Through The Looking Glass
You’ve heard of Twilight Sparkle, right? Of course you have. Everypony has. But this story isn’t about her. However, it is startlingly similar to one of Twilight’s first experiences as a Princess. The night she was summoned to the Crystal Empire, and was forced to travel into an alternate world to retrieve her crown.
This tale takes place exactly 2 and a half years after, precisely 30 moons. The personal student of Princess Luna was visiting Cadence and Shining Armor. Unlike Twilight, Luna’s student neither desired nor was destined for Princess-hood. She was a pony with an extremely rare skill, a skill that only two other known ponies had ever possessed.
Dream Walking.
Before this mare had come along, everypony who knew about Dream Walking was under the impression that it had to be done using very high-level unicorn magic, or even Alicorn magic. These two other ponies were Princess Luna herself, and the late Starswirl the Bearded. Luna was training this mare to help her with her Dream Walking duties. As a result, the mare’s cutie mark was one for Dream Walking.
Luna’s student was a Pegasus mare called Dreamer Cloud. Daughter of Dusk and Angel Cloud (born Gazer), younger sister to Soarin Cloud, and cousin to Apple Melody Gazer.
And it is along with her cousin, that this tale unfolds...
On the occasion that Dreamer went to visit Princess Cadence and Shining Armor - the first time she went to the Crystal Empire - she was asked to bring along another pony as a guide, preferably a relative, for reasons she would find out later on. Her father and brother were both extremely busy, so Dreamer chose her cousin, Melody. Melody was possibly not the best pony suited in terms of protection, as she was a radio DJ, but she had a temper to reckon with and a fierce loyalty to her family. That said, Princess Luna had offered to send along a few guards too - but Cadence had refused, stating that this mission required subtlety and discretion.
Melody was, of course, ecstatic. It was not her first time in Canterlot Caste, however, as in her younger years, she had been charged with ferrying a young Dreamer here, there and everywhere in between. She was on good (albeit awed) terms with Luna - having accompanied Dreamer more than once to her lessons in recent years (often to act as a practice target). Before then, Dreamer had been taught by Celestia, but now she had a more skilled tutor. As a result of her tagging along, Melody knew a little (emphasis on little) about Dreamer Walking herself, but nothing compared to the knowledge of her little cousin.
Though despite having spent a fair amount of time in the castle, Melody had never met Princess Cadence or Shining Armor. Dreamer had, several times, and she had found them very pleasant ponies, and told her nervous cousin that the Prince and Princess of the Crystal Empire seemed two of the nicest ponies anypony could hope to meet.
Of course, since she was escorting Dreamer, Melody had to travel up to Canterlot from Ponyville first. She was very excited to be back in her home town once again, it had been too long since her last visit. She had moved to Ponyville four years ago, and since Equestria Radio had given permission for her to broadcast from the studio in her Ponyville home, she hadn’t really had much cause to go to Canterlot, so this was a doubly special occasion.
On this particular day, however, she did not have time to visit any of her old friends and colleagues, so she made her way up to Canterlot Castle for the first time in nearly four years. She had not been since the Grand Galloping Gala a few years ago, which had been unbearably boring. Dreamer's older brother, Soarin, was forced to attend each year, and she had offered to accompany them, since she had also been offered a music job. To her immense dismay, it hadn’t been a job to DJ, but a job to sit there for hours on end and play her violin. She declined politely and thus spent an incredibly dull evening talking to various poncy ponies who had also been allowed in the VIP section. One of which being the shaken, oddly cake-covered (though no less awful) Prince Blueblood. She still had no clue as to how Dreamer managed to avoid going every year.
As she trotted up the castle steps, a familiar scent filled her nose; lilac, rose, honeysuckle, all coming from the gardens not too far away. Guards uncrossed their spears as she passed, and her thoughts were interrupted by a small squeal of her name.
“Melody!” cried Dreamer, galloping down the steps and hugging her cousin, Melody hugged her back.
