Myths of the Night

Chapters

Dance With the Moon
A Visit to the Library
Sugarcube Corner
Scootaloo
A Warning
Clio
Homecoming
A Princess Reclaimed
Loss
A Hopeless Plan
Silent Night

Dance With the Moon

Her room in the castle was unchanged since her youth in many aspects. The walls were still deep blue and black, and the stars of the night sky seemed to shimmer in the very stone itself. They swirled slowly, creating endless constellations and patterns. A large sunroof permitted a heavy filtered stream of sunlight in the day, but the moon’s rays were welcomed. Her furnishings were few; a large black wood bed with deep blue and violet bedding and pillows, a matching vanity, and a long table strewn with papers and books.

Ever since her return to Canterlot, Princess Luna was determined to catch up on the history of the lands she had been banished from. She had grown much from the time she was freed to her showing at Ponyville’s Nightmare Night; she chalked it up to her natural body catching up with where it was supposed to be. She was still not nearly as tall as Celestia, but she had matured enough to develop the flowing mane and tail typical of the Royal Family of Equestria. Her locks showed sparkling stars, much like the walls of her room.

When she had first begun to walk among the ponies of Equestria once again, she had originally done so in the old style of living – she had reverted to old Equestrian and using royal speech, right down to her bellowing voice. It took the intervention of the Chosen Ones in Ponyville to bring her down from her high pony, so to speak, and ground her along with her sister. She had since watched Celestia in her dealings with the common ponies of their lands, but from a distance.

As accepting as Ponyville had shown to be of her, Luna was still scared and hesitant to openly walk around as her sister sometimes did. She was even afraid to venture back to Ponyville, since the young ones had only asked for her to return on Nightmare Night. Surely, she would be welcomed if she chose to appear, but they all slept at night…

Hush, she gently admonished herself, shaking her mane quickly. Now was not the time to reminisce on such things, else she would fall back into old, hateful habits. The sadness and bitterness still lurked beneath the surface; she could sense it, almost feel it rising in her throat like bile. But Celestia had been so grateful to have her home, so kind to her, so apologetic for what had happened…

“Sister?”

The voice was gentle; Luna turned her head from the large bay windows leading to her balcony just enough to cast an almost shy glance over her shoulder. Celestia stood in all of her glory, seeming to glow warmly in the eternal night of Luna’s private chambers. The white mare stepped in elegantly, coming up next to Luna and staring outside with her. Since Luna’s return, the elder had made an effort to watch the sunset with the younger; oftentimes in complete silence as the two simply made up for a thousand years of bitter loneliness.

“I love watching you dance in the darkness,” Celestia said quietly. Luna ducked her head and glanced sidelong at her sister, her teal eyes glittering with embarrassment and pleasure. “Full moon tonight?”

“Yes,” the younger said quietly, reaching out to nudge the windows open with her nose. The two moved out into the fresh spring air and Celestia closed her eyes, a warm smile spreading on her face. Luna, meanwhile, looked down into the city of Canterlot, her wings folding at her sides. She could see a gathering of ponies at the base of the castle, their eyes craned expectantly upward – not toward the setting sun, but toward her.

“They love watching you too, you know. Maybe tonight we can go down to them.”

Luna ducked her head. She had the largest crowds for the full moon – she wasn’t sure what they saw in her work. It was the same thing that Celestia had always done – but perhaps that was just it. They were so used to Celestia that the newness of their long-lost Princess taking her rightful place in the cycle of life was still amazing to them.

A soft song began to stir in her heart. As her wings unfurled next to her, Luna replied softly, “Perhaps,’’ before – as though in a dream – she rose into the sky.

Referring to what she did as a ‘dance in the darkness’ wasn’t too far off the mark. Each beat of her purple wings brought her higher into the sky, her mane and tail trailing below her like a cloak made of the night sky. Her eyes closed, the song in her heart grew louder; she felt it reaching a climax, her blood pounding through her body with expectation. Her ascent stopped suddenly, her wings outstretched, her head bowed. When her eyes snapped open, they were glowing white, and a small point of light was forming at the top of her horn.

She turned a sudden somersault as the sun vanished below the horizon and she dropped in a freefall for several seconds. The point of light grew brighter, winking out of existence as her wings again shot open and caught the mare’s descent. As she rose again, her head was thrown back and her front hooves outstretched. She spun slowly as she moved until the song had died down; though this time, when she stopped, she was framed by moonlight.

Her eyes opened and a look of wonder crossed her face. After missing her duties for a thousand years, she had forgotten how much she missed this task. The murmurs of admiration from the citizens of Canterlot warmed her almost as much as the moonlight at her back, and she began to drift lazily around, allowing herself to flow as freely as her mane did. Luna flowed around and through clouds, somersaulted in the air, soared high into the sky and dropped back down. It was all she could do to exude her joyous energies; and through it all, whenever she looked to her balcony, her beloved sister was watching with a warm smile.

As she was reaching the end of her dance, she heard a soft gasp from nearby and spun upright, her wings beating rapidly as she glanced around. Her gaze settled on a cloud nearby, where she saw three pegasi heads silhouetted by moonlight. She started to fly toward them, but they dropped out of sight and sped away. She could see nothing beyond their silhouettes. Luna’s quiet voice called out, “Wait – “, but they were lost to the darkness.

Even the younger ones were expert fliers, and Luna wasn’t sure if she should give chase. Instead, she turned tail and flew back down to her balcony. Celestia was there, a look of concern on her face. “What troubled you, sister? You stopped so suddenly.”

“What city lies in that direction?” Luna replied, motioning with her nose toward the horizon the three had vanished toward. Celestia followed her gaze, frowning thoughtfully as Luna elaborated. “There were three pegasi, but they did not go toward Cloudsdale. They went – “

“East,” Celestia finished, her face darkening some. She looked down at Luna, her face stern. “My dear sister, do not chase them. If they are who I believe, they are not a part of Equestria proper and have denied their bonds of fellowship to this land.”

“But…”

“Enough,” Celestia said, gently yet firmly. “Come, dear one. Let us mingle with our subjects this night.”

The graceful Princess took to the skies, and Luna followed her hesitantly. She turned a final longing glance to the east before she followed Celestia down, forcing the disappointment out of her face so she would not upset the ponies of Canterlot. But she already knew exactly the pony she would have to see to appease this curiosity…

Author's Note

This Trilogy started as a one-shot, evolved into a two-parter, and now has a life of its own. It is over a year in the works on and off, and I hope you enjoy it. Please feel free to offer comment or suggestions or criticism as you like; even as I post it it's still a WIP, and I am about to add another chapter or two to Book 1. Books 1 and 2 are mostly written, as is the ending. There will be heartache and romance and treachery and friendship and magic and mythology but, above all, there will be war.

There will be some bloodshed and gore and hinting at gore. It isn't going to be brutally bloody violent, but there is going to be some violence and death (it's a war story, after all) - thus the Gore tag. But don't come into this expecting a grimdark fic.

I hope you enjoy it as much as I have enjoyed writing it.

-VB

A Visit to the Library

"P-P-Princess Luna!”

The librarian of Ponyville was obviously floored and unprepared for such a royal visit. Her unicorn magic was frantically picking books off the floor and shelving them messily, and she set a table with a bed sheet, a pitcher of water, and two mismatched teacups. She scrambled around, leaving a bewildered Luna to watch after her as she struggled to clean the library. Luna watched with amusement as the history of Equestria seemed to dance before her eyes, shrouded in purple shining mist, and reshelve itself - out of order. No doubt the young unicorn would panic later when she discovered A Guide to Mythical Mammals shelved alongside Treatsies of the Griffin Kingdom, but for now...

“I wish you had told me, or Princess Celestia, I-I would have cleaned and prepared and–“

“Twilight Sparkle…”

“-had a proper table set, with warm tea and – “

“Twilight Sparkle…”

“-oh, my list for the day is going to be shot, I wish I could have factored this in, oh dear, those tea cups don’t even – where is the – “

“Twilight Sparkle!”

