Title:           Luna "Quest" #4: Adventure into the Everfree
Author:          AspirantQuests
Pastebin link:   http://pastebin.com/VmN8jr2b
First Edit:      Saturday 21st of June 2014 07:23:15 PM CDT
Last Edit:       Saturday 21st of June 2014 07:23:15 PM CDT

Last time, on Luna "Quest:"
 
Celestia questioned your current relationship with Luna, in a way. She asked if you would reconsider on the basis that Luna could perchance turn back to NMM should something happen to you.
Finding this to be a childish notion, you told her no. Though you didn't say it as strongly as you may have wished, your response got a smile from Celestia. It appears that it was a test.
 
Afterward, you spent some time spear training with Golden after the two of you cleared the air of any misconceptions he may have had.
 
Luna used some minor magic on you once you discovered you couldn't use magic yourself, and you spent some time performing various common day actions while suspended in the air.
 
Both of you enjoyed your little display, and spent a little time stargazing at the end of the night.
 
Not only did you get to run your fingers through that bizarre mane of hers, but she left you with a kiss on the cheek before setting out for patrol duty.
 
It was a pleasant night for all it seems.
 
 
Quick, make a choice!
 
Over the course of time you've trained more with:
 
Bear - earning strength bonuses and toughening yourself up
 
Golden - earning proficiency in their short spears and gaining some more agility
 
[Choice: Bear]
 
Your days slowly drift into a blur of the same events, with minor exceptions of a day off per week. Two weeks have passed, and you're passing your reading exams with flying colors. You've mastered your awkward dancing with Luna, and now do so once a week when she's in the castle. This week, she is absent.
 
Turns out Luna had to leave the castle for "official business," and hasn't returned after 4 days and nights.
 
You voice your concerns to Celestia, citing the journey was only meant to be for two days by your understanding. Celestia shows no concern herself, and tells you to relax.
 
Another day and night pass, and you grow anxious. Your spars with Bear get more intense as your anxiety gets to you, and eventually he has to stop you before you or him are injured, though he says he's doing it for your own good not his.
 
Dawn of the sixth day of Luna's absence arrives with a knock on your bed chambers once again.
 
But when Golden meets you, it's not with a smile as has been the past week. His face is grim, and he wears a buckler on his left hoof, spear in his right.
 
"It's time for your breakfast, Trainee."
 
Something's up. He hasn't used your formal title since you got the nickname "Jockey" from the guards.
 
You step outside your room and see Bear, though he wears different armor than what the other guards wear.
 
The armor he wears covers his right shoulder, a plated shoe of sorts at the end of his hoof like all the others. His chest has a thin cover of non metal, maybe hide? His helmet covers the top of his snout as well, a padded strip of metal ending just above his nostrils.
 
And every last bit of it is crimson red.
 
The air is tense as they shuffle into their positions to guide you to the dining hall.
 
"What's going on?" You ask, worried at the sudden change of appearances.
 
"The Princess will explain," Golden mutters as Bear remains silent.
 
"What's going on? The guards said you would explain, so tell me, why are they armed? Are we in danger? Where is Princess Luna?"
 
Celestia's smile fades a bit, and she pours herself a cup of coffee from a thermos you didn't spot right away.
 
"As you say, Bear and Golden, and indeed all the guards in the castle right now, are armed," she takes a sip from her drink, then sighs. It's not a sigh of relaxation.
 
"Luna still hasn't returned, and neither have her escorts. We must assume that she is either lost or delayed, or that something has happened to her. The fact we haven't received a missive of any kind is…..worrying."
 
She rises from her seat and walks to an outward facing window, gazing at the morning lit city around the castle, and the wilds beyond.
 
"Guards at an outpost near the northern border of the Everfree noted her carriage stopping for a rest on her return trip. She was delayed initially by a misplaced storm front, but apparently ignored my warnings and tried to fly through it anyway. We haven't seen her since."
 
She turns back to look at you, "Bear and Golden have been assigned to the search party, since they are two of my best. Captain Shining Armor will lead their unit. We don't know what happened, whether she's just sitting out there, or something more…sinister awaits."
 
"Well then, I'm going too."
 
Celestia turns around and shakes her head slowly, "No, I cannot ask you to do that. No one knows that you're here, if they see you with my guards I don't know what they would think. That and I would like to introduce you to my people on more….pleasant terms."
 
