The denizens of Canterlot were all asleep, laying in their beautiful homes, their only worries were if the help would remember to bring them honey with their tea tomorrow morning. No cares in the world, no problems, just enjoying being above most other ponies. As they slept, an alicorn with a dark blue coat and a translucent flowing mane trotted below them in the street. An alicorn that most feared and used as a bugbear to keep the children from misbehaving: Princess Luna. She walked in the light given off of her illuminating moon and her millions of stars, as she had done ever since she had taken control of the night back from her sister.
The streets were empty; anypony who was awake would hide at the site of her, thinking she’ll punish them. It came with the title somewhat, but being an ex evil princess didn’t help the situation. Even though she had been redeemed in Ponyville, those stories of her new good nature hadn’t been embraced in Canterlot. Twilight Sparkle and her friends had tried, but there were far too many ponies in Canterlot to convince. Luna walked and walked, for what reason she didn’t know. She walked the streets looking for something; something that drew her out of her room high atop the castle every night.
It seemed to be another hopeless night as Luna walked through Platinum Park, named after one of the six ponies who helped found Equestria, next to the statue of Princess Platinum and her Adviser Clover the Clever. Luna stopped, looked at her reflection in the pool of water, and listened to the water’s movements. She saw not only herself, but the evil entity that she once was: Nightmare Moon; a creature that had no light in its soul. She tried to believe that what she had been doing all this time wasn’t a wasted effort. She needed to believe she had some purpose again, that she wasn’t given this second chance for nothing.
Ever since she had come back, she hadn’t been used for many royal tasks, from fear that the people wouldn’t welcome her. She only stayed in the castle, raised the moon every night and lowering it everyday. Sure she could help ponies in their dreams and see that they overcame their fears, that was something she could do. However, Luna wanted to help others in person, not just in their dreams or subconscious; she wanted to make a difference.
Luna closed her eyes, trying to clear her mind.
Until she heard somepony crying.
The sound was coming from around the fountain. Luna trotted around it to find the source of the sound, and was met by a young, sobbing filly. She was a light blue unicorn, with a short tail and no cutie mark. Her mane, like her tail, was grey, with a foreign pink mixed into into it. Her hooves covered her crying face, so she did not see the Princess of the Night watching her. Luna had never seen such a young pony out at these hours before, they were all usually in bed by now.
“Child, are you alright?”
The small filly looked up at Luna, her eyes widened. However, it wasn’t with the fear that the Princess had come to know, it was something else.
The child continued to stare, without speaking a single word, as did Luna.
Finally she spoke, “Are you the Princess?”
Luna didn’t expect that question, most ponies had known her image from somewhere or another.
“That is correct,” Luna stated. “Are you hurt, young one?”
“N-No your highness.”
“Then why do you cry so many tears, and why are you out so late into my night by yourself?”
The young unicorn didn’t respond. She looked away from the Princess and down to the ground, her eyes watering up again. Luna saw this coming, and tried to get her talking. Maybe if she talked to her, she could find out what was wrong.
“My name is Luna,” remembering the lessons she had learned from the ponies in Ponyville and sitting next to her; “What's your name?”
“A-Azura...” she answered timidly.
“Azura, that's a very pretty name.” Luna smiled; “Are you alone?”
“Yes...”
“Why? Shouldn’t you be in bed now?” Luna asked with concern, “It isn’t safe to out this late alone.”
The little filly remained silent, possibly a bit nervous talking to a princess.
“Where’s your family?” Luna asked.
She continued to stay silent.
“Azura please,” Luna pleaded, “you can tell me, I won’t be angry.”
“They...” She began.
“Yes?”
“They kicked me out.” she answered quietly
Luna was shocked; what kind of family could have done that to their own daughter?
“Why would they do something like that? They must love you and want you to be safe.”
“No,” she said with some spit; “They think I’m a monster. They don’t want the burden.”
Azura’s eyes began to show anger as well as sadness.
“What family could think of their daughter as a monster?” It was only after Luna said this did she realize the irony. Here she was, asking how someone could be viewed as a monster. Azura looked at her and held her mane in her hooves, trying to get the foreign pink substance out.
“They say I’m a freak, because I-I... Accidentally destroyed my school.”
Luna had heard of a school being destroyed recently.
“You go to Celestial Academy don’t you?” Azura nodded; “How could your parents blame you for that?”
‘This little unicorn is being blamed for the destruction of a school? How does that make sense?’ Luna thought to herself.
Azura gave up trying to fix her mane, and looked back at the princess.