Luna’s booming voice brought the flustered unicorn to a halt, one hoof upraised, her eyes wide and staring up at the Princess before her. Books still suspended in the air fell with dull thuds to the ground, and each sound made the young unicorn flinch visibly. Once the last tome had fallen, she lowered her hoof and grinned sheepishly, dropping her head in a bow. Luna smiled, her wings folding at her side as her head dipped just slightly.

“This trip is made to discuss… Private matters. I have a question that I feel only you can answer for me.”

Obviously honored, Twilight Sparkle forced herself to stand at the table, bowing more deeply to Luna. As she calmed down, the unicorn replaced the water and mismatched cups with a matching set of cups and a kettle of hot tea, which she poured for the Princess and herself. Luna glanced around at the chaos then joined her, closing her eyes as the soothing herbal scents from the tea cup wafted around her. A hastily arranged plate of sweets from the Cakes’ store centered themselves, and she began to speak excitedly.

“I’ll do the best I can. Spike is on an errand - I need more parchment and ink, and he should eat too – but he’ll be back soon, if – “

“This business is better suited… Just for you.” Luna lifted the cup in a medium blue mist and raised it to her lips, glancing around shyly before she took a sip and began to speak.

“I am very fond of you, Twilight Sparkle. You are my sister’s apprentice, this I know, but you were the one who had the courage to free me from my curse, and who ran toward me instead of away on Nightmare Night. I come to you now not as a Princess, but a friend. Last night, as I raised the moon, I discovered that I was being spied on by three pegasus ponies. They were not of Canterlot, and neither did they go toward Cloudsdale. They went east, and I know not of what lays to the east. I have spent my time studying the history of Equestria only; I have not yet begun to discover the lands outside of our borders, and when I mentioned it to Celestia, she darkened and asked me to never seek them out.

She said they have denied their bonds of fellowship to this land.” Twilight moved from the table, walking around her bookshelves thoughtfully. As she went, the titles that had been out of order began to correct themselves, and each book passed before her scrutinizing gaze before settling in its proper place. “She wants me to leave whoever they are alone, but they were there to watch me. They seemed curious and amazed, much like the citizens of Canterlot, but did not let me approach. They fled as soon as I noticed them.”

“Did you see happen to what they looked like?”

“Yes. There were two smaller ones; one with a white coat and cerulean mane and tail, the other with a yellow coat and a pink and blue mane and tail. The larger one had a deep blue coat and a black mane and tail.”

Twilight stiffened and glanced back at Luna as she finished. Her gaze turned thoughtful before she turned away again as books were shifting off of the shelves, enveloped in her magic. Titles passed before her eyes, and she murmured them out loud. “Blue coat, black mane... Why does that sound so... Ancient Equestrian History, The Beginnings of Equestria, The Sister Rulers, The Formation… No, no… Older… I’ve heard of this...”

“Older?” Luna mused quietly. “Surely these pegasi cannot be…”

“Aha!” the unicorn exclaimed suddenly. She trotted back to Luna and set a large, tattered book gingerly down on the table. “This is Tales of the Supernatural and Strange. Bear with me, Princess,” she said to Luna’s opening mouth and doubting look. “I think I have an idea. The larger pegasus you saw, the one with the black mane? With what Princess Celestia said, they could be stragglers from the Colt of the Moon.”

“Colt of the Moon?” Luna repeated, her eyes widening. “Even when – “

“Let me explain,” Twilight Sparkle said with a smile. “The Colt of the Moon was founded just before you two gave order to the land. The Colt of the Moon was a pegasus with a deep blue coat and black mane and tail. He claimed he ‘controlled moonrise and moonset’, if you will, and he had a strong following. The lands were lawless at the time, so anypony claiming to have power and control was quick to become popular. However, unlike most groups, when Hyperin and Theia gave true control to the lands, the Colt of the Moon refused to follow the new laws. Many so-called princes, Princesses, magicians – they all dropped their claims save the Colt. He raged against both of you so violently that some legends say he grew a horn and gave vent to a powerful red magic.

As their last act, your parents Hyperion and Theia destroyed his red magic and banished him to the outer lands, along with all of his followers. Nopony has been born in Equestria’s borders with a dark blue coat and black mane since that time. Now, this is a long shot – it could well have been a pegasus from another land with that coloration, and perhaps Princess Celestia's concern was ill-placed.

Now, this is all buried in a book that talks about old mares' tales and legends, so it's just as likely that the latter is true. There hasn't been hair nor hoof of the Colt for countless moons; it seems illogical that they would simply resurface again. It's likely just a coincidence."

Luna stared down at the book, frowning thoughtfully. The Colt of the Moon is a name she was somewhat familiar with, but only to the extent that Twilight Sparkle’s book spoke of them. The final word, as far as she was concerned, is that they had been destroyed when Order began in the lands, never to rise again. This being a coincidence seemed too simple; but if they were remnants of a fringe group that had been banished from Equestria who did not believe in Celestia or her, why were they watching her? What had convinced them to return after so long? And why did they flee from her, if they had made such an effort to be near her?

“Twilight Sparkle, may I make a request of you?”

“Certainly, Princess Luna!”

“Please write me a copy of anything you can find, including information of the geography to the east of Equestria. And… Please do not tell Celestia. If she finds out, I will take any and all blame.”

Twilight hesitated, and then gave a small nod. “I’ll do it for you, Princess Luna. And now, if I may?”

Luna’s head tilted with curiosity, and Twilight winked at her. “I think we should do something to throw Celestia off of your trail. Give your visit here some purpose.”

Sugarcube Corner

Luna weathered the same flustered panic from Mr. and Mrs. Cake at Sugarcube Corner with good humor as they frantically set up a long table and began to bring out trays of cakes and treats. Pinkie Pie bounced around eagerly, throwing confetti, balloons, and any other decorations she could lay hoof on around the shop. Word of Luna’s coming had spread, and the shop was filling quickly with eager citizens and well-wishers. Twilight Sparkle’s friends, the Mayor, and the young were given first priority in the shop; Luna found herself flanked by Twilight Sparkle on one side and Rainbow Dash on the other. Applejack had arrived bearing some sweets and apples from the farm, which the Cakes graciously accepted. Everypony surrounded Luna as best they could, and the press became deeper as the young fillies and colts of Ponyville crushed in. Many begged her to become Nightmare Moon and scare them; when Twilight sensed Luna’s discomfort, she slammed a hoof on the table.

“Everypony, give the Princess some air! She has to breathe too!”

The crowd shuffled back, and Luna exhaled gratefully. She smiled shyly, her teal eyes peeking out from under the blue lock of mane that fell over them.

“I thank you, fair citizens, for welcoming me on such short notice. It has been a long time since my last visit… I do not get out often in the day, but today I felt it appropriate to come visit my friends here.”

“And we’re just delighted,” Mrs. Cake chimed in. “Please help yourself, everypony!”

A buzz of conversation and laughter echoed from the shop as the ponies of Ponyville told their Princess their stories, myths, and woes. Luna chimed in as she could, though she was careful to avoid mentioning the truth of her visit. The Cakes, even in their surprise, were top-notch hosts, expertly mixing Applejack’s treats with their own to create a wonderfully satisfying spread.

“Princess Luna,” one of the younger fillies chimed in – an orange pegasus with a magenta mane and no cutie mark, “is it true that you really raise the moon at night?”

Luna smiled, nudging Twilight Sparkle as she started to chastise the young pegasus. “I do.”

“How do you do it?”

Luna frowned thoughtfully. “What is your name, young one?”

“Scootaloo! I’m a Cutie Mark Crusader!”

Luna smiled and sat back, glancing around the shop. Eager faces greeted her, and she realized that very few of the Ponyville citizens had likely watched Celestia raise the sun, and she was a recent addition to their lives…

“Well,” she said quietly, looking back to Scootaloo. “It begins at sunset. I-“

“Sunrise and sunset’re my favorite time of-mmmmpgghhh.” The young pegasus trailed off sullenly as one of the nearby youngsters clamped a hoof over her mouth. Luna chuckled and continued.

“It was like this when I was younger, too; I do not know if it will remain the same way. I begin to hear a song in my heart as the sun sets, almost a beckoning. It feels as though the moon and stars are calling to me. I fly into the sky as the sun sets, and once it sinks below the horizon I drop with it until the last ray of the sun had completely vanished. And then I raise again as the song becomes louder and bring the moon up with me. She takes over from there; as the sky fades to darkness, she beckons the stars out.