[Total: 47, two degrees of success]
 
"I've been training with Bear, I'm more than ready for a scouting mission. And who cares if the ponies out there see me? They have to eventually, that was the whole plan! And I care too much about Luna to let you stop me from trying to help!"
 
Your face turns red at that last bit. Did you really say that?
 
Celestia smiles gently, confirming that you certainly did.
 
"I could stop you, if I wanted to. But you certainly show a strong desire to help her, for one reason or another," the smile fades and her tone becomes serious, "You understand it might be dangerous? It could also be nothing, and maybe she's just sitting somewhere, relaxing, just feeling the need to be alone for a while?"
 
You nod, and fervently hope it's the latter.
 
Celestia sighs, "Well, so be it. I can't let you go unprotected, so you will be provided basic armaments by the guards. You will leave with the search party tonight, so as not to draw attention to yourself. Report to the training grounds immediately and talk with Captain Shining Armor about your armor and role to play in this."
 
"Lastly," she says, walking to a set of drawers on the other side of the room, opening the top drawer and removing something small and circular from it before walking back to you, "Take this."
 
She drops a small, metal, golden sphere on a chain into your hands. Her emblem of the sun is emblazoned across the top half, the bottom half having Luna's mark of the moon emblazoned on it.
 
"Take this. It's a magic infused item. When you find Luna, give it to her. It will allow her to regain her energy if she's in danger or weakened. Since you care for her so much, I think it's only right you hold onto it."
 
"Thank you," you say gently, saluting with a fist over your heart as the other guards do.
 
Celestia smiles and bows her head gently.
 
"Now, eat some food before you head to the grounds for your equipment," she walks to the doorway, where Bear and Golden await, and whispers something before leaving.
 
You eat your breakfast then meet Gold and Bear, informing them of the recent party change.
 
Golden seems nervous, and Bear just grunts, "So, the Trainee gets to join us, eh? Fine. But if anything goes weird, you get behind me, Got it?"
 
"Got it."
 
The three of you make your way to the training grounds, and you're quickly sized up for some armor of your choosing.
 
So, what's it going to be?
 
[Heavy armor that weighs less chosen]
 
The sound of the blacksmith stallion working sets a backdrop for your preparations for the search that begins tonight. You spar lightly with Bear, who refuses to remove his armor, you speak with Golden and Shining Armor, learning that it will be only the four of you.
 
"Princess Celestia has made it very clear this is to be kept under wraps from the public, so we're leaving at night, on a back road, take the train to the outskirts of Ponyville, which lies near the Everfree, and we hoof it from just outside the station. With luck, no one will see us and we can commence our search without hassle."
 
The day passes under your exercises and a suit of armor is finally made.
 
It's colored steel, apparently not painted, and the blacksmith has a unicorn enchanting it while you give it a once over.
 
It looks solid. Nothing elegant, but definitely durable looking.
 
The unicorn who enchants it groans and strains, casting a spell before backing up and shaking his head. "Having problems focusing tonight, your enchantment will only last a few days, and it'll weight like it's medium armor. I'm sorry."
 
The blacksmith encourages you to try it on before asking, "I almost forgot! You want a weapon with that coffin?"
 
You tell the blacksmith you'd like a halberd, and he gives you a puzzled look. A brief diagram later to jog his memory, and he's swinging his hammer on your new halberd.
 
The halberd is finished, and of exceptional quality, granting a bonus to attacks with it. [+1 to attacks]
 
STATS that may be of use to you:
 
Spot check: 3 rolls, 1d10 each
Strength check: 7 rolls, 1d10 each
Agility check: 5 rolls 1d10 each
Armor value: 25
Hit points: 20
 
Attacks;
Standard: 3d10+1
Slash: 4d10+1
Sweep: 2d10+1 AoE
Charge: 1d10+5, knocks things over
Grapple: Situational based on what you're trying to grapple and so on
Golden stops by the bar area and gets a couple canteens of cider, hiding one in his sack and giving one to you.
 
"Don't let the Captain catch you drinking it. In fact, save it for when we're on the way back or something, alright?"
 
Celestia oversees your exit, and everyone salutes her in turn as they exit the castle.
 
