Revelations BOOK 1: A Night To Remember - Pipsqueak

by VGI

Rating: teen
Tags: Pipsqueak, Slice of Life, Twilight Sparkle, Princess Luna, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Dark, Cutie Mark Crusaders, Other
Length: 20851

Pipsqueak spends time with his favorite princess in a high-society event dedicated to Equestria's gryphon friends.

Pipsqueak and his Mum attend a high-society event hosted by Equestria and dedicated to the kingdom's gryphon friends. Other pony nations, like Maretonia, are also invited.

Foreign delegates and dignitaries. Nobles and royalty. Ponies from outside the kingdom. It will definitely be a fancy event.

But Pipsqueak and his Mum are just common folk...it just so happens that Pipsqueak knows the Princess of the Night.

A special night, with his favorite princess...what could possibly go wrong?

UPDATE: (Dec.17,2014) This is my first fic. Other fics are being written. Some are actually done (BOOK 2, Lu-). But I can't publish until I learn as much as I can from this first fic. I appreciate short, sweet comments. Sometimes they are feedback enough. But, if you can, please give details about the things you liked and disliked. I've had some give such comments, and I very much appreciate them. Such comments can give me lessons and ideas that I can apply to unpublished fics and fics in progress.

Just wanting to improve, so that I could write stories you guys would enjoy.

Published 2014-10-13 04:20:09 UTC
Last updated 2014-11-01 02:33:51 UTC

Chapter 1: Pipsqueak - 5 minutes till Opening Curtain

Author's Note

All music that this fic is linked to are “approximations” of how the music would sound like if this was indeed a real photo-play. What is important is to NOT take the music literally, but to FEEL and IMAGINE what the music makes you feel and imagine when you watch and listen to it in accordance to what is written in the story.

Also, if you chose to bypass watching the music in YouTube, you will go through the story faster, but you risk not getting certain details in the story. So, bypass at your own risk.

Chapter 1: Pipsqueak - 5 minutes till Opening Curtain

BOOK 1

Revelations - Pipsqueak

A Night To Remember

by VGI

edited by Mint Vanilla

Chapter 1: Pipsqueak

5 minutes till Opening Curtain

“Ding-dong-ding! The performance is about to begin in 5 minutes. The performance is about to begin in 5 minutes. Ding-dong-ding!”

Wow, fancy announcement, with chimes!

“Come now Pip dear, we have to get to our...Pipsqueak?”

So this is Canterlot Cultural Center...Gosh! So many ponies! Rich folk, nobles all dressed up fancy talking with each other in a courtly manner, mares with glittering jewelry...And look at all these dignitaries! Have you ever seen such ponies dressed in...uh...those aren't Equestrian fashion. Definitely not like the ones Sweetie Belle's sister makes. Sweetie Belle said her sister Rarity would be here along with the rest of the Ponies of Harmony. I don't see her or them. It would be nice to see somepony from back home. All these fancy rich folk and nobles...oh I hope me and Mum look fancy enough.

Oh wow, look at that stallion's hat! So tall that one! That mare's hat looks like a giant fan! Hey, look at that mare with the big earrings! They look downright daffadown dilly, but Mum said these ponies are special to Equestria.

“Hey Mum, are these ponies from Canterlot?”

“No dear, some are not even from Equestria!”

Wow? Ponies from outside the nation? I...I didn't know that. Did you?

This place is sooo big! Fancy marble floor, so many floors up high and so many important-looking ponies even up the topmost lofts, magnificent grand winding staircases to the right of the foyer...and modern escalators on the far left side of the foyer. Indoor potted...trees?! Indoor potted flowering trees. Only these potted ones look tame and pruned. Fancy Crystal Empire Chandeliers hanging in mid-air...My word! OH WOW GRYPHONS!

“MUM MUM GRYPHONS!”

“Hush Pip! And don't point, dear!”

Oops! Oh yikes...oh eeek! A lot of ponies are now looking at me. And the gryphons too.

“Yes, they are gryphons. Delegates from the Gryphon Kingdom.”

Sorry for shouting, now please look away from me...even those up in the upper floors are looking down at me...just gotta stick close to Mum.

“Sorry Mum, for shouting.”

“Now now Pip, don't be too hard on yourself, dearie. You are still a child after all. But remember, you must be on your best behavior. Princess Luna is somewhere here don'tcha know?”

Oh, that's right, I almost forgot. Princess Luna is here! But where is she?

“Mum, where is she? Where's Princess Luna? I don't even see Princess Twilight.”

“They must be somewhere mingling among the dignitaries, darling. Come now, we must get to our seats.”

Aww shucks.

Chapter 2: Pipsqueak - PRINCESS LUNA!!!

Something has gone wrong. We don't seem to have an archived copy of that chapter.

Chapter 3: Pipsqueak - The Four Princesses

Chapter 3: Pipsqueak

The Four Princesses

Blimey! This seat is...quite big. There's really more space than one pony could need. In fact, it’s kinda like a small cushioned cubicle that a pony could either sit or lie on with cushioned armrests on both sides. It’s not like the regular seats that the other ponies have in front of us going downward to the front of the stage, or the ones in the balconies above and behind us. Those seats you can only sit on. I look at Princess Luna who gestures for me to hop in. Yes, guv'nor!

She climbs in next to me. Ho-boy! Princess Cadance is next to us to the left, while Princess Celestia is to our right, with Princess Twilight next to her. In front of and a little below us are the Ponies of Harmony.

There are Royal Guards and Crystal Guards, as well as elite Night Guards standing in the aisle at regular intervals and in the private boxes several floors above us on both sides of the auditorium. Usher-ponies are assisting the regular and noble ponies to their seats. The show is about to begin.

Oooh, the lights are dimming! Princess Luna is sitting up straight! I should sit up straight too...uh, why are all the ponies looking at us? Yeah, sit up straight, Pip! Just like how Mum and Ms. Cheerilee taught you. Everypony is looking at us...even the dignitaries...and the gryphons.

I look to the left. Princess Cadance who is also sitting up straight, is smiling at me.

“Relax, little one,” Princess Cadance tells me.

I look up to Princess Luna, wondering what that means. Princess Luna looks at me with a...lordly but playful look. Oooh, she's about to do something cool!

Just then, a voice that sounds like an announcer stallion booms gently, “Fillies and Gentlecolts, Gryphon friends, distinguished guests from near and far...Our Alicorn Princesses...Princess Celestia!”

Princess Celestia, she always seems to be the most graceful of all the princesses. She even seems to glow under the dim light, and I can clearly see her smiling. How is she doing that? She looks so white and soft and tender, like a puff of cloud, and yet any pony can know by just looking at her that she is by far the most powerful one. Really, how does she do that?

A soft spotlight gently fades in on Princess Celestia. Hooves...and claws...clop together as ponies and the guests turn to acknowledge the Princess of the Sun.

“...Princess Luna!”