I normally remain in the air for quite some time… Dancing in the darkness, as my sister calls it. Nighttime is so joyful and peaceful to me, and I love to be able to herald it in every day.”

“I like the stars,” one voice murmured shyly from the crowd. Others began to add their opinions of the night, even if it was something about a fear of the darkness. Luna frowned thoughtfully then stood, leaping gracefully over the table. She landed delicately in the center of the crowd.

“Do not fear the darkness and the shadows,” she said gently, turning her gaze out the window. The rest of Ponyville followed her eyes, curious. “My night is beautiful and peaceful. I will bring no monsters.” That’s not who I am anymore, she added silently. She moved cautiously through the crowd and knelt down among the youngest ponies present. “I bring only the lullaby of the moon, the melodies of the stars, the protective blanket of the night sky.” Her great wings extended and spread over their heads, shadowing them; the young giggled and pranced around before breaking free and running outside.

Luna stood slowly. Never had she felt so good about what she did at night, but the Colt of the Moon and those three pegasi were still nagging her. She glanced at Twilight Sparkle, relieved to see a look of warm approval on her face, before her gaze fell to Rainbow Dash.

Of course.

She could not leave off her ceremonies to chase down the strange watchers, but perhaps the fastest flier in all of Equestria could. Luna folded her wings at her side and approached the table, leaning in to murmur, “Twilight Sparkle, once the festivities have ended, could you bring your friend Rainbow Dash to the library?” The unicorn responded with a confused look but a quick nod, and Luna resumed mingling – though she made an effort to drift out of the café. Twilight Sparkle leaned in to speak to Rainbow Dash, and the two of them began to edge toward the door as well.

Once outside, however, Princess Luna stopped suddenly; Twilight Sparkle bumped right into her as she slid out of Sugarcube Corner. She peeked around the Princess and gave a cry of surprise.

“Princess Celestia!”

Princess Celestia's carriage had pulled up wordlessly; nopony in the bakery had noticed her arrival. She stood next to it, her mauve eyes studying her younger sister sternly; but when Twilight Sparkle spoke, she broke her gaze and smiled at her. “Twilight Sparkle, I see you are treating my younger sister to a wonderful afternoon at the finest bakery in all of Equestria.”

Twilight Sparkle stepped up to Luna and gave an excited nod as the ponies gathered in Sugarcube Corner crushed out to cheer and welcome Celestia. “I am, Princess Celestia! She came down on a surprise visit today, and what’s a trip to Ponyville without a trip to Sugarcube Corner?”

“And the library,” Celestia said musingly, her eyes falling to Luna. The younger sister quailed under Celestia’s gaze, but it was apparent that she would not start anything among their subjects. Instead, Celestia smiled at the gathered citizens.

“I shall return some other time. I came to gather Luna; we have an important meeting to attend to this afternoon. I will be sure you have enough notice for the next trip.”

A ripple of laughter passed through the crowd. Celestia climbed back into the carriage as Luna glanced back at Twilight Sparkle and Rainbow Dash, forcing a small smile.

“Well, what’s the worst she can do? Banish me to the moon?”

“Not for curiosity,” Twilight said sadly after her, watching the young Princess follow her older sister to the gleaming golden chariot. Rainbow Dash glanced at Twilight with a frown. “What did she want to see me about?”

“I have my suspicions, Rainbow Dash, but I can’t say them now. I have to get back home.”

The pegasus was left bewildered as Twilight Sparkle galloped toward the library, offering no further explanation.

Scootaloo

It had taken her a long time, but eventually ‘leave it be’ is exactly what Luna did. The first few weeks she would always search for her three spies, and she spent many nights asking her mother to share her secrets, but she had neither seen nor heard anything since then. She figured the three had been from Cloudsdale and had taken a roundabout route home to confuse her; the more she thought on it, the sillier the idea of a still-surviving Colt of the Moon sounded.

What she had opted to do in her time is spend more of it in Ponyville. While Celestia spent much of her time in Canterlot, as she had for thousands of years, it was Ponyville where Luna had learned to ground herself, and thus the citizens of Ponyville had her utmost loyalty. Celestia grew to accept and encourage these trips; she knew that Luna had missed out on a thousand years of growing up, playing, and learning, and learning from others was more nurturing than simply from books.

It was the eve of Ponyville’s annual Winter Wrap Up and Twilight Sparkle was holding a meeting in the library to discuss the day. The Team Leaders were in attendance, though the meeting was open to all; many colts and fillies that were joining the teams for the first time came to the meeting to get a feel for how the day would go.

Applejack had catered treats, and Twilight Sparkle had prepared tea. Princess Luna remained off to the side some, allowing the Team Leaders, the Mayor, and the All Team Organizer to sit together. The Princess was instead flanked by youngsters, wearing their colors for the first time. Scootaloo, still a blankflank, was all gangly legs and wings but a superb flier; she was joining Rainbow Dash on the Weather Team this year. Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle were both joining the Animal Team and had developed their cutie marks during the winter. Apple Bloom had a large red apple that looked as though it had been constructed from planks of wood; she had acquired it while helping Big Macintosh and Applejack repair damage to their barn caused by a fallen limb. Sweetie Belle’s was a sixteenth music note ascending upward. Though she was known for being a loud and boisterous singer, she had developed hers singing to her sister Rarity when she had developed a nasty cold over the winter.

Apple Bloom seemed to have broken her family’s long-standing tradition of the Apple family receiving their cutie marks last in the class, though not by much; only Scootaloo remained unmarked. The pegasus seemed to bear it all in stride, though, and was happy for her fellow Crusaders.

“…while the grounded Weather Team will begin with scoring the ice, just like we did last year. Nice and small. They will then split into two groups and join the Animal and Plant teams. As soon as the animals have been safety woken and moved – Amethyst Star, I need you to make sure everyone is out before we proceed – have Fluttershy send the signal to the weather team to get the clouds cleared out. Once they’ve finished that,…”

Luna glanced around the gathered ponies. Even the youngsters, though some looked tired, had their fullest attention devoted to the leaders. It was almost like Twilight Sparkle was telling them a story, not outlining every movement they would soon be making; and as the long speech drew to an all-too-sudden close, an excitement began to spark through the room. The youngsters began to shift and mumble among themselves.

“…only when the birds have settled in their nests. As soon as the field is sowed and planted and once the Team Leaders have given the all clear, they will report to me. I will inform the Mayor, and she will declare the end of this year’s Winter Wrap Up.”

“And then we PARTY!”

Pinkie Pie’s declaration was met with a raucous stamping and howling of approval from all, particularly the youngsters. Luna joined in gleefully, raising her tea cup to join in Winter’s Final Toast. The meeting over, many ponies began to politely excuse themselves and drift home to rest for the day ahead. As the ponies filed out, Luna followed them and stood in the snow outside of the library, her eyes turned toward the sky. She was about to step back in to bid the remaining ponies farewell when somepony came up beside her.

“Princess Luna?”

Luna glanced down at Scootaloo and smiled. But before the young mare could say anything, the Princess spoke gently to her.

“I know you are troubled, young Scootaloo. Come. Let us speak in private.”

Luna rose gracefully, and Scootaloo followed her. A wisp of black cloud formed under the Princess several feet above the tallest bough of the library, which she settled into comfortably. Scootaloo landed awkwardly before her, but Luna smiled kindly at her.

“Tell me your troubles.”

Scootaloo looked down. “Remember how a long time ago, I asked you how you raised the moon, and you mentioned the song you hear at sunset? Do you hear it at sunrise, too?”

Luna frowned and shook her head. “The daysong belongs to her and her alone. Why?”

“Well… I hear something. I hear it at sunrise, and if I’m able to, I love to watch it. I feel the urge to be up there, I guess doing what you two do. Moving the sun and the moon. I love the sunset, but I don’t feel as strongly tied to it.”

Luna smiled. “Some ponies have certain things that call to them, young Scootaloo. Sometimes it’s a stronger calling than the cutie mark calling. I-“

“No, Princess, you don’t understand.” Her voice dropped. “It’s not a calling. I hear – I hear the song clearly. A stallion’s voice.”