The back road is easily navigated, and you soon board a darkened train bound for Ponyville. Everyone situates themselves a bunk of sorts, and you follow their lead in sleeping.
 
When you wake up, the train is still clattering along, though the others have risen and are circulating a small thermos of coffee and some mugs. You drink appreciatively and snack on some rations as you wait for the ride to end.
 
It finally does around midday, and the train has to stop further out to keep any bystanders from seeing the party hop off the train.
 
By the time you make it to the Everfree it's the onset of night again, and your party stretch briefly as Captain Shining Armor leads the way into the dark, menacing woods.
 
Captain Armor takes point, and the four of you wade your way through quickly thickening underbrush, heading for the northern area as quickly as possible without drawing attention from the denizens of the woods.
 
The sounds of the party advancing quietly dominates the night, but behind it you think you hear something else.
 
 
[Spot check: passed]
 
Some kind of….growling.
 
Coming from behind you.
 
You turn around and spot a pair of beady eyes.
 
Then another pair, to your left.
 
And another to your right.
 
The growling is growing louder, and the rest of your party can't help but notice the din now.
 
"We're surrounded!" Golden shouts, pulling back until he bumps into Bear, who snarls as he turns about, nearly taking Golden's head off in the process.
 
Captain Armor squints his eyes as he looks into the woods, trying to see what it is you're facing.
 
He scoffs, loudly.
 
"Just Timber wolves. Bear."
 
Bear laughs once, then braces himself against the ground, drawing in a large breath.
 
"LEAVE!"
 
Bear's voice is unrecognizable as the snarl leaves him, echoing in the forest and sending birds flying in all directions.
 
Golden starts forward even as a loud whimpering is heard, many of the eyes suddenly disappearing as the Timber Wolves no doubt turn tail and run.
 
But a few remain, perhaps not phased by Bear's shout, or too stunned to move.
 
One shows it's still ready to fight, running forward and attempting to jump on Golden, while a second emerges from your left and charges you!
 
Their element of surprise ruined, Golden braces and deflects the Timber Wolve's measly attack with his buckler, before striking out with his spear.
 
A body of hardened wood proves no match for Equestrian weaponry, as a loud crack followed by a dying whimper sounds. The thud of the Timber Wolf hitting the ground signifies the end of Golden's exchange, a large split in the Timber Wolve's head showing his prowess with a spear.
 
Shouting a battlecry of your own you charge forward to meet the Timber Wolve's charge. You throw your shoulder into it at the last second and slam the offending creature into the ground. The sound of a thick branch snapping tells the tale of heavy damage to the creature, and it struggles on its side, unable to get up.
 
Without a moments hesitation you stab the throat of the crippled thing, another loud crack echoing in the forest. Its eyes dim, then fade completely, and after you remove the halberd from it the body changes into an unshaped mass of branches.
 
You look around to see how the others are faring, and see Golden watching you. Captain Armor and Bear seem to have not been attacked, and the other beady eyes in the woods depart.
 
Your heart is pounding and you're realizing just how hot the inside of your armor is, but all in all that fight seemed….easy.
 
"Yeah, these things aren't much of a challenge," Bear says from your side suddenly. Your expression must have been painfully obvious, because he's smiling and dings the side of your leg with a hoof, as though trying to pat you on the shoulder if he could reach that high.
 
"Still, good job. That sparring paid off, huh?"
 
You look at Golden again to see if he's hurt, and see him brushing debris from his buckler. Seems alright.
 
"Yeah, sure did," you reply. Captain Armor motions forward, and Bear resumes his position to the back right of you.
 
Golden is to your left, and Captain Armor leads the way.
 
You're searching for something, anything, that would signify that Luna and her carriage, or that any pony for that matter, had passed through here.
 
Unfortunately, there is very little to go on. The area is densely wooded, it's night, and visibility is poor. Captain Armor refuses to his his magic for light. "It might attract unwanted company."
 
So you continue to search, slowly but surely.
 
[Spot check: 13]
 
You're searching the ground in front of you, looking left and right into the woods from time to time, seeing if you can spot a clearing, or lights, anything.
 
After what feels like hours doing this, you think you spot something in the distance. A clearing? The woods are definitely thinner, but the overbrush seems thick in that area. Possibly growing over something?
 
