Luca - 5

>Five days without a moon.
>Fives days with a book.
>Time lost, life gained.
>A home lost, friends made.
>An average, everyday batpony now cast into one side of a warless conflict.
>Luca, still taking the time to make sure she looked as best she could, sat at the small desk that was pushed up against the back wall of her room.
>That night was the night she would meet the commanders of Moonfall.
>That night was the night she would become a full-fledged member of their society.
>She sighed as she finished tying her mane up into its usual bun.
"I lived a normal life, I suppose. There is always room for excitement."
>The door to her room slammed open, and two screaming, howling diamond dogs barged in, wrestling and fighting.
>Biggs and Wedge, the two resident pups and fledgling 'protectors' of the tunnels.
>"Luca. You're needed in the ceremony hall."
>She closed her eyes and took a deep breath.
>"Miss Luca! Did you hear Wedge?"
>Another deep breath.
>"The command won't be happy if you're late!"
"I heard you."
>Luca was calm, in an almost offensive way.
>Her mood could best be described as the calm before a storm.
>"We kind of need to go, Luca."
"May I have a moment?"
>The twins hushed and watched as Luca placed her head in her hooves.
>Since arriving in the tunnels, the wood-bound book revealed no new information to her.
>Whether it be from a lack of cross-referencing other books, or from her learning nothing new from this ordeal, it remained as it was the day before.
>If it was an important book, it did not seem so at this moment.
>It didn't even seem related to the group she was now recruited into.
>Maybe their relations to one another would reveal themselves, in time.

>Luca rose from her seat at the desk.
"I am ready."
>The twins scampered out of her room and she gave chase.
>At a very leisurely pace, of course.
>The tunnels twisted and turned in a vaguely familiar fashion.
>Familiar in the sense that Luca had been this way before.
>Vague in the sense that she was terrified that time.
>The cavernous hall was absolutely silent.
>Luca's hoofsteps echoed against Biggs and Wedges' paws padding against the dirt floor.
>The tables, just as they were at the feast, were packed with fellow members of Moonfall.
>All eyes, including three harshly judging sets, were on her.
>Harshly judging, in that they were merely watching Luca trot into the center of the room.
>"Luca, I presume?"
>The first of the trio stepped forward.
>Orange eyes met Luca's.
>Legends told of six brave batponies that faced harsh trials to become part of Princess Luna's elite guard.
>To come face to face with three of them, was truly an honor.
>Luca started to bow as the dual-color maned pony spoke.
>"You must be Luca. How kind of you to finally join us. You left us hanging for a little while."
>Mid-bow, Luca stopped and looked up, visibly confused.
>One of the very few elite guards, speaking so casually.
>"Echo. No. Can we go one meeting without you cracking a joke?"
>"What can I say, Gloomy. I'm a little nutty."
>The entire hall remained silent, save a stifled snicker or two.
>The remaining pony of the trio just stood silently, watching from behind her helmet.
>Three legends, standing right in front of her.
>One cracking a joke, one trying not to laugh, and one acting so lax toward her pony-in-arms.
>Luca took a moment to really observe the three ponies.

>Echo, as she was called by the second of the trio, stood tall and proud.
>She was a young mare, clad in the tell-tale armor of fairy tails.
>Armor so fabled, that it was said very few ponies in the elite were worthy of wearing it.
>This mare was a fairy tail in and of herself.
>A beautifully decorated sword hung at her side, beneath her left wing.
>Her head was turned, so she could chatter with Gloomy, who was looking rather annoyed.
>A small smile was played across her lips, however.
>This mare stood at the same height as Echo, but was more stoic.
>She looked slightly older than Echo, and was clad in similar armor.
>The armor was different in ways that complimented Gloomy's eyes and mane.
>Where Echo's was purple and navy, Gloomy's was white and yellow.
>Two pairs of hoof-claws hung at her sides.
>The third mare, who remained unnamed, had a hoof over her mouth.
>It was difficult to tell what she looked like, as she wore extremely heavy looking armor, matched with a helmet.
>The helmet looked as if it was modeled after a sabertooth's skull.
>The armor was colored gray, and lined with turquoise colors.
>On the brow of the helmet, a golden heart with white wings was etched in.
>A very large, ornate shield with the same heart and wings etched into it was strapped to her right side.
>These three would be formidable foes in any battle, and could possibly fill in for an entire army should they be reunited with the other half of their team.