“You see the pink in my mane?” Luna nodded. “Its-Its gum...the other ponies were making fun of me because I’m the only one without a cutie mark. I don’t have many friends at the school. I usually just read in the library or draw in the art room by myself.”
Luna understood what is was like being alone. She knew it made you feel empty inside, that it made you feel like no one cared about you. No pony should have to go through it, especially someone so young as Azura.
“Earlier Today at school, one of the colts said he would be my friend, his name was Saturn. He told me to meet him after school near the playground...” Her tears began again. “When I got there, a bunch of the kids came out and threw gum balls at me, and laughed. They all were laughing. I ran into the school to the little fillies room, and locked the door.”
“And then?”
Azura started to have a line of tears run down her face.
“Then I shut my eyes and cried, I was angry... I wanted the school to be gone then...then when I opened my eyes, it was really quiet. The-The bathroom looked the same but when I opened the door to the school it was... gone or it was broken I guess.” Azura started to cry, and Luna knew she had to do something.
Luna grabbed her and pulled her into a hug, stroking her back with a hoof
“Its alright Azura,” she assured her; “Its ok, Azura. Just let it out.”
Time went by, but Luna didn’t care. This young pony was all that mattered to her at the moment. She knew the sun wasn’t to be up for another few hours, so she could use that time to help Azura in anyway she could. Over time, Azura’s cries began to weaken.
Luna let go of her and looked her in the eyes as Azura went on.
“When I left the bathroom, all of the ponies that were in the school were outside on the grounds and...they all saw me leaving the school. The Dean began to scream at me, saying that I destroyed an institution, and all the kids were scared of me...none of them wanted to be near me...I ran home. I thought my parents would help. They-They had called the Royal Guard and said they didn’t want to live with a daughter that was some freak! They were gonna take me to some, weird prison place, at least that's what my mom yelled at me. I ran and I’ve been running for a few hours now.”
Luna didn’t know what to say. This unicorn could be talented, could be very powerful, she could be an incredible spell caster. But..what kind of torture could this be on a small filly? Luna saw a lot of herself in Azura; the power and potential, but also the darkness and fear.
Luna stood up and looked around, she saw three rocks in the distance; one small in size, one average, and one large and heavy. She levitated them over near the fountain and put them in front of Azura, who was curious as to what the princess was doing.
“Azura,” Luna began; “I would like you to pick these stones up one at a time, and place them in the fountain using your magic. Can you do that?” Luna smiled
Azura nodded and got on her hooves. She placed herself in the proper stance and began to concentrate. Her eyes shut tight as her horn began to spark, illuminated by a light blue aura. The small stone began to show the aura as well, and soon it was lifted into the air and slowly moved into the fountains water.
“Good,” Luna praised; “now the next one.”
Azura began again, however this one wasn’t as easy. The stone began to glow and levitated off the ground, however it soon fell back down. Azura opened her eyes and looked at the stone, she shut the tight and tried again. This time the stone flew up into the air, as her horn gave off a brighter light. The stone quickly moved into the fountain's waters, followed by a pant from the proud unicorn. Luna took a peek into the water, she saw three stones in the water. The small one, as well the the latest one split in two halfs cleanly down the center.
“Good job” Luna praised, ignoring the broken stone; “And the last one, if you feel you can.”
“I can do it Princess!” Azura shouted, determined not to let the her down.
Azura’s horn began to glow once more. The large and heavy stone in front of her began to glow as well. Sweat began to come down the fillies head as she tried to lift the stone. Both her horn’s aura and the stone’s began to brighten. Luna stepped back, unsure of what she was seeing.
“Azura!” she shouted; “You can stop!”
Azura disregarded the comment, she began to lift the stone slowly into the air. Luna’s eyes widened at the site. The stone however, began to crack and crumble. Azura began to glow more and more, as the stone disintegrate to dust in the air.
“Azura! No more!”
A large flash then enveloped the filly and the stone. There was no sound, only a blinding light that forced Luna to shield her eyes. As the light died down, Luna saw that a crater had appeared where the stone once stood, filled with Rock dust. Azura stood in the same spot, panting and sweating, looking at the spot with anger.
“Azura? D-Did you do that on purpose?”
“No” Azura looked at the spot; “I didn’t. I got angry and...that happened.”
“I see...child, does that happen often?”
“Blowing things up?” Azura raised an eyebrow
“No No, do your emotions affect your magic that much often?”
Azura thought for a few moments. “I-I’m not sure.”
Luna nodded, this unicorn WAS talented. She needed care however, more so than what she had gotten from her home life. She needed to be trained to not let her emotions take control like that, or else she could end up just like Luna had.
Luna pondered for a moment
“Azura,” she began; “Could you lead me to your home?”