You alert the others and they try to spot what it is you're looking at as well.
 
The others confirm what you see, but can't tell if it's important or just another clearing.
 
[Spot check 2: 20]
 
You make out some details. It's…a building? Overgrown with creepers, definitely. Might be worth checking out, perhaps Luna took shelter in there.
 
"I think I found something," you call out to the party, and they form up around you as you point at what you see. "I think it's a building of some sort, looks like it's overgrown, what do you think? Worth checking out?"
 
Captain Armor pulls something from his bag, and you look to see that it's a map. He looks at it, then at the area you pointed at and nods.
 
"Better safe than sorry. On me."
 
Your party forms up and moves out, reaching the area in a few minutes time before finally breaching the clearing.
 
"Old castle grounds," Captain Armor says as Golden shudders.
 
"Place gives me the creeps. Are we really gonna search this thing?"
 
Shining Armor nods, "Might as well, this is fairly close to where Princess Luna was last spotted. If she's in there then our mission is over, otherwise we'll just have to keep looking. Bear, take point, then myself, then Golden, then our Trainee."
 
"Aw c'mon, why does Jockey get rear guard?" Golden whines, until a glare from Captain Armor makes him grumble and get in position.
 
The party advances through the wrecked doorway, Golden shaking his head at the defaced sigils and vines growing everywhere.
 
The first area proves fruitless, only wrecked stonework and vines present. Bear points at the dilapidated tower, and Captain Armor nods.
 
The party advances.
 
You search the first floor, finding tatters of ancient books and tapestries, most of which have torn images of Celestia's mark.
 
But nothing else.
 
An old stairway leads to a higher floor, and Bear cautiously leads the way.
 
As Bear steps out onto the second floor, a small thud is heard and dust falls from the ceiling above him. He shields his head and looks about before taking a step back.
 
"Trap! Get back! Down the stai-!"
 
The last of his instructions are silenced as a stone slab slams between him and Captain Armor, who managed to take a few steps back down the stairs, avoiding being crushed, even as the stairway is suddenly sealed off from the second floor.
 
You start searching around the stairwell and first floor for another way up.
 
[Spot check]
 
"Can you break that barrier, Captain?" you ask Shining while you search for an alternate route.
 
He presses his horn to the stone, his horn glowing brightly for a moment before he steps back and shakes his head.
 
"This may be old, but it still has an enchantment that dissipates magic as soon as it hits it. I'd need three or four demolition mages to break this, and it'd take hours."
 
There's not enough space before the wall to get a running start, the best you can do is slam into it with your shoulder a few times and see if that does anything. It likely won't, this is stone. Even if it's old, it's still stone.
 
You shout at the slab to see if you can get through to Bear, but only silence answers back. It's gotta be too thick for him to hear you through.
 
 
You search the first floor again, looking for something like a switch or a door.
 
You knock some tapestries down, overturn the old books, whose pages turn to dust when you touch them, and keep searching.
 
Eventually you turn back a tapestry and find a button looking thing with a crescent on it.
 
"Found something!" you yell, causing Golden and Shining to come over to where you stand. You point out the button looking thing, and Shining examines it, his horn glowing again.
 
"It's magic imbued," he states, looking at it inquisitively, "But I can't determine what it does based on that. It has the crescent of Princess Luna, but that doesn't tell me anything either."
 
"I'm going to push it," you inform the others. Golden just swallows nervously and Shining nods.
 
You find it to be stuck at first, and have to put some effort into it before it finally sinks with a small thud.
 
The sound of stone moving against stone echoes throughout the building, and Golden rushes to the stairs.
 
"It's lifting! Bear! Bear are you alright?"
 
With the door lifted, a haunting melody can be heard coming from the second floor, and a thin, glowing mist begins a gentle cascade down the stairs.
 
Golden backs away from the staircase and the mist slowly, a look of horror frozen on his face.
 
"N-no, no it…."
 
There's a clatter as something is suddenly tossed down the stairs.
 
Something large….and….crimson.
 
 
And the short, steady sound of hoofsteps on stone can be heard.
 
"BEAR! BEAR, NO!"
 
Golden rushes to the side of his fallen brother, grabbing him with his front hooves and trying to pull him from the stairs, away from whatever is coming down them.
 
