A Nightmare of a nightby Ethereal TrixsterChaptersA humble requestGaining a sidekick?Chasing the clouds.A humble request"A thousand years ago, in the magical land of Equestria, there were two regal sisters who ruled together and created harmony for all the land, to do this; the eldest used her powers to raise the sun at dawn; while the younger brought out the moon to begin the night. Thus the two sisters maintained balance for their kingdom and their subjects, all different types of ponies, but as time went on, the younger sister became resentful. The ponies relished and played in the day, while her elder sister brought forth, but shunned and slept through her beautiful night. One fateful day, the younger alicorn refused to lower the moon to make way for the dawn. However, the elder sister tried to reason with her, but the bitterness in the young one's heart had transformed her into a wicked mare of darkness: Nightmare Moon. . On that faithful night where Nightmare Moon and Princess Celestia came to blows, there was another alicorn present, watching everything unfold in secret. The battle was fierce and left neither pony unscathed; between the two sisters, Luna's trickery and manipulation of magic hindered by Celesta's quick wit and power; and Celestia's power always out of reach; neither were strong enough to gain a foothold in the battle between sisters, resulting in a stalemate. The stalemate lasted longer than each sister expected or wanted it to, so they resorted to using the elements of Harmony against each other, only for it to fail against one another, and with each attempt the elements would lash out against their wielders, as the stalemate grew longer and longer the more desperate each one became; forgetting the castle around them as they blasted spell after spell, the walls shattering apart as fireballs and tendrils of Ethereal magic crashed into the concrete walls. The attempts to harness the mystical and magical energy, bore nothing as they now relied solely on the elements of harmony abandoning any notion of sisterly love or respect for one another, that brought harmony to Equestria; with that last inkling gone, the elements abandoned both finding a temporary replacement in Princess Mi Amore Cadenza. Both sisters looked at each other in silence, while they tried to rationalize what had just happened in their battle; wishing the other was nothing, but a smudge on the ground in the resulting aftermath. It was only a matter of moments before both sisters realized that neither of them was the wielder of harmony; hence the search for their former possessions, ending as swiftly as it began. The two finding Princess Cadenza hiding behind a broken pillar covered in a spectrum colored aura. She watched on as the castle she called her home for twenty years, destroyed by her loving aunts.. Both of them felt the energy emanating off of her, but the most important thing both sisters felt, was the unbridled fear and confusion that could be seen a mile away. Celestia and Luna pleaded with her to help them defeat the other, throwing callous remarks at each other and desperately trying to convince her; forced with the decision to choose between both aunts, the elements took Princess Cadenza's waning indecisiveness as a sign of what to do, sealing both sisters into their respective Celestial bodies; leaving a Princess no older than two hundred years-old to rule Equestria. The Elements of Harmony abandoned her as soon after locking both princess' away, turning into stone and perplexing the fair alicorn even more than her; obtaining the elements. Therefore, Princess Cadenza took up the crown and ruled Equestria, returning harmony to the land once more." Twilight stopped the retelling of Equestria's history, looking on to find looked on at the drooling frame of Princess Cadenza, How long had she admired her when she was taken under the princess' wing for an apprenticeship? The years strengthened her admiration for the princess, only since she took her job at Canterlot's Magical Library, did Twilight understand a little more of how much Princess Cadenza went through to run Equestria it was truly inspiring. Then looking to her left only rose her irritation as another mare stood idly next to her idol without a concern in Equestria, her name was Moondancer. Moondancer, was a mare that still held a notable standing in Canterlot's social hierarchy; despite her lack of actual occupation, her parties still attended by noble families, but the most notable feature Twilight found about her, was her foal-sitter was none other than Princess Cadenza. The only thing notable the mare could think of that would give her reason to be here was the mare's upcoming birthday or Cadenza needing her for something involving a choreographed dance, but even none of that was happening here or Twilight wasn't aware of it yet. 'So, why is she here then? No, it doesn't matter the fate of Equestria hangs in the balance, and I can't be sidetracked by some unicorn's presence.' Suddenly, Twilight's attention snapped back to the snoring frame of her former teacher. "Uh, Princess, are you okay?" "Umm, what was the question?" Cadenza's eyes opened slightly, her eyes half-open falling on her former apprentice and the book floating in mid-air in front of her. Twilight Sparkle was a very studious mare when it came to magic, and that made things even easier; as placing her as an assistant to the head of the Magical archive, and she had yet to be disappointed about that decision, yet when it came to matters that were at least three hundred years old she came to her first. Despite how knowledgeable her actual master was, apparently her ten years of tutoring had left a bigger imprint than she had originally expected, compared to her previous one; two years prior. "I was asking if you're okay, you fell asleep while I was telling you something important." Twilight's tone rose a tad, hoping to convey the urgency her newest finding she had come across. "Equestria is in danger." Her declaration clearing up any grogginess in the princess' eyes; Twilight now had her full attention.and she wasn't going to squander it. "According to Star Swirl, the Bearded's prophecy on the thousandth year that the two sister's were banished would return to finish the battle they once started and seek vengeance on the one who wrongfully punished them." Her voice croaked out, as both mares looked on in what Twilight assumed in terror. "So, Princess, I implore you to retrieve the elements of Harmony and banish Nightmare moon and Princess Celestia, back to the moon/sun." Cadenza looked towards her two subjects; panic written on her former student's face and confusion on the other. "Twilight, I assure you that I have everything under control and my Aunts will not come back, nor seek vengeance on Equestria; as long as I'm wearing this crown. Now will you, please allow Moondancer and I some time to talk?" Her hoof rose, to silence anything that was about to erupt from her former student's mouth. "So, I'd like for you to stop this silly notion of tomorrow being the end of Equestria. Star Swirl, the Bearded was a gifted unicorn even surpassing me in the field of magic and understanding it, but he also thought lemons talked to him and that Sea ponies are the key to Tartarus during the time he wrote that book. So, don't take any of his prophecies to heart. Now go back to the library and work on something else, please." Her voice held no quarter as the lavender mare retreated swiftly in fear of being reprimanded again; leaving the two alone. Cadenza gazed at her guest, a luxurious white coat treated with most likely top of the line products from another country, her mane; a splendid mulberry purple broad streak of color accentuated the scarlet red mane that wrapped around her left front shoulder, with the occasional wisp of strand stood out atop her coat; her periwinkle eyes once full of boredom, now glimmered with anxiousness, and finally a burgundy crescent moon with five burgundy colored stars surrounding the moon. She couldn't be any happier with how Moondancer lived currently in Canterlot, the once shy filly that refused to do leave the ballroom during her foal-sittings, she was once the go-to mare for anything related to dance in Canterlot, and if she made a suggestion a year back her peers and elders genuinely considered it adding anything to help with the performance. That was a year ago and now, everything Moondancer had built on her name seemed a distant relic; never telling anypony why she stopped. Cadenza honestly wished for the filly she used to foal sit to move to the rhythm of a musical beat, but this was her own problem and she wasn't going press the subject. Though, she would admit when she stared into those bright glimmering periwinkle eyes two years ago, she saw the happiness fill every crevice possible. Now, she saw cheer in them, but a lack of fulfillment and loneliness easily accompanied it. "I'm sorry Princess Cadenza but can you make this quick? I still have to plan my party for today. The sweet shop closes soon, and I still haven't picked up my order." Her tone one of a rush, her mind finalizing