“Wh-What?” She had fear in her voice; “W-Why would I go back?”
“Because I want to talk to your parents, that's all. All you need to do is come with me.”
Azura started to panic now.
“B-But what if they call the guard?”
Luna laughed
“Child do you really think they’ll call the Royal Guard on their own Princess?”
Azura looked Luna in the eyes
“So...I’ll be safe?”
“You have my word Azura, nothing bad will happen to you.” Azura looked into Luna’s eyes and knew she was telling the truth. She nodded and and agreed to go, but as they began to leave, Azura stopped.
“Uh, Princess?”
“Azura, just call me Luna.” she smiled.
“Ok Prin-uh Luna. Um...what about the hole?”
“What ho-” Luna looked and remembered the small crater from her experiment earlier. “Oh...um” Luna looked around for a few seconds and saw a nearby trash can, which she levitated over on top of the hole, crudely covering it. “There we go problem solved!”
The two of them both smiled and laughed at how poorly the trashcan covered the hole(, and continued to laugh.
As the two ponies walked down the streets of Canterlot, Luna began to watch Azura more and more, noticing how she kept looking down to the ground, before staring up into the sky for a few seconds each time they stopped.
“Is something wrong Azura?” Luna asked. Azura quickly snapped back into reality.
“Hmm? Oh no Luna, I was just looking up at the sky.”
“I take it you enjoy my night?”
“Oh Yes, very much so.” Azura smiled widely, “I love all the little shiny stars and the bright moon! There really pretty to look at...and to draw.”
“You did mention you drew in the art room,” Luna remembered.
“Yeah, I like to draw, and paint too.”
“Maybe you can draw me something one night for me to put up in the castle?”
Azura blushed, “I-I could try.”
Luna put a hoof on her shoulder; “You don’t have to, but I’d like it.”
They continued to walk, until they finally reached their destination, a large townhouse near the center of Canterlot, and Azura began to look nervous again.
“Oh look! Lights are out, they must be asleep, lets not bother them.” Azura began to trot away quickly, before being levitated above the ground by Luna.
“Azura, you can’t run from everything in life,” Luna said sympathetically.
“But they wanna send me away!”
“Let me worry about that part; you need to go up to the door and wake them up.”
“Wha-Nonononono!” Shaking her head; “I can’t.”
Luna looked around; “Do you see that balcony next door? The one on the second floor?” Azura nodded. “I’ll be right there, if anything happens I’ll swoop down. Is that ok?”
“What should I say to them?”
“Say that you want to come home, that you're sorry. See what they say.”
Azura looked at the balcony and then back at Luna. She knew that Luna could be trusted, that much was sure, but she still couldn't stop shaking. But she knew Luna was right, she couldn’t run away. She needed to be a tough pony, like Daring Do or Starswirl The Bearded. She nodded and Luna set her down.
They approached the door. “Remember,” Luna whispered, “I’m close by”
Azura knocked and looked to her side, seeing that Luna was gone. Azura turned back to the door, the silent response fed her fears. She reached up and knocked again, this time getting the sound of hoofsteps in response.
The door opened, revealing a pure white, disheveled looking unicorn. The look of contempt he gave to the filly spoke volumes.
“What are you doing here?” he asked, annoyance in his voice.
Azura’s attempt at a response ended with just a whispered stutter.
“Didn’t we say never to come back here?” The stallion’s words grew more venomous as he continued, “That my wife and I wanted nothing to do with you?”
Azura sniffed.“I just wanted to come home.”
Luna watched in silence, keeping a tenuous grip on her emotions. She didn’t want to believe that it could truly be this bad, but here was the proof.
“Home? This isn’t your home, there isn’t any home for you to go to, except one-.”
“No Daddy please-!”
“Don’t call me that!” The stallion yelled, “YOU ARE NOT MY DAUGHTER! You are freak! Worthless!” He circled around her, “You only had one job, be a good little pony and keep your family’s name clean, and look what you did.”
“I-”
Luna shook her head in disgust. She wished that she could say this was the first time such an event has occurred, but this has been a problem among the nobility since before her imprisonment. The thing many cared about, first and foremost, was how they looked to the public and how they looked to the princesses. That second part in particular has always had a strong effect on her, as if this was the way to gain her sister’s or her favor.
“You destroyed everything! My reputation, my business, my colleagues want nothing to do with me-”
Azura looked down, doing her best to avoid any contact with her father’s eyes. “I’m sorry,” she said in a barely audible voice.
“You're sorry? You're sorry!? Sorry won’t bring anything back!” The stallion looked down the street and saw three guards making a patrol. “I want you gone in the next five seconds, or else I call the guard.” He began to count, “Five...”
