Luna's Monster

>Day feeling lonely in Equestria
>Be Anon, and feeling really alone.
>Today is the Grand Galloping Gala, and despite knowing 6 mares, you had no date yourself.
>They all brought their own guests, so the carriage ride over was kinda depressing.
>You hang with Applejack, and Dash, while their dates fetch the drinks.
>Applejack leans towards Dash, and gives her a playful nudge, "Where did ya find that fly boy? He's nuttier than a pecan pie."
>"Soarin is a cool dude! He beat Castle Stompers in under 3 hours ya know."
>"Boy Rainbow, ya sure get impressed rather easily."
>"Well at least I didn't bring my cousin for a date." Rainbow jabs back, with her cheeky smile
>"Guest! Not date, Guest!"
>"Sure, sure, keep tellin yourself that."
>Well, at least you are not AS pathetic as you were thinking. Sighing to yourself, you get up and decide to stroll around.
>Outside, you see Rarity and some fancy pants character sitting on a blanket, enjoying a small picnic. To the side, is Fluttershy and some nature nerd she had met a few weeks back.
"This is truly the end days, when Fluttershy found somebody."
>Angst, angst everywhere.
>You decide to stroll even farther into the trees, the farther you are from ponies, the better.
>As you stroll about, you see a dark blue mare sitting by herself in the moonlight by a small pond.
>She scans the waters surface, before slowly jabbing her hoof into the water.
>Pulling it back out, she looks over her wet hoof, before settling it back to her side.
>You try to walk away, but snap a twig, causing her to look back at you.
"Sorry! Didn't meant to..spy, pry!"
>She gets up, and spreads her enormous wings, before folding them back to her side, its one of them Alicorns.
>She walks past, but glimpses at you before going into the trees.
"You're Luna right?"
>She stops, looks back, and nods "And you are?"
"Anon."

>"Hello Anon." She extends out her hoof, as though offering it to shake, you walk over, and shake her hoof.
>She quickly pulls it away, and looks over it, "It is customary to kiss the royal hoof, when presented."
"That's gross."
>She smiles before setting it back down, "I suppose it is...So why are you here? Did you have some manner to discuss with me?"
"No, I just had no reason to be at the party."
>"Hmm, I too see no point in trivial ceremonies."
"Yeah, I'd rather just be home, not doing anything."
>"Likewise."
>With the conversation dying, you try to bring it back.
"Well, since we're both kinda forced to be here, ya wanna go do something?"
>"What did you have in mind?"
"I dont know, you can show me around the place, I dont know much of the area."
>"Very well, but first I hunger, come, I know of a place that serves food."
>With that said, you happily follow her as she leads the way. It felt nice having somebody to talk to, maybe this party isnt so bad.
>As the two of you walk away, over by the pond, where Luna was sitting. A lifeless, maggot infested fish rises up from the still water. Its bloated body sends small ripples through the calm water, and in its center, is a deep, hoofmade indentation.

>Back at home, you grab Spike, and spin him around joyfully.
"It was amazing Spike! I met the most wonderful mare!"
>"Thats great an all, but could ya put me doooowwnn!"
>Slowing down, you set him back down, and pat his head. He stumbles back and forth, while holding his mouth closed.
"Sorry little guy, just excited ya know."
>You walk over to the closet, and open it up.
"She's just not like any other pony I've met, she's cynical, funny, and has a dark sense of humor like me. Nothing against you guys or anything, but you guys are just so..happy all the time."
>"Well, I guess its fine you made friends. From what Twilight tells me, Luna doesn't got many to begin with."
"Yeah, she seems like those cool fat chicks that you have the best time talking to, but would touch them with a ten foot pole. Luckily for me, she's really slender, and smells nice."
>"So when are ya seeing her again romeo?"
"This weekend, we're goin for a picnic at the Everfree."

>Come Friday, you wait patiently for Luna at the town square.
>Suddenly gray clouds begin to appear out of nowhere, and blot out the sun.
>A black carriage pulled by two bat ponies comes down full speed.
>They smack land near you, and a giant pony in a blue cloak, slowly emerges from the ride.
>The hood is slowly removed, to reveal Luna. She uses her magic to bring out a large wooden basket, and red and white flannel blanket.
>She gets off the carriage, and walks slowly past her guards, "You are free to do as you wish, do not bother to return for me."
>"Yes princess."
>The two salute, before flying off into the air, and out of sight.
>"Anon, charmed. Are you ready to go?"
"Yeah."
>As the two of you walk towards the Everfree, you can hear the ponies begin to whisper, and mumble stuff to one another.
>It bothers you, but right now, you are just focused on enjoying the time with Luna.

