Alone, not Lonely

Chapter 8

Ash bowed for the first time in his life, as far as he could recall. Before him stood his idol, the ponyfication of the moon itself. The moon that, like him, was misunderstood by the scum that could never grasp their suffering. His heart was throbbing excitedly in his ribcage. As he lifted his head the royal alicorn spoke.

“What have I done to deserve your praise that my sister did not?” Her voice had the same power as Celestia’s, but wasn’t warm, like the sun. Instead it was cool with a hint of darkness.

The stallion wasn’t expecting that question. In fact, he had been so fast to bow that he ignored why the pony of the night had come to meet him personally. Celestia was fond of Twilight Sparkle, but the unicorn had never mentioned Luna.

“Those who are unloved, as I was, can always expect my respect.” Ash himself wasn’t completely pleased with his choice of words, but what has been said can never be taken back. Not completely.

“I was always loved. By my sister. Even though….” She paused momentarily, as if remembering a painful memory. “Even though the moon can never shine without the sun, and like the stars are suns too far away to light the day, she was always there for me. I was the one in the wrong. Without the sun the moon is nothing but a large, dark rock.”

“Goddess of the Moon or not, you are not powerless without Celestia. And in spite of being before you is an honor, I believe you came to me for a reason…” This was getting awkward a bit too fast. He hadn’t expected Luna to be arrogant, but she just seemed too fragile.

Luna coughed before speaking with a more confident tone.

“My sister has told me about you. I also saw how you treated her. I came here because I wanted to, not because I was told. And I am here because you need me.”

Ash was now gritting his teeth, a drop of sweat falling from his chin.

“How dare you! I have never needed anypony. The moon helped me many times before, I cannot deny this fact. Nonetheless, I have never depended on another’s for direct guidance. My choices shall be mine and mine alone, along with their consequences.”

“You are a fool. This pride will be end of you. Like me a thousand years ago, you were offered love and kindness, yet you are ready to throw it away. Why?”

“Since I was a foal, I have been alone. My wretched father never did a thing for me. I had to learn everything on my own. I have always been alone. I don’t know how to be with others. There is nothing in Ponyville for me.”

“This time I can prove you wrong.” Luna smiled, light emitting from her horn. A cloud took shape before them, an image beginning to form in its core. Twilight Sparkle was crying as she wrote in a piece of parchment. This one was too private to dictate to Spike. Still, old habits do not die and she spoke its contents out loud.

“Dear Princess Celestia.

Today I have discovered that sometimes ponies don’t want to be with you, and they will break your heart if need be. At times it’s best not to interfere. Some ponies don’t need friends.

Your heart-broken student, Twilight Sparkle.”

The strange cloud dissipated, leaving the dark alicorn and the depressed pegasus alone under the stars.

“I can’t force you to go back, but I promise you will always wonder if you don’t.”

He knew he had no choice. There was no telling what would happen, but he had to set things straight. For Twilight. He owed her that, at least.

“Thank you, Princess Luna.” After those words he turned to Ponyville, still visible thanks to the artificial lights inside ponies homes.

There was a knocking in Ponyville’s library that startled Twilight Sparkle, but not loud enough to wake up the dormant dragon. She didn’t move. Whoever it was, it could wait until morning. The door opened nonetheless and Ash walked in, looking around. They stared at each other for a moment. Twilight looked at his bruised and swollen face with surprise and slight disgust.

“What happened to your face?” She tried her best not to sound concerned, turning her head in order to clean the tears that had previously ran free from her face.

"Rainbow Dash. Let's leave it at that. I don’t suppose you have a spell that could help?” He tried smiling, but the guilt stopped him.

While she wasn’t an expert, Twilight knew a couple of healing spells. She approached Ash and began tending to his wounds.  The only thing that came out of his mouth was “I’m sorry”.

“Why did you come back?”

“I’ll just say that a couple of ponies advised me properly. I wasn’t planning to, to tell the truth. And I'm not staying. I just owed you a goodbye, that's all."

The mare didn’t respond, but kept treating Ash’s wounds carefully. After she was done the tension of the unwanted farewell lingered in the air.

“Do you really have to go?" She knew her pleas would be fruitless, but that wasn't going to stop her.

“Yes. Not for my pride or for my comfort, but for myself."

“Will you ever return?”

“No.” The stallion said, hoping that his last statement was a lie.

He got his cloak and walked alone into the starlit night, not knowing where he would wander into next.

And in the library stood Twilight Sparkle, lonely, clinging to that last word of sorrow.

From the dark night he came,

The solitary cloaked,

And whom else to blame

If his own tears he choked.

Fair Rarity, with her dress

Along with Applejack with her ability to impress,

After meeting Poor and caring Fluttershy,

Rainbow’s speed he could not deny.

Pinkie's party was great,

Celestia will always tolerate,

Luna showed him his true heart,

His choice was none from the start.

Twilight is now alone,

That is the fate of those who have grown.

Her friend will ease the pain,

But she will never forget his name.

THE END

Author's note: First of all, thank you. Thank you for reading this. I hope you had as much fun as I had. I spent this last week thinking about this chapter, how it would go. The ending was decided before I had finished the first chapter, I always knew this would happen. But for a few days I felt the urge to have Ash stay in Ponyville for some time. I honestly didn't want this story to end. I even considered asking you, the readers, if I should end it or keep going. But it wouldn't be right.

For those who tracked, favorited and commented: a thousand times thank you. It wasn't easy writing something like this in a language that isn't my own.You gave me strenght to see this through.