Luna stared evenly at Scootaloo, unsure of what to do with this revelation. She wasn’t sure if her father or mother had ever spoken to other ponies; surely, some of the more sensitive ones had heard their voices too?

“I think that’s why I haven’t gotten my cutie mark yet,” Scootaloo said quietly. “I’ve been waiting for it to be something to do with my scooter, but nothing’s happened yet. Maybe I’m looking in the wrong place. Maybe I need to look to the sky.”

“It will come in time, young one,” Luna said soothingly. “Some ponies have waited until adulthood to find their calling in life; there is no shame in it. You have yet to find your true purpose, but there is fun in that, too – it means you can try new things, and someday you’ll find what you seek.”

Scootaloo looked unconvinced, but she nodded. “Thanks, Princess. I’ll try.”

Luna chuckled and spread her wings, banishing the cloud from under them and gliding down to the earth with the young mare. Twilight Sparkle was waiting for them.

“It sounds like tomorrow will be a successful Wrap Up, Twilight Sparkle.”

The unicorn dipped her head. “I didn’t know where I would fit in at first; I tried all of the teams and failed all of the teams. It’s tradition to not use magic, but when I tried to cheat, it failed even more spectacularly. I finally realized that I could use my organization skills to keep everyone on track and iron out any hiccups we might have found along the way. It worked perfectly for everyone!”

Luna smiled at her. “Well spoken. Your intelligence shows; Celestia did well to take you as her personal protégé.” She glanced toward the center of town, where her chariot was waiting. “I should take my leave. I wish you the best of luck in your Winter Wrap Up tomorrow.”

Twilight Sparkle and Scootaloo dipped their heads to Luna as she took her leave. Once the chariot was being pulled off by the dragon-winged stallions, Twilight turned to Scootaloo.

“Did you ask her?”

Scootaloo kicked the dirt and sighed. “Sort of. I didn’t ask to watch, but I asked about the song.”

“What did she say?”

“She said to wait and see what my calling is.”

Twilight smiled soothingly. “It is very good advice - you won't find out until it's time." She hesitated, then added: "Do you want to stay here tonight? We have plenty of room and-“

“No, thanks. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

The young pegasus left the librarian standing alone, staring thoughtfully after her. She could sense the discomfort pressing at Scootaloo's mind, and she wished vainly for a way to soothe the trouble brewing in her heart. But all she could think to do now was whisper quietly after her, “Princesses, please guide her…”

A Warning

The first full moon of spring was shining brightly in the sky. Luna was just ending her evening’s dance when something caught her eye – ears poking up from a nearby cloud. She continued her lazy spiraling and gliding, acting as though she had not noticed, but her heart began to pound. Could it be the same creatures from almost a year ago?

The only benefit to her banishment on the moon was giving her the ability to pull up her alter ego as needed, and one of the benefits of Nightmare Moon was being able to move about as a blackened mist. As she dipped under a thick cloud, she shifted into that thick mist and flowed toward the hiding spot of her spies. They did not move as she approached; their necks craned, looking for the Princess and wondering where she had gone to.

“Please, don’t leave.”

Three voices gasped and gave low cries, but Luna leapt in front of them and dropped to their eye level. “Please, stay. Tell me – “

“He will come for you,” the blue stallion said lowly by way of greeting. The two younger pegasi had started to back away quickly, their wings flapping frantically. “He will come for you, like He came for us. He wants the Bringer of Light, and then He will rule the world.”

Luna stared at him, dumbfounded. “What do you – “

“Heed me, Princess of Night. We will return in three days’ time after He visits. It is not safe”

And with that, the blue one sped after the other two. Luna hovered in place for a long time after they had vanished, her mind whirling with the male’s threat. She finally tore her gaze away as a realization struck her and sped down toward the castle. He said the Bringer of Light – that could only be Celestia.

She barged into her sister’s room through the open bay windows on her balcony as fear welled up in her. She galloped to her sister’s bedside, her voice shrill as she shouted.

“Celestia, wake up – Celestia!”

Her sister was awake in a wingbeat, fully alert. When she faced Princess Luna, Celestia quickly went from alert and alarmed to confused and understandably annoyed.

“Dear sister, what is the meaning of this? It’s the middle of the night-“

“Celestia, please. I need to speak with you. Remember – I told you about those ponies who I saw? You told me not to talk to them – please, let me finish! – I haven’t seen again until tonight. One of them spoke to me. He said ‘He will come for you’ and this ‘He’ wanted the ‘Bringer of Light’ so ‘He’ could rule the world. I tried to-“

“Luna.” Celestia’s voice was stern, and it stopped her panicked speech dead in its tracks. “I assure you that this pegasus spoke nonsense. Remember what I told you? They are not a part of Equestria. It is likely he was saying things to get a rise out of you. Empty threats intended to spread panic. Please, let it alone. Nothing will happen.”

“But Cele-“

“Enough!” Luna sank, her eyes wide as she stared up at her older sister. “Luna, I know you want to find out who they are, but I promise you this is just an empty threat.”

Luna stammered, shaking her head quickly. But her older sister was unrelenting in her gaze, so the younger turned tail and fled into her comforting darkness. She went first to her balcony, where she landed with a firm thud, then tore her gaze out in the direction of Ponyville. Could she involve them without Celestia knowing? Her suspicion would be aroused, now that Luna had spoken directly to her, and doubtless Celestia would be watching her every move.

Her every move, perhaps…

She trotted into her room and straight to the long desk, lifting a quill and setting some parchment before her. She began to write a letter, casting the occasional glance outside as she did to see if Celestia would come down to check in on her. After two pages, she set the quill down, rolled and stamped the scroll, then trotted quickly to her bed. A drawer opened and the scroll vanished into it before Luna returned to her balcony. She stared out into the darkness, turning her eyes to the east. Even if Celestia wouldn’t heed her warnings, she would be prepared to face this nameless threat and the strange stallion.

Celestia’s words about their origins rang truer than ever, though – for none of them had cutie marks.

Clio

A resounding knock roused Twilight from her studies the next afternoon. With some effort, she tore her eyes away from A History of Magic, Volume 3 and trotted to the door, swinging it open.

A stranger greeted her. She was an elegant pegasus with a minty green coat; her matching eyes were unblocked by a smartly trimmed royal blue mane. A silver ring was at the base of her tail, adorned with a sapphire shaped into the outline of a blue owl in flight – the same symbol as her cutie mark. A pair of plain brown saddlebags were hanging over her back.

“Are you Miss Twilight Sparkle?”

Somewhat taken aback by this regal visitor, Twilight forced herself back together and endeavored to ignore Spike’s lovestruck sighs from somewhere behind her.

“I am. Please, come in. I wasn’t expecting any company – may I offer you any refreshments?”

The pegasus trotted in, giving Spike a quick nod before she sat herself at a circular table that was fast clearing of the cluttered books and papers. “No, thank you. I have come on official business from Canterlot and must speak to you alone.”

Twilight paused and then gave a quick nod. “Oh. Right! Um, Spike, will you please reshelf these books in the other room?” She dropped a stack nearly twice as tall as the young dragon into his arms before escorting him out and closing the door quickly behind him. She flinched as she heard the stack of books tumble to the ground and turned quickly to offer a smile to the newcomer, attempting to talk over the loud complaints from her companion.

“What brings you to Ponyville? Is it news from Celestia?”

“Princess Luna has sent me.”

Twilight stopped short and sat down, blinking. It was out of character for the young Princess to not come of her own accord; she had become so comfortable with Ponyville recently. “Has something gone wrong?”

“She sends her regrets that she cannot come see you personally. My name is Clio, and I am a historian and librarian in Canterlot.”

“You’re… THE Clio? One of the founding ponies of the Canterlot Library; the first one in Equestria! Forgive me, I thought you were-“

“Dead? A myth?” the pegasus replied with the ghost of a smile. “Yes; so do all who hear of us. The founding librarians have remained in the Canterlot Library, and shall remain there until it falls. Our job is to record history as it happens, and so we work endlessly. Many work for and through us; in Cloudsdale, Appleoosa, the Kingdom of the Griffins; yes, even here. We have ties to outer lands and countries you have never seen nor heard of.”

