Chapter 2: discovery Pt2

Luna marched into her room, her maids walking behind her with her armor and sword and began to ready the alicorn. Luna prior to her dressing got a good look at the armor fashioned for her, the metal plates were forged steel painted blue, its outline painted black, she grunted as the unicorn maids strapped the reinforced cloth around her upper and lower barrel tightening it. Her helmet slid over her ears, horn and muzzle, the helmet's neck guard going halfway down her neck, again she grunted, this time it was from the flank plates being connected to her back and buttocks via a chainmail over her marehood. A click was heard after the armor was given its finishing touches of armored shin and hoof guards and detachable saddlebags towards her flanks, getting a feel for it all as she trotted around her room. Giving a nod to her maids confirming there was no chafing or snags, she was given her sword. Unsheathing it, the blade was polished steel, with a dark blue pommel in the shape of bat wings, with her crescent moon cutie mark in the center, sheathing the blade, she was ready.

Ponies both nobility and commoners, stepped aside as they watched princess Luna in full armor trot down the road towards the gate with twenty of Canterlot's best guards trailing behind her. One of the ponies, a unicorn stallion, caught the eyes of both mares and stallions as he walked by, smiling at the crowd and causing several members in the crowd to faint. Luna mentally smiled, Goldbeam would do anything to get attention of his admirers, he is after all Equestria's latest unicorn bachelor and Celestia's champion. He too wore armor similar to hers, minus the fact he has a round plate covering his stallionhood and bits, but instead of his sword having a hilt with bat wings and moon, his has alicorn wings and a sun. Soon they were out of the city gates and once they were all prepared, knowing that some were nervous, they loaded up on four carriages. Each carriage required one puller and carried six, the fourth carriage held their ammunition and supplies, such as black powder, food, water, arrows, bolts, first aid, and replacement parts for bows, crossbows and muskets.

All the while Celestia overlooked her sister and the armed forces leave for the west, she was worried for her, worried she might not see her sister again and worried for what she might find in the west. Turning from the window, she knew what the west held, traitors, the same traitors that claim she's running equestria into the ground, the same traitors who don't know about her sisters return. Yet she too was worried that her sister would be misled by them, either that or support them and their lies. She was knocked out of her senses after bumping into her solar commander, commander Sabre Shield.

“Ah your highness, I've been looking for you!” he informed bowing in the process.

This was quite curious, Sabre Shield only arrives if she needs him, yet he's been looking for her? “What's wrong commander, has something gone wrong!?” She could clearly tell some things were wrong, upon seeing his facial expressions turn to worry.

“Your highness-” he began clearing his throat “-many of us are concerned that your sister's return might jeopardize the project: flare. We are just wondering what you plan to do with her.?”. This question made Celestia think it was, true project: flare was still underway, but she hadn't accounted for Luna to be a part of it. She had to play it safe, she had to get Luna on her side and that was easier said than done.

She waved him off “don't worry commander, project: flare will still happen. As for my sister, leave her to me, I'll convince her to join us.” she heard him scoff at the idea as she turned to leave, Luna being part of the Solar empire he couldn't see it.

“What if she doesn't?!” he questioned “what then?!” She looked back at him with a smile that chilled his blood and saw a side of her, nopony would ever see. A side of insanity.

“Then I'm without a sister-” she said as she walked away, all the while smiling evilly and mumbled the last of her statement to herself “-a living sister!”.

It had been a long journey, but Luna and her party finally arrived at the lunar coast. It's been years since Lunas been to the western coast, as it was originally called, the last time she was here she was with him, just the smell brought back memories. She loved the smell, the scent of pine mixed with the current rainfall and the smell of the coast. She remembered lowering the moon to a certain point for him, she remembered his eyes, his smile, their first kiss, all the while under her set moonlight.