the last minute party plans for tonight; she still hadn't begun yet, but the preparations, would only take the smallest inkling of time to do nevertheless, the presentation was vital. Cadenza could only hold back a chuckle at the mare's hooves motioning for her to hurry, she'd only seen her this antsy when she was about to perform. "Always In a hurry, I see? Hopefully this will lessen your pace Moondancer; I need your assistance requiring tomorrow's celebration in ponyville." Princess Cadenza's left hoof rose stopping any form of coherence from her mouth. "I know your birthday party is being held today, since yours is on the day of my coronation and you'd actually want to have a celebration then be overshadowed; so, I'm willing to arrange to have your party the day after and have it at a location chosen by you. Also, to cover any finance that comes with it." She watched as Moondancer puckered her lips, no doubt measuring the pros and cons of the situation handed to her. Cadenza watched the mare's hooves begin to buckle with what she hoped to be excitement. "Anywhere I choose, right? Say, if I wanted to hold it in the ballroom here in Canterlot castle, you'd make it happen and cover the charges with no strings attached?" Her voice kept at a reasonable tone, compared to how badly she wanted a change of scenery than her current residence, which she still owed on. "If you want to have something as grand as the Gala here, by all means go ahead, but that's only if you head down to Ponyville today. Make sure that every arrangement is in order and you are in attendance during my arrival. Anything that happens after that, is entirely up to you." "Then it, would be my great honor Princess Cadenza to plan the celebration; of your coronation in Ponyville, You can count that this celebration will be something you'll never forget for the next thousand years." Moondancer hooves gave out as her declaration finished,eliciting a giggle form the two. Princess Cadenza pulled out a manila folder that was placed under her wing; curiosity slowly building in the unicorn as the princess hovered it in front of her. "Now, please listen; the pictures of the ponies inside this folder are who you have to meet and the task written under each mare's photo is what they were assigned to do. I have one last request I'd like to make before you go, Moondancer..." The alicorn's mind slowly drifted back to Twilight's vehement insistence on using the elements of harmony to stop her aunts again, if it came down to that."I would like you to make at least one friend in Ponyville during your visit." Her thoughts tossed in turmoil as the idea of having a friend from such a town would cause such a blemish on her standings in Canterlot; Window Washer was a prime example of the thin line she could tread on, he was raised in ponyville and seemed genuinely like a nice pony, but his lack of etiquette and grooming made him the butt of many jokes during social gatherings. Making a friend like Window Washer was social suicide here, and the mare knew even attempting something as making a new friend would have to be done delicately. "D-Do I have to? I mean, making a friend won't help me get the task done any faster, r-right?" Cadenza blinked in confusion at the sudden change in demeanor. 'Is it that hard getting to know someone new?' "It's not necessary, but I'm sure if you made at least one, then everything would go much smoother for you." Moondancer swallowed any bile that had risen to the back of her throat, as she mentally prepared herself to accept any blow-back she would receive from her association. "I'll do my best to make a friend Princess, but I don't promise anything." Cadenza nodded in acceptance, knowing this was the only thing she could do to help push the mare into leading a more sociable life than just the upper crust of Canterlot. "Now, to finish what I was saying, you are already aware of the folder's contents. Well, there is a Pegasus drawn carriage waiting for you outside in the garden and I assigned a friend of mine to assist you for the time being, in case you are in need of contacting me." Her voice lulled the mare's unease as she gave Cadenza one last nod before taking the manila folder in her own aquamarine aura, and galloped off towards the royal garden. Her eyes shifted around the now empty room, stopping on a particular window, still hoping that her former aunts' pet would fly in with good news from Sunset. She gazed longingly out the window beckoning for the messenger to come; only to now catch a glimpse of the sun. It was a moment of brief silence, as she stared at it; contemplating her mentor's words and students warnings. Star Swirl was adamant on both of them returning one day, she just paid it no mind instead focusing on ruling her nation while learning the ins and outs of magic. 'If they appear tomorrow, I'll be there, but if something happens; I'll be sure to protect my ponies first and foremost.' Tomorrow was going to be a long day, and waiting on an already late message wasn't doing the alicorn any favors either. Author's Note Okay so here's the first chapter of what hopefully will be a successful series involving a new universe revolving Princess Cadence or referred to here as Princess Cadenza, there will be subtler changes her and if anybody has any question please feel free to ask as I'm open to talk about this. A big shout-out to SkyeHeart here on FIM on helping me flesh out the idea of a new universe and the character concept of each one of them, and Pandemonium on Otaku Network for helping me by proofreading this story. Gaining a sidekick?Moondancer swiftly weaved her way through the palace, to the courtyard; her gait slowing considerably as she stopped outside the door leading to the garden, her hopes rode on this task and she wasn't going to fail anypony today, her hoof slowly pressed against the door, walking through the door's opening. Her eyes instantly falling on two white Pegasus, that were standing in front of what appeared to be her ride to Ponyville. Everything about the two guards was exactly alike to the other, though Moondancer thought nothing of the guards mirrored appearance to one another; instead looking on at the radiant garden, her eyes were hypnotized by the beautiful flowers decorating it, only to snap back to her task, as the realization of the third pony that wasn't present. "There was a pony that was supposed to be with you two, right?" Both shook their heads, neither of them breaking their perpetual silence, as they motioned towards the carriage. "I guess you two have a good point, if he's not here it's not my problem; we have to get to ponyville." Her pace quickened, suddenly rounding the guards, as her hoof stopped shortly on the carriage; her breathing hitched while her eyes fell upon a small purple creature with green scales a top of its head; It was propped against the inside of the carriage, snoring. "What are you?" "I'm a dragon." Her breath hitche, as she fought the urge to scream in terror at the very sound of its voice; her hooves left the carriage, in fear of what this dragon would do to her in such a close proximity. Suddenly, a pair of pistachio colored eyes opened, accompanied by a soft yawn before declining himself to whomever the mare was, Princess Cadenza assigned him to assist; his claws flexed for a second, bones cracking in protest at the sudden movement, his spaded tail coming to life as it swished back and forth on occasion, banging against the golden carriage. His chest puffed out, as his cream colored belly breathed in and out, watching the unicorn shrink under his sleepy gaze. It only took a moment, before he sensed the unicorn's unease. "Hi, I'm Twilight Sparkle's assistant, Spike, and I guess I'll be helping you out. So, do you mind if I ask your name?" Spike hoped it would at least, soften the mare's apprehension towards him. "I-Its Moondancer." Moondancer backed away from the purple dragon, second-guessing the idea of assisting the princess, now that was a dragon was involved. 