Luca - 6

>Just one day short of a week.
>Six days since Charon visited Luca in her library and gave her that wood-bound book that defined every single breath she took, and every single step she took.
>Two days since her arrival in Moonfall's underground hideaway, and her adoption into her new family.
>One day since her assignment to the twins' squad.
>And approximately thirty seconds since her eyes cracked open and she found herself lying in an unfamiliar bed.
>Alone, in an unfamiliar bed.
>Sitting up, she looked around, trying not to panic.
>The walls were familiar, indicating that she was still in Moonfall's tunnels, but not in her own room.
>The bed was much too big for her.
>A quick scan of the room revealed nothing, save a candle lit atop a small brass stand nailed into the wall.
>Her mind rushed as she tried to remember the last night, but all she could recall was sitting in the library with Foehn.
>And everything she said to him.
>She swallowed hard and blushed.
>Maybe she could sneak out and get back to her room before anyone noticed.
>And - if it was true that they had shared a bed - before Foehn returned.
>Though, as her senses started to sharpen as she awoke fully, she noticed something hold her hoof.
>She noticed, too late, that Foehn was on the floor, and holding her hoof.
>Too late, as she had already tried shuffling out of the bed, and fell on top of him.
>Surprisingly, he did not wake, but did roll onto his side and bind Luca in a hug.
>Luca stiffened in his grip, waiting to make absolutely certain he was asleep before attempting her escape.
>She wiggled as much as she could without disturbing him, but could not move.
>Not exactly giving up, but not attempting to continue, she sighed.
>This was what she wanted, last night.
>To be held and made to feel safe, to enjoy the intimate company of another.
>Yet, she remembered Foehn trying to change the subject.
>Had he changed his mind?

>Foehn grumbled and groaned as he sat up, clacking his beak as he yawned.
>"Mmm. Feels like I slept on a bed of rocks."
>Luca froze as the gryphon blinked the sleep from his eyes.
>He stretched out and looked down into his lap, where Luca had tumbled.
"Hi."
>He looked up and swallowed.
>"I, uh... I can explain?"
"No, I think I know what has transpired."
>Luca smiled and climbed out of his lap, giggling to herself as she approached the door.
>"Nothing. Nothing transpired, I didn't do anything, I just brought you back here because I didn't know where your room was, and you were already asleep."
"I was teasing you. I do not think you would try anything outside of the bounds of our very professional relationship."
>Foehn blushed a bit.
>"No, I probably wouldn't."
>Luca sighed and turned away.
>It was clear she had a little bit of a crush on Foehn.
>He might, one day, feel the same.
>She could be hopeful, right?
"What if the circumstance were different? Would you consider me?"
>A sigh echoed through the room.
>"If things were different, I can't say that I wouldn't consider you. I might be alone in this world, save my friends and this family, and that might affect my decision, but there is a possibility."
"I am sorry if I make you uncomfortable."
>Foehn smiled softly and shook his head.
>"It's fine. Being forward is something admirable in a mare; especially to a gryphon."
"Should we get to work? I am sure there is quite a bit you should be doing."
>"Probably. Might hit the kitchen first."
"Watch out for those fillies."
>"You won't come protect me?"
>Luca shrugged and laughed softly.
"Little ol' me? Please! I would be absolutely battered by those silly fillies."
>Foehn smiled briefly before getting up.
>"You should take a break, you know. Some time to wind down and relax."
"I haven't even started anything."
>"Have you had any time for yourself since you came to Moonfall? And before that, were you solely fretted over the book?"