My Princess. Her dark coat makes her mane and tail twinklier than the stars in the night sky. She may not glow like her older sister, but that's okay. Her glowy eyes and glowy smile make me “shiver me timbers”, like my first nightmare night with her scaring us. “Shiver me timbers?” I was dressed as a pirate back then, wasn't I? Hah! Good one!

Sitting up beside her now, I can really gaze into her glowing eyes and glowing smile. Oooh, goosey bumps!

A soft spotlight gently fades in on Princess Luna...and me since I am right there next to her. I could feel my eyes narrow. *GULP*. Ponies and gryphons are looking at us now! Normally I would be terrified of being the center of attention. But I am next to Princess Luna by her invitation. Thus I must – I must – be brave! Sit up straight Pip, like a prince! I could barely see Mum, but I can tell she looks proud of me. I put my chest out and sit even straighter.

The clopping of hooves gets louder. Princess Luna's smile turns into a lordly but soft grin.

“...Princess Cadance!”

The Crystal Princess. Correct me if I'm wrong, but her complete name is...Princess Mi Amore Cadenza. Did I get that right? The Princess of Love. Despite being the ruler of the Crystal Empire, she doesn't strike me as an Empress. Oh, look, that stallion over there, the one wearing the awesome-est Royal Guard armor. I bet that's the Prince, Shining Armor, Twilight's older brother. Boy, is he beaming at his wife. Oh! Did you see that! Princess Cadance just winked at him! Gee willikers...Hahaha! Prince Shining Armor and Princess Cadance can cast a powerful shield on their own. But together, their shield spell combined can protect an entire kingdom the size of an empire that can repel enemies from within the kingdom and toss them out of its borders! I learned that from school.

Again, a soft spotlight gently fades in on the Crystal Princess. The clopping of hooves continues.

“...and our newest, youngest ruler, Princess Twilight!”

I can't see her very well from way over here...Princess Celestia is sitting up so straight that she's in the way. Oh bother! Oh well, Princess Twilight, I get to see her almost everyday anyway. She's always in Ponyville Golden Oak Library, and I can borrow books from her or her assistants Spike or Owlowiscious. A lot of ponies here might know that Princess Twilight has a dragon assistant. But do they know that she also has an owl assistant? I do! So there!

The spotlights on the princesses fade out. It is quite dim again, except for Princess Celestia, who’s got a natural magical glow on her white coat on this occasion. The clopping of hooves, and clapping of claws, grow silent. And, as if right on cue, the horns of the Princesses start to glow. Then, a beam from their horns streak out to a single point in the middle of the domed ceiling! Golly! What is going on? I look at Princess Luna right next to me. She is focused. Her eyes are glowing. I look at Princess Cadance to my left; she too is focused, her eyes also glowing. I bet it’s the same with Princess Celestia and Twilight. I take a peek.

Yep, they are also focused, eyes glowing. I look around, and everypony seems to be holding their breaths.

Then, the ceiling opens and moonlight comes in. The Alicorn Princesses intensify their beams and the dome ceiling opens all the way, revealing in its place a dome ceiling of crystal glass.

Everypony gasps in awe, “Ooooooh! Aaaaaah!” and clop their hooves together in amazement.

What a way to start the show!

The glowing of the Princesses' eyes and horns fades away. And now there is a faint moonlight shining on everypony in the audience.

“Princess Luna?” I ask. She squints at me and looks at the Moon. She closes her eyes and when she opens them, its like light is smoking from them. So cool! Light starts to burst forth from her horn. She aims at the moon, and the light of her horn focuses into a bright white laser beam, phshooooom!!!! I bet everypony on this side of the world can see that beam of light streaking through the night sky all the way to the moon!

I can see Princess Celestia looking quite proud of her younger sister. I am too. Guys, this is my favorite Princess. Even Princess Cadance and Twilight look proud of Luna.

A few moments later, the moonlight gets brighter, lighting up the whole theater. This is something special! Like a once-in-a-lifetime thing, you know? And I get to experience it...

...Hmmm, I can't help but think that Ms. Cheerilee might make me write an essay about tonight and read it in front of the class. Better keep this...brochure-thing – I think it’s called a program – just in case.

Speaking of Ms. Cheerilee, one of the words that she taught us was “atmosphere”, which can be synonymous to “ambiance.” What a beautiful ambiance this is, right? A show, by moonlight...beside my Princess.

Chapter 5: Pipsqueak - Intermission

Chapter 5: Pipsqueak

Intermission

Well, I must say, that was captivating. I thought that it would just be all music and stuff. But wow, I didn't expect music and acting and magical illusions! It really is a night to remember!

“Pipsqueak?”

Is somepony calling my name?

“Pip?”

*GASP!* Princess Luna! Snap out of it, Pip!

“Shall we have ourselves a bit of refreshments out in the foyer?”

I look around, and ponies are leaving for the foyer. Looking at this program, it says... “...Intermission.”
Right. But I must answer gallantly.

“Yes, Your Highness,” I say, bowing slightly.

“Oh Pip, you know I don't want formalities between us,” the Princess says as she laid a kiss on my forehead.

I walk beside my Princess towards the foyer. Some ponies seem to be staying put in the aisle and by their seats. Apparently they are having fellowship right there in the auditorium. Princess Celestia and Twilight are chatting with a gryphon delegate in the aisle, and there goes Princess Cadance escorted by her hubby Prince Shining Armor.

Standing just outside the theater doors, the foyer is before us. Smartly-dressed professional photographers are roaming among the guests in the foyer, taking pictures of those who want their pictures taken. Ponies and gryphons are posing and fixing their clothes and mane, then the photographers count and say, “Cheese!”

“Princess Luna?” Luna and I turn and see a photographer behind us. “Would you like a picture with your gentlecolt escort?”

Gentlecolt escort? M..me?…*blush*
I’m Princess Luna’s gentlecolt escort?

We stand in front of the photographer. I can’t help but smile.

“Smile!” he says.

Out here in the foyer again, it feels like the way it was when my Mum and I came in—full of fancy ponies and gryphons. Speaking of which, here comes my Mum now, bowing low to Princess Luna.

“Your Highness, I hope my son was good company.”

“Ah! Indeed he was, madam,” answers Princess Luna. She looks at me and nod once. “Your son is a fine gentlecolt.”

“I'm glad. Well then, I shall take my leave. Pip, take care of our Princess.”

I nod normally this time, not like some too-excited foal like I was before the show started.

This brochure thing—er, I mean program—says that there will be some performances during the intermission. Well, where is it? Oh well.

“Pip?”

I look up at Princess Luna; there is a unicorn waiter in front of us serving tiny “finger” food. What a funny name for a food. Is it made of fingers?

“What would you like to have, Pip?”

“I would...” play it smooth, Pip, “...I'll have whatever you're having, Princess.”

The waiter stallion smiles at me. “Excellent choice, sir.”

“Uh, Princess Luna...what's the point of eating such small bits of food and drinking drinks in such small glasses? No pony will ever be full with these.”

