Soldier of the Night

 

Your fate was stolen from you, even as you shiver in the cold of a unusually damp night, slinking through the shadows as best you can as you try to avoid the light, avoid drawing the eyes of the others who live on the streets, lest you draw undue and unwanted attention to yourself, a solo traveler in this dark, moonless night.

 

A little bit of food, or perhaps the luck of finding some money dropped by a club-goer, something to help you change your fate or just help you make it to the next day. That's all you want.

 

How did things come to this? Your eyes sting as you think of it, but no tears fall as you quietly sulk and slink through the darkness, no path but each step you take. A fire, screams, a death, blame, and a false accusation that painted you a black not so easily removed. You might not have been convicted, but you lost everything.

 

Your endless march halts for a moment as you notice motion and a brighter light ahead, pressing yourself to the wall as you see some cars coming down the street, and your heart jumps to your throat as they pick up speed, roaring past you... before turning around.

 

You were seen, and now you need to flee.

 

You don't have the energy for that.

 

But it would take far more energy to recover from the injuries you're sure to receive if you don't run.

 

No matter how your body complains, you take flight, broken, worthless shoes battering concrete as you bolt towards the next alley, fear and dread filling you even as a darkness crawls up your spine and caresses your soul.

 

The tires and engines roar gets closer.

 

You're going to die.

 

The little shadow croons in your ear. Your end is here, you're going to die. No more to rise to these endless days of suffering, and endless nights of terror. Just let yourself end, it says, so tempting as you continue to run.

 

Somehow you make it to the alleyway, and are able to duck around the corner and into it even as tires squeal as breaks are stomped on and car door latches unlock, letting out men who will end your life, in one form or another, if you don't escape. Either snuffed out or utilized for some other unsavory purpose, you're sure.

 

You skid to a halt, your soles bleeding from running with worthless shoes as you stare blankly at the dead end in front of you, awash in moonlight.

 

This is it.

 

There is no further.

 

The moonlight illuminates you fully and the sting continues even as you bleed, your hands clenching tightly as you stare at the wall.

 

You close your eyes as you feel fate settle upon you.

 

Hope flees you.

 

The End is Nigh...

 

... But wait, it's a moonless night.

 

You pause, your thoughts scattered and confused even as your blink through stinging eyes, letting yourself turn around as you note the moonlight.

 

This is no florescent light.

 

There are no florescent lights.

 

You're not even in the alleyway anymore.

 

You stand in a clearing in a meadow awash in moonlight, and in front of you... royalty.

 

Your stumble a bit, about to fall from exhaustion, awe, and a mix of emotions even as the Princess of the Night slowly steps up to you, one armor covered hoof gently raising up and gently cupping your chin, keeping you upright even as her eyes gaze into yours.

 

"... Such woes and horrors you have suffered."

 

Her voice is soft and lifting, like morning dew or the night breeze, and She slowly leans forwards before gently resting Her forehead against yours, the warmth of Her touch filling your soul and finally bringing tears you thought long gone to your eyes as they spill over.

 

"Fate is cruel... but neigh, not this time. We have another fate for thee, my little pony."

 

Your warmed, and you feel so safe as She guides you to the ground, taking the weight off of your feet as she sits next to you in the moon-washed meadow.

 

"Our little ponies... they are in such great danger. We need warriors, soldiers who will step where others would have no hope, those who have seen the edge and the cracks." She explains, Her wing fanning out, countless stars in Her feathers as it gently wraps around your shoulders like a blanket of the night sky, and you can't help but lean into Her touch as She holds you.

 

"I promise you warmth. A home. Those who will love and care for you. Brothers and Sisters who will never leave your side. And of course, -I- promise that the Moon Shall never Abandon you. So long as I live, you shall be honored and loved, so say Luna Nox."

 

No words are said. No grand gestures, or speeches, or anything that would indicate what you're thinking. You simply hug the mare holding you, a quiet understanding passing between you two.

 

You died, those many nights before. You've been a walking, decomposing corpse walking streets.

 

How She found you, you'll never know. Why She said 'this one', you're not quite sure.

 

But the Princess of the Night has picked you, and forgiven you of your faults.

 

You hug Her a bit tighter before letting go, turning and standing as best you can so to face Her with a salute, the last of the energy you can muster as She smiles softly, Her horn swirling with the colors of the night sky as She bows, gently touching your chest with Her horn.

 

"Then come, Willow Wisp, and join Us. We shall protect the Night and My Little Ponies as they rest, and non shall fear the Night so long as We stand."

 

The moonlight twists and whirls around you as it binds across your chest, and you can only smile at the warmth as it pushes into you and rushes up and down your spine.

 

The first change is subtle, but your notice it immediately as your vision sharpens, the moonlit meadow bright indeed to your new eyes as you're sure they'd glint in the light or a mirror, even as the aches and pains of the hard life you've suffered through in the end are caressed away. The bloody, bleeding feet are pushed out as strong, firm hooves are soothed by the cooled earth below, and the urge to let yourself come downwards to all fours overtakes you.

 

You let yourself down, confident that She would not hurt you as your hands fold in, and you marvel at the strength you feel in your legs as muscles wrap and flex across strong, sturdy bone through four thick limbs. You feel a urge to start running but a soft word from The Princess keeps you in place as the changes continue, a smile spreading across a stretching face as your muzzle pushes into place, two sharp fangs found in a mouth of molars that you tease with a tongue before you feel a pressure along your back.

 

You turn your head to muse at the two boney wings protruding from your back, not yet fleshed out even as you can gently move them up and down, the Princess smiling at you in gentle amusement even as Her horn sparks and muscle travels up the wings, soft down mixing with leather to form spectacularly fluffy wings, meant for flying high, high in the coldest of night skies with no rest.

 

You feel invigorated and take a deep breath, letting out a warm snort as one massive hoof paws the ground, thick, warm fur rippling across your form in a dark blue, a pale, unearthly glow of blue-green making up your feathers, mane, and tail.

 

You turn in place, soundless in your motion as the Princess steps closer, Her smile gentle even as you dip into a low bow.

 

"I am yours so long as you need me, Princess Luna Nox."

 

"Very well then, Willow Wisp of the Night. Our Legion, your Brothers and Sisters, await. Let us away."

 

For you, this night, fate was broken. Your story doesn't end here, but instead it was given a chance to begin...

 

[End]