>"Echo. I believe we have business to take care of?"
>Gloomy nodded to Luca, whose focus returned to the commanders.
>"Right, right. Always have to be serious, can't have any fun."
>"None of this is supposed to be fun, Echo. In case you forgot, we aren't exactly keeping the members of Moonfall safe anymore. We've got rogues and assassins constantly attacking them and anyone they come in contact with."
>The white-maned mare glared at Echo.
>"We've had innocents injured for this cause. It's time we took it more seriously."
>"Gloom Wing. In case you've forgotten, I've been heading this and convincing Celestia to front the cause. Have you noticed the dark sky of the night, lately? It was only supposed to last one night. She's on board with us, and she's keeping the moon from lighting Equestria's way through the darkness so ponies will hopefully understand that we all walk the same lands, under the same sun and moon."
>"Echo. Gloomy's right. We do need to take this seriously, and everyone here appreciates what you're doing."
>The third mare grumbled to herself as she removed her helmet.
>"We have a large following. We have every single diamond dog, gryphon, and batpony in Equestria on our side. We even have high-influence unicorns from Canterlot, earth ponies from Fillydelphia, and Pegasi from Cloudsdale on our side."
>"We've almost won, Echo. We just need Celestia on our side. You know what the plan is. You came up with it."
>Echo, with a sneer that would display her humility, sighed.
>"You're both right."
>She turned back from her comrades and looked back at Luca.
>The ex-librarian just stared at the three bat mares.
>"I don't know how much has been explained to you, but we're in dire need of your help. That book you were given, sad to say, no one in Moonfall was ever able to solve. You, from what has been reported to me by the Stygian Squad, have been able to reveal what is written within."
>Gloomy nodded.

>"That book should be exactly what we need to convince Celestia to back our cause. I'm afraid her sister's support wasn't enough."
"What's so important about the book? All it's said so far are things every pony in Equestria knows, and maybe one or two things that are new."
>"That's just it."
>The third mare stepped forward.
>"That book could tell us everything we need to know about Princess Luna and Princess Celestia. It could tell us things that no pony in the world knows."
"You plan on blackmailing them?"
>"Not at all! We plan on reminding Princess Celestia why she kept all of the night races around during Princess Luna's banishment. We need to remind her why she allowed Luna to return."
"Because she wasn't a tyrant and still cared for her sister?"
>"Yes, but there's more to it. We need her to see that the prejudice against all of our races is similar."
>Echo gave a pleading smile to Luca.
>"Will you help us?"
"Of course. I have nowhere else to go."
>"Excellent! You'll be joining the twins' squad!"
"What?"
>The ceremonial hall erupted with cheers, applause, and celebration.
>This was Luca's initiation: the three commanders of Moonfall explaining their purpose to her, and her agreeing to join.
>Biggs and Wedge tackled Luca, despite her protests about joining any squad.
"I just want to work in the library!"
>"Well, you're in luck. Biggs and Wedge frequent the library."
>"Maybe you'll find something in there that will help with the book. The faster it reveals itself, the faster we can get Celestia on our side."