“Heya, Dreamer,” she said, smiling, “How’re Uncle Dusk and Soarin?” she asked. Dusk Cloud was an ex-Wonderbolt, and his wife, Angel, had been sister to Melody's father.
“They’re fine,” Dreamer replied, “Just busy.” She broke into a grin, “I’m glad though, I get to spend the week with you! Tell me about your show? Is it going well? How’re AJ, Mac and Apple Bloom?” Melody was bombarded with questions from her cousin about her home and friends. Dreamer was nine months younger than Melody, and eighteen months younger than her older brother, Soarin. But her attitude made her seem a lot younger. Melody was a bubbly, friendly mare, often smiling, but she sometimes had days when she just needed time to herself. Dreamer never had days like that, and she was always smiling. In short, she was almost like a blue, winged, Pinkie Pie. Though perhaps a little less hyper.
“I’ll tell you on the train, Dreamer,” Melody said, “Now, where’s Princess Luna? Does she know you’re ready?”
“I do.” Came a voice from behind them, Melody and Dreamer turned around, to see Luna folding her wings and landing behind them. Her sparkling mane rippled in the soft breeze, and her crown glinted regally atop her head. She smiled at the two mares. “And how many times must I tell you to simply call me Luna?” she asked Melody.
“As many times as you wish, your majesty.” Melody said, bowing low, “With all due respect, it will make no difference. I would feel rude to address you without your title.” Luna chuckled,
“Very well,” she replied, “But you need not bow constantly. You are my equal in this mission, for we are both Dreamer’s guardians. I will communicate with her in her dreams, and you will keep her safe and ensure she completes her tasks.”
Melody nodded, “Yes, Princess.” She said, “You needn’t worry, I’ll take good care of your student.”
Dreamer meanwhile, was standing between them. Luna was the same as ever, serene, with a glint of mischievousness in her eyes - a glint Dreamer loved - but Melody was standing stiff and proper, and seemed to be choosing every word carefully.
Melody didn’t care for ponies who were posh and rude simply because they were rich, but anypony who earned Melody’s respect, got it and knew about it. There were no other ponies more deserving of this respect than the four Princesses and Prince Shining Armor. But even so, Dreamer preferred Melody when she was joking around, laughing, singing, etc. Anything but this, standing perfectly still, face blank, putting all her concentration into the words being said to her and the replies she gave. It reminded the Pegasus too much of the depression her uncle (Melody's father) had fallen into, shortly before his death five years ago. Dreamer shook her head violently to chase away the unhappy thoughts, and returned her concentration to Luna and Melody's conversation (if you could even call it that).
Luna seemed to notice this also, and flashed Dreamer a wink. Dreamer grinned as Luna smiled in a motherly fashion, and addressed the green Unicorn, “Miss Melody,” she said, “I understand that you have a radio show?”
Melody was visibly surprised at this question, but replied, “I do, your majesty. But I will be missing a few broadcasts during my visit to the Empire.”
Luna thought about this, “That is a shame.” She said, “I’m rather a fan.”
Dreamer wished for a camera more than anything at that moment, seeing Melody’s jaw drop, and her stiff-and-proper-ness disappear was one of the funniest things she had ever seen. But however disappointed she was that she didn’t have a camera, she was far happier at seeing her cousin acting more like herself after this - even if she still insisted on calling Luna ‘Princess’ and ‘your majesty’.
“I-I-I’m glad to hear that, Princess.” Melody replied, somewhat recovering from the shock, “Per-perhaps you would like to make a music request sometime?”
Luna smiled again, “I’ll keep that in mind.” She said, “However, I am afraid you cannot leave tonight. My sister and I wish to have you stay for a meal tonight, you must be tired from your long journey.”
“I’m fine, really, Princess.” Melody replied, standing to attention, “I am more than able to leave now.”