“Oh dear Pip, it’s not about getting full. It’s about taking in just enough so that you won't go hungry or thirsty throughout the show. You would not have to go to the bathroom during the show either because you didn't eat or drink that much.”

“Oh.” I look around. The Princess is right. Nopony is eating or drinking a lot. In fact, most are just talking and having fellowship. Maybe I shouldn't have too much juice and popcorn during movies. I just hate trying to hold it in till the end.

Suddenly, a growing silence.

Everypony notices the unicorn violinist and the harpist going to the center of the grand foyer. Is this the show for the intermission, then? Everypony is giving them room. For a moment, there is silence as everypony, and gryphon, listens to the harp being played by Lyra, who by the way is also from Ponyville. Her harp glows and its strings are plucked as she plays it with her magic.

Intermission:

Lover's Cave

Once there was a Unicorn Stallion who fell in love with an Earth Mare. In between their villages was a calm and peaceful forest. According to legend, they existed before the rule of the Two Sisters. However, their villages did not have animosity between them. And hence their love was free to grow, and they met regularly in the forest.

It started to rain. Nearby was a cave. They took refuge in it. When they woke up, the rain had stopped. As they stepped out, there was an earthquake. Boulders were quickly falling over the mouth of the cave. The Earth Mare, with all her earthly might, shoved her Unicorn Stallion out of the cave as the boulders came crashing down around her.

Through a gap between boulders, the Unicorn Stallion reached out for his beloved. She was still alive underneath rock and stone. She reached out and touched his hoof with hers.

He shot a flare high into the sky with his magic in an attempt to get help. Then he tried his magic to lift the boulders. But they were too heavy to levitate. He tried casting fireballs at the rocks, but it did nothing. Finally, in his anger he shot lighting at them, but it only scorched the unmoving rocks. As his anger turned into desperation, he reached out once more for his beloved through the gap in the cave. They touched hooves.

“You have to go on without me, my love,” his Earth Mare finally told him.

Help was quick to arrive from both villages...but not quick enough.

Played by unicorns Viola Violet on the violin, and Lyra Heartstrings on the harp.

Gosh, very majestic I have to say.

The violinist who is with her...let’s see here...her name is Viola Violet according to this brochure thing...is also a unicorn, and she too plays her instrument with her magic. Her violin and bow floats just beside her head, and both of them play like they are feeling the music. A few ponies politely resume their fellowship while many just listen.

Both of their faces are full of emotion. Neither of them are using their hooves to play their instruments, which they play with their magic.

I look up at Princess Luna. This music and being beside her...feels right. Feels right.

*****

The violinist leaves. And Ms. Lyra is left in the middle of the foyer...with not a pony anywhere near her. I'd be absolutely raked with embarrassment if I ever found myself in a place like that.

Then suddenly, the tile she is standing on rises up. Almost as high as the roof of the school house back home.

I look at Princess Luna...she's talking with some ponies.

Don't tell me Lyra is going to play up there. Gosh.

For Future Kingdoms

The Alliance is ultimately for the kingdoms that our children will have.

As they grow up and take over our roles, may they ever know the magic of friendship.

A harp solo by Lyra Heartstrings.

As she does, less ponies pay attention to her and instead have fellowship with each other. Huh, I guess this is what is called “background music” meant to just play in the background as ponies converse and mingle.

Learned that from school, too.

I take a few more of these “finger food”—I wonder why it’s not called “hoof food?”—as I accompany Princess Luna, just being beside her...

...ho-hum...

Oh gosh, that plucking of the short strings of the harp is making me sleepy. It is a bit near my bedtime...I can't...mustn't...fall asleep...

*****

*YAWN!*

“Heya Pipsqueak!”

GAH! That voice...

“Pinkie?”

“Eeyup! It’s me! Getting sleepy? You know, you're one of the few foals I've seen so far. And those foals are also getting sleepy! I guess it’s because it’s nearing their bedtimes. Is it nearing your bedtime too Pip?”

I nod. “Eeyup, *yawn* I'm getting all plumb tuckered...*yawn*...knackered...”

“If you're sleepy, you should drink this! It’s a honey berry shot! It'll give you energy! Don't worry, it’s not a drink that’s for grown-up ponies only, no sireely-doody! It’s only called a shot because it’s in these iiiiitty-bitty little glasses called a shot glass!”

I nod and listen as best I can...*yawn*.

Pinkie Pie continues, “Ah yes! The shot glass! Also called a dose, a nip, schnapsglas, a peg, sfinaki, צ'ייסר, short shot, or pony shot, depending on the kingdom of origin and measurement! For example, a pony shot is 28.41 ml or exactly 1 fluid ounce!”

I look up at Pinkie...or I think I am looking at her. Are my eyes open? My mouth certainly is.

“The sleepy foals I told you about had some and they're not sleepy anymore! Nope! No sir-ee! I, like, drank 5 and now I'm all Oh Look More Finger Food!”

Pinkie shoves a tiny glass of...something...honey berry shot? Onto my hooves and I see her practically assault a waitress carrying a tray of finger food and comes back to me.

“Jou dknow, Id drink dat nowf iff I wer you.” Pinkie tells me as she chews a mouthful of finger food and swallows. “The sooner you drink it, the sooner it'll hit 'cha! I wonder what real fingers taste like?!”

“Uh, k.*yawn*” And so I did. Boy, is this drink sweet and thick....oh....mY.......GOSH!

“So, you awake yet huh huh huh?”

I nod with power coursing through my veins. Blimey! What was in that drink?

“Oh, Princess Luna!” Pinkie exclaims as she bows low.

“Thank you, Pinkie, for keeping my Pip here company. And I see you have helped him stay awake. One drink only, Pip. You don't want to bounce off the walls like Ms. Pinkamena here. As for you, Ms. Pinkie, I believe you've had enough honey berry shots. One more and you might explode.”

I am definitely awake, and I will follow Princess Luna's advice. Looking at Pinkie Pie, she's barely holding off literally bouncing. Pinkie nods at the Princess quickly.

“Oh! Another sleepy foal! She needs my help. Excuse me Princess Luna, Pip.”

She bows low fast and dashes off. I can hear her say, “Hey there little filly! Getting sleepy...?”

Oh Ms. Pinkie, always fun and daffy that one.

With me awake again, I notice that Lyra is gone, and the tile she was raised upon has gone down to the floor.

“Come, Pip,” Princess Luna tells me, “it’s time to enjoy the Prince's surprise for Cadance.”

Luna then whispers into my ear, “She doesn't know anything about it, but she's in for a dance.”

What does my Princess mean, I wonder. Dance? As in “kick and prance” kind of dance? Huh. I check this program-brochure thing. It doesn't say anything after the harp solo...but what's this cutie mark of Prince Shining Armor and Princess Cadance doing here? It doesn't have any description, just their cutie marks together and “xoxo”. Huh, wonder what “xoxo” means...

xoxo

Just then, I see Princess Celestia and Princess Twilight with Princess Cadance in between them at one end of the foyer, and...Spanish guitars are playing from somewhere? It sounds like magic because it’s coming from everywhere.

