I stand on the line. My comradesremain beside me, waiting, as I do. Awaiting our commands.
And then I go into the battlefield.
It is cruel. Friend and foe alike are butchered where they stand, their deaths too clear under the moonlight. I wish that I had fledwhen I could, but now it’s too late.
For the war has officially begun.
I hold my breath. I see youstanding before me. I expect to die, as so many others have died, their bodies toppled and forgotten.
No, you move away.
I move with you. Again, we bring arms to bear against each other. Again, we do not strike.And when I move, you move, too.
Like a dance.
We get to know each other.
We start to like each other.
As we dance, upon this field of battle—I begin to fall in love with you.
Do you love me?
I know I do.
I can hear my heartbeats whenever I am close to you.
Like war drums, under the moonlight.
You blush when you see me.
I smile,you smile.
But we are not meant to be.
Our fate, destined by the colours we wear.
Separated till death would unite us again.
My love, let us leave our people and run away. Let us dance in the moonlight on the empty fields.
You move right, I move right. You move left, I move left, we circle around each other.
Run with me,my dear. Our love will endure, no war will separate us.
Follow my dance—leave our cruel leaders behind. For our kings and queens see us as pawns to win the war.
We’re not alone,my dear. I have friends who will help. Go behind the castle to let me show you my home. Let me follow your dance, where you would show me your world.
My friends, they want us together. They will not hurt you, no matter what your kingdom has done to them.
Our love will outlive this war.
Left. Right. Forward. Backwards. Left. Forward.
Let us show them our dance. Let us show them that love conquers war. Let us be an example for everyone, my dear.
We are meant to be together.
Enemies, but bound by love. Ordered to kill, but we dance. Dance, my dear, dance on the empty fields with me. The war around us, bodies fall, but we dance.
It is a symbol. It is a statement. Let us show that we are not enemies, that we don’t have to kill.
Right. Forward. Right. Left.
The moon is watching us, cheering for us. It wants us together, I want us together, you want us together. My friends won’t hurt you.
But your queen arrives. You try to defend me, but she’s too strong.
And I dance.
The war has won,my love. My heart cannot beat for you anymore. I hear you cry in my last breaths. If only we could’ve danced for a little longer.
Don’t cry,my love. Dance,dance to show them that love is better than war. Dance on the battlefield, for when you are dancing under the moonlight, I am dancing with you among the stars.
For our love…
Will last forever.
“Are… are you crying, Derpy?” Twilight asked.
With a single hoof movement the gray mare wiped her tears away, then made the next move on the chess board.
“Check,” Twilight said after moving her bishop.
As soon as Derpy had moved her king, Twilight moved the queen.
“Checkmate.”
Derpy nodded, then raised her head to the sky, where the stars were shining brightly.
“That was a strange game, if I’m being honest.” Twilight remained looking at the board. “What was the point of your knight following along with my knight? I was able to capture all your pieces and you never stopped me.”
Derpy moved her gaze to the moon, which brightened the chess board, and raised her right hoof towards it. Her body was moving to the beat of a silent song.
“But thank you for not getting angry at me whenever we play.”
Derpy heard a shuffling noise, and she looked down to see that Twilight had put her head on her hooves, still staring at the pieces which remained.
“Rainbow only ever played me once, when she tried the ‘scholar’s mate’ and it didn’t work. And Applejack would rather compete in physical games.”
Derpy looked back at the moon, her dance accompanied by the soft clinking of chess pieces as Twilight rolled them around.
“Only Pinkie Pie occasionally plays chess with me, but… it’s Pinkie Pie. It can be hard to play when she’s constantly thinking out loud, and it kind of feels unfair, too. And the moves take ages whenever she gets distracted. Which is all the time.” She sighed. “I just don’t really have anypony else to play with.”
Twilight still hadn't taken her view off the board, and thus didn’t notice how Derpy had left the table, moving her hooves rhythmically and turning in circles. The dance was slow, and her head was close to the ground, with eyes closed against the tears.
“Sometimes, I don’t even know if I will be able to enjoy my hobby again. I used to play with Celestia when I was in Canterlot, but now we’re too far away. Maybe we could’ve played with letters, but it’s not the same as when you’re actually sitting across from them. I… It honestly saddens me. Chess is such a fun and complex game, but here in Ponyville, nopony cares about it.”
Derpy stopped in her movement, raised her head and opened her eyes to look at the moon again. Its light reflected on her tears that were rolling down her face.
“But still, I like it here! I’m not complaining at all! I’ve made new friends here and I have learned so many things that I wouldn’t have learned back in Canterlot. I would give up chess in a heartbeat if I had to.” Twilight smiled. “But I didn’t. Thank you so much, Derpy. I… I really mean it. Thank you for taking your time to play chess with me. Thank you for being my friend.”
Derpy began moving her hooves again, as she watched the stars. She smiled, for she was dancing, and the stars were dancing with her.