“What brings you to Ponyville? Is Princess Luna okay?”

“Yes; the Princess is fine. I would normally have nothing to do with your affairs – please forgive me – but I am simply a neutral observer of history. I am not to take a side. However, I cannot ignore a book loan request from my Princess. She fears that a danger is coming and has asked me to provide you with certain materials which you may find useful, should the need arise. At the very least, consider them a personal loan. They can provide you with knowledge you cannot easily find elsewhere.”

Clio shrugged off the saddle bag and nosed it open, gingerly picking out three large tomes. Their titles were written in an elegant hoof; The Outerlands, Myths of the Night, and Chaos Before Order. Clio could barely begin to speak before Twilight was aflutter over the new books, prancing on the tips of her hooves.

“Chaos Before Order is the unabridged account of how Celestia and Luna defeated Discord the first time and consolidated rule of Equestria, bringing peace and order. I’ve been dying to read it for ages, but it’s impossible to find-“

“-because it is not a book that is willingly loaned out. It is the oldest and most complete account of the beginning of Celestia and Luna’s rule. This information can be found scattered elsewhere, but nowhere is it this complete. The Outerlands is newer; it is a full account of the lands bordering Equestria on all sides. Consider it a lesson in geography.

Myths of the Night is a book that has fallen from memory. It was written early in the reign of the Princesses Luna and Celestia; it not only tells the story of the Lady of the Night, Lady Theia, but of Luna. It also gives full accounts of many of the cults and sects that existed based on the moon, including the Colt of the Moon. Much of the information in Chaos Before Order is strictly historical; Myths of the Night will contain more of the information Princess Luna feels will be important to you.”

“The Colt of the Moon? She hasn’t mentioned them for a year now; what-“

“I am simply the bearer of knowledge. Princess Luna requested that I loan these books to you. I know of her reasons, and cannot judge or advise.” She nosed into the pack again and pulled out the tightly rolled scroll, stamped both with Princess Luna’s mark and her own – the blue owl in flight. “This parchment was opened by me on request of Princess Luna. I have added one slip detailing the loan of these three books to you and then resealed it all together.”

Clio turned to leave, and Twilight stumbled after her in a daze. When the ancient pony reached the door, the unicorn managed to squeak out – “Clio?”

The pegasus turned to face her. Twilight shrank some. “Thank you. For… Coming. And bringing these to me. I will return them in perfect condition.”

The recorder of history smiled. “I am glad to have met you, Twilight Sparkle. I have heard much of you and your friends, and it is an honor to make your acquaintance.”

And with that, she was gone; before Twilight could even register that she had left, Clio had already vanished. It was likely a good thing, because the loud squeal and bouncing dance that Twilight gave vent to would have raised the historian’s eyebrow. Spike crashed out of the room he was in.

“What happened? Did she ask my name at least?”

“Ohmygoshohmygoshohmygoshoh…”

“Twilight?”

“…mygoshohmygoshohmygosh…”

“Twilight!”

She pranced around Spike in a tight circle, continuing breathlessly.

“Do you have any idea who that was Spike I mean talk about legends but I never thought ohmygoshohmygosh-“

“TWILIGHT!”

The unicorn finally stopped bouncing, dashing to the table.

“Spike, that was Clio! THE Clio! She’s been in Canterlot since… Well, Canterlot! She founded the library and has written so many books – I should have asked her to mark one of them for me! I have some of what she’s written, or copies of it I mean – I…”

“Wow. She looked so young, too. Ah, well. I suppose I can have eyes for my Rarity…”

Twilight didn’t respond; she was reading the parchment with a grave expression. The excitement of moments ago had vanished, and when she gave her next order, Spike did not hesitate to comply.

“Spike, please handle anything that comes in today. I have some reading I have to do.”

Homecoming

Dawn of the third day since the strange pegasus’ warning saw Luna up and pacing nervously around her room. She had received confirmation that the requested material had been delivered to Twilight Sparkle, and so far Celestia had said nothing to her. She would have to repay the favor to Clio, but for now she had more pressing concerns: whether there would be a dark visitor to their hall this day.

She stopped at her windows long enough to watch Celestia fly by on the way to her own room. Luna gave a low groan and continued to pace. The sisters hadn’t spoken for three days now, and it was beginning to wear on her. If nothing happened today, Luna would have to apologize to Celestia for her foolishness and chase the intruders away for good.

She didn’t want to think about what would happen if something did happen.

She paced and worried until the sun was high; then she finally tore herself away from her room for long enough to venture outside. She peered out the hallway and crept by her guards, descending down to pass by the main throne room. Celestia was holding audience with some of the Canterlot elite, likely to discuss some upcoming event or gala. It was with some shame that Luna realized she would know what was going on if she were still speaking to her sister…

Before she could be noticed, Luna slipped quietly away and trotted down the hall toward the castle’s majestic front doors. Much like the throne room, the hall was vast; thick white columns held up high vaulted ceilings, and large stained glass windows let in a bright rainbow of light, even at night time. The stories depicted on these windows were from the beginnings of Equestrian history: the story of Theia and Hyperion, the rise of Discord, the birth of Celestia and Luna, the defeat of Discord, the founding of Canterlot, the passage of rule from first to second generation…

Luna stopped just inside the massive oak doors and turned back to face the throne room. Celestia was still in her meeting, so Luna nudged the doors to Canterlot Castle open and stepped into the fresh air.

A crisp spring breeze greeted her, and the young Princess inhaled deeply before letting her eyes drift closed. Surely, the stranger had been wrong – danger couldn’t come to Canterlot. The threat of Nightmare Moon was gone, and Discord had been sealed away by ponies who would not lose their affiliation with the Elements of Harmony as Celestia and Luna had. There were no nameless threats lurking in the shadows – Celestia was kind and benevolent. Surely her refusal to speak of such matters came from a place of love and protection?

Luna took in a panoramic view of Canterlot, a small smile on her face. The upper crust of Equestrian society was functioning with business as usual – the upscale shops, cafes, bakeries, and boutiques were seeing a steady flow of customers. She idly wondered how many art gallery openings and private functions would be happening this evening; there never seemed to be a night in Canterlot when there wasn’t some grand event going on. Luna would sometimes stand at her window, listening to the music and laughter from afar.

They weren’t as fun and honest as the parties in Ponyville, granted, but they were just as entertaining in their own ways.

Her train of thought broke as the doors swung open and the ponies who had been with Celestia filed out. They offered her quick greetings before going down to Canterlot proper; Celestia herself bid them farewell from the landing then moved next to her sister.

“Have you felt it yet?” she said lowly, her eyes focused on the horizon. Luna gave her older sister a confused look, but Celestia did not meet it – she was too focused on the east. “A sense of… Foreboding. Suffocating. I hear-“

“Hyperion,” Luna said suddenly. She knew she could not hear the voice as Celestia did. She heard her mother’s sudden, panicked calls, though, which was unheard of - the voices of the night did not sound during the day. But then, suddenly and clearly, the voice of her father pierced through and echoed in her mind, silencing all else.

Her legs stiffened with shock as a seeping darkness began to creep over Canterlot. All at once, voices rose from Canterlot. Everypony knew this was no natural darkness – it was midafternoon, and there wasn’t a cloud in the sky. Luna felt eyes on her, but she could not break her gaze from that point in the east. Though the sun remained high in the sky, it seemed to give off moonlight to accompany this terrifying, unnatural darkness. Daylight and blue skies were strangled into darkness. Even Celestia seemed unable to tear her eyes away, but unlike Luna she could find her voice.

“I didn’t want to believe it. Even Hyperion refused to believe it. It’s simply not possible.”

Panic began to erupt in the streets as the darkness continued to envelope the lands and the warming rays of the sun became cold, harsh moonlight. Celestia finally seemed urged to move and had taken a step when a voice bellowed from the shadows – something that silenced all of Canterlot and chilled Luna to the core.

“I am home.”

A Princess Reclaimed

Though Luna was stunned by the appearance of the alicorn before her, Celestia seemed as calm as could be. The blue coated stallion was larger than even Celestia; he was a huge, well-muscled brute with thick legs, a broad chest, and hefty wings. His eyes were a bright shade of blue, his shining mane and tail the deepest black. He was handsome in his own right – if it weren’t for the threat that he emanated.