Prince Shining Armor is on the other end of the foyer, and ponies are giving him room. Everypony is watching...why is he looking at her like that? Like he's going to just gobble her up? Princess Cadance is absolutely blushing! Princess Celestia and Princess Twilight are moving away from her, leaving her there, and everypony around her is giving her room. She looks baffled and unsure. He's moving towards her...he's closing in!

This is...gosh and golly!

Aaand they dance. Not at all like kick and prance...more like gooey-mushy but with lots of turning and twirling and “Prince holding and carrying Princess” romantic dance. Spanish guitars...I look up to Princess Luna, and she is enjoying this.

My word. Prince Shining Armor's got guts of steel, I have to say. Well, Cadance is less blushing now that she's dancing and in the hooves of her hubby. Looking at them dance is nice...real nice. They look absolutely beautiful together.

There's my mom, with some of her old Trottingham friends. They're loving this.

Ponies and gryphons clop and stomp their hooves and clap their claws together and cheer when the Royal Couple finish dancing, and they finish dancing with a flourish! Prince Shining Armor and Princess Cadance are surrounded by many ponies after the dance and they talk.

“...my word, your Highnesses, what a magnificent show...” says one pony, to which Princess Cadance replies, “I'm glad everypony liked it. I, for one, was not expecting to dance tonight...” She's catching her breath from all that dancing.

...I look around, and more talking. More fellowship. Oh well, I wonder where Pinkie Pie is...what am I saying?!?! I'm here with Princess Luna! Where is she?

Looking around, oh there she is! Whew! I have to stay alert and always be by her side. I am her escort by her request, for goodness sake!

…
…
But I'm no Prince Shining Armor. I definitely don't have his guts of steel. When I'm as old as the Prince, would I have what it takes to take the Night Princess to dance in the middle of a gathering of nobles and dignitaries like he did with the Princess of Love?

I...I don't think so. I'd be red with embarrassment.

Speaking of embarrassment, I'm glad I took a swig of that honey berry shot. At least I'm not dozing off on the floor. Now that would be embarrassing. Mum might even come and have to carry me around on her back. Yikes!

A few moments pass. Princess Luna is done talking to the ponies she's been conversing with. They bow low and move on. Finally!

“My dear Pip, do you see your mother?” Princess Luna asks me.

“I, uh...” I look around. “No. Why, Princess?” Oh I hope she's not giving me back yet. She said she'd borrow me 'till the end of the show.

“I just have to meet some ponies, and I'll come back and get you after.”

“Why can’t I just go with you, Princess? Promise I'll be good.” Oh I hope she takes me wherever it is she needs to go. I'll be a good escort, like a true royal guard! Or maybe even like a night guard!

I can see her thinking about it. I look around and still can't find Mum.

“Mmm, I'm afraid not, Pip. Ah! I know, I'll leave you with my sister and Twilight.”

Aww...how disappointing. Oh well, fine.

“Now now, Pip, it’s just for a little while. I'll be back for you, I promise.”

Okay. Knowing that my favorite Princess will come back for me feels nice.

We walk over to Princess Celestia and Twilight, who of course are with a bunch of pony-nobles.

“Sister, Twilight, may I leave my gentlecolt escort with you for a few moments?”

“Ah! Dear sister! Why...yes, of course,” Princess Celestia says while looking at me. “But, whatever for?”

“I just need to meet someponies.” Luna says, to which Princess Celestia nods.

Someponies? Who?

This feels a lot like a secret, don't you think so?

“Hello, Pipsqueak!” Twilight greets me. She looks quite fancy tonight, with her royal accessories. When she's in Ponyville, she isn't at all that fancy. In fact, if not for her horn and wings, she'd be pretty normal, like the unicorn she used to be. At least even as an alicorn, she's pretty much still the same Twilight.

“Hi, Princess,” I greet her back while taking a low bow.

“Oh Pip, no need to be so formal,” Twi tells me as she turns to Luna. “Why do you need us to watch over little Pip here, Luna?” Twilight asks.

“I just need to talk to a few ponies, that's all,” Princess Luna says. Looking at Princess Celestia and Twilight, they seem to understand as she walks away.

And I look on. Princess Luna walks to the far end of the foyer and out of view as she turns a corner to a corridor.

Twilight turns to me. “Sooo, Pipsqueak! How's your night as the Night Princess's gentlecolt escort?”

“Oh Twilight! I have been having the time of my life! It’s been real fun being Princess Luna's escort, and Pinkie came by and gave me a honey berry shot, and now I'm wide awake, ready for the other half of the show.”

But looking at the corner where Princess Luna disappeared to, I feel kind of left out. Still, I'm with Twilight and the Sun Princess now. Gosh, I have lots to tell my friends back home. This is just so awesome!

“Ah, yes, Pinkie,” says Twilight smiling while shaking her head, “I hope she did not have any more honey berry shots. I did see her helping sleepy foals like you stay awake.”

I look at Princess Celestia, who of course is indisposed, preoccupied, talking to a bunch of rich-looking ponies.

I turn away for only a moment, and now even Twilight is indisposed and preoccupied with a bunch of pony-nobles. Ho-hum...I wonder....

You think I can sneak off while Princess Celestia and Princess Twilight are talking with these ponies? Oooh, if I can pull that off, I'll have more stories to tell!

Okay...just be cool Pipsqueak. Walk away normal-like...that's it...if I can reach that group of ponies having fellowship over there, I'll be home free. Then I'll see where Princess Luna went off to!

Almost there...I did it! I'm out of view of Princess Celestia and Princess Twilight! Now I can walk faster.

*****

My gosh! I can't believe it! I actually reached the corridor where Princess Luna turned to! I wonder where she is? This is a pretty long corridor, with doors and other corridors on both sides.

I...don't feel good with what I am doing right now. Like I'm breaking Luna's trust, not to mention Princess Celestia's and Princess Twilight's. Oh...should I go back? But I really want to know where Princess Luna went off to. Who does she need to talk to that she needs to leave me behind?

No, I must trust her. She entrusted me to Princess Celestia and Princess Twilight, and there I must stay! And besides, what if she comes back and I am not with them? Oh, the show might resume and I'll be trying to find my way back and I won't be there to escort Princess Luna anymore. NO! I MUST GO BACK!

And so back I go.

“There you are, Pip!” Twilight says as I come trotting back. “Did you have to go somewhere?”

“Uhm, no. B-b-But I wanted to. Princess Twilight, where did Princess Luna go?”

Twilight looks at me, and I think she knows what I tried to do.

“You went off to try and follow her, didn't you?” she asks.

I nod.

“And you decided to come back instead?”

I nod again. I'm glad Princess Celestia is still indisposed. I’d rather talk to Twilight about this.

“Oh Pip,” Twilight says with a sympathetic smile, “she'll be back.”

