaths.

“Star Strider! Are you alright? What’s happening?” Starlight rushed to his side to try and help.

“I— *Cough* it can’t *rasp* what is— this” He fell to his side as the world began to fade out into black.

Star Strider awoke with a hot towel over his head, warm stones lay on his chest, and Starlight sat next to him with her eyes closed and her horn glowing. He could barely make out where he was or who was next to him. He tried sitting up, only to be forced down by Starlight’s hoof.

“No no, you can barely stand right now. Frankly, I thought you were about to die. Your heart is severely twisted, and I’m not trying to be all convoluted or mysterious. Your valves are actually twisting on themselves. I have never seen or heard of something like this. Have you?”

He started up again, but his legs felt like a couple bags of sand had been tied to him. He fell back with a huff. “Only from one other pony. This happens when… well when magic and emotions combine. It is why other ponies cannot use magic while unicorns have ease. Your horn acts as the conduit, while my heart must act as mine.” Starlight let her horn stop, and the warm stones on his chest lost their feeling. He felt blood rush back to his chest where the stones had been. The rocks were now black and had a cobbled surface. “Ah, a physical channeling spell. Very wise.” Starlight blushed.

“It was just my first instinct. I’m not much of a doctor so I did what I knew.”

“Sometimes, that is the best we can all do.” He composed enough strength to sit up against the back of his bed, panting from the effort. “I need to meditate to control this. Would you do me the favor of leaving me to myself? It can be a very intense process.” Starlight nodded and started for the door.

“Let me know if you need anything. I’ll be in the library. Good luck.” With that, Starlight closed his door gently and Star Strider closed his eyes.

The creature tightened its grip around the pony form and shrieked painfully as Starswirl burned its hide. A pair of tentacles shot out to attack Starswirl, but he easily dodged their slow crawl.

“Damn it. That did the opposite of what I was hoping for. Did you see anything else happen?”

Discord had a video camera up to his eyes as Starswirl was zapping the creature. “Nothing on this end, director. But perhaps we’d be better trying the wide lens for the next shot? I’m noticing the boom mic falling into frame.” Another Discord hovered above the pair with a large microphone and shrugged down at them.

“This is hardly the time for jokes, oh mighty lord of chaos. Perhaps you’d be better off giving me some extra juice instead of sitting there like a bed of weeds?” He puffed angrily at Discord

“No can-do buckaroo. Like I said, my chaos magic only seems to help this thing. You want it to be even harder?” Starswirl sighed and looked back at the Lichen. Its terrible arms grabbed the pony close. It almost seemed to be smiling at him, despite having no face. Starswirl looked closer as he noticed the creature seeming to relax. He conjured a small lasso in preparation for what he predicted would happen. Suddenly, a burst of white came from the pony and shot through the creature. As it shrieked, Starswirl cast his rope onto it and pulled while using his magic to fly away. The creature let out the most horrendous cry as its grip slipped drastically on the figure. It began falling away from its prey.

“Yes! It’s working! Discord, it’s coming off!” But his celebration came too soon. Just as the creature released the pony, its cruel form shot lances at Starswirl. He realized too late what was about to happen. He braced as the first finger grasped his neck when his mind went completely dark.

What child of Power is this that I have embraced?

One of Majesty or one of Grace?

Shall I give unto you treasure abound

That you give to me a tether myself to ground

I grant unto you your deepest powers

That you foster my wants, my dreams, my desires

Give yourself unto dark’s murky embrace

And give unto me thyself and thy face

Starswirl, become to the world what you are meant to be

Your countenance that of a celestial stream

Take hold of thy title and channel your power

Your name hence now shall be called Cosmic Sunder

Author's Note

Welcome in the new villain. I have had a lot of struggle writing as Cosmic Sunder, but as you'll see in future chapters, I feel I did Starswirl's "alter-ego" well. In my original manuscript, the font for the Lichen/Cosmic Sunder is Viner Hand ITC to give him a creepy slithery feel. Unfortunantly, this website doesn't like other fonts. Hopefully the color variation makes up for it!

Chapter 19

Normal

For the first time in his life that he could remember, Star Strider felt normal. It was as though the years of strife and grief that tormented him went quiet. They left him alone to his thoughts. It felt peaceful, yet wrong. Somehow, a part of him was missing. His thoughts were interrupted by Starlight checking in through his bedroom door.

“Star Strider? Are you feeling alright? It’s been a few… well it’s been a few. I wanted to make sure you’re doing okay.”

He rose from his sheets and drew back the curtain with his hoof. The sun was rising, or was it setting?

“How long have I been in here?”

“Well, and please don’t panic yourself, you’ve been here for about… three days. I kept checking on you, but you were out cold until last night. But even then, you weren’t anywhere close to comprehensible. I did what I could to sedate you and it seemed to work. How are you feeling?” He took a deep breath and turned to her.

“I feel… I feel as though how I imagine everypony feels normally. Nothing troubles my mind. It is quite an odd sensation. But overall, I feel fine.” Starlight furrowed her brow at his mention of nopony feeling troubled.

“Well, I’m glad you’re feeling so calm. Are you feeling up to teaching a class tomorrow? It would be a Q&A sort of lecture with students. No pressure at all thought I understand if you’re still recovering.”

“I shall be just alright to teach your class tomorrow. Shall I prepare something in particular? Or just let the imagination of the young ones guide the discussion? Perhaps a demonstration?” He reached out a hoof and pointed it towards his saddlebag. A faint blue aura surrounded it, shook the bag, and then shattered. Star Strider looked perplexed as he tried again. The same result came. He stared at his hoof with his face puzzled. What happened to my magic? It is so frail? How? Starlight cleared her throat as he lost himself in thought.

“Well, whatever you feel would be good for them, and yourself, I think will be just fine. But get some more rest, I don’t know how recovered you are yet. I’ll be close.” She turned and started to leave, taking one last look at the stallion who still had his eyes hooked on his hoof.

What in the world happened to me?

Luna lowered the moon to make way for her sister’s glory to fill the sky. She sat back on her bed as her eyes drooped. Bags hung under them as a testament to her restless nights. The guard under her sheets stirred at her movement and the bright rays casting onto his face. He awoke and looked at Luna, who appeared a lot less beautiful than he remembered last night. He almost mistook her for another pony entirely.

“Good morning, your majesty. How did the night treat you?” She hardly noticed him as he spoke, her eyes wandering to the far cliffs across the valley.

“Hm? Oh, fine. You best be going. Needing sleep and all that.” The guard scrambled to return his armor to his frame, bowing to the princess as he walked out of her room. She closed the door behind him, turned her back to it, and sank down to the floor. Tears poured from her face as she hugged her legs close to her chest.

“What am I?” She asked to an empty room. She buried her head in her arms as she cried silently in her room.

It had been five days since she and Star Strider had shared their kiss in the river. Five days since Luna’s heart shattered. In that time, she had bedded a guard almost every hour of the night, trying to forget about the love that she lost. She gained no pleasure nor ecstasy from her flings through the night. Nothing calmed her heart strings or softened the tears that tore down her face daily.

Her crying was interrupted by a large lion’s paw resting on her shoulder. A snaky voice filled the room next to her crying.

“Oh, Luna. What pony could ever make you cry?” She looked up through bleary eyes to see Discord standing in front of her. She wiped away her tears, narrowing her eyes at him.

“What is it this time?” The master of chaos retracted his paw, and she caught the look of seriousness on his face.

“I swear, I am here on good measure this time. I have some unfortunate news regarding your old master and our new and powerful friend.”

Luna and Celestia stood next to Discord as he recounted his watching to the pair.

“Starswirl was able to separate the Lichen from the old pony’s avatar. The form slowly dissolved; my guess would be back to its owner. But when he separated the beast, it shot out quicker than lightning to grab your old master. I tried to do what I could, but my chaos magic again did nothing to the thing. It swallowed him up and completely absorbed into him.” He held up his other hand to project an image of a tall and lanky unicorn with a long black robe, red bells sewn into the hem and wizard’s cap to match. The face of the unicorn was Starswirl’s but twisted in a vile and cruel smile, his beard blackened with red energy coursing through. His horn crackling with a silver outline and black highlights. Luna and Celestia shared a look of deep concern.

“That looks very similar to my sister and mine’s evil counterparts.”

“Yes, Nightmare Moon and Dawn Breaker.” Luna finished her sister’s explanation. Discord nodded to them and closed his hand.

“The next thing I figured to do was to close any portals nearby and get out of there to warn you. I don’t think it got through anything, but we could never be too sure.”

Celestia paced the floor as she did often when nervous. “With Star Strider’s training and spell protecting the legions, and hopefully that monster still trapped inside, we may have time to figure out what to do. I’ll send word to Star Strider immediately and try to see what he suggests. Discord, you have already done so much, but would you do us the honor of watching him in your dimension and letting us know if he escapes? It is imperative we respond the moment he breaks.”

Discord saluted and walked off into a pillar, teleporting back. Luna turned to her older sister.

“What of me, sister. What shall I do?”

“Luna, I know what happened between you two was… hard, but someone needs to stay with Star Strider right now. Twilight will need to return to ponyville to lock down the everfree forest. Could you shoulder the burden of staying with Star Strider now?” Luna was silent for a moment. She turned the thought over in her head time and time again. This could be a chance to make things right. I can’t believe this is what I’m worried about on the brink of disaster. She shook her head clear.

“Yes. I’ll be just fine. I’ll make leave for ponyville at once.”

Star Strider stood on a stage in front of two hundred or so creatures from across the world. Every one of them had their eyes trained on his every move, his every word. Starlight and Twilight had done their fair share of exciting the students for the so called ‘master of magic’ to arrive.

“Good morning students. My name is Star Strider. Though I am sure your teachers prepared you for today, I would like you all to guide this conversation. I know not what I can offer you, so I figure best to let the young minds of today shape their own learning.”

Immediately as he stopped speaking, a hoof, no paw. Or was it a hand? It shot up from about the third row back. A hippogriff sat with a big grin on her face. “Ah, yes, you there miss—”

“Silver Stream. I just cannot BELIEVE you are here! This is so awesome! Okay okay so my first question is about my own magic. Or I guess the magic you made and then we used! Okay so like, how did you make transformation magic? Or did you even make it? And why can’t more ponies use it or just normal magic? And can you transform right now?”

Star Strider raised his front hooves and smiled. “Whoa there, I suggest we take it one at a time. To answer your first question, I’m not very well-versed in hippogriff transformation magic. I only heard brief synopsis of the orb your queen holds. But in regard to transformation magic at large, I was hardly the first to experiment with it and came nowhere close to perfecting it. The most I ever learned was transforming dirt to sand. Transformation magic is extremely difficult and require a sufficient conduit to transfer matter between and store the leftovers. This would be my guess as to what your orb is.”

Another hand shot up, this one from a brown griffin in the front row.

“Gilda, sir, not really a student here but I wanted to sit in and ask my own questions. Did you ever fight the griffins? You’re really old right? You came from the pony villages that weren’t friendly to other species yet right?”

Star Strider shifted in place as he thought back to his time at the village. Where he expected painful memories, he was met with indifference. What? This is what drove me for so long, how can I not care? How do I know I am not caring?

“I never fought the griffins, though I am sure many villages had their fair fights with them. My village bordered the ancient dragon lands. We were the subjects of many raids and pillages.”

An orange claw came up next. A dragon.

“So, you killed a dragon before?”

The whole room was silent. Star Strider stared at the young dragonet that so boldly asked. After a few moments, he sighed and spoke.

“Yes.”

The room shifted in discomfort. Starlight stepped forward from her watching position and cleared her throat.

“Okay Students, I think we either get the questions back to an appropriate subject, or we call this little session quits. So, does anyone have a question about magic? Or maybe Mr. Strider here can give a demonstration? He is the only living earth pony who can use magic! Wouldn’t that be exciting to see?” The class mumbled in agreement. Starlight nodded to Star Strider as he bowed his head in a gesture of gratitude.

Star Strider sat back and closed his eyes. He moved his hooves in a motion that traced the outline of an image only he could see. His hooftips began to glow as a small orb appeared above him. The class began ‘ooing’ in wonder. What they failed to notice was the beads of sweat trailing down Star Strider’s brow. He shook as he tried to hold one of the smallest spells to conjure a guiding light. He had never struggled this hard even when he began training all those millennia ago. He broke his concentration, causing the small orb to shatter into a bunch of flakes. The class didn’t seem to notice his failure as they all clapped and stamped, assuming that was the spell he was going for. He looked to Starlight with a concerned face and stood to begin leaving. Starlight took the hint and went center stage.

“Thank you Mr. Strider! Let’s give it up for him again! You’re all dismissed for an early day. Remember your test booklets and don’t forget to study for your preliminary!” The class rushed off, all of them swapping their opinions and experiences of what they had just seen and heard. Starlight caught up with Star Strider as he crossed the water bridge towards the castle.

“What happened back there? I thought you were super powerful, how come the mage light spell shattered?” Star Strider shook his head.

“I do not know. For the first time in my life, I feel normal. Apparently that comes with the side effect of actually being normal. Whatever happened to me, it took my magic along with most of my emotion. I felt so indifferent when that dragonet asked me about my village. That used to be the one memory that haunted me. Now, it could be compared to a sunny day. The last time I felt this way…” He trailed off as he looked to the sky, hearing the wingbeats of the unicorns towing a chariot. They landed a few yards from where the two of them stood, as princess Luna descended out. She kept making eye contact with Star Strider and shot between him and Starlight. As she approached, she bowed to both of them.

“Pardon my intrusion. Star Strider, I need to speak with you.”

“Princess Luna—”

“Please. This is urgent.”

“Very well, Luna. If you’ve come to recompence the former night, it is alright. I understand. I have no more qualms of it.”

Luna shifted uncomfortably, darting her eyes across the room and back to Star Strider. “No— it’s not, I mean I… This is official Canterlot business. And it’s not good.”

Author's Note

Sorry for such a delayed upload, I'm starting another semester at college at settling in. My updates may come later as I haven't had time to write ahead, but luckily I have almost 40 chapters anyway so I can give those out slowly. Hopefully you all are enjoying!

Chapter 20

The three ponies sat in the throne room of Twilight’s castle. As Luna recounted what happened to Star Strider with Starlight in their presence, she was shocked to see the lack of emotion on his face. He was normally the stoic type, but this was a new form of detached. At the mention of his former student’s sudden entrapment, he failed to even raise an eyebrow. As she finished her explanation of her sudden arrival, she waited for his response on the edge of her seat. Not moments after she had finished speaking then he filled the air.

“Alright. We may have a problem on my front. My magic is weak. It may be fading altogether. I’m sorry but I do not think I can be of use.”

“WHAT!” Luna shouted so loud it seemed the castle walls reverberated for minutes her loud voice. “Your magic is GONE? How? What happened?”

“Well, as of apparently six days ago, I suffered from what I thought was a heart attack. Starlight here helped channel whatever forces deterred me into some encapsulating crystals. That may be a start. But upon waking up a few days ago, the simplest of spells elude me. The strangest thing is I feel incapable of feeling.” His tone was bland and indifferent. It only did more to confuse Luna. She was furiously rubbing her head and the bridge of her muzzle. She suddenly connected the dots. Six days ago was when Starswirl got trapped.

“Is it possible that your separation from the Lichen caused this?” Star Strider was already shaking his head.

“When I was separated previously, I was still able to use magic. That’s how I defeated it so many years ago.” Luna thought even harder but was interrupted by the watching Starlight.

“I don’t think that’s the whole story.”

They both swiveled their heads to her. She stepped forward and rested a hoof on the table between them.

“Star Strider, what is magic?” He huffed and crossed his legs.

“Well, that’s about the most complicated question in all of history.”

“Except it isn’t. Through all my studies under Twilight, I learned that magic is about the simplest thing in the world. Do you know of the Windigos?”

“Of course. They plagued the land just before my time on this earth. The memories were still fresh in many elders’ minds.”

“Right, so you must know that they only exist in the absence of friendship. Well, friendship banished them and allowed all the unicorns, earth ponies, and pegasi of old to use magic for the first time. The simplest thing Twilight ever taught was that friendship is magic. Friendship comes from feelings. Without feeling happiness or anger, I wouldn’t be able to cast spells around me. I have to focus my feeling into it to make it happen. Emotion is just as important as friendship when it comes to magic. You cut yours off.” The room was silent as Luna understood what she was saying. Star Strider did not seem as convinced.

“The Windigos fed of disunity and embattlement. Friendship was not the magic that banished them, it was the uniting of tribes and compilation of knowledge that allowed magic to be used by the ancient wizards.”

“That’s not true.” This time, Luna was the one to cut in. “Since my return from Nightmare Moon, my magical abilities have grown immensely. That of an alicorns should not be able to extend, yet as I made more friends I grew more in power. Starlight’s theory has much merit.” Starlight was nodding both in thanks and agreement to the princess.

“Star Strider, have you noticed since your return any increase in power until you lost it?”

“I— well, I suppose I was able to cast powerful protection spells and conjure up objects quickly and efficiently. But I have always been able to. It just took me a while to come to grips with returning to reality.”

“Or you made friends and grew more in power. Back in olden times, your friends surrounded you as students of all nations. You were so powerful because of the friendship you had. You can’t keep denying this if you want your magic back.” Starlight had always had the reputation of being bolder than most. She seemed to have struck a chord with the ancient wizard as he sighed in defeat.

“Perhaps. Friendship can be a powerful magic, despite its lack of physical manifestations. But I cannot feel anything. Positive, negative, embarrassment, happiness, sorrow. Luna, our night together sparks nothing in me despite having tormented me for the last two weeks.” Luna’s cheeks flushed bright red as Starlight looked over between them. Her heart was both elated and hallowed by his confession. But she hardly had time to focus on that with such important matters at hand.

“Is there a way we can return your emotion?” He shook his head.

“If your theory is correct, the Lichen took all my emotion with it when it separated from me.”

“Surely there is a way to return some emotion to you?” Luna sounded like she was pleading.

Star Strider stroked his stubble, deep in thought. “Perhaps. If I am speculating correctly, then perhaps a traumatic event could react some emotion from me. Positive or negative.” He turned his gaze to Luna. “Visit me in my dreams and conjure my village. Make me watch my friends die and it may bring some result.” Starlight gasped as he said it, Luna found herself also appalled at his nonchalant demeanor. She had trouble driving the gory images from her mind. But it made sense. But I could also try something else. She cut her thoughts off before she could continue.

“Okay, but if it doesn’t work, I have another idea.”

“What would that be?”

“Only if it doesn’t work. But let’s just hope it does.” She touched her horn to his head and his body immediately slumped in his seat, his eyes closed and breath heavy. Luna turned to Starlight. “Send word to Canterlot that we may not be able to rely on Star Strider. I will do what I can, but let’s not bank on this working.”

Luna stood next to Star Strider on the same hilltop as before, looking at the same village. Ponies running, dragons being stabbed, houses burning down. She tapped into his deepest recesses to illuminate the scene even more. The stench of burning flesh and callused blood was putrid enough to turn the strongest of stomachs. They stood in silence as they watched. She looked to his face, hoping to see something. Still nothing. They watched his younger self mourn his family; his friends impaled on the end of dragon talons. Nothing? Clearly, she needed a new approach. She turned to his dream self. “You are unmoved?” a scream of pain went out from a pony below. Star Strider’s eyes remained fixed.

“Completely plain.”

“Perhaps, we can try a different memory? A different emotion?”

“By all means.” His tone was still eerily indifferent. She changed the panel they watched to the waterfall outside of Canterlot. She heard his breath escape his nose as he realized what they were watching. Luna and Star Strider sat in the water, holding each other. Moments before their kiss. Luna let the memory begin to play as they watched them tenderly embrace each other in passion. She found her heart on fire as she watched herself kiss the pony of her own dreams. Just as she was getting into the scene, the guard’s voice acted up. The Star Strider that stood next to her shifted back from watching. Apparently he was just as interested. This sparked another idea. She changed the direction of the dream; the guard wandered a different direction, and his voice never reached the pair. They continued to kiss and run their hooves across each other’s backs. Am I doing this for him? Or for me? At this point, she didn’t care. She was too invested. She took it one more step further and cast themselves into the bodies they watched so they could feel what could have happened.

The dream Star Strider pulled Luna closer into his body as their mouths opened to further test each other. Luna was letting out soft hums as he bit her lips and danced with her tongue. She wrapped her legs around his back as she could feel his protrusion poking her. They broke the kiss as he smiled in embarrassment.
“My apologies. I expected the cold water to be more powerful than… well you, my princess.” He kissed her neck as she let her mane fall behind her face.

“Oh, Star. I’m— huff— Honored that I’m winning against the water.” She smiled down at him as he hoisted her a little higher, so he was looking up into her face. He buried himself in her fur, wet from the water but soft and warm. She smelt subtly of lavender and vanilla despite the dirt and scratches that covered her from their fight. He nibbled her chest as his hoof began to grab her thighs. She let out louder moans as she closed her eyes and rested her head on his. She could feel the tingling sensation boiling deep inside her. His body was so warm compared to the river that she couldn’t get close enough. His hoof finally touched the lips of her marehood. She let out a slight whimper as she felt herself let some juices slip. The water was quick to wash it away. She clung to his back as he teased her more and more. Her moans began outweighing the sound of the flowing water. Her high-pitched cries of delight filled the forest around them. “Yes! Star, please give me more! I’m so close” Her body was shivering, not from the cold. Her wings were slowly stretching out as she battled waves of her climax. She wasn’t ready to finish. He began putting his hoof into her vagina, removing it slightly and pushing deeper every time. No matter how hard Luna fought, her body fought harder. She moaned with raspy breaths breaking her exhales. “Ahh, Hu I— I’m going to cum please just make me cum!” Hearing her words, Star Strider pumped his hoof inside and used her other to rub her clit. She screamed as hot juice flowed over his hooves in stark contrast to the cold water. She came down from her cry with more hoarse breaths. She lowered her posture to find his hooves holding her gently. He stroked her back and kissed her neck as she cooled off from her orgasm. Luna was still panting as she reached a hoof below the water to return the favor to him. Surprised, she was stopped by his hoof intercepting hers.

“Please princess, not here. Not now.” His whisper rattled Luna out of her high.

“What do you mean?” She asked disappointed at the lack of escalation.

“This here is fine. I want to be with you in reality. That being said, I can stand to hold you here for a while longer.” He smiled up at her and she returned the gesture. She lowered her head down and closed her eyes as she kissed him passionately. They held each other tight as their faces pressed into each other. Their heavy breaths slowly became quieter in comparison to the river. Luna began to chuckle lightly as Star Strider was kissing her nose and cheeks.

“Just can’t get enough now, can you?”

Luna awoke in the throne room again, sitting across from Star Strider. He was rousing from slumber as she noticed the pool of water underneath her. Oh, fuck fuck fuck. Did I just-- in Twilight’s throne? She quickly tried wiping the fluid away, to no avail.

“Ummmmmmmmm, I don’t know what the hell just happened, but it had better be a good explanation.”

Luna let out a yelp of surprise as she looked up to see Starlight on the other seat beside her. Luna’s entire face was bright red as she covered her mouth and wrapped her tail around her legs. “Starlight! How much… I mean how long have you been there?”

“Basically, since you started moaning loud enough to alert all Equestria. Did you two just fuck in the dream-realm? Cause I swear if that happened for real—”

“We had a shared intimacy. One that apparently was enough to awaken my faint heart again to the pangs of emotion.” Star Strider now stood off his seat and next to Luna, placing a hoof on the table in front of her. She felt safer already. He turned to Luna. “I know that was not what really happened… but it is what I wanted to. We wanted to. I may be quick to shut my feelings from the world, but I was foolish to shut them from you. To expect you never to err was irrational on my behalf. I am sorry, princess Luna.” He bowed before her as she blushed even harder.

“Star Strider, you need not call me princess around others.” Her face was completely red.

“LOOK! As much as this is tender and heartfelt whatever shit is going on, WE HAVE A LOT MORE TO WORRY ABOUT!” Starlight shouted at them, still enraged at the violation of the throne room. She spun and walked to the door. “Go warn Canterlot my ass. As if that’s what she actually wanted…” Her voice trailed off as she rounded the corner. Luna turned back to Star Strider and smiled sheepishly.

“So, did it work? Can you… You know?”

“Feel again? Yes, you made it very evident.” Luna hit him in the shoulder and giggled nervously.

“No, no, can you do magic again? Did it work?”

His smile faded to seriousness. He turned to the saddlebag on the table and raised his hoof. He closed his eyes and breathed as an aura surrounded the bag and his hoof. It shakily rose and flew to his hoof. He opened his eyes and grinned.

“Yes, my magic is back. But it is noticeably weaker than before. I sense my cutoff is not fully repaired. But this will have to do for now.” They stared at each other, both wanting to speak but unwilling to muster the courage. Luna finally went for it.

“I’m so sorry. I meant what I said when I said you were the only pony I wanted to be with. I’m not ashamed of that anymore. I never was. I’m just a dumb foal sometimes.” He smiled and met her eyes.

“We all are sometimes. Jumping to my conclusions so early was selfish and pointless. It is the way of a pony I do not wish to be.” She smiled back at him. Before she could lean to kiss him, he started towards the door. “Unfortunately, our ‘intruder’ is right. While I wish to reconcile further, my student, nay, my friend is in trouble by my doing. Once again.”

Author's Note

I am so sorry for the delays. Here's another chapter for ya'll! Enjoy!

Chapter 21

The emerald coated unicorn sprinted across the path within Everfree forest. The town seemed like thousands of miles away. It might as well have been. He heard the gruesome cracking of branches, or at least he hoped it was branches. The foul monster that had torn his cart and oxen apart was still somewhere in the realm behind him. Using his magic, he cast a spell to cut the tree branches in front of him, clearing a path he could jump through. As he bound over a log, his hoof snagged on a tendril. He went face-first into the dirt, biting his tongue hard enough to taste the copper-like bitterness of blood. He quickly tried to regain his ground but was shocked into a frozen stance of fear as a large figure swooped down directly in front of him. He trembled as it approached with a terrifying elegance. The laughter sounded like thousands of vampire bats screeching over the crying of dying animals. In a last-ditch effort, the unicorn shot a spell at the face of the monster. It stamped its hoof down onto his bolt, crashing it into the ground. Its wicked smile riveted his bones.

“Give into me, sweet child. Your power is nothing and must be yielded to those more deserving.”

The voice sounded like a pair of snakes slithering through his ears. The words were so heavy that he felt compelled to lay down and die before the tall and maleficent creature. As it approached, the moonlight lit its wicked face to reveal… “Starswirl the bearded? But I thought—” He was cut short as Starswirl’s mouth opened, a dark blue and luminescent tendril shot out and wrapped around the pony’s neck. It lifted him off the ground, strangling the breath from him. As he felt his life leaving him, his magic flowed through his body and came through the rope fastened to his neck. He glanced back to his cutie mark, watching the shattered hourglass slowly turn into a moon-shaped mark. He felt a cold air fill his lungs as Starswirl released him to fall to the ground. His leg broke on impact, but he could not bring himself to enough consciousness to cry out in pain.

“No, child of the sun. Starswirl’s weak frame has been filled with the power of the cosmos. Now, embrace your fate. Know that your power has been given to one more deserving. Die well, magic-bearer.”

The pony felt his eyes grow heavy as he registered the sounds of Timberwolves surrounding him. He raised his leaden head to watching the elongated unicorn walk away, looking taller than before. He let his eyes fall shut as he felt the sharp fangs of wood pierce his hide.

“You need to tell us everything you know.”

Stalight’s voice domineered the conversation between Celestia, Luna, Star Strider, and Twilight. They sat in the throne room of Twilight’s castle. Star Strider nodded and sighed.

“Yes, but I already have. There is not much else to know. The Lichen grows from power. It saps magic from all those around it, unicorn or not. Their marks are replaced by that of a weaning moon.”

“Significance. What is the significance of the moon?”

“Yes, if something is going to associate with my domain, it better have a reason.” Star Strider held his hoof up to cut off the ponies.

“The weaning moon is the final phase the moon passes by before becoming full. My guess would be the representation that the pony affected has lost their power to be forever on the precipice of discovering their magic. The Lichen cannot fully take the power as the original vessel must still exist on this plain so it can continue to feed from its physical embodiment. Death does not matter, so long as it took only some of the magic and did not fully envelop it. As for my student becoming possessed, I have no idea. It troubles me to know that the Lichen has inflicted this on him. It seems to be embodying him instead of holding its own form this time around.”

“I thought you said that it didn’t possess ponies?”

“From my experience, it did no such thing. Perhaps it has learned that a powerful physical vessel is more suited for its domination. Starswirl has always been the most powerful pony I know. I remember back to my final fight with the beast, it pursued him especially in comparison to me or my students. There must be something special it senses from him.” Celestia stood up and looked at Luna.

“Luna and I may know a little something of this. When Luna gave into her selfish desires and I was given a vision of mine, horrible alter-egos manifested in the forms of Nightmare Moon and Dawn Breaker. From the looks of our old friend, he shares many similar traits to how we looked. I think that the Lichen knows that power is easier to direct than control. It must be embodying Starswirl as a means to grow more in power. How will it and where will it appear are the remaining questions.”
The room sat in thought as Twilight shifted the map table to zoom closer on Ponyville.

“My friends have reported nothing strange yet, other than some of the caravan traders showing up late or not at all. The missing ones are the few who choose to traverse the Everfree forest. Delays are built into their schedule. If we don’t hear from our expected trader in about three days, we should expect something happened. Maybe we start by searching there? You did say that the forest is replicant of the Lichen.”

“A credible idea, princess Twilight. Though dangerous. We would need to take many precautions and form backup plans. I suggest detaching some of the royal guard down here to help. Is there anypony who knows the woods?”

“Zecora!” Twilight and Starlight shouted in unison. Star Strider furrowed his brow.

“Who?”

“A zebra friend of ours.” Twilight clarified. “She’s lived in the shallow parts of the forest for as long as I can remember. If anypony knew the twists of it, she would be our go to.”

“Alright. Allow us to employ this zebra and have the guards begin searching in the daybreak. Speed is of essence. If we allow the Lichen to absorb too much power, it will become unstoppable. I will do what I can, but my magic is still very weak. It does not seem to be recovering a pace that would provide use.” The group nodded to him as he rose and started out. They followed suit, exiting to their respective tasks. Luna followed Star Strider towards the heart of ponyville with Starlight and Twilight up ahead. She came closer to him to lower her voice.

“What if your magic doesn’t come back? Have you considered alternatives?”

“No. I have not considered failure an option.” He spoke in defiance. Luna scrunched her nose in confusion and annoyance.

“That’s not entirely up to you though. Your magic could be gone forever, and it would be smarter to plan for that and be ready than left with zero options.” Star Strider huffed at her, causing her to rear a little in shock.

“NO. My magic will come back. That is final.” He sped up to catch the other two as they approached town hall.

Wow, touchy much? Luna felt shocked at his outburst at her but understood his frustration. If she lost her magic… she could only imagine how awful she would feel. She pushed the incident from her mind and refocused on their task.

The four of them stood at the town center, Twilight already briefing Mayor Mare on their plan. She noticed the townponies slowing as they passed by Star Strider, some of them stopping entirely in awe. She hadn’t considered this was almost everypony here’s first time seeing the enormous and ancient stallion. Twilight’s friends approached and mounted by her side, all of them staring at the grizzled face of the pony. Luna felt stabs of jealousy as she watched Rarity lean over to whisper to Applejack. No doubt about his attractiveness. How could I blame them? He has something for everypony. She hung her head as she thought that all of Twilight’s friends probably had a better shot with him anyway. Rainbow dash hovered in the air, a skeptical look on her face.

As Twilight wrapped up her explanation, the mayor left to gather her staff and make an announcement to the town. The four ponies now had another five companions with them. Luna felt crowded. Rainbow dash was the first to speak among them.

“So… you’re super strong or something? Bet I could beat you in a hoof wrestle. One behind my back to make it fair of course.”