'Doesn't the princess know dragons eat ponies, even baby ones, so why does gher apprentice have one as an assistant?' Her breath hitched as the dragon smiled at her, his row of sharp teeth sending chills down her spine. "Wh-why are you here li-little guy, aren't dragons supposed to be outside of Equestria?" "I told you already, I'm here to help you out with Princess' party in ponyville, and not all dragons are like that, you know." "Like what? I don't have any idea of what you're talking about." "You know, devour every pony insight, there are gemetarian dragons, too?" "You are a what?" "A gemetarian, is a dragon who eats gem's instead of meat and well anything, it wants." Spike could tell that some of the apprehension that the unicorn disappeared with the fact that he just ate gems. "So, Moondancer, do you have any gems?" "N-no, I don't Spike." "Well it couldn't hurt to ask, I guess." His voice was a little less cheerful than before, despite staring at her with those bright green eyes "That's right. "Her breathing finally startied to settle down, as the small dragon smiled at her. If what he was saying was true then, it really wouldn't be so bad. "How did the princess choose you for this task?" Her voice returning, as she regained the composure she had lost moments ago. "Princess Cadenza;'s apprentice, Twilight Sparkle, hatched me, when she was a filly; and from there, Twilight's family raised me; until her apprenticeship was done. Now, I work at that dusty old library with Twilight, and those other geezers. So, I made a request to the princess to do something fun and well, here I am." His claws wrapped around the carts edge, each digit wrapping against the gold plating as Moondancer passed by him sticking to the other half of the cart. "That's interesting; I didn't think Twilight's family would be too keen on raising a dragon." "I'm sure it was hard for them, but the Princess donated a lot of gems, so it didn't hurt them bit wise, but everything else I don't really know what to say except, that they raised me like I was their own." His pistachio eyes gazed upwards at the floating manila folder above him; he ignored its presence at the beginning, but now, it just seemed to be teasing him, while they got accustomed to each other. "What's with the folder?" Moondancer smiled as the baby dragon reached for it, any concern over him devouring her in the short time the two would be together. "Oh, that? Its what Princess Cadenza gave me to help find the ponies in charge of the celebration." Her eyes descended on to the dragon, his eyes now full of curiosity. "Would you like to see it?" Moondancer watched as the dragon nodded his head in excitement, looking at that face full of curiosity just made the mare forget her ties to Canterlot's social life and think of better times,.spent during her childhood, only to be brought back into reality; with a thud sounding out as he tried to grab the folder. "What are you doing?" "I'm just trying to get a peek at it, and see what's inside." He jumped again, only for him to come that much closer to reaching his target. 'Just another inch and I'll get it.' His legs readied themselves for another spring towards the folder, only for it to be raised out of reach. "What was that for? I just--.never mind." The dragon shrunk under the mare's gaze, not knowing what to say or do. "You didn't ask nor did you even try to." "But you were teasing me." His voice pleaded, hoping the mare's stare would relent on the matter. "I don't care, what do you say?" Her stare increased, her hooves tapping on the floor like a scolding mother. The dragon gulped, not accustomed to being scolded by strangers. "I-I-I I'm sorry." His breath slowing down, as the anger slowly faded from her eyes. "Good. Now, try again." "Can I look at the folder, please?" He smiled brightly; Moondancer contemplated her answer briefly, a smile being drawn on her face. 'I haven't seen it yet so, I guess looking at it before we get there, won't hurt.' Her ears perked up as various photos of ponies flopped out. 'So it's four mares, one for food, music, decorations and the weather. Applejack, Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy might be a pain to work with, if the poses in their picture have anything to say about it.' Her gaze lingered on Rarity's photo, a sense of familiarity coming from the photo like she'd seen the mare or heard her name before. "The white one's pretty, do you know her, Moondancer?" Spike said as he picked up the mare's picture, his clawed digits adjusting to the photo opting not to rip it. "Her coat is a fine pearl, and no, I don't know her, but her name, it just seems familiar as if somepony said it before or something." The missing photo now put back atop the stack; the mare holding it safely in her aquamarine, magical aura. "Sorry, I just thought you'd be like old friends or something; I mean you, both look kind of similar." The dragon's voice hitched, hoping he didn't offend the mare, again. "I'm not in any sort affiliated with those yokel's, despite the refined look Rarity has, I'm sure she's still just like the rest of them." Her nose twitched at the thought of the two being similar at all. "Wait, how are we similar? You barely even know me and that's the first time you've seen this Rarity mare." "I meant, that both of you look really nice," Moondancer held the smallest of blushes the off-hand comment Spike made. "Oh...well, thanks then,...I think." Her voice still one of concern, as the dragon's chest puffed up once again; this time a belch of fire erupting forward, accompanied with a sealed scroll. Her hooves skittering backwards, as the flames barely missed the top of her mane. The mare took a few seconds to catch her breath and resist the urge to strangle her temporary companion. "Oh, it's a letter." Her periwinkle eyes doing a double-take, as Spike broke the seal; the dragon's mouth moving silently as he read it. "What does it say?" Her question put on hold, as the golden carriage lifted into the air, the startled mare scrambling to the front of the carriage, her hooves wrapped around the railing in fear of plummeting to her death. 'Couldn't they have given me a warning before they took off.' Her mind riddled with complaints, as she glared daggers at the two oblivious guards. "Oh, it's a letter telling me not to eat any ponies gems while in town, or scare anypony either." His voice boomed over the gales of wind that blew in their faces; the dragon dropping the parchment, letting it free fall and landing Cadenza knows where. His voice broke the mare out of the string of unfortunate events, Moondancer wished upon the guards after landing safely in ponyville. "I'm sorry, I didn't quite hear you?" Her voice a tad higher, hoping the sudden gust didn't muffle the sound of her voice. "It says, to be on my best behavior." His voice rang louder, getting a small wave of her hoof as confirmation that she heard him. Neither of them said anything, as the descent down Canterlot's regal mountain-side began; the two held on to the carriage as the speed increased. The carriage jostled the slightest, as they reached the halfway point of the descent, neither of the passengers noticing the angle increasing, as the two looked at each other, both saying a silent prayer to make it too the town in one piece. The carriage's pace steadily decreased, as they passed over the Everfree forest, the worst of their short journey now over; as the wild howls and such erupted from the forestry. The unicorn steeling herself as her hooves gently let go of the railing expecting the worst of her troubles to be over. She looked at her companion, his cheeks puffing up, his eyes full of concern as the dragon's mouth opened and a torrent of flames shot over her head, startling the mare and dropping the folder towards the forest. Acting on instinct alone, she jumped for the folder realizing the folly of the situation. 'Oh Cadenza, I just jumped off the carriage...' Chasing the clouds.Moondancer couldn't hear her own screams of terror as she fell to ponyville, Any attempt made to look towards her approaching doom, only to be greeted with blinding gust of wind. 'I'm going to die,and all because I wanted to have a Gala like party.' Her screams stopped as her front hooves clamped down on the manila envelope, pulling it close to her chest. Moondancer mind raced as she strained her ears hoping to hear anything to assure she wasn't going to die, the silence spoke volumes as three second passed, her mind now riddled with thought of her life, what she had yet to achieve, her accomplishments and finally her regrets. Cloudchaser watched on top of a grey cloud, as an idiotic mare fell to her death from the golden carriage coming towards her town. It was only a matter of moments before she'd land in the center of ponyville startling everypony there, and ruining what should be the second best day of the year for the quaint town. Cloudchaser couldn't let that happen, and she definitely could not allow this mare to fall, to her death. Her wings flapped with an incredible pace, the cloud she stood on dissipating from the constant vibration as the pegasus shot off towards the fallen pony. 'Come on I can do this, only one shot to save this pony, so don't screw it up.' Her inner monologue pouring on more doubts as she had approaching the mare. Her front hooves latching on to the mare's hind hooves, the sudden weight added to the pegasus's wings only hampered the pegasus's ability to fly her to safety. 