“But Princess, she's sooooo mysterious. And this ‘meeting a pony somewhere in the building’ is just making her more mysterious.”

“I understand, Pip. And yes, she is mysterious. Probably the most mysterious of all the Princesses,” Twilight says as she and I look toward the corner where she disappeared. “But you have to trust her, Pip. And I'm glad you decided to come back. Going to look for her would have been...naughty of you.”

“I understand,” I say, feeling kind of defeated, but good that I did the right thing.

“Naughty of Pip?”

Twilight and I almost jump out of our coats. We turn and Princess Luna is there! As in she is just there, all of a sudden! Nopony seems to notice but us.

“Gah! Luna! Don't...don't sneak up on us like that!” Twilight says.

“Oh wow! That was a good scare, Princess Luna!” I say.

“So, did Pip try to follow me?” Princess Luna asks.

And before I could say anything, Twilight says, “Yes. Yes he did.”

Oh, I hope Luna isn't cross with me.

“Dear Pipsqueak. I was only gone for a few moments. You missed me already?” Princess Luna asks me, quite teasingly.

I, uh...uh...

The sound of harps and drums dramatically echoed through the open theater doors into the foyer.

Finally, the call to go back to our seats!

SAVED BY THE BELL!

“Twilight, Tia, thank you for keeping an eye on my escort,” Princess Luna says as ponies start to go back in the auditorium. “Come, Pip, we must go back now.”

Whew!

I walk beside Princess Luna. This program says that the call back to our seats is by the Royal Canterlot Symphony and...a gryphon duet named The Harpies. Oooh. And it’s coming from the stage inside the theater, echoing through the open doors of the auditorium. How dramatic!

End of Intermission:

The Anthem – A Call to Return

As performed by the Harp Choir of the Royal Canterlot Symphony, together with the gryphon duet, the Harpies. A soft announcement of intermission's end and a call to return your seats. The performance is about to continue...

Chapter 6: Pipsqueak - Performances after the Intermission

Chapter 6: Pipsqueak

Performances after the Intermission

And here I am again, here with Princess Luna lying on our tummies in her royal seat, her wing over me.

What's the first show after the intermission? Looking at this program, the first performance is... “Discord's Defeat, Children of the Night” and “Discord's Defeat, Flight of the Orphans”...a two-in-one?

Discord's Defeat

Children of the Night

A grand performance by the Night Princess herself and Ms. Trixie Lulamoon, about a time after Discord was defeated.

A first-pony account of a time of disagreement between the two Regal Sisters involving the fate of some of the young foals of that time.

When Equestria was young, and Discord was defeated, the land was in ruins and many ponies lost much...far too much. The Princess of the Night, her heart went out to their subjects, particularly the foals who were now orphans. She wanted to make for them a special place, to give them a sense of hope, of wonderment, of entitlement, that they may feel good about what the future holds.

All she ever wanted was to get these children from the place of hopelessness that they are now in...but the Princess of the Sun, her older sister, forbade it.

The Night Princess disregarded her older sister, for her heart overpowered her. She could not abide what these children were now going through, and would go through, all their lives. And so she cast her spell and made the castle and the city fall asleep, including her sister...

Except for the orphans, whom she took to the moonlit sky, to that special place where they would hurt no more. Her love would be theirs.

She would just ask for forgiveness from her sister afterwards.

And true enough, her older sister woke up and sensed them in the night sky. In the end, the Sun Princess bade her younger sister to bring the foals back. For in her wisdom, she foresaw that they were essential to Equestria's future.

In the end, these orphans played their parts in making the nation great, each and every one of them. Regardless of how insignificant their parts were back then, it is now a matter of history how essential indeed they were...

...including The Night Princess who was always there for them, her Children of the Night.

Sung by Princess Luna, with music by the Royal Canterlot Symphony and

grand immersive magical illusions by Trixie Lulamoon.

Uh, what's going on?

“Princess Luna? Why is the spotlight on us again?”

“I'm going to sing, dear Pip.”

*GULP* She's going to sing...by my side? Talk about front row seat. Oh dear Cele...Cel...Luna, this is like a dream come true!

Oh....my.....My heart starts to race. She stands up and spreads her wings. On stage, to the right, stood Ms. Trixie. Says here that she'll be providing the magical illusion. The auditorium starts to change. It is covered in an illusion. This is some illusion; the minute details are amazing! Soon, the auditorium and the audience are hidden within the illusion. Seems like we will be watching this piece from within...like a movie, from within.

I'm now on a balcony, and I fade out along with the rest of the audience and the theater. Except for Princess Luna. She starts to sing with her eyes closed...and it is so captivating. I'm the closest pony to her, but it’s like I'm invisible, just like the rest of the audience and the theater. She opens her eyes and they are alight with bright white light. Then, she leaps off the balcony and flies off.

Mind you, I'm still on Princess Luna's chair here. So it was kind of disorienting seeing my Princess take a flying dive down that illusionary balcony right next to me.

This grand illusion is magnificent! Ms. Trixie is amazing! Just like Princess Twilight, she studied unicorn magic under Princess Celestia. She need not be arrogant, to be honest, which just serves to ruin her grandeur.

This part of the show, we only learned in school as legend. But now, I see it like real history, living history, as I sit here beside the Princess of the Night.

Afterwards, the illusion fades into colorful sparkling dust and settles beneath the crystal dome above us, and the audience and the theater are restored.

And I watch my Princess land gracefully right beside me.
What a beautiful performance.

I don't know about you, but this is something that I think I shall never ever forget, evah! My Princess of the Night can sing! And I was in her past! I saw how Equestria was like the time when Luna and Celestia defeated Discord. They were beautiful then, they're still beautiful now...

...In fact they haven't aged a day.

I guess it’s true then, what ponies say, that the Regal Sisters do not age. Wowzers. What do you think? Do you think they age?

The sparkling dust illusion fades into a moving hologram of Princess Luna and the foals flying through the night sky, over and under clouds. They seem to be heading to the moon. But, if I remember the story right...Soon after that night, Celestia ordered that they be brought back to live their lives in the young and fragile Equestria, helping to make it great.

The title is...

Discord's Defeat

Flight of the Orphans

Before their return to Equestria, by order of the Sun Princess, the foals and the Night Princess shared that first special night in the sky under the moon...

This is a piece about that special night that Luna and the foals shared together in the sky under the moon and the lives they lived, growing up, and helping to establish the kingdom.

Dedicated to the good efforts and intentions of The Night Princess when she guided a group of orphaned foals throughout their lives during the younger years of Equestria.

Performed by the Royal Canterlot Symphony and magical illusions by Trixie Lulamoon.

As the hologram played above us, we saw the foals grow. Some to be ordinary folk – bakers, farmers, garment makers, carpenters. Some to be ambassadors, soldiers, guards, town mayors. But as the hologram played on, we saw how their lives were indeed meaningful, regardless of whether they were plain ponies or ponies of great influence and authority.

