Guiding the dreams of the realm is no easy task. Few realize, however, that Princess Luna has friends who help her do just that.
The Good Soldier
****
“We are the Vidi-Yin nuns.”
Pudding was rolling, falling. Over and over into the darkness. “Who?”
“We are the Vidi-Yin nuns. We guide our night mother to those who need her help.”
The dark green pony was still falling thou the void. A dark void of nothing. There was no up or down, just falling. “Where are you?”
“We are all around you. We are reaching out for you.”
Pudding was still falling and he seem to be falling even faster. “Show yourselves!”
“We are with you. Reaching out for you.”
Pudding could feel his heart pounding inside his chest, as he started to go even faster into the void of darkness. No light, just the feeling of falling. “What do you want?”
“We are the Vidi-Yin. We are the vanguard of the night mother. She commands an audience with you. We are coming for you.”
The stallion pony started to be panic. “Why!?”
“We are coming for you. Do not resist.”
Fear is deadly. An enemy uses fear to subdue and defeat. Fear is the best weapon an enemy has. Do not let your enemy use your own fear.
Scream. “YOU WANT ME! COME AND GET ME! I WILL SEE YOU ON SHORES OF THE RIVER STYX.”
“You are going to fast.”
Pudding was now confused. “What?”
“You are running to fast for us to reach you. Will you slow down.”
Pudding looked down at his hooves. He was running. Pudding could not recall running, he thought he was falling. He started to slow, and look around. Darkness was all around him, and no ground below his feet. “How was I running?”
“You are dreaming.” Said a winded little pink unicorn. “How does an old pony like you run so fast?”
Soon an older white unicorn came up from behind the pink unicorn. “Fresh Water! You say your are sorry right now.”
The little pink unicorn held her head down. “I sorry mister. But, all we wanted to do was tell you that Princess Luna need to see you.”
Pudding heart almost stopped. “Princess Luna? The mare of the night? What does she need to see me for.”
Just then the voice of Princess Luna come out form the darkness. “Your dreams. Your nightmares, are almost eternal. I wish only happiness for my subjects.”
The fog of darkness parted, and Princess Luna walked toward Pudding and the two unicorns. With her were four more unicorns. Each were very young, one did not even have her cutie mark.
Pudding shook his head. “Who are you ponies?”
Fresh Water answered. “I though we cover that. We are the Vidi-Yin nuns. We listen to the dreams of ponies around the world. If we find a problem, we contact Princess Luna. Then she interacts with the pony to helps stop the nightmares.”
Once more Pudding started to back away form the Vidi-Yin nuns and Princess Luna. “You mean you’re the secret police. You push your way into the minds of ponies. Controlling them?”
“No.” Pleaded Luna. “That not the way it works. If you learn how to listen, you can hear the sound of the ponies heart. When a pony is happy, the heart sings.”
Princess Luna explained some more. “But, if a pony is troubled, the heart will weep. My children of the night, the Vidi-Yin, are trained to listen for the weeping of a pony's heart. Your heart is sobbing with grate pain. With this grate sobbing and raging pain, it is my duty to enter and do what must be done. I wish only to help.”
“DON’T LEASON TO THEM!” Came a vice from the dark mist. As a monster parted the vial, showing himself to be more machine than pony. Armor and weapon strapped to almost ever part of his body. Hooves cover in the remains of bloody combat.
Princess Luna came forth and confronted the monster. “Who are you? What do you want? Why do you torment this pony?”
Form inside the armor face plating, the sound of the monster half machine pony replied in an electric hiss.
“I cloud the memories of what you made. To dispel this mist would only hurt the little pony name Pudding. You and your kind are not welcome in this dream land. For it was you that made the nightmare that he has been forced to live.”
Fresh Water once more spoke out of turn. “We are hear to help. Pudding’s heart is crying out in grate pain.”
“No.” Said Princess Luna. “It is not Pudding’s heart that is in pain. It is this pony that stands before me. For they are the same pony.”
“LIE!” The monster machine pony lower and ready his weapon. Aiming for Princess Luna. “The sisters only know lies, and half truths. What ever furthers their own goals, regardless the number of ponies they murder to achieve them.”