Currently roads were scarce in the western region due to Celestia's bitter campaign to take the region, but after every encounter the lunar militia stopped her from trying. Ponies steadied as they went over a bump, currently they switched from Equestrias stone roads to the western coasts dirt roads and to the ponies, it was quite uncomfortable. However what made the western coast so unique, was how untamed it was, the region expanded in both directions two hundred and twelve miles, from Vanhoover in the north, to Las Pegasus and San Palomino to the south. All the while the weather controlled itself with no pegasus intervention, even though it was stated there was a weather factory, Cloudsdale and other pegasus cities however had no record of such a factory. Groans came from the ponies she was with, many of them annoyed at the sudden rainfall, with some unbothered by it, but Luna knew it wasn't the rain, since many of the ponies she was with took part in several skirmishes in the west. Luna sat with several stallions, all of which gave her a displeasing look, due to her name, view towards the western coast and thestrals. A few however were kind though, especially one sitting next to her, a earth stallion with a gray coat and yellow mane and cutie mark resembling a gun scope, if she remembered correctly his name was Snapp Shot. The stallion took a swig of hard liquor from his flask, in kind he offered Luna a drink, to which she kindly accepted, taking a swig she made a face and forcefully swallowed the liquid down, all the while feeling the burn as it settled in her stomach.

“That's the good stuff lass-” a stallion across from her spoke in a thick Sireish accent “-Canterlot whiskey, aged in Canterlot for five years with a seventy percent proof, only fillies like wine and do you know why?”

Luna watched as every stallion waited for her answer, shrugging as she thought of something clever “cause they wine much less after they drink it?”. There was only silence, until that silence turned into laughter, she felt Snapp Shot give a firm pat on her back, usually she would send somepony to the dungeon for that, but decided to join in on the laughter. After a while of befriending some of the stallions and mares of her party, they finally arrived at Sunfalls and the reaction and reception was, to say the least, unwelcoming. Upon seeing ponies arrive in town with Canterlot armor, a large mob started to encircle the party, Luna a bit taller than the average pony saw their anger and fear, quickly she addressed the angry mob, in hopes to ease the town.

“Please, we mean you no harm-” they didn't listen, mostly in part of their rage and shouts demanding them to leave. Getting enraged herself, she unleashed her Canterlot voice “-QUIET!!”. Silence, the town fell silent upon hearing the royal voice, but what caught her ears were the shocked whispers she heard next.

“Is that her?!”

“The princess of the night?!”

“I thought she was banished?!”

“By the night's grace it is her!”

In a quick turn of events ponies turned from shock to tears of joy, Luna stood with a puzzled look as ponies bowed and wept before her. The party she was with looked at her with surprise, her response being a puzzled shrug, she was just as confused as they were. However tears had to be put aside due to a possible threat in Equestria and that's why they’re here, they hoped to gain answers and figure out what's causing a strange illness.

“Please, please settle down everypony-” Luna's calm voice grabbed the attention of the calmed mob “-we’re not here to harm you, we're only here to find answers to a strange illness that came from a crashed ship. Is there anypony here that knows something, or seen something?” one by one ponies raised their hooves, even ponies on the side raised their hooves, something deep down told Luna this was no ordinary illness.

After settling into some lodgings at the local hotel, Luna now out of her armor, walked down the street in hopes to find the town hall, all the while eyeing the town. It was quite a large town, market stalls, a brothel, shops and a bar made up the merchant quarter. Towards the ocean was the Sunfalls harbor, several ships docked offloaded their goods, while ponies loaded them up in wagons for distribution, one ship the Equestrian offloaded crates with a strange blue glow to them. Currently where she stood was the town square, a large circular park with a large fountain in the middle, looking upon the fountain's centerpiece she saw her cutie mark made of stone. Behind her was the residential district and the district she arrived from, and given its namesake mostly had houses, the current hotel and a school. Ahead of that was the Sunfalls train station, next to it was the road she and her party arrived on and the rusted train track they had to cross to get here. Surprisingly enough, she looked across and saw the last district, the temple district and to her fortune had the town hall, along with a hospital and lunar temple.

Walking through the temple district, her eyes caught a depressing sight, ponies young and old begging on the street, with some selling their bodies in hopes to get a place to stay, or get their next meal. She watched one stallion take a mare around behind an alley way, she knew what was going and kept walking, but was stopped by a unicorn stallion selling his body.