Every pony and gryphon is transfixed on the moving hologram. The music is beautiful, and the illusionary hologram fades out into silence with the music.

Luna and Celestia put their horns together, and for a moment, a radiant warmth fills the theater. How touching.

Just think, foals from more than a thousand years ago. Foals, just like me, that she never saw again after being banished to the moon...

Thinking of the first time I met Princess Luna, I feel wonderful that I was able to make her feel loved and welcome. I'm probably the first foal that she met after a thousand years of exile that was glad of her.

Gosh.

And I'm still glad now, my Princess. I'm still glad now, now more than evah.

*sigh!* Well, what's the next performance? Let's see...

Chronicles of First Contact

The Tale of the Pony Bard and the Gryphon Knight

There once was a Pony Bard, who was more of a fiddler. She traveled far and wide spreading music and joy to many a village far and wide.

There once was a Gryphon Knight, the son of a Gryphon noble. He and his family protected their realm with honor and valor. One day, a report came that hard-to-detect enemies would come to their king's capital through their realm. And in patrolling his realm's borders, the Gryphon Knight came across the Pony Fiddler dancing while playing her viola.

Thinking this strange creature an enemy distraction, he faced her in battle.

She tried to explain, but fell short of convincing this strange winged creature with a bird's head, a lion's body, and eagle's claws. Her skill as a violinist was more than just musical, however. She wielded her bow like a foil, an épée, and a saber (the three swords of fencing), all at once. With such a light stick with horse hair, she bested the mighty gryphon's claws, which frustrated and irritated the Gryphon Knight. He let out a mighty lion's roar, sending the Pony Fiddler tumbling a few meters away. She struggled to get up, while he hovered over her. She looked up at him and at last the Gryphon Knight saw the Fiddler for who she really was, a strange creature who really was just a bard.

He helped her up, and in that instant, they were surrounded by the real enemies who a moment ago weren’t there. The Gryphon Knight grabbed her and took off, flying as fast and high away as possible. He thought he was gaining a good distance between them and the enemy, until something zipped and thudded into his shoulder. He squawked in pain as the Pony Bard felt a deep growling in his gut. He looked over his shoulder. It was an arrow.

Though injured and carrying the Pony Bard, he made it over the walls of their realm.

A siege is about to begin.

With Lindsey Stringli as the Dancing Fiddler, and Peter A Cappollen as the Gryphon Knight. Music by the Royal Canterlot Symphony, with vocals by gryphon choir – The Voices.

That performance had great acting, didn’t it! I like this one for its fight acting. And it was acted out by a pony playing the violin and a gryphon who also sang! That gryphon was....what’s the word....“awe-inspiring.” Great fight acting, and great costumes, too! Their weapons were claws and a violin bow.

Fight acting? I think Ms. Cheerilee said it is called ‘stage combat’.

The third performance is...“Together In Vigilance – Till the End.” Some title, huh?

Ok, it is starting in silence, with moonlight shining above us through the crystal dome above. Very dramatic. That gryphon is standing up...Hmmmm, it’s the gryphon delegate who bowed to me before the start of the show. Looking at the program here, it states that...oh, apparently he’s the Gryphon Head of Military.

*GASP!* The leader of the Gryphon Knights bowed to me?!?!

He puts on his helm, stands up from his seat, on his hind legs! Like a real human! He's wearing his claw gauntlets, and they are absolutely glimmering! Glimmering gold in the moonlight! Then he sings.

Gryphons, real songbirds, they are.

Wow! This is unexpected.

Oh gosh they are singing as one.

Who knew that the royal guards, night guards, and crystal guards, and even Prince Shining Armor, could sing?

The guards are singing, not on the stage, but as they stand there at their posts, along the aisle and inside the private boxes, among the ponies and dignitaries!

No orchestra for the music. Just the guards and the Gryphon Knight leader.

Their voices are the music!

I think it’s called “A Capulco”...or is it “A Capella”? Here, take a look at the program.

Together In Vigilance – Till the End

A song by our defenders.

They are a brotherhood that watches over us.

A faithful fellowship, committed to our protection.

Though in preserving our borders from threats from without they may come across

fire and brimstone,

they shall stay true.

Though in preserving the integrity of our kingdoms from within they may come across

dark times and dark magics,

they shall stay true.

Though they fall into hopeless situations,

they shall stay true.

Till the End.

Sung a capella by Royal Guards, Night Guards, Crystal Guards, and the Gryphon Head of Military.

Then, just as it started in silence, it ends in silence. Wwwwoooooww...

Everypony is in awe.

No clopping of hooves or clapping of claws. I can see the guards smiling sternly but brightly.

It is an awkward moment that left everypony speechless. Just how the guards like it, it seems. After a few moments of silence, they all at the same time, in perfect sync, stand again in attention. Some ponies were startled with the clanking of armor as they did. And the Gryphon Knight leader casually takes off his gauntlets, removes his helmet, and sits down again like it was nothing, like it was no big deal.

OOoooh...these guys are coooool.

I look at Princess Celestia, and she looks proud, chest out, chin up. Heh! I guess Equestria isn't just a kingdom led by pretty alicorn princesses.

Somepony starts applauding, and almost instantly, everypony is.

Wow. Wonder if I could be a royal guard? Nah, I'd want to be a night guard instead!

Chapter 7: Pipsqueak - To Wake Up in a Dream

Chapter 7: Pipsqueak

To Wake Up into a Dream

Finally, the conductor of the orchestra appears from beyond the dark part of the stage.

“Friends, the night is coming to an end...”

*Yawn* Oh, sorry, I'm afraid that honey berry shot is running low in me. The conductor says something about something...*yawn*...

Yeah, something about the night ending. *yawn*

“Hang in there, dear Pip.” Luna tells me.

I nod, “Yes, my *yawn* Princess...”

Looking at this program, I see only three more performances. The next is called “Vision of the Future.” Hmmm...

Ending Performances

Vision of the Future

A combination of electric cello and electronica, a look into what the Alliance's future may be.

As performed live by Octavia Melody with vocals by the alluring gryphon, Ethereal Whisper,

pre-mixed and recorded by DJ-PON3.

So...I guess it’s not a classical piece, then? What's “electronica”? Guess I just have to wait and see.

Ms. Melody comes on stage seemingly in a hurry. She's carrying a strange cello...looks like a skeleton of a cello...and bows to the conductor and then to us, the audience, as the conductor bows out of the stage.

The music starts and...

Oh wow! It’s got a beat! This is awesome!

Even Ms. Melody is swaying to the beat, and she's playing the cello on stage! I see everypony politely bobbing their heads to the beat and swaying in their seats.

That...woke...me...UP! Woohoo!

Nightmare's Dream

Taking a quick gander at the program here, I see that the next one is about Nightmare Night! This is also going to be awesome!

Again, the conductor comes in and announces something about something, yadayadayada...c'mon! I want to see the next performance! That last one was fun!

I guess he is talking about Nightmare Night.