Fresh Water once more spoke up. “That not true. Princess Luna and Princess Celestia care about all their subjects.”
Princess Luna did not take her eyes off the monster war machine pony. “Abbess. Take the novices back to the monastery. This is my work, I do not want to see them in harms way.”
Fresh Water objected. “Luna, that thing will kill you. Let us help.”
However the white unicorn gather up all the other nuns and guided them back form the dream time, to the main throne room of Canterlot castle.
There the stetted upon the throne was Princess Luna. Her eyes open and fix. They glowed with power. Around the throne were the five novice nuns, and their abbess. Each were coming out of there own lucid dream state.
“We have to go back and help Luna!” Cried out Fresh Water.
The abbess voice was filled with anger, even shaking with rage. “Fresh Water! Your Princess Goddess, and Night Mother order you to return to the monastery. You will stay with in this room and continue you duties as a Vidi-Yin nun.”
“But, she is in danger.” wimpier Fresh Water.
The abbess re-center herself. “Child, Fresh Water. I see the love you have for Princess Luna. I also feel your passion. But, if the Princess orders you do something, you must obey. Do not the Bat Ponies guard the Princess when she walk the grounds. But, if she tell them to go away, they do as they are told. Is this not true?”
Fresh Water bow her head. “It is true.”
The abbess went on. “And is it not true, when ordered, the ‘five night mares’, who are Princess Luna’s personal hoof maddens. Do they not leave her in peace?”
One of the other nuns snickered behind the abbess’s back. She turn and asked. “What is that about?”
The little blue unicorn pony nun smile. “Sorry abbess. But, Princess Luna has been asking to be alone with that earth pony stallion a lot lately.” The other nuns also smile and snickered. Some covering there mouths with a hoof.
The abbess tipped her hoof on the floor, to bring back order to the group.
However it was the puff of black smoke that stop the snickering. As the smoke clear away stood one of the five night mares. She was an earth pony, but cover from head to tail in a black gi and mask . “Do not speak of the Princess Luna in this way. She walks in worlds, as no other.”
“We know that better they you, Missy.” Said Fresh Water with an eye roll. “You know being a Kunoichi ninja does not make you that much more stronger in magic. You are still just an earth pony.”
The abbess corrected Fresh Water. “Mistress Missy is you better. You will show her respect.”
Fresh Water let out a breath. “I am sorry Mistress Missy.”
“You are forgiven.” Said the Kunoichi ninja in a dismissive tone of voice.
More snickering could be hear, but this time form the door way. The two bat ponies guards, Star Dancer and Skin Wings, were enjoying the show.
Mistress Missy was about to slap the two bat ponies in the back of the head, just to teach them that it is not a good idle to laugh at a Kunoichi ninja. When Princess Luna came out for here trance.
Princess Luna took a few deep breaths. Then dip her head. “My little pony name Pudding is deeply troubled. Mistress Missy, I will need you to go and protect him. You will find him in Ponyville. My dear Vidi-Yin nuns I will need you to listen closely to his heart. If what I show him works out, you will hear a very strong cry of joy.”
With the orders give out, Princess Luna stood up and started walking to the door way. “I must go and lower the moon. For the night is ending, and my sister will soon awake. Come and attend me, my friends. “
With that the small group of Vidi-Yin nuns, five Kunoichi ninjas, and two bat pony royal guards walked into the hallway. Falling in behind their Princess.
However some giggling form the group could be hear as a somepony special waited for his Luna to finish her nightly work. And, Luna return the sly smile that he gave her.
Author's Note
Guiding the dreams of the realm is no easy task. Few realize, however, that Princess Luna has friends who help her do just that.
This is sort of a smaller part of a bigger story I have been dreaming about. So, I may add on to this one at some point.
P.S. If you like to help by being an editor. Contact me.
Thank you an enjoy.
Dream of the Pudding Good Soldier
“We are the Vidi-Yin nuns.”
The little pony was rolling, falling. Over and over into the darkness. “Who?”
“We are the Vidi-Yin nuns. We guide our night mother to those who need her help.”
The dark green pony was still falling thou the void. A dark void of nothing. There was no up or down, just falling. “Where are you?”