>As the command trio parted from the ceremonial hall, the sounds of conversation filled the silence.
>Luca had more questions for them, but they were important ponies.
>They had things to do.
>"So, uh. I guess we're a team now?"
>"Finally! What're we gonna call ourselves? The Dog and Pony Show Squad?"
>"No, something cooler, like Luca In The Sky With Diamonds."
>"That's too long. How about-"
"How about we just go to the library so I can get some work done? You two can figure a name out later."
>The twins lowered their ears as Luca snapped at them.
>She looked away and flattened her ears with a sneer.
"Sorry."
>"No, you're right. We do have work to do. Let's go."
>Biggs turned and ran off toward the tunnels.
>Luca looked around the ceremonial hall briefly, catching Foehn's gaze.
>He smiled to her as Charon waved his hooves around and shouted about some excursion.
>She waved meekly before running off with Wedge.
>Biggs waited for them outside of a rather large door.
>"Here we are."
>Both of the twins had disappointed expressions on their faces.
>They had most likely been under the impression that Luca would join in their every-night shenanigans.
>Unfortunately for them, she took any kind of work she was given seriously.
>Biggs and Wedge pushed the door open, and the trio entered the library.
>Tall bookshelves rose all around them, forming hallways of their own that spanned to every side of the massive room.
>Lamps were hung on the sides of the shelves and from the ceiling.
>A large chandelier hung above a wide table in the middle of the room.
"It isn't home, but I suppose it will do."

>Over the next few hours, Luca acquainted herself with the library, learning how everything was sorted, what was on each shelf, and where to find certain books.
>The twins guided her and helped her find the books she needed, much to their distaste.
>"When can we go do something exciting? We're a squad now! We should be out gathering intel!"
"We have other squads for that."
>"This isn't fair. Why do they get to have all the fun while we're cooped up in here?"
"Because they're looking for anything that's going to help me solve this book. You two have always been cooped up in the tunnels. Why are you so upset now?"
>"Each squad is given a purpose when they get three members. We have three members, and we're still doing the same thing we did before."
"Oh? You were helping some pony solve a book before I came along?"
>"Well, no, but-"
"Don't you think this is important?"
>The twins slumped against the table and sighed, wishing the lecture would hurry up and finish.
>"It is, but it isn't fun! All of the other squads get to go out and find out who this opposing faction is! They get to find more books, and fight, and do cool stuff!"
"Then you two run off and find something else to do. I will be fine here."
>The twins need not be told twice.
>The library door closed with a crash, as they were off in a flash.
>Luca grumbled and sighed.
>She didn't want to join any squad, or really join Moonfall at all.
>She wanted to be back in her library, in her home.
>Those thoughts got to her, and she cradled her head in her hooves.
"I want to go home."

>"We all do."
>With a start and a peep, Luca jumped in her seat.
>Foehn stood by the other side of the table.
>"Sorry. Came in after the twins sped off."
>She waved her hoof and glanced down at the table, wide-eyed.
"What do you mean, 'we all do'?"
>"All of us in these tunnels. Either got displaced by landing on our enemies' radars, or becoming too useful to risk staying out in the open."
"The twins?"
>A click of his tongue was all she really needed for an answer, but he insisted on speaking anyway.
>"We're all they've got. Parents joined up when the twins were just pups. Their father went out on a high-risk raid, didn't come back. Their mother went out to find him with Charon's help, ended up getting ambushed."
>The gryphon took a seat across from Luca.
>"We give them things to do around here. Try to keep them safe, you know? We all have the same goal, but really, it's those two that keep all of us going."
>Luca tried to focus back on her books, but couldn't resist inquiring into more matters of Moonfall.
"If Princess Luna is involved, why hasn't she come out and said anything about us? Why hasn't she given us what we're fighting for? Are we really fighting, or are we gathering intel for her and her guards, for something greater than we know?"
>"Think of us as a covert operation. We're led by the elite forces of Luna's guard, so a lot of ponies don't even know we exist. Sure, we have the backing of nearly every batpony, diamond dog, and gryphon, but only the ones that know of our cause. Most don't even know we exist."
>He fell silent for a moment, as if in thought.
>"She really can't just give us what we're fighting for, because most ponies still wouldn't accept it. There would be outcry over such a large group being kept secret. Ponies that disagree with her decision would come after us and our families, as they already do. It would be in a larger force though."