Yep, Nightmare Night is coming soon, just a week and a few days away. He's saying, “...we are hoping that the gryphons would be able to join us...” Oh wow! Yeah! Gryphons on Nightmare Night? That'll be cool!

Look, Ms. Melody from Ponyville. Again? Hmmm, I guess she's the one who’s going to play this... “Nightmare's Dream”. Cool.

Wait...It says here that another pony is to play, a stallion Pegasus named Woody Luthier.

But...Ms. Octavia is playing instead of him? What happened to him? Huh...

“Nightmare's Dream.” That's an interesting title, yeah? Wonder what it’s about...

Nightmare's Dream

Nightmare Night, The Mare On The Moon. A Creature of Nightmares.

Banished to the Moon

she always stalked us

in the shadows of the night,

in the crevices of our dreams.

***

But now that our Princess of the Night has returned, we are safer.

Every night,

when we sleep,

under the Moon,

we are safer.

Princess of the Night, Guardian of our Dreams. A Being of Moonlight and Starlight.

We are safer.

A tribute to the holiday, and a homage to our long lost Night Princess, who, since her return, will celebrate the holiday with her subjects forever.

We hope our friends will be joining us in the festivities.

As performed by the pegasus cellist Woody Luthier.

This musical piece is about...Nightmare Moon and Princess Luna?

Looking up at her face, I see her eyes closed and her lips tight. Wonder what she’s thinking about. She was, after all, Nightmare Moon.

I take a deep breath and put my head on her coat.

At the first sound of the cello, I feel Princess Luna's body tighten. Talk about startling! I quickly look at Luna and her eyes are wide open, but she's...just looking at blank space.

“Princess Luna?” I ask. She doesn't say anything.

“Princess?” I nudge her. Nothing. She slowly relaxes, and her eyes look like they're getting heavy.

“Princess, don't sleep yet.”

Then she lays down her head next to me. She's...she's sleeping. Princess Luna fell asleep next to me. Ha! Guess my Princess should have taken a swig of honey berry shot herself!

Gosh. I've never been so close to Luna like this before. I can really see her face up close, her eyes, her cheeks, her mane.

Something is not right...I...I gotta tell Princess Cadance...

...I'm...getting sleepy toooooo...

…
…

Pipsqueak and Luna

Where?...where am I?

“*giggle*”

“Princess? Princess Luna?”

Looking around, I can't see much...why is it so foggy and dim in here? Like, shadowy and stuff.

“*giggle!*”

“Princess? Is that you? Please, Princess Luna, where are you?”

Wait, that can't be Luna, that sounds like a filly.

“*giggle!* Over here, Pip!”

“Huh? Over where?”

I run towards where the giggling voice is coming from, but I only manage to make this shadowy fog swirl around me.

“*giggle!*”

Whoever this filly is, she is getting on my nerves. I better turn back...

“BOO!”

“AAAA!”

“*giggle!*”

WhaaA!?? Before me is a filly, as dark as Luna, with eyes the same color as Luna's. In fact, she's got Luna's crown on her head, her twinkling horseshoes, and chestpiece...only filly-sized.

“Pri...Princess? Is that you?”

“*giggle!* Yes, Pip, it’s me. You speak as if you haven't seen me before.”

Uh...yyyeah...But not as a filly! She's totally as young as I am, around the same age as me! Blimey!

For a few moments, I am at a loss.

“Princess?” I ask.

“Yes, Pipsy?”

Pipsy? She's giving me a pet name?

“Uh, Princess, where are we? This place is dim and shadowy, but I can totally see you as if you are well lit.”

“We are in a dream, Pipsqueak,” she says with a wide grin. “We are sharing a dream.”

“We are?”

“Yes Pip, there is no one here but us.”

“Oh, I see.”

Well, as long as I am with my Princess, it’s not so scary. But it is kind of...weird. I look around some more, there really isn't anything in here. The most dreary and lonely dream I have ever had.

But...it’s a dream I am having with the Princess. That...feels nice.

“Pipsqueak?”

“Yes, Luna?”

“♪ Nightmare Night! ♪ What a fright! ♪ Give me something sweet to bite! ♪”

“...”

Chapter 9: Pipsqueak - Just a Quick Breakfast

Chapter 9: Pipsqueak

Just a Quick Breakfast

“So Mum,” I ask as I eat breakfast, “What did I miss last night? I fell asleep around the beginning of ‘Nightmare's Dream.’”

“Ah, too bad you missed it, darling. Ms. Melody turned into a werepony!”

“What!!!! I MISSED THAT?!?!” I shout out loud.

“Hush, dear, no need to shout,” Mum says.

“But...but...but...Aaaaarg!” I say, feeling quite depressed. “Well, how was it? I'm sure it was some sort of lousy special effects, like totally fake, right?”

I know that the chances of that are next to nothing cuz all throughout last night's show, there was nothing but top-notch...everything. Even the special effects. Gryphons singing like they have built-in autotuning voices, the orchestra, Master Illusionist Trixie, Princesses and Royal Guards singing...how could I have fallen asleep?!?!

“Oh no Pip. It was...how should I describe it? 'Natural'.”

“Eh? Natural?”

“Yes, like if a pony really did transform into a werepony, then that is how she would transform.”

I look at Mum as I try my best to imagine what “transforming into a werepony 'naturally'” looks like.

“Anyway dear, it wasn't just her turning into a werepony. Her acting was really convincing.”

I listen intently as I take spoonfuls of cereal.

“See, the moonlight slowly crept towards her, and she was playing her music passionately – eyes closed. The moonlight reached her hooves, then slowly crept to her arms. She opened her eyes and...”

Yes Mum, continue by all means!

“...the way she was surprised to see the moon shining on her. It finally covered her completely! And she tried to shield herself from it, dropping her cello and bow. A cello falling to the floor makes quite a grotesque sound my dear, and it was startling! But by then...”

Yes? YES?!?!

“...she was a werepony. She stood there, all tense and all, shielding her face with her front hooves, frozen with fear, like she didn't want anypony to see her, but of course everypony, and gryphon, can!”

Oh...my...

“Everypony in the audience was gripped at the sight of a realistic werepony on stage, who happened to be none other than the lead cellist herself!”

Wow.

“You could hear her crying,” Mum continues, “Shaking like a leaf, she was! She sounded miserable, pitiful. You could really feel it. And you could see her tears twinkling down as they fell onto the stage.”

I nod. By this time, I'm not eating anymore.

“Then she turned and ran stage left, behind the curtain. And as if that wasn't enough, Ms. Scratch, the DJ, went after her like she was concerned for her. 'Octavia! Tavi, wait up!' That added a touch more realism to the whole thing.”

How...could...I...have...missed this?

“And then what happened, Mum?”

“Everypony was quiet. Was it real? Or was it just a show? Then everypony cheered. What a presentation for the upcoming Nightmare Night celebration!”

“OH MUMMY HOW COULD I HAVE MISSED IT?!?! I FELL ASLEEP!?!?!”