'Dear Cadenza, she weighs a ton.' The grey mare grunted as she floated the two down to the ground, personally wishing for this ordeal to be over and getting back to cleaning up Ponyville's clouds. Moondancer's mind never ran out of regrets for her past misdeeds, but it slowly shifted towards another nagging thought, why hadn't landed in ponyville yet. Her eyes cracking open noticing the gust of wind that was once impeding her vision now a gentle breeze, and more importantly the ground still approaching her, but at s much slower speed. Realization came at an instant, her head craned upwards to see her savior expecting to see the two pegasus guards, only for her eyes to fall on a pale persian blue pegasus slowly descending with her. Time passed slowly as the unicorn dangled in the air finding her self in awe of the Pegasus's strength and stamina as they were but a mere foot off the ground. Moondancer could only stare at the mysterious mare in interest, her light rose eyes twinkled with little confidence as the grip around her hind hooves tightened as her muzzle finally touched solid ground. Her front hooves slowly propped herself up, the folder on the ground, the folder now a minor distraction as she looked at her savior in a better light. "Th-Thank you, I can't believe I'm alive and its thanks to you that I am." The unicorn could barely suppress any tears that dared formed in her eyes, her composure gone, with her savior standing in front of her. The stranger's wings tucked in, likely recovering from the previous strain she once had the blue coat dripping with perspiration as her chest huffed back and forth. Her rose colored eyes filled with a welcoming warmth Moondancer had never seen in Canterlot except on a select few. Moondancer held back at praising the mare more, instead taking the mare's mane and tail, it's cerulean hue standing out brilliantly with the white highlights, and with the briefest of glances her eyes traveled over the mare's cutie mark a shooting star, obviously a sign of how fast the mare how traveled to save her from the fall. "It was nothing, really I just got lucky I was on cloud patrol that's all." Her eyes looked past the mare calming down, trying to place where she had dropped the poor unicorn at. "Hmm, It looks like we landed near Fluttershy's, and she's not really in any position to help you or anypony; So I'll take you back to ponyville to meet up with that carriage, then I can get back to work." Moondancer paused for a moment a saccharine like smile formed on her lips, as things started to look up for the mare. "You said Fluttershy right, as in the one in charge of the music for the princess' arrival correct?" Her tone rising, thoughts of meeting the musician and hearing what the town's best could perform brought the smallest twitch to her hooves. "....Because if you did say Fluttershy, I'd really appreciate it if you took me too her, and if you can't then do that then point me in her direction." Her mouth upturned, keeping the best smile the mare could make, the situation that happened just moments ago long gone in her mind. "Yeah Fluttershy, but you can't really see her right now, or really anypony at the moment." Cloudchaser's eyes averting, feeling uneasy as the stranger's lips twitched keeping the smile, while the pegasus delivered the bad news. "It won't take but a moment and if you just tell me where she is, you can pretend like I never went there," Her eyes looked away hoping to see Fluttershy's house in the distance, and discreetly leaving her savior for a far more important task. "I can't because, I'm sure you'd just come to ponyville after you find Fluttershy causing another problem all together, stranger." Her wings stretched out, stealing back the unicorn's attention from searching for the mare in questions home. "First of all my name, its Moondancer, and second, visiting one mare isn't going to cause any problems, and finally I'm on business for Princess Cadenza, herself so thanks for saving me; but I need to see a mare about the music for today's celebration." Her hooves slowly moving backwards, gaining distance from the flighty mare as irritation started to grow on the mare's face. "The name is Cloudchaser, and that explains the golden carriage you fell from, but princess Cadenza's orders or not, you can't go and see Fluttershy right now, maybe in a week or so but definitely not right now." "Why not?" "Because Fluttershy got the feather flu from a friend and the two of them are not in the best shape to be seen by anypony or go out in public in general." Cloudchaser's wings snapped shut at the brief mention of the feather flu, repressed memories of forced molting coming to mind and the teasing that came with it, oh she'd never forget the teasing. "Feather flu or not, I still need a capable musician to play for the princess' and the celebration today, and Fluttershy is the only one, I can think of." Moondancer's hoof tapped against the ground in protest, her tone shifting from one of praise to one of bitterness and spite. She wasn't necessarily angry with Cloudchaser, she was just upset in general. "I understand, and I love to help, but Fluttershy is sick and I'm musically challenged." Her eyes brightening slightly as the unicorn's glare softened a little. "So, you should go to ponyville and look around, I'm sure there's tons of ponies that could help you out." Moondancer stared on as Cloudchaser's wings unfurled, her hoof pointing towards what she believed was ponyville. The pegasus making no notion to help the unicorn or send her towards Fluttershy's direction. "Can't you just help me out, I'm just here for today, and I can make it worth your while too." Her periwinkle eyes smiled at the pegasus, her gaze lingered longer than she wished, but if making Cloudchaser antsy was the best way to get to Fluttershy's then she'd make the poor mare as uncomfortable as possible. Sadly it didn't seem to have the same effect that it did in Canterlot. "How about I set you up with a pony that can help you then?" Cloudchaser's eyes shifted slightly, feeling the mare's hooves wrap around her. "Thank you, thank you, thank you, your such a life saver, you know that a real life saver." She smiled at the thought of everything that started horribly journeying towards the quaint little town, had started to turn in a more positive direction. She grabbed the manila folder with her magic, the feat much easier now that it wasn't falling. "Yeah its nothing, I mean its what friends do for each other right?" The mare didn't notice the hooves that unwrapped around her body, nor notice how swiftly the mare moved past her, the only way she realized that Moondancer wasn't there anymore was because of the fact that when she went to pat the excitable mare all she felt was air. The pegasus craned her head looking behind seeing the mare slowly trotting towards ponyville, obviously in a hurry and understandable because the sooner she met Flitter, the sooner she could get back to clearing up the sky for the big festival. Moondancer said nothing as the pegasus raced towards her, her mind was in a different place as she pondered on what her newest Acquaintance said. 'Its what friends do for each other right?' the sentence played over and over inside the unicorn's head like a bad recording. 'She thinks I'm her friend, no she's mistaken we just met, and we'll never see each other again after she introduces me to that other pony. Well, I guess we'll meet at my birthday party she did save me after all Yokel or not, this will repay my debt to her.' While the unicorn relished in the silence, Cloudchaser felt different about the quiet atmosphere, while she was a fan of the easygoing days in ponyville, she would rather have the mare accompanying her at the moment talk about something, rather than the two of them trot in tandem to ponyville. The pegasus moved her gaze towards the manila folder, hoping this was an icebreaker in conversation. "So what's with the folder?" Moondancer glanced at the folder, then back towards her companion. "Its to help find the ponies that are helping with the preparations for the coronation festival." She found that simply telling the pegasus the truth was the best course of action, hoping that she'd help in some other way, besides her determent of Fluttershy. "Ohhhhh, I see well what's all the tasks, besides music that is?" The mare stared at the folder longer hoping it would open up and spill its contents out. "Food, Decorations and weather management which I can see hasn't been entirely taken care of yet." "Yeah, sorry about that its just you know being told last minute that you've be given the task, saving a mare from certain impending doom and escorting them kind of ruined what little time I had to finish the last part of my job." Cloudchaser said a little to cheerily as she smiled at the look of surprise Moondancer was giving her, obviously not what she was expecting. "But...I was under the impression that Rainbow Dash was supposed to clear the sky?" "Yeah, the thing about that is she was the pony that kind of gave the feather flu to Fluttershy in the first place." Her rose colored eyes slowly moved downwards, finding the ground much more comfortable to look at. "I see........do you think you'll have the skies clear by tonight?" Her voice came out in a concerned tone, staring at the pegasus, her mood obviously dampened at the unlikely turn of events, but still not ready to throw in the towel just yet. The Pegasus's head raised, finding the tone odd, it was like she was pleading for her to say yes, which was her answer, but it just seemed off. "Yeah, I just need to move a few more clouds that way and then do a fly-by and presto cloud control complete." Moondancer said nothing as she continued walking, the pegasus was a lifesaver and what she believed her best hope to get the party of her dreams, and the clouds cleared in time. "Another thing, if you could not mention this to the pony I'm handing you off too, that'd be great."