The bright blue eyes took in both Celestia and Luna. The large stallion chuckled deeply, shaking his mane and focusing his eyes on the elder sister.

“You’re still alive, I see. After all these years. Are you bored of it yet, Celestia?”

“You are not welcome here. Return to where you came from and rule over your lawless creatures.”

The stallion laughed. “Lawless? Celestia, surely you jest. Look at your precious Equestria – sunk into darkness by the ruler of said ‘lawless creatures’. Can you not see that my magic surpasses yours? I have spent countless years regaining what was taken from me, and soon not even your parents will be able to stop me.”

Celestia narrowed her eyes and dropped her head, challenging the stallion. He merely scoffed at her. “Don’t waste my time, Celestia. I’m not here to overthrow you today. I have come to bring the Bringer of Light home with me so I can come overthrow you another day.”

“I am not going anywhere with you!” Celestia shouted, shaking her mane violently. “You can’t-“

“You fool,” the stallion said dully. “You don’t honestly think you’re the only one, do you? Come now, Celestia. You know as much of the glorious olden days as I do. Or perhaps you should ask your dear little sister?”

Celestia’s head whipped around to face Luna, but the younger Princess kept her eyes on the stallion. “There is no Eos.”

He merely smiled pityingly at her. “I have waited a long time for dawn to come. I think it’s about time, is it not?”

“Luna, what is he talking about?”

“It’s just like us, Celestia,” Luna replied dully. “I mean, before Nightmare Moon... Bringers of night need the bringer of light to balance them. The old stories say that there was a mare in the Colt of the Moon named Eos. She was just as hungry for power as the Colt himself, but lacked the actual power to pursue it. She chased it as she could and soon discovered the source of the Colt’s power. She harnessed it for her own use and was just at the height of it when Hyperion and Theia banished the Colt’s followers.”

“She’s been gone for a very long time, my saffron goddess of daylight,” the stallion sighed longingly. “But worry not, Celestia. I’ll return.”

“Why would you come here and let me know of your plans? It would be nothing to banish you – to destroy your followers-“

The stallion chuckled. “But you won’t, Celestia. You have no power where I am from, and to destroy me you will first have to destroy your friend.”

The darkness faded suddenly. Bright sunlight washed Equestria in a cheerful warmth, beckoning all to enjoy her fruitful days yet again; but nopony moved. The stillness stretched for countless minutes, as though the land itself was holding a deep breath. And then, suddenly –

“Scootaloo, stop!”

A stallion’s voice… The song… Saffron goddess of daylight… Saffron… The song…

“No, no, NO!” Luna screamed, launching forward to stop the young pegasus before she reached the stallion. But he grabbed her tail in his teeth and yanked her back sharply, sending her crashing to the ground. Scootaloo hovered nearby, but when she heard Rainbow Dash’s voice behind her she flew straight toward the blue stallion. He smirked back at Celestia and Luna.

“Drawn by her true calling. Don’t worry, dear Princess, I’ll be kind to her. And the next time you see her, you’ll be bowing before her instead of demanding that she bow before you.”

For a split second, it seemed as though Scootaloo changed direction and went toward Luna. The younger Princess scrambled to her hooves and ran toward her, but she vanished in a flash of red light – along with the stallion.

Luna and Rainbow Dash came face to face, as the pegasus had been flying after the youngster blindly. They stared wordlessly at each other, reflecting the horror and complete helplessness they saw. Finally Rainbow Dash collapsed at Luna’s hooves with a dull wail, exhausted and in shock.

Luna turned toward Celestia, her eyes burning. “You could have prevented this.” There was anger in her voice Celestia hadn’t heard for over a thousand years – not since she had refused to lower the moon. “If you had just listened to me – let me speak to the strangers-“

“Luna, please…”

“No!” the younger sister screamed. “What will it take for you to acknowledge the past? The threats facing our land? When will you protect your followers with the same determination you had back then? Do the stakes have to be banishing your own sister for you to act? Have I not come home to you, proven that I have changed, and stood by your side? Or am I still Nightmare Moon to everypony?”

Canterlot lay still below her, stunned by the cruel words. A blue aura surrounded Rainbow Dash, gingerly lifting her gasping form from the ground; Luna’s eyes seemed to burn under the glow surrounding her horn. “I will protect Equestria if you will not.”

With that, Luna took to the sky, carrying Rainbow Dash in her magic. The pegasus didn’t move after being gently deposited into Luna’s bed, and the Princess stood awkwardly by her side. Rainbow Dash’s pupils were small, her limbs limp, her breathing quick and uneven. She gave a low occasional cry, calling for Scootaloo or Twilight Sparkle; finally, Luna could bear her torment no more. She lowered her head and touched her horn to Rainbow Dash’s forehead, closing her eyes. The blue aura covered the young unicorn, and the Princess spoke gently.

“Rest. No evil will come to you in your dreams while you are under my care. Let your mind be at ease.”

For a brief minute, Rainbow Dash’s eyes came into focus. She gazed up at Luna before closing her eyes, breathing slowly and evenly. Luna stepped back and sighed, then turned and walked purposely to her door. They swung open and she stepped outside, where her ever vigilant guards saluted her.

“Let nopony enter this room while I am away – not even Celestia herself. Post a watch at the windows. A young pegasus is in there – if she awakens before I return, send for me at once.”

“Yes. Princess,” came a chorus of voices, and then Luna was gone.

Loss

She found Ponyville in as much chaos as Canterlot. Some tried to call out to her as she flew overhead, but she merely gave them a nod of her head; she had to find Twilight Sparkle, but the library was abandoned. When she had no luck at Rarity’s shop or the bakery, she went out toward Sweet Apple Acres – and was rewarded with the familiar voices of Twilight Sparkle’s friends calling to her. She landed by the barn, stumbling as she tried to stop, and was immediately set upon by those who had been uninjured, all of their voices assailing her to explain what had gone on.

Applejack and Fluttershy lay mutely by Twilight Sparkle, and Big Macintosh stood nearby. Luna pushed through the ponies crowding her to kneel next to Celestia’s apprentice. She gazed down at her, then closed her eyes and bowed her head. She touched her horn to Twilight Sparkle’s, and soon both alicorn and unicorn were shining with Luna’s blue magic.

She has lost her life. Theia’s voice was barely a whisper in her mind. It has been stolen by the one called the Bringer of Light.

Eos. Hyperion’s voice was oddly much clearer than Theia’s. Your sister.

Luna almost came out of her trance right there, but she fought to hold onto the connection with her parents. Where Celestia was unwilling to accept the dangers, Hyperion and Theia seemed resolved to telling her what they knew – even if it meant revealing this secret.

She had no magic of which to speak; the job of controlling the sky could only fall on two shoulders. Giving anything to Eos would have made the balance uneven, for two would have control of the day and only one of night. She was sent to live among the others of Equestria.

The rest of the story Luna knew; her parents had no need to tell her.

“Help her,” she murmured out loud. “How do I help her?”

Neither of her parents spoke. Luna felt herself growing desperate; she cried out in her thoughts, like a lost filly searching for her mother, until finally she heard Hyperion – though he sounded distant.
She is gone.

No.

Eos took her life. She is gone, Luna.

Luna refused to believe it. She squeezed her eyes tighter to stem the flow of tears. Give her back breath, she pleaded. Don’t take her into darkness.

Luna. Theia’s voice was soothing and gentle, enveloping her like a protective blanket. You must save Eos. Do not let this young unicorn’s death be in vain. Equestria needs you.

“I need her,” Luna whispered. Twilight Sparkle was the one who had been given the books and the knowledge to help her combat this trouble. She was the one who had brought the six together, found the Elements of Harmony, and freed her from her prison. She was always there, always helping, always supportive. If anyone had the power to battle this new foe and bring Scootaloo home, it was Twilight Sparkle.

Luna feared going into this battle without the steadfast, clear headed young unicorn; but she had no power over life and death, and even her parents had little say. When the black one reached for you, you had no choice but to obey his call. How could the Elements of Harmony save Equestria if she was gone?

