A New Ruler

Chapter 10: Moonstone Manor

“Oh, hello Luna, Winter,” I said, “Somthing tells me you two are in here for a reason.” I pointed to my head, and Winter nodded.

“Moonstone Manor,” Winter said, “I heard you may be planning to buy it.”

“I do,” I replied.

“It may not come as a shock, considering the note,” Winter said, “But Moonstone Manor was her residence here in Equestria.”

“Really,” I asked, “I should have known.”

“You do now,” Winter said, “She is the only other pony to have ever visited my kingdom. She made a record of her travels, writing a short poem. It is in a book somewhere in the Manor’s library.”

“Let me guess, keep it hidden,” I asked.

“No,” Winter said, “Everypony knows where Solstice is. I just think you should know the poem.”

“Oh, okay,” I nodded, “I’ll find it.” Winter nodded, and he and Luna faded away, letting my dreams begin.

I woke up the next morning with the meeting still in my memory. Twilight was already up, and Spike had made us breakfast.

We quickly ate and made our way to the town hall.

“I think there’s a reason you want me to buy Moonstone Manor,” I asked.

“Well, yes,” Twilight admitted, “I kinda would like access to the moonstone mine that’s rumoured to be in the basement.”

“Granted,” I said, “And if you need a room, just pick one. My mom built the place, so it’s probably huge.”

We met with Mayor Mare and did the paperwork. After I was given the deed, we made our way to the manor.

I was right, though, it was large, but easy to miss, as it was a little way into Everfree Forest, but not as far as to make it dangerous.

It was obviously made from white marble and had gold inlays, but it was all stained with time, and was more of a grey color in most places, though a few spots still gleamed and were white.

We proceeded to inside, using a key Mayor Mare had given us.

The interior was a wreck. The chandiler that once hung above the first landing was on the landing, and the one above us was barely hanging on. I decided we should explore the manor.

I lead the way, Twilight close behind as we moved through the many rooms of the house. The dinning table was broken in half, the kitchen was a mess, the living room needed reupholstering. We moved to the second floor. Same story up there. Wrecked beds, cracked baths, but the rest of the furniture was majorly intact. We then proceeded to the basement, but found the door locked.

“Look around,” I said, “The key must be around here somewhere.”

After a short while, Twilight found the key and unlocked the door.

We used our magic as torches and proceeded onward.

There were a lot of boxes, and the timbers supporting the floor above were severely rotted, splitting in places. I used my magic to reduce their age, restoring them.

Suddenly, I heard somthing fall further in.

“Did you hear that,” asked Twilight.

I nodded, “Let’s check it out.”

We cautiously navigated through the maze of boxes, looking for the source of the mysterious noise. We saw a dim light coming from around a corner on the far side of the room.

I looked at Twilight, who nodded nevously, and we slowly moved forward. We turned the corner to find a very, very old pony, an alicorn, in fact, laying on a makeshift bed. She saw us and smiled faintly, so we moved to stand beside her. She had light grey fur and a white mane, and a cutiemark identical to mine.

I realized who the pony before us was.

“Mom,” I said slowly, “Is that you?”

“Yes, Ella,” she said weakly, “I’m glad you made it here in my lifetime.”

“Wait, what do you mean,” I asked frantically.

“There was an accident,” she said, “Your father didn’t make it, and I was badly injured, so I came here, but not even my magic is enough to keep me much longer.”

“We can help,” said Twilight.

“Oh Twilight,” said Othelia, “You were such a cute little filly. I was there when you were born, you know. That’s when I knew you’d be as you are now, an alicorn.” She smiled weakly at Twilight, “If you believe you can save a poor old woman, please do try.”

We carried Othelia to the hospital in Ponyville. The doctor said she had sustained numerous fracturred ribs that had healed at odd angles, and had damage to her internal organs. The doctor said for us to wait outside while he did what he could.

“Do you think he can save my mom,” I asked Twilight with worry.

“Of course he can,” Twilight said, draping a wing over me.

The news came a few hours later, Othelia Moonstone had survived and was now recovering. I almost fainted when I heard the news as I’d feard the worst.

“When can I see her,” I asked hurriedly.

“Give her a week or two to recover a bit,” said the doctor, “She has sufffered major injuries, and it is a miracle she survived this long without proper medical aid.”

We left the hospital a short time later. I was thankful my mom would be alright, but I had to focus on other, more urgent, matters. Moonstone Manor was barely standing. My repair of the lower floor would slow the process, but if something wasn’t done soon, Moonstone Manor would collapse.

I turned to Twilight, “Do you know anypony that could help me repair Moonstone Manor,” I asked, “From what I’ve seen, It’s a miracle that it hasn’t collapsed already.”

Twilight nodded, “I know a few ponies that might be able to help.”