MLP: Prelude pt 3
#3 of MLP: Prelude
Slowly weeks become months and months slowly become years. It was now the middle of summer and Lunar was out playing by a nearby creek with his best friend. The two enjoyed the cool waters as apposed to the heat from the high summer sun. All this of course was under the watchful eyes of Andromeda.
"Hey Tia watch this." Lunar had closed his eyes and his horn glowed. A few feet away, a similar glow was taking place on the water's surface. Before long, a large glob of water rose into the air.
"Oh wow." That was all she would be able to say before the blob of water smacks her in the face and completely soaks the young princess. He winced and fell onto her haunches and hung her head. All Lunar could hear was soft sniffles, as if she were about to cry.
"Oh horsefeather Tia, I'm sorry. It was just all in good fun." Fun was right because the white filly tackled her friend into the water and the two rolled down the shallow embankment before coming to a stop and slowly getting to their hooves. Both laughing like there was no tomorrow. The two friends continued their games until Andromeda called the two of them in for lunch.
"So how is your baby sister?"
"Luna is just that, a baby. She cries a lot but that's because she needs a lot of care. She looks a lot like you, I mean your coats are the same color." Lunar chuckled deeply.
"Aww feeling outnumbered sun princess?" Ever since Celestia received cutie mark which was indeed a sun, Lunar had always teasingly called her 'Sun Princess'.
"Oh come on Lunar, you know I can't really move the sun, only mother can. I got this because I love the daylight. It shows off all of the different colors all around us like a painting. I see you still haven't gotten yours yet though."
The colt shook his head. "No, mom said that I have to be patient and that it will come to me in time. But I see every filly and colt my age has theirs already. They make fun of me Tia, calling me a 'blank flank' even worse they would sometimes call me 'princess's pet'. It's not fair, why do I have to find what makes me special so late?"
Celestia looked to her friend and wished that there was something she could do to ease his pain. The only thing she could think of was to open a wing and drape it across his back. "Well well if it isn't the princess's loyal pet. Did she teach you any new trick?"
"Leave me alone Sky Shine. I don't even want to deal with you right now."
The pegasus colt laughed along with two others that were with him. "Aww what's wrong too upset about us calling you a blank flank, because that's what you are."
Celestia had had enough, princess or not nopony picked on her friends. "Shut up. How dare you talk to him like that."
"Did I upset her royal highness? Maybe you should hang out with us instead of being around a blank flank nopony."
Lunar's head was hung down and his silvery mane covered his face. His body shook slightly before he threw his head up showing every pony his glowing eyes. His silver mane fluttered as if the wind was whipping past it. "Enough!" His voice boomed with raw power. "I have had enough of you and your friends. If all you can do is pick on a pony for not having a cutie mark then maybe I should remove yours!"
The pegasus stepped back in fear as Lunar's horn glowed with power. Before he was able to even get a chance, the pegasus and his friends took off running. Once they were out of sight, Lunar's power faded and his mane returned to his side.
Celestia was standing beside him in awe. "Lunar are you ok?"
"Lunar Star!" Andromeda came galloping down the path before she stopped before the two. "I was just coming to get you when three colts ran passed screaming about you trying to remove their cutie marks."
"Miss Andromeda those three colts were picking on him." Lunar again hid his face behind his mane as once again, the filly placed a wing over his back. "He really wasn't going to do it, just to scare them."
The unicorn sighed softly. "Well anyway it's time for lunch." The two young ponies followed close behind her. "I am grateful to her majesty to allow you to spend time with Lunar. He has had a rather rough time making friends."
"Mother thought it would be good that we get to know one another. I don't really know why but I'm glad she said yes. Lunar has become one of my dearest friends."
Lunar and Andromeda waved goodbye as the chariot carrying the young princess took off back to their castle in the distance. Night Hawk was just appearing on the horizon as the two walked back inside. "Well come on Lunar your father will be here any moment and we need to get dinner ready."
"Ok mom I'll set the table." Using his magic, Lunar opened one of the many cupboards and removed three plates, placing them around their dinning table.
"Evening every pony." Night said as he opened the door to their home and walked in, closing the door behind him. He removed his armor, placing it upon a rack on the one side of the living room next his wife's. "So what's for dinner?"
"Mom said she was making cheese ravioli with basil tomato sauce."