She felt a wave of warmth wash over her and felt another power, stronger than hers, nearby. Her dark world became tinged with a warm gold as this power swirled around and through her. She tried to start back and open her eyes but found herself unable to move, so overwhelming was this sensation. She bore it as long as she could, and it was just when she was about to scream out when everything flashed white.

She jumped to her hooves, her eyes flying open. She looked down to Twilight Sparkle, only to see Celestia stretched out next to her. The young unicorn was covered in one of her sister’s wings as the Princess whispered brokenly to her lost pupil.

Luna turned her head away, unable to bear the sight; when she saw Twilight Sparkle’s friends, her tears returned. How could I be so helpless? she cried to her parents, but knew that no answer would be forthcoming. She moved hesitantly to them, laying down between Fluttershy and Applejack. Both ponies collapsed into her, crying loudly; Luna covered them with her wings to comfort them.

“I am sorry,” she finally said. “I could not bring her back.”

Pinkie Pie and Rarity sat close together, shaking with sobs; Sweetie Belle was pressed into her sister’s front hooves. Big Macintosh and Apple Bloom were close to Applejack. The stallion had his head bowed, one hoof wrapped gently around Apple Bloom. He was obviously distraught but seemed to be forcing himself to hold together, more for the rest than anything else.

“Rainbow Dash?” he finally asked lowly. All at once, every head turned toward Luna; when Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom both piped up with Scootaloo’s name, the Princess turned her eyes toward Canterlot.

“Rainbow Dash lives. She is resting in my room in Canterlot, recovering from the flight. Scootaloo was taken prisoner by a strange colt from the east. She will be rescued.”

Not exactly a comforting thing to say, but at least she lived. The rest stared numbly at her, trying to fathom what she had said. Luna opened her mouth to continue, but she heard Celestia’s voice suddenly bellow from behind her.

“You dare show yourself again?”

Luna looked up quickly, expecting to see the huge stallion from before, but instead saw the three pegasi who had been watching her at night. Celestia’s horn was glowing bright yellow as she stood over Twilight Sparkle. The blue stallion hovered uneasily before the other two, looking from Celestia to Luna. The older sister’s horn sparkled with her rage, and she fired a stream of her magic toward the three. They had no hope of escaping and would have been brought to their knees had Luna not suddenly appeared before them.

She took the brunt of Celestia’s attack, her wings going rigid. Celestia jerked her head up with alarm; as soon as the attack stopped Luna’s wings gave a powerful beat and kept her airborne. She turned to face the three pegasi, ignoring her sister.

“P-please, help.”

She started to collapse, but the white and yellow pegasi bolted forward and caught her. They guided her gently to the ground as the blue stallion stated evenly at Celestia.

“Your sister has come to trust us, Celestia. She tried to warn you, and you have – thus far – ignored her. Will you heed us now?”

Celestia remained above Twilight Sparkle, looking from the blue stallion to Luna. The younger sister was already getting to her hooves, flanked by the two pegasi; Twilight Sparkle’s friends had gathered together fearfully, with Big Macintosh standing in front of them. Celestia took in the sight of the injured stallion ready to defend his friends, her weakened sister, and finally the defiant blue pegasus. He landed before Luna, gazing up fearlessly at the Princess before him.

“Who are you?” Celestia finally asked. The pegasus smiled thinly.

“We come from lands to the east, Princess. We are the lawless ones, I believe you call us. Banished back in the time of your parents, now living outside of their mercy; we scratch a living as we can in the mountains. My name is Orion; this is Vela and Posy.” He motioned to the white pegasus and then the yellow one, but they did not acknowledge the introduction. “We live in a small village hidden in the mountains. The Colt of the Moon is strong near us, but our small village does not bow before his power. We long for the rightful heirs of Hyperion and Theia.”

“Why did you not return to us?” Celestia demanded. Orion only smiled, as though he were dealing with a stubborn filly.

“My reception today should give you your answer. We lack what so binds your world together – cutie marks. With our banishment came the loss of the gifts of order, and without these marks we have been shunned and turned away. We kept to ourselves, fighting the Colt as we could, until we heard of Luna’s return. We came here to see her, and only through that travel did we learn of the Colt’s whisperings – his Eos had returned.”

“Scootaloo is not his Eos,” Celestia retorted. “She has no powers. She is but a young filly…”

“…just as Eos was when she was spurned by our parents,” Luna finally said quietly. She stared evenly at Celestia, who simply gazed back.

“Our sister died a long time ago,” the elder finally said flatly. But Orion shook his head.

“Perhaps so. But she has returned in a new body to take control with the Colt of the Moon. She has reincarnated in the one who was taken today; awoken by the strong magic of one who tried to save her.”

All eyes turned to Twilight Sparkle as Orion continued quietly. “I didn’t have to be here to feel her come back to the world; I know that only a powerful magic could reawaken her so quickly.”

“Can you save her?”

Orion turned to face Luna and bowed before her. “I do not know, Princess of Night.”

“But she’s our only hope,” a small voice said from among Twilight’s friends. All eyes turned to Fluttershy as she continued. “Without Twilight, we don’t have the Elements of Harmony; and then how can we protect Equestria?”

A grim silence fell on the group. Celestia finally knelt down and draped a wing over her pupil. Luna turned away and looked to the rest of her friends. “Come to Canterlot Castle and be with Rainbow Dash. You all need each other, and we must find out what is going to happen now.”

As if on cue, her chariot arrived with word that Rainbow Dash had woken. The group climbed in numbly, assisting Applejack and Big Macintosh. She nodded her thanks to her guards and gave Celestia a long, sad look before taking to the sky to fly next to the rising chariot, leaving her sister alone to grieve.

A Hopeless Plan

It was only when the group of friends reunited in Luna's room that the mourning reached its height. Rainbow Dash was already inconsolable with the disappearance of Scootaloo; hearing that Twilight Sparkle was also gone destroyed her. Luna watched with a broken heart, unable to offer anything to them; Orion stood next to her, with Posy and Vela to his right. Soon the grieving friends had quieted and sat in a circle, heads bowed and close together. Applejack leaned heavily on Rarity, weak with pain. Luna took a step forward to join them, but Orion’s voice cut through the silence and stopped her.

“Princess Luna, how far would you go to fix what has been wronged?”

“To the Black Lands and beyond,” she replied without hesitation.

“Who rules in your stead, then?”

“Celestia.” She stared down at Orion. “She did it for a thousand years; she can do it again.”

Orion did not look up at her. “The legends say that a gate to the Black Lands exists near my home. Whether you believe that you can venture to the land of the dead or not, I can bring you there.”

“I know of this place,” Luna replied quietly, looking back to the group of friends. “Such a journey is perilous; the legends from our ancestors said that none who attempted to enter the Mouth of Cerberus were ever seen again. But if it is the only way to bring Twilight Sparkle back, then I must go and try. Perhaps the legends are true.”

A hoof stomped on the floor, and Luna glanced up. She saw Applejack standing, parting herself from Rarity, and taking a firm step forward. The other four watched her closely.

“I’m goin’ with ya.” Applejack’s voice was hoarse with grief, and she limped heavily as she walked toward Luna; but there was a grim determination in her eyes. “If it’ll bring back Twilight an’ help us get Scootaloo, you c’n bet I’m goin’.”

The entire group came forward; Rainbow Dash, then Rarity, then Pinkie Pie, and finally Fluttershy. They stood, shoulder to shoulder, their faces showing a range of fear, pain, and grief; but none would be talked out of it. And in the back of her mind, Luna began to wonder if there would be some benefit to having the Elements of Harmony along - perhaps they would be of more assistance than she imagined. The idea, however, did not sit easily with her - the risks were great, and she couldn't help but try to talk them out of it once more.

“I cannot ask you all to join me. We go to a land of death to bargain with He Who Calls; I have a better chance of returning alive with Twilight than any other, and slim odds are barely better than no odds at all. I am the only one who could hope to leave the Black Lands if I am allowed in; I don’t know what would happen to…”

“Twilight would go for us,” Rainbow Dash snapped. “She’s our PFF. We have to go.”