"Golden get away from there!" Captain Shining Armor shouts as Golden struggles with his bulky sibling's limp body.
 
 
Finally the thing approaching comes into view, and Captain Armor gasps, taking a step back and visibly shaken.
 
A tall, almost elegant figure strides down the stairs, stopping just in front of Golden and Bear. It has a body blacker than the night outside, and it's mane resembles Luna's and shares her mark.
 
"N-Nightmare Moon? How?"
 
As she turns her attention to him, a zapping noise can be heard and Golden screams before going limp, slumping over his brother's also limp form.
 
Captain Armor turns to you for a moment and yells, "Run!"
 
You grip your halberd tightly, "I can't do that."
 
Shining seems on the verge of cursing when a bolt of energy lances out at him! He throws up a magic barrier in front of him, deflecting the shot into the wall to his left as he staggers back.
 
"Princess Luna! Stop! We are not your enemies!" He pleads as another bolt fires in his direction.
 
NMM doesn't respond, instead advancing menacingly towards…you.
 
Though she's firing energy at Shining, she's definitely walking in your direction for some reason.
 
"Well do SOMETHING!" Captain Armor shouts at you, another bolt zinging off his shield. This time, a crack in his magical barrier appears. He gasps and focuses, the crack disappearing, only for it to reappear larger than before with the next deflection.
 
"Stop!" you shout as NMM advances, tossing your halberd to the side, "I don't want to hurt you, Luna!"
 
NMM's advance continues, unabated.
 
You implore her to stop, putting your hands palm up to your sides.
 
"What the hell are you doing?!" Shining yells, his face now coated in sweat and his legs wobbling as he deflects another beam, "Fight her!"
 
Just as NMM draws within hands reach and Shining collapses, a crimson figure smacks into her side, sending her skidding sideways and turning her head. Despite this, she shows no emotions at all, not even surprise.
 
A wobbling Bear stands in front of you, his armor dinged and scratched from his fall down the stairs.
 
He mumbles something, slowly increasing his volume, and only when he's nearly shouting do you realize he's talking to you.
 
"It's. Not. Her!"
 
"What the hell do you mean?" You shout as you run between him and NMM.
 
"It's…not….her. It'snother. …Fi…fight it."
 
There's a thud from behind you as Bear falls over.
 
"That would…make sense," Shining says as he breathes heavily, the strain from his shield weakening him, "If it was the real Nightmare Moon, she'd have smoked us by now."
 
As the Nightmare Moon lookalike advances, you let out a frustrated yell and charge it!
 
You attempt to charge the NMM, and it doesn't even try to avoid you. You smack into it loudly, and are surprised at how….resilient the thing is. Like smacking into a boulder.
 
You throw your arms around the thing's neck, trying to wrestle it to the ground!
 
Meanwhile, something is emanating warmth from your bag. So hot you can feel it through your armor.
 
NMM's eyes flare, and for the first time you notice they lack pupils.
 
[Roll to grapple: Large target, both standing, no resistance? 5 rolls of 1d10, target 35]
 
Despite getting a good grip her, you can't seem to bring her down. She's so heavy, what the hell?
 
A bolt of energy fizzes by your head, and you hold onto this bizarre NMM for dear life, hoping she can't get a bead on you if you're this close.
 
And now you swear you can smell smoke, the heat coming from your bag is intense! What..?
 
The orb! The burning must be the orb!
 
As the heat at your side grows hotter, NMM's eyes flare even greater, until they appear like flames coming out of the pupil-less sockets!
 
There's suddenly a screeching sound, like nails on a chalkboard, and the NMM begins to buck furiously. The beams it fires off are now blowing chunks out of the stonework around you and Shining at random, and Shining quickly throws up another barrier to try and keep the beams off of him.
 
[Total: 20]
 
You quickly open your sack, grabbing for the orb. You burn your hand on it's hot surface as you try to find it's chain.
 
Finally, you succeed and put it over NMM's head!
 
The screeching intensifies, until you think your ears are going to bleed. You let go and cover your ears, unable to stand it any longer even as NMM suddenly staggers backwards into a pile of rubble behind her.
 