“Rainbow, easy now. We just met this guy and yer already pickin a fight.” Applejack grabbed her friend’s dangling hoof and dragged her to the ground. As Rainbow looked up to Star Strider, she realized just how big he actually was and gasped in shock.
“I guess he’s— I mean like maybe Big Mac would break a sweat with him. I’d be…” She trailed off as Star Strider approached her and brushed past the five friends without a word. He headed for the forest, and they all followed. Luna trailed behind, embarrassed for some reason. Why do I feel embarrassed by other ponies liking him? Her thoughts apparently broadcasted as Rarity saddled up next to her on their walk.

“Princess Luna, your new friend is awfully large and desperately handsome. Say again where you met him?”

“I didn’t.” Luna spat, much to her own surprise. Rarity saw the obvious signs and changed her dynamic.

“Well, I think you have found quite the stallion for yourself. We all envy you, even if nopony else will say it. You two make a beautiful pair darling.”

“What? We aren’t, together together. I mean not yet. Well, kind of. We both had something—”

“Ap ap ap ap dear shhhhh. A lady mustn’t explain the intricacies of her relationship to everypony. I understand how complicated they can be. But I must say, he seems worth it. And you don’t let the worthwhile ones go for anything. They are dreadfully hard to come by nowadays.” Rarity finished her talk and strutted off to catch up with her friends. Luna thought about what she said. He is worth it. Magic or not. Luna shook off her sorrow and replaced it with pride. Star Strider was proud to be with her, there was no reason for her to feel any different. Filled with a new and exciting energy, she sped up to stride in tow with the others.

Author's Note

I am so sorry for the delay. Life has a bad habit of catching up to me. I've been on a bit of a writing hiatus. Hope you guys enjoy what I can put out!

Chapter 22

Star Strider walked next to princess Twilight at the head of the pack. They came towards the edge of the village, next to where the Everfree forest was held at bay. Taking the first steps in, Star Strider spoke to Twilight without turning his head. “This… Zebra, you trust her?”

“With my life. Zecora has saved not only me but my friends from countless problems. Whether it was as simple as a spat or life-threatening. She’s our best shot at finding out where our traders are. If they are there, that is.”

“Your friends, are they all required for this? Should we not divide them into pairs to search more efficiently?”

“We will once we know if the traders are turning up or not. You probably want to keep them around once you get to know them.” Just as she said it, Pinkie reached up and stuffed a cupcake in her mouth in front of Star Strider. With a frosty smile, she reached one out to him, halting his course.

“DO YOU WANT A CUPCAKE SUPER BIG DUDE?” She shouted through a full mouth. He huffed with a smirk on his face as he walked past her.

“Indeed, princess Twilight.” She blushed and waved at pinkie to get back in the group.

The two of them traveled without speaking as the sounds of the others behind them and the forest filled the air with noise. Star Strider noticed the absence of Luna by him and turned his head to see her at the back of the group. She wasn’t sulking or sauntering as she walked but held her head high and on the search for danger. He smiled back at her, taking note of how her mood had improved since their reconciliation. She caught his eye, smiled back, and returned to her watch.

Twilight looked up to him as his head was turned back. She looked where he was and saw the princess of night. She felt a pang of jealousy shoot through her heart, but she shook it off as quickly as it entered. She tried to focus on being happy that Star Strider was fitting in to the new and strange world he now lived in. “So, have you been making friends?” I sound like a mother of a foal at a new school. Star Strider turned his face back to Twilight and raised his brow.

“Quite an odd question, but for the princess of friendship, I can oblige. The short answer is somewhat. I have found companionship in your company; general Magnus and I shared a bond while I trained his troops. Starlight was… welcoming. And of course, the princesses have become my go to friends.”

“Princess Luna seems to be the favorite.” Twilight snorted holding back a laugh, and quickly blushed as she realized how blunt that had come across. Star Strider didn’t seem to care as he answered.

“Indeed. Her company has been complicated, but almost a necessity. I would not have regained my magic had it not been for her.” Twilight again felt herself become green with envy. She was interrupted by the princess herself approaching the two.

“Star Strider, there is something more I need to know. Discord mentioned to me the vision I received could have come from the remnant left of you in the chaos dimension. It warned me not to try and bring you back. Do you recall any of this?” Luna asked. He was already shaking his head.

“As I have stated previously, I do not remember almost any of time in the chaos realm. If I were to guess, my remnant may have had an idea about separating me from the Lichen would cause trouble with my previous student. We would do best to honor the warning and bring a swift end to this blight.” Luna furrowed her brow at his response, clearly not hearing what she wanted. Twilight saw an opportunity in interject.

“Well have you considered that maybe the remnant knew you would lose your magic instead? Or that the only way to destroy it was being bonded to you somehow? I have a theory that unless the Lichen is with the original host, then it can never be fully separated from its power hence why it took over the nearest creature.” Both of the tall ponies turned to her as she spoke, different reactions on both their faces. Star Strider thought about her answer, apparently considering it while Luna shot her daggers. So, I see our little jealousy spat isn’t over. Twilight rolled her eyes softly and looked back to the stallion.

“You may be somewhat correct, but hopefully we can separate it from Starswirl. If needed, I will do what I must to destroy it forever. Even if that means death.” The two princesses’ heads snapped to him at his remark. They were silent for a few more steps until Luna spoke.

“That won’t happen. We will find a way to save Starswirl, and you, from this creature without further harm.” Star Strider grunted in acknowledgment.

“We may yet hope but ruling out any possibility would be foolish.”

A few more minutes of walking brought the group to the hut of Zecora. It stood amongst the trees almost blending in. Twilight approached the door and tapped her hoof on it.

“Zecora? Are you there? We need your help!” A bird chirped above the hut as no response was ushered. Twilight raised an eyebrow and knocked again a little harder. “Zecora? Are you—” A thud was heard from inside. Twilight quickly pushed the door open and rushed in, followed by all her friends. Zecora lay in the middle of the floor, eyes half closed and filled with a murky blue. Her tongue lulled out the side of her mouth and Twilight noticed the patches of fur missing from her hide. She rushed to her friend and held her up. “Zecora! What happened? Who hurt you?” The zebra weakly raised her head to see the princess.

“Twilight? Is that you? I am afraid I have been afflicted by some sort of goo. Spat from the mouth of a powerful pony, he wrapped me up and took hold of my energy. Starswirl the bearded, but twisted and vile, broke down my door and spoke deep with guile.” She coughed up a spat of blood onto the floor and let her head fall into Twilight’s arms. The room was silent with almost everypony’s face filled with horror. Only Luna and Star Strider remained with decent composure, but it was evident they were disturbed by the scene. Twilight stood up and turned to her friends.

“Applejack, Rarity, take Zecora into town and quick. Make sure she gets the best care possible as fast as possible. The rest of us need to search for Starswi— I mean the Lichen. The sooner we get rid of it, the sooner we heal everypony and creature its touched. We need to split up in pairs to search the most efficiently. Let’s go everypony.” They funneled out the door as Rarity helped lift Zecora onto Applejack’s back and they rushed off in the direction they had come from. The others quickly grouped up and split into the woods. “Don’t separate from each other! If you see him, don’t approach, and just come back as quick as you can!” Twilight yelled one last warning off as she walked away with Fluttershy. Star Strider and Luna set off in the opposite direction from her, talking in lowered voices. Twilight tried to refocus but couldn’t help but still feel a little bitter that she was not with the stallion.

“I may know where he is.”

Star Strider led Luna quickly through the woods, occasionally glancing up at the sun to find his way. It impressed her that he could navigate using only the marks of nature.

“Where? And how do you know?”

“My guess would be the place that I banished it all those years ago. Where it almost got Starswirl the first time. It’s one of the only clearings in this wood that may remain undisturbed. The magic that I released was powerful enough to ward off traces of the Lichen there. Setting up camp there may be a way of it to reclaim some pride; a trait it feeds off desperately.”

“Should we not tell the others?”

He paused a moment at her question but pressed forward with more haste.

“We shall send a signal should we find anything. I do not wish to endanger the lives of those less capable than you and I.” Luna frowned.

“Twilight and her friends are some of the most capable ponies I know. They have saved Equestria countless times, even more than my sister and I. Do not write them off because of their lack of wings and horns. They are formidable.”

“I meant not as an insult. This foe is one I am most familiar with. Time is of the essence. I will have need of them in time, but when it is right. What we should have done is send for the royal guard to protect the cities around the forest.” He broke into a faster stride. Luna sensed that they were close to their destination based on his eagerness. She cantered alongside him. He seems to have walked this very path before she noted as he slowed for a moment to look upon a spot to their right. As suddenly as he had sped up, he ground to a halt at a line of trees. Luna noticed too late, but Star Strider accounted for that. He wrapped a hoof around her and spun her back into one of the trees. Their faces were close as her mane fell between her eyes. She smiled and brushed it away; to her disappointment, Star Strider was looking past the trees rather than at her. She followed his eyes and saw a clearing in the woods. Perfectly circular, the grass short and a stranger shade of green than that around it.

“Where are we?” She whispered to him as he let his hoof fall from her chest.

“We have arrived. This is where I banished it. The area seems stuck in time, no doubt from the displacement rune I employed.” He carefully began creeping onto the area. Luna stayed a little behind but made sure to follow his every hoofstep. A sudden crack caught their attention as Star Strider leapt behind a tree. Luna was quick to follow; she only hoped she was quick enough. Starswirl emerged from the edge opposite to them, a string of ponies following him. They all looked dazed, angry, depressed, and controlled. Their eyes murky blue with matching cutie marks. Starswirl, or at least a body that resembled his, stood in the middle of the clearing, radiating malevolence. His eyes were deep pits of black and his smile was wicked and twisted. The other ponies surrounded him and bowed their heads. Luna felt her hair stand on end as Starswirl spoke.

“My treats, I welcome thee unto my domain. This shall be the place we gather my army. Seek thee out those unfortunate enough to know the sting of jealousy, the pain of loss, and the sweet taste of revenge. Their potency shall fuel us unto the conquering of this land. Go, make haste, and return to Cosmic Sunder with tribute enough for the Gods.”

The ponies lifted their heads in unison and turned to leave in all directions. They muttered in sync an obedient ‘aye’ to Starswirl, or Cosmic Sunder as it had called itself. Luna looked to Star Strider with concern on their faces. He motioned for her to follow him as he turned around. They stood to slink away, only for Luna to notice one of the wayward ponies headed right for them.

Chapter 23

Flash Magnus knelt before Celestia with Shining Armor by his side. She sat regally upon it with scrolls floating over her. He didn’t know what else to do until she finally spoke, voice full of worry.

“I sent Luna to Ponyville three days ago. It’s been too long. Have the legions make ready and take leave before nightfall. Should you hear word or find her, send a messenger escort back at once. We cannot risk alicorn magic falling under the guile of the Lichen. General Magnus.” She turned to him now as he stood to meet her gaze. His stern expression demonstrated the prowess of a battle-worn soldier. “You will be leading them. You had the most experience with Star Strider during the training sessions. General Armor, I require you to remain safely within Canterlot with the reserves. Should the offensive against the Lichen fail, Canterlot will be the final stand. Hopefully it will not come to that.” Shining armor saluted and turned out of the room. Flash sensed his hesitation as he most likely wanted to go be with his sister at this time of crisis. He followed suit quickly and made his way to the barracks. He approached his top lieutenants and had them quickly spread the word and make the legions ready for departure. He wasn’t exactly sure what they were going to do, but he knew that calling the entire offensive force to Ponyville was more than enough to make anypony shake in their boots. A backwater town like that kicking up enough trouble to warrant this response could only mean the worst.

Twilight and Fluttershy batted tree branches away as they walked through the forest.

“Oh gosh, I hope Zecora is alright. She looked pretty awful back there Twilight.” Fluttershy’s quiet voice broke the sounds of leaves rustling.

“Yea, but I’m sure she’ll be fine in no time. She’s always been a tough pony. She lives here after all.” They changed their pathing to follow a sort of natural road that had appeared to their right, no doubt a caravan route. As they walked, Twilight was racking her brain with any knowledge she could recall on the Lichen, Star Strider, or Starswirl’s involvement in the incident. “What doesn’t make sense is why the Lichen went for Starswirl and not Discord. He’s definitely more powerful and they were both there.”

“Maybe Starswirl was just closer? It sounded like that thing just went for whatever was near it.” Fluttershy raised her hoof as a brilliant butterfly landed on it. She giggled as she raised it to her ear. It suddenly sprouted a head with horns as Fluttershy gasped.

“Why does no one ever invite me to these things! I want to join the scout troop too!” Twilight spun around to see Discord’s face on the butterfly. She rolled her eyes at him and kept walking.

“You could just show up to the meeting. Clearly you eavesdrop anyway.” The lord of chaos appeared to his full length and gave Fluttershy a hug. He set her down and scowled at Twilight.

“I wouldn’t have to eavesdrop if the princess of friendship invited her friend to the meeting in the first place!” He snorted out flames that nearly singed the top of Twilight’s head. She waved a hoof around to clear the smoke and shot him an angry look.

“Okay, fine. So, what do you know?”

“Twilight, a little more respect can go a long way. Discord doesn’t have to be here you know. He’s doing us such a big favor even just being here to protect us from that scary thing!” Fluttershy nuzzled Discord as he batted his eyes down at Twilight.

“UGHHHHHH OKAYYYYYY Discord thank you for being here to help. How can you help? Please just help.” He crossed his arms and sighed.

“I suppose I could out of the goodness of my heart. Just for my favorite pony of course.” He winked at Fluttershy. “So, when the gross thing left that other gross thing it shot its gross things out in all directions. Being the master of stealth that I am, I was able to dodge them. Your magic friend however got entangled so quickly he couldn’t even blink! That little piece of Star Strider disappeared into nothing the moment it broke and Starswirl went all cuckoo. I snapped myself out of there before he could get to me too.”

“Discord, how did the Lichen get back here? Shouldn’t it be stuck in the chaos dimension?”

“Funny you should mention that. As it turns out, my portals last a lot longer than I thought. That, or I’m just getting sloppy at closing the door on my way out. It must have slipped through with me. Oopsies!” He put a finger to his mouth in a look of innocence. Twilight growled in annoyance.

“Great. Thank you. Anything else?”

“WELLLLLL now that you mention it, I do believe your little theory was correct. That creature is so desperate for a host that getting rid of any viable one is a sure-fire way to kill it!” Fluttershy gasped softly, as though she was afraid of the word itself. Twilight thought about it.

“So, to kill the Lichen right now, we would have to kill Starswirl and make sure it can’t get anypony else?”

“Quite so. Though I suspect that the older pony may be tempting enough that it wouldn’t leave his body if they reunited. Dead or not.”

“You’re not saying we kill… Star Strider?” Discord shrugged.

“Just a thought. Obviously killing anypony isn’t the best outcome, but if you want that thing gone, best to return to sender, right?”

“Discord!” Fluttershy slapped his shoulder. “How could you even consider that? K— k— getting rid of a pony is no way you should think. I can’t believe you! And Twilight! How could you even be considering this!” Fluttershy was yelling now. “I won’t stand for it. You two better get ahold of yourselves and come find me when you’ve sorted it out!” She flew off in the direction they came from. Twilight winced as Discord yawned.

“Just a thought, princess. Anyway, better go apologize to Fluttershy so we can still have our tea. Friendship business and all that.” He pulled on his tail as he floated up after her. “Good luck with the demoralizing debate!”

“He could be right.” Twilight hated that she was considering his option. If she could somehow even convince Star Strider to take the Lichen back, they could have an even bigger problem than just Starswirl. Maybe she could offer herself up? Or even an alternative. If it’s a powerful pony it wants, maybe we can give it one. Twilight suddenly wretched at her mind. “What am I thinking! I would never!” But you could. It would be so easy. Only you know the truth, and she’d be willing to make the sacrifice. He’d be all yours. Twilight felt lightheaded as she turned back to the path. A fuzzy unicorn stood in front of her in the shadow of a tree with a rope hanging in her direction. Not a rope, and he isn’t fuzzy?

Cosmic Sunder fed from the jealousy that coursed through the alicorn. “This One is much more powerful yes. You shall be mine.” A powerful burst shot between the tie that held Twilight. She struggled against it, to no avail. Her wings began growing into a dark purple and sharp edges as she cried out. Her mane filled with small swirling black dots, looking to eat away at the rest of her. Her pupils dilated into slits as she grew in length. She hissed as she fell before Cosmic Sunder.

“Rise, Dusk Bringer. Set upon this realm with me and take that which belongs to those who deserve it. Worship shall be ours. POWER shall be ours.” The horrendous cackle of the monster rose through the forest as the twilight of night broke the skyline. The future had just become darker than ever.

A wet crack emanated from the rock that the pony’s head fell on. His decrepit body lay twitching as his murky eyes went darker until they appeared back to their normal state. Star Strider quickly knelt and began casting healing runes on the pony, but the damage was too severe too quickly.

Luna and Star Strider had almost been caught by one of the thralls that served the combination of the Lichen and Starswirl. He had head straight for their spot among the trees, and Star Strider was forced to act. In a quick movement, he tripped the pony and tackled him onto the ground. The blow the pony had suffered was fatal, as a pool of blood covered part of the forest floor. Star Strider sighed. Both in frustration and sadness. He looked up to Luna and motioned for her to stand up and start going.

“If another one comes, we’ll be forced to do the same. We need to regroup and act from there.” He whispered barely enough for Luna to read his lips and make sense of what he said. She silently nodded and began slinking away with the stallion in close pursuit. She turned her head back to see Cosmic Sunder tilt its head as if it heard something. She expected it to dart straight at them, but instead it just teleported away.

“Strider, he’s gone.” She whispered back to him, louder than he had been. She was gauging how far away the beast really was.

“Not for long. We need to move fast. If he left, it is because he has found something of interest. We must send for the royal divisions at once.” They increased their pace, snapping through branches at the expense of their stealth. They emerged back into the small area of Zecora’s hut. The only pony who was there was Fluttershy. She looked as timid as ever but shied away more when Luna and Star Strider crossed the threshold.

“Fluttershy? Where is Twilight? Were you two not together for the search?” She blushed and began hiding behind her mane.

“Yes princess, but Discord showed up and had some… grotesque suggestions for our plan.” Luna snorted at her comment.

“Typical. Pay no mind to him. That foul creature knows nothing of what we need.”

“I hate to disagree princess, but Discord is my friend and I have to believe he wants to help.” Fluttershy’s boldness overtook her natural demeanor. Luna narrowed her eyes at the small Pegasus.

“Just because you’re his ‘bedtime thump’ now does not mean you know him better than I. If Discord were really here to help, would you have fled from his presence as you do so now?” Fluttershy was back to hiding and blushing.

“We’re not— he and I are— Okay sure, but maybe he was really trying.”
“Enough, you two.” Star Strider’s gruff voice barged in. “We have no time for any number of inter-quarrels. If we are divided in the slightest, the Lichen— I mean ‘Cosmic Sunder’ has an advantage. Now, where did you leave Twilight and what did the lord of chaos have to offer?”

“Um, that way I think. I don’t really know I just flew back here. The woods are scary alone.” Star Strider sighed.

“Good enough to start I suppose. Now, his advice? Anything is something.”

“He um, well it’s not very appropriate and frankly I think very mean so—” Luna snorted again. This caught her a wicked glare from Star Strider, which caused her to bring herself back down from her high point.

“Go on.”

“He said that maybe, um, the Lichen wanted to go back with you and if it did then it would be more vulnerable and maybe um… if we—” Her face was entirely covered by her mane as she squeaked out the next words. “If we maybe kill you then it would die too?”

The three of them were silent a moment before Luna’s voice shot at Fluttershy.

“WHAT did he suggest? That horrid fucking monster. How DARE he?? I should have him executed for this—”

“Luna, that is enough. He may be right.” Luna reared back and Fluttershy peaked out from her curtain.

“But… how could you even consider?”

“Luna. I live in a time not my own, fighting a monster of my own making. I have caused more harm for this world than good in my present state. I am not suggesting that our primary option be my death, but we cannot rule it out. Equestria must come first.” He turned his attention back to Fluttershy. “Did he mention why?”

“He said that maybe since it wanted a host so bad, being back with its original would stop it from going after anypony else.” Star Strider thought about it for a moment before turning the direction Fluttershy had indicated.

“I shall think upon it some more, but he may be right. Should it come to that.”

“It Won’t. I will ensure it.” Luna flicked her tail at him as he walked by.

“It is not your decision.” The tension between the two powerful ponies was palpable. Fluttershy almost fainted from the aggression in front of her. “Fluttershy, return to the village and send for the royal divisions. Tell them that Star Strider has need of them immediately. Luna and I will search for Twilight.”

“You mean those ones?” Her hoof pointed upwards as they followed it. Thousands of chariots and carts towed by pegasi in the royal colors streamed overhead.

“I suspect Celestia was not fond of our delay. No matter, this works in our favor. Tell the general we shall be with him shortly.” Just as they began trotting off, Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash came back from their excursion.

“Hey, where’s Twilight? And why are there a bunch of Canterlot snobs in my sky?” Rainbow dash zipped up to the group.

“The royal divisions are here should it come to that. They have been trained for this exact situation. No force is too great when it comes to the Lichen.” Rainbow huffed back at him.

“They’re nothing compared to me. I bet I could take that ugly monster without ever leaving the ground!” Pinkie Pie bounced up to her friends.

“And then I’ll throw the biggest, bestest, destroyer-of-monster-pony party ever!” Star Strider stamped his hoof.

“Girls, I appreciate the enthusiasm, but time is of the essence. Make haste for the generals. Either Flash Magnus or Shining Armor will be there. If we are lucky, both will have come. Tell them to set up a perimeter. No one enters this forest save my command. Understood?”

“Sir yes sir!” Rainbow saluted and zipped off, the other two running after her.

“Alright Luna, let’s go find our missing princess.”

Chapter 24

Luna finished lifting the moon as Star Strider kept watch. Despite their current situation, the cycle of Equestria needed to be maintained. It wasn’t her finest raising, but the moon was there, nonetheless. The two continued their trail in the direction Fluttershy had shown. They were silent the whole trip. Storm clouds formed overhead. This deep in the forest, the pegasi had no control over the weather. Small droplets of rain began splashing around them. She finally decided to speak up.

“I don’t know why it’s so obvious you have to sacrifice yourself for this.”

“Because it is my fault that Starswirl is suffering. That the stallion I killed will never see his family again. That those ponies who are enslaved may never have their magic back. I will do anything to reclaim their lives. Even at the cost of mine.”

“Sure, very noble. Especially the part where you abandon the ponies who love you.” She huffed her words out in anger without much thought. He stopped and turned to her; a brow raised.

“And who might that be? Starswirl exceeds my physical age, my friends have all passed, I too am meant to leave this world. Our feelings towards each other cannot trump the greater good Luna. You must know this as a ruler.”

She sighed in exasperation and finally came clean. “Yes, but you are the first pony to make me feel like I’m more than just a princess. I’m a pony. No one has done that. Not only that, but you’re the only stallion with a chance for immortality. I want to spend forever with you. I know we met only a few months ago, but I can’t imagine going back to a world without you in it.” Her voice broke as tears formed in her eyes. He watched silently. “Star Strider, I would give everything to be with you. I need you.” She trailed off and met his eyes with hope. “Do you need me?” For the first time ever, Luna saw Star Strider’s eyes become misty. He failed to hold her gaze and took a shaky breath.

“Luna, I am not saying I want to die. But this is not about what I want. Or even what you want, as much as I would do anything for you. I need to fix this. Please, understand.” Luna felt her heart break a little, but she pushed it aside as she moved closer to him. She raised his chin with a hoof and kissed him. They held it for a moment before he sank his cheek into her arm. “I would do anything to freeze this moment in time. Get rid of all the problems and just be with you.” They kissed again and embraced each other as Luna felt his body shudder, no doubt holding in the tears.

“I know. I’m sorry for saying that. I’ll do whatever I can to help. But just promise me that you’ll do everything you can to stay alive, okay?” She pulled him away and smiled at him. He gave a low chuckle and wiped his eyes.

“Deal, princess. I shall do everything I can to protect Equestria and not die.” She laughed back at him as she held his shoulder. They kissed one more time before getting up and continuing onward.

They soon heard a crash off to their right. Looking at each other with concern, they hesitantly made their way towards the sound. Peering through another set of bushed, they saw four unicorns with murky eyes cutting down the trees with their magic. Star Strider let out a small breath. “I never saw the thralls use magic before. I assumed it was stripped of them by the Lichen. It’s learning.” He whispered to her. As they tried figuring why these unicorns were cutting trees, they noticed a large, winged shadow emerging behind the four. “It must be him. Not a word, not a breath.” Luna nodded back as they watched. To their surprise and horror, it was not Cosmic Sunder, but a new alicorn with wicked features. Luna put it together quickly.

“Strider, that’s—” His hoof clamped over her mouth, and he nodded. He held his other hoof up to indicate silence. He slowly backed up and she followed. Their steps were painfully slow. She felt as though they were making no progress. When she looked back up to Star Strider he was raising one of his hooves. It was glowing with his magic as he slowly cast a bubble around them. Their sound became insulated as though they were under a glass dome. He sighed in relief.

“This should hide our forms and sound if we move slow enough. But this is a horrible development Luna. We may already be out of other options. If Twilight has fallen prey, the rest of the world is close. If it comes to it, we may need to kill whatever thralls protect the Lichen. Including her.”

“But again, not if we can help it. Twilight is a close friend and trusted ally. She must have been off her game to be caught by Cosmic Sunder. She is usually very analytical. The only thing that could have let her slip up would be something too complicated that she had to stop and think. Fluttershy did say Discord was last with her. I suspect he had a part in this.”

“The lord of chaos should not be afflicted by the Lichen. If it negates his spells, then he exists outside of its realm of control.”

“Discord is not always on the side of good. I would not be so sure of his intentions.”

“YES, he can be a conniving little wretch, can’t he?” Star Strider and Luna jumped back as he quickly cast a spell at the twisted figure of Twilight hovering over them. She warded it off and grinned with her sharp teeth on full display.

“Twilight! It’s us! Fight it off and come back!” Luna yelled as she raised her own ward. Twilight cackled as she swooped down in front of them, landing to display how much taller she had become. Rivaling Star Strider in height now, her vorpal mane twisted in the black night and rain above. Her eyes were visible now, clearly twisted by the Lichen.

“Twilight shall not be rejoining us for the evening. Dusk Bringer on the other hoof would more than love to make your acquaintance!” She shot at the two of them. Star Strider rolled out of the way and Luna held her ward. It shattered on impact, sending her flying into the dirt behind. The wind knocked out of her, and she gasped for air as two of the unicorn thralls peered over her, ready to bind her. She struggled to conjure a spell as they pinned her down. A bright bolt flashed above her as Star Strider threw spells at the unicorns holding her. One yelped as it burned his fur and flesh at the impact on his flank. The other uttered nothing as the bolt severed his throat. Luna rolled onto her feet as she regained a little breath, only to be slammed into by Star Strider. They tumbled over one another as a beam of purple-black energy evaporated the spot she had just been and the body of the unicorn.

“RUN!” Star Strider shoved her towards the path to Zecora’s. She took off, glancing back to make sure he was following. She grinded to a halt as she saw him turn his back to her and cast another spell at Dusk Bringer. The alicorn flew under it and zoomed at him. Luna cast her own spell, directly impacting her wing. She screeched as she spun into a tree, narrowly missing Star Strider.

“Let’s Go! Come on we need to get back!”
“I’ll hold her! Get the troops back here as soon as you can!”

“No! I’m not leaving you!”

“GO!” He raised his hoof at her and blasted her back with a concussive spell. She flew a few yards, catching herself with her wings in the air. She spun back to see Star Strider teleport on top of a tree, shooting another concussion down on top of Dusk Bringer. She cratered the earth she impacted and seemed to stay down. Only for a moment. She spun as the tips of her wings glowed and extended, cutting the trees and grass around her cleanly. Star Strider began toppling over but teleported onto the forest floor below Luna. “LUNA! Double-time back to Ponyville! No time to argue! I’ll follow when I can!” Luna frowned and swooped down to pick him up. Without hesitation, he began blasting runes back down where Dusk Bringer stood. The runes formed into a large hex wall, trapping her. “That will hold her for a few moments! If you want to teleport without trace, Now would be the time!” Luna conjured a powerful teleportation spell and cast it with a shout.

They re-appeared in the middle of Ponyville, still flying at insane speeds. Luna brought Star Strider up into her wraps as she closed her wings around him. They slammed into the town hall’s wall with an entire division of night-guard unicorns wincing at their crash. They fell to the ground gasping for air. Luna felt her right wing broken in a few key places close to the spine. She unfolded it and winced, crying out in pain as Star Strider tumbled off of her. She shakily rose to her feet, her wing dangling life a broken costume. Star Strider’s nose was bleeding profusely as he steadied himself. He coughed up a spat of blood and clutched his ribs. “Excellent *Gasp* escape, princess.” He wheezed out a few words as he sank back to his knees.

“Star Strider! You! Get a medical team here now!” She pointed at a pair of night guards who saluted and galloped away. She rushed over to Star Strider’s collapsed body and started rubbing his back. “You may have a punctured lung. I’ll do what I can just hold on.” She closed her eyes and lowered her horn onto his chest. He gasped and coughed another, larger clump of blood onto the dirt. He grimaced and wiped away the blood on his lips.

“That… seems… to have at least… steadied it a little.” He rasped out and laughed a very airy laugh, indicative of his painful status. Four unicorns rushed back with an earth pony and another unicorn dressed in white smocks carrying a large rucksack. The earth pony unfolded it as the unicorn shifted her weight under Star Strider, raising him onto a gurney with magic. She took two blue stones from the earth pony and set them on Star Strider’s chest. They began glowing vividly as he gasped in a normal breath. A protrusion that Luna just now noticed sank back under his skin. No doubt the broken rib that fractured and punctured his lung. They began pushing him towards the hall’s entrance as Luna followed. She was halted by another pair of medics.

“Princess, you equally need attention. That wing is bent in the wrong direction. If you so much as drag it against the floor the wrong way, it may snap off. Onto the gurney.” The small lime-colored pegasi indicated another gurney standing beside Luna. She had forgotten about her wing in her concern for Star Strider. She looked one last time at him as he rolled into the foyer. His eyes were closed, no doubt passed out due to the pain relief. She sighed and lowered herself onto the bench. The pegasi flew above her, elevating her wing in a particularly painful angle.

“Fuckkkk” She muttered under her breath as she grit her teeth. They began rolling her in a different direction than the hall. She wanted to protest but felt like the next word out of her mouth would ruin the royal image forever. They rolled into a makeshift tent and closed the flap behind them.

“This tent is sound proofed by the unicorn’s ma’am. We need to set your wing back in place, so it’s going to be extremely painful. Say what you need but try not to squirm too much.” Luna was grateful that her staff were so privy to her concerns. The pegasi holding her wing began pulling on it as two earth ponies set similar stones to Star Strider’s on her breast. Her wing contorted around and curled into her as she grimaced. She closed her eyes as a tear rolled out and she clutched the side of the gurney. With a loud SNAP her wing set itself in place and shifted itself back from its broken state. Luna bit her tongue as she felt the entire healing process that would normally take months condense itself into a few seconds. All the pain that would be spread over time converged into three seconds of hell.

“FUCK!” She couldn’t help it.

The staff seemed to pay no attention to it, but she knew they were silently shocked at her foul mouth. What? I don’t get to feel pain either? She rolled her shoulder and wing, testing to make sure it felt proper.

Luna peeled the flap back from the tent and stepped out into the night. She was finally able to take in the scale of what she was looking at. Hundreds of tents lined the streets of ponyville, extending far past the village limits. None of them went towards the Everfree forest. Thousands of troops must be here. She walked toward the town hall and saw Mayor Mare with the others of Twilight’s friends and General Magnus. He noticed her approaching and saluted.

“Ma’am, we’ve successfully set up camp and have the mayor’s permission to use town hall as a staging post. I’ve moved the first and third legions of the night guard on perimeter security. Nothing is entering or exiting that forest without a fight. Unfortunately, I had already sent in a company to retrieve you two before Rainbow Dash informed us of your plan. I sent a messenger squad to retrieve them. The royal divisions await your orders princess.”