Luna chuckled, “I have no doubt that you are, but my sister wishes to speak to you. She treasures Dreamer as much as she does Twilight Sparkle, and she also would like to meet the pony whom Dreamer has chosen as her guide.” as she turned, she continued, "We have had the pleasure of meeting her father and brother, but my sister would prefer to know you from more than simply stories before she entrusts Dreamer to you."
Melody turned to Dreamer, “You...talk about...me...to-to the Princesses?!” she squeaked, shocked (and a little flattered).
Dreamer, as a pony, was kind, compassionate and (though not very witty) very clever. She was often stunning, and very adorable sometimes, with her cloud-like pale-blue mane, her big blue eyes (exactly like Melody's), ever-present smile and the delicate star-shaped birthmark under her left eye. This was one of those times. Even more so when Dreamer nodded her head animatedly and her pale blue curls bounced about her face. Dreamer grinned, Melody seemed somewhat more relaxed now, but only a little.
“L-lead the way your majesty.” Melody said, walking behind them as Dreamer bounced along chatting to Luna about her lessons, and how she was progressing. She was quite calm and serene now, less like Pinkie, more like Fluttershy, only not quite as shy. For all her fun-loving ways, Dreamer was a level-headed mare, and took her studies seriously, though not quite as seriously as Twilight. Nopony took their studies as seriously as Twilight Sparkle.
Dinner consisted of a round table in the royal dining hall. There were five ponies at the table; Celestia, Luna, Dreamer, Melody, and (to the immense dismay of the latter two) Prince Blueblood.
He was in his element when it came to poncy and posh - it was a wonder he didn’t have a magic jewelled necklace for it. He ate well, and his manners when addressing his aunts were fine, but whenever talking to somepony he considered “below his status”, he was incredibly rude, Dreamer inclusive and Dreamer especially.
He had been just as rude and disrespectful to Twilight until lately. He had reluctantly ceased his chiding recently, what with her ascension, and he had always been fairly polite to Cadence, as she was slightly older then him. But he was incredibly rude to Dreamer, and even more so to Melody. He had had a look of shock upon his face when he realised Melody, a commoner, was dining with them.
Anyway, about halfway through the dinner, Celestia and Luna excused themselves temporarily to go lower the Sun and raise the Moon, “We will be back shortly.” They said. Then they left, leaving only Blueblood and the two mares. For a while, it was tensely silent, then Blueblood spoke up.
“Pass the wine, Pegasus.” He said haughtily to Dreamer, Dreamer frowned at him,
“What’s the magic word?” she replied, not moving towards the bottle and bucket at all.
“Now.” Blueblood said, glaring at her. This was one of the many disputes the two of them had whilst Dreamer stayed in the castle. She lived there most of the time, occasionally visiting Cloudsdale to see her father and brother (who lived separately). Dreamer often had arguments with Blueblood, to which the Princesses either turned blind eyes or didn’t care. Probably because Dreamer’s no-nonsense attitude was good for the pretty-little-prince. However, whenever she seemed to take him down a peg, he bounced right back up in a matter of days. More than once, Melody had offered to dye his coat bright pink.
“The other magic word.” Dreamer said, again not moving towards the ice-bucket.
“I told you to pass it, and you will pass it.” Blueblood said crossly, “I am ordering you to.” Dreamer’s wings twitched in annoyance, but for the most part she still didn’t move. In anger, Blueblood once again ordered her to pass him the wine. When she didn’t, he swore at her.
“Hey!” Melody said sharply, glaring at Blueblood, “That’s no way to talk to her.”
“I can talk to her any way I like,” Blueblood said, “She's a commoner. Same goes for you,” he added snottily.
“I may be a commoner, but I least I have manners.” Melody retorted. Whilst Dreamer could've described as feisty, a more appropriate word for Melody might have been aggressive. Dreamer preferred settling disputes with words, Melody preferred hooves. Though this made her somepony you wouldn't want to mess with, aggression was not exactly a shining or desirable quality. More than once, she had gotten into serious trouble at school for fighting with the colts, and Blueblood was far more likely to get a black eye when talking to Melody rather than being subjected to verbal humiliation, as he would when talking to Dreamer.