"For the most part. The book is important, and the sooner we have it fully revealed, the sooner we can all go home, right?"
>"We're all hoping."
>Luca placed a hoof on the door, but hesitated to open it.
"When this is all over... Will we see each other, ever again?"
>"I'll visit."
>With a smile, Luca pushed the door open and rushed out.
>She almost smacked into Hex, but the earth pony swiftly dodged out of her way.
"O-oh! Sorry, I... uh..."
>A slight smile teased at Hex's lips, but she said nothing as she continued on.
"It is not what you think!"
>Luca looked back at Foehn's door before carrying on.
>A light rumbling shook the earth beneath her hooves, but stopped as suddenly as it started.
"Strange. Must be some ponies fighting."
>The rumbling started once more, but was much more violent.
>Luca was nearly knocked off her hooves as a dozen or so ponies, gryphons, and diamond dogs rushed past her.
>"Breach!"
>"Luca!"
>Gloom Wing skidded to a halt in front of the homely librarian.
>"You need to get the book, find the twins and Speck, and get out of here!"
"But-"
>"NOW!"
>Luca ran away, headed toward her room.
>She barged in, nearly knocking the door off its hinges, but froze as soon as she was inside.
>Standing beside her desk, a strange cloaked figure held her book in its hooves.
>Thinking quickly, or perhaps stupidly, she charged the figure, knocking it to the ground.
>It retaliated in a way that only a highly trained pony could manage.
>She rolled backwards, grunting in pain.
>Standing and charging once again, she screamed.
>The cloaked pony stepped to the side, causing Luca to stumble and skid into her desk.
>Quickly, she grabbed her book and started to flee from the room.
>Though the pony stood in her way, Luca managed to leap over them.
>Not without being bucked at as she landed behind them, however.
>A swift kick to her backside caused her to launch into the wall.
>She looked up, terrified, as the cloaked figure stood over her.
>She closed her eyes, ready to accept her fate.

>Another crash sounded, and Luca cringed.
>After a few seconds, noticing she felt nothing on her, she looked up.
>Biggs stood between her and the pony, as Wedge was upon them, fighting and clawing with all his might.
"Biggs?"
>"Get up and run. We've got this."
>"Biggs, she doesn't know where to go!"
>Wedge ducked under the hoof of the pony.
>"RUN!"
>Biggs muttered something under his breath, but quickly grabbed hold of Luca.
>She squeaked as he started pushing her out of the room, and together they ran deeper into the caves.
"Is he going to be okay?"
>The diamond dog did not answer.
>A strong heat swept over them as they passed by the library.
>It took everything Luca had not to break down and cry over the though of all those books burning.
>Biggs remained stoic as he led the batpony through a very long, winding tunnel hidden behind a large tapestry in the farthest depths of the caves.
>They traveled for an indeterminable amount of time.
>To Luca, it felt like they crawled for hours, even days, but by the time they were breathing the fresh air of the surface world, it felt like she had only been in the tunnel for a moment.
>She stumbled, disoriented, as Biggs tried to support her.
>"We're almost there. The caravan shouldn't be much farther ahead."
"Wh..."
>Luca stumbled into a bush and promptly vomited up what little food she had in her stomach.
>Biggs sighed as he led Luca through the dense forest around them.
>After a while, they found the caravan they sought.
>And immediately, one familiar motherly batpony started screeching at them.
>"Biggs! Where have you been? Where's Wedge? You know the protocol, you were supposed to be on the first caravan out with the rest of the foals!"
>"Can it. If it weren't for me and Wedge, Luca would probably be dead. Wedge is... fine."
>Speck looked up at Luca and quickly hugged her as tight as she could.
>"I'm so sorry you got wrapped up in all of this."
"I got the book."