“Please-” he begged “-all I ask is for a few bits, pleasure for bits please-” he then named the price for each “-five for oral, ten for anal, twenty for vaginal, thirty for a combo, please I beg you”. Not wanting to use his body, she gave him, without pleasure, fifty bits, more than enough to get him a place to stay and get something to eat, but she was not without question and gave him thirty more for an answer.

“Why are you selling yourself and why is the town so run down” that was putting it kindly, the town needed major repairs in certain areas, such as the school, harbor and town hall and those were only a few locations.

“It was Celestia's trade embargo-” he spoke venomously “-ever since her promise to Equestria to retake the west, she launched viscous trade embargos on food, iron, lumber, and even... medicine” he choked to say the final word, after losing somepony dear to him. “Now she’s launching skirmishes at us, hoping that we would break it not only moral, but also in spirit!” Luna was at a loss for words, what her sister was doing was down right barbaric, how her sister could do this she didn't know, but it needs to end.

To his surprise she embraced him “what's your name?” she asked, this caught the unicorn off guard, but nonetheless told her.

“Hazewind Dusk” he replied. Hazewind was a unicorn stallion with a dark blue coat and pink mane, his cutie mark resembles that of a hazy sunset, a silver locket could be seen around his neck. “I used to be a lumberpony-” he replied telling his story “-that is until mercenaries showed up and drove us out. Now many of us walk the streets or ask for bits, both the lumber mill and iron mine were the towns main form of income and trade.-” he sighed “-now.” he shook his head, the words hollow in his mind as he pressed his locket to his chest, hoping to give him some semblance of calm.

Luna could only watch as the stallion tried to remain hopeful, many ponies tried to, but knew it wasn't going to be enough, she had to do something, then a thought came to her, the mayor. Hoofing the stallion his bits she made a beeline to the town hall, once she was at the door, she opened it, but it fell off its hinges with a -crash- ‘oops’. Walking in she looked around, the town hall was in dire need of repair, other than the door, the roof, the windows and just about everything else was falling apart. The town hall was mostly vacant, the only sign of décor and furniture was the chandelier threatening to fall and an occupied receptionist desk. Trotting up to the desk, Luna noticed the receptionist sleeping with her head down, to her surprise the mare was a pegasus, usually receptionists were earth ponies, or unicorns. Luna cleared her throat to get the mare's attention, she stood awkwardly with no reply, again no response, thinking, she went around the desk and decided to rouse the sleeping mare. Bad idea.

“Excuse me miss”-CRACK- Luna just shook the mare hoping to politely wake her up, she however didn't expect to get sucker punched in the muzzle. Luna rolled and moaned on the floor, whereas the mare groggily glared at her.

“Who in their right bucking mind decided it wa-” she looked down to see Luna rolling around in pain.

“OH SWEET MERCIFUL, PRINCESS LUNA I'M SO SORRY!!!” getting off her seat she rushed over to aid the injured princess, now fully awake to her sudden surprise, she reached in a desk drawer and pulled out a towel. “Here” she said, placing the towel on Luna's now bleeding muzzles, the princess nodding in thanks.

“What the hay is going on here!?” The mare turned to see the mayor come around the desk with a curious look after hearing a crash in the lobby.

“Mayor Crestfall, I can explain!” Crestfall, the standing mayor of Sunfalls was a stallion with a light brown coat with a black mane, his cutie mark resembles a crescent moon falling behind a hill. He was shocked to see Luna, now on her haunches, with a bloody towel over her muzzle, he glared at his receptionist.

“What the hay happened!!?” he demanded, the mare now sweating bullets, could only hope for a miracle to get out of this one.

“It's not her fault-” the two turned their heads to Luna “-I woke her up, I didn't expect her to react the way she did-” she looked at the mare “-nice hit by the way!” The mare blushed, her wings now covering her face, embarrassed, not for dealing a good hit, but for the lecture she was going to get the fiftieth time.

“Magenta Dusk-” he sighed looking at the mare “-how many times do I have to tell you-” she rolled her eyes as she spoke in an annoyed and mocking tone with the mayor “-don't break ponies noses!”