A humble request"A thousand years ago, in the magical land of Equestria, there were two regal sisters who ruled together and created harmony for all the land, to do this; the eldest used her powers to raise the sun at dawn; while the younger brought out the moon to begin the night. Thus the two sisters maintained balance for their kingdom and their subjects, all different types of ponies, but as time went on, the younger sister became resentful. The ponies relished and played in the day, while her elder sister brought forth, but shunned and slept through her beautiful night. One fateful day, the younger alicorn refused to lower the moon to make way for the dawn. However, the elder sister tried to reason with her, but the bitterness in the young one's heart had transformed her into a wicked mare of darkness: Nightmare Moon. . On that faithful night where Nightmare Moon and Princess Celestia came to blows, there was another alicorn present, watching everything unfold in secret. The battle was fierce and left neither pony unscathed; between the two sisters, Luna's trickery and manipulation of magic hindered by Celesta's quick wit and power; and Celestia's power always out of reach; neither were strong enough to gain a foothold in the battle between sisters, resulting in a stalemate. The stalemate lasted longer than each sister expected or wanted it to, so they resorted to using the elements of Harmony against each other, only for it to fail against one another, and with each attempt the elements would lash out against their wielders, as the stalemate grew longer and longer the more desperate each one became; forgetting the castle around them as they blasted spell after spell, the walls shattering apart as fireballs and tendrils of Ethereal magic crashed into the concrete walls. The attempts to harness the mystical and magical energy, bore nothing as they now relied solely on the elements of harmony abandoning any notion of sisterly love or respect for one another, that brought harmony to Equestria; with that last inkling gone, the elements abandoned both finding a temporary replacement in Princess Mi Amore Cadenza. Both sisters looked at each other in silence, while they tried to rationalize what had just happened in their battle; wishing the other was nothing, but a smudge on the ground in the resulting aftermath. It was only a matter of moments before both sisters realized that neither of them was the wielder of harmony; hence the search for their former possessions, ending as swiftly as it began. The two finding Princess Cadenza hiding behind a broken pillar covered in a spectrum colored aura. She watched on as the castle she called her home for twenty years, destroyed by her loving aunts.. Both of them felt the energy emanating off of her, but the most important thing both sisters felt, was the unbridled fear and confusion that could be seen a mile away. Celestia and Luna pleaded with her to help them defeat the other, throwing callous remarks at each other and desperately trying to convince her; forced with the decision to choose between both aunts, the elements took Princess Cadenza's waning indecisiveness as a sign of what to do, sealing both sisters into their respective Celestial bodies; leaving a Princess no older than two hundred years-old to rule Equestria. The Elements of Harmony abandoned her as soon after locking both princess' away, turning into stone and perplexing the fair alicorn even more than her; obtaining the elements. Therefore, Princess Cadenza took up the crown and ruled Equestria, returning harmony to the land once more." Twilight stopped the retelling of Equestria's history, looking on to find looked on at the drooling frame of Princess Cadenza, How long had she admired her when she was taken under the princess' wing for an apprenticeship? The years strengthened her admiration for the princess, only since she took her job at Canterlot's Magical Library, did Twilight understand a little more of how much Princess Cadenza went through to run Equestria it was truly inspiring. Then looking to her left only rose her irritation as another mare stood idly next to her idol without a concern in Equestria, her name was Moondancer. Moondancer, was a mare that still held a notable standing in Canterlot's social hierarchy; despite her lack of actual occupation, her parties still attended by noble families, but the most notable feature Twilight found about her, was her foal-sitter was none other than Princess Cadenza. The only thing notable the mare could think of that would give her reason to be here was the mare's upcoming birthday or Cadenza needing her for something involving a choreographed dance, but even none of that was happening here or Twilight wasn't aware of it yet. 'So, why is she here then? No, it doesn't matter the fate of Equestria hangs in the balance, and I can't be sidetracked by some unicorn's presence.' Suddenly, Twilight's attention snapped back to the snoring frame of her former teacher. "Uh, Princess, are you okay?" "Umm, what was the question?" Cadenza's eyes opened slightly, her eyes half-open falling on her former apprentice and the book floating in mid-air in front of her. Twilight Sparkle was a very studious mare when it came to magic, and that made things even easier; as placing her as an assistant to the head of the Magical archive, and she had yet to be disappointed about that decision, yet when it came to matters that were at least three hundred years old she came to her first. Despite how knowledgeable her actual master was, apparently her ten years of tutoring had left a bigger imprint than she had originally expected, compared to her previous one; two years prior. "I was asking if you're okay, you fell asleep while I was telling you something important." Twilight's tone rose a tad, hoping to convey the urgency her newest finding she had come across. "Equestria is in danger." Her declaration clearing up any grogginess in the princess' eyes; Twilight now had her full attention.and she wasn't going to squander it. "According to Star Swirl, the Bearded's prophecy on the thousandth year that the two sister's were banished would return to finish the battle they once started and seek vengeance on the one who wrongfully punished them." Her voice croaked out, as both mares looked on in what Twilight assumed in terror. "So, Princess, I implore you to retrieve the elements of Harmony and banish Nightmare moon and Princess Celestia, back to the moon/sun." Cadenza looked towards her two subjects; panic written on her former student's face and confusion on the other. "Twilight, I assure you that I have everything under control and my Aunts will not come back, nor seek vengeance on Equestria; as long as I'm wearing this crown. Now will you, please allow Moondancer and I some time to talk?" Her hoof rose, to silence anything that was about to erupt from her former student's mouth. "So, I'd like for you to stop this silly notion of tomorrow being the end of Equestria. Star Swirl, the Bearded was a gifted unicorn even surpassing me in the field of magic and understanding it, but he also thought lemons talked to him and that Sea ponies are the key to Tartarus during the time he wrote that book. So, don't take any of his prophecies to heart. Now go back to the library and work on something else, please." Her voice held no quarter as the lavender mare retreated swiftly in fear of being reprimanded again; leaving the two alone. Cadenza gazed at her guest, a luxurious white coat treated with most likely top of the line products from another country, her mane; a splendid mulberry purple broad streak of color accentuated the scarlet red mane that wrapped around her left front shoulder, with the occasional wisp of strand stood out atop her coat; her periwinkle eyes once full of boredom, now glimmered with anxiousness, and finally a burgundy crescent moon with five burgundy colored stars surrounding the moon. She couldn't be any happier with how Moondancer lived currently in Canterlot, the once shy filly that refused to do leave the ballroom during her foal-sittings, she was once the go-to mare for anything related to dance in Canterlot, and if she made a suggestion a year back her peers and elders genuinely considered it adding anything to help with the performance. That was a year ago and now, everything Moondancer had built on her name seemed a distant relic; never telling anypony why she stopped. Cadenza honestly wished for the filly she used to foal sit to move to the rhythm of a musical beat, but this was her own problem and she wasn't going press the subject. Though, she would admit when she stared into those bright glimmering periwinkle eyes two years ago, she saw the happiness fill every crevice possible. Now, she saw cheer in them, but a lack of fulfillment and loneliness easily accompanied it. "I'm sorry Princess Cadenza but can you make this quick? I still have to plan my party for today. The sweet shop closes soon, and I still haven't picked up my order." Her tone one of a rush, her mind finalizing the last minute party plans for tonight; she