"Oh really well that sounds delicious. Can't wait till its done. I also seen the princess fly past before I got home." Lunar nodded.
"Yeah she came to visit since she didn't have classes today. We had fun down by the creek and I showed her the trick mom taught me."
Night smiled to Lunar, ever since they first took the foal they found into their home, he never once regretted it. To him and his wife, Lunar had been a blessing to them. Before they had found the foal, it was discovered that Andromeda could not bear children. It devastated them both but more to Andromeda. She was weeping all that day and into the next.
"Foods ready."
Night chuckled. "The wonders of having a wife that knows magic. Cooking always takes less time."
Andromeda came trotting into the dinning room from the kitchen with a steaming pot held in her magic and placed it upon the table. She lifts each plate and fills it with a generous serving. "So Lunar when are you planning on asking the princess out?" Lunar promptly spit out everything in his mouth and covered the table.
"Lunar! Honestly, cover your mouth next time." Andromeda scolded as she grabbed a rag to clean off the mess.
"It's dad's fault, he made me do it with that question." Lunar then took his glass into his magic and slowly started to drink from it.
"What question? About you asking the princess out on a date." Lunar choked and put his glass down and started to cough.
"Dear with you give the poor boy a minute." Night Hawk chuckled deeply.
"I'm sorry Lunar." He patted his son on his back.
"She's just a friend dad that's it. We hang out that's all." Night nodded his head.
Night had fallen over their little town and many were asleep in their beds when the alarms went off from the town watch. Lunar jumped from his bed before his mother came running into the room panting and wearing her armor. "Mom what's going on? What's that noise? And why are you wearing your armor?"
"There is no time for that Lunar, you must hide, now."
The little colt shook his head. "No, whatever it is I can help, I want to help. Please mom"
Andromeda just shook her head. "No Lunar you are still too young and your magic is not as refined. You need to stay hidden." Screams and insane cackling echo into the night from outside.
"Go Lunar, now!" Lunar quickly ran into his closet and closed the door. The screams of ponies and cackling of whatever it was outside continued. His body shook with fear before he heard the shouts of his mother and father. He knew that there was nothing that they were afraid of and if they weren't afraid then he shouldn't be either. Gathering up his courage, Lunar bolted out of his closet and out of his room. He ran through the house and bursts through the front door before coming face to face with the carnage.
Bodies of ponies and some type of canine lay strewn all over the dirt street. Blood pouring out of wounds and coating the ground. The little alicorn started to hyper-ventilate the more bodies of the villagers he seen. "Look here Mick, we got ourselves a small fry." Lunar turned and standing before him was one of those canines. It stood on two legs and had some type of clothing, like a vest upon itself. Around its neck was a black spiked collar. Its fur was the dingiest of grey and it sickly yellow eyes had Lunar frozen in place.
"We don't need no shrimp Rover, get rid of it."
The canine cackled before raising one of his clawed hands. "Sorry kid but you got to die." Lunar closed his eyes waiting for the blow but all he heard was the canine whimper. Once he opened his eyes a pony dressed in armor stood before him.
"Mom!"
Andromeda was panting heavily. "Lunar I thought I told you to stay hidden!" As Lunar looked his mother over, he saw that there was an arrow sticking out of her side.
"Mom you're hurt."
The unicorn shook her head. "Don't worry about me just..." She could not even finish her though as another arrow wizzed by and struck on her side. She dropped to the ground but tried to raise to her hooves. The pain the colt could see was great. When she could not raise again, the little colt was at her side.
"Mom, mom please I can help. Please let me help." Tears were streaming down the little colt's face. All around them was chaos, screams of the injured and dying rang out into the night.
"You must live my little star. Always remember Lunar, even thought I am not with you I will forever be watching you..." The unicorns heart slowed and with the last few beats, she died.
"Mom? Mother!? MOMMA!" The death of his mother kick started a chain reaction within the little colt as his mane bellowed by an unknown force. Magic surrounded him in bubble of pure energy and he opened his eyes, sending shock waves or raw magic in every direction. every canine that was caught within the waves was instantly turned into ash. Those that were able to get away ran off screaming into the forest.