“We are all around you. We are reaching out for you.”
The little pony was still falling and he seem to be falling even faster. “Show yourselves!”
“We are with you. Reaching out for you.”
The little pony could feel his hear pounding inside his chest, as he started to go even faster into the void of darkness. No light, just the feeling of falling. “What do you want?”
“We are the Vidi-Yin. We are the vanguard of the night mother. She commands an audience with you. We are coming for you.”
The stallion pony started to be panic. “Why!?”
“We are coming for you. Do not resets.”
Fear is deadly. An enemy uses fear to subdue and defeat. Fear is the best weapon an enemy has. Do not let your enemy use your own fear.
Scream. “YOU WANT ME! COME AND GET ME! I WILL SEE YOU ON SHORES OF THE RIVER STYX.”
“You are going to fast.”
The little pony was now confused. “What?”
“You are running to fast for us to reach you. Will you slow down.”
The little pony looked down at his hooves. He was running. Pudding could not recall running, he thought he was falling. He started to slow, and look around. Darkness fog was all around him, and no ground below his feet. “How was I running?”
“You are dreaming.” Said a winded little pink unicorn. “How does an old pony like you run so fast?”
Soon an older white unicorn came up from behind the pink unicorn. “Fresh Water! You say your are sorry right now.”
The little pink unicorn held her head down. “I sorry mister. But, all we wanted to do was tell you that Princess Luna need to see you.”
Pudding heart almost stopped. “Princess Luna? The mare of the night? What does she need to see me for.”
Just then the voice of Princess Luna come out form the darkness. “Your dreams. Your nightmares, are almost eternal. I wish only happiness for my subjects.”
The fog of darkness parted, and Princess Luna walked toward Pudding and the two unicorns. With her were four more unicorns. Each were very young, one did not even have her cutie mark.
Pudding shook his head. “Who are the you ponies?”
Fresh Water answered. “I though we cover that. We are the Vidi-Yin nuns. We listen to the dreams of ponies around the world. If we find a problem, we contact Princess Luna. Then she interacts with the pony to helps stop the nightmares.”
Once more Pudding started to back away form the Vidi-Yin nuns and Princess Luna. “You mean you’re the secret police. You push your way into the minds of ponies. Controlling them?”
“No.” Pleaded Luna. “That not the way it works. If you learn how to listen, you can hear the sound of the ponies heart. When a pony is happy, the heart sings.”
Princess Luna explained some more. “But, if a pony is troubled, the heart will weep. My children of the night, the Vidi-Yin, are trained to listen for the weeping of a pony's heart. Your heart is sobbing with grate pain. With this grate sobbing and raging pain, it is my duty to enter and do what must be done to end the suffering. I wish only to help.”
“DON’T LISTEN TO THEM!” Came a vice from the dark mist. As a monster parted the vial, showing himself to be more machine than pony. Armor and weapon strapped to almost ever part of his body. Hooves cover in the remains of bloody combat.
Princess Luna came forth and confronted the monster. “Who are you? What do you want? Why do you torment this pony?”
Form inside the armor face plating, the sound of the monster half machine pony replied in an electric hiss.
“I cloud the memories of what you made. To dispel this mist would only hurt the little pony name Pudding. You and your kind are not welcome in this dream land. For it was you that made the nightmare that he has been forced to live.”
Fresh Water once more spoke out of turn. “We are hear to help. Pudding’s heart is crying out in grate pain.”
“No.” Said Princess Luna. “It is not Pudding’s heart that is in pain. It is this pony that stands before me. For they are the same pony.”
“LIE!” The monster machine pony lower and ready his weapon. Aiming for Princess Luna. “The sisters only know lies, and half truths. What ever furthers their own goals, regardless the number of ponies they murder to achieve them.”
Fresh Water once more spoke up. “That not true. Princess Luna and Princess Celestia care about all their subjects.”
Princess Luna did not take her eyes off the monster war machine pony. “Abbess. Take the novices back to the monastery. This is my work, I do not want to see them in harms way.”
Fresh Water objected. “Luna, that thing will kill you. Let us help.”