“You little bitch!" he snarled, "How dare you! Need I remind you that I am royalty! You must show some respect.”
“I only show respect to those who deserve it.” Melody countered, “And you most certainly don’t. Here’s what I think of you.” And she spat at him. To his immense horror, it didn’t hit the floor, but one of his hooves. Blueblood screamed as if he were being stabbed, and picked up a napkin with his horn, rubbing frantically at the stain.
It may be worth mentioning that two guards happened to be standing just outside the doors and could hear everything that was going on. The only clue that they could actually hear, and were understanding all that occurred, were the small smiles playing about their lips as their most loathed ruler got his comeuppance via a radio DJ and a royal student. Said royal student was fighting hard not to laugh at Blueblood’s reaction to What-Melody-Though-Of-Him.
“If you can clean your little hoofsies, why don’t you use your horn to get the wine?” Melody asked dryly, “Or is all this talking making your poor wittle head hurt?” she said these last words in a mock baby voice,
“My magic and effort is too valuable to waste in such trivial things.” Blueblood said tightly. He was satisfied the “commoner-muck” had been sufficiently wiped away, and was now furious, “Passing me things when I ask you to is your job, commoner. And you would do well to learn your place, you freeloader.” he hissed.
Only he added a word between “you” and “freeloader” a very rude word. A word that he wouldn't have even dared to think in the direct presence of his aunts. Not only that, but he had called Melody a freeloader. Melody's temper, like her father's, was easily spiked, and for all her consideration around her friends, Melody had a vicious tongue and an even more vicious hoof. "Freeloader" was one of the few words that spiked her temper to extremes. Most insults were like water on a duck's back, but the implication that she was living off of her cousins' efforts, that she had no talent of her own...she couldn't stand it.
Melody looked at him, her gaze deadly, “Say that again.” She growled, “I dare you.”
Blueblood opened his mouth to say it again, but he closed it upon seeing Melody’s expression. He remembered a different night, a different Unicorn, and lots of cake. But then he remembered that there was no cake nearby.
“You would do well to learn your place, you freeloader.”” He said looking down his muzzle at her. Once again, there was a word in between “you” and “freeloader”. He had taken Melody up on her dare. He had said it again.
Then wished he hadn’t.
Melody was a musician, a DJ. She could play several instruments, and she was an expert behind a turntable. She could also use her horn, not only to manipulate objects, but to conjure sounds. Such as high pitched whines that only certain ponies could hear.
Blueblood fell right off of his seat as the whine filled his ears, and his ears only. Melody then changed it to music - loud, thumping, very un-princely music. It was deafening, bass-heavy, ideal for a club, and Blueblood one-hundred-percent hated it.
“Make it stop, make it stop, make it STOP!” he yelled rolling around as if he were in agony, Dreamer grinned at Melody. The music Blueblood could hear wasn’t that loud, Melody was always careful not to make it damaging. But Blueblood was a drama queen.
Melody looked to Dreamer, who said, “What’s the magic word?”
Blueblood scowled at Dreamer as he replied.
“Please.”
Immediately the music ceased and Melody sat down. Whilst Blueblood was rubbing his ears and pouting, Melody made a big to-do of pouring a cup of tea and sipping it delicately, a stupidly simpering expression on her face. When Celestia and Luna returned, Dreamer and her cousin were very calm and lady-like, serving no clues as to what had happened in the Sisters' absence.
“Could you pass the wine, please Dreamer?” Blueblood said meekly. He spent the rest of the night scowling at the two of them when his aunts weren't looking. The two of them made a habit of smiling brightly whenever their eyes happened to meet Blueblood's, causing his white coat to flush blotchy red in anger. Dreamer grinned at Melody around her soufflé, and the guards were in silent stitches for the rest of the evening.