Luna’s eyes widened in fear.

“They need to come back immediately! It’s worse than we thought. If we lose some of the guard to the monster, it will only make this all the more difficult. It’s enslaving them for its own uses. We don’t know what, but Cosmic Sunder is planning something.”

“Cosmic Sunder? What kind of lame name is that?” Rainbow Dash sneered at her own comment. Applejack shoved her to be quiet.

“What’s worse… I’m so sorry girls, but Princess Twilight has been corrupted. Dusk Bringer has overtaken her form and serves the Lichen now. She is a terrible and formidable threat.” The whole group stood in silence, no witty remarks to be made.

“Ma’am, should we consider her an HPT? Is there a chance of retrieval?” Magnus broke the silence.

HPT was the standard abbreviation used by the special operatives in the Canterlot intelligence team for a high-priority target. It could either be signed as a retrieval operation, or a death sentence.

Luna shivered.

“Maybe. We need to hear from Star Strider. He has a few ideas. We are not to kill Dusk Bringer should we avoid it. Twilight is still in there and if I can overcome Nightmare Moon, she can beat her demon as well. But consider her extremely dangerous and order the troops to break contact should they see her. She is not their princess right now.”

“We can help! Maybe the castle will have some answers for us to use. I know the elements are gone and all, but there’s gotta be something we can do!” Applejack was the one to chime in this time.

“Indeed. When it is our friends in question, we will never back down from a fight! Tell us how we can help the army and you to get our Twilight back!” Rarity encored the sentiment. The other girls agreed and looked to Luna.

“Well… The citizens of this town, I assume evacuated?” Flash Magnus nodded.

“First thing we did was pack them enough food for a month and send them towards Canterlot. I have the sixth through tenth day-legions escorting them to the castle walls.”

“Good. But without a local populace to house the troops, they won’t be able to make enough food between rotations. Would you girls attend each main campsite and see what they need? I will call for you should we need anything else.”

“Yes ma’am! I reckon we can feed these colts all before sunrise with enough time to buck a whole field of trees! C’mon y’all! My farm has a lot of preservatives we can pass out!” Applejack led the group away towards sweet apple acres.

“General, please make sure they stay preoccupied. We can’t risk the other elements becoming corrupted. Make sure that nopony enters the forest. Adding to the Lichen’s numbers will result in bloodshed. I do not want to kill our own troops.”

“Affirmative ma’am. I’ll see to perimeter security myself. We’ll await your further orders from commander Strider once you’ve spoken with him.” He saluted and started off towards the group of unicorns waiting his lead.

Luna frowned and started inside the town hall. I can’t lose them; I can’t lose Star Strider either. Please have something. She made her way towards the back, passing Zecora on a stretcher. She was asleep but moaning softly in pain. Hang in there strong one, we will save you soon enough. She passed a partition and found a unicorn holding her horn to Star Strider’s chest. He was fast asleep on his makeshift bed. The unicorn nurse rested a moment and smiled at the princess.

“Princess, he’s doing okay. He’ll be up in a few hours after sleeping off the magic. Your quick fix actually helped a lot, thank you for that! Is there anything else I can help you with?”

“No, I just wish to stay by him until he wakes.” She rested a hoof on his sleeping arm. The nurse glanced between the two, clearly confused. From an average pony’s perspective, the royalty hardly ever had love interests. Cadence was the only princess to marry, and her relationship suffered from the prying eyes of the public. The sisters had been around so long that everypony assumed they were staying single. The nurse saw Luna’s enamored face as she looked at the sleeping stallion. The nurse bowed and quickly ducked out of the room as Luna pulled up a chair to watch over Star Strider until he awoke. In this moment, Luna felt calm. Despite their dire situation, watching her special somepony rest peacefully instilled her own sense of inner peace. She breathed deeply as she rested her head on his hoof, dreading the time they would have to return to the real world.

Author's Note

Fair warning to all: it gets more gory/explicit from here on out. Not wildly gross, but enough. Hope you all are enjoying!

Chapter 25

The faint sounds of predators surrounded the brigade. Despite their stoic faces, Nebulous Sky knew her troops better. They were scared. She was scared. The cold rain pattered on their silver armor leaving small dinking sounds to indicate where they were relative to her. She shuddered in her armor. Growing up in Gloom Hollow, she had basked in the night same as her ancestors. But this night did not feel friendly in the slightest.

“Keep your eyes open and ears clear soldiers; the sooner we find our princess, the sooner you get a bellyful of mead and a warm bed!” She barked the order mostly in an act of reassurance. The troops mumbled a ‘yes ma’am’ barely audible over the rain and fear. The forest seemed to sway around them, bending into twisted faces and sending plumes of darkness out in front of her. “Unicorns, light it. Dawn Setter, signal our pegasi to report here. See if we’ve found anything.” The company of well-trained ponies did little to steel her own nerves as she could hardly see ten of them. She prayed to the moon that the two-hundred ponies sent in to scour the woods for Princess Luna all made it home.

They halted under a larger canopied area as she took a headcount. Waiting for the thirty pegasi to return, she made out one-hundred and seventy ponies after a bit of counting. She breathed a sigh of relief as a flare beacon went out to bring the scouts in. She brushed up against a lean, white-coated stallion in her ranks. “Sergeant, how are they holding up?” He saluted her, smiled, and bumped her shoulder.

“Shaken up, but just fine Nebulous. Stop worrying so much. Trees are hardly the scariest thing you’ve led us against.” She chuckled but still couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off. She felt watched.

“You feel it too.” The stallion’s tone had shifted to low and serious. She nodded.

“Something is watching us, Marble. Something that isn’t just night-owls and timber-wolves.”

“I’ll have the unicorns set hex walls and torches along a small perimeter. We’ll wait for the pegasi and it’ll be fine. I’m sure it’s just an ursa minor or something.”

“The fact we’re hoping it’s just a giant cosmic bear doesn’t exactly reassure me.”

A lightning bolt cracked across the sky, briefly illuminating her troops gathering into smaller groups. She looked up to see a group of pegasi punching through the canopy above. A couple of them stuttered in their flight pattern as they likely clipped their wings on branches. The lead Pegasus came to a salute as Nebulous approached them. “Ma’am, we’ve spotted nothing. The woods are too thick in this dark. If there was any sort of clearing, we missed it.”

“No worries Lieutenant. Did you all make it back?” The Pegasus shook her head.

“We lost Starry— I mean, we lost three soldiers to snatchers and branches. I couldn’t see where they fell in the woods. I wanted to keep searching, but your flare—”

She took notice of the correction for naming the missing troops. Personal attachment to the losses during a campaign could be dangerous to the mentality of officers. She knew the feeling all too well.

“It’s okay, we’ll find them. I think we need to take a little time to recuperate, and we’ll start back up in an hour or so.”

“Yes ma’am.”

Another flash of lightning. Nebulous swore she saw slitted pupils behind the tree line. She shook off the feeling. This forest is already getting to me. She began sweeping her camp, stopping to chat with a few soldiers. Cawing could be heard from some badger-crows as the hex walls went up. She felt a little safer as the camp became enclosed by the magic. She smelled the familiar scent of tobacco as a few soldiers undoubtedly lit some packs they smuggled with them. Nebulous, being a more relaxed commander, understood the need for a release. Especially under such strenuous circumstances. As she came close to the unicorn line holding the walls in place, she noticed some sections of the wall were dimmer than others. She made her way over to those ones first. She came upon two unicorns, both of them panting with their eyes closed.

“Soldiers? Are you alright? If you need a break, we can get someone else over—”

“Give. Yourself. Him.”

Both unicorn’s spoke together as their eyes shot open to reveal a murky blue overlay. They approached Nebulous as she readied herself against them.

“Stop! I’m warning you troops, I’ll do what I have to!”

“Listen to your Captain!” She felt the rush of her troops gather behind her as the unicorns continued their approach. She glanced to her left to see three more unicorns and an earth pony walking in unison towards her.

“One more step and I’ll be forced to subdue you. Stand. Down.” She lowered her head and rolled her shoulders, ready to strike.

“And why should they listen to such a weak pony? I offer power to those who embrace it. Shall you join the ranks of the wise? Or fall prey to foolish whims of freedom?”

The cold voice creeped down her back, raising her hackles. Her soldiers shifted in equal discomfort as the disembodied voice came from beyond the trees. “Unicorns! Flare shots directly ahead!” Without delay, six red shots flew forward into the woods. Two of them passed by a rather tall and particularly bendy tree. A tree that smiled at her.

Her eyes went wide as she began shouting orders. Her voice was drowned out by the cackling and screams that filled the air. Tendrils of white shot from the figure and wrapped around the pony that stepped in front of her. “MARBLE NO!” His body fell to the ground, but just as quickly rose and turned to her, a blank expression, and faded eyes to meet her. Ponies all around her began falling with the tendrils enveloping them. She kicked away her friend’s hoof as it reached out to subdue her. She ran as fast as she could, shouting at her troops who had yet to respond. “MAKE FOR THE EXIT OF THE FOREST! REGROUP NOW!” But her cries fell on ears surrounded by stamping hooves and panicked shouts.

A few ponies saw her and ran with her, some being roped back by the tendrils as they screamed for help. Nebulous’s basic training kicked in as she thought of preserving those she could first and coming back for the others later. She grabbed a younger mare that stumbled over a log and helped her up. Just as soon as she regained her footing, she was swept back to the ground and dragged towards the monster as she screamed in terror. Nebulous cried out and kept running. She was now surrounded by fourteen others… make that thirteen.

Twelve.

She rolled over a rock and slammed through a tree branch, leaving a gash in her shoulder.

Ten.

She kicked at a hoof that reached out to grab her. Whether it was friend or foe, she couldn’t afford to slow down.

Five.

The forest was going back to its normal noises around her. The rain pattering on her armor, the growls of predators.

Three.

The screams were becoming quieter as the distance increased from her troops. One final tendril snaked slowly behind, reaching out for what it couldn’t see. She tackled one of the surviving unicorns that were with her to avoid the snake-like entity. It darted past them and wrapped itself on a Pegasus that made it so far. It yanked backwards, crashing the large body into a tree with enough force to crack the trunk. The Pegasus’s scream gave out as he crashed into the ground, folding over himself.

Two.

She kept running, not knowing for how long. She couldn’t hear her soldiers anymore but did notice the tears running down her face. The rain did little to hide her crying as she galloped past the forest borders.

Two-hundred able-bodied ponies reduced down to three.

She had escaped covered in blood and mud.

A small earth pony stood to her left, shaking in her breath and limping from her left side. A unicorn to her right, his shins cut in so many angles it looked like he was wearing red shoes. They hobbled towards the road as the rain subsided, no longer in the Everfree’s territory. The earth pony collapsed and Nebulous hunched over to pick her up. She wasn’t breathing. The unicorn came to help without a word, and together they limped back to the town hall with the small body on their backs. Soldiers in casual fatigues, day-guard armor, and medical clothes lined up to gasp at them. It only took a few moments for three stallions to rush up and shift the young earth pony off their backs. A medical team came up to them with three gurneys to lay on. Nebulous gratefully accepted the much-needed rest.

They wheeled her into the town hall where sections were curtained off. No doubt other ponies who were injured. She hoped some of them were hers she had not seen escape.

Princess Luna watched as the earth pony captain passed out on her bed. Her whole body was shaking, Luna guessed from the cold and cuts that were inlayed along her coat. The medical ponies shut the curtain, ripping Luna back into the room. “What happened to her?”

“We don’t know. She and two others just showed up outside of the city limits about ten minutes ago. It doesn’t look good.”

“Where are the other two?” The medical pony gathered up a bag of instruments and moved past Luna onto the next patient.

“One of them was dead before we got to her, the other passed out from blood loss. My guess is that this pony here is your best chance for information, and she won’t be awake for at least a few hours.”

“Her name is Nebulous Sky.” Flash Magnus entered the room with an angry energy surrounding him. Even Luna was uncomfortable by his harsh demeanor. “And she was part of the search team. Princess Luna, a word if you will.” He motioned outside of the building. She followed him out into the night as troops were lining up to receive orders from their officers. The army was clearly in disarray from the sudden arrival of wounded troops. Flash Magnus spun around to Luna and lowered his voice to almost a whisper. “Whatever happened to them took two hundred of my best soldiers and tore them down to a dying unicorn and a comatose captain. What the hell are we facing out there?”

“I wish I knew general, but some decorum would be appreciated.”

“Cut the shit, Luna. My men are dying to something we had no briefing on. You are in just as much of a trench as we are. You may be a princess, but right now, we’re all soldiers. Now I need to know. What are we up against?” Luna thought of dismissing him for his brash address, but realized he was speaking the truth. Nothing mattered here except surviving against the Cosmic Sunder.

“Well, I would need to know what they came up against to fully describe it, but for starters, I doubt your troops are dead. If they didn’t escape, they most likely belong to Cosmic’s army now. Which is very bad if they are as trained as you said. My guess is they were caught off guard the same way princess Twilight was. He owns them now. We can’t keep sending men into the forest. It’s his territory.”

“Well, he’s not exactly willing to come out and fight on our turf. What do you suggest?”

Luna was stumped. The forest was nothing she knew how to handle. When she and her sister had built their castle, it was on the fount of the tree of harmony that held the brambles at bay. Now the forest was operating on its own terms again.

“We need to clear it out.” Star Strider approached behind Luna, resting a hoof on her back. She jumped at his approach, not expecting him to be awake for another few hours.

“What do you mean commander?”

“Precision strikes against critical points in the forest. Many of the trees are connected to a larger host. We cannot kill the entire forest but clearing out key points will allow us to advance into their land unhindered by nature. I noticed the parent trees on our search for Twilight. Get me any known maps of the forest from any time period.”

“The only pony who knows about that would be Starswirl. He was its keeper after the elements were destroyed.” Luna commented, suddenly getting an idea. “His cottage is not far. I’m sure he has some sort of map of the forest in his records. I say we search there first.” Star Strider nodded to her.

“Very observant. If you would, Princess, retrieve his records and meet us back here.” Her wings sank a little.

“You won’t join me?”

“We can provide you an escort ma’am.” Flash Magnus waved over four pegasi on duty.

“No, my dear, I am afraid that I must address the troops at this time. I only briefly heard of what transpired this evening, but if even a portion of it is true than my magic ward is of no use. I should have suspected this as Starswirl helped conjure it on the army and now belongs to the Lichen. I will do what I can to protect the ones we have left and figure some new runes I can use. Make haste Luna, it would be a shame should you miss the end of the world.”

Chapter 26

Luna flew over the night-lit land with the four pegasi of her night guard around her. They flew silently and kept their distance as normal for most ponies around the princesses. Sure feel safe with twenty meters of open air between us. The fact she had an escort at all frustrated her. She was one of the most powerful ponies in Equestria. In the same thought, she was endeared that Star Strider had insisted she take them. In the midst of all the chaos that surrounded their current situation, Luna was trying to express herself to Star Strider more and more every day. She had never been the ‘touchy-feely’ type and didn’t want to be. Star Strider wasn’t either, but their conversation about being unapologetic for their feelings sat in Luna’s mind daily. Growing up in a magical family with powerful users around her did much to impress a stoic disposition on her and her sister. When they gained their wings, the two had become less of individual ponies and more templates for the population to project their expectations on. And ever since Nightmare Moon, they think me the sad and lonely one. She had never complained about being left to herself. The centuries of solitude had shaped her as such. But being around Star Strider, a pony who had no previous expectations of her royalty, she felt free to be herself. That is what I’ve been waiting for. She sighed openly as she flew through the winds.

“Say something, your majesty?” One of the guards ahead turned and spoke. She was caught off by his abrupt response.

“Huh? Oh, no. Sorry just… thinking.” She flashed him a grin. You look so dumb right now.

“No worries ma’am. We’re approaching our destination.” Luna looked down towards the base of a small mountain on the border of the forest. Resting just outside the tree line was Starswirl’s little cabin. Just the way we left it last time.

The five of them touched down in front of the porch. “Spread yourselves through the cabin, but not too far. Earshot of one another. It isn’t a large building anyway; our search will be done shortly.” The Colonel of the guards ordered as they spread forward.

“Remember, we’re looking for anything about the forest. Anything. Just try not to tear the place up.” Luna shouted after them as they rushed inside. She began circling the cabin to look for signs of danger or hidden vaults. Starswirl had moved into this cabin shortly after defeating the pony of shadows and returning his old friend to his former self. Luna and her sister had been fairly consistent writing him but failed to visit enough to remember any key features of his cabin. A loud bang sounded from the window she was outside of. No doubt a clumsy pegasi wing. “Hey! Careful in there that isn’t our stuff!” She tapped on the window and looked inside. Empty? He must have moved on quick. She continued tracking around the cabin until she arrived back to the porch. The Colonel was still outside, observing the tree line intently as though he saw something. “Anything Colonel?”

“No ma’am, they haven’t come out yet. Not so much as a holler. I’m thinking this may be fruitless if you don’t mind my saying.”

“I’m starting to feel the same way.”

Another crash was heard from a room. Luna rolled her eyes and started inside.

“I said, stop breaking things—”

“MA’AM!” The Colonel shouted and tackled her to the ground as one of the guards stabbed a spear directly at her. It cut across the Colonel’s back as he cried out in pain. Luna rolled out from under him as another guard grabbed her from behind. She reared her head back, smacking into his face with enough force to her his nose crack. His grip didn’t loosen. She brought one of her front legs forward and elbowed his gut as hard she could, earning a grunt from the guard. She felt his grip break slightly and she took advantage of it. Dropping her full body weight, she broke his hold and turned as she kicked him in the chest. He fell backwards and crashed over a table. Papers flew in all directions as she spun to face her other aggressor. The Colonel was grappling with one of the guards, and only then did Luna notice the eyes. “They’ve been taken!” The murky eyes and glowing marks on their flanks indicated that the sinister beast was nearby. She panicked as she realized that if she was taken, things could go very south for Star Strider very fast. “Colonel! Break and move out of here now! We have to go!”

“Princess!” A new voice sounded to her left. It was one of the earlier guards. He was dragging himself across the floor, blood clearly coming from a deep wound on his stomach. He held a thick, brown journal in one hoof and threw it to Luna. “The map! It’s… a map.” His head dropped as he undoubtedly passed from blood loss. Luna caught the book, but as she did, she felt the sting of a spear cutting across her cheek. She hissed as she fell back from the guard who had recovered from his kicking. He brought the spear down to impale her exposed chest, but she kicked upwards and shattered the neck of it. The loss of mass made the guard stumble onto Luna. She brought her horn to bear, intending to cast a spell. It came too late. The guard fell directly onto her horn. She felt it sink into his chest and the blood began to flow down. The deadweight of the guard was proving to be more difficult to move than she expected.

She heard the grunts of the Colonel struggling against the other guard. She finally teleported herself out from under the body and sprang to a fighting stance. She turned to see the Colonel’s head being wrapped by the other guard. He was groaning as though he was fighting against something. To her horror, she watched as his eyes rolled back and filled with the same murkiness as the others. His cutie mark turned into the sickening blue glow of the Lichen. His groans stopped as the other guard released him, and they both marched toward Luna. She saw the journal wedged underneath the dead guard she had killed and made a split-second decision. She blasted the two of them with a spell that sent them flying back as she ran towards the journal. She scooped it up and blasted through the wall in front of her. Without missing a beat, she sprung into flight as fast as she could. She turned to see the guards close in pursuit. They flew to either side of her, exhausting their bodies as they struggled to keep up. Clearly, the possession they suffered from had no regard for their physical forms. They swooped into her flight path, spreading their wings to form a net between them. Luna ducked under and shot one of the guards as she passed. He fell from the sky and cracked into the tree branches below. Luna was starting to get tired. Her wings were aching, her breath shortening, her head throbbing. I can’t keep this up much longer. One more to go. She choked on her breath as the Colonel slammed into her from above. She was sent in a spiral towards the trees, but regained control just before she hit them. That didn’t stop her right wing from clipping a taller branch. The pain shot through her whole back as she tried to keep afloat. The same fucking one, of course. She yelped out and tried to regain altitude, remembering the enemy above. The Colonel tried to slam into her again, but she rolled to her left in a graceful motion, stopping halfway to blast him. She returned to her flight pattern as she heard his sizzling body plummet out of the sky.

A few seconds past as she let herself take in what had just happened. They were taking each other. The Lichen is growing too powerful. Is this because of Twilight? Or Starswirl? Her wing suddenly reminded her that it was torn as a painful burst shot through her side. She pivoted around, grimacing to herself. The cut along her cheek started aching because of the windchill. Her body was sore from the beating and falling, her forehead became crusty from the dried blood of the guard. Oh my divines. What have I done? It sank in that she had just killed three of her four escorts and was covered in them. Her breath became shorter as she started letting anxiety take over. Spying the road into Ponyville, she set herself down just outside of the bridge. Her shaky breathes bore witness to her panicked state as she tried to regain her composure. Her wings dragged on the ground as she limped across the bridge. Something had lodged itself into her flank; no doubt a large piece of wood from the table she crashed into or a tree she brushed against.

Luna tripped over a small pebble and landed in the dust, letting out a large breath of air. She felt how tired her body was, how tired her mind was. She wanted so badly to fall asleep and let herself go. The journal was lodged between her chest and the ground, providing for a very uncomfortable reminder as to what she was supposed to do. She lifted her head to see more guards rushing towards her. Their voices were growing louder as they approached. She struggled to her feet as the first guard got to her and lifted her wing around him.

“Princess! We need to get her to the hall immediately! Send for the first responder team!”

“No… don’t.” She wheezed out, trying to carry her own weight again.

“Princess, please save your breath. You’re not in great shape.”

“No! I’m… fine. Just let me… breath a second.” She steadied herself against the guard. Folding her wings back, she lifted her head up. “I’m the princess of the night. I can handle a few cuts and bruises.”

“M’lady, I think your wing is broken again. You’ve also got a huge chunk of wood stabbing out of your leg. If you don’t get that looked at—”

“Hey! My eyes are up here!” She giggled to herself, before she started falling forward and the world went black.

Panic

Star Strider was rushing through the town with the messenger pony close behind. He couldn’t get there fast enough. Bursting through the town hall’s doors, he shouted in a voice so thunderous, the ponies around him thought the whole hall may collapse.

“WHERE IS SHE!” He hastily walked through the room. The head field medic rushed up to him to slow him down. She looked terrified.

“Sir, please. The other patients… they need to rest too!”

“Where. Is. Luna.” He pushed past her to the head curtain at the back. Drawing it away, he saw the princess of the night laying on a blood-soaked gurney, a towel over her head as her eyes were shut tight. “What happened? Is she alright? Let me use my magic, stand back.”

“Sir! Please we are handling it! She’s going to be okay, but you need to let her rest!” Star Strider breathed a moment to calm himself.

“Okay. My apologies. This is your domain. Tell me, what is her condition?”

“Lots of bruises and cuts, nothing too bad on that end. She had about a half-meter branch sticking out of her right hindquarter. We cleaned it and removed it to prevent infection. It wasn’t too deep a wound. There was a lot of blood on her head, mostly not hers. Her wing was sprained from some impact. She’ll be off of it for a while. We can’t risk more instant healing magic on the same limb without side-effects. She passed out from exhaustion. She’ll be alright.” Star Strider felt his shoulders roll back and his brow soften.

“Very good. The others she was sent with. Any signs from them?” The medic shook her head.

“Nothing. But she did come back with this.” She held up a thick, brown journal with the seal of Starswirl on it. Star Strider took it and flipped through it. Detailed pages of different trailheads with key locations were written out. Star Strider let himself smile.
“My girl. She did it! This is exactly what we needed Luna—” he turned to her sleeping form and let his smile leave his face. The medic cleared her throat.

“Ahem— she needs to rest. She’ll be up in a few hours, but you best stop shouting before you wake the whole forest up.”

“I shall stay by her side. I need to read this and be ready for her to return to consciousness.”

“Sir, you can read that elsewhere. Is there a reason you really need to be in here?”

“Because I love her.”

The nurses and corpsmen around stopped what they were doing to look at Star Strider. The head medic was silent with her mouth slightly opened. Star Strider paid them no attention as he rested his hoof on her arm and lowered his head.

“I need to know she’s okay.” The whole room shifted in a manner indicative of their awkwardness, but also endeared by the stallion’s comment. Nopony had ever been in love with Luna or Celestia, at least publicly. It reminded the ponies around that they were just as much a pony as anyone else.

The others resumed their attention, and the head medic took a few steps back.

“Very well. You can stay. If you’re quiet. Just… please, be quiet.” She drew the curtain down to leave Star Strider and Luna alone in their small area.

“I… love… too.” Luna’s dry lips cracked the words out as her eyes fluttered open for a moment. Star Strider rubbed her leg to comfort her and let her know that he heard.

“Rest up. I need you Luna.” Her sleeping face smiled softly as her body let out an exhale. Star Strider considered how panicked he had been by her injuries and laughed to himself. She gave me the best fight of my life. She should be fine. He looked back to her and traced the small cut on her face. Please.

Cosmic Sunder watched from the shadowy forest as the princess of night took off from the cabin. His minions chased her into the sky as he laughed.

Good. Fly away, little princess. Bring my foe into my domain. Feed my army for me. This world is only a few more steps away from bending to me.

He stepped through the forest and walked towards the cabin. Trailing over the corpses of the two ponies inside, he made his way to the table in a side room where he had set Starswirl’s journal. He pulled out a page hidden in his cloak, laying it on the table and burning it with his horn. As it burned, he watched the lines of a small map that indicated a large tree at the center of the forest, controlling the entire system of chaotic growth.

You may sever minor connections, but the heart shall always remain. Come into the dark. Face your desire. Embrace it. It is everything’s DESTINY.

His sickening laugh filled the empty rooms as he conjured a gateway to step back into the shadows.

Chapter 27

Flash Magnus drew back the curtain to see Star Strider reading a tattered journal. His brow was furrowed in confusion and concentration, clearly wrapped up in his readings. Flash’s eyes darted to the sleeping princess. Being from a different time, he always had trouble revering any of the royalty; as such he felt comfortable intruding on the two without asking.

“Commander Strider.” The stallion looked up. Bags hung under his eyes, indicative of his restless state and weathered bones.

“Star Strider is fine, general. Ranks amongst friends tends to be more devisive than anything.” He smiled up at him.

“Right, well Star Strider, Nebulous Sky is awake. She’s very… well, let’s just say not all there. She was one of my toughest captains. If something has her this shook, I don’t know how well our other troops stand.” Star Strider closed the journal and tucked it under Luna’s hoof. She rustled in her sleep and shifted to the side, breathing out at the disturbance. Star Strider motioned for the two to continue their conversation outside. They left and he drew the curtain back in place.

“We need the troops, general." Star Strider began. "Without them, we would lack the manpower to infiltrate the forest. The book Luna retrieved from Starswirl’s cabin has led to many critical discoveries where we may be able to advance on the forest. The one page I cannot find is the central bulb where the trees spawn from. But perhaps cleansing these smaller areas will do enough damage to subdue the parent root.”

“We can hope. But in the meantime, my troops are growing more and more restless. And not for a fight. They aren’t so sure about being here. That company was battle-hardened. We need to know what happened.” Flash's voice had a mild undertone of concern in it. It was unbecoming of a general to show such emotion prepping for a campaign, but he had seen the results of it so far. It worried him.

The two stallions approached another curtain closer to the entrance of the hall. They stepped through to see the earth pony captain sitting with her hind legs drawn up to her chest. Her eyes stared off into nothing, glazed over and emotionless. She did nothing to stir as they stood in front of her. Flash raised his hoof to touch her shoulder but was cut off by her hollowed words.

“They’re gone. All of them. I just… ran.” Her voice was distant; far off as though it never left the forest.

Flash looked to Star Strider. The taller stallion lowered himself to meet her empty gaze.

“I know. It is painful. But they may not be gone. We may be able to save them. For that, we need you to tell us what happened. Everything.” That seemed to cause a reaction as she met his eyes.

“That thing had us before I even knew it. Once it got one, it just kept getting faster. I knew there wasn’t anything to do. So, I just ran.” Her voice cracked and she bit her lip, clearly holding back emotions not so fit for a captain.

“How?”

“The unicorns. It got them first. It knew they were the magic holders. Once we lost enough of them, there was no chance.” She unfolded her legs and stared into Star Strider’s eyes. “You gave us a protection spell. You said we would be safe. You SAID—”

“Enough Nebulous!” Flash cut her off. She sank back into her pillow, a few tears escaping from her eyes.

“Sorry, general. But this ‘great wizard’ just cost us a whole company. My company. We trusted you.” Flash looked at Star Strider and gave a consoling look.

“You did promise. Why didn’t any of them make it?”

The tall pony raised a hoof to swipe his black mane away from his eyes. He looked back to the captain.

“It should have worked. But with my loss of magic for a short time, I imagine that the spell I cast, which had cost great power and another ally to aid me, broke on the troops. They were unprotected long before they entered the forest. I am truly sorry.” Nebulous turned her head away and folded her legs over her chest. Star Strider bowed to her and began turning to leave.

“There is… One other thing.” He turned back as she spoke. “I noticed as I started leaving. Some of the troops were, it sounds weird, but as they grabbed the others around them, it infected them too. That monster didn’t have to grab every individual pony. It just grabbed the problematic ones.” Star Strider nodded his head and bowed again.

“Thank you. I promise, I will get your friends back.” She turned to look at him finally, closed her eyes and breathed out, then nodded to him in gratitude.

“Please.”

Flash Magnus and Star Strider walked through the rows of tents outside. They made their way to the border of the forest just outside of the town. Unicorns were stationed no more than two meters apart from each other as far as the eye could see. Pegasi flew overhead, observing the tree line for any movement. Earth ponies were setting up battlements just in front of the unicorn line. Trenches, Cheval de fries, torch stands and more made for a formidable opposition to any creature brave enough to exit the forest.

Flash looked up to see Rainbow dash helping his pegasi arrange clouds in patterns that no doubt would summon storms to aid them. Fluttershy was just in front of the earth pony line, ferrying out small critters who scampered in fright from the forest. Applejack had her cart hitched and Pinkie followed her, bouncing around. She dragged it through the trench line, passing out drinks and pies to the weary troops on diligent watch while Rarity gave blankets close behind. Despite all the help, Flash felt like there was never enough that could be done for his soldiers. Star Strider crossed the line and approached near Fluttershy.

“If we enter from this choke point, a grove of wild trees lies no more than two kilometers into the forest. Burning it would lighten the aggression here and possibly allow easier transport through the woods.” Star Strider's deep voice drew the attention of the troops around. Fluttershy glanced around in a seeming panic.

“But… all those poor little animals who live there, won’t they be burned too?” Fluttershy interjected as she carried a small ferret on her shoulder.

“Fluttershy, while we don’t want to kill the animals, we need to fight this monster before it kills all of Equestria. If it makes you feel any better, you can come with the demo team to get whatever animals you can. We’ll keep the fire to a minimum so we can extinguish it once the job is done.” Flash comforted her as he pet the ferret. It cooed to his touch.

“Indeed. Your care for the little ones is noble. I would hate to see anycreature harmed from this endeavor. If you can muster your courage, please join us at daybreak for the excursion.”

Fluttershy nodded to Star Strider and returned to her creatures. Flash removed his helmet and ruffled his mane. His neck was sore from the last few days he had spent up and about. “So, who’s this ‘demo team’ we need? I got some unicorns who are proficient in pyrokinesis, but they’re few and far between. Sure be nice to have a dragon right about now.”

“Yes, though I may know where to find one.” He looked over to the three mares passing out the goods to troops. Their cheery disposition rubbed off wherever they went as the soldiers smiled and whistled as they passed. Star Strider waved down Applejack who got the hint and headed his way. The other two followed closely as Rarity blew another kiss to the stallions in armor.

“What can we do ya for mister Strider?” Applejack reached around to grab a mug of cider. “Family made with an extra kick for all the trouble y’all're going through.”

“AND TRY MY PIES!” Pinkie bounced up and drank the mug Applejack held. The orange pony spat on the ground.

“Darn it Pinkie! How many times I gotta tell you that the drinks are for the soldiers!”