Those at the castle must have heard the alarm because Evening Star and a large platoon of soldiers had arrived to witness the little colts power. Once the initial shock was over, Lunar magic surge subsided and he was lowered to the ground. He sat there crying heavily over the body of Andromeda.
The large alicorn looked around to see the devastation. "Gather up any survivors. I want a full report. You!" He pointed to one of his captains. "Take as many ponies as you will need and hunt down those dogs. But make sure to bring me their leader. The rest you can do with what you want."
Once everything was set in place, Evening Star slowly walked over to the crying Lunar. He gently sat behind him and looked down to the colt. "Your highness please you have to help my mom. I tried to wake her but she won't get up. Why won't she wake up?"
The large stallion shook his head. "I am sorry Lunar but your mother has gone to Elysia. There it is always sunny and she will not hurt anymore." Lunar then turned and burried his face into the king's chest. He quickly wrapped the sobbing colt in his wings and held him there. Another guard walked up beside the alicorn and whispered into his ear.
"Are you certain?" The soldier nodded. Lunar however did not hear anything over his cries. Evening looked down to the now orphaned colt and a single tear worked it's way from his eye and streamed down his face before falling off his cheek. Without thinking, he took the colt into his magic and placed him upon his back. "I am taking this one to the castle. Continue to look for any survivors, I will be back."
"What about momma, I can't just leave her."
"Do not worry Lunar, your mother will be well taken care of." With the opening of his massive wings, Evening Star took several great beats and was airborne. He flew fast back to the castle. There Solaris, Celestia and even baby Luna were wide awake after the alarm sounded. It did not take the stallion long till he landed on a balcony that lead into the King and Queen's bedroom.
"Evening what's that all about? Why did you bring Lunar here?"
Evening was quick to catch his breath and allow Lunar to dismount before answering. "There was an attack on the village. A Diamond Dog raiding party slaughtered everpony we saw. They may have taken captives to work in their mines though I am not sure." He then walked over to Solaris and spoke softly into her ear. She quickly brought a hoof to her muzzle and her eyes welled up in tears before looked to the little colt. His head was hidden by his mane but the shaking of his body and the soft sniffles were all to prominent.
"I have sent out search parties to find any pony they can as well as hunt down those accursed dogs." Celestia walked over to Lunar, she had not heard what it was that her father told her mother but from the way Lunar was acting, it could not be good. She lightly wrapped her friend in her hooves and held him close. Once that happened it was like a switch had gone off and he cried openly.
Even for such a young alicorn, Luna knew this emotion, pain. Her mother and father watched as she lifted herself with her magic and floated over to the saddened colt and wrapped her legs around his back and nuzzled into his neck. Evening and his wife watched as their youngest daughter understood all to well what was going on and tried to do her part to help comfort whom she thought of as a friend.
"I have to get back, can you make sure that he is taken care of?" Solaris nodded as Evening Star took to the air. "I'll be back once everything is done and we have gathered up the dead." He then took off back to the village in the distance.
"Come on girls, lets get Lunar into bed. I am sure he needs his rest." The two sisters did not move until Lunar did, well Luna couldn't anyway.
Once he rose to his hooves, he followed close behind Solaris through their bedroom and into the hall. She lead them down the long corridor and down an adjacent hall till she stopped by a door. "This was meant guests of high standing but seeing as you are going to be staying here Lunar, this will be your room. Celestia's is just down the hall there. I will issue one of my attendants as your caretaker for when Evening Star and I are not available."
"Thank you your highness." He spoke in a weak voice, almost a whisper. He slowly walked into the room as Luna was picked up off his back. She wiggled her hooves helplessly trying to get to her friend.
"It's ok Lulu, I'll stay with him."
"Make sure he gets some rest Celestia understand." The filly nodded and closed the door behind them.
Once the small princess turned around she saw Lunar sitting by the fire. The colt was still slightly shaking and the images of just moment ago replay in his mind. The open wailing of earlier were now just soft sobs. In one night, the colt's life had been turned upside down. Celestia softly trotted over to her friend and sat beside him. She placed an open wing on his back and lightly nuzzled his cheek.
"I feel so cold."
"Please Lunar, don't think about it. It's not good to dwell on what you can not change."
The younger colt shook and rested against the filly's side. "I miss them already."
"Then you will always miss them but they will always be with you. As long as you remember the things they taught you, you will never be apart. For you are apart of each other."