To Chase The Shadows of Redemption

In the heart of the boreal forest, the morning sun had just begun its rise.

In the hush and tranquil undisturbed forest, a scant few snowflakes danced and fell from the heavens. Each flake twirled and eased its way all the way to the ground as though it had all the time in the world.

As they passed by Twilight, they whispered secrets of the wind. She was standing still, staring out into the distance.

There was a small and steady supply of smoke rising not too far off in the distance.

For months, Twilight had been travelling across the Equestrian countryside, visiting towns and villages along the way. It had been a flight of self-discovery, growth, and forging ephemeral connections that may possibly one day be revisited. It had been an adventure. She had met ponies from all walks of life, and now that it was all over she found herself finding it all useless for what lay ahead of her.

There was a cabin in her line of sight, and she had yet to cross the distance. It was a humble abode, yet the aura around the place was of mystique. It held all the keys to this recent escapade. Twilight hesitated, no other pony in sight.

After about five minutes of being unable to approach, Twilight was about to relent and move when it happened.

A midnight blue coat, shimmering with subtle radiance. It was a graceful form, sleek and athletic. Her mane and tail flowed like a river, no different than Celestia, only it had the most beautiful array of stars that was hard to look away from.

She had returned flying, magically carrying a bucket of water. She dropped it off on the side of the building. Twilight's breath caught in her throat.

She saw Luna begin to enter the miniature home, there were no tell tale signs of any hostility, or any concern at all for that matter. Without realizing it, she spoke out. "Umm... hello!"

Luna reacted about how you'd expect. She had turned quickly to figure out who the intruder was. There was a deafening silence that Twilight couldn't stand, so she continued.

"Princess Luna... is it...?"

"That name..."

"...!"

"So you really are...!"

"Please don't use that title again."

Now that Twilight had heard her speak properly this time, and could see the scowl in more detail, she had time to take in the conversely soothing voice. It was one that lacked authority or the air of regal nature, instead feeling closer to a shyness you'd find on a younger pony. Thoughts of Fluttershy abound.

"But it's such a beautiful name, Luna, that is."

Even from this distance Twilight could tell that Luna was not taking this entire confrontation well. It felt like a confrontation, that said everything. She had to get her to calm down somehow. Luna hadn't moved an inch since Twilight had announced her presence.

"Listen, I don't mean to cause you any trouble, would it be okay if I come over and talk... just for a bit?"

"And are you... alone?"

"Yes... yes I am."

Luna looked torn, and dealing with things that Twilight would never truly understand the depth of. Her eyes closed, and when she reopened them she returned with a question. "Why are you here? How did you find me?"

Immediately, Twilight knew this was going to have to be handled very carefully or the entire situation could go up in smoke. She put on a smile as natural as can be for the situation, and came up with something, anything that wasn't a lie but didn't make it seem antagonizing for this clearly troubled individual.

"I was told you were likely to be out here, there are ponies who want to help and reconnect with you."

"Are... are ponies all over looking for me...?"

Luna had tensed up quite clearly. It looked like she wanted to retreat back inside any second now. Yet she was forced to deal with this situation.

"No... no there aren't Luna. It's just me, honestly. Please, don't feel so alarmed, like I said I just wanted to talk a little bit and see how you're doing, surely that isn't too much?"

"Who... who was the one who told you I was out here"

It was Twilight's turn to bit her lip. She couldn't lie here, especially since if things progressed how they should she'd know soon enough anyway. But there was no way to know how Luna would react in an already alarmed state. They were sisters, and while they had a falling out, surely it couldn't have been that bad? Luna had been just as upset at the rest of equine kind at the time, her grudge being channelled through their relationship. Besides, Luna had seeming recovered on her own from being Nightmare Moon as far as she could tell, and that had to mean something right? Still... seeing Luna react with fear and caution had not been what she had been hoping for, but perhaps it had been unavoidable regardless of the how when approaching.

"It was... your sister Celes—"

Before Twilight could finish, Luna let out a yelp and collapsed to the ground, holding her hooves over her head while shaking and whispering something she couldn't hear. Twilight rushed over as soon as her shock faded.

"Please sister... stop...! The pain... please... I'll be good a little sister please... please..."

"What..." Twilight whispered under her breath, and thinking quickly rushed to open her back saddlebag with magic and went to wrap Luna in a mini blanket. Seeing the mare continue to meltdown, she then hugged her around it while she continued to shake and plead. Her mother had done similar a few times in her youth, and in the back of her mind those memories sifted through her while dealing with this situation.

"No more.. oh god... the burning..."

Luna had closed her eyes harshly at this point, brows furrowed deeply in clear discomfort. What in the world? This was beyond any and all expectations. Celestia's name alone seemed to incite pain into this poor mares soul. But surely that couldn't be right? Something was wrong here. Celestia had banished Luna, sure, but how could that have translated into such a miserable state when she had been so clearly fine before? What was missing?