Star Strider waved his hoof as Flash reached over to accept a small pastry that Rarity passed him. She winked at him, and he felt his cheeks grow a little hot. He decided to stuff his mouth before he could say anything he regretted.

“Thank you for the offer, but I have a special request. The young boy dragon Twilight hosts, Spike I believe, is he still around? We may need to employ his unique gifts in our search.” Star Strider cut right to the point.

“What do you want with Spikey Wikey? He’s just a young dragon; I don’t think he has any place in this battle.” Rarity raised a hoof in shock to her chest.

“His kind is born for battle. We require assistance in creating a fire. Conjured flames may not be strong enough for the task at hand, but dragon flame burns hotter than all.” Strider explained. A small purple and green head sprouted from behind the cart. Spike stepped around wearing an apron and holding a raw pie in his hand. He gave a soft blast of fire and immediately cooked the pie to perfection.

“He’s right! My dragon breath is the best portable oven you could get!” He took a slice of the pie and ate it. Star Strider put his hoof to his face as Flash laughed at the bravado.

“Man, you want to get this kid to help, commander? I mean, no offense, but he’s a bit… smaller than I expected for a demo team.”

Spike spat up his pie crumbs and spoke with a full mouth. “Hey! I’m not that small. Look, I’ve got my wings!” He grabbed both his wing ends and spread them out for all to see. Rarity stepped in front of him.

“I hardly think it appropriate to employ children in the army, don’t you general? And ‘commander’ Strider, while I understand the importance of getting Twilight back, this is no—”

Spike jumped over Rarity and flew in front of Star Strider, his eyes going wide. “This is about Twilight? Sign me up, where are we going? I’m ready, I promise I can take care of myself. I’ve been practicing with my spear! Please, if it’s Twilight, I have to come!”

“Spike! You’re too young! What if you get hurt? Or die out there looking?” Rarity spun him around. Spike huffed a steam of smoke out and crossed his arms.

“I don’t care. We’ve handled a lot worse, and I’ve come out just fine. Twilight is my family. You do anything for family. You guys taught me that.” Rarity shied away from the hostility of her favorite dragon. Flash even felt disgruntled by the idea of using a young dragon as their lead.

“Commander Strider, they may be right. He’s just a boy. I need hardened troops.”

“Uh, hello? Have any of your guys saved a whole empire from an enslaving villain before? Didn’t think so.” Spike’s arrogance was getting the better of Flash.

“Hey, my men are perfectly—”

“Gentlemen, enough. Spike, the choice belongs to you and you alone. I need you but cannot force you into this role. Should you choose to join, meet us here at daybreak with your embers stoked. Good night ladies.” Star Strider turned and walked away, Flash slowly following after.

“You really trust a kid for this? I mean, what if he does get hurt? That’s on us. I won’t be remembered as the general who had child soldiers.”

“I shall ensure his safety personally.” Flash ran a bit faster to turn and stop Star Strider.

“Come on, we both know you have a prejudice for his kind. You can’t expect to make the sacrificial call in his favor if it comes to it.”

“That is not— I am not that kind of pony. I may have a troubled past with dragons, but Spike is one I have grown at least acquainted to. His raising among the ponies have done much for himself and his people. I may struggle to trust a dragon, but for his sake I shall try.”

“I don’t know if that’s good enough. He needs to make it back. Can I count on you to put his interests before any pony else’s? Including mine and yours?”

Star Strider thought for a moment on the question. He then extended his hoof to Flash. “His life comes before yours and mine. That, I can swear to you.” They shook briefly, relief crossing Flash’s mind for a moment.

“Great, let’s get back to the tent. I’m going to start gathering the team, you see if Luna is recovering at all. An alicorn would be a nice addition to the monster-hunting team.”

Focus

Star Strider drew his gaze away from Luna and mulled over the pages of the journal again, memorizing the routes and testing himself on distances marked by his apprentice. Sitting next to the sleeping princess eased his mind, but it was difficult to push away the thoughts of what had to come next. To make the right call in the right moment… he looked over to the alicorn as she stirred slightly in her sleep. He had only met her little more than a month ago, but he could not shake the emotion she brought to his heart. More than anything, he wanted to spend eternity with her. It had crossed his mind many times since their initial courting of becoming an alicorn himself, but he knew better for what was yet to come. He smiled as he brushed some of her flowing purple mane away from her face and held his hoof to her cheek. His heart ached.

Looking back to the pages of the journal, he noticed a tree that had not been there before. Or have I yet to memorize this page quite right? As sure as he doubted, the tree began twisting itself on the page to reveal a mouth with a tooth sticking out. The gruffed voice of the lord of chaos spoke softly to him.

“You’re playing with fire; you know that, right?”

“Discord. A fine appearance. I envy your ability to manifest however you see fit.” Star Strider closed the journal and set it on the nightstand. Discord poofed in front of him at his full stature.

“Well, that was rude. For a pony so old and revered I would think you better than closing books on someone’s face. Especially as beautiful as mine.” He batted his eyes as Star Strider leaned back in his chair.

“My apologies master of chaos. Please, enlighten me as to your visit. To what do I owe the pleasure?” Discord picked up a pouch of saline and sucked it dry from the tubing. Star Strider shivered slightly at the disgusting action.

“I just wanted to ensure that my dear beloved Fluttershy makes it back perfectly safe from this stupid endeavor. Venturing into that forest, well even Twilight the bold wasn’t enough to make it out.” He grinned as he narrowed his eyes.

“Yes, though I also know that you abandoned our beloved princess in her time of vulnerability. A shameful gesture from a self-proclaimed ‘best friend’.” Star Strider shot back. Discord snarled at him and folded his arms.

“It’s not ‘self-proclaimed’, Twilight and the girls really love me! I mean who wouldn’t. I’m the embodiment of perfection!”

“Discord. Why are you really here?” The tall beast stopped his boastful mannerisms and leveled himself with the ancient stallion.

“Luna. You can’t handle her. I see the way you two flirt. She hardly makes time for anypony else but you, and when we are together it’s all ‘Star Strider this’ and ‘Star Strider that’. I’d be careful with her if I were you.”

“Do I sense a hint of jealousy in the words of an ancient being? We know what we are getting ourselves into. Our relationship is our own. Thank you for your input, I trust you know the way out?”

Discord jabbed a clawed finger at the pony and hissed. “You know as well as I that if you want your precious student back, you aren’t coming back. You really want to hurt Luna like that?”

Star Strider was silent. He felt what Discord said was true, and this time he had no rebuttal. “Luna… would understand. It is not the only option yet. Perhaps you would care to enlighten us on a different approach? You watched the creature as much as Starswirl.”

“True, but it was more me playing games and trying not to die of boredom with that old pony than me watching it.” Discord twirled his tail in his hands. He sighed and spoke again. “Maybe you can create a vessel for it equally appealing as yourself. Not that I find you enjoyable in any sense, but it does seem to want you. But I’ve said enough. There needs to be more chaos and less help if I expect this to be half a good a show as when Tirek invaded!” With that, Discord drew back the curtain to step through to his own realm.

Star Strider shook his head and began writing on a blank page in the back of the journal. Carefully writing all the words the chaotic creature had spoken, Star Strider thought about the vessel idea. One he had not considered. His concentration was broken when he heard the soothing voice of his love reach out to him.

“I— heard you cough talking with Discord? Please tell me that was a dream.” She sat up as he reached his hooves around her, hugging her softly so as not to injure her further. His heart lit up as he held her. “Or please tell me this isn’t a dream.” She wrapped her own hooves around him and purred into his chest. He pulled back to face her.

“Not a dream. But it may have proven useful to hear from the old creature. He offered some advice that we may do well to consider.”

“With Discord, advice is anything but good.”

Author's Note

Let me know what you guys think of the different perspectives from other characters like the captain or magnus. Does it add or detract from the storytelling? Thanks for enjoying so far!

Chapter 28

The demo team was gathered just outside of the rows of tents that the royal units had been living in. Star Strider was in the middle of two flaming-red coated unicorns, a brown pegasi and a turquoise earth pony, all clad in royal gold. Flash Magnus stood next to him, and Princess Luna walked slowly out of the town hall. The guards all saluted her as she approached, and she waved them away with a hoof.

“No need for formality. We all may be dead soon enough anyway.” She dismissed. Flash Magnus cleared his throat at her as she turned to see the young purple and green dragon accompanied by Rainbow Dash and Rarity with Fluttershy close behind. They both crossed their hooves as they heard what she said. Luna flushed with embarrassment. Star Strider had told her how hard it was to let the young dragon come on the promise he would return.

“Ahem, or we will all return safely as you promised.” Rarity huffed at Star Strider who lowered his eyes from hers.

“Ladies, I presume you’ll be joining us? Seeing as how dedicated you are to the boy’s safety?” Flash poked at them. Rainbow did a flip in the air and landed in front of the general. They hoof-bumped as she grinned at him.

“You bet! I wouldn’t miss this for the world! Scary monsters, evil mind-controlled ponies; I mean, what isn’t there to like!”

“The fact that little Spikey here may be in the worst danger ever!” Rarity huffed as she patted Spike’s head. He flinched and shooed her hoof away.

“Come on guys, I’ll be fine. We’ve all made it through worse, and we’re with some of the most powerful ponies in Equestria. Would you all just calm down?” He fastened the straps on his small backpack around his shoulders.

“The boy is right; no harm shall befall any of you much less Spike. You have my word.” Star Strider spoke. Flash turned to his other four ponies and addressed them.

“Sear and Blaze, you two are on pyro duty with Spike. Stay by him and keep your fire magic ready to go. Hardy Gem, you’re with the unicorn lady. Her life is your life. See to it she makes it. Quiet Storm, Rainbow, Fluttershy; you are flying recon. Scout this path.” He handed Storm a map copied from Starswirl’s journal. “Make sure we can run relatively unopposed. At best pace, we make it to the target zone a couple hours before midday. Move out soldiers!” They saluted their general and began sorting off. The pegasi took off after examining the map for a few moments. The rest of the team filed into a defensive form with Spike and the Marking siblings in the middle. Star Strider and Luna were the only two out of formation.

“We will have to be on our best alert. You take up the rear, I will lead point. Stay safe my love.” He raised her hoof and kissed it as he took his place up front. Luna smiled and fell into the back of the formation, a good ten meters behind where Star Strider was positioned with Flash at his side. Rarity and the unicorn were in front of the princess with a small gap between them forming a window that Luna could see the rest of them. They all began marching towards a small opening in the forest. Their pace was a little faster than a trot so they could maintain it for a few hours rather than resting. It apparently wasn’t enough of a pace to wear out the white unicorn in front of Luna from asking her prying questions.

“Princess,” Rarity said. “You and that Star Strider fellow have become awfully close. Tell me what he’s like? He surely is the stallion of anypony’s dreams.” Luna huffed in annoyance. She caught sight of the earth pony… Gem? Also glancing back for a moment in curiosity.

“He’s… amazing.” Luna caved in. “He makes me feel like I’m just a pony. I’m not some idle that everyone is afraid of or worships. He just makes me feel like I belong. He’s kind and wise, far more than I. There are no expectations when we’re together. He’s unashamed to be with me, and he makes me feel like a little girl on the best ride of her life.” The two mares in front of Luna were slowing down to walk by her side, both completely silent and wrapped up in her description. Luna decided to keep going. “I mean, I think he’s the most handsome stallion I’ve seen.”

“Oh no doubt darling. He is quite the eye-catcher. I have a new piece inspired by when I first saw him. I call it Walking with the Stars. A beautiful dress that ties the elegance of the night sky in with the purple majesties visible by the setting sun.” Luna was impressed that Rarity always had a new dress idea based on the littlest things.

“Yea he’s really…” The earth pony guard started. Her cheeks flushed red as she realized she was in the presence of her commander-in-chief and should not be saying such things. Luna noticed her discomfort.

“You can speak. I’m not as strict as your commander or my sister. Speak freely.” The small pony sighed in relief.

“If I may, most of the royal regiments find him inspirational in some manner. The males all either want to be him or hate him. Us mares can’t get enough of him. We would actually look forward to the long and early training sessions he would give us.” The soldier was blushing even harder now. Such speak was so unfitting of a royal soldier. Everyone knew the soldiers gossiped, but they never did in front of anypony higher than the rank of Sergeant. Luna laughed at her awkwardness.

“It’s quite alright. He is… something.” She looked up at him in the front of the pack. His head held high on alert for any danger. His massive frame stood above everypony around him. “Meeting a stallion bigger than me is something I never expected to find.”

“I imagine it has it’s ‘perks’ as well.” Rarity winked up at the princess. Luna reddened as much as Gem had.

“Wha— whatever do you mean?” Luna laughed out the words nervously.

“Princess, everypony has a sex life. Not to mention Starlight did inform us of your little desecration in the throne room. You didn’t even have to touch him?” Luna felt her throat close up from embarrassment.

“We haven’t— I mean it’s… listen we haven’t had sex yet. That one incident was because we needed to try something to reawaken his emotion.”

“I understand darling. But Starlight did say how loud you two were, and you both were clearly enjoying it. Sounds like a pretty good stallion to me.” Luna could barely speak now. She had never felt so awkward in her life. She was grateful when the subject was forcefully changed by the Spike turning back and interjecting.

“Hey! Why are you all going so slow? Hurry up!” The two mares picked up their positions again. Luna was glad for the solitude again.

The group traveled for another hour in silence. Luna began noticing the trees were becoming larger and fewer of them were growing. The forest had become darker as the canopy had grown thick above them. Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, and Quiet Storm had rejoined them after they made it to the thick parts. Passing a pair of large trees, they all came to a grove with a giant and thick trunk reaching up far past the canopy. The base of the tree shot roots out in all directions. Star Strider slowed up and the group spread in a semicircle around him.

“This… is one of the elder trees of the Everfree forest. Fluttershy? Make haste to get the creatures gone. We need to start as soon as we can.” The quiet Pegasus nodded and flew up to the branches, coaxing out the sleeping critters. “Spike? Warm your fires. This tree is resilient and old. It will take great effort to catch it. Markings, accompany him and concentrate your pyro spells wherever he blasts. The rest of us will be watching the edges of the grove for any signs of hostility. Begin firing when Fluttershy gives you the all-clear. Divine’s speed.” They group broke up into their posts.

Luna took watch at the part of the grove they had come from, peering into the dark pathways they had walked. What are we supposed to look for if we can’t see? She turned back to see Fluttershy descend and talk to Spike and the unicorns. The three of them approached the large tree. Its sheer scale made them look like little more than blades of grass at the base of it. Spike began inhaling deeply as the unicorns readied their horns. With a whoomp of air, Spike released a huge ball of continuous flame onto the base of the tree. The unicorns quickly followed suit. As the fire came closer to the tree, a horrible shrieking noise pierced the empty space of the grove. Everyone reeled from the sound and Luna reached to cover her ears.

“EVERYONE! Continue watch! Pyros keep blasting it! Expect company soon!” Star Strider yelled, barely audible above the horrid cry. It was as if the forest itself was screaming in pain. Luna turned pack to her corridor, covering her ears and wincing. She looked out and saw something off in the distance. It was small and looked like a glowing dot. It was getting closer. She squinted to see better in the darkness, and saw the dot split into two. And then four. It kept multiplying.

“Star Strider? Something is coming!”

“I see it! They are here too. Everypony! Be ready to fight! Defend the pyros until that tree comes down!”

Luna looked back to see the base of the tree still engulfed in huge flames. They were becoming white-hot from the amount of fire blasting at it. The grass was reduced to scorched earth in front of them.

Luna backed up from her watch and focused back on the approaching orbs. The first pair stepped into the light of the grove to reveal a guard of the night battalion… possessed by the Lichen. Luna reared back as six more of them gathered around her. Most of them were unicorns, with only two being earth ponies. She looked around to her friends and saw them all facing their own group of night guards. She was on her own. Luna began conjuring a repulsion spell and spoke.

“My guards, please. I don’t want to do this. Fight it!” The six ponies around her all shuddered for a moment. Maybe something had gotten through to them. They all began walking towards her, horns glowing. Or maybe not.

Luna rolled off to her side as a blast came from the unicorn in front of her. She released her spell, knocking over an earth pony next to her and sending two of the unicorns skidding backwards. Luna flew up above the enemies and shot at the downed earth pony. It quickly regained its footing and jumped away from the blast, snarling at the princess. Luna felt her sprained wing give way as she forgot about her previous injury. She yelped out and crashed into the ground. The ponies wasted no time in springing onto her. A unicorn pinned her hooves against the dirt and its horn began glowing. Luna kicked with her legs, catching some poor pony in the jaw. She shot her own magic before the unicorn could, searing off part of his face. The unicorn fell backwards, grasping at its face and screaming in pain. Luna realized she couldn’t see these ponies as her old soldiers anymore. She needed to survive.

She got up from her downed position and readied her spell again. One of the earth ponies tackled her from behind. They tumbled over as Luna wrestled for control. She emerged on top of the earth pony struggling under her. She took a deep breath and closed her eyes, blasting the struggling earth pony right in the chest. Opening her eyes and pushing back off the corpse, Luna tried to hold her stomach in. Focus up, there’s still four more to deal with.

She saw a flick of motion behind her and kicked back with her legs. They struck a jumping unicorn in the ribs as a wet crack sounded. The body crumpled to the ground as Luna dodged a beam of magic. She failed to notice another unicorn casting a rope around the spot she landed. The magical rope quickly tightened around her hooves, hogtying her in front of the ponies. She writhed under the spell, but another unicorn cast a muzzle around her and suppressed her horn.

The remaining earth pony grabbed her and lifted her onto its back. The three surviving unicorns gathered around, holding their restraining magic on her. Luna cried out from the muzzle but was unable to muster enough noise to reach anypony. She began realizing that she was being taken, not killed. She tried to look around the grove to see Rarity and Gem driving back their assailants. On the far side, she saw Fluttershy cowering behind a giant root as Rainbow Dash was fighting some pegasi. Quiet Storm lay unconscious or dead on the ground.

Straining her held neck, she saw Star Strider and Flash Magnus rushing towards her. They had clearly dealt with their attackers. She struggled harder, trying to delay her captors long enough for them to reach her. Flash took flight and sped up ahead of Star Strider, who was still able to keep a good pace with him. Flash tackled the unicorn holding Luna’s mouth and horn, releasing her magic. She cast a flame spell that burned the earth pony hauling her on his back. She fell to the ground hard and felt her teeth scrape against one another.

She struggled to her feet as Star Strider skidded up next to her. He raised a hoof, his blue magic tinting the end. Tendrils shot out and wrapped around the other two unicorns’ heads. A sphere formed over them, and they began gasping for air. Luna looked to Star Strider as his eyebrows narrowed in an angry look. Luna was becoming scared of him.

“Star Strider, that’s enough.” She tugged on his shoulder. He didn’t break his gaze. “Star Strider!” She slapped him and he grit his teeth. Closing his eyes, he released the spell. The two unicorns collapsed, unconscious from the lack of oxygen. He looked at Luna with a face of regret.

“I am… sorry. I could not let them get to you.” Luna stroked his cheek.

“That was… too much. I thought you couldn’t feel like that without the Lichen?”

“Clearly, your restoration of my emotion brought back all of them. This revelation is... disconcerting.” He glanced down at the ponies in concern.

“Hey! You two! Figure it out later, Gem and Rarity need our help!” Flash interrupted them as he raced towards the others still locked in combat. Luna glanced back at the dead and unconscious assailants and then to Star Strider. His face changed to one of frustration and he ran after Flash. Luna followed close behind, slightly more terrified of the powerful pony.

They cleared off the rest of the attackers with more ease as they regrouped. Gem handled Quiet Storm. Luckily, the pegasi had only suffered a blow to the back of the head. Gem analyzed her case and determined she would have a concussion and a headache worse than death for a while, but otherwise make a full recovery.

Luna took a moment to look at her own body and noticed some bruises on her side. Most likely from the time she fell from the sky and off the earth pony. Every other pony seemed alright, a few cuts and scrapes but otherwise unharmed. They gathered back behind the pyros who were all clutching their knees and gasping for breath. The flames had spread on their own up the trunk of the grand tree. The piercing scream had faded as the flames reached inside the tree. The burn was slow, and they remained on watch for what felt like hours. They finally turned and gathered a bit away from the tree and collapsed in exhaustion. There were so many questions, but Luna was too tired to ask. Star Strider began answering some anyway.

“That shrieking… clearly the tree was more conscious than we thought. It is a shame to see such an ancient being disposed, but in times of war, we must act swiftly. The corruption should subside from this region soon. As for our attackers, clearly Cosmic Sunder has his own encampments about. We must be ever watchful on our excursion.” Flash Magnus nodded and stood up.

“Rainbow Dash, you and Fluttershy make your best speed for Ponyville and get the supply convoy underway. We need to set up an F.O.B. as soon as we can. Once we have a base to work from, we can deploy more troops to each clearing. Watch for any signs of Corrupted forces.” The two pegasi sped off in the direction they had all come from. The attackers who hadn’t been killed in the fight were tied together at the edge of their circle. They all lulled their heads and spoke nothing. In all, twenty-four ponies had attacked them and only seven of them survived. Fewer than Luna had hoped. She wanted to save as many of them as possible. Her furrowed brow had given her away as Star Strider approached her side.

“I am sorry. Truly. I should have had more control.”

“It’s… alright. I just wish there was more to be done to save them. War is war, but these are my troops. Killing them can’t be the best option.”

“It may be. They targeted you. They are under the complete control of Cosmic Sunder and Dusk Bringer. If they control all the alicorn magic in the world, there will be little we can do to stop them. Efficiency is key.”

“I thought you had more of a heart than that.” She coldly replied to his statement and turned away from him. She was angry, but she didn’t know at who. Myself for sending them in here to get possessed? Star Strider for killing them indiscriminately? That brought her back to her questions for him. “I also thought you couldn’t have those kinds of feelings. Why were you able to feel such malice?” Star Strider sighed.

“I am unsure, but I suspect that I am returned to a normal state. Your words on emotional connectivity to magic are true, but we may have forgotten that to experience joy is to know sorrow. I cannot be one without the other. The only issue is that since I have separated from the Lichen, I am weaker, but just as susceptible to my negative emotions. My magic is significantly weaker than I had hoped.”

“That didn’t look weak to me.” Luna said.

“Think grander. I believe I will be unable to use advanced magics such as mass teleportation, confinement, or spoken magic. My ancient tongue may not be useful. I had hoped to use it as it is my most powerful.” Star Strider retorted.

“Spoken magic? Like when you broke my shield spell with a word, right?” Luna turned to him as he nodded.

“I was founding it at my disappearance and had hoped to perfect it upon my return. It is very difficult magicka and requires meditation on a single word. I was planning to fight Cosmic Sunder with it. His bonding with the Lichen would most likely grant him access to many of my magic and knowledge. With the return of my emotions, I may be able to reconcile my words, but I have lost a part of myself.” Luna stared into the ground, the roaring blaze filling her mind.

“Teach me.” Star Strider raised a brow at her.

“I hardly know it myself. There is no guarantee you could learn it.” Luna stood up and faced him.

“You said it’s the one magic that Cosmic Sunder would have no idea about. That’s our only advantage right now is whatever he doesn’t know. Which isn’t a lot.” Star Strider stroked his chin in contemplation.

“You may be right. Your natural affinity for magic may be the missing component to make this magic work. Very well princess, I shall share with you the ability of spoken magic.” She brushed his side playfully.

“I told you, you don’t have to call me princess. It feels wrong to have my special somepony address me so formally.” Star Strider smiled at her and pushed her back.

“As you wish… princess.” He laughed as she tackled him. The others in the group looked at them in confusion. It wasn’t public knowledge that Luna and Star Strider were together, and most of them had never seen a princess behave this way. The two of them realized everyone was staring and righted themselves. Luna was blushing but Star Strider was smiling widely at the group. “What? Keeping a light spirit is critical for morale! Come friends, let us share some stories while we await the convoy.”

Chapter 29 Author's Note

Fair warning: Some non-con/rape happens in this chapter. Briefly

Chapter 29

The giant trunk crackled with glowing embers as the fires died down. The magic users in the group had conjured water to contain the fire after it had killed the larger tree. The effects of its death were noticeable very quickly. Trees along the path they had entered stopped spreading their roots and subsided. Carnivorous plants withered away, and creatures fled from the area. Light pierced the canopy as some of the leaves fell. The group sat in a small circle. The soldiers pulled MRE’s from their knapsacks and passed a canteen around. Spike rummaged through his backpack and pulled out a bowl of gems. He crunched loudly on them while the rest of the ponies all split what was left of Applejack’s and Pinkie’s apple pies. Star Strider decided that while everyone had their mouths full, it would be the best time to share some stories. Gem was the first to ask him for a tale.

“What was combat like back in the day?”

Star Strider stretched his legs and shook his mane, the deep blackness flowing across his dirt-covered fur. “It was very similar to how it is performed now, but unrefined. Armor was expensive and rare. Most militias had none for their troops. Spears were abundant as they were efficient and common. There was no formal Equestrian military. No kingdom, fiefdom, empire, or nation existed unified save the few villages with trade routes and shaky alliances. Conflicts were often kept to local regions. Magic was a powerful currency. Unicorn mercenaries scoured the lands for any contracts to wipe hostile dragon dens or rivaling ponies out. It was only after my school of magic took root that mercenary groups went extinct.”

Flash Magnus was the next to talk. “Besides the Lichen, were there other threats? You existed right after the unification of the races, so the Windigos were the last big ones, right?”

“Indeed. The Lichen was the capstone villain of my time, and perhaps even this one. But every region had their own quarrels. Mine was bordered on the dragon lands; I imagine other ponies suffered similar fights to the griffins and yaks of old.”

This time it was Spike who jutted in. “So, you guys fought dragons a bunch? But was there ever like a friendly dragon? Say, someone like me?” He flashed a toothy grin to the group. Star Strider shifted uncomfortably at his question and failed to meet his eyes.

“Not… not that I knew of. Every dragon I met was on the field of battle. The only interaction we had with the dragons that were not warmongering were to sign temporary truces across land gains. We finally settled at where the border lies today. Interesting that it has remained unchanged.”

Rarity huffed in annoyance. Most of the ponies had forgotten she was there, or assumed she was somepony else. Her white fur was streaked with grime and ash from the fight and fire. “All this war talk, hasn’t anypony taught you all the appreciation of the finer things of life? Tell us Star Strider, you must have had many mares at your feet. Was there a special somepony in your past?” Now it was Luna’s turn to shift uncomfortably.

“No. Not in any meaningful sense.” Luna felt her shoulders relax. “My fellow student and then master Shyamalan was very close to me. She and I spent many days and nights practicing together, but in a purely platonic sense. She was just as wrapped in our studies as I. Once she lost her magic to the Lichen, she never got that spark of life back. It is one of my deepest regrets.” He spoke softly as his eyes watered. Luna looked to his face and wanted so badly to caress it. The group was quiet after his last statement. Star Strider noticed and put an end to it. “Enough of my past, tell me of yours! I have hardly to hear of the majesties of the land, the vanquishing of evil or the wooing of innocence.” Spike grinned even wider at his question and puffed up his chest.

“Well, my friends and I have saved Equestria a few times. Yours truly saved the crystal empire! Twice! Don’t believe me, just go look at the statue in the central courtyard.” He boasted and folded his arms.

“Spikey-wikey is right. He was very brave. We have been through many things, haven’t we?” Rarity said. They began recounting the amazing events that Star Strider had missed. Flash Magnus was equally listening, as he had also been absent for almost all of it.

The group failed to notice the preying slits watching from behind the elder tree. Dawn Bringer hissed as she watched the group jaunt and jest in the fires of the forest. Her small force had hardly done anything to them, and they most likely awaited reinforcements as she watched. She backed away from the tree line as princess Luna looked over to her position. Had she seen me? I better not take any risks right now. Cosmic is pissed as it is. She trotted away back into the cover of the forest. The plants bowed before her malevolence, the timber wolves, and cockatrices cowered at her approach. It felt good to be powerful. Just as she let herself revel in her pride, she was tackled ferociously to the ground in a fit of hissing and growling. She kicked at her attacker until she realized it was the terrifying figure of Cosmic Sunder. She tucked her head as he held her hooves in place and spat at her.

“What are you doing in the company of my quarry? Have we not given away enough to these fecund wretches?”

“Cosmic, I was just investigating the damage they caused.” She spat back at his slithering voice. His eyes narrowed as he let her up slowly.

“You would be wise to remember your place, my vassal. You are nothing more than another pawn in my game.” His words struck her cold heart and she grimaced in anger. Her mane flared for a moment in a brilliant burst of orange and hot red, indicative of her temper. Cosmic Sunder noticed and smiled wickedly at her. “Somepony doesn’t like to be an underling, does she? Well, let me remind you it is I who gives you power. You forget your position. It is beneath ME.” His voice boomed into her as she fell back again. The shout had caused the trees around them to bend and the plants to be uprooted. Dusk Bringer was terrified of him. He lowered his face down to hers again.

“I am sorry, master. I only wished to bring you glory. I meant nothing of usurping. Please, forgive me.” She flinched at what she expected to come. But it didn’t. She opened her eyes to see his horrid grin. His hooves moved to pin hers’ down in the dirt again. He lowered his lanky body close to hers. She reeled from him to no avail. His tongue slithered out and licked up her face.

“Yes. You are mine. Your glory is mine. I should reward you for your diligence, my disciple.” She felt him probing against her. Despite all her power, she felt inept under his terrible gaze. She closed her eyes as she breathed out into is face.

“Yes… master. I am yours.” She spoke softly and gasped lightly as she felt him suddenly and painfully enter her. She yelped out as he thrust himself against her hips again. I deserve better than this. No, I don’t, this is what I WANT.She fully embraced him with her wings as she brought his tongue into her mouth. The feeling of lust beat between them as Cosmic Sunder pounded harder and harder, pushing her ankles deep into the dirt. Her moans were full of desire and hunger as she pushed back against him. The truth was, she liked being his whore.

He flipped her over and shoved her face into the dirt as she twisted back to look at his terrifying smile. Her whole mane and face were covered in dirt as tears slid down her cheeks. She smiled back at him as she let her tongue lull out the side of her mouth. She pushed her flank back into his thrusts as he grunted with effort. Her knees buckled under her, sending her torso into the ground. The dirt and rock scraping against her belly only furthered her pleasure from this sickening position. “Yes Ahh master. Take me! Rut me into the ground!”

“Quiet you wench, you do not command me how I am to take my prey.” He slapped her flank hard. It earned him a cry of pain and a bright red mark on her fractured gem cutie mark.

Divines, fuck me. Dusk Bringer let her eyes roll back as her cries loudened and her moans deepened. She felt foam forming at the ends of her mouth as her orgasm built up. Her walls clenched his penis and her whole body convulsed. She choked on her moans to make a gargling sound as she pushed her vagina back and forth on his cock. His own orgasm erupted inside of her. He pulled himself free as she fell into the dirt and turned, furiously rubbing her clit to make the most of her orgasm. He backed away and smiled as she gushed fluids from her pussy. Her whining reached out into the darkness as he teleported away. His maniacal laughter filled her ears as she stopped her body from convulsing. She was covered in dirt, blood, sweat, and cum. And I LOVE it.

Dusk Bringer lay there panting for a moment, enjoying how filthy she was and how used her body was. She slowly gathered herself up and shakily took steps back towards the clearing where she knew her master waited her arrival.

The convoy reached the elder trees location by the time the sun was beginning to sink. They unloaded the caravans and began setting up tents and fences along the perimeter. The prisoners were thrown into a large cage where they were given food and water. They didn’t move to it, but instead all fell over once they were unbound. A team of ponies set up a small wooden cabin to serve as the command post for their base. Star Strider and Flash Magnus were hunched over a map spread on a folding table.

“This is about another day’s trek in the opposite direction.” Flash pointed his hoof on another X.

“Yes, and this one brings us closer to Cosmic’s encampment.” Star Strider pointed to another north of their position. “We cannot afford to split troops. A direct approach is best if we are to quell this enemy. At best pace, we could have a division to the clearing by week’s end.” He spoke. Flash was already shaking his head.