However the white unicorn gather up all the other nuns and guided them back form the dream time, to the main throne room of Canterlot castle.
Now, alone with the only the monster war machine pony and the dark green pony, Luna confronted them both. “Alright. We are now alone. Do your worse, soldier. Take your revenge out on me. Am I not that pony that caused of all your pain?”
“No, you are not all of the cause, but you will do for a starting point.” Hiss the war machine pony.
Luna head her head high. “I only request that you show me my sins. Why do you hate me, and my sister, so much?”
The war machine pony try to laugh. It was a sickening sound that came out of the face plate. “Nice try. If I part the mist to show you your sins, then Pudding will be force to relive his own pain. I will not let that happen.”
Luna’s voice soften. “You love, Pudding. Is he a good pony?”
“YES!” The voice of the war machine pony became angry once more. “He could not live with himself. Each time he kill a zebra, apart of him die also. Soon he had to create me, to protect him from your war.”
Luna turn to Pudding. “Is this true?” Asked Luna.
Pudding heal his head down. “I don’t like to think about it.” He confess. “I took the name Good Soldier. It was a way to cope with the war. It almost like a nightmare night game. You put on a mask to hind form yourself. It not you killing, it’s the soldier. The soldier that…that…take the life of another living thing.”
Princess Luna eye started to well up. “You have killed in my name?”
Pudding nodded.
The war pony, Good Soldier once more started to speak. “WE…I…have killed other soldiers, in your and your sister name. Under your orders. We…I…have murder other ponies in your name. Under your orders. We…I…Am the Good Soldier.”
Luna head her head in shame. “Then tell me no more, Good Soldier. I confess, to all my sins. Do as you will to me.”
“As you wish, your highness.” Spat the Good Soldier. “Look me in the eye and see your own death. I want to see how brave you are.”
Pudding cry out. “It is not the same Princess! This is the good Luna. You may as well execute her for being Nightmare Moon.”
“SHE IS NIGHTMARE MOON! SHE IS OUR NIGHTMARE MOON!” Shrieked the Good Soldier.
“NO! she is not.” screamed Pudding.
Good Soldier aimed his weapons at Luna’s heart. “She…She…has to pay.”
Luna looked deep into Good Soldiers eyes. There were not angry or hate filled, they were just scared and hurt. Princess Luna then said. “Well?”
“I.” Said Good Soldier.
“Pudding?” Smile Luna. “I see you.”
Good Soldier looked over to where Pudding once was, only to see he was not there. Then, slowly. Oh so very slowly, the soldier looked down at his left hoof. “no.” A panicked voice came form inside the armor. “NO!”
At once the pony started slamming his right hoof down upon his left. “OUT!” He screamed. “I WANT OUT!”
At once the vial for dark fog started to clear away. Princess Luna smiled as vial cleared. But, soon she saw that she was not ready to see what hunted Pudding memories.
Princess Luna had worked with fire ponies and other EMT teams that had ponies die on them. She had even help grieving parents who had lost their only colt. But, war, Armageddon, and the wasteland that her beloved Equestria had become was like nothing Luna had ever seen.
Death on a scale Luna could not believe. Ponies going into battle with simple spears, that turn into guns. Armor that got bigger and stronger until the pony looked more like a machine. And the blood flowed like a river. Cries of pain form ponies and zebras. Gore as both pony and zebras bodies were mangled in way to cruel to describe.
Princess Luna saw herself, giving speeches.
“When, my sister Princess Celestia ordered the army to attack the zebra. We all knew that this would be decisive battle of the great struggle. We knew the dangers and difficulties. But, we also knew that dangers and difficulties always grow over time, they never diminish. The goal of the zebra is empire. World Revolution! They want to bring chaos to Equestria and the world using the resulting hopelessness and desperation to establish their international empire!”
Even Celstia spoke.
“I have not sought war. To the contrary, I have done everything to avoid conflict. But, I would forget my duty and my conscience if I were to do nothing in spite of the realization that a conflict had become unavoidable. Because I regarded the zebra empire as the gravest danger not only for the ponies of Equestria but for all the world. I decided to give the order myself to attack a few days before the outbreak of this conflict. I can say this today: If we had not attacked a wave of more then 20,00 tanks, hundreds of divisions of zebra soldiers, tens of thousands of artillery pieces, along with more than 10,000 airplanes would have been set into motion against the ponies of Equestria, and the world would have been lost.”