The thing's maw opens, revealing a grey, featureless, stone interior as it rears back, the orb around it's neck glowing brightly. The thing's eyes flare an intense green, huge flames leaping from the sockets as it's facade literally melts away from it, and before long a stinking puddle lies around what looks like a stone pony, devoid of feature besides a strange maw and great flaming eye sockets.
 
"GET AWAY FROM IT!" Shining yells over the screeching, throwing himself to the floor as quick as he can and putting his hooves over his head.
 
[Agility check]
 
[Total: 25]
 
You throw yourself to the ground and put your hands over your head just as the screeching finally stops, and for a moment, an agonizing moment, nothing happens.
 
And the next moment, your world is spinning in a deafening torrent, and you see a wall, or maybe that's the floor, rise up to meet you as you brace for impact.
 
You smack into a stone wall, and find that you keep going, the old wall apparently too weak to contain your heavy armored body being shoved into it.
 
A sudden feeling of weightlessness tells you you're in the air, and for a moment you wonder what's going on.
 
You hit the ground about the time your brain processes that you fell out of the tower completely and down an embankment.
 
Your armor is padded, but doesn't really help all that much as you smack into the overgrowth covered ground.
 
 
You lose consciousness for what feels like a moment, but when you open your eyes you see the sun is rising. Perhaps it was already on its way up when you had that little fight with…whatever that was, otherwise you've been out for a while.
 
You try to raise yourself up and find a couple fresh bruises in the process.
 
You check your bag to see what survived, but aren't really surprised when you discover your bag isn't with you anymore, a portion of the strap stuck between the plates of your leg armor.
 
You manage to get standing again, though your back and legs are killing you and the beginning of a headache are starting in.
 
You look around and see you're at the bottom of the embankment to the right of the pathway up to the tower. Thankfully you didn't hit the stone steps on the way down, or you might not be enjoying this view right now.
 
You start calling out names as you head back into the tower, which pours black smoke from a gaping hole in one of the walls. The one right in front of you, in fact.
 
You put some hustle in your bones and climb the stairs as quick as you can. Bear, Golden, and the Captain, they've got to be alright.
 
The scene inside the remains of the first floor is worrisome, a green fire all that remains of whatever the hell you were fighting.
 
Captain Armor lets out a groan as you enter the room calling names, and you run to his side, overturning a rock that pinned his left rear hoof to the ground. His hoof looks mangled, but he'll live.
 
Rocks are everywhere, one or two of which are on fire. You look around and think you make out the area where Golden and Bear were and rush to it. Sure enough, though dust and rock covered, Bear's body is slumped over Golden's. He must have regained consciousness before the explosion and crawled to his brother.
 
[Spot check: 8]
 
Though you look around fervently, you can't find your bag at the moment and it panics you. You remember that Golden had a bag on him too, surely he had potions on him?
 
You dig them out of the rubble quickly, your fingers scratching the boulders and becoming bloody in your haste.
 
A weak groan from Golden informs you that he's still alive, if wounded.
 
Bear remains unmoving and silent.
 
You dig faster.
 
You manage to unbury the two of them, and locate Golden's torn open satchel. One of the potions is shattered, and you can only located one more.
 
You yell at Shining to help you, but he's stuck where he is with his leg all messed up. He tries to focus his magic, but he's too stunned from that blast to do anything. Currently, he's useless and he knows it, stamping one of his hooves on the ground and trying to crawl his way over to you.
 
Bear suddenly gives out a cough, dust coming from his nostrils and mouth as he wheezes. You roll him over gently and try to inspect the damage, his hide armor torn and battered in a dozen places, a wet crimson glinting through the dust and mire.
 
Without hesitation you dump the single potion you've found so far down his throat, making him hack and cough and bat your hand away.
 
You smile, "C'mon you big baby, get up."
 
Bear groans, "…tastes awful…and whadid you callme?"
 
He's still shocked, he might even have a concussion. You briefly check on Golden, who is breathing steadily but lying on his side, eyes closed.
 
"Found it," Shining calls, grabbing something with his teeth before dragging his way towards you.
 
It's your bag, torn and battered, but still around.
You check the bag, finding only one potion survived again. You look at Shining, then at Golden, before Shining speaks up.
 
"Pretty sure….my leg is broken. Potions won't fix…that. Give it to Golden."
 