“Moving that many troops through such narrow chokepoints leaves us open to attacks and possible captures. We can’t lose more of them. If we take the time to clear these other checkpoints, we can open larger corridors for whole battalions to move in unhindered. Taking the time will leave us with more options. Worst case scenario, it takes till the new moon to finish this up.” Flash slicked back his mane from the sweat that had rested there for what felt like days.

“Waiting that long leaves Cosmic Sunder and his Corrupted to secure larger portions of the forest for traps. If we allow them to set up ensnarement for our armies, we contribute to his. Decisive action is needed.” He said with a frustrated tone. Luna entered the door frame with Rarity by her side. The two mares had been discussing something rather humorous as they entered, as evidenced by their annoying giggles. Both of the stallions turned to them with narrow looks on their faces.
“My apologies, I didn’t think you two would still be discussing this. It’s been almost two hours. Come outside! Get some sunshine!” Luna poked at them with a casual tone. Flash Magnus stepped away from the table.

“Perhaps the princess is right. We may take the chance of setting up camp to let our minds rest and come back with a better decision.” He said to Star Strider. The larger pony huffed and pushed back from the table.

“Very well. Let us return tomorrow morning.” The other ponies left, leaving Luna and Star Strider in the walls. She approached him and wrapped a leg around his neck.

“What’s the matter my love? Let’s go for a walk to clear the mind. Rarity and I found a stream a few minutes away in the safe zone.” Her coat was cleaner than before, clearly having taken a bath in the water. The cuts still visible along her cheeks and chest, but most of the dirt had been washed from her face and mane. Star Strider still remained covered in dirt patches and scrapes. His body seemed to release a built tension as she mentioned the relaxation. He smiled and leaned in to kiss her. She returned his gesture and smiled as he pulled away.

“I think that may do me well. Lead away.” He brushed his side into her as she turned to show him out.

The campsite was bustling. About fifty soldiers and other hired contractors had arrived shortly after the convoy, making the small band of ten original ponies and dragon to just over one hundred ponies of different staffs. Medical teams set up a field hospital while contractors set tents and temporary shelters. Hired bakers had set up stalls to feed the soldiers. Many of them remained on guard at the edges of the clearing while some roved around carrying building materials or sets of armor for cleaning. More ponies were due by tomorrow so they could cut a path through the forest more efficiently. Luna and Star Strider went relatively unnoticed to the exit, only a few guards stopping to salute along the way. As they reached their leave, the guard on post stepped up to them. A brown-coated Pegasus stood at attention as they passed.

“Your highness, commander. Do you require any escort beyond the perimeter?”

“No, thank you Cirrus. We shall be quite protected. We will be only a few minutes from the site. Should we fail to return by twilight, send for us.” Star Strider spoke and patted the pony on the shoulder. He saluted the two and stepped aside for them to leave.

They walked through the woods for almost twenty minutes in silence. Luna tried to speak when they first left the camp, but he left her question unanswered. It wasn’t an awkward silence, but Luna knew Star Strider was disturbed by something. His head was angled at the ground with his brow furrowed the whole walk. Luna wanted desperately to pick his mind and see what was disturbing him. The quiet of the forest was a foreign sound to anyone who knew the nature of the trees, but it was quickly filled up with the sounds of rushing water. Luna was grateful for the respite of noise. They walked over to the bank of the river and followed it downstream where the rushing water faded into gentle flows. They finally sat down, Star Strider letting his hooves be touched by the water pushing out of its bank. Luna decided to try her luck.

“You want to talk about it?” She prodded gently, nudging him with her wing. His eyes followed the scintillating water before them. He looked up to her with sadness in his eyes.

“It is… nothing, my love. I just wish to deal with this threat as quickly as possible and stay with you.” He feigned a smile and let his eyes drop. Luna raised his chin to see her again.

“What do you mean? You will stay with me. We will face this threat together and resolve this.” She craned her neck to look into his eyes as he let his head droop again.

“Yes. We will.” His words hung in the air. Luna wasn’t satisfied with his answers, and she snorted out at him.

“Star Strider, I’m trying to help. I can’t do that if you don’t talk to me.”

“You are not able to help even if I did tell you.” His words were not touched with anger, but Luna could feel his bitterness seeping through. But it wasn’t directed at her.

“What does that mean? I’m here for you but you need to let me in. Even if it feels like I can’t help, just let me try.” She rubbed her muzzle into his neck. “What’s hurting?” She nibbled his ear. He sighed heavily and turned to kiss her quickly. She smiled at him and leaned her forehead to his.

“Defeating Cosmic Sunder is not as simple as I had hoped. I do not know if I can make it back from this battle.” He looked up to Luna for her reaction. Her face was not as shocked as he expected. Her eyebrows were scrunched, and her eyes looked at the ground. It seemed like forever until she spoke.

“That won’t happen.”

“Luna, I—”

“No. You won’t die. I won’t let you.”

“It is not up to you or me. We must act in the interests of Equestria. If I must lay my life down for you, I will.”

“I don’t want you to. Why can’t you make yourself immortal!” She shouted and pushed away from him. Star Strider was slightly taken aback at her comment. Aside from her question very early on in their meeting, they had never discussed his option of immortality.

“… Luna. Immortality and invincibility are not synonymous.”

“I know.”

“I would also need to embark on my own proving.”

“I know. But it would help you survive longer, make you stronger, give you more magical access—”

“Luna, immortality is something I found for others. I never intended it for myself.”

“What about for me? Would you become immortal to stay with me?” She turned to him, begging in her eyes. Star Strider locked into her gaze as his heart melted and hardened in the same moment. He turned his head away to look across the river, confusion evidentially on his face.

“It is not about you.” He almost whispered across the space. Luna didn’t know what to say. She looked up to the sky to see the sun lowering in its cycle. She turned back to Star Strider who sat with his head hung staring at his reflection. She put a hoof on his shoulder and closed her eyes as her horn started to glow.

Chapter 30- Moonscape

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Chapter 31 Author's Note

Hey everyone; sorry this has taken forever to get out. Life has been kicking me. Hopefully I'll be getting on a more consistent schedule once the holidays hit! Thank you for your patience!

Chapter 31

Luna and Star Strider returned to the forest. Night had fallen around them as Luna positioned the moon in the sky. Just as she was finishing the raising, torchlight flickered in the periphery of their vision. She turned to see six night guards all holding torches and lances. They were calling out for her and Star Strider.

“Princess! Thank the moon we found you. Are you alright? You two were gone well past the fifteen-minute mark you gave the watch.” The lead pony spoke frantically.

“Yes, we’re fine. I just wanted a quiet place to raise the moon and practice with Commander Strider.” Luna sighed out in response, annoyed at the disturbance of her peace with Star Strider. Before Luna could say anything she regretted, he broke in.

“Thank you for searching us out. Had we gone missing, everything would be in jeopardy.” He glanced at Luna with a look that told her to be grateful that they cared. “We shall be returning to the camp soon enough. You are more than welcome to stay as princess Luna begins visiting the dream realm.” Luna’s eyes went wide. I had almost forgotten about that part. In the stressful weeks of the preparation, Luna was lucky if she was in the dream realm. She tried as best she could to answer calls to nightmares but leading the campaign had taken much of her attention from her royal duties.

“Of course. We would be honored to stand watch.” The lead guard spoke again. Luna looked at the row of guardsmen and noticed one of them staring at her. Curse this debilitating foal. Luna grimaced as she made eye contact with Streak Lighter, the guard from all those months ago. She shifted to be closer to Star Strider, almost brushing up to his side, so that Streak Lighter could see plain and clearly what was going on. He seemed to pick something up as his eyes wandered away from the pair. Luna sighed in relief and walked toward the riverbank just out of earshot of Star Strider and the guards. They began mumbling to each other as Luna began concentrating. She drew back the inky curtain and launched herself into the dream realm.

Star Strider approached the group of guards and sat down. He conjured up a small campfire between them and gestured to the ponies to take their own seats. The lead pony whispered something to one of the other ponies as they walked off to stand watch. The guards all sat with Star Strider, but they were all on full alert. Star Strider leaned back on his haunches. “Please, remove your helmets and relax for a moment. We are quite safe in this part of the forest since the burning of the first elder tree.” The guards all looked to their leader who nodded and removed his own helmet. Grateful for the respite, some of the ponies drew out snacks or notepads to occupy their time. Clearly free time was a rare commodity to these poor troops. Only the commander and one of the newer guards, a private by his markings, remained to entertain Star Strider. “Tell me your names.” Star Strider asked as he prodded the fire with a branch.

“I’m Lamp Light, Master Sergeant. This here is Streak Lighter. He’s a bit of a nooby in the ranks, but he’s doing alright.” Lamp said as he ran a hoof through his sweat-soaked mane. Star Strider smiled kindly at the two of them as the young Streak Lighter had yet to remove his helmet or relax.

“Streak Lighter… I believe we met before, yes? The halls of Canterlot, should I remember right. I see you finally got out to the action then?” Streak Lighter sat unmoving; his gaze fixated beyond the large gray stallion before him.

“Yes.” He answered shortly. Lamp Light clapped his hooves to try and get his soldier’s attention.

“Hey, anything else to add? He’s trying to make conversation with us you know.” The sergeant said.

“Sorry sirs, just thinking.” It seemed like Star Strider would not be getting any more out of the young soldier. He turned his attention to Lamp.

“So, your division, did you train with me back in Canterlot?” His voice carried over the crackling fire.

“Yes sir, we were in the last group you demoed before you shipped out to Ponyville. Well, some of us were anyway. A couple of these guys were slacking off or had yet to transfer in. But I have to say, it’s amazing what kind of battle prowess you got. For a farmer, you make us all look like sheep.” He laughed and took a swig from a canteen he pulled out. He extended his hoof to Star Strider who accepted the canteen. The large pony took a sip from it and pursed his lips.

“Hard cider? I hope you do not usually indulge in such on active duty.”

“No sir, only when we’ve got a spare moment. Never strong enough to mess my head. I just love the taste. Those Apples sure know how to make cider.” Lamp said wistfully as though he was reminiscing on something more than the drink. Star Strider passed back the canteen and looked around. He saw Luna off in the distance with her eyes glowing white and her frame sat back. “You and the princess, huh?” Lamp’s question caught Star Strider off guard.

“Yes... yes indeed. She and I have found kinship since my arrival. I try not to let it affect how I am to act for the coming storm, but she has rooted herself in my heart and mind.” His response triggered something in the young pony who had been staring in Luna’s direction. Streak Lighter shook his shoulders and sneered at the older pony.

“You oughta know that she isn’t one for sustained relationships. Good luck with that.” His rude comment earned him a rap from his sergeant on his helmet.

“Streak Lighter, unacceptable. You are not to talk of your princess that way or so rudely to commander of this op!”

“It is quite alright sergeant. Please, Streak Lighter, what have you to say?” Star Strider folded his hooves over with an indignant smile on his face.

“All I’m saying is the princess is a real ‘one and done’ type pony. If you think you’ve got something, I wouldn’t be so sure.”

“Hm. Perhaps you are correct, my young stallion, but that business is of none of your interest nor concern.” Star Strider stood up and walked over to Streak Lighter, towering over the young pony. The smile had vanished from Star Strider’s face and his eyes now filled with a fire that Streak thought would ignite him and set the forest ablaze. He gulped and turned away from the intimidating figure.

“No sir, I guess not.”

“You may have experienced Princess Luna in a different time of her life, but I can assure you that she has yearned for something real for centuries. It is hardly your place to question it.” Lamp sat watching the two, nervous for what could happen. Streak felt a hot sting of anger and jealousy flare in his heart. He mustered the courage to turn back defiantly to Star Strider.

“If she wanted one so bad, why’d she send me or any other guard away after we fucked her!” He yelled at Star Strider. The other guards all stopped their activities as the sergeant stood and tried to get between the two of them. He was nothing in the face of the giant wall of muscle and fur that hung over his private.

“Choose your next words carefully, young one. This campaign has claimed too many lives of those who had no ability to think clearly. I would hate for you to join them.” Star Strider threatened him. His words sent shivers down Lamp’s back. He didn’t know if Star Strider would actually kill Streak, but he didn’t want to find out.

“Enough! You two please just back off. Streak Lighter, back to camp immediately. You’ll be lucky not to be thrown out of the night guard for your slander of the princess.” He hashed the younger pony as he started up. “You, Daisy Plain, take him back. Make sure he reports directly to the command tent and tells General Magnus everything he said.” The pink mare saluted and found her helmet. She escorted Streak away as the sergeant turned to Star Strider. “Listen, commander, I’m sorry for him. His outburst. It won’t happen again.”

“Tell me sergeant, how many of you laid with the princess?” Star Strider continued to look off above the smaller pony.

“Excuse me sir?”

“How many of you entered her chambers. It is a simple request really. Just answer.”

“I don’t— I’m not sure. I know I wasn’t. It used to be a rare thing until the last few years.”

“If you had to guess.”

Lamp sighed and scratched his head. “Based on how many of them won’t shut the hell up about it, I would put a recruit every other week for the last year or so. Probably forty or more by my guess. That’s just in the time I’ve been alive.” He winced as he finished, expecting some sort of blow to come from Star Strider. He finally opened his eyes to see his commander with tears coming from his eyes.

“Thank you sergeant. You and your patrol can return to the camp. Luna and I shall return soon.” His words were empty. Lamp nodded and silently got his men together to return. He turned back to look at Star Strider sitting alone by the fire. He felt sorry for the old pony. Shaking his head, he turned back to the forest and raised his torch to light the way.

Luna rubbed her eyes a few times to clear the spots from the dream realm. She stretched her wings and back and made her way over to a small campfire. Star Strider sat with his back to her, alone. “Where have the guards gone?” She sat next to him and snuggled up. He didn’t wrap an arm around her, but he didn’t push her away. Without looking at her, he stoked the fire again and spoke softly.

“I sent them back.” An ember flicked up and landed at his hoof. He stomped it softly. Luna nudged him.

“Hey, what’s wrong now? I know I was gone for a little but I’m back now.” She playfully brushed him with a wing.

"One of the guards spoke crudely of your past life. It hurt me.”

Streak Lighter. I’ll have his head. Luna frowned as she understood what he meant. “My love… I know how hard it must be to hear that, but I’m not that pony.”

“I know, but it is still painful to think about. It feels as though our first time together was not as meaningful.” Luna hugged up against him and pressed her head into his chest.

“But it was. It was the only meaningful time I’ve had that. I love you Star Strider. I never loved anypony else.” She looked up at him. “I promise you, if I would have known I would meet a stallion thousands of years older than me after we resummoned him from a spatial rend, I would have waited for you.” She smiled and tapped his nose. He smiled back to her.

“When you put it that way, it is more difficult to oppose you.” He let his face go serious again. “But Luna, there will always be a part of me that feels like I do not measure up. I am sorry.”

“Star Strider, It’s I who’s sorry. I never wanted to make you feel like this. It’s not fair. I’m the one who doesn’t measure up to you. If anyone is unworthy of the other it is me of you.” She kissed him gently. “I just hope you’ll forgive me for being so foolish.” Now his hooves finally wrapped around her in a hug.

“I already have, my love.” He looked into her eyes. But I hope you can forgive me.

They made their way back to camp in the dark, enjoying the sounds of the nocturnal critters. Luna was able to identify them all from their calls. She had grown especially familiar with them as sometimes they were the only living things awake during her reign across all of Equestria. Luna was surprised by how warm the air was. While the campaign of the forest had started in a warmer season, the night air was usually cold and dry. Tonight, it seemed to welcome the happy couple as they sauntered through the branches and bushes. They walked the last few hundred meters back in silence just enjoying each other’s company. Luna began to notice that she was sweating from the heat. It never gets this hot, even on the hottest summer days. Star Strider noticed it too. They shared a look of concern as they increased their pace. As they drew closer to camp, the heat was incredible and the light from the torches were brighter than Luna remembered. That’s not torchlight. They ran through the tree line to find an enormous fire erupting around the campsite. The guards were scurrying around with buckets and water spells while more of them moved to the far side of their encampment. Luna and Star Strider ran into the chaos and shoved their way past ponies who ran around them. They came to the command lodge that still held its place and ducked inside. Flash Magnus was ordering three ponies as they entered.

“Get those flames under control! Set the trench and backfire as soon as you can. The rest of you make way for the western edge; those ponies are on a death march.” The ponies saluted and turned to rush out the door. Flash’s eyes sparked in relief as he saw the pair before him.

“General, what’s going on?” Luna questioned.

“It’s Dusk Bringer. She’s here with a force of night guard that were corrupted. They opened with a volley of incendiary spells. I lost four to the initial flame and many more have been injured. We’re fighting for our lives but could use some heavy cavalry.” He nodded to them.

“Ensure that she does not take more soldiers under her command. We need to put the unicorns as the primary offender line. Distance is crucial.” Star Strider ordered.

“We know. We already lost quite a few earth pony CQC teams. They’re advancing rapidly. We may have to leave the camp.” Flash pulled out a chart with escape routes marked through the forest.

“Not yet. I shall gather the unicorns to hold the line. Luna, take the pegasi and suppress them via bouldering. We are past sparing their lives we need to defend our soldiers. I am sorry, Luna.” Star Strider bowed his head to her. Luna realized what he meant. She would have to kill the troops that were possessed if they hoped to stand any chance. She somberly nodded and stiffened her neck.

“I will do what I must for the good of Equestria.”

They rushed toward the western line to see bolts flickering back and forth through the tornado of flame. The fire had dulled slightly, but the raging inferno still seared the air and dampened any other sounds. The darkness of the night had disappeared in the intense luminosity of the fire and magic being thrown about. Star Strider began shouting at any unicorns he passed as Luna ordered the pegasi to the air. She still couldn’t fly from the injuries to her wing, but she would play her part all the same.

They finally saw the enemy lines advancing in haste. Their strategy played similarly to how Star Strider intended his; possessed unicorns held the front line, guarding and blasting at the soldiers while hostile pegasi hurled boulders over their walls. Luna noticed an absence of earth ponies, but decided it meant nothing in the moment. A stray shot nearly landed in Luna’s chest as it exploded in front of her, sending debris and dirt flying around her. Ringing filled her ear as she coughed a cloud of dust out. She opened her eyes to see Star Strider waving in front of her and speaking. She couldn’t hear him, but it was evident by his expression that he was worried. She shook her head and regained a bit of noise to hear him shouting.

“Get behind the bastion line!” He shoved her backwards and quickly whipped around to cast an aegis spell as another bolt crashed into it. The shockwave went sideways, and Star Strider contorted his other hoof to change the aegis into a wall of spikes. With a simple motion, he shot it towards the offenders. The spell crashed into three unicorns who all were sent flying backwards. Five more unicorns took their place. Divines, how many of them are there then? Luna worried about how many troops they were losing with every shot fired.

She raised her own horn to cast a bolt of energy into a pegasi who had flown just high enough to be outside of the shield of unicorns. The bolt struck the possessed flier in the chest, and they spiraled into the ground. Luna quickly ran across her own battle line to rally some of her troops into fighting stances.

As she ran, she caught a glimpse of a dark glowing purple wave far behind the enemy advance. She peered across the flame-engulfed dirt and saw a sliver of a face that bore wicked teeth and narrow pupils. Dusk Bringer. Twilight. Luna paused for a moment in hesitation. Her friend was behind this attack, and she had no idea what to do about it. She was snapped back to reality as one of her own unicorns dove in front of her and cast a spell to deflect an oncoming bolt. The magic was sloppy as the shot bounced slightly off course and caught the unicorn in the leg. He screamed in pain as his leg was charred off below the knee cap. Luna swept in front of him and shielded as two earth pony medics dragged him back.

I should have paid closer attention; he didn’t need to take that. She looked up to the sky as her own pegasi began making strafing runs with large boulders. Some crashed harmlessly into the ground while others made a wet thumping sound, clearly landing their targets.

Luna reared up and began conjuring an enormous spell. Her well-trained unicorns behind her caught her action and shot their own magic into her horn. A large orb appeared above her head as she began sweating from the effort. With a large breath of air and a stamp on the ground, she shot the orb forward. It crashed into the magical barrier of the enemy and kept going. The entire wall broke as every possessed unicorn was rocked from the impact. The orb vaporized a trail through the enemy line and the corrupted troops began scattering away from it. Luna fell to her knees panting as her own troops advanced on their temporary fortitude. She faintly heard a vile-sounding Twilight yelling at ponies, but she couldn’t make it out or be sure it was her. Luna struggled to get up; a hoof shot into her face in aid, and she took it. She came face to face with Streak Lighter, the night guard from all those nights ago. She quickly pulled away from him as he nodded and turned to join the charge. Luna looked to her right to see Star Strider at the head of his own charge, casting runes and fighting ferociously at the onslaught.

He’s still kicking. Luna breathed a sigh of relief and marched forward. The enemy ranks were breaking rapidly as her troops crashed into their fleeing line. All at once, every corrupted pony immediately stopped fighting and turned in unison. They all sprinted back into the darkness of the forest, leaving their wounded behind. Luna craned her neck to see if she could spot Dusk Bringer fleeing, but she must have already left before the others. She felt defeated that they were unable to help her friend before she got away.

The fire was still burning, but in a much more controlled area. Water teams stood in a massive circle around the inferno, throwing water spells and buckets at its base as it ate up all of its fuel. The camp was devastated. Tents were charred, stands were broken. The command post had remained intact with the main command lodge and a few extra tents still standing. Civilian caravans still stood untouched on the other side of the clearing, but the soldier’s sleeping row had been burnt to a crisp. Luna saw some charred corpses still in their sleeping bags while others were being carried to a temporary infirmary by the command cabin. Soldiers hauled wounded corrupted ponies into a massive ditch. It had about twenty ponies if she had to guess. She wanted to go see Star Strider, but he was helping count the dead or wounded. She entered the command cabin to see a bustling room of ponies with the general rubbing his forehead. Luna approached him and placed a hoof on his table.

“So, what happened?” Luna prodded. Flash rubbed his temples harder and closed his eyes.

“What happened princess, was that my base camp got raided while my two biggest assets were off playing ‘hide the bacon’ in the forest! What happened is that we got raided and lost almost seventy strong soldiers to their ranks! WHAT HAPPENED was that twenty-three ponies died, forty-seven are incapacitated, and Cosmic Sunder’s army is stronger!” Flash shouted at her and stood up on his table. The room stopped only a moment before continuing their work. Luna rubbed her legs together awkwardly as she let her face drop.

“I’m… sorry general. We were—”

“Don’t sorry me. I lost over one hundred ponies today to something that could have been stopped if you were here. This was your campaign Luna. You need to be here to lead it. Those men?” He gestured outside of the cabin. “Those are your bodies. You put them here. You need to defend them.” Flash narrowed his eyes at her.

“That is no way to speak to your princess, general. Flawed as this encounter may have been, it is upon my shoulders to repent. Luna is not to blame here.” Star Strider’s deep voice ran through Luna as she felt relief wash over her. He strode up next to her, head held high in defiance.

“Commander, it would’ve been nice to have you earlier.” Flash seethed. Luna could hardly believe the attitude he took with ponies clearly so capable of flattening him.

“I have come to report an additional thirteen pegasi missing from the field. Assume they are taken. All other numbers are correct. I am sorry, general. I should have been here.” Star Strider knelt down and closed his eyes. Luna felt a stab of guilt. I’m the reason he wasn’t.

“It’s… it’s okay, you two. The attack would have come anyway. I just wish—” Flash sighed heavily and fell back on his haunches. “I just wish we had gotten her.”

“General, the good news to come of this is a stealth team was deployed immediately to track them. We have live feedback from the unicorn captain leading them.” A blue unicorn cut in. His voice startled Luna as she flittered her wings at his arrival.

“Good. Have them get us a rally point we can stage an all-out front from. We’re going to find that son-of-a-bitch and put him in the ground.”

Chapter 32

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Chapter 33

Luna stretched out her legs and wings as she let out a yawn. Her eyes fluttered open in the darkness of her tent. For a moment, she didn’t know if she was awake yet or not. Her eyes gained bearing on the small dancing lights on her ceiling, and she noticed a slight aching in her wing. Definitely awake now.

She stood up from the cot and shook her wing gently. It still hurt, but much less than it had before. She noticed the throbbing pain on her ribs and neck from the earlier battle, but everything seemed dull compared to how Luna had felt earlier. Making her way to the entrance, Luna breathed a sigh of reluctance as she knew there was much work to return to. She opened the flap to see the sun on the verge of setting and ponies wandering about the clearing. General Magnus was outside of his command cabin looking over a parchment with another higher up. Luna made her way over to them, looking around for Star Strider as she did.

“General, good evening.” She bowed as she spoke to him. “What needs to happen tonight?” The general looked up from his map, a hollow look in his eyes. He waved away the other pony and gestured for the princess to follow him. She walked with him into the cabin, confused at the secrecy of their meeting. The general turned and hung his head.

“Star Strider is missing. The recon team stopped responding. I think we lost.”

Luna’s jaw hit the floor as Magnus spoke. She raised a hoof to her head to process what he had just thrown at her. “What?” She almost whispered it. Magnus took his helmet off and rested on the table.

“Nopony has seen the commander for the last twelve hours. The recon team stopped transmitting a magical beacon about seven hours ago. I think Cosmic Sunder has got exactly what he wanted.”

“Bu—but but that’s impossible! Star Strider! I saw him before I fell asleep he wouldn’t just leave!” Would he? Luna racked her head for any secret messages Star Strider had left for her, any hints he might disappear. She started to breathe heavily in a panic.

“Whoa princess, I know this is a very… very suboptimal position, but we need to remain calm if we are to mitigate the damage. Can I count on you?” He rested a hoof on her shoulder. Luna calmed her breathing slowly and cleared her throat.

“Absolutely. What needs to happen?” She raised her head high, trying desperately to hold in the tears. The general turned back to his sheets and sighed.

“To be honest, I don’t know. I’m shooting in the dark at this point. I sent for general armor to reinforce a secondary line while we try to scrounge up a retreat. The only thing I could possibly think of you doing is wounded evac. Pegasi teams are already starting.” Luna sighed in frustration.

“We can’t send a strike team to go recover our lost patrol? If we can get Star Strider back—”

“No!” The pegasi general shouted out at her. Luna was taken aback for a second. “I mean, while it would be great to have them back, but we lost our greatest asset. We can’t risk you too. I’m sorry.” Flash looked up with a pained expression and held a weak smile when they met their eyes. “Think about the wounded, princess. They need you.”

“Very… well. I’ll get started.” She turned away from him before he could see the tears glistening in her eyes.

“Thank you princess. Gods’ speed.” The general nodded to her and turned around, tracing a hoof on the map of the camp. Luna sped out before she let her emotions get the better of her.

The camp was even busier than it had been the last few days. Luna never expected to see so many ponies running around with such purpose. So many teams of ponies moved in unison, unpacking supplies, lifting wounded, directing traffic. It was like a kicked over beehive in a state of organized panic. She trotted over towards the medical center, surprised to see most of it empty. As she approached, she was halted by a nurse in combat fatigues. She spoke with a shrill voice.

“Princess, please come with me. I have something you may want.” The pony didn’t wait for a response and turned to hustle around the back end of the last-standing medical tent. Luna frowned and pursued the curt pony. She rounded the corner and began to demand an explanation.

“What is going on? I’m supposed to get you ponies out of—”

“We want to form a strike team under your command princess.” Luna was cut off by a familiar voice. She looked at a small team of five ponies; The nurse who led her, a rugged-looking brown unicorn, two red-coated pegasi who were obviously siblings, and Streak Lighter. Luna was shocked for a moment. Streak walked up proudly to her and bowed before her. The others followed suit. “We understand the importance of… commander Strider. We’re willing to follow you in there.” Luna thought for a moment before she spoke.

“You realize if you do this, it’s technically going AWOL, right?” She raised an eyebrow in concern.

“Well… you’re a commander-in-chief so not really. Your command outranks the general’s. Plus, it doesn’t matter. We know the risks and are going in there, your highness. Will you?” Streak raised his head to look at her. His eyes seemed to speak more than just undying loyalty to the throne. They were hopeful. It looks like he’s… sorry? Luna sighed and lowered her head.

“Then come, my compatriots. Let’s go run away into the woods.”

Star Strider let out a breath of air followed by his head collapsing as he spit up blood and vomit. Dusk Bringer stepped away from his hunched body as she smiled down at him. She shook out her hoof as she brought it away from his stomach.

“The Lord said all he wanted was you to stay alive, he failed to mention in what state.” She laughed gleefully as the stallion lifted his head to meet her eyes. She quickly stopped laughing and scowled at him.

“Did I say you could look upon me?” Her horn glowed as she shocked him. Star Strider reeled in pain and let out a painful yelp through grit teeth. The two earth ponies holding his legs began shaking as the powerful shock was sent through them as well. Dusk Bringer let up on her assault for a moment and approached the smoldering body of Star Strider. She brought a hoof to his chin and lifted his eyes to meet hers.

“Now you may look at me.” She grinned at him as she dropped his head and turned away. “I don’t see why the Lord finds you so important. Had I the decision, I would have killed you upon your entrance. How does he see you fit to witness his conquering and I left behind to clean his scraps?” She hissed down at the grass and stamped on a snake that slithered through her legs.

“Perhaps he takes you for granted Twilight, or perhaps he knows how powerful you are and fears you.” The whispered voice of the broken pony stretched across and sent Dusk Bringer’s ears to fold backwards. She whipped around violently and narrowed her eyes.

“That is not my name!” She seethed at him. How dare he refer to her cowardly counterpart? Her thoughts clouded for a moment, and she stared at the flattened corpse that once was a snake. “That’s not my name?” She whispered down and felt a tinge of regret at the death of the creature. A flash a memory crossed her mind as she saw a scene watching her friends hug her dearly. Dusk Bringer shook her head and frowned. Not my friends. Her friends.

“You will refer to me by my name of power, old pony. If you fail to do so, I will relinquish you of your ability to speak incorrectly. She motioned one of the guarding unicorns to step forward. She grabbed her tongue and forced it out of her mouth with magic, pulling the tongue clean off and searing her mouth shut. The unicorn look unphased as she stepped back in formation, eyes lulled under a glaze of blue magic. She heard Star Strider sigh. I want him to fear me, how does he not get that?

“Twilight, I may not know you as well as some of your other friends, but I do know how brilliant you are and powerful your magic is. Cosmic Sunder sought after you because your power of friendship is one of the only things that poses any threat. He is afraid of you Twilight. Come back to us and save your friends.” Star Strider struggled up between the holds of the guards. Dusk Bringer staggered backwards for a second as she rubbed her temples.

“NO! Get out of my head you old fool!” She fell to the ground and began to tremor in pain. She closed her eyes tightly as an aura appeared over her head. Dusk Bringer looked up and squinted before the brilliant light. It descended onto her, and her world went white.

Remembrance

Star Strider struggled to keep the memory spell upon Twilight as the guards restrained his every move. Luckily for him, the guards operated on strict orders. They had been told to keep him there no matter what, but not to restrain him. Your mistake, Cosmic Sunder. Star Strider ignored the shaking pain in his gut and the cuts that lined his back and face. The brief altercation Cosmic Sunder had with him left him defeated and in the clutches of Dusk Bringer. Or so that monster thought. Star Strider closed his eyes and concentrated on Twilight, bringing the aura further down along her face. After what felt an eternity, he cracked one eye open to see Dusk Bringer’s form begin shrinking to that of her former self. A painful cry echoed through the field as the guards stood unmoving at the magic. Star Strider opened his eyes as sweat dripped down his neck. He smiled as he saw Twilight Sparkle laying on the grass in front of him.