A pretty little filly walk upon a stage.
“I am sorry, but I do not want to sing and dance. That is no longer my joy. I do not want to laugh and dance if others are in pain. I should like to help everyone. If possible. Zebra, pony, donkey, horse. We want to live by each others happiness. Not by each others misery.”
Luna had to close her eyes as the Royal Guard came on stage and beat the filly. Taking her away in a bloody mess.
When Luna reopen her eyes, she saw Pudding ripping parts of his own flesh off his body. The armor barding would only grow back.
“STOP! PUDDING! PUDDING GOOD SOLDIER! STOP!” Princess Luna ran up to Pudding and held his hooves in place. “I’m sorry! Oh, I am so sorry. Forgive me. I beg you to forgive me.”
The two of them looked into each others eyes and weep. Princess and soldier cry together. Each begging for forgiveness.
At last, Luna asked. “When did all this happen? I have never seen….What are all the memories.”
Panting hard, Pudding explained. “I am not sure. Time Turner, told me it that is was in a different reality. He said I could live hear where the war never happen. That I could find peace.”
Luna smile. Then she stared to laugh. She then laughed even harder. Soon Pudding Good Soldier started to laugh with her. The two of them were started to cry they were laughing so hard.
Though the fits of laughing, Luna then asked. “You know…you know, Time Turner?”
Stomping his hoof on the ground. “He save my life. I almost blow him up.”
This brought about more laughter. They fell down laughing, rolling on the ground.
Luna replied. “He ended my moon exile. And, I try to kill him.”
Even more laughter form Luna and Pudding. They laughed so hard their sides started to hurt.
Soon the two of them were breathing deeply. Coming out of there shock induced fit of laughter.
Luna, still winded. Asked. “Would you like to see your future?”
“Why not.” said Pudding, still trying to get his breath.
Pudding hear his own voice. “Fluttershy, Don’t. Don’t let me do this.”
Both Luna and Pudding looked up form there spot on the floor. They were in Fluttershy home. Over on a sofa sat both Pudding and Fluttershy.
Fluttershy was laying back on the sofa. “I want you too.”
Pudding shook his head. “I am old and use up. You should have a nice young buck.”
Fluttershy smile and coded. “They don’t make me feel special. Not like you make me feel. And, I’m sorry, but I want more, Pudding.”
At once, Princess Luna ended the vision. Puddings eyes were wide. “That was, Fluttershy!?” He said. “Is that a vision of what will be, or could be?”
Luna explained. “I can show ponies there short term future. If you stay on this path, then yes. You and Fluttershy….Oh! I think I am going to be sick.”
“Can you get sick in a dream world?” Asked Pudding. “Look, your highness. Don’t get me wrong I am thankful for the help, but the past day has been a lot of me to take in.”
Princess Luna shot a look over to Pudding. “You have only been in Equestira for one day?”
“Well, form my point of view. I have been in Equestira for over 200 years.” Said Pudding.
Luna stood up. “We are going to have to take this up at another time. Once I have a little talk with Time Turner. Farewell Pudding Good Soldier.”
With that Luna took to the sky and vanished into the moon.
Pudding just lay still for a short time. Then said to himself. “Fluttershy?”
Then Pudding repeated the name. “Fluttershy?”
“Fluttershy?”
“I am right hear.”
“Fluttershy?”
“Oh, are you waking up? I am not waking you the wrong way am I?”
Slowly, the little pony, open his eyes. There looking over he was the sweet green eyed, Fluttershy. “Oh, I know your not okay. But, are you okay? I mean, I want to help, but I don’t know how.”
Once more,the little pony, found himself in the Ponyville hospital bed, where he went to sleep the night before. “I saw, Princess Luna.” he said, in his half away, half asleep state. “I am…I am? Who am I?”
“Well.” Asked Fluttershy. “Who do you think you are? If that alright to ask.”
“I want to say. Pudding Good Soldier.” Was the little ponies reply.