still hadn't begun yet, but the preparations, would only take the smallest inkling of time to do nevertheless, the presentation was vital. Cadenza could only hold back a chuckle at the mare's hooves motioning for her to hurry, she'd only seen her this antsy when she was about to perform. "Always In a hurry, I see? Hopefully this will lessen your pace Moondancer; I need your assistance requiring tomorrow's celebration in ponyville." Princess Cadenza's left hoof rose stopping any form of coherence from her mouth. "I know your birthday party is being held today, since yours is on the day of my coronation and you'd actually want to have a celebration then be overshadowed; so, I'm willing to arrange to have your party the day after and have it at a location chosen by you. Also, to cover any finance that comes with it." She watched as Moondancer puckered her lips, no doubt measuring the pros and cons of the situation handed to her. Cadenza watched the mare's hooves begin to buckle with what she hoped to be excitement. "Anywhere I choose, right? Say, if I wanted to hold it in the ballroom here in Canterlot castle, you'd make it happen and cover the charges with no strings attached?" Her voice kept at a reasonable tone, compared to how badly she wanted a change of scenery than her current residence, which she still owed on. "If you want to have something as grand as the Gala here, by all means go ahead, but that's only if you head down to Ponyville today. Make sure that every arrangement is in order and you are in attendance during my arrival. Anything that happens after that, is entirely up to you." "Then it, would be my great honor Princess Cadenza to plan the celebration; of your coronation in Ponyville, You can count that this celebration will be something you'll never forget for the next thousand years." Moondancer hooves gave out as her declaration finished,eliciting a giggle form the two. Princess Cadenza pulled out a manila folder that was placed under her wing; curiosity slowly building in the unicorn as the princess hovered it in front of her. "Now, please listen; the pictures of the ponies inside this folder are who you have to meet and the task written under each mare's photo is what they were assigned to do. I have one last request I'd like to make before you go, Moondancer..." The alicorn's mind slowly drifted back to Twilight's vehement insistence on using the elements of harmony to stop her aunts again, if it came down to that."I would like you to make at least one friend in Ponyville during your visit." Her thoughts tossed in turmoil as the idea of having a friend from such a town would cause such a blemish on her standings in Canterlot; Window Washer was a prime example of the thin line she could tread on, he was raised in ponyville and seemed genuinely like a nice pony, but his lack of etiquette and grooming made him the butt of many jokes during social gatherings. Making a friend like Window Washer was social suicide here, and the mare knew even attempting something as making a new friend would have to be done delicately. "D-Do I have to? I mean, making a friend won't help me get the task done any faster, r-right?" Cadenza blinked in confusion at the sudden change in demeanor. 'Is it that hard getting to know someone new?' "It's not necessary, but I'm sure if you made at least one, then everything would go much smoother for you." Moondancer swallowed any bile that had risen to the back of her throat, as she mentally prepared herself to accept any blow-back she would receive from her association. "I'll do my best to make a friend Princess, but I don't promise anything." Cadenza nodded in acceptance, knowing this was the only thing she could do to help push the mare into leading a more sociable life than just the upper crust of Canterlot. "Now, to finish what I was saying, you are already aware of the folder's contents. Well, there is a Pegasus drawn carriage waiting for you outside in the garden and I assigned a friend of mine to assist you for the time being, in case you are in need of contacting me." Her voice lulled the mare's unease as she gave Cadenza one last nod before taking the manila folder in her own aquamarine aura, and galloped off towards the royal garden. Her eyes shifted around the now empty room, stopping on a particular window, still hoping that her former aunts' pet would fly in with good news from Sunset. She gazed longingly out the window beckoning for the messenger to come; only to now catch a glimpse of the sun. It was a moment of brief silence, as she stared at it; contemplating her mentor's words and students warnings. Star Swirl was adamant on both of them returning one day, she just paid it no mind instead focusing on ruling her nation while learning the ins and outs of magic. 'If they appear tomorrow, I'll be there, but if something happens; I'll be sure to protect my ponies first and foremost.' Tomorrow was going to be a long day, and waiting on an already late message wasn't doing the alicorn any favors either. Author's Note Okay so here's the first chapter of what hopefully will be a successful series involving a new universe revolving Princess Cadence or referred to here as Princess Cadenza, there will be subtler changes her and if anybody has any question please feel free to ask as I'm open to talk about this. A big shout-out to SkyeHeart here on FIM on helping me flesh out the idea of a new universe and the character concept of each one of them, and Pandemonium on Otaku Network for helping me by proofreading this story.
Gaining a sidekick?Moondancer swiftly weaved her way through the palace, to the courtyard; her gait slowing considerably as she stopped outside the door leading to the garden, her hopes rode on this task and she wasn't going to fail anypony today, her hoof slowly pressed against the door, walking through the door's opening. Her eyes instantly falling on two white Pegasus, that were standing in front of what appeared to be her ride to Ponyville. Everything about the two guards was exactly alike to the other, though Moondancer thought nothing of the guards mirrored appearance to one another; instead looking on at the radiant garden, her eyes were hypnotized by the beautiful flowers decorating it, only to snap back to her task, as the realization of the third pony that wasn't present. "There was a pony that was supposed to be with you two, right?" Both shook their heads, neither of them breaking their perpetual silence, as they motioned towards the carriage. "I guess you two have a good point, if he's not here it's not my problem; we have to get to ponyville." Her pace quickened, suddenly rounding the guards, as her hoof stopped shortly on the carriage; her breathing hitched while her eyes fell upon a small purple creature with green scales a top of its head; It was propped against the inside of the carriage, snoring. "What are you?" "I'm a dragon." Her breath hitche, as she fought the urge to scream in terror at the very sound of its voice; her hooves left the carriage, in fear of what this dragon would do to her in such a close proximity. Suddenly, a pair of pistachio colored eyes opened, accompanied by a soft yawn before declining himself to whomever the mare was, Princess Cadenza assigned him to assist; his claws flexed for a second, bones cracking in protest at the sudden movement, his spaded tail coming to life as it swished back and forth on occasion, banging against the golden carriage. His chest puffed out, as his cream colored belly breathed in and out, watching the unicorn shrink under his sleepy gaze. It only took a moment, before he sensed the unicorn's unease. "Hi, I'm Twilight Sparkle's assistant, Spike, and I guess I'll be helping you out. So, do you mind if I ask your name?" Spike hoped it would at least, soften the mare's apprehension towards him. "I-Its Moondancer." Moondancer backed away from the purple dragon, second-guessing the idea of assisting the princess, now that was a dragon was involved. 