“Twilight! Quickly, get these guards under!” Star Strider ripped his hoof away from one of the earth ponies and shoved him. Using the momentum, he crashed into the other and sent the two toppling over each other. Star Strider quickly regained his balance and jumped up, casting a sleeping spell over the two ponies. He turned to see the other guards moving in, and Twilight still laying there. He shook his head and concentrated. He would have to worry about her later. Spinning around, he kicked a burly pegasi out of the air as it swooped to tackle him. Without a moment to think, he ducked under a unicorn’s bolt and sprung forward to tackle him. With every pony he grounded, he cast a simple spell to keep them incapacitated. Twenty guards became ten, and then two. Star Strider caught the hoof of one earth pony and punched his chest using his other hoof. The guard went toppling backwards with a loud grunt. He was about to turn around to face his final adversary when a purple bolt shot across and struck the guard in the side. The pony fell instantly, but still breathed through the shot. Alive, thank goodness.

Star Strider let out an exhausted breath and turned to see Twilight struggling to her feet, her horn still glowing from her shot and sweat dripping down her face. She weakly smiled at Star Strider before her knees began to wobble and her eyes well up. Star Strider ran and caught her just in time as she collapsed again.

“Twilight my dear, what is the matter?” He stroked her mane as she began to cry.

“I-I-I… He made me do—such unspeakable things.” Her eyes glanced to a unicorn that lay collapsed a few meters away. “He did horrible things. To me. To everyone. I- I can’t believe it.” She choked out another sob as she curled deeper into Star Strider’s hold.

“Twilight, it is not your fault.” He soothed her as he spoke. “You are not responsible for the evil that he brought out in you. You are better than that monster.” His words did little to stop her crying.

“But he… he took me.” She shivered as she cried. Star Strider raised an eyebrow and looked down at her.

“Twilight… What do you mean?” He hoped his concern was unwarranted.

“He… he had his way with me.” She cried harder and tried to wipe her eyes. “He took me by force and I… no Dusk Bringer, liked it. I hate it! I hate him! I hate myself.” She collapsed fully as Star Strider held her up. He closed his eyes and let a few tears escape.

“Twilight, I am sorry. Truly. I know not how you feel, but I would do anything to help you. Please understand it is not your fault.” He rested his chin atop her sobbing head. After a few minutes of Twilight sobbing into his chest, she finally stopped shaking and her cries quieted. Star Strider bent down to look at her face. It was soaked, red, and messy. She couldn’t meet his eyes as he tried to level with her. “But you are back Twilight. You are finally back, and you will never have that happen again. I swear by my life.” His voice quivered in sadness as she finally met his eyes. Tears welled up in them again as she pulled him into a kiss. Star Strider kept his eyes open as her lips locked against his. He knew she was fragile in this moment, but he could not allow this to continue. After a few seconds, he gently pushed against her to pull his mouth away from hers. Twilight opened her eyes with a sad and confused look on her face.

“Star Strider, what’s wrong? I thought—”

“I am sorry princess. I did not mean for these words to stir your heart in romance. I am promised to another already.” His voice was soft as he kept her a hoof away. She let her eyelids droop as she awkwardly looked to the ground.

“It’s Luna, isn’t it?” She whispered to him.

“Yes. I am sorry Twilight. I love her.” His words sent his own heart into a slight flitter as he thought of his abandonment of the princess of night.

“It’s okay. I know you two have been close. I just hoped that maybe you would find boring old me a little more interesting.” She flashed him a weak smile that disappeared in an instant.

“You are interesting my dear, but my feelings for Luna are the strongest I have felt.” He stood and offered her a hoof. She took it reluctantly as he looked down again. “But I am afraid it does not matter now.”

“What do you mean?” Twilight asked as she wiped her cheeks again.

“I came here on the mission to free you and stop Cosmic Sunder by separating him from the Lichen. Once that is done, I will need to embrace it again and…” He trailed off. Twilight looked at him as her eyes went wide with understanding.

“You came to die, didn’t you?”

Silence stood between them as a soft breeze blew Star Strider’s mane out of his harrowed face.

“If I must. Come now. I need your help for this plan to succeed.” He regained his stoic composure and turned quickly.

“Star Strider wait! Why do you have to die? We could think of another plan there’s always—”

“Princess, I would appreciate your help. Think of Equestria. Every second Cosmic Sunder is out there, bonded to the Lichen, he grows in power. If we do not act quickly, he will dominate this world. For the good of all creatures, please help me.” His eyes met hers with pleading in them. He could see that Twilight was shaken by his request. She let out a sigh and nodded.

“For the good of Equestria. What do we need to do then?”

Luna followed in the trailing of Streak Lighter. The team had been traveling the better part of the day. The sun hung low in the sky, making the forest grow darker with every passing minute. The pegasi siblings flanked her, on the lookout diligently for any threats as the small nurse pony followed slightly behind. The unicorn that accompanied them followed from a distance to surprise any potential ambush. Despite the danger they were walking into, Luna could only think about how dirty she was. How long has it been since I’ve bathed? Three days? A week? Time had become the least of her worries since setting out for the Elder Tree with Star Strider. Her fur was caked in a layer of dirt and grime. Her mane had become slightly frizzed and dry along with her tail. To reduce any potential danger of them getting caught, she had bundled it up into tight ponytails that hugged her head. Sweat dripped down her forehead and neck as she huffed through the trail. Streak Lighter had been proving himself quite the tracker as he noticed tiny details along the path that changed their direction. Much like Star Strider. Luna noted.

The group came to a halt as Streak held up a hoof and crouched down. The pegasi spread their wings and crouched, ready to take off as the nurse tucked herself behind Luna. The unicorn in tow ducked behind a tree, horn glowing dimly at the ready. Luna crawled up to Streak as he gazed between blades of grass. “What is it?” She asked quietly. Without breaking his gaze, he responded in a near-empty whisper.

“Bodies. Quite a few of them. They look like night guard. Possibly sleeping, possibly dead. I’ll have a closer look.” He inched forward on his stomach, careful to raise his torso just enough that his armor wouldn’t scrape the dirt. Luna watched carefully as he disappeared into the grass before them. She held her breath as she expected a sudden outburst of combat. The light-blue Pegasus suddenly stood and turned around. “Clear.” He spoke loudly. The other members stood immediately and marched towards him. Luna followed suit and looked around at the small clearing. About twenty ponies lay, bound by vines and what looked like spare rope. Their cutie marks all the weaning moon of the taken forces. All of them appeared heavily unconscious. She strode up next to Streak as he was bent over, looking at a unicorn that was tied alone.

“Looks like they definitely came through here.” She said as she swung her head back and forth to observe.

“Yes. Though I’m a little worried about what happened.” He stood back up and raised the unicorn’s head. “This soldier had her tongue burned out it seems. Not the style of the commander, but definitely one of Dusk Bringer and Cosmic.” Luna frowned.

“Then why would they tie their own troops up?” She questioned. Streak shook his head and shrugged.

“Maybe the commander got to them somehow and turned them over. Maybe he did resort to drastic measures. All I know is these ones are all harmless and left for dead by Cosmic. I’ll let a flare off for recovery.” He shuffled through his saddle bag.

“If you let a flare off, won’t both parties know where we are? Kind of defeats the whole ‘undercover recon mission’.” She raised her eyebrow at him. He paused for a second and dropped his hoof from his bag.

“Right. Kind of forgot that’s what’s going on.” He looked regretfully at the tied-up unicorn. Luna sensed that he knew this particular one. She placed her hoof on his shoulder as he stared at the unconscious form.

“Was she…”

“Dazzled Pearl. We were close before she got sent out here in the first battalion.” His eyes never left her form. Luna felt wracked with guilt as she thought of all those soldiers who were enslaved by Cosmic Sunder so long ago.

“I’m… sorry. But she’s free now. We can see what we can do about healing her once we bring her home.” Her words fell on deaf ears as Streak shrugged her hoof off and turned back to the team.

“Alright troops let’s get back on the move.” He pointed towards the nurse. “You should stay with them and keep Umber for support. Try to heal what you can. The rest of you, scour this campsite for retreating tracks. Wherever you see multiple prints is probably where they took the commander. Move it.” His tone was flat as he sauntered off in another direction. Luna watched sorrowfully as his head drooped. She looked back to Dazzled Pearl and closed her eyes. I’m sorry. She rested a hoof on her sleeping form for a moment before she raised her head again and trotted after the others.

Chapter 34

Twilight took shaky steps as she struggled to follow behind Star Strider. She knew why they moved with such haste, but wished she had just a second to process all that had happened over the last month or so. I feel disgusting. The thought pestered her mind as she thought about what she had done as her evil alter-ego. And what had happened to me. Twilight found it hard to stop tears from escaping her eyes as they went. She wanted so desperately to lean on Star Strider or anypony for that matter. As her thoughts turned to the stallion, she felt her face flush red. She had kissed him only a few hours ago, but the embarrassment hung with her as they went. She didn’t entirely know why she did it, but then again she really did. The only stallion to make me feel normal. While her interactions with him had been limited, she easily recalled how casually he treated her. When training Spike, when planning for the Lichen, and when in the throne room itself he treated her like a normal pony. Twilight had been a princess for only a few years, but the crown already hung heavy upon her. I want somepony to be with me too. Her mind berated her as she thought about how undeserving she felt of another pony. I’m a monster.

They continued their journey towards the clearing that Star Strider had originally banished the Lichen in silence. Star Strider noticed the weakened heart and blushing face of the alicorn princess and sighed as they passed by another grove. “What troubles you?” He asked in slight reluctance. He turned to look at her to see a red flush fill her cheeks as she stumbled through the dirt.

“It’s… nothing. I just—no. It’s nothing.” She lowered her head to watch the ground as she regained her footing. Star Strider finally slowed his pace to walk along sider her.

“Princess, if it is about what happened earlier—”

“No! Well, sort of I guess.” She interrupted him hastily. “I just, you really came to me at a bad time. No, a good time. But I wasn’t in the right mind.” She spoke softly just above their pounding hooves.

“I know. I am sorry. But I had to help you, and I am glad for your safe return. Twilight, if you feel wracked with the guilt of Dusk Bringer, please try to push against it. You are not responsible for the actions of that monster.” He held his head stoically, hoping what he had said helped soothe her slightly.

“But she was me. I was her. I had selfish desires and horrible dreams and even jealousy. I’m just as horrible as her.” She choked out the words and felt Star Strider’s hoof cross in front of her to stop her movement.

“Twilight.” He raised her head. “We all have them. We all have a Lichen inside of us. You are just the same as any other pony. Do not be ashamed of such pains but strive to overcome them. Do not become as I have.” He bent down to level his eyes with hers.

“But some of the feelings I had were so… hateful. I didn’t even think I could have them. They were about…” She glanced up at Star Strider and quickly back down to the dirt floor as his eyes met hers.

“Go on.”

Twilight sighed and squeezed her eyes shut. “They were about you. They were about Luna. I want… no I wanted you and I wanted her to disappear. I just can’t believe that I would feel such a way about such a close friend.” Twilight winced in anticipation for the lecture that was bound from Star Strider. It never came.

“Twilight, I understand.” His voice was soft and deep. Twilight opened her eyes and saw his long face burdened with shame.

“You do?” she asked.

“Yes. It is not unreal to expect yourself to deserve more. Especially when you rescued Luna from Nightmare Moon and saved Equestria many times over. I am honored you would look upon me in such an amorous way, but I cannot contain the wants of my heart as much as anypony else. I fell in love with Luna. After so much struggle between my inner thoughts and fights with her, I felt my heart escape me more and more every day I was with her. It is not your fault, Twilight. I know that you will one day find a stallion just as loving of you as you are.”

Twilight wiped her eyes before any tears fell from them. “That’s beautiful Star Strider. And I never wanted to come between you, but I did feel like maybe I should’ve gotten more time with you. But I am grateful for the time we’ve had.” She flittered a smile at him which he returned with his own grin. Twilight quickly let it drop from her face as she remembered the journey they were on. “Is dying really the only option?” Now it was Star Strider’s smile that dropped.

“I do not know. But as of now, it is the most viable. I will do what needs to be done. For Equestria.” He turned away from her again so that Twilight could not see his face. She took a small step forward and rested a hoof on his shoulder, well above her head.

“You didn’t tell Luna you left, did you?” She whispered up to him. His face swung to look at her, a tear tracing his cheek.

“I… could not bring myself to. I am a coward. I only hope she may find it in herself to forgive me.” Twilight felt her heart break for this pony. Despite having wanted to be his special somepony, she knew that he and Luna were meant for each other. Hearing his regret and pain caused Twilight to well up as she empathized with the two of them. Their somber moment was cut short as a loud boom echoed across the forest. Birds took off in every direction as the shockwaves rattled the trees around them. Star Strider turned his head to the sky and Twilight followed suit. In the distance, they could see a plume of smoke. Coming straight from Ponyville.

Luna scrambled off the ground as her team recovered from being knocked over. She glanced around to make sure everyone was alright. Streak was helping one of the pegasi to their feet. The other sibling pegasi raised a hoof to Luna as another shockwave vibrated around them. Streak shouted out once he regained his stance. “Take off! We all have wings if we stay above the ground we won’t get knocked!” Everypony quickly spread their wings into a small hover above the ground. Luna strained in pain as her wing that had suffered so dearly kept her aloft for a few seconds before the pain kicked in. The dirt kicked up around them as their wings and the vibrations shook the earth. They hovered a few moments before touching down on the ground again. Luna expected another shock, but none came, and she breathed a sigh of relief.

“What was that?” She asked as she surveyed the trees around her.

“Unknown. But it was close. Westward by the feel. Ponyville territory.” One of the crimson pegasi spoke in a gruff voice. They raised their hoof to point towards the direction Luna assumed was where Ponyville lay.

“You’re right.” Streak Lighter walked up to Luna. “We should get back to them. I don’t know what that was, but it was big. My guess is the commander is there too, or if not just close behind.” Luna let a worried expression cross her face.

“We set out to find him, I think we ought to keep going.” Her voice was strained with concern.

“Ma’am, we need to protect those ponies. That was a pretty bad explosion and certainly not natural. If Cosmic Sunder is at the Ponyville line, then he’s already winning. I would bet that the commander is close in pursuit. Please Luna.” She looked down to the light-blue Pegasus before her, eyes pleading in a worried shake. She let out a frustrated sigh.

“Okay. You’re right. Anything that intense is sure to draw out Star Strider. Or maybe it was him. Let’s get going quickly.”

“Yes ma’am.” He saluted and began galloping out of the forest. Luna followed, dodging thin branches and blistering brambles along the way. She couldn’t tell if the sound that was growing louder was her breath or shouting in the distance. She ducked her head under another low-hanging branch and sprung forward faster, passing Streak as she went. Her hoofbeats fell into a heavy rhythm of rapid succession as she beat the dirt underneath. Glancing through the thick forest, she thought she caught sight of the edge. Motivated by the proximity of discovery, she pushed herself harder. She didn’t know if the other three were close behind or not. With a few more rapid gallops, she emerged from the Everfree tree line and reared backwards as she almost stumbled into a trench that had been dug by the troops. Pausing a moment to catch her breath, she looked around at a horrendous scene. Streak Lighter came to a grinding halt to her right and the other pegasi stopped just shy of her left. Luna’s mouth hung agape as she witnessed the disaster before her. Streak Lighter was the first to break the dumbfounded quiet.

“The whole line… burned.”

A massive burn scar traced the opposite side of the trench. The embattlements all lay smoldering in hunks of what may have been barricades. Charred bones littered the field as a trail of massive hoofprints led away from Ponyville. In the distance, Luna saw a horde of bodies staggering further and further away.

“He must have taken some and burned the ones he didn’t.” One of the siblings spoke. Luna carefully took a step down the trench and summited to the other side. She reeled back as a crunch fell between her hooves. She shook off her hoof from the broken bone of a pony. It took everything inside her not to wretch.

“Princess, we need to go. If they stand any chance against that advance, we need to be there.” Streak walked in front of her and pointed at the fading horde.

“Yes. Yes. Let’s make that bastard sorry he ever left the chaos realm.” She grit her teeth as she trudged forward with a new form of hatred harboring itself in her heart. That monster will know the wrath of a thousand stars. Luna caught her thoughts and shook herself mentally. That’s still Starswirl too. I need to save him. Oh, Star Strider please have a plan. Please save him. Save us. She galloped forward with her entourage, ready to face the marching fire.

Star Strider rushed out of the woods with Twilight close behind. They came out of the trees to a panicked crowd rushing past them. Star Strider pushed his way through the fleeing ponies as Twilight tried to follow. She shoved past the ponies as her shoulders hit against them. “Star Strider! What’s happening? Why are the soldiers fleeing?” She shouted over the trampling and clanking armor.

“I know not why, but we have no time to worry we must hurry towards our foe!” He pushed through more clamoring soldiers. Some slowed their retreat to look upon their commander braving the crowd. Twilight noticed some of them turn with them and begin pushing back. As they kept going, the sounds of fire and screams became louder. Twilight tried her luck with one of the soldiers next to her.

“What’s going on? Why is everypony retreating?” She could barely hear herself over the noise. The soldier began mouthing words, but Twilight was unable to hear from the clamoring. She shook herself and pressed on. She turned behind for a moment to see the tide of retreat turned to a push of resolute as the soldiers rallied to their commander. Some of them caught sight of Twilight looking at them and nodded. Are they rallying to me? She put together that Celestia was still in Canterlot and Luna was off in the forest still, so she was the only princess for them to salute. It filled her with a shaking fear. All these soldiers, relying on me? She knocked into Star Strider as he had stopped his advance. Twilight moved to his side to see what he was looking at. Her jaw dropped at the sight. A massive fire raged across the southern part of Ponyville with soldiers running and collapsing as their fur caught flame. The houses, thankfully evacuated long ago, stood ablaze in the evening sky. Twilight turned to look at the town hall just a few meters ahead. The flames licked at its base, but she saw her friends battling them as nurses continued evacuating wounded soldiers. “Rarity!” Twilight shouted and rushed through the line of troops to help. She cast her own magic to help the already exhausted looking alabaster unicorn. Rainbow dash was speeding with Fluttershy to bring rain clouds over the area as Applejack, Pinkie, and Spike all rapidly dug small trenches to deter the fire. Twilight could already feel the fire wearing her mind down. Her friends all grunted in effort and Twilight couldn’t help but wonder what the soldiers were doing, or where Star Strider was. Twilight heaved in effort and closed her eyes as the fire dried her irises. Suddenly, the heat seeped away, and the red background fled from her closed eyes. Twilight cracked open her eyes to see Star Strider walking towards her… from the fire.

Star Strider danced with the flames in his hooves as he spread them apart and smothered them into the ground. His face was covered in soot and sweat as he conjured rune after rune to battle the inferno. Twilight stood amazed as the wizard controlled the wall of flames as easily as a dancer flowed with their movement. Soon enough, the flames died into gentle licking sparks across the burnt floor. The wall had retreated what looked to be a few hundred meters away from the hall, but not completely extinguished. Twilight wondered what had caused such a devastating tide, but she knew better. Looking to Star Strider’s heaving form, she realized he was wobbling on his feet. Before he could take a fall, Twilight rushed to him and caught him as his head nearly hit the ground. His metallic gray coat had been charred and scorched along with covered in soot, so he appeared as a char-black stallion. His mane seemed somehow even darker from the fire and his fur smelt of burned hair and flesh. His eyes fluttered gently as he smiled up at Twilight.

“Thank you for the save, princess.” He hacked up a cloud of soot and spittle as Twilight reared her head away. Applejack came to Twilight’s side and helped to lift the enormous stallion to his feet. He stood shakily for a moment as Pinkie Pie approached with a cupcake in hoof. Where does she keep all those? Twilight wondered as she offered it to Star Strider.

“Here, eat this! Aside from being extremely tasty, it also helps ease pain! I call it: ‘Pinkie’s remedy for all!’” She smiled brightly as he took it. He slowly opened his mouth and carefully bit down on the treat. It was as if the simple act of chewing was hurting his whole body. As he bit more off, his normal composure seemed to return to him. Upon licking the last crumbs up, he smiled brightly and straightened.

“Very impressive. Your knowledge of baking is only rivaled by your apothecary skill young one.” He winked down at the bouncy pink pony who giggled in delight. Just as quickly, he turned his attention to Rainbow Dash hovering just a bit a ways. “Rainbow, what happened? Why were the soldiers fleeing?” He nodded his head to the line of troops that had followed him back to the fray. It was a despairing sight as the once mighty Canterlot divisions only stood thirty or so strong before them. Rainbow snorted and tossed her colorful mane away from her ashen-covered face.

“Well, some reports came from the trench lines that the big creep Cosmic Sunder broke through and burned down the embattlements. Hardly any of them stayed to fight and ran back here with a wall of fire chasing them. We started fighting it as soon as we could, but it just kept sweeping over the town.” Star Strider frowned.

“The general, did he return? And where did Cosmic Sunder go?” He asked hurriedly. Rainbow shrugged.

“No idea.” She spoke. “If Flash Magnus made it out of the forest, no pony saw him. As for that glorified prick, he just kept marching north after he sent the fire.” Everypony gasped in realization as Rainbow relayed the information. “Uhhh, what did I say?” She asked carefully.

“If he marches north, his destination is clear. Canterlot is in his sights. We must act quickly.” Star Strider answered. He looked around the town and to the ranks of soldiers nervously standing aside. His eyes went wide as Twilight saw what he was missing. “Luna, where is Luna?” His tone went to panic. Twilight decided to step in.

“I’m sure she’s okay. She may already be headed to Canterlot. I think the best thing to do is start heading there and hope we see her along the way. My brother—I mean General Armor is waiting with no idea what’s about to hit.” Twilight had an idea click in her head and turned to Spike. “Spike, quick, send a letter to Celestia. Tell her that Ponyville is lost, and Cosmic Sunder is headed her way. We’ll try and delay them, but we have no idea where they are.” Her young dragon companion scribbled quickly and blew away a scroll. Twilight got another idea as she watched the paper wilt away into the magical fire. “Write another scroll. Copy it. Send it to all the creature leaders and ask them for whatever help they can give. Tell them to meet us at my school as soon as they can.” She looked to Star Strider for approval but saw him instead shift uncomfortably. “Is everything okay Strider?” She asked him. His eyes flitted between her and Spike.

“Yes. I just, I know not of how the other kingdoms will aid ponies.” Twilight rolled her eyes.

“You judge them too harshly. Times have changed. We saved the changelings, brought friendship to the dragons and griffins, and brought the hippogriffs back to the world. I’m sure they’ll help however they can. That’s what friends are for.” She spoke confidently as her friends moved to stand by her side. “Let’s get going. We can gather ourselves at my school. I say we wait the better part of the afternoon for help. Heaven forbids we get nothing, we move out. Does that work?” She raised an eyebrow at the commanding stallion. He sighed and bowed his head.

“Yes princess. Your command is mine own. I shall lead a few of these ponies to scour what supplies we can from the rubble. I shall see you back in an hour.” He raised himself and went back to the line of troops. They fell out with about five following Star Strider and the rest following Twilight to her castle. Please let this be the right decision. Twilight silently pleaded as her façade of confidence wavered under the immense pressure. Thirty ponies and a prayer are all I have to work with. Let’s hope it’s enough to make a difference.

Chapter 35

Shining Armor leaned himself against the railing of the central watchtower. He had been with the reserve corps in the Canterlot forward command post just a few klicks south from the city limits. The guardsmen stood high upon the makeshift bastion that stretched across the camp. Gazing over it, Shining hoped to see any sign of action or anypony wandering across his way. The weeks that he had stayed in the post had been some of the most stressful of his life. Expecting an enemy he knew nothing about, two of the princesses on the front lines, one of which his sister, and a new commander that he had spoken about three words to weighed on his mind daily. Even surrounded by thousands of the elite guard of Equestria, Shining Armor felt vulnerable. And he hated it. Come on Twilie, give us some good news. As though in response to his silent wish, a messenger approached the gate. Shining peered down as the guards interrogated him before opening the gate. The large metal doors swung inward to allow the small pegasi colt inside. He wore the saddlebag of a royal messenger. Whatever he carried was coming straight from the throne. Shining walked back from the railing and began descending the stairs to the bottom of the tower. Soldiers walked past and saluted as he went by. He felt the gold-colored armor he donned weighing more than he remembered as his mouth went dry. He didn’t know why he was nervous, just that he was.

He entered the ground level where the other commanders and officers were gathered around a map table clearly in the middle of planning troop movements as the pieces of garrison reps lay strategically pointed on it. Shining approached the table and removed his helmet. The officers gave him a salute which he returned just as the messenger entered accompanied by two guards. “Sir, letter from the throne.” The young pony spoke with a voice on the verge of cracking. He’s clearly too young for service.

“Thanks son, you may be off.” Shining patted him on his shoulder as he took the letter and turned around. He heard the colt clear his throat as he unfurled the paper.

“Her majesty said to await your response before I leave. She said it was urgent.” He spoke timidly. Shining raised an eyebrow at one of his officers. Desert Storm shrugged beneath his heavy cuirass and spoke in his thick Saddle-Arabian accent.

“Best to open it and read quick then, eh Armor?” He said. The room grew with chuckles from the ponies. Shining waved them off and finished unfurling the parchment. His eyes traced the words carefully.

General Armor,

This letter comes relayed from Princess Twilight Sparkle in accordance with Commander Star Strider. It reads:

Ponyville is lost, Princess Celestia. Many of the troops fled after an attack by Cosmic Sunder. The town is nearly abandoned. We haven’t heard from Luna or General Magnus. I’m with Star Strider and my friends and about thirty or so remaining soldiers. They’re pretty shaken up. I’m pretty shaken up. Cosmic Sunder burnt down most of the southern area of Ponyville and continued his march towards Canterlot. Assuming he keeps the pace reported, he would be at the city by tomorrow morning. I’m sorry we couldn’t give you a better warning. We’ll do what we can. Best of luck,

Your faithful student Twilight.

General, prepare your troops for imminent contact. I will meet you by sundown tonight. So long as the moon rises, hope is not lost. Luna may still be out there. God’s speed. I await your confirmation and plan.

Shining’s eyes were wide and his expression frozen. The officers awkwardly looked to each other as their general stood dumbstruck. Desert finally cleared his throat. “General, perhaps you would share the message so we may also share your expression?” He laughed emptily to try and coax some response from his friend. Shining looked to him and shook his head.

“Right, sorry. Get the men ready. We’re going to have company soon.” He turned back to the courier. “Tell the princess that a magical barrier is getting put up. Nothing in or out without permission. Entry code will be Appleoosan Winters. Go!” He shooed the young colt out of the door. He took off with haste and Shining turned back. “Get the unicorns working immediately. Pegasi teams need to sweep the surrounding countryside about ten clicks out. I want detailed reports on even the smallest blade of grass. Earth pony teams get the artillery installations up. We need to be ready.” The officers saluted Shining Armor and scrambled to get their teams ready. Shining left the table and began climbing the stairs back up to the observation deck. He gazed across the landscape as the sun began sinking. Turning his head, he looked for the moon for a sign of the other princess still alive.

Luna ran across the ground with Streak Lighter and the siblings next to her. They raced away from the embers of the trench line to pursue the horde she assumed was Cosmic Sunder. No matter how fast she thought she ran, it felt like the horde was still growing farther and farther away. It was moments like this she wished her wing was still intact. Ponyville was a sight they left behind almost an hour ago and Luna wondered how anypony could keep such a pace. Especially ones that are possessed. She was panting as her hooves beat the earth, carrying her over a charred landscape. Finally, she decided to slow for a moment. She could tell the other three were grateful for the rest as they let out a sigh of relief and exhaustion. Luna looked to the sky to see the sun setting. Funny how in the middle of a crisis, the world must still go around. She hastily cast her spell to move the moon and sloppily lifted it to its midnight perch far too early. She didn’t care. Taking a swig of water from the canteen Streak had offered her, she wiped her mouth clean and let out a wet breath. “Come on, they’re still moving faster. We need to stop them.” She began a trot before Streak flew in front of her and touched down.

“Princess, while we’re all with you on this, look.” He swept his hoof to the other two. “We’re so tired. Plus, what are four of us going to do against potentially thousands of troops led by Cosmic Sunder and Dusk Bringer? I think it’s better we tail them and figure a strategy to help the troops left in the Canterlot reserves.” He bargained with her in a sympathetic tone. Luna thought for a moment and was moved at his sentiment. It didn’t detract from her frustration.

“You’re probably right.” She huffed. “We can keep a bit of distance. To relay back to Canterlot, someone will have to leave to get the message. Leaving alone is too dangerous and leaving too many makes us vulnerable. So, what do you suggest?” She questioned Streak. He held his hooves up defensively.

“Valid points. But we have four of us. Pairs are just fine. Cerulean and Flare can stay together, and you and I can tail the army. They’re both faster than me.” Luna froze for a second as she processed his proposal. It hadn’t occurred to her until he mentioned them being alone, but she hadn’t been alone with Streak since their first encounter. She gulped and pushed aside the thought as she focused on the problem at hand.

“Fair enough.” She walked ahead of them. I can’t believe I never knew those two’s names until just now. She was baffled at her inattentiveness. “Let’s get going. We need to catch up somewhat if we have anything to report.” She sped up and heard the reluctant sighs of the three of them.

They travelled behind the marching madness for almost three hours and well into darkness before Luna decided they had something to send for. “Tell my sister that the enemy appears almost three-thousand strong. I didn’t catch sight of Cosmic or Dusk, but assume they are there. Fly west for an hour and then bolt for Canterlot so you don’t get caught by the army.” The red ponies saluted and bowed before taking flight away from her. Luna began to start her trot again but tripped over a stone. She collapsed into the dirt with a grunt as Streak rushed over and helped her up.

“Princess, please. We’ve been travelling non-stop for almost a whole day. You need to rest for a little. Even just an hour.” Luna wanted to fight against him, but she could feel the tired journey sink in as her momentum was lost. They hobbled over to a small patch of grass with two trees in the middle. Laying her back on one of the trunks, she sank down and let all the soreness envelop her. She groaned softly as her knees popped and her haunches relaxed, finally able to sit down with some support. She leaned her head back on the tree and closed her eyes. I hope Star Strider is okay. Please let him be free still. Please. She opened her eyes and looked down her snout to see Streak sitting against the other tree to face her. His head was hung as he played with blades of grass between his legs. She lowered her head and felt a sense of discomfort set in. Just speak with him like a normal pony. She breathed in sharply to get his attention and decided to go for it.

“So… how have you been?” She grimaced at the awkward question. He raised his head with a confused look.

“Aside from the world catching fire?” He laughed. “Alright. Just fine I guess.” He lowered his head again. Luna looked to her left and squinted her eyes. Stupid question. Before she could come up with another topic, he interrupted the crickets and night wind with his own voice. “Luna… why didn’t you ever talk to me again?” She turned to look at him again, but his face still stared at the grass.

“Well, I mean Streak, I can’t just—It’s complicated okay?” She rubbed her legs together.

“But it’s not with him?” He glanced up at her and she felt her cheeks flush.

“It’s different. He’s not… he’s not a guard. It’s not that I didn’t want to be that way with you, I just couldn’t.” Streak sat up straight and stared at her.

“I have something I want to say. I need to say. It’s going to be rude especially to my princess, but I need to. May I?” Luna raised an eyebrow and nodded at him. He took in a breath and took off his helmet. He stared into her eyes as said quietly; “Fuck you.” Luna’s eyes went wide, and she stiffened at his comment. She wanted to lash out in retaliation but realized that he was right. I was horrible to him. I didn’t even think about it. She ashamedly cast her eyes down. “I’m sorry. I don’t really mean that. But princess, I was crazy about you. I joined the army for you. When I got assigned your station, I thought my life was finally complete. But my orders came in the next morning, and I didn’t see you again until you had some giant stallion on your arms. Do you see what I mean?” Luna nodded slowly.

“Streak… I was a different pony then. I was only out for myself. I hurt so many ponies. I didn’t mean to.” She looked back at him as he bit his lower lip. “But Star Strider showed me what it really is to be me. I never felt that way before.” Her eyes glistened in the moonlight as she opened up. He sighed and scratched his head.

“I know what you mean.” He exhaled. “It’s not your fault you love someone else.” He grinned back to her. “Maybe don’t have sex with your fans though? Might give them the wrong message.” He laughed a little and Luna gave him a weak smile in response.

“I really am sorry. But what about Dazzled Pearl? Didn’t you fall for her after?” Luna quickly wanted to change the subject in any way possible.