>The motherly pony backed away from the hug, an incredibly furious expression on her face.
>"All of this. Possibly dozens dead, and you're worried about a book? Biggs, were there any others with you?"
>"I didn't see anyone else when we were coming up here. We weren't followed, but I didn't see anyone trying to escape. I think we were the last ones in."
"Wedge is still in there."
>"He'll find his way out."
>The stoic little diamond dog hopped into the caravan.
>"We need to go."
>Luca and Speck exchanged a saddened glance and followed him.
>The trio hopped into the caravan.
>"Is that all of you? Dangerous business, this is. Got some blankets somewhere in there, so you can cover up."
>Luca looked out of a small flap in the front of the covered wagon.
>The creature that stood outside looked up at her with abyssal black eyes.
>Yet, it smiled innocently.
>"Never seen a mothpony, huh? You'll have more time to admire us where we're headed."
>The mothpony turned back and started to pull the wagon as Luca ducked her head back inside.
>Biggs sat in the corner, turned away from everyone.
>Speck stared out the back, a blanket covering her form.
>A third, previously unnoticed pony sat by the back, hanging halfway out of the wagon.
>Luca approached the pony.
>Looking down, she found Hex dragging a hoof along the ground as the wagon rolled along.
>"Foehn fled. Nearby. Should see soon."
>A moment later, the dark gryphon burst through the bushes lining the dirt path.
>He looked to his left, then to his right, spotted the caravan, and rushed to it.
>He leapt inside, and quickly rolled a very large, blanketed figure off of his back.
>Coughing and catching his breath, he rolled the figure over and started to move the blanket away from its face.
>Wedge, bloody and beaten, lay in the center of the wagon.
>Luca felt sick to her stomach.
>His breathing was labored, and he groaned and grasped at anything.
>A thick, padded cloth was wrapped around his head, and two crimson circles formed at the center.

>Speck, upon seeing the wounded diamond dog, hopped up from where she sat and started rummaging for a medical box.
>Luca couldn't bear to watch and huddled into the corner beside Biggs.
>As Speck removed the cloth from Wedge's eyes, he screamed in agony.
>Foehn quickly found a chunk of wood for him to bite down on.
>The young diamond dog wriggled and struggled against Foehn as Speck placed a sterile cloth over his eyes and taped it down.
>Biggs huddled against Luca, who hugged him tight.
>"He's gonna be okay."
"He is strong. He will be fine."
>The clanking and clattering of glass sounded as Speck searched for a strong alcohol.
>"Drink this."
>She placed a bottle in Wedge's paws.
>He spat the wood out and started guzzling the contents of the bottle.
>Groaning, he rolled onto his side and tried to find comfort.
>Biggs moved from Luca to his brother and curled up at his side.
>She moved to the back of the wagon to join Speck and Foehn after they finished with Wedge.
>"What happened back there?"
>"I don't know. I found him lying outside of Luca's room, beaten and bloody. No signs of anyone there, but he put up a fight."
>"This shouldn't have happened."
"He saved my life. Whoever did this, we will find them."
>Luca, Speck, and Foehn looked back at the twins.
>"Not even the children can come out of all of this the same. This is changing us."
>"Foehn. Keep those two by your side from now on. Keep them safe."
>"Will do, ma'am."
"Who would do something like that to a kid?"
>Hex spoke up.
>"Cruel, cruel crusaders. Lost light, lacking life. Motivated massacre."
>Everyone stared at her as she continued dragging her hoof along the ground.
>Her cheeks were wet, though only Foehn noticed.
>Wedge groaned and reached for where he thought his elders to be sitting.
>"Wedge, you need to rest."
>"But..."
>"No, hush child."
>"Charon charged. Frontline fighter. Bravery -"
>Foehn placed a claw on Hex's shoulder.
>Speck looked back at Hex.
>"Where is Charon, anyway? He shouldn't still be in the caves."

>"He did it."
>Everyone turned back to Wedge, whose whimpering could just barely be made out.
>"I saw his face. It was him."
>Luca looked up with sudden realization.
>She rushed to the front of the caravan and shouted at the mothpony.
"Get the wagon off the road! Find cover, find a different path to take, but hurry and get off the road!"
>The mothpony nodded and took a path that was shrouded in shadow, hidden from the light of the sun.
>"Been over this little run with just a couple members of your little group. Only two or three should know about this."
>The wagon rocked and bumped as they traveled silently, stewing in anger, hate, sadness, and grief.