'Doesn't the princess know dragons eat ponies, even baby ones, so why does gher apprentice have one as an assistant?' Her breath hitched as the dragon smiled at her, his row of sharp teeth sending chills down her spine. "Wh-why are you here li-little guy, aren't dragons supposed to be outside of Equestria?" "I told you already, I'm here to help you out with Princess' party in ponyville, and not all dragons are like that, you know." "Like what? I don't have any idea of what you're talking about." "You know, devour every pony insight, there are gemetarian dragons, too?" "You are a what?" "A gemetarian, is a dragon who eats gem's instead of meat and well anything, it wants." Spike could tell that some of the apprehension that the unicorn disappeared with the fact that he just ate gems. "So, Moondancer, do you have any gems?" "N-no, I don't Spike." "Well it couldn't hurt to ask, I guess." His voice was a little less cheerful than before, despite staring at her with those bright green eyes "That's right. "Her breathing finally startied to settle down, as the small dragon smiled at her. If what he was saying was true then, it really wouldn't be so bad. "How did the princess choose you for this task?" Her voice returning, as she regained the composure she had lost moments ago. "Princess Cadenza;'s apprentice, Twilight Sparkle, hatched me, when she was a filly; and from there, Twilight's family raised me; until her apprenticeship was done. Now, I work at that dusty old library with Twilight, and those other geezers. So, I made a request to the princess to do something fun and well, here I am." His claws wrapped around the carts edge, each digit wrapping against the gold plating as Moondancer passed by him sticking to the other half of the cart. "That's interesting; I didn't think Twilight's family would be too keen on raising a dragon." "I'm sure it was hard for them, but the Princess donated a lot of gems, so it didn't hurt them bit wise, but everything else I don't really know what to say except, that they raised me like I was their own." His pistachio eyes gazed upwards at the floating manila folder above him; he ignored its presence at the beginning, but now, it just seemed to be teasing him, while they got accustomed to each other. "What's with the folder?" Moondancer smiled as the baby dragon reached for it, any concern over him devouring her in the short time the two would be together. "Oh, that? Its what Princess Cadenza gave me to help find the ponies in charge of the celebration." Her eyes descended on to the dragon, his eyes now full of curiosity. "Would you like to see it?" Moondancer watched as the dragon nodded his head in excitement, looking at that face full of curiosity just made the mare forget her ties to Canterlot's social life and think of better times,.spent during her childhood, only to be brought back into reality; with a thud sounding out as he tried to grab the folder. "What are you doing?" "I'm just trying to get a peek at it, and see what's inside." He jumped again, only for him to come that much closer to reaching his target. 'Just another inch and I'll get it.' His legs readied themselves for another spring towards the folder, only for it to be raised out of reach. "What was that for? I just--.never mind." The dragon shrunk under the mare's gaze, not knowing what to say or do. "You didn't ask nor did you even try to." "But you were teasing me." His voice pleaded, hoping the mare's stare would relent on the matter. "I don't care, what do you say?" Her stare increased, her hooves tapping on the floor like a scolding mother. The dragon gulped, not accustomed to being scolded by strangers. "I-I-I I'm sorry." His breath slowing down, as the anger slowly faded from her eyes. "Good. Now, try again." "Can I look at the folder, please?" He smiled brightly; Moondancer contemplated her answer briefly, a smile being drawn on her face. 'I haven't seen it yet so, I guess looking at it before we get there, won't hurt.' Her ears perked up as various photos of ponies flopped out. 'So it's four mares, one for food, music, decorations and the weather. Applejack, Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy might be a pain to work with, if the poses in their picture have anything to say about it.' Her gaze lingered on Rarity's photo, a sense of familiarity coming from the photo like she'd seen the mare or heard her name before. "The white one's pretty, do you know her, Moondancer?" Spike said as he picked up the mare's picture, his clawed digits adjusting to the photo opting not to rip it. "Her coat is a fine pearl, and no, I don't know her, but her name, it just seems familiar as if somepony said it before or something." The missing photo now put back atop the stack; the mare holding it safely in her aquamarine, magical aura. "Sorry, I just thought you'd be like old friends or something; I mean you, both look kind of similar." The dragon's voice hitched, hoping he didn't offend the mare, again. "I'm not in any sort affiliated with those yokel's, despite the refined look Rarity has, I'm sure she's still just like the rest of them." Her nose twitched at the thought of the two being similar at all. "Wait, how are we similar? You barely even know me and that's the first time you've seen this Rarity mare." "I meant, that both of you look really nice," Moondancer held the smallest of blushes the off-hand comment Spike made. "Oh...well, thanks then,...I think." Her voice still one of concern, as the dragon's chest puffed up once again; this time a belch of fire erupting forward, accompanied with a sealed scroll. Her hooves skittering backwards, as the flames barely missed the top of her mane. The mare took a few seconds to catch her breath and resist the urge to strangle her temporary companion. "Oh, it's a letter." Her periwinkle eyes doing a double-take, as Spike broke the seal; the dragon's mouth moving silently as he read it. "What does it say?" Her question put on hold, as the golden carriage lifted into the air, the startled mare scrambling to the front of the carriage, her hooves wrapped around the railing in fear of plummeting to her death. 'Couldn't they have given me a warning before they took off.' Her mind riddled with complaints, as she glared daggers at the two oblivious guards. "Oh, it's a letter telling me not to eat any ponies gems while in town, or scare anypony either." His voice boomed over the gales of wind that blew in their faces; the dragon dropping the parchment, letting it free fall and landing Cadenza knows where. His voice broke the mare out of the string of unfortunate events, Moondancer wished upon the guards after landing safely in ponyville. "I'm sorry, I didn't quite hear you?" Her voice a tad higher, hoping the sudden gust didn't muffle the sound of her voice. "It says, to be on my best behavior." His voice rang louder, getting a small wave of her hoof as confirmation that she heard him. Neither of them said anything, as the descent down Canterlot's regal mountain-side began; the two held on to the carriage as the speed increased. The carriage jostled the slightest, as they reached the halfway point of the descent, neither of the passengers noticing the angle increasing, as the two looked at each other, both saying a silent prayer to make it too the town in one piece. The carriage's pace steadily decreased, as they passed over the Everfree forest, the worst of their short journey now over; as the wild howls and such erupted from the forestry. The unicorn steeling herself as her hooves gently let go of the railing expecting the worst of her troubles to be over. She looked at her companion, his cheeks puffing up, his eyes full of concern as the dragon's mouth opened and a torrent of flames shot over her head, startling the mare and dropping the folder towards the forest. Acting on instinct alone, she jumped for the folder realizing the folly of the situation. 'Oh Cadenza, I just jumped off the carriage...'
Chasing the clouds.Moondancer couldn't hear her own screams of terror as she fell to ponyville, Any attempt made to look towards her approaching doom, only to be greeted with blinding gust of wind. 'I'm going to die,and all because I wanted to have a Gala like party.' Her screams stopped as her front hooves clamped down on the manila envelope, pulling it close to her chest. Moondancer mind raced as she strained her ears hoping to hear anything to assure she wasn't going to die, the silence spoke volumes as three second passed, her mind now riddled with thought of her life, what she had yet to achieve, her accomplishments and finally her regrets. Cloudchaser watched on top of a grey cloud, as an idiotic mare fell to her death from the golden carriage coming towards her town. It was only a matter of moments before she'd land in the center of ponyville startling everypony there, and ruining what should be the second best day of the year for the quaint town. Cloudchaser couldn't let that happen, and she definitely could not allow this mare to fall, to her death. Her wings flapped with an incredible pace, the cloud she stood on dissipating from the constant vibration as the pegasus shot off towards the fallen pony. 'Come on I can do this, only one shot to save this pony, so don't screw it up.' Her inner monologue pouring on more doubts as she had approaching the mare. Her front hooves latching on to the mare's hind hooves, the sudden weight added to the pegasus's wings only hampered the pegasus's ability to fly her to safety. 