“I met her my third day off your post. At first, she was just a good friend in the shift. But we got close. I was going to ask her to be my special somepony the day before we left for Ponyville. She got sent on the first recon battalion. I didn’t see her until…” He bit his lip again and looked away, clearly trying to hide a tear. Luna felt even worse.

“She’ll be okay.” Luna said as she placed a hoof on his shoulder. “We’ll save her. I promise.” He looked back to her, a hollow look in his eyes.

“I hope so. I hope this is all worth it. She’s not the only one I lost.” He gently brushed her hoof off and stood. “You get some rest princess. I’ll watch for an hour and wake you, see how we’re feeling.” He donned his helmet and marched about twenty paces away from the trees. Luna watched him go and felt herself beating her mind for being so insensitive. Before she could ridicule herself further, she felt her eyes grow heavy as she sank back onto the tree.

Confusion

Star Strider had too many thoughts racing through his mind. The dire situation was setting into his mind. He had left the camp in the forest at the wrong time. Again. For all he knew, general Magnus was corrupted, and Luna was taken by Cosmic. In his haste to right the situation, he had made the very ponies he sought to protect even more vulnerable. And why would the Lichen not choose to reunite with me? He carefully pondered these questions as he sat upon one of the steppingstones in the river by Twilight’s school. The sun was now just past its midday peak meaning the group would wait for only a few more hours for aid before setting out to pursue Cosmic Sunder. Star Strider sat up and looked at some of the soldiers that had come back with him and Twilight. They all looked miserable. Tired faces, dirty armor, heads hung low; bruises, burns, and scrapes covered all of them in what Star Strider only assumed meant they were the lucky ones. Five of them sat on the grass talking quietly and passing little cards to each other. Star Strider thought it best if he try and engage with them so their morale would somewhat improve. He walked up to their small circle and tried to clear his mind for a moment. Nothing to be done until sundown, best make what I can of what I have.

The soldiers all looked up to him, weary eyes resting on his gaze. He saw their expressions soften as their commander sat down with them. They scooted back to make room for the large stallion in their circle. “How are you all holding?” Star Strider asked as he looked into each of their faces. Their helmets all sat next to them to show their greasy manes and ashen-covered faces. One thing everypony in this circle had in common was their now black coats from the ash and fire. One soldier who appeared slightly older spoke up first.

“To be honest, this has got to take at least ten years off my life, and I’m not sure I have that much to give!” He coughed up a laugh as the other soldiers chuckled at his comment. They all let the smile hang on their faces as long as they could. It seemed like they didn’t know when they next would get to. Another soldier spoke a bit softer.

“I didn’t think we’d make it this far honestly. When we were in that clearing with the tree and they attacked, I thought that would be it. One of the scariest parts was I wasn’t afraid to die.” He looked up to Star Strider as the larger pony’s eyes met his. “Do you know how scary that is? To not care if you die?” The other soldiers slowly turned to look at their commander.

“I do. It is a feeling I am quite familiar with. But let me ask you this; why did you turn back and stay to fight? Why are you here now?” The soldiers all looked back to the grass, clearly thinking about what he had asked.

“It’s… our duty. We only scattered when we thought all was lost. Seeing you with the princess that we all thought was gone reignited something. I felt compelled to stay. I don’t know how to describe it. I felt rallied.” The other soldiers all grunted in accordance with quiet ‘yeahs’ and nods of approval.

“Then your lack of fear is not based in selfishness. You fear not death because you think of others.” Star Strider affirmed.

“But who?” A young pony asked. He was clearly just old enough to make the army. “I don’t have a family, my friends are mostly dead, and Princess Luna is missing. Who am I fighting for?” This time, the older soldier spoke before Star Strider could.

“You’re fighting for us. For all of Equestria. For the ponies you’ll probably never meet.” He stood up. “Commander Strider is right, that is one of the most noble acts; fighting to protect the lives we don’t see.” The other soldiers agreed and stood as well; a new hope instilled in their hearts. “I say we fight until our last breath. And when we’re in the ground, let’s kick it again to shake our enemies’ feet!” The other soldiers that had stayed were now gathering around the small group, listening to the rallying cry of one of their own. “Those bastards will never forget the sting of our spears or the fire of our eyes. Who cares how many we are? I look around and I see thirty-two strong soldiers ready to show everyone just how peaceful hell may look!” Cheers went up from the group as Star Strider look around and smiled. A shadow darted across the sun, followed by a few more. And more still. He shaded his eyes to look up and let out a breath of astonishment as the creatures landed next to the soldiers.

“Quite the call! If you all were fighting like that for so long, you should’ve sent for us earlier!” The voice came from a tall standing and colorful pony with wings of a dragonfly. Not a pony Star Strider realized. “The changeling army stands with you ponies. King Thorax says to outshine you guys so that we get dibs on the better food at the feast!” The leader laughed as he clasped the arm of the older pony.

“Exo! You old man, how are you? I didn’t know if you all would show!” They embraced and smiled widely.

“I wouldn’t miss this fight for anything, Boulder. Can’t believe you didn’t call for me earlier.” Star Strider walked up to the changeling and extended a hoof.

“Thank you for coming, general. I am Star Strider, commander of this campaign. I cannot thank you enough for helping.” The changeling blinked its enormous eyes and grinned.

“Sure thing. General Exo. I’ve been in the changeling army for quite some time. Really glad we finally get a real fight again!” Star Strider looked around and saw hundreds of changelings flying in and landing around them. They all wore the black chitin armor of the changeling horde which bore stark contrast to their colorful coats. The ponies all breathed a sigh of relief as the reinforcements brought a peace of mind.

“General, if you do not mind my asking, how many troops were able to be spared?” He led the changeling towards the castle entrance to meet with Twilight.

“Thorax gave us almost a thousand to fly out. I wish it were more, but he was worried that if he diverted too many troops out here, the hive would be open to attack from Chrysalis or other invaders. He did say that if we absolutely need more, he will lead a charge if necessary.”
“We appreciate it. Let us hope this is enough.” Star Strider said as he pushed open the large door. The lobby of the castle was cluttered with scrolls and books laid out. Twilight stood in the middle with her friends as they all appeared to be searching for something. Spike was the first to notice their entrance.

“Hey, the changelings are here!” He shouted out as he dropped a pile of scrolls. Twilight turned to see her new guests and smiled.

“Exo! Thank goodness you’ve come. I was starting to worry that our message didn’t make it.” She walked up and shook his arm.

“Our pleasure princess.” He said as he bowed to her. “We couldn’t leave you guys out to dry after all.”

“Rainbow, will you go with him and explain the plan? I need to keep searching for this spell and wait for the others if they come.” Twilight turned back to her pile of books. Rainbow Dash saluted and sped down to the general.

“C’mon buggy, let’s go get your guys all shined up!”

Star Strider followed Twilight into her pool of paper and shook off a few scrolls as they wrapped around his ankles. “Princess, what exactly are you looking for?” Without turning to look, Twilight answered.

“A spell that not even Cosmic would know. It’s ancient magic and I only found it recently. It isn’t even finished but it’s an advantage. It’s spoken ma—”

“Spoken magic.” Star Strider finished. Now Twilight turned to him, her eyes wide as saucers.

“You know it?” Her voice was full of hope.

“I was the one who began writing it. I never finished because of the Lichen. I meant to teach Luna before everything…” He got lost in his thoughts as he remembered that he abandoned Luna in her time of need.

“Star Strider, if you know that magic, we need to use it. Please teach me. Right now.” She pleaded with him. Star Strider snapped back to the room and thought for a second.

“I will try to teach you as best we can in the next few hours. Come.” He gestured for her to follow as he led her down the halls he was unfamiliar with. He only remembered how to get to his room from his brief stay all those weeks ago.

“Girls, head outside and help Rainbow get our friends ready. I’ll see you when we’re ready to go. Spike? Come with and take notes so we can practice more.” Twilight ordered as she followed him. They scrambled to get to their spots as Star Strider prayed to the heavens that this would work and opened the door to his room.

Author's Note

Finally back! Planning to publish the last few chapters of this story soon, I'm still struggling with how I want the ending to go. But thank you all for your patience!

Chapter 36

Luna awoke to the sunlight rudely beating behind her eyelids. She shielded her face with her hooves as she stretched out for a moment, letting her wings shake and pop. Her right wing gnawed at her in pain as its injuries still refused to heal. She then realized that the sun was out, and she leapt to her feet. She looked off to the other tree where Streak was supposed to be and saw him standing with his back to her. She angrily marched towards him and began to ridicule him.

“I told you to wake me in an hour! I missed the whole night and now the army is well out of our reach!” She came to a snorting halt as he turned to face her. He smiled as he turned, but quickly dropped it as he saw how angry his princess was.

“I’m sorry Luna, you just looked like you could really use the rest.” He tried to excuse.

“Rest is something we can afford to miss in the case of saving the world! Now we have no chance of catching Cosmic and Dusk before they attack my sister! You idiot!” She stormed off in the direction she last remembered the army headed. The fields were empty in front of her and stretched on and on. She never realized how long of a boring walk it was to Canterlot. Streak flew down in front of her and backed up with her pace.

“Princess, wait. Something happened while you were asleep!” Luna paused and arched an eyebrow. Streak Lighter gulped and pointed to his left. “I saw a few squads of griffins making for Ponyville. Not many, but definitely more than us. Maybe we should head there and see what’s going on?” Luna thought about it. It made sense to regroup with whatever troops remained especially if their allies were coming to the call. But she shook her head as she remembered the scorched town they left behind.

“Nopony is there. If the griffins are going, maybe Celestia begged them to help reclaim whatever they could. You saw as well as I that the town was burnt out. Cosmic took any soldier left. Now come on, we’ve already lost too much time.” She pushed past him and broke into a gallop. She heard him sigh as his wings spread and he beat in time with her hoof steps.

As they traveled, Luna found herself with too much time to think. She remembered the conversation she had with Streak the prior night and how guilty she felt. How many soldiers did I leave like that? She thought about Twilight, her dear friend who rescued her all those years ago, now slave to the same foul creature that got Luna banished for a thousand years. Luna couldn’t help but feel that it was her fault that Twilight was now a monster. If I had just put aside my feelings and stayed together, we might have saved her. This brought up Star Strider to her mind. She felt her heart sink and her body shiver as she ran. How could he abandon me without a word? Luna felt betrayed. She kept trying not to think about the worst happening to him and prayed he was just off in Canterlot helping them. But she knew better. Star Strider had been talking too much about his sacrifice and how it might be their only option. He didn’t even try to teach me his magic. Now, an evil army stormed across the land, Star Strider was missing, and Luna felt their time running out.

Her running slowed as she felt Streak tiring beside her. It just now occurred to her that he had watched all night while she slept. Guilt racked her even more and she decided to walk at a decent pace so he could at least land and canter alongside. She took his heavy breathing and loud gulps from his water as a sign of gratitude. “Sorry Streak. I forgot how tired you must also be.” She said as she continued her march. He let out a wet breath from his canteen and trotted up next to her.

“No worries princess. I’m still good.” His breath and words were airy, indicative of his exhaustion. Luna decided to keep the steady pace for now. She looked up to the sky to see a few clouds wandering about; no doubt the pegasi were too busy preparing for the coming battles to monitor a few storm clouds. Luna tried to navigate in the shade of them so the heat of the sun would stop working against them. She worriedly looked around for any landmarks as she had never traveled to Canterlot this way. The ground was a much longer journey than the sky. As if reading her mind, Streak Lighter pointed ahead.

“See that hillside? Means were about a two-hour walk from the Canterlot outpost. Three-hour total to the gate. We’re making pretty good time all things considered.” He wheezed out and coughed at the end of his sentence. Luna turned to look at him and saw his sweat-covered face under his helmet. He looked like a walking corpse. She decided they would rest at the hillside for his sake. As they came to its base, she stopped walking and heard Streak Lighter grunt in confusion. She placed a hoof on his shoulder and brought him underneath a small tree. “What’re we doing? We have to keep going princess. They might already be at Canterlot.” His voice fought his words as they edged on slurred speech. She removed his helmet and sat him down; his eyes almost instantly closed when he pressed his back to the tree.

“You’ll die before we get there if you don’t sleep a little. Rest up, I’ll be watching over you.” She turned to look ahead and heard him whisper-giggle.

“I wouldn’t want anypony else to.”

Cosmic Sunder grew more frustrated by the second. Despite having total control over these incompetent ponies, they still managed to disobey him. Leading his massive horde towards Canterlot had proven quite difficult as his troops stumbled over every little obstacle.

“Faster, you wretched ponies. I shall not be denied my glory because of your insolence!” He sent a wave of magic over his army, which caused them to all snap to attention and begin marching in unison. He stamped his long legs into the ground as he knew their march would fall apart in a few minutes. He roared in anger as thousands of his corrupted ponies passed by him. His connection to Dusk Bringer had been severed nearly a full day, and now he was stuck with mindless thralls. Perhaps I should have taken that old fool when I had the chance.He hissed through his sharp teeth and stamped his way to the front of the horde. He knew Canterlot was close. Without Star Strider to defend them, the citizens and soldiers would be his before the new day broke. If he could corrupt Celestia, the morale of Equestria would fall and the world would bend to his demands. It could not come soon enough. Off in the distance, he saw a tower along the main road in what appeared to be an outpost. The mountains in the distance grew clearer as the waterfalls and castle of Canterlot became a tangible visage. One last stop won’t hurt my oddshe thought as he grinned at the unknowing fort.

Just as he took another step, he felt the earth change before him. His smile dropped as he ordered his army to stop. The message relayed to those in the front too late as they marched onto the road. The dirt collapsed beneath them and Cosmic reeled back in anger. Almost twenty of his men fell into a pit that was almost ten meters deep. At the bottom were jagged rocks that cracked the bones and armor of those unfortunate enough to fall. Cosmic Sunder narrowed his eyes and spat into the pit. He looked at the outpost that before had appeared unaware and small; now it bustled with troops as soldiers mounted the walls and pegasi took giant sky-ballista up. Bolts loaded and pointed at his army as he ordered them to march around the pit and the unicorns to raise magical walls. The first bolt launched through the weak conjuration and impaled some sorry unicorn. It crashed into his ranks and sent dirt and ponies flying in different directions. Casting his own spell, he lifted the bolt and sent it back towards his assailants. He watched with malice as the pegasi didn’t even try to move. The bolt crashed against an enormous magical wall, burning the wooden bolt into dust as it connected. He realized what was happening as another two bolts crashed against his own spell. They skidded off his wall harmlessly as his unicorns aided and held their own magical barrier. Cosmic Sunder looked into the command tower, peering across the hundred-yard road. He caught a glimpse of the royal armor of a general, and the wings of that alicorn wench.

Celestia breathed a sigh of relief as the enemy army halted and her troops cheered. They had halted the death march, if only for a moment. She turned to Shining Armor as he nodded to her. As she turned to descend the stairs, she glanced across the road and saw her former teacher’s twisted form sneer at her. She shuddered under her armor. They walked down the stairs to the command table where maps of all the traps and troops lay before her. She removed her own ornate helmet to get a better view. While the princesses hardly went to the front lines, they still had their own royal armor. It was more decorative than anything, but it still served to protect them whenever they needed. The commanders all saluted her and the general as they stood at the head of the table. Celestia was the first to speak.

“Twilight will be here with whatever troops she can by tonight. If we hold them long enough, we may catch their rear guard by surprise. If we can keep our distance and weaken his forces, he’ll be forced to move into the Box.” The commanders all nodded to her plan. Despite their current hold of the enemy, Celestia knew it may be short lived. Cosmic Sunder was just as cunning as powerful, and with the mind of Starswirl he would know almost every secret they had. Almost.

The war room was interrupted by a watchman as he bowed and announced loudly. “Princess! We have two pegasi here who claim they were with Princess Luna. They hold on the west side of the barrier. Shall we let them in?” Celestia’s eyes lit up with news of her sister. She pushed her emotions down and tried to rationalize. A dangerous enemy was sitting just outside, and two ponies just show up with good news.

“I will come out to the border. Let me talk to them first.” She walked out to follow the soldier, her own royal guards following her the moment she left. They walked the five-minute journey to the west side of the outpost. Royal pegasi flew above the gate with unicorns standing behind the walls. Celestia gestured for the gate to be opened, and the gatekeeper responded quickly. The gate swung inward and Celestia marched to the border of the magical barrier. Two exhausted looking pegasi in night armor stood just outside the barrier less than half a meter from Celestia. Without the keyword, anything that touched the barrier from outside would be disintegrated, so she had no fear. “You two, your names and positions please?” The pegasi snapped to attention at her presence and immediately answered.

“Cerulean O’Nessa ma’am. Private second class, fourteenth royal night division; Sky regiment.”

“Flare O’Nessa ma’am. Private first class, fourteenth royal night division; Sky regiment.”

Celestia looked up and down the two of them. She wanted to believe they came from Luna and had good news, but she tried again to hold her feelings at bay. “My envoy says you have news from Ponyville? From my sister?”

“Yes ma’am.” Flare said. “We joined her in a strike team to recover Star Strider after his disappearance. We were with her for the last three days until she ordered us to relay information back to you. By the looks of it, you’ve already encountered Cosmic Sunder and Dusk Bringer’s army.” Celestia looked confused at his statement.

“Yes—er Cosmic Sunder is held at bay for now, but Dusk Bringer? I haven’t heard of them are they a new foe?” The two siblings glanced at each other before Flare took another breath and sighed.

“Dusk Bringer is Twilight Sparkle, but as possessed by Cosmic Sunder. She led multiple attacks on our F.O.B. and even Ponyville.” The clarification only added to Celestia’s confusion.

“How can that be? I received a letter from Twilight yesterday informing me of the incoming army. I don’t see her on their line either.” Celestia grew wary of these two. They may yet be possessed and trying to infiltrate.

“What? That’s impossible!” Cerulean let out. “We saw the flames and fought her battle line directly.”

“Hold it Cerulean, we never saw princess Twilight, or I mean Dusk Bringer, after that assault on the base. That was before Star Strider left on his own.” Flare consoled and looked to Celestia. “It’s possible that he freed the princess somehow and they escaped. Or…” Flare’s eyes dropped as it was impossible to finish the suggestion. Celestia decided to finish for him.

“Or they died. Cosmic lost a prize and disposed of her.” Celestia bit her tongue trying not to think of the possibility that her faithful student and closest friend may be dead. “Where is my sister? Why has she not returned with you?”

“Princess Luna was badly injured on her right wing twice. She is currently crippled from flying and travels by hoof to your position as we speak. Last we were with her; she was nearly six hours away.”

“Did you abandon her?” Celestia failed to hide the panic in her voice.

“No ma’am.” Flare assured. “The organizer of the strike team, Streak Lighter, stayed behind with her. They should be here by sundown if they kept their pace.” Celestia felt a slight relief at the reassurance. She looked up to the unicorn line in charge of holding the barrier on the wall.

“Let it down for them. These two need a rest.” The barrier opened in front of Celestia in a small form just big enough for the two pegasi to pass through. It sealed quickly as they entered.

“Thank you princess.” Flare breathed out in exhaustion. Celestia nodded to them.

“Rest up. The battle is far from over. Thank you for bringing news of my sister.” Now let us hope she returns in time.

Twilight sat on the floor, cross legged and her eyes focused on the stallion sitting across from her. The room was completely barren as they had moved the furniture to the hallway for their practice. She was getting antsy as she waited for instruction. Star Strider finally spoke. “Flygar.” Suddenly, spectral wings formed on his back and spread, gently lifting him towards the ceiling of the room. Twilight gasped in astonishment as he touched down and looked to her. He looked so regal with his flowing black mane contrasting the white luminescent wings on his back.

“That’s… that’s incredible!” She gawked. He raised a hoof to quiet her as his wings faded back into nothing.

“You must focus, Twilight. You cannot think of this magic as something other-worldly if you are to embrace it. This will take extreme concentration and willpower to do correctly. Let us start with an easy word to ponder. Would you like to stay in ponish, or learn my ancient language? Perhaps there is another language you wish to use as your keywords?” Twilight thought about it. It didn’t make sense to learn a whole other language just to use a few words.

“I’ll stick with ponish. Perhaps another time I can learn yours, but seeing as how we don’t really have time…” She rolled her hooves to emphasize the point of shortness.

“Indeed. Now, the word you need to ponder is ‘Aegis,’ or ‘shield’. Either will work. As you consider this word, take it to your heart. Know what it is to protect something or someone. Cast a shield around you. Do not rely on your own conjuration knowledge; let the magic come from the power of your voice.” Twilight took a deep breath and closed her eyes. She focused on her friends and family, picturing them safe behind a massive shield. All I want is to protect them. She let her breath out and gently said the word.

“Aegis.”

She didn’t feel anything happen. She opened one eye to see Star Strider staring down at her. He shook his head. “Focus. Do not pay attention to the spell, pay attention to the word. What is it? What does it mean?” Twilight rolled her shoulders and closed her eyes again. She tried thinking of just a plain old shield and nothing else. She said again.

“Aegis.” Again, nothing happened. She began to grow frustrated by her lack of progress.

“Concentrate Twilight. It will be hard initially, but you must forget everything you know of magic. This is entirely based on summoning an object through power of name alone. Do not picture it, do not picture anything. Focus your voice and force it to manifest. This magic is yours.”

She furrowed her eyebrows and concentrated. Letting her mind go blank, she focused on the word. Every letter and how they sounded individually, and then together. Concentrating harder and breathing out again, she spoke.

“Aegis!” She opened her eyes as she felt something more escape with her words. A white and luminescent round shield stood in front of her. Wherever she looked, it moved to block her face. She smiled widely as Star Strider pat her back.

“Well done Twilight!” Her pride swelled up as she whipped the shield around the room. Her smile faded as it failed to go away.

“Um, Star Strider? It won’t leave.” He chuckled at her.

“Yes. Summoning is one matter, whereas sending it away is another. Simply focus on the word you wish to use as a banishing keyword. This will serve to destroy any spell. You will need to speak it until you wax strong with this magic. Choose wisely, as whatever word you use will permanently be bound to this magic.”

Twilight mulled over the long list of words she had memorized that meant ‘leave’. She finally decided on using the word ‘abscond’ as she had never remembered saying it through her life. As she settled on it, she turned to her trusted assistant who was furiously writing in a journal. “Spike? Take note please. My banishing word will be: abscond!” She declared triumphantly. She smiled at Star Strider who arched an eyebrow.

“Interesting, but I suppose it works. Concentrate on it and get rid of the shield.”

“Ab… a b s, uh k?” Spike looked up to Twilight as he struggled to spell it. She rolled her eyes.

“a b s c o n d Spike. I thought you read through that thesaurus I gave you.” She huffed at him, the shield whipping around to block the two of them.
“I did, but you seem to find words that aren’t in it all the time! Not my fault!” He jotted it down. Twilight refocused on the spelling in her mind. She spoke it again and the shield waivered but failed to disappear. She heard Star Strider chortle behind her.

“You had better focus it before you find yourself stuck with a shield forever!” He laughed at her. Twilight snorted and tried again.

“Abscond! You stupid shield, get out!” The shield flickered again but stayed right in front of her. “AGH! Just get out of here! Go!” Suddenly, the shield evaporated into nothing. Twilight’s eyes went wide in shock as she realized what happened. Star Strider was laughing loudly behind her.

“Oh my, you have really set yourself up for failure! Well princess, it seems ‘go’ is your new banishing word!” He threw his head back and laughed louder.

“What do you mean! Help me change it I say ‘go’ all the time! Star Strider!” She whined to him. He raised his hoof to calm himself and her.

“Fear not, oh my. No, do not worry. You just cannot say ‘go’ whilst your spoken magic is active. Not an entirely big deal.” He wiped a tear from his eye. Clearly, he found her situation too funny. “Now, conjuring up a tiny shield will not be enough. But now that you get the idea of how spoken magic feels and works, my only guide for you is to be careful what words you study. Words all have power, and some are more dangerous than others. Should you use a magic that damages too much, you may be out of luck.”

“Wait,” she said. “You don’t have any other lessons? That’s it? Just study words? I do that all the time! Where’s the nuance? The technique?” She sputtered.

“I was barely experimenting with this magic before I left. Perhaps you shall be the one to master it. You know as much as I do with it now, I just have a few more hours of experience.” He grinned at her. Twilight put a hoof to her forehead. This is not how I expected this to go.

“I shall go see what friends aim to join us. Practice all you need, but please try to join us by sundown. We shall march from then on.” Star Strider said. He closed the door, and she heard his hoof steps retreat down the stony halls. She turned to Spike and grinned.

“Alright Spike, start writing down some words and let’s get talking.”

Author's Note

I am so sorry for delaying this publishing. I cannot promise consistency due to my chaotic schedule, but I am hoping that this holds some people over a little longer. Thank you for sticking around thus far! I love and appreciate all of you and your support <3

Chapter 8

Luna awoke to Celestia standing over her bed. “Sister, come on I have found something!” Celestia said excitedly as she tapped Luna’s muzzle. Luna grumbled and rubbed her bleary eyes as she sat up.

“What in the world are you waking me up for? I don’t need to put the moon up for another…” she looked towards her clock, “FOUR HOURS?? Oh, this had better be good sister or so help me—” She was cut off by Celestia shoving a parchment in her face. It had so many scribbles on it that it may have been a spell at some point, but now it looked like a foal’s drawing.

“This is the way to bring Star Strider back! Look! There are parts from conjuration spells, summoning spells, and portal spells all combined in one! This is how we do it!” Luna pushed her sister off her bed with more than enough force as Celestia flopped on the floor. ‘Hey! I thought you would be excited to see it too!”

Luna got out from under her covers and lifted her royal crown and adornments onto her. “Okay, but I thought we were going into the realm of chaos to fetch him back instead of just summoning him.” Celestia was already cutting her off.

“No, we needed the scrolls to do that originally, but by reading his other spells, we can use the scrolls to combine the spell and summon him directly here!” Luna scratched the back of her head,

“But the whole reason we were going was so we could get just Star Strider without the Lichen, won’t we summon the monster back too?” Celestia paused a moment as though she hadn’t considered that yet.

“No, I don’t think so. This spell is extremely specific. It is bound to his soul directly. The portal that opens from the chaos scrolls should only be manifest to the target and nothing else. I think we can do this without going into Discord’s realm.” She tossed her mane back as though she was trying to prove she was better than Discord. Luna yawned and pointed at Celestia.

“But we don’t know that. Anything could go wrong, and we bring that monster back with him, right? Isn’t it safer just manually getting him?”

“But the chaos realm has too many dangers to account for. We could lose vital time, information, the scrolls themselves, everything if we go in. If we just summon him back, worse comes to worse we deal with the monster the same way Twilight and her friends have in the past. The way we have in the past. We may be on the verge of retirement dear sister, but we are not past our prime.” Celestia winked at Luna as though she intended something more. Luna reddened but regained her focus.

“Fine, but can we at least wait until I’m not exhausted? I don’t want to fight a monster when I can barely see straight.”

“Fine you little foal, get some rest and in the night, we can try it out.” Celestia swayed her way back out of the room and closed the door with her magic. The only problem now was that Luna was too excited at the prospect of success to sleep.

Luna finished raising the moon to its full glory and turned down from her balcony. She wandered the halls to Celestia’s room and opened it to find her sister hunched over a table writing on a scroll.

“Who are you writing?” She asked as she leaned over the table to investigate. Without looking up, Celestia responded; “Twilight. I’m telling her we figured it out and will be trying the spell in an hour in the hedge maze.” Luna scrunched her nose up.

“The hedge maze? Why would we go to such a dreary place?”

“Because no one uses it, and if we do summon this Lichen back, maybe it’ll get lost in the maze and we never have to deal with it.” Luna shifted uncomfortably. Celestia seemed too eager. Too unrestrained. Too unlike herself. What if something did go wrong? So wrong that it ruined the world. Again. All Luna kept thinking was how old she was. How long it had been since there was constant peace. How many years it had been since she hung up her crown and didn’t intend to reclaim it in the evening. The last time she took the backseat was when she had become nightmare moon. Letting her evil alter-ego have her way was a lot easier than doing it herself. For hardly the first time, Luna felt tired. But this was a tired that refused to go away. One more problem. Then you turn it over to Twilight and you can breathe. This one will even go off without a hitch! Then its as simple as hugging an old friend and heading to sunny shores. Luna gazed at her sister as she sent the scroll off with magic.

“Celestia, may I ask you a question?” Her sister turned to her, a look of perplex crossing her face.

“Sure, my dear sister. Is something wrong?” Luna shifted again and looked down to the tiles.

“Have you ever loved? Or been loved?” Celestia looked even more confused than before.

“Luna, you know we have the guards for a reason, of course I have.” But Luna was raising her hoof up to stop her.

“No, ‘Tia, I mean Loved. Shared joy with someone. Felt as though you could settle down forever with someone and not worry about what comes tomorrow. Have you ever been in love?” Celestia suddenly cast her head down and looked sadder than Luna could ever remember. She closed her eyes as though she was holding back tears.

“My dearest sister, I have tried and failed many a time. It is something I cannot master and seem to lose every time I try.” Luna’s heart sank as she heard her sister’s heart gushing to her. “When you were on the moon, I tried to fill my time with suitors, stallions, mares, anything that could make me feel something again. Twilight was the closest I have ever been to loving something in millennia. Every time I start to try, something comes up or gets in the way or my student is ready to leave Canterlot to explore the meaning of friendship and life on her own.” A tear traced down her cheek as she spoke. She quickly wiped it and looked back up at Luna. “But why ask this now? This is hardly the matter at hand.” She suddenly seemed to have switched to anger and frustration. Luna backed up a step and began to explain.

“Because I’m tired ‘Tia. Surely you feel it too. All I want is to rest. And I want to rest in the arms of a stallion I love and who loves me. I don’t want the meaningless physicality, the objectification, the fighting, contempt, any of that. I just want to be held. And I haven’t had that. I’ve had everything a pony could want, except love. So really, I have nothing.” Now it was Luna’s turn to be crying. Celestia walked forward and embraced her sister as she sobbed into her fur. She stroked her head as she comforted her.

“I know, my dear sister. I know. I am tired too.” She lifted Luna’s sobbing face up to look at each other. “But all good things come in time. Maybe love is in our next chapter of life. Once we set Equestria up for Twilight as we make our exit, we may brush by the arms of those meant for us. But we must finish this chapter to start the next, and I feel it is very close. Can you hold on just a little longer my little sister?” Luna wiped her eyes as she choked back a few final sobs. She nodded and fell into Celestia’s embrace a little more.

“Yes, but promise me we finish it quick, okay?” She chuckled softly as she stopped crying.

The three princesses gathered in the center of the maze with all the scrolls they could carry. The stones for the ritual had been put in place and the journal lay in the center of the three. They talked over their individual parts of the spell so many times that they could recite it backwards. Celestia had them gathered for one final talk before they commenced their spell.

“We hope that we don’t bring the Lichen back. We hope we bring back Star Strider in the first place, but we need to prepare for the worst. If the monster comes back, we have our backups?” Twilight pulled a scroll out and began reading.

“Magical barrier: check. Rune traps: Check. Three magical alicorns with the power to blast the grove into a pile: Check. We got this Celestia. We’ve planned for almost everything.

“Yes, but it’s the almost part that worries me.” Luna cut in.

“We don’t have time to think of every failure that could happen. I think it’s best if we just start and work as it goes. Are we all ready?” Luna nodded back to Celestia. Twilight put on a face of confidence and nodded as well. “Very well, let us begin.”