“Yea I got it!” she said annoyed

A half an hour later, Luna sat in the mayor's office, her muzzle now bandaged, still hurt after taking a hoof straight to it. Now she sat waiting for Crestfall, the stallion excusing himself to use the restroom, looking around she noticed many pictures around his office. One such picture was with him a foal and what she could tell is his wife, picking it up, she caught two letters trying to fall out the bottom of its frame. Looking back at the door, she knew she shouldn't read a pony's personal belongings, but something told her deep down that it holds the reason why Celestia wants the west. Looking back at the door she began to read it.

‘(first letter) Dear Crestfall

(day1) It's been fun here in Ponyville, our son made several new friends here, including this strange pink pony. I wish you could be here, but your duty as mayor is far more important, but we both love you for who you are and how you keep the town running. We should be home in a few days and hopefully we could find somepony to help us with the town's food problem.

Sincerely yours: Rising Light

Dear Crestfall

(day4) it's been scary here, Ponyville was met the other day by guards wearing orange and red armor, they called themselves the solar guard. They were back today, this time going door to door asking for thestral ponies. I had to shield our sons' eyes as they beat a poor mare to death for denying them entry, we might have to cut this visit short.

Sincerely yours: Rising Light

Dear Crestfall

(day6) We had to leave, of course we found somepony to help with with food, but the solar guard has been cracking down on spies and thestral whereabouts. Fortunately this Braeburn is going to help us get back, wish us luck and see you at home. We love you.

Sincerely yours: Rising light

Date: 5,18,497 (Celestial age:497)’

‘Four ninety seven’, Luna thought, ‘that was four years ago’ shaking her head, she read the second letter.

‘(second letter) Dear Crestfall

(day10)We made it back in the west, but the solar guards were following us. They raided our caravan as we traveled, but fortunately the lunar militia chased them off. It's a few miles away, but we're nearing the town of Moonlight, hopefully we can get some rest there.

Sincerely yours: Rising light

Dear Crestfall

(day13)We're finally in Moonlight, and I can see why Celestias after the west, in the center of town lies a well, though more like a small pool called the lunar well. It is said this well can heal the most grievous of wounds, but some believe it could also grant strong magical powers, rivaling that of an alicorn. No wonder Celestia wants it.

Sincerely yours: Rising light

From caravan leader Brokenspoke

Mayor Crestfall

We regret to inform you that your wife Rising light and your colt have perished, just last night the solar guards raided our camp and attacked indiscriminately killing many. She fought hard, but ultimately died at the hooves of their captain. I tried my best, but there were too many. Again I'm truly sorry.’

Luna lowered the letter shocked at what she read, tears fell from her eyes, her sisters still doing it, she’s still trying to rule Equestria with an iron hoof, but why? She felt Crestfalls presence behind her, and heard him walk up and sat next to her.

“Your sister started her vile campaign against the west seven years ago, long before I met my wife Rising Light.” She looked at him, all the more hurt her sister could do this.

“Why, what is she trying to gain!?” she watched him look down, sighing.

“I stopped asking why-” he said, then looked at her “-but if you want to know, there are a number of factors, but your sister isn't the only one after the west. The Elite is after it too, ever since we dug up that well, it's been nothing but trouble!” Luna raised her brow, this well piqued her interest, she was about to ask, but was stopped by the mayor.

“I know you're interested in the well and I'll give you a report, but there are other matters to discuss. For starters, this sickness along with the strange creatures that came with it.” he said all this, all the while walking behind his desk and sitting in his chair. Luna heard the report from Silversword, his squad was attacked by strange creatures, only he made it out. somewhat.

Luna nodded “we heard of a sickness here and wondered if you knew anything about it?”

Crest shook his head “we know little, but what we do know is its lethal and monstrous-” Luna tilted her head curios “-let me clarify, the blood is toxic and can kill ponies or anything after entering the bloodstream. However there's a more monstrous side, ponies who live are never the same and start turning into a flesh eating beast!”

Luna was trying to understand it all “hold up-” she stopped him “-this happened hours before we arrived and you're saying this turns ponies into monsters!?”. Crest nodded “I heard the report, I thought it was speculative, but do you have proof?”.

