The Hearts of Man: Chapter 7 -Re Entry-

Chapter 7: Re-Entry

 

>"...are here to honor and mourn the loss of a....."

>Where am I?

>"...no one could have expected that the....."

>I feel cold.

>Why do I feel cold?

>"...to ashes, dust to...."

>Who was talking?

>Hello?

>Why can't I feel anything?

>Why cant I open my eyes?

>Hello?

>HELLO?!

>"Wake up."

 

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>You bolt upright, gasping and panting for air.

>Sweat has started to form on your forehead, and your skin is clammy.

>You breathe heavy, trying to get your bearings.

>Looking around, you realize you're still on the moon.

>"Ah, good. We were worried at your state of slumber and asked this one to awaken."

>You look to your left and are met by Princess Luna, mane flowing out and blending into the endless void beyond.

>You let out a sigh of relief and wipe your forehead.

>"You seemed to be distraught through your slumber."

"Yeah. Yeah I guess I had a bad dream."

>"What did this one dream of?"

>You think for a moment, but whatever put you in your current state has faded to the recesses of your memory.

"I can't really remember now, actually. Sorry."

>"We apologize.

"It's fine, really. Did you sleep here last night with me?"

>The alicorn nods, giving a small smile.

>"We know what it is to be isolated. We thought that company would help your emotional state."

>You return her smile with one of your own.

"Thank you, Princess."

>"Please, call us Luna."

"Then thank you, Luna."

>"We would like to know what this one is named."

"Ah, yeah. That's where we have a problem. I don't really have a name."

>"We... do not understand."

>You tell Luna about your time in Equestria, and how you couldn't remember anything about yourself.

>"So, you have no recollection of your own persona?"

"Right. Well, I found a substitute name to use in the meantime."

>"Oh? Do tell us."

"Anonymous."

>You smile at Luna, hoping she'll approve of your choice.

>"Oh. Well. That's good I suppose."

"What? You don't like it?"

>"No, no, it's not that we don't like it, it's just that we uh... well.."

"What?"

>"We think this one would be suited for another name."

"What did you have in mind?"

>Luna brings a hoof to her mouth, pondering the options.

>Maybe she has a genuinely good idea for a name.

>Now you're curious.

>"What about... Skippy?"

>You look at her with indignation, but say nothing.

>"Right, Anonymous it is then."

 

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>Days turn into weeks.

>Weeks turn into months.

>A full year goes by while you live in isolation on the moon above Equestria.

>In that time you had come to the conclusion that Celestia had definitely put some sort of spell on you when you were banished.

>You're never hungry.

>You never have the need to sleep, but you do anyway if not to simulate some normalcy.

>It also seems that you haven't aged as well. Your hair is the same length it's always been, the same going for your nails as well.

>It's as if Celestia wanted you to stay alive perpetually in order to experience your banishment in full.

>One night you tried something drastic to test your theory.

>Finding a sharp rock, you slashed it upon your arm, trying to draw blood.

>Nothing.

>Not even a scratch.

>You were right. Celestia had given you a form of immortality so you could experience isolation in it's entirety.

>Well, not full isolation anyway.

>Luna visits you often, and you welcome her company greatly.

>Having someone like her around to talk with makes your banishment that much more bearable.

>You think that she see's a little of herself in you.

>Maybe her visits started out as some form of pity, but now you think she's becoming close to you and has actually taken an interest in you.

>It'd be nice to have a friend around here. And if it was Luna, you'd be content.

>It was on day 413 that you started to worry.

>Luna hadn't been to the moon in a week. She had made it rise and fall for Equestria, but she had not come to see you.

>You worried that maybe Celestia had found out about her visits to you.

>She probably wouldn't have liked that.

 

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>You stand on the edge of the dark side of the moon, swaying in and out of the darkness into the light.

>You feel a presence behind you and feel the slight gust of wings.

>You turn around to see Luna, trotting up to you.

>She looks concerned.

"Luna, it's good to see you again."

>"Evening, Anonymous. Likewise."

"Is there something on your mind? You look as if you want to tell me something."

>Luna gives a smile, but it shifts into a worried frown.

>"I have convinced my sister to meet with you."

>You're shocked. Was this why Luna hadn't been to see you? She was too busy deliberating with Celestia?

>Despite that, you're grateful to Luna.

>She may have just got you a way off the moon, and back with some sort of society.

>You don't even care that it's one filled with talking ponies.

>You stride up to her and embrace her, wrapping her your arms around her neck in a hug.

>She stiffens in surprise, but relaxes as she bring a hoof up and presses it to your back.

"Thank you, Luna."

>"We are happy to help, but you may not like what we have to say next."

>She hasn't used the royal "We" in months. As you too became less formal around each other, she just seemed to drop the usage of it.

>The fact that she has reverted back into using it doesn't bode well.

>You release her from your hug and look to her.

"Let me guess. There's a catch."

>"You would be correct."

>You give a small chuckle and press your fingers to your eyes, rubbing them. Of course Celestia would put a catch onto this.

"So what is it? I have to spend another year here before she see's me? Is there another celestial body she wants me to live on for some undetermined amount of time?"

>She shakes her head and gives you a disappointed look.

>"Celestia has told us that if you wish to speak with her, you may do so at any time you see fit."

>You're confused now.

>"She told us that how you make your way to Equestria is in your hands and your hands alone. Specifically, 'If he wishes to see me, let him fall from the moon to my chambers, and I'll gladly accommodate him.' I believe she was being... sarcastic with us."

"Yeah, I think she was. So what, I'm allowed to meet with her, but I have to get there on my own?"

>"It appears that way. Although we are certain that she is confident you will not do so."

>You turn to look at Equestria. Seas of green and blue meet your gaze.

>You long to go back to that land. To be amongst others and away from this void. If it were not for Luna, you would have surely gone insane.

>You probably would have committed suicide by now.

>If you could.

...

>...If you could.

>Your eyes widen as you formulate a plan.

>A plan that to anyone else would seem like the ravings of a lunatic.

>You turn to Luna, a spark in your eyes.

"Luna, do you trust me?"

>She perks her ears up, and looks down in thought.

>Meeting your gaze, she speaks.

>"Anonymous, we met you when we were uncertain of your intentions. We did not trust you then."

>She smiles.

>"But in this last year we have gotten to experience who you are. You have a kind soul, one that shines amongst those of your ancestors."

>Luna walks up to you and nudges you playfully with her snout.

>"We.. I am glad to call you my friend, and I trust you."

>The two of you smile and you run a hand through her starry mane.

 

"Good. Because I need you to toss me at that planet over there."

 

>"What."