>Deep in the forest, you and Luna begin to set up for the picnic. Despite having lived near the Everfree, you had imagined this trip to be very pretty, and scenic.
>Perhaps there was some beautiful, hidden patch deep inside, away from those not in the know.
>But the spot she beds down on, was a decrepit, dying, and rotted spot.
>The trees that had not fallen were barren, and with few leaves left dangling. The grass was a dark green, and bristly to the touch, and a few feet away, was an ant pile.
>The bright brown sands of their dome, was plainly visible, even from so far away. At the top, hundreds of the small black insects marched in and out. Some carrying prey, while others carrying larva.
>Looking at the top, the sun was unable to breach the strangely heavy foliage, despite the barren trees.
>It was dark, it was cold, and it was isolating. Off in the distance you hear a haunting howl, this was not one of a hunter, or a lone wolf in search of its pack. No, this sound was like that of a dying creature, giving its last breath to state its displeasure.
>Slowly, the howl came to a stop, and then it howled no more.
>"Anon, do you like mustard?"
>Her sudden voice in the silence startled you. You look to the side, and spot Luna making a sandwich.
"Yeah, its ok."
>Dipping a dull knife in a jar of mustard, she spreads its out on bread, and applies some meat and cheese.
>Placing a pickle in the middle, as well as some tomatoes, and lettuce, she floats it over to you, "Try this, you'll like it."
>You slowly grab hold, and take a dry bite, the moisture from the greens, does well to wet your barren throat.
>You chew, and swallow, before looking back at her.
"Its good, thanks."
>Luna begins making herself a sandwich too, but you hear the howls of several other animals.
>"They're hunting."
"Wh..what?"
>"Those cries, they are on the hunt for food. Probably to feed their packs."
"Should we really be here? What if they come over?"
>"We'll be fine."


"Yeah, sure, fine."
>"Are you afraid?"
"Kinda."
>"Hmm, do you want to know something that is really scary?"
"Not really, no."
>"A long time ago, ponies were found dead here."
"You mean like, right were we're standing?"
>"No, in the whole area. Their bodies were malnourished, and often found with open eyes, and mouths. As though the last thing they did was scream. My sister and I naturally wanted to bring it to Tartarus, as we had done the previous evils of the world."
>The snapping of twigs can be heard behind you, and the hairs on your body begin to stand up. Quickly looking back, you see nothing, and turn back to face Luna. She is still sitting in place, and when she makes eye contact with you, her neutral expression slowly turns into a smile, "So we searched, every inch, under every tree, anything we could think of. We had no idea WHAT to look for, but in our search, we found more bodies. Some had become nothing but bones, others, more fresh. In that time, we had seen creatures, and sights unlike anything we could imagine. All were sent to Tartarus, for they were to wild to live in this now peaceful world. After a exhaustive search, we had cleared the forest of all but the most benign beings. Then we retreated back to the castle, but the story does not end there. Bodies began to appear again, but this time, it was far more horrifying than before. Organs were dragged along for miles, and bodies were left in places that could be seen by all. Whatever this thing was, it knew what it was doing, and wanted people to see its work, but not see it. Sister could not stomach the mess, but I could. I dove right in, tried to find what was causing it. I got my wish. I found myself stalked by this thing, even when I was in the sky, I could still feel its presence down below. I flew to the only clearing I could find, to get a better look of this creature. Then, it came out of the forest, in the faint moonlight, it crawled out of the trees, and stood before me."

>"He was tall, like a tree, but thin like a twig, and his face was like wet leather." Luna comes slowly walking over to you, and leans to be face to face with you, "I attacked it, I refused to let such a vile thing exist in Tartarus. But despite my attacks, my magic could not harm it, nor could my horn in its chest. So I did the only thing I could do in such a desperate situation, I used all my magic, and focused on the farthest place I could think of. Past the moon, past the stars, in the deepest, coldest, celestial body. I sent it there, before passing out in that clearing. When I awoke, I was back home with sister. Nop0ny seems to remember that night, or rather, they wish to forget. It matters not anymore, the only ones that know now, are sister, you, and I. When I told you that we'll be fine, I meant it. That thing has long since been gone, and it can no longer hurt anyp0ny here."
*gulp* "W..well thats good right? You got rid of it?"
>"Yes, but no."
>Your heart almost stops as she leans closer to you, and brings her mouth to your ear, "Do you remember when I asked if you wanted to know something really scary?" you slowly nod, "Do you wanna know it?" With your heart almost ready to burst out of your chest, give the slowest nod, and she whispers "You remind me of him."