She didn’t move, nor could she. Azura just stood there, sobbing.
“Four... three...” The stallion continued, ignoring her crying.
Azura grabbed his leg “Please don’t send me away,” she begged.
“Get off me you little-!” He raised his hoof in the air, about to swing until a blue aura grabbed ahold of him. “What!?”
“What kind of stallion are you!?” a dark and terrifying voice echoed from above.
“Wh-Who’s there?” The stallion questioned, “Show yourself now!”
Luna jumped from the balcony and gracefully touched down onto the pavement. The stallion's eyes went wide and he began to bow, but her magic stopped him once again.
“I don’t want your loyalty,” she hissed with disgust in her voice.
“I-I’m sorry?”
“I’m sorry?” Luna said mockingly, with anger, “Oh that won’t do at all,I mean, when has ‘I’m sorry’ ever meant anything to you?”
“N-Now wait just a minute here-!”
“Quiet!” Luna screamed at the stallion, who was now paralyzed with fear as every hair on his body stood on edge. “I’m taking your daughter, YOUR DAUGHTER,” Luna was going in and out of the Royal Canterlot Voice as her temper rose, “Away from you and your horrid ways. I’m give her the care she needs and deserves! YOU however, shall pay for this. I don’t know who you are now and honestly, it doesn’t bother me. I will find out what you do, what you want to be, what you dream of, and I will personally make sure all of them are terrible failures, like YOU as a father!”
The stallion was now shaking, unable to comprehend what was happening in front of him.
“Is that understood?” Luna questioned
“Y-Yes...” he said quietly.
“Get out of my sight.” Luna watched as he quickly galloped back into his home and locked the door behind him. Luna now looked at Azura, who was on the ground staring back at her, her eyes now showed fear.
“Are you alright Azura?” Luna helped her up, “Did he hurt you?”
“N-No.” Azura answered quickly.
“Azura...” Luna wrapped a wing around her, “No pony should have to go through that. Let alone one so young and talented.”
“Talented?” Azura asked looking back up at Luna as she nodded.
“Thats right, you’re special.” Luna held her close, “You’re not a monster, and don’t ever think that.”
“But daddy said-”
“That stallion,” Luna interrupted her, “knows not what he says. He is scared, scared of anything that doesn’t fit into his plan.”
Azura seemed confused by this idea, “What plan?”
“I’ll explain later,” Luna assured her, “It isn’t important. For now, I need to focus on you.”
“B-But...” Azura timidly began, “Did you mean what you said to him earlier?”
“Hmm? Oh no no, I won’t hurt him. That was just to scare him a li-”
“No,” Azura cut her off, “About me...did you mean that? About taking me and helping me?”
Luna looked down at the little filly and smiled, “You know the Tale, “The Mare in The Moon”. correct?” She nodded, “And I’m sure you know that I was that mare?” Azura nodded, trying not to offend the princess by mentioning that. “Well, I was sort of like you Azura, I let emotions like anger or envy cloud my vision. I lost control, my magic took on a horrid form: Nightmare Moon. I had so much power that was being used in blind rage to hurt others. I paid for that...” A tear rolled down Luna’s cheek as she finished that statement, before she looked down at Azura. “But I will not let that happen to you. I will help you control this power you have. I can be your mentor of sorts, you’ll study under me as my protoje. That way, you can learn everything that I have learned on controlling emotions and separating them from your magic.” Luna smiled at the young Unicorn, whose face was filled with enormous joy. “How does tha-”
“YES!” Azura jumped before Luna could finish, and embraced the Princess of Night in a large huge. “Yes, Yes! I would love that!”
Luna hugged her back. She had now found her mission, to keep others from repeating her folly and downfall.
The two broke their hug and Luna looked up at the sky, the moon would need to be lowered soon. Luna knelt down and dropped her wing as a ramp/
“Shall we fly to the castle?” Luna asked.
“I-Is that ok?” Azura asked nervously.
“Of course, besides its faster and it’s more fun.” Luna smiled as Azura carefully climbed onto her back, she held on as Luna began to lift the two of them into the air and headed for the castle.
Azura looked down at Canterlot in awe, loving the new view. The lights below reminding her of the lights above.
“Enjoying the view?” She asked.
Azura nodded, “It...It looks like two skies Luna, look! Stars above us and stars below us too!” Luna chucked as Azura looked in awe, “Its beautiful....” Azura went quiet, before Luna felt the small filly curl up onto her back. Luna knew she must be tired, and allowed her to rest as they neared the castle.
From that moment on, Azura’s life changed forever.