“And you cain’t stop us,” Applejack said firmly. She turned to her brother. “You take care of the young’uns an’ the farm while we’re away, Big Mac.”

“Now wait a minute!” Apple Bloom shouted, stamping a hoof. “Scootaloo’s our friend, too. We ain’t bein’ left behind!”

“Dear ones,” Luna said soothingly, kneeling down. “I know your courage and loyalty to Scootaloo are beyond question. But please understand; we are going to a place nopony from Equestria has ever gone to or returned from, and the Black Lands are far too dangerous for even Twilight Sparkle’s friends. I cannot allow you to come with us. I shouldn’t let them come at all, but the Elements may be of more use than I can guess at.”

“Please stay with me.”

Luna’s head shot up with alarm at the voice. Celestia stood wearily in the doorway, looking weak and drained. “I have lost my protégé and will soon lose my sister. Please stay and help me here. I cannot lose any others.”

Luna stared levely at Celestia, stung that her older sister had already written her off for dead. True, she had little hope of returning alive, but at least Twilight Sparkle’s friends had some hope - Celestia had given up completely. However, the distraction worked; Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom couldn’t resist the invitation to be Celestia’s guests, but Rarity’s younger sister stomped up to Luna and stared up at her intensely. “You bring our friends back, Luna, or else you have to answer to us.”

Luna smiled thinly. “I swear to Lady Theia that I will return them home.”

Though she was unfamiliar with the name, Sweetie Belle could tell that it was a solemn promise; so with a firm nod she turned and trotted back to Apple Bloom. The Apple family then stood together, eyes closed and silent; Sweetie Belle and Rarity lay down side by side, the older sister talking about the things they would all do together when they came back. Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, and Pinkie Pie sat together and apart from the siblings, steeling themselves for the journey ahead; fear passed over all of their faces numerous times as Luna watched.

Soon Applejack and Rarity joined them. The five again sat together, heads close and eyes closed. Applejack was speaking quietly to them, but Luna couldn’t make out the words; nor did she feel pressed to impose on their circle. She instead turned to face Orion, Vela, and Posy; the two youngsters were crouched side by side, watching the five friends. Orion stared up at Luna with a strangely detached look in his eyes.

“Retire for the time being, friends,” Luna said slowly, keeping her gaze on Orion. “Meet in the main hall at sunset and we will leave then. Orion, may I have a private word? Perhaps Twilight Sparkle’s friends can show Vela and Posy the castle?”
The two pegasus fillies were plainly terrified to be parted from their guardian, but Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy approached them warmly. The thought of comforting the two young ones seemed to lift their own spirits, and the fillies were smiling before they had even exited the room. Rainbow Dash alone paused at the doorway to glance back at Luna, then she trailed behind Big Mac, Sweetie Belle, and Apple Bloom to bring up the rear. Once the sound of their voices had faded into the depths of the castle, the younger sister rounded angrily on the elder - and Celestia took a step back, her face melting with misery as she was so confronted. Fighting back a sob, Celestia spoke brokenly to the rage and betrayal simmering in Luna’s eyes.

“Luna, I beg your forgiveness. Please. I wronged so many today - I have failed my country. I have failed you, our parents, our subjects - I have paid dearly already. Please do not make me suffer more.”

“Why would you not believe me? I could have warned you. Maybe we could have done something.”

Celestia looked down. “How could I? We have been at peace for so long. I did not think that such old terrors would come back to haunt us. How could I? Legends - all old legends and stories. I wanted to believe we were done with this. All of these wars and horrors. We could protect Equestria with the help of the Elements of Harmony. But this is something... If I had listened to you, Twilight Sparkle…”

“We will bring her home, Celestia.”

Orion and Celestia shared a look; the former spoke gently. “He Who Calls is no easy beast to bargain with. He will often only exchange a life for a life, and even then it is rare.”

“I know this. I will offer my life for Twilight Sparkle’s.”

Orion simply closed his eyes and bowed his head. It took nearly a full minute for the emotions to register on Celestia’s face - shock, confusion, horror. Finally, she found the words she needed.

“Luna, you can’t!”

“Celestia, you ruled Equestria without me for a thousand years. If it will bring back the one pony who can save us all, I will offer my life to He Who Calls. Surely he will accept the offer. I am an immortal being - she is but a humble mare.”

“It could work,” Orion said with a shrug. Luna glanced down at him. “It isn’t a fair trade on our end, but-“

“You will callously bargain with my sister’s life?” Celestia bellowed out with horror. For the first time since he had come down, Orion showed true fear; he took a step away from Celestia’s rage, but Luna quickly stepped between them.

“Celestia, I have made up my mind. Had you listened to me, perhaps we wouldn’t have to go to these ends. But now we have to believe in old legends to have any hope of saving Equestria. I will go to the Mouth of Cerberus, and if I am allowed into the Black Lands, I will bargain for Twilight Sparkle’s life.”

The white alicorn stared numbly at the blue, and suddenly Luna could see a thousand years of heavy pain and loneliness weigh on Celestia’s shoulders. Luna felt a stab of pain in her chest and turned her head away, closing her eyes. She heard her sister’s sharp exhale and heard her turn her back on Luna, as she had all those years ago - a bitter taste rose in Luna’s mouth, and she turned her head to stare at her sister’s back. This time she would go on her own accord to fix the mess that Celestia had made - she wouldn’t be sent away on Celestia’s.

“I will send home the Elements of Harmony so that Equestria can remain safe, even at the cost of my own life.”
Celestia said nothing. She was utterly defeated, and her body reflected that weakness. She drew in a deep breath then, with a great deal of effort, straightened herself. A deep sadness radiated from her, but her voice was like stone.

“So be it. May the blessings of all of Equestria go with you and your company, and may Hyperion and Theia grant you a safe return home.” She paused, adding a low “All of you,” before striding out of the room. The door closed softly behind her, and Luna stared absently after her.

“Perhaps we’ll find that He Who Calls will be gracious when we arrive and send us all home alive,” Orion offered, sensing her discomfort. But Luna shook her head slowly and turned away from him; he couldn’t possibly understand.

“Or none of us,” Luna retorted. With a weary sigh, she went to her bed and stretched out so she could face the window and stare outside. “Please leave me. I must be alone for a while.”

Author's Note

Well, I'm back. Sort of. Still very open to ideas/suggestions/someone to bounce my ideas off of, but for now I'll keep plugging along. I'm rewriting bits as I go and trying to catch some mistakes I'd made on the first pass. And look, chapter titles! Woo!

Silent Night

“Luna, please understand…”

The moon had long since risen, and Celestia had urged the younger sister to return to her as quickly as possible after the ceremony. Try as she might, the mare of night could not detect anypony spying on her; and from the lecture Celestia was currently giving her she guessed that Celestia didn’t know why Luna had gone down to Ponyville; only suspected.

“I ask you to leave the past be because it is dangerous to press further. The ponies spying on you live outside of our borders and are thus none of our concern.”

“But, Celestia, it’s not…”

“Luna, please. If they are found here again, they will be dealt with according to our laws.”

The younger Princess sat down and heaved a frustrated sigh. “But that’s not the point. I just want to know who they are and why they want to watch me. Nopony watches me that intently.”

Celestia smiled and shook her head. “Everypony watches you eagerly, my dear sister. Do not worry about those outside of our lands; concern yourself with the ponies who love you.”

Luna looked down wordlessly, and Celestia left her to her thoughts. The door closed quietly, and as soon as Luna was sure her sister was out of earshot, she smacked the bed with a hoof and covered her eyes with a frustrated sigh.

“I should just leave it be. Colt of the Moon, huh… Probably just a ponytale.” But the words felt false on her tongue, and she could not convince herself to believe them - try as she might.

She sighed and closed her eyes, allowing the warmth of night to spread over her. It was hard for her to relax when the night was still new; the song still hummed through her veins, so instead she would listen. Not just the voices of the stars and the moon, but an endless whispering of voices lost to the sun; those of moon-worshippers lost to memory, of ancient rulers, of the most powerful night-being of all. She sought the tales of the past, any mention of the Colt of the Moon and his red magic, but heard nothing. Theia, the Lady of the Night, was silent, and no amount of Luna’s pleading would encourage her to share her secrets.