The mayor smirked “follow me”.

Traveling through the temple district, both the mayor and Luna soon arrived at Sunfalls hospital, greeting them was an earth pony with a dark brown coat and blue mane, with what appeared to be three light blue pills as his cutie mark. He smiled, shaking both their hooves.

“Princess Luna, Mayor Crestfall, I'm honored by your visit!”

Crestfall stepped aside and introduced the pony “your highness I'd like you to meet doctor Valium, he’s the head doctor researching this illness and these monsters”.

Luna looked at the two curiously “monsters? You mean something’s spreading this?” Valium warbled his hoof in a yes and no fashion.

“Eehh, in a way-”he speculated, then smiled “-would you like to see it?”

The three soon entered a white wash room, around the walls were tables of lab equipment and magical devices. In the center of the room lying on an operation table rested the corpse of one of the creatures Valium spoke of. The creature was hideous, its flesh was a brown color and looked as if it was rotting, yet it wasn't, next was its features, it stood about as high as both Luna and Celestia and had a mouth full of razor sharp needle like teeth. What disturbed both Luna and the mayor were the things' eyes, they were a light gray for the iris, with a reddish black sclera. Luna was curious how that thing could see with near blindness, but figured it might be its normal eye color. A pungent smell caught Luna and Crestfall off guard, trying to cover their nose as best they could.

“Yea sorry-” Valium nervously chuckled, not affected by the smell as much “-it came in like that.”.

Looking around, Luna soon caught sight of the creatures weapons and armor, going up to it, she was surprised to see the metal for the armor and weapons were made entirely of iron, some even wrought iron. Its sword however intrigued the princess; she's heard of curved swords, or scimitars used by the Saddle Arabians, but to see one in the paws of whatever this thing is surprised her.

Valium noticed Luna rubbing her hoof on the blade “careful of the blade-” he warned, she looked back at him “-it might be laced with the creature's blood, so don't touch it!”

Luna heeded his warning and looked at the armor instead, Luna speculated this creature was a grunt, a common hoof soldier and after seeing its shield, it most certainly was. What it did not carry were valuables, Luna looked over its armor and couldn't find anything valuable, no picture of loved ones, no jewelry, nothing, it's as if it didn't care. The doors to the lab soon burst open, the Sirish pony she later found out was named Hard Scotch rushed in, a look of worry on his face.

“Scotch what's wrong!?” Luna rushed to him.

“Tis, Goldbeam lass, he's taken half the party to find them creatures” he informed, Luna cursed Goldbeams name, she should’ve known her sisters champion would go for glory. Snapp Shot too rushed in carrying his scoped musket across his back.

“Your highness, what Scotch said is true, but there's more than that. Goldbeam was tasked by Celestia to go after the lunar well, but we sent out scouts to find strange activity. Your highness several creatures are camped three miles southwest of here!” This worried everypony, if these creatures were hostile then the town was in serious danger.

Strapping the last strap on her armor, Luna and those loyal to her roughly around half, stood ready and soon marched out to find Goldbeam. Many knew this wasn't going to be a walk in the park, the creatures informed by the scout were three miles past the ice vein river. Luna knew about that river, for she gave it that name a millennia ago, after many foals drowned in the ice cold water, which in turn gave it its other name, the river of death.

Snapp Shot turned to address everypony “alright everypony, Goldbeam and his group are roughly two hours ahead of us, which means we have to double time it. Now we all know why he’s doing this, he and everypony else has taken an oath for Celestia, well that oath is now forfeit, we may be veterans of the western skirmishes, but that changes, now we fight for the west. NOW LET'S MOVE!!”

Luna felt a surge of encouragement and she thought she was the moral booster since she’s an alicorn, but hearing Snapp Shots speech made her want to fight hard and not just for the west, but for everypony. Trotting out of the hotel, everypony soon went into a full gallop to make up for lost time, unaware of the scene they were about to run into.

Author's Note

Here it is chapter two, what are they going to find and why does Celestia want the Lunar well, all will be explained in future fics, I don't own the rights. Let me know what you think, chapter three will be up soon.