Lunar Shattering

A piercing white light filled Luna’s vision as she slowly opened her eyes, blinking against the brightness. A sharp, unbearable pain shot through her head, radiating from the base of her horn and spreading outward like fire. She winced, raising a hoof to the bandage wrapped around her head, only to have the pain intensify. A series of disjointed images flooded her mind, each one sharper and more vivid than the last.

She saw him , the strange, armored figure, unlike any creature she’d ever known tied in the roots in the forgotten cell. His piercing blue eyes bore into her, a gaze as cold as ice. But then, they began to shift, darkening into an abyssal black, with thin, glowing white slits that seemed to cut through her very soul. The transformation left her breathless, as if his gaze alone could reach into the deepest parts of her being. The image burned itself into her mind, only to shift again.

Her vision wavered, and suddenly she was staring into the eyes of her attacker , the Solar Guard. His fiery orange eyes glared at her, filled with malice, but even they began to change, the fiery color draining as they transformed into that same horrific black, with those haunting white slits slicing through the darkness. A surge of pain erupted in her head, as though each image seared itself deeper, refusing to let her escape. She gasped, shutting her eyes tight to block out the visions, but they only grew stronger, accompanied by a crushing pressure that threatened to pull her under.

“Find me… Find me…” The words echoed through her mind.

Gradually, the intensity began to lessen and Luna took a shuddering breath, her senses slowly returning as the visions faded into the back of her mind. She opened her eyes again, wincing as the dull ache in her head settled into a relentless throb.

She was in a hospital room, clean and simple, with faintly glowing crystals embedded in the walls and a bouquet of night lilies in the corner with few bright cards. The soft, pulsing blue light illuminated the room in gentle waves, the steady hum of magic mingling with the rhythmic beat of her own heart. The familiar presence of magic in the air offered a small comfort, a reminder that she was safe, even as her mind struggled to piece together what had happened.

Beside her stood a green unicorn doctor, his horn emitting a small, focused beam of light that he directed into her eyes. As she stirred, he extinguished the light and offered a relieved smile.

“Princess Luna, my name is Healy Herb” he said, his tone calm and warm. “You’ve been through quite an ordeal. You suffered a concussion during the incident at the power station. Fortunately, a unit from the Solar Guard arrived just in time and managed to get you and Mr. Tesla Coil to safety. You are right now in New Mane General Hospital.”

Luna blinked, the fragmented memories beginning to surface explosions, smoke, the blinding orange light, and the face of a guard. His hateful gaze lingered in her mind. “The guard… he attacked us” she murmured, her voice weak but steady. “We remember his face , he...”

The doctor exchanged a quick glance with the nurse standing nearby, a hint of concern in his eyes. “Your Highness, I believe you may still be experiencing some confusion from the concussion. There was no report of a rogue guard. The Solar Guard who rescued you found no hostile threats at the scene. It’s likely that your injury is affecting your memory. You were hit by parts of the debri but your shield managed to take the main force of the hit”

Luna shook her head, wincing as a sharp pain lanced through her skull. “No,” she replied, her voice firmer now. “We saw him! He was there, in armor, with a weapon. We are not imagining this!!!”

“Princess,” the doctor continued gently, “concussions can cause vivid, unsettling visions, even hallucinations. Your injuries are consistent with a blast impact and solid object hit at the base of the skull, not an assault. With some rest, these memories will likely settle, we did all possible tests but you appear to be physically healthy. For now, please focus on recovering.”

Frustration simmered beneath her composure as she struggled to cling to the fragmented images. After a pause, she nodded reluctantly. “Perhaps you’re right. We ..I may need time to… to sort it out.”

The doctor relaxed, nodding. “Thank you, Princess. Rest is the best thing for you now. But if there’s anything else troubling you, please let us know.”

Luna took a deep breath, her mind still buzzing with questions. “And Mr. Tesla? Is he alright?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

The doctor’s face grew in concentration. “He was in critical condition when we brought him in. He sustained serious injuries from the debris, but he’s stable now, thanks to you. The guards found you shielding him.”

“Can... I see him?”

“It would be better for you both to rest,” the doctor replied “Tomorrow would be best for him, Princess Celestia asked for you to be transported Back to Canterlot after you woke up, you have been unconscious for almost 19 hours”

“No,” Luna insisted, her tone resolute. “I need to speak with him now.”