'Dear Cadenza, she weighs a ton.' The grey mare grunted as she floated the two down to the ground, personally wishing for this ordeal to be over and getting back to cleaning up Ponyville's clouds. Moondancer's mind never ran out of regrets for her past misdeeds, but it slowly shifted towards another nagging thought, why hadn't landed in ponyville yet. Her eyes cracking open noticing the gust of wind that was once impeding her vision now a gentle breeze, and more importantly the ground still approaching her, but at s much slower speed. Realization came at an instant, her head craned upwards to see her savior expecting to see the two pegasus guards, only for her eyes to fall on a pale persian blue pegasus slowly descending with her. Time passed slowly as the unicorn dangled in the air finding her self in awe of the Pegasus's strength and stamina as they were but a mere foot off the ground. Moondancer could only stare at the mysterious mare in interest, her light rose eyes twinkled with little confidence as the grip around her hind hooves tightened as her muzzle finally touched solid ground. Her front hooves slowly propped herself up, the folder on the ground, the folder now a minor distraction as she looked at her savior in a better light. "Th-Thank you, I can't believe I'm alive and its thanks to you that I am." The unicorn could barely suppress any tears that dared formed in her eyes, her composure gone, with her savior standing in front of her. The stranger's wings tucked in, likely recovering from the previous strain she once had the blue coat dripping with perspiration as her chest huffed back and forth. Her rose colored eyes filled with a welcoming warmth Moondancer had never seen in Canterlot except on a select few. Moondancer held back at praising the mare more, instead taking the mare's mane and tail, it's cerulean hue standing out brilliantly with the white highlights, and with the briefest of glances her eyes traveled over the mare's cutie mark a shooting star, obviously a sign of how fast the mare how traveled to save her from the fall. "It was nothing, really I just got lucky I was on cloud patrol that's all." Her eyes looked past the mare calming down, trying to place where she had dropped the poor unicorn at. "Hmm, It looks like we landed near Fluttershy's, and she's not really in any position to help you or anypony; So I'll take you back to ponyville to meet up with that carriage, then I can get back to work." Moondancer paused for a moment a saccharine like smile formed on her lips, as things started to look up for the mare. "You said Fluttershy right, as in the one in charge of the music for the princess' arrival correct?" Her tone rising, thoughts of meeting the musician and hearing what the town's best could perform brought the smallest twitch to her hooves. "....Because if you did say Fluttershy, I'd really appreciate it if you took me too her, and if you can't then do that then point me in her direction." Her mouth upturned, keeping the best smile the mare could make, the situation that happened just moments ago long gone in her mind. "Yeah Fluttershy, but you can't really see her right now, or really anypony at the moment." Cloudchaser's eyes averting, feeling uneasy as the stranger's lips twitched keeping the smile, while the pegasus delivered the bad news. "It won't take but a moment and if you just tell me where she is, you can pretend like I never went there," Her eyes looked away hoping to see Fluttershy's house in the distance, and discreetly leaving her savior for a far more important task. "I can't because, I'm sure you'd just come to ponyville after you find Fluttershy causing another problem all together, stranger." Her wings stretched out, stealing back the unicorn's attention from searching for the mare in questions home. "First of all my name, its Moondancer, and second, visiting one mare isn't going to cause any problems, and finally I'm on business for Princess Cadenza, herself so thanks for saving me; but I need to see a mare about the music for today's celebration." Her hooves slowly moving backwards, gaining distance from the flighty mare as irritation started to grow on the mare's face. "The name is Cloudchaser, and that explains the golden carriage you fell from, but princess Cadenza's orders or not, you can't go and see Fluttershy right now, maybe in a week or so but definitely not right now." "Why not?" "Because Fluttershy got the feather flu from a friend and the two of them are not in the best shape to be seen by anypony or go out in public in general." Cloudchaser's wings snapped shut at the brief mention of the feather flu, repressed memories of forced molting coming to mind and the teasing that came with it, oh she'd never forget the teasing. "Feather flu or not, I still need a capable musician to play for the princess' and the celebration today, and Fluttershy is the only one, I can think of." Moondancer's hoof tapped against the ground in protest, her tone shifting from one of praise to one of bitterness and spite. She wasn't necessarily angry with Cloudchaser, she was just upset in general. "I understand, and I love to help, but Fluttershy is sick and I'm musically challenged." Her eyes brightening slightly as the unicorn's glare softened a little. "So, you should go to ponyville and look around, I'm sure there's tons of ponies that could help you out." Moondancer stared on as Cloudchaser's wings unfurled, her hoof pointing towards what she believed was ponyville. The pegasus making no notion to help the unicorn or send her towards Fluttershy's direction. "Can't you just help me out, I'm just here for today, and I can make it worth your while too." Her periwinkle eyes smiled at the pegasus, her gaze lingered longer than she wished, but if making Cloudchaser antsy was the best way to get to Fluttershy's then she'd make the poor mare as uncomfortable as possible. Sadly it didn't seem to have the same effect that it did in Canterlot. "How about I set you up with a pony that can help you then?" Cloudchaser's eyes shifted slightly, feeling the mare's hooves wrap around her. "Thank you, thank you, thank you, your such a life saver, you know that a real life saver." She smiled at the thought of everything that started horribly journeying towards the quaint little town, had started to turn in a more positive direction. She grabbed the manila folder with her magic, the feat much easier now that it wasn't falling. "Yeah its nothing, I mean its what friends do for each other right?" The mare didn't notice the hooves that unwrapped around her body, nor notice how swiftly the mare moved past her, the only way she realized that Moondancer wasn't there anymore was because of the fact that when she went to pat the excitable mare all she felt was air. The pegasus craned her head looking behind seeing the mare slowly trotting towards ponyville, obviously in a hurry and understandable because the sooner she met Flitter, the sooner she could get back to clearing up the sky for the big festival. Moondancer said nothing as the pegasus raced towards her, her mind was in a different place as she pondered on what her newest Acquaintance said. 'Its what friends do for each other right?' the sentence played over and over inside the unicorn's head like a bad recording. 'She thinks I'm her friend, no she's mistaken we just met, and we'll never see each other again after she introduces me to that other pony. Well, I guess we'll meet at my birthday party she did save me after all Yokel or not, this will repay my debt to her.' While the unicorn relished in the silence, Cloudchaser felt different about the quiet atmosphere, while she was a fan of the easygoing days in ponyville, she would rather have the mare accompanying her at the moment talk about something, rather than the two of them trot in tandem to ponyville. The pegasus moved her gaze towards the manila folder, hoping this was an icebreaker in conversation. "So what's with the folder?" Moondancer glanced at the folder, then back towards her companion. "Its to help find the ponies that are helping with the preparations for the coronation festival." She found that simply telling the pegasus the truth was the best course of action, hoping that she'd help in some other way, besides her determent of Fluttershy. "Ohhhhh, I see well what's all the tasks, besides music that is?" The mare stared at the folder longer hoping it would open up and spill its contents out. "Food, Decorations and weather management which I can see hasn't been entirely taken care of yet." "Yeah, sorry about that its just you know being told last minute that you've be given the task, saving a mare from certain impending doom and escorting them kind of ruined what little time I had to finish the last part of my job." Cloudchaser said a little to cheerily as she smiled at the look of surprise Moondancer was giving her, obviously not what she was expecting. "But...I was under the impression that Rainbow Dash was supposed to clear the sky?" "Yeah, the thing about that is she was the pony that kind of gave the feather flu to Fluttershy in the first place." Her rose colored eyes slowly moved downwards, finding the ground much more comfortable to look at. "I see........do you think you'll have the skies clear by tonight?" Her voice came out in a concerned tone, staring at the pegasus, her mood obviously dampened at the unlikely turn of events, but still not ready to throw in the towel just yet. The Pegasus's head raised, finding the tone odd, it was like she was pleading for her to say yes, which was her answer, but it just seemed off. "Yeah, I just need to move a few more clouds that way and then do a fly-by and presto cloud control complete." Moondancer said nothing as she continued walking, the pegasus was a lifesaver and what she believed her best hope to get the party of her dreams, and the clouds cleared in time. "Another thing, if you could not mention this to the pony I'm handing you off too, that'd be great."