>Luca looked into Foehn's amber eyes as he continued speaking.
>"I think it would start some sort of civil war. Maybe not in a large-scale fighting kind of way, but definitely a lot of persecution and skirmishing. You have to consider, bat ponies aren't widely known and diamond dogs have a bad reputation. Your race hasn't been in the light for very long. The diamond dogs have always been looked down upon, all things considered."
"So what is our purpose? We gather information that will make us look good and favorable in Equestrian society?"
>"For the most part, yes. Most of our scouting parties just go out and make ourselves known. We do favors for ponies, get in their good graces, ask around for honest work. We help integrate our members into average Equestrian life-styles."
"But you fight?"
>"Against our opposing faction, yes. Really, we fight to defend ourselves. Some of us fight to wipe them out. It... isn't pretty. Luna, Celestia, and their guards are working to find out who leads the faction, but so far nothing's come up."
"Maybe they are operating from within Moonfall?"
>"We've thought that, but there's really no evidence supporting it. Considering we're all for the same cause, and all victim to the same prejudice, there is absolutely no foreseeable benefit to betraying us."
"What about Hex? She is an earth pony."
>"I've known Hex for years. Long before either of us joined Moonfall. Matter of fact, she's the one that recruited me. She was actually one of the prime suspects when we were trying to find if there was a double agent."
>Luca looked away, feeling bad about her accusation.
>"You can have your suspicion. I know everyone else did, and some probably still do. She's quiet and keeps to herself, but trust me. She's on our side."
>Foehn started to stand and leave, but a hoof on his claw stopped him.

>An awkward glance was cast between the two, but neither made a move to part.
>Luca was the first to break their gaze, as she cast her eyes down to the table.
>Foehn moved his claw from beneath her hoof and hummed quietly to himself.
>After a moment of painful silence, the gryphon spoke up.
>"So, do you need help with anything, or would I be distracting you?"
"You are a welcome distraction."
>A rosy blush burned beneath her cheek fur.
>Foehn looked away, at nothing in particular.
"That came out wrong. I am sorry. I don't want to be alone."
>Luca bit her lip and turned away.
>"I could take that one of two ways, and since you've been displaced of Hollow Shades, both are viable. I'm going to elect for the more innocent option and assume you just want company during your research."
"And if I meant it the other way?"
>Those bold words threw Foehn off, and shocked Luca.
>"I care about you and the mission of Moonfall, and would prefer to enjoy such luxuries after our goals are reached. I would also hope you wouldn't mean it that way, as you barely know me, and don't know if I have a partner or not."
"Do you?"
>The lines of his mouth turned up, but there was a pained look in his eye.
>"Once upon a time."
>Luca placed her hoof atop his claw.
>She could only assume what he meant, and no matter what, it was sad.
>"Maybe in the future I'll find someone to patch that hole."
"And if tomorrow never comes?"
>She prayed for any kind of miracle that would make her shut her mouth.
>"I suppose I would regret your offer."
>The gryphon chuckled a bit.
>"Though, I would not regret meeting you. I would regret not getting to know you, even more."
"You flatter me."
>For someone to take such interest in Luca was a rather new experience for her.
>As a homely mare, she had few suitors.
>Even those few interested in her merely feigned it for one reason or another.
>Foehn, she could tell, feigned no such interest, whatever little there was.

>"You've been at this for hours. Take a break. We can go to the kitchen and pester someone for a snack."
"I prefer to get as much work done as possible in one go. If you would like to take a break, be my guest."
>Luca had spent nearly half the night in the library, flipping through dozens of books she had never read.
>"You haven't eaten anything all night. The books aren't going anywhere."
"And if tomorrow never comes?"
>Luca smirked at the gryphon.
>"Fine, fine. I'll go find something and bring it back here."
>Foehn took his leave as Luca flipped through another book.
>Unfortunately for her, she had left her wood-bound book in her room, so she had no idea how much progress she was actually making.
>As much as that should matter, she cared little.
>Just getting to read all of those books was a joy in and of itself, and would serve to increase her knowledge, and possibly solve the riddle of Our Moon.
>The door to the library creaked open, though the intruder was neither the twins nor Foehn.
>With a clattering of seemingly unwieldy armor, the third of the trio of commanders trotted into the library.
>Luca met her gaze, never breaking eye-contact, as the mare sat across from her at the table.
>She dared not look down at her book, nor speak even the slightest peep.
>The mare with a heart of gold embedded into her chest-plate intimidated Luca.
>She removed her helmet, allowing her turquoise mane to fall from its prison.
>Luca started to feel sick from anxiety, until the mare spoke.
>"What happens to a batpony after they drink tea?"
"I do-"
>"They act batty."
"I'm pretty sure we all always act batty anyway."
>The table creaked as the mare leaned against it, squinting at Luca.
>"Are you insulting my joke?"
"I meant nothing by-"
>"Because it was a pretty bat joke."