After a moment of hesitation, the doctor nodded reluctantly. “Very well, but you’re too weak to walk. I’ll have the nurse bring a wheelchair.”

Luna opened her mouth to protest but saw the doctor’s firm expression and swallowed her objections. “Fine,” she murmured.

The doctor motioned to the nurse, who retrieved a wheelchair. Luna eased into it, bracing herself as they made their way down the corridor filled with ponies in black and few royal guards in purple.

“Were there… were there any casualties?” she asked, her voice strained and barely audible.

The doctor hesitated, a shadow passing over his face. “Yes, Princess. Twenty-six lost their lives, and another one hundred and ninety were injured. The damage was extensive, we are still waiting for a public statement from Princess Celestia.

When they reached Tesla’s room, the doctor stopped at the door, meeting her gaze. “Please keep it brief, Princess. You both need rest.”

Luna nodded, and the nurse pushed the door open, wheeling her inside.

The room was sparse, its white walls softened only by scattered get-well cards and a few bouquets of wildflowers, their colours bright against the clinical gray. The scent of night lilies hung thick in the air, almost cloying.

Tesla lay on his side, his torso wrapped in heavy bandages, with burns marking his fur. He clutched a silver picture frame with an image of two ponies in the sky on a clear evening, his gaze focused on it, his face a mask of sorrow. When he noticed Luna, he carefully tucked the frame under his pillow and managed a faint smile.

“Your Highness,” he greeted her, his voice hoarse. “Good to see you’re well.”

Luna took in the sight of his injuries and felt a pang of guilt looking at his heavily bandaged wing “Tesla,” she began softly, “how are your wings?”

He shook his head, his expression hardening. “It’s wing now, Princess. I’ve only one left.”

The reality of his words struck her, and she struggled to find a response. “I… I’m so sorry,” she whispered.

“No,” Tesla interrupted. “You did everything you could. This is how it is.”

He glanced back at the leaving nurse, closing the door behind herself, his eyes narrowing slightly. “What did you tell the doctor?”

Luna frowned, unsure of his sudden intensity. “I told him what I remembered. About the guard. About the attack.”

Tesla’s looked right at her and shook his head. “No. You don’t remember that. Not a word of it, do you understand?”

Luna’s confusion deepened. “What do you mean? I saw him. That Guard almost killed us!”

“Forget it,” Tesla cut her off, his voice low and urgent. “For your safety, you never speak of this. Not to anyone. You didn’t see anything. I got hit by the explosion and you saved me.”

Luna’s frustration flared, and she straightened, meeting his gaze defiantly. “I am a princess of Equestria. I have to tell Celestia. Why should I hide this?!”

Tesla let out a bitter sigh. “Princess, you don’t understand. Princess Celestia wouldn’t believe you, and neither would the public. You’re already seen as unstable by most. Some know about your… episodes. Speaking of things like this will only give them more reason to doubt you.”

Luna’s eyes narrowed. “How do you know about that?” she demanded, her suspicion growing.

Tesla looked away, his expression tight and unreadable. “That doesn’t matter now,” he replied, evading her question. “What matters is that you stay silent. For your own safety, you remember nothing. There is no evidence, that guard disappeared. I cant tell who or why yet, but trust me its for your safety.”

Silence stretched between them, thick with tension. Luna felt the weight of his words, his gaze meeting hers, firm and unyielding. After a moment, she let out a slow, reluctant breath. “We are in your debt and shall stay silent, Tesla. But only because you saved me and you owe me and explanation for the knowledge you hold of us”

A faint chuckle escaped his lips, though tinged with weariness. “Princess, we’re even now,” he replied, humour flashing in his eyes. “Consider the debt repaid.”

Luna managed a small, reluctant smile, but Tesla’s face quickly grew serious again. “You need to watch your back,” he warned. “There’s more going on than you realizes. I’ll be in contact with you when I can, but for now, stay alert.”

“In contact?, but how” . Just as Tesla was about to respond, the door swung open, and two Solar Guards stepped inside, their expressions solemn and their armor gleaming under the crystal lights.

“Princess Luna,” one of them announced, his voice firm and respectful. “We’re here to escort you back to Canterlot. Your transport is ready. Princess Celestia will join you there later.”

Luna glanced at Tesla, he gave her a faint nod, his eyes sharp, she turned to the guards and nodded. “Very well. Let us depart.”