You proceed to force Golden to drink a potion, until his eyes snap open and he sits up, shaking his head. His buckler is missing, his armor is dinged, and his face is scratched up pretty badly, but he seems alright over all.
 
Looks like Shining and Bear got the worst of it.
 
"This much smoke….someone…will come looking. Can't..let them see you yet…"
 
Shining crawls towards the hole in the wall, his brow beaded in sweat as he tries to focus his energy.
 
"GAH!"
 
With a shout and a pop, a bolt of energy flies into the air before exploding. You note the color is….yellow?
 
And with that he slips into unconsciousness, falling limp and breathing steadily.
 
You try to ask Bear about field splints, but he's fading in and out of consciousness, even after the potion started kicking in.
 
Golden is wobbly at best as well, shaking his head almost constantly like he's trying to clear it.
 
So in the end you wait.
 
Luckily, it's only a few minutes.
 
Some guards with a carriage arrive, landing out in front of the tower before two pegasi guards fly in a stretcher to remove Captain Shining Armor first. They tell you they only have room for one at a time, so they have to fly him back to the nearby outpost before coming back for one more.
 
On the second trip back they are accompanied by a darker carriage, flown by dark colored guards with…bat wings?
 
Sure enough, Luna herself jumps out of the carriage and flies to the building alongside the two guards. As she draws near you can hear her offering her carriage for one of the wounded.
 
When she enters the wrecked room she stands in shock, perhaps at the devastation, the wounded soldiers, or the fact that you're sitting in the middle of it all kneeling over Bear.
 
You attempt to wave and smile, though your arm hurts and you quickly have to stop.
 
In the meantime, Luna stands, mouth agape, staring at you, until finally she rushes to you, her hooves wrapping around you firmly. Even through the armor you can tell she's squeezing pretty hard, and it's starting to make your bruises hurt.
 
"What…what are you doing here? Why…?"
 
"I was worried. You were missing, they wanted a search party, so I…."
 
Luna begins to tremble in your arms as she squeezes you tighter.
 
"F-for me? You…Oh no. If I'd only come back sooner, you wouldn't..," her voice cracks and she begins to sob gently, trying to talk through her tears.
 
"If I'd only avoided that storm, you wouldn't, wouldn't be hurt like this. I'm sorry, I'm so sorry."
 
The guards leave as they take Bear and Golden away on stretchers, leaving the two of you alone while Luna apologizes again and again.
 
"You should see… the other hundred guys… *cough*"
 
She looks startled for a moment and looks around, before her tear filled eyes meet yours and she sees you smirking. A small smile plays over her face and she grips you to her again.
 
"I just….thank goodness you're alright. I…I don't know what I'd do, knowing my absence made you get hurt."
 
She pulls back for a moment, mild panic in her voice again, "You are alright, aren't you? You'll be okay?"
 
"I'm more worried about the others," you reply. And you are, Bear was in pretty bad shape. And Shining's leg was broken.
 
Luna nods, "I am as well. Bear looked….terrible." She shakes her head and looks into your eyes, searching, "But you, tell me, will YOU be alright?"
 
You put your arms around Luna, careful not to squash her wings with your armored arms, and hold her delicately as you reply, "Yes, please, don't worry. I'm just glad you're alright."
 
Once again Luna tears up, resting her head on your shoulder and whispering, "Thank goodness."
 
You gently move her back from you, looking full into her face and tear filled eyes, before leaning in and kissing her gently.
 
At first she tenses, but that quickly gives way, and she leans into it, drawing you closer with her hooves.
 
The moment seems to stretch on for a long time as your lips part, then meet once again, delicately but passionately.
 
When your lips part the second time, she pulls back and smiles, breathing a sigh of relief as she leans in to hug you closely once more.
 
A cough from behind her interrupts the moment, the royal guards motioning that they'll take you next.
 
"No," she says firmly, "he's riding with me."
 
The next few days you spend in the infirmary, recovering from your ordeal and giving details to the guards and staff who ask you eagerly of your exploits.
 
And through it all, Luna sits beside your bed, reading you stories and chatting with you, trying not to smile too much.
 
It's the one thing she seems unable to do in your presence.
 
So though you return from your adventure outside the castle walls beaten and bruised, you're happy. Happy you made it back in one piece, happy that Bear and the others survived, but happy most of all that Luna is safe and by your side.