>Luca sat in silence as the mare tapped her hooves on the table.
>Foehn returned after a short while with a little more than just a platter of fruit slices.
>Three little fillies clad in rags and pots and pans clung to him, screaming and squealing as they hit him with wooden spoons.
>"Please help."
>"Ivy, Sirocca, Heartbeat. You three get off of him!"
>The fillies looked up at the armored mare, dropped off the gryphon, and pounced onto her.
>The sound of wood beating against metal sounded throughout the library as they began their assault on the commander.
>Foehn set the platter on the table and chuckled as Luca stared wide-eyed at the fillies.
>"Looks like they'll be a promising squad, if they ever manage to take down the big-bad Speck."
"That is an oxymoron. A speck can not be big, Foehn."
>"That's my name."
"Yes. It was a joke."
>"It was a bat joke."
>The fillies continued to beat their spoons against Speck's armor.
"I feel as though I am missing something."
>"The fillies?"
>Luca nodded in reply to Foehn's question.
>Speck spoke up as the fillies continued their assault.
>"Sirocca is my daughter. The other two are part of a slightly larger group of foals brought here shortly after I left for the trials. I used to be a matron at an orphanage in Hollow Shades. After a break in from our opposing faction, I deemed it necessary to find the foals a safe place. I was never part of Princess Luna's guard, so I should never have been drafted for the trials. Midnight Blossom has told me that it was my compassion and protection of others that landed me in there. Echo, Gloom Wing, Aux, Mosina, and Night Watch were already in the guard, and were highly trained for the trials. I just stood in between them and anything that would hurt them."
"Fascinating. Perhaps I should do more research on the Elite."
>"Maybe it will help. I need to go put these fillies to bed. Good luck, you two."
>Speck trotted off, leaving Foehn and Luca to their own devices.

>The mare and gryphon found as many books as they could about the Elite.
>After cracking several open, Luca found herself struggling to stay focused.
>Her face planted into a book, leaving a startled and worried Foehn to himself.
>"I suppose it is getting a little early. Let's get you to your room."
>The gryphon rolled her out of her chair and onto his back before walking around and extinguishing the flames on all of the candles in the library.
>He pushed the library door open as he departed, but was soon stopped in the middle of the hall.
>"Strange sight, seeing something so suspect."
>"Hex."
>"Foehn."
>"I'm taking her to her room."
>"Understandable."
>Hex only ever spoke around Foehn, and even then she was a mare of few words.
>A mare that could deduce the intentions of anyone, no matter how well they tried to hide.
>Anyone else that would catch Foehn carrying a sleeping Luca would pry.
>Hex merely trotted away.
>Yet, as Foehn continued on, he was stopped again.
>This time, by himself.
>"I have no idea where your room is, come to think of it. The twins are asleep by now, so there won't be any bothering them."
>He turned and walked back toward the library.
>"Might as well take you to my room then."
>Coming upon a wooden door with a large 'F' etched into it, Foehn pushed it open.
>He rolled Luca onto his bed and stared at her for a moment.
>She took up very little room on the bed, and there was plenty of space for the gryphon to fit in.
>Thinking it crass to pull such a bold move, he elected to curl up on the floor, beside the bed.
>It was uncomfortable, but it would be easier to explain in the morning.
>He struggled to fall asleep as Luca's words rang through his mind.
>"What if tomorrow never comes?"
>Foehn rolled onto his back and looked up at the edge of the bed to find Luca's hoof dangling over the side.
>He reached up and grabbed her hoof gently before nodding off.