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PANEL 1:

Luna walked down the glittering, cobblestone path that wound its way through the small alicorn civilization. Despite it's name, Tempest Mountain was a paradise on Earth. As always, the sun shown above and morning glories clung to the surrounding marble stone architecture with gleaming violet faces turned skyward to meet the sun's gaze. Fruit-bearing trees were abundant here in a variety not easily accomplished without alicorn magic, and flowers of every shape, size and color filled in the blank spaces of Tempest Mountain. Bees hummed busily at these orchards and shrubberies, only to return to the bee keeper's hives for honey collection. Students sang an old hymn in rounds at the amphitheater, leading to an almost comedic angelic atmosphere. There wasn't a sign of monsters or corruption, as all alicorns had found peace in their given or earned purposes. The alicorns had no metropolis, no vast technological advancements, but they did have knowledge and the understanding of how to find ultimate happiness even if it meant giving up the short-term pleasures of mortal life. They were like gods, Luna would think, without the weird power complex that comes with absolute power.

Normally Luna would stroll down to the meadow and pluck flowers for her father, but today, all she could think of was Caelus. She trotted faster, and her heart raced at the thought of seeing him. She passed through the beautiful stone archway that stood as the entrance to the meadow.

And there he was, rolling contentedly in the grass with flowers in his mane. Luna chuckled at his legs kicking into the air. The sound caught his attention, and he rolled over onto his belly and beamed at her. "'Ullo Lulu!" Caelus echoed the thick accent of his parents, and its curving sounds set Luna's heart alight.

She ran to him and tackled him, "Hiya Cae-Cae!" She nuzzled into his neck, and the two wrestled for a moment with childish glee until they finally rested together in the grass. They watched the clouds.

"I don't think I'll ever be happier than this…" Caelus said, kissing Luna's forehead. She smiled and voiced her agreement. They had been together for two years now, and they felt such an inexplicably powerful love for each other. "Unless someone brought me a slice of lemon curd cake. Then I would really be as happy as I could be."

"Lavender cake is the best cake, don't even kid yourself." Luna smiled.

"Shocking. The purple princess likes purple cake."

"Don't be silly! I'm more of a beautiful-starry-night blue than a purple."

"Give me a break, Lulu. You know I get the two confused."

"That's sad, because most of the good things in this world are purple or blue!"

"Oh yeah? Then what about me?" Caelus asked with a raised brow, referring to his bright golden pelt.

Luna flipped over to lie on top of him, "Out of all of the good things in this world…you are the best thing." Luna pressed her nose to his and the two shared a loving kiss.

Caelus asked after Luna had returned to lying beside him. Despite himself, there was something dragging Caelus' good mood down. "Do you think the gods hate me?"

Luna turned, startled by the question, "Of course not! Otherwise they would have punished us more than they have. I mean, look at this place. Look at us..it couldn't get better even if we tried." She snuggled closer to him.

"Yeah, that's true…but then why must I keep having nightmares? Surely these dreams come from them…I don't know what I did beyond being born an alicorn, but I must have done something wrong."

Luna shook her head, "I don't understand why they would do that…"

"It's the only justification for them I can think of, sweet." Caelus swallowed, staring blankly with half-lidded eyes at the sky. "They're my nightly torment."

It was now that Luna noticed the dark circles under his eyes and his unusually messy hair. "I wish I could do something…for some reason I always get blocked out of your dreams. It's as if something is pushing me away from you. Or maybe I'm just not strong enough yet to take on whatever plagues your mind."

Cealus shrugged, "It's not your responsibility, my love. I just want them to go away…" He turned and rested his head on Luna's chest. She hugged him to closer to her, as if trying to protect him from the evils of his own mind.

Luna kissed his head, "I'll keep training. Maybe I'm just missing something in my spell…although it's a general, simple spell that should not be blockaded by any means." A thought occurred to her, "Maybe they aren't dreams at all."

Caelus looked up at her, "What are you suggesting? That I'm portal-walking in my sleep? That that horrible place is real?"

Luna shrugged, "It's a possibility. I know we haven't read about anything like the place you describe…maybe my mom will know."

"She does know a lot…" Caelus drew up one of his wings and chewed nervously on one of his flight feathers.

"Luna!" A booming, commanding voice called from the edge of the meadow.

"Speak of the devil." Caelus chuckled. Luna shot up in a flash, leaving poor Caelus to plop onto the ground like a sack.

She stood at attention with wings neatly tucked, "Y-Yes mother?"

Oriana strode out to her daughter. She was a striking mare, large, muscular and a shining onyx black. She stared down at Luna sternly. "You are late for Royal Verbiage Studies. I had to hold class for you! Come along now!" She paused, "And why is your hair down like that? It's so unprofessional!"

Luna turned and gave the golden stallion one more goodbye kiss and hug, and followed her mother out of the meadow, keeping her posture. Caelus watched her go, sighing deeply. He didn't feel like lounging in the meadow all day so he stood up, shook himself off and walked quietly into the forest to be away from everyone.

Upvotes at import: 34 | Stars at import: 26
Posted previously at: 2018-09-12T07:23:39 | Posted previously by: Mildgyth