The three alicorns paced off to their respective zones of the grove. They cast their magic with so much power that the hedges began to bend backwards. In the center, just above the journal, a small, dark, fluctuating orb appeared. It looked like the way Discord’s terrain looked, so they knew they were doing something right. Celestia stamped her hoof, the signal to up the power. The three blasted ever harder, beginning to shear off parts of the hedge from the blast. The small orb grew larger, and the journal began to shake. Celestia stamped again for more power, and Luna let out a grunt of effort as she put her whole body and mind into the spell. The Journal was absorbed up into the orb and it grew to the size of a pony. In fact, it began to take the shape of a pony. Luna looked up in the midst of her maelstrom and felt excited as they saw progress. The form was becoming more defined now. A hoof there, the mane sprouting out, even an eye appeared for a moment. The three ponies concentrated as they sweat through the spell. It felt as though something was fighting them. And hard. They pulled back as the force seemed to draw them in. Footing began giving way for Celestia as she struggled to keep up. All three of them were grunting loudly as they held their ground and cast the spell. Suddenly, the world seemed to go deathly silent as the magic combined at once and then let out the loudest bang any of them had ever heard. Luna was thrown back against the now-toppled hedge wall which helped to soften her fall. Good thing we are here after all she thought as she detangled herself from the branches and leaves. The other two followed suit and regathered towards the center. A large crater now existed where the journal had been and laying in the center of it was a curled-up pony who looked to be passed out. Twilight was the first to descend the crater walls as she galloped towards the stranger. Just before she reached him, he stood up to suddenly and looked around quickly. He was huge. Even by stallion standards. Rockhoof had competition as the stallion appeared to keep growing as she got closer.

“STAY BACK”

A thunderous voice shook the ground they ran on and all three ponies stopped and readied their horns just in case. The strange stallion turned to look at all of them. He rested his eyes a moment on Twilight before turning to Luna and Celestia. His look softened as he saw them.

“Ah, Celestia, Luna. The princesses of the land I presume. Thou hast surely ascended to the throne that my student crafted?” He spoke with an accent somewhat familiar to Rockhoof’s, but more proper, well refined. Luna and Celestia glanced at each other with confusion.

“How knowest thou our names?” Celestia asked as she switched to the more formal and ancient mannerisms of speaking.

“It would be in thy interests to stand down, no harm nor fighting may come to this place yet so long as I have determined the sanctity of your presence. Seest thee the creature I hath imprisoned? Lest it hath escaped from our clutches yet again and reigned more havoc upon this land.”

“Uhhhh hi, mister… big guy. I’m Twilight? And if you wouldn’t mind cutting me in here just so I…”

The stallion whipped around back to Twilight and narrowed his eyes.

“This one, I do not know. No vision hath visited me proclaiming thee. Tell me, child, how hast the gift of immortality been placed upon thy shoulders? And how am I to trust thee?”

Twilight reared back and began shaking with fear. This stallion not only was huge, but also had the voice that could topple mountains. She slowly began to back up as he approached flinched as he lowered his eyes to be level with hers.

“Because she saved my life!” Another voice joined. The stallion turned to see Starswirl up on the ridge of the crater. “And because I trust her.”

The large pony again narrowed his eyes upon the newcomer, but quickly stood back and softened his gaze as he recognized the old stallion. “Starswirl? My boy is that you?” He took a few cautious steps towards the ridge. Starswirl nodded and started down towards the four ponies. He strode up to the stallion with no fear and clasped the foreleg of the massive pony.

“Indeed, old friend. It has been a long time… Star Strider.”

Author's Note

Here it is. The OC for the story's namesake. Don't worry about all the 'thee' and 'thou' speak, it's mostly only in this chapter. Nearly done with writing the story as this chapter is published, so expect more chapters sooner. As stated in the description, this story is on the longer side so I hope you're around for the haul. 60,000 words and counting!

Chapter 9

Luna was taken aback as the old pony master embraced the large stallion. This is nothing like I pictured the wise and kind mentor that Starswirl described she thought as she slowly approached in tow with Celestia. Twilight was still flinching behind Star Strider from his bombastic approach. She cracked an eye open when she heard the others begin to move.

“Starswirl, you look as though you’ve seen too many lifetimes old friend! Yet your youth still shines through your eyes!” Star Strider parted from Starswirl and set his gaze on Celestia.

“Child of the Sun, thou art untouched from the fecund foe?” Celestia paused in her hoofsteps and looked around for a moment in confusion.

“He’s asking if the Lichen is on you, my dear.” Starswirl chimed in. Celestia’s complexion cleared, and she bowed her head.

“Yes, I am clean to my knowledge.” Star Strider turned his eyes to Luna, who had now come just behind Starswirl to be closer to the stallion. My goodness, he really is enormous. His forelegs look as though the Apple family donated all their bucking power to just those two.

“Child of the Moon, do I see that you are also untouched?” Luna nodded to him and bowed the same as Celestia. She didn’t entirely know why she was bowing, but it felt as though she owed this pony something immense that compelled her to bend.

“Yes sir, no beast has entered my presence.” Star Strider then turned to Twilight, who had slowly made her way towards the group but kept her distance.

“You, the third, I may not know you or your name, but my friend entrusts you; therefore, as do I.” He bowed down to Twilight as she came a little closer. His voice softened and suddenly seemed to swap into a more casual dialect. “My deepest apologies my girl, I meant not to frighten nor harm you. Your existence is unknown to me, and I am skeptical because it is so.” Luna stopped bowing and rose to look at him. Why is he bowing to her and not us? Is it simply because he scared her? Or does he know she has the most power here? Luna felt a twinge of, well something, shoot through her heart that made her want to turn away from Twilight. She quickly dismissed the feeling as Star Strider rose to his full height. He was just a bit taller than that of her sister, and his frame was outlined with bulk. A bulk that came from hard work and labor rather than exercise and weights. His coat was a metallic silver, very similar to Starswirl’s, but looking more youthful. His mane was the eye-catcher, however. It was jet-black and flowing, not unlike how the princess’s hair moved with magic. But his looks like it flows naturally and isn’t emanating even an ounce of magic. She looked closer and saw small flashes of yellow, green and red. They appeared as though they were stars winking in and out of existence. She turned to look further back on him and saw his cutie mark. It was a silhouette of pony with the hooves walking on two illuminated stars. She assumed hence his namesake.

“Princesses, my old friend, my intrusion was quite abrupt and still does not make entire sense to me, but I must know if the creature appeared for even a moment.” The four companions all turned to look around them for a moment, then Starswirl answered saying,

“No beast escaped our sights. Your form is the only that was summoned. I believe that the Princess’ spell worked to bring you back without the threat of the Lichen!” Star Strider leaned back and pondered deeply for a moment.

“While I wish it to be true, we mustn’t be sure just yet. Keep a watchful eye upon the horizons of conflict.” He began to walk up the crater walls with alarming speed. The others quickly turned to follow before he disappeared over the ridgeline. As he came up to the remainder of the clearing where they had summoned him, he closed his eyes and breathed deeply. “This world has changed much. The magic is stronger than ever. I feel the gift of magicka flowing through the earth.” He turned his attention back to the four companions. Celestia grabbed Twilight under one of her forelegs and pulled her close.

“We have the Princess of Friendship here to thank for that.” She said rubbing her mane with affection. Twilight blushed and turned away.

“Well, it wasn’t just me. Everycreature helped and my friends most of all. I’m hardly to receive all the credit.” Luna felt the same twinge cross her heart again. What is wrong with me? She thought as Star Strider again lowered his head towards Twilight.

“Everycreature you say? That is remarkable indeed. I had high hopes for the magic that friendship sows but to spread to lands beyond Equestria is a feat I never thought to see.” He turned his eyes back to the night sky. “Oh my, awfully dark out. The celestial bodies must be towed.” Before Luna and Celestia could begin using their horns, Star Strider raised his forelegs to the skies. A bright blueish glow appeared around the tips. He lowered one of his arms as he closed his eyes. The moon began to sink below the horizon as his other arm lifted and the sun crested the mountains. This is… not happening. There is no way I am watching an earth pony raise the sun and lower my moon. Luna failed to notice her jaw hanging open, as did the other princesses. Only Starswirl seemed unmoved, but even he let a look of admiration cross his face. Star Strider completed his motions and the sun now sat above the clouds, waking everycreature up for the new day. He turned back to the others with a small smile and a trace of sweat on his brow. His smile faded as he saw the looks of astonishment that lay on everyone’s face. “What, have I engulfed the skyline in fire again? I have tended to do that.”

“You just… raised the sun”

“And lowered the moon”

“With no magic???”

All three princesses swapped their lines to him. He raised up a hoof as a look of sorrow crossed his face.

“I am so sorry. I did not mean to frighten you. I now realize as the children of the celestials, you must have the capability to do so yourself. I had no means to uproot your authority.” Celestia shook her head as Twilight approached him with a hoof out.

“No, that’s not why we are perplexed. It’s that you are an earth pony… WITH MAGIC!” Twilight almost jumped as she exclaimed it. Star Strider began nodding slowly.

“Yes, indeed. Surely Starswirl informed you of this?” This time, Celestia was the one who cut in.

“Sure, but he failed to describe the sheer magnitude of your power. It used to take six of the most powerful unicorns to move the celestials before myself and Luna. You did it with just your hooves? I apologize, but that is not normal today.” Star Strider grunted with acknowledgment.

“I figured as much. I never expected other pony kind to experience magic after my master’s disappearance, but I always hoped.” He gazed longingly at the clouds above as some pegasi began moving them into place. Luna was unable to detract her gaze from his face. His eyes are like the stars, so soft and grand, a inkwell so warm if feels like I’m home again. She was in her own world and fantasy with the arrival of this new stallion. Such a powerful pony surely had many mares at his whims. She hated herself for thinking that. But before she could draw herself back to reality, she blurted out a question she didn’t mean to ask yet.

“Are you immortal?” Everyone turned to look at her with a look of criticism, as though to say Why would you even ask that? She immediately shied away as Star Strider looked to her. She caught a glimpse of his soft eyes and his mouth curving in a kind smile.

“Ah, it would only make sense that you would want to know how immortality came to be. It is a tale I could recount to you another time. But to answer your immediate question; no. I am not immortal yet.” Luna’s heart sank a little as she felt like her own dreams had been crushed before they even formed.

“Wait, what do you mean yet?” Starswirl was the one to interject. Star Strider began walking towards the exit to the clearing.

“I was weighing my options on becoming immortal. It was a path I had led others to already and left in your care, my pupil. I did not know if it was a path set for me. There are many benefits to immortality. The time to figure out many a problem, the time to serve those around you, the time to learn more than you thought possible. But there are also many downsides. Living forever is a burdensome task. Friends come and go. Love’s die. You watch everything around you slip away as you remain stationary.”

Twilight put a hoof on his shoulder as she caught up, trying to stop him for a moment.

“But surely the positives outweigh the negatives, right? Otherwise, you wouldn’t have made the spell for us.” Star Strider did pause at her question.

“Yes, and no. Some ponies are meant for immortality and can handle the burden. That is why the trials for immortality are great and painstaking, testing every facet of a pony’s prowess. I never began my trial for fear of losing…” His sentence seemed to drift off as he looked away from the others. He suddenly snapped back to them with a new resolve crossing his face. “We need to prepare the world for the Lichen, should it return. We do not know of its location, intent, or safety now. Taking every precaution will only help to bolster Equestria if it or another threat appears.” He began to canter off. The others rushed in step with him.

“Wait! Star Strider! We have many safeties in place! We don’t necessarily need to worry right now.” Celestia flew down in front of him. “So many powerful magic users exist now, and the kingdom is experiencing peace like no other. Every land is united and learning the ways of friendship. Perhaps you could take a load off after a few thousand years of worrying, right? Sit down and share some ancient wisdom to eager students?” Star Strider walked past her and tore through the rest of the hedge to lead to the Canterlot gardens. He stopped as he almost trampled a patch of lilacs and sighed.

“While it would be nice, I cannot rest until I know that you are safe. I will try to adapt to this new world if you can try and implement my safeties into your lands. I promise you would rather have them than not.” Celestia paused at this and nodded after a few moments.

“Very well, we can have you prepare us while you learn your surroundings. We have a few spare rooms in the palace for you to choose from if you wish to stay here in Canterlot. We would be more than delighted to host you! Right sister?”

“YES! Ahem, I mean of course, Star Strider, and we will provide whatever aid we can in your endeavor.” Luna shot Celestia a look and saw the all too familiar look across her sister’s face that said Stop acting weird again, its not a good look. Luna looked back to Star Strider and stepped in front of him. “Here, this way to the suites.” Star Strider walked after her as Celestia turned to Twilight.

“Go back to Ponyville for now, try and make any protection spells you can. Just in case. Once you’ve done that, we will summon you when Star Strider has any news or plans. In the meantime, keep your guard up and get your town ready for anything. We know not of any threats that may appear.” Twilight nodded and began to take off for her home. Starswirl was following Star Strider as Celestia approached him as well. “Starswirl, can you aid me in the library to find any more info on the Lichen or protection spells? I will send for Luna and Star Strider once he is settled. Best we get a head start.”

“Of course, my dear, but I do wish tonight to catch up with my old friend. You know how it is.” He winked at her and started towards the library down the hall. Celestia turned to see Luna awkwardly trotting down the corridor with the giant pony close in tow. Don’t do anything foolish, Luna. The last thing we need is for a powerful mage to turn on us. With that thought looming over her head, she started towards the library with Starswirl, hoping whatever they had just done had been the right call.

Author's Note

Thinking of making a sequel depending on how much people enjoy this one. Still haven't written the ending as I've got a few options I'm debating. Let me know how you all are liking it so far! Any and all feedback is welcome!

Chapter 16- The River

Star Strider and Luna were back in their usual courtyard spot, princess Twilight and Spike in their company. Spike watched as Star Strider lifted a short spear in his hoof, holding it between the bends of his arm. “Now Spike, watch carefully. A spear is not just a weapon. You must accept it as a part of you if you want it to work with you.” He nodded to Luna, and she shot a bolt at him. He quickly lifted the spear as he stepped to the side, knocking the bolt straight into the ground. She shot three more in quick succession and Star Strider dodged with as much speed as before. As he did, he spun and knocked the first sideways into a tree. He jutted the back end of the spear into the second bolt, causing it to bounce off the back and slam into the third and final bolt. He landed in a cloud of dust and planted his spear in the ground. “This will be your first exercise. Your ability to fight is nothing if you cannot first defend yourself.” He threw the spear over to the small dragon, who caught it clumsily between his claws.

“How am I supposed to hold this? I’ve only ever seen ponies use these things.” Star Strider walked up to him, lowering a hoof onto his arm. He pulled the spear back between his arm and chest, angling his second arm to stabilize it.

“Your claws are your ally as much as the spear. Use them as the unique parts that they are. A spear is as good as its user.” Spike gulped and nodded, tightening his grip on the spear. He walked across the field to face Luna.

“Fear not, Spike. I will not be charging these bolts with much. Should you be hit, it would be as a pillow.” Luna spoke assuredly towards him. Star Strider raised a hoof.

“No. If he is to learn properly, he must also learn the sting of failure. While it is not necessary to harm him, give it enough juice that he would feel what it means to fail thus disenchanting him from making the same mistakes.” Now Twilight stepped in between the three of them.

“I don’t think Spike should be fighting against such powerful magic right off the bat. What if he gets maimed or scarred for life from simple training?” Spike had a look of frustration cross his face.

“Twilight, come on. I’m a dragon. Every dragon my age and older has hundreds of scars and fights beneath their belt. If anything, it’ll put me in touch with my kind. Just let me try for a little.” Star Strider let out a slight shiver at his statement, a motion only Luna caught sight of. He turned to Twilight.

“Yes. Trust is an important principle between teacher and student. You must trust Spike to his skills if he is to grow into them.” Twilight grumbled and lowered her head, stepping back out of the circle. Star Strider turned and nodded to Luna. “Now Spike, your goal is to not let a bolt hit you. Use whatever you can to ensure this doesn’t happen. You may begin by speaking to Luna.” Spike readied his spear again and tightened his stance.

“Ready.”

Without hesitation, Luna let out two bolts directly at spike. He raised the spear to try and hit the first, missing entirely. He narrowly stepped out of its way. The second bolt struck the tip of his spear, sending it flying from his claws. He took a few steps back as Luna let out another three bolts.

“Spike! Use what you have! Regain your composure and think!” Star Strider yelled at him from the sidelines. Spike’s face changed to a look of understanding. He rolled under the first bolt straight towards his spear. He picked it up and whipped around to bat the second bolt into the ground. His victory got to his head as he smiled wide as the bolt hit the ground. He forgot about the third bolt, which struck him directly in the chest, sending the small dragon flying back.

“SPIKE!”

Twilight jumped from her watching position and ran towards him lying on the ground. She picked him up in her hooves and cradled his head. His eyes were closed as she shook him. “Spike, come on wake up! Please!” The panic was evident in her voice. Spike coughed a few times and opened his eyes. He clutched his chest as he breathed rapidly.

“I… almost had that Twi. Did you see!” He grinned widely. He started to get up from her hooves and picked his spear up. “Let’s go again!”

“Oh no mister, not after that. You were unconscious for three seconds! Do you have any idea how bad that is! You are never fighting again I can’t believe I ever let—” Star Strider cut her off.

“He is fine. His scales are strong and his heart even stronger. If he wants to continue the exercise, let him. Otherwise, you may leave.” He spoke coldly, as though Twilight’s presence were an annoyance. Twilight looked at him and saw him staring at Spike. Or maybe, it was Spike that was annoying him. She stood up and faced him.

“Fine, but I want to make sure this is safe. So how about a little deal? Any hits that Spike takes, you do too. Just to make sure that this is truly a safe practice.” Star Strider huffed indignantly.

“Very well. I agree. Now please move from the field. Spike, your confidence is a tool. Be sure it does not become misused. The fight is not over until the blows stop coming. When you were downed and without your spear, you forgot your other unique gifts. See to it you use them this next time.”

“But what are they? You said that before and I don’t know what it means.”

“Then think hard. I’m sure you’ll come up with it.” Star Strider walked back to Twilight’s side and nodded to Luna.

“Don’t you think you’re treating him a bit rough?” Twilight whispered to the gray pony. He continued to stare at Spike.

“Not at all. His kind are built for war. This practice is nothing compared to the atrocities of the dragon lands. The best way to teach him is to toughen the scales that have grown soft in our homes. He could be a powerful warrior if he works for it.” Twilight thought back to her few trips to the dragon lands, remembering the harsh treatment dragons tended to give each other. Maybe he’s right and I should just let this happen.

Spike readied again and spoke “Ready” to Luna. She shot at him again. This time, Spike rolled under the bolt, springing up in time to hit the second bolt sideways. He didn’t seem to be phased by this as he used the same motion to spin the spear. In his attempt to flow with his momentum, he sent the spear flying up as he lost his grip. The bolt closed in on him as he recalled Star Strider’s advice. He shot his fire breath at the bolt, hoping it would be enough to stop it. It wasn’t. It hit him in his arm this time as he spun over himself, landing in the dirt. He grimaced at the sting that flowed through his arm.

“Up, my boy. The fight is not over, and your opponent is relentless. The next volley is coming.” Star Strider coached him as he waved to Luna, showing her to shoot at him again. She unleashed another wave of bolts at the downed dragon. Twilight stood up again, ready to intervene. Star Strider crossed a hoof in front of her. “Let him think.”

Spike faced the bolts and narrowed his eyes, catching sight of where his spear was. He suddenly jumped up, flapping his wings to jump over the bolts. He dove at his spear as Luna adjusted her aim. Just as he swooped down to grab his spear, a bolt struck his outstretched wing. He spun into the ground with a loud crash. Twilight broke through Star Strider’s barrier and ran to him. He knelt up and raised his elbow. The scales had scraped down to cause a trail of blood run down his arm. He sucked air through his teeth as Twilight ran to his side. “Oh my gosh you’re bleeding! I knew this was a bad idea we are going to take you out of this immediately. We should have never agreed to this.” Spike pushed her off. He breathed soft flames onto his cuts, charring the blood and cauterizing the wounds. He stood up and looked angrily at Twilight.

“I’m not a baby, Twilight. You can’t try and protect me from every little wound. I can handle it.” He turned to Star Strider. “I wanna go again. I know what my other things are, I think I can beat her this time.” Twilight shrunk away from Spike, very clearly hurt by his words. Star Strider saw her walking away and called after her.

“Princess Twilight, perhaps you would like to have a round?” She turned back to him, her sad eyes looking between Spike and Star Strider.

“I— Think I’m alright. I’m just going to go to bed. Sorry Spike, you enjoy your training.” She continued her walk away. Spike realized how mean his words had been and looked up at the large stallion.

“Actually, Star Strider, I think I may have to be done. I’ll be back tomorrow night for more, but there are some more… pressing matters I gotta take care of.” Star Strider nodded down to the dragon.

“I believe that would be wise. A warrior is nothing without good allies by his side. Go get your friend.” Spike took off quickly towards Twilight as she entered the castle. Luna and Star Strider looked at the door as it closed behind the small dragon. The courtyard was quiet again as the pair slowly turned to each other. Star Strider grinned and broke the silence. “Your aim was a bit sloppy there towards the end. Is that compassion I sense? Or are you just getting a little rusty?” She flicked her tail at him, its flowy properties rippling at him.

“Oh hush. He’s just a young dragon. I couldn’t hit him every time in good conscious.” She playfully smiled back to him. He strode up to her as their heads almost touched.

“Maybe you’d like a little more practice? A little rougher?” Luna blushed at his words and turned away.

“Star Strider, I hardly think this is the right—” She was cut off by his legs sweeping hers as she fell to the ground. He pinned her and came even closer.

“Never turn your back on your opponent.” He smirked at her and let her up. She brushed her back off. She sneered at him and stuck her tongue out.

“Cheap shot. Maybe you’d like to get your ass handed to you again?”

The two of them had grown close over the last week, closer than Luna had ever been to somepony. She had become comfortable dropping her royal demeanor around the pony. He made her feel safe.

Star Strider took up his place at the end of the yard as she did hers. The two fought, exchanging shots back and forth, parrying each other’s blows. The engaged in magic fighting, hoof combat, and witty banter through the night. They finally paused after what felt like hours of fighting. Both of them were sweating and panting as they tried to stabilize their breaths. They both had cuts and dirt riddling their coats, detracting from the natural beauty both of their fur had. Star Strider straightened himself and walked towards the door to the courtyard. Luna ran to catch up with him.

“Another great session. Your control is improving. Perhaps we begin experimenting with more ancient crafts next time. There are a few spells I believe you would do well to master.”

“That sounds great. I look forward to it!” Luna walked by him in silence for a few halls. She had an idea and hoped it would pay off. “Are you doing anything for the night? I thought we could talk some more and watch the sky. I still have so many questions.” Star Strider smiled at her.

“A generous gesture, but your duties surely take precedence. I also am filthy, which is no way to present oneself to a beautiful princess. I believe it would be in our best interests to clean and rest tonight. But perhaps another time? A talking session is just as good as any physical training.” He walked off and waved at her as he rounded the corner.

Luna barely had time to register his compliment before he was out of sight. Damn it. Luna hung her head and continued walking. She went past the hall that led to her chambers. She didn’t quite know where she was headed, but she didn’t want to go to her room. She kept walking until she found herself outside of the castle. She followed the river that surrounded Canterlot upstream. She busied herself with thoughts of Star Strider. His beautiful eyes and strong stance. Why does it have to be so hard to move on him yet so easy to be his friend? I’ve never met somepony this… special in my life. I doubt he feels the same. Surely he’d accept my offers if he did. Get a hold of yourself Luna, he’s got much better things to worry about. She paused in her thinking as she heard soft singing coming from behind a grove of trees. She was almost at the waterfall that roared down the slopes of Canterlot. She carefully waded through the trees, so as not to disturb the voice that sang. The closer she got, the more she could make out the words and tune. A rich voice was singing a pleasant melody that carried over the sound of rushing water. It came closer as Luna stopped in the trees. Whoever was singing was moving downstream. Closer to me. Luna backed away from the shoreline as it came even closer. Now she could hear the words very clearly.

“Stay, O sweet, and do not rise;

The light that shines comes from thine eyes;

The day breaks not, it is my heart,

Because that you and I must part.

Stay, or else my joys will die,

And perish in their infancy.

'T is true, 't is day; what though it be?

O wilt thou therefore rise from me?

Why should we rise because 'tis light?

Did we lie down because 'twas night?

Love, which in spite of darkness brought us hither,

Should in despite of light keep us together.

Light hath no tongue, but is all eye.

If it could speek as well as spy,

This were the worst that it could say: -

That, being well, I fain would stay,

And that I lov'd my heart and honour so,

That I would not from him, that had them, go.”

Luna held herself to a tree as she listened intently to the words. The song was beautiful, and the phrases within contained passion that carried through the voice of the singer. Her hair stood on end as the melody continued past her, her heart warmed and her eyes slightly damp. She began following the sound as it continued. She suddenly stepped on a fallen branch, causing a loud crack to interrupt the singer. She quickly backed up as a voice called out, booming through the trees.

“Who goes there? I urge you to reveal yourself lest I cause unwanted harm.”

That’s Star Strider’s voice Luna realized as his heavy voice shook through her. “It’s just me! Just me, no need to bomb the forest Star Strider.” Luna walked out of the grove and stood on the shoreline. Star Strider was standing in the water with his hooves at the ready. He relaxed as he saw who approached him.

“Princess, why are you out here so late? Is there something I can help you with?” Luna paced the shoreline and blurted out.

“I never knew you could sing.” Star Strider shifted uncomfortably at her comment.

“I tend to sing to myself. Poems transformed into song. It was not meant for others to hear.”

“Oh… That’s a shame. It was a beautiful song. The lyrics— they were about someone important to you, weren’t they?” He again shifted uncomfortably in the water, sinking lower into it.

“…Yes. I had hoped to one day present it to them for the first time.” The two of them stood awkwardly apart and Luna crossed her forelegs.

“So… why are you bathing in the Canterlot rivers? Is the bath in your room not suitable? We can get you a replacement if you need.

“No, that’s quite alright. I just prefer the natural way the waterfalls cleanse the land. I spend time in this river and the top of the falls meditating on important things… and ponies.” He raised his hooves from under the water and ran them over his mane. Luna couldn’t help but feel embarrassed watching him clean himself. She had intruded on his sacred space, a feeling she knew was annoying to bear. Before she could wrap her thoughts up, Star Strider stretched out a hoof to her. “Care to join? I see you have yet to wash yourself from our earlier bout.” Luna was shocked at his invitation. To bathe together, albeit in a river, was not something anypony did casually. She blushed and slowly walked into the banks, removing her royal dressage, and placing it on the shoreline. The ponies sat in the river facing away from each other and running water over their manes. The sound of flowing water and the distant waterfall did much to ease Luna’s stressed mind. The peaceful sounds of the nature around, the dancing of the fireflies over her head, she understood why Star Strider chose to stay here.

She was disrupted from her observations as a splashing sound came from behind. She turned around to get a face full of water. She wiped her eyes clean as Star Strider bellowed his laughter.

“What did I say about turning your back!” He laughed again as Luna gave him a crooked face, seemingly unamused at his attack. She suddenly smiled back and lifted up a ball of water with her magic. She dumped it all over his laughing face as he gulped up a mouthful of water. He spat it out and coughed as her plan clearly worked.

“And you clearly need to pay attention more to your opponent.” She smirked at him as he approached her and pushed her underwater with his hooves. She fought back and pushed him. The pair laughed as they tugged on each other, eventually coming to a rest, holding each other. They looked into each other’s eyes again. We always seem to end up back here Luna thought as she swooned at his deep, warm eyes. They held that pose for a few moments when Star Strider suddenly began pulling her closer. Not hard, but enough to be a suggestion on her end. Luna couldn’t believe what was happening. They came closer as their eyes closed. She leaned into his hold as their lips met. Her body was filled with a warmth she had never experienced. She fell deeper into his hold as they reengaged the kiss. They held each other, his hoof running through her mane; their lips broke for mere moments before they kissed again and again. They were lost in each other. Their tongues carefully encircled one another as he pulled her head closer to his. She was sitting on his lap now. The cold of the river was nothing to them as they kissed more passionately. She ran a hoof down his back as his tugged slightly on her mane; they broke the kiss and placed their foreheads together, eyes still shut. Their breathing was the only sound Luna focused on as she smiled. I can’t believe it she thought as she pulled into him closer. The stallion she was fawning for had just kissed her with more love than anypony she had spent an entire lifetime with. She wanted to stay in his arms forever as he put a hoof to her chin and raised it into another kiss. This one was deep and long, as she felt her heart pounding through her chest. She pressed into his body harder and felt his heart beating fast as well.

Suddenly, a voice called out from the trees Luna had been in earlier. “Princess Luna! Are you here? Princess! We need you to show up please!” Luna’s eyes shot wide open as she pushed away from Star Strider hard and distanced herself from him. She had no time to notice his look of sorrow as she parted from him There was a good few feet between the two of them as a guard in night battalion armor broke through the tree line. He saw the princess and bowed immediately. “Princess, we worried when you did not return from your practice. Is everything alright?” He shot a wayward glance at Star Strider, whose head hung as he sat unmoving. Luna glanced to him as well and rose up from the water.

“Yes, everything is quite fine. Star Strider was just showing me some more… training out here. Water combat and all that. I shall return soon. Thank you for your diligence.” The guard put a hoof to his chest, glanced between the two of them again, and turned to start away. Once he was out of sight, Luna sank back into the water and turned to Star Strider. She approached him and put a hoof to his face. He batted it away gently.

“Do not, princess. I’m sorry for what happened. You must return to your duties.” Luna was hurt at his sudden change of heart. She bent to look into his eyes as he turned away.

“What is wrong? I thought things were going well, what happened?” Star Strider rose and walked towards the shore.

“Luna… Princess, I waited for weeks now. I believed we were on the same page. My apologies. I shall not bother you again.”

“Star Strider— Wait! We are! I lo—like you, a lot. More than anypony. Why this change of heart?” Her voice was on the brink of tears and desperation as he rose onto the sand and grass. He turned to her with a solemn look on his face.

“I prefer to love a pony who is unashamed of me. I will not be a secret love or embarrassing want. My love is a gift I intend to give fully and without shame. I understand you have your qualms with public love, so please understand mine when I say that my love will not be hidden or broken by a wandering guard.”

“Star… I didn’t mean it… It’s not like that. I’m a princess! What would my sister say! What would the world say? We’re supposed to be regal and stoic. I can’t just do whatever I want with whomever I want!”

“Unless there your guards, right?”

Luna blushed and looked down again, ashamed to meet his eyes. She lowered her voice; “It’s not like that with them. They’re just… stress relievers.”

“So, what separates them from me? I won’t be toyed with.”

“But I haven’t done that in weeks. I vowed never to share that intimacy with another pony again!”

“Then what was that?”

“I like you. I really do, I want to be with you in more ways than just physical. I wanted you to be my…” Heavens I feel like a filly “… special somepony.” Star Strider was silent for a few moments. Luna looked back up to him, hope in her eyes. She was met with a cold gaze as he took a few more steps back.

“I would expect someone who feels so adamantly about her special somepony to relish every moment with them, observed or not. I am not ashamed to be with you. But if you cannot handle the whispers of the public over the shouts of my heart, then we have no place for each other there. Good night.” He turned and hastily walked into the trees. Tears were streaming down Luna’s face as he left. She was filled with anger, sadness, frustration, and a crushing despair. You fool, you had the stallion of your dreams and you pushed him away. And for a guard. You don’t deserve his love. She beat the water before her as she let out a sob. She just pushed the only pony she wanted to spend her life with across the water. She sat in the river for a few more minutes, crying as her heart felt like it was breaking a million times. She slowly gathered herself and pulled her way to the shoreline. She gazed up at the moon to calm her crying down. Drying herself with magic and reapplying her wear, she trudged towards the castle. This pain… It’s all my fault. I should have stayed. A few stray tears left her eyes as she entered the castle grounds. The night guards were stationed high above. They saluted her as she walked by but looks of worry filled their helmets as they saw their beloved princess hang her head low with her steps slow and short.

“Is everything alright princess? Can we get you anything?” One of the guards looked to her eyes full of sorrow.

“No. I…” She trailed off as another tear rolled down her cheek. She wiped it away, ashamed of her incompetence. “I’ll be okay. Goodnight.” Luna wandered through the halls until she came to her room. She planted her face into her pillow as she closed her door using her magic. She sobbed for hours until she felt the warming rays of the sun rising over her balcony.

Author's Note

Poor Luna. Poor Star Strider. Hopefully I hit the heartstrings with this one.