After almost five minutes of shaking later Luna had started to calm down. Any nervousness Twilight had previous had dissipated. Twilight stroked gently against her side, and it wasn't lost on her now that things had started to normalize how awkward this all was.

"Let's get you inside..."

Luna didn't put up any resistance, and Twilight led her deeper inside the cabin. Now that she had a good enough chance to look at it, she got to see the work Luna had apparently been able to put in. There was even a bed. Not exactly a bed fit for royalty, but a makeshift bed no less. There was a barrel in the corner, most likely used to store water. Most importantly, there was a fireplace that had quite obviously been created through the moulding of rock through magic. It stood out against the rest of the knotted and patterned sheen of black spruce wood. A few tools lay on a table, likely for finishing up anything that magic would be too heavy hoofed for.

All in all it was a humble abode, crafted well over the course of months and lacking in polish. The rustic charm was real.

Luna sat down on the bed with her help and continued to be fairly unresponsive, her eyes hollow. She didn't look to be in pain or fear anymore, but it shook Twilight to her core seeing an expression that was like seeing ghosts. It felt like she didn't even see Twilight. What kind of past was flashing before her right now? Was she still battling against Nightmare moon?

Did it matter? Clearly this pony was suffering, so Twilight was going to do whatever she could to help. That started with her getting comfortable with Twilight and avoiding potential triggers. Luna had seemed completely fine before. If she played her cards right, she might even be able to learn a few things. Twilight had forgotten just how old this being was after the disastrous introduction, but it was obvious this was no less any precious a heart than any other regardless of age.

Twilight sat just outside the cabin entrance, observing the surrounding landscape coolly. Off in the distance, the hills could be seen with trees spaced tightly and with a covering of snow. Leaves had amassed on the lower clearing where Luna had constructed this little getaway, and there was even a small pond just a few kilometres out.

While breathtaking under normal circumstances, the magic of the surrounding area was lost on her at the moment.

Luna wasn't supposed to be out here living like a hermit. She was sister to princess Celestia for gods sake! Had Luna seriously been considering just hiding out here until the end of time? It made no sense to Twilight. A lot of things made no sense. The current mental faculty and state of Luna's mind at the forefront of it all.

Twilight opened her saddlebag and brought out the map she had been working on just half an hour ago. She had detailed the entire path from town so that there would be no confusion on finding this place again. As she continue to scan it, she noticed that while relatively close to town, the layout of the land itself made it jarringly awkward to swing out in this direction unless you had a penchant for adventure.

"I'm sorry for scaring you earlier like that."

Twilight had nearly jumped a mile when she heard that voice from behind her.

"I had thought that I had gotten over such things, please forgive my previous embarrassment."

The tone and demeanour shift was what given Twilight pause. Whatever was going on with Luna, she had clearly adjusted quickly. It had done a full one eighty degree turn from earlier, coming out confident and clear. She made to put away her map back into her saddlebag.

When she made to turn and face Luna again, the mare had a guarded look. Luna walked and sat down just across from her in the grass.

"I ask that you don't speak of that name again."

"I'll... try to keep that in mind."

"So you were sent here. Explain this to me..."

"Well you see... most ponies had forgotten about you... but not all of them. There are some who are eagerly awaiting your return. You are... her sister after all."

Luna had been fine up until that final line. With no regard for Twilight at all she tensed up, and bare her teeth in what looked like the beginning of a snarl. Her eyes became daggers focused on nothing. It only lasted a moment, but the image wouldn't leave Twilight's mind any time soon. Luna herself acted like it never even happened just a moment later. Did she even realize it had happened?

"I see... that makes some sense I suppose. But I have absolutely zero intention of dealing with your kind again, and as long as they stay out of my way I will do the same in kind."

Taking a moment to absorb her denial, Twilight decided she needed to switch her approach up.

"Okay..." she then leaned forward slightly to add, "but I want to turn over a new hoof if that's okay with you. I apologize for causing you any trouble so far. My name is Twilight Sparkle, nice to meet you... Luna."

"... Nice to meet you as well. Seeing as you already know my name."

Things were more normal now, but Twilight couldn't help but cringe at how cold this entire situation was. She had to do something to earn Luna's trust at the very least.

"So you've... been living out here for a while now? Did you really build all this by yourself?"

"I did, but the start was slow as I got used to using my magic again. I figure I... started to pick it back up nicely when I raised my moon."

"I'm glad you were able to create such a wonderful living space in such a short amount of time. You know, I have time before I need to be return still. I could help you and stay for a bit if you were comfortable with that?"

This was something Luna had no answer for yet, and it was a gamble on Twilight's part. She stared down at her front legs in front of her in contemplation. Finally, she raised her head and gave an answer: "If you find yourself needing shelter with no alternatives... I will not send you away to suffer in the nakedness of the elements. But I ask that you leave tomorrow morning and leave me in peace."

While not really true, this misunderstanding was exactly the ticket needed.

"Thank you! I'll try to stay out of your hair while I'm here. Is there anything I could help you with or you need done?"