“Now now, son, don't be too hard on yourself. Just do your best to imagine it. Besides, Ms. Trixie was there. I'm sure she can make a magical illusion presentation of it. You may still be able to see it.”

“Sure Mum. Ms. Trixie, who travels all over Equestria. Wonder when she'll come around Ponyville again, considering the two fiascoes that have happened between her and Twilight...who happens to be a Princess now.”

“Awww,” Mum says as she gives me a hug trying to comfort me. “Maybe Princess Twilight can do the illusion for you?”

“Hey...you're right Mum!”

Yes, you're absolutely right! Maybe I can have my own Twilight Time. I'll have to ask the Cutie Mark Crusaders about it.

Chapter 10: Pipsqueak - A Day with Friends

Chapter 10: Pipsqueak

A Day with Friends

After I eat breakfast and brush my teeth, I run out of the house...

“Bye Mum! See ya laters!”

I run off towards the arcade. I see my friends, fellow “blank flanks” Button Mash, Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo, and Apple Bloom.

But first, I take a quick peek at the newspaper stand to check out “you know what,” hehehe. Time to see if Mum’s “intel” about last night concerning Dai and Sil is any good. I rummage through several newspapers and they all headline last night’s event. The newspaper pony is looking at me with a “You read it, you buy it!” look on his face. I quickly grab the latest copy of the Equestria Daily and oh my gosh here it is! Just look at the snooty sisters! Or...snoozing sisters, as the case may be, hehehe.

Now that that’s done...to the arcade!

Button and Sweetie Belle head over to “Lightning Pony” and play a 2-player co-op game. Apple Bloom, Scootaloo, and I head over to the Biker MX arcade game, a three-player competitive game wherein you race against two other players. You ride a motorbike full of weird gadgets like rocket boosters, a parasail, and hover wheels (you choose a total of three gadgets at the start of the game). Scootaloo, Apple Bloom, and I try other arcade games throughout the day while Button and Sweets play that same game all day long. Talk about commitment! Well, I guess Sweetie Belle owes Button this for distracting him from his game during that last Hearts and Hooves Day, making him waste six hours just when he reached the final boss.

Arcade games all day. There goes a portion of my savings! But it’s okay. I had fun anyway. Sadly, Dinky wasn't able to join us.

Plus, I got the newspaper, and boy does it have a doozy of a bunch of pictures of last night's Canterlot event.

Button and the CMC are a little puzzled why I'd spend bits on a newspaper. Then I show them. Mum was right! There, among the pictures, is a picture of Mr. Rich, Diamond Tiara's father, carrying her and Silver Spoon! On his back!

Suffice it to say, they are snoozing without poise.

Boy, did we laugh!

At the end of the day, we go to Sugarcube Corner to have a round of shakes. A perfect end to a perfect day.

Ms. Cheerilee is there getting a loaf of royal, sun-ripened, banana bread. She tosses a few bits on the counter as Mrs. Cake places her order in a box.

“So,” Apple Bloom says, “how was the fancy-shmancy event in Canterlot last night, Pip?”

“Yeah, you haven't said a single word about it all day, buddy,” Button concurs.

They are all sipping their shakes when Ms. Cheerilee comes over to our table.

“Now now, kids, I’d like Pip to save it all for tomorrow. Do you mind saving it all for tomorrow, Pipsqueak?”

“Why, not at all, Ms. Cheerilee! I’d be happy to,” I say gladly. Frankly, I have a feeling that if I say anything about it here, something bad may happen.

The three Cutie Mark Crusaders protest. Heh, fillies. Always curious about fancy events. Then Button comments.

“Puhleeze! I bet Pip was bored to death!” Button says as he rolls his eyes.

“Oh no, Button!” I say. “In fact, it was the best night evah!”

All of them look at me.

“I...I was even Princess Luna's escort!” I say proudly, yet...there is a foreboding feeling in my chest...an uh-oh feeling.

“YOU WERE?!?!” they all say out loud. I look around, and everypony in Sugarcube Corner is looking at me.

Uh-oh…

“Eeeyup!” the familiar voice of Pinkie says, coming from inside the kitchen.

UH-OH!!!

“In fact, he was sitting with her on her special bed-chair thing that’s reserved for pony royalty and delegates only! Oh Pip, you smoooooth operator you!”

Everybody gasps. Will this be the new gossip in Ponyville?

Pinkie continues, and as she does, this feeling of alarm starts to grow in my chest. She comes out of the kitchen. “There they were,” she says as she emotes with both front hooves, looking at the ceiling with a happy expression, as if lovestruck, sighing once in a while, “...just Pipsqueak and Luna, all huddled together, watching the show together, snug as two bugs in a rug, together, with Luna’s majestic dark feathery left wing covering our dear Pipsqueak here.” She holds out both front hooves towards me and sighs with a sniffle at the end.

I...I can't move. I bet I’m practically beet-red right now. Knock it off, Pinkie Pie!

Much to my relief, Pinkie hops back into the kitchen. Whew!

“And then...” Pinkie continues in the kitchen, much to my horror, “...and then, you know what else?”

Stop stop stop stop stooop!

“Uhhh, Pinkie,” interrupts Ms. Cheerilee. Oh, thank Celestia for Ms. Cheerilee.

Pinkie sticks her head out of the kitchen door. “What?”

“If you keep it up, Pipsqueak here will have nothing to tell the class tomorrow,” Ms. Cheerilee explains as she gives me a wink and a single nod. I know what our Teacher means, she is deliberately interrupting Pinkie Pie! Oh thank you thank you thank you Teacher! Thank you!

“Awww!” protests Pinkie, “But I was just getting to the best part!”

The three Crusaders are quick to interject. “Which is?!?!?”

“And then...they...” Pinkie continues.

The three fillies' eyes grow wide as they grin with anticipation.

“...slept...”

Their eyes grow even wider.

“...together.”

Their jaws drop.

Wait, what?

A stallion who is having an order of fresh carrot juice spits the carrot juice out of his mouth in surprise.

Pinkie's face contorts as she analyzes what she just said.

Mrs. Cake is appalled, her face frozen.

Button is shocked, takes a glance at Sweetie and looks away.

Ms. Cheerilee is clearly disturbed.

Pinkie tries to clarify. “No! I mean...” She slaps her forehead, hard, right between her tightly-shut eyes. “They fell asleep together. Gah!”

“OH!” Everypony sighs collectively, especially me.

“Uh, you're right Cheerilee best leave Pipsqueak to tell the rest of the story okay back to work for me!” Pinkie says as she dashes back into the safety of the kitchen.

That...was awkward.

Chapter 11: Pipsqueak - Monday Morning

Chapter 11: Pipsqueak

Monday Morning

Yesterday was fun. Fun day with friends. The “perfect end” to yesterday turned into an “awkward end” with Pinkie saying what she tried to say with the wrong set of words.

We went our separate ways just as the sun was setting.

And now it’s Monday morning! Thank Celestia I was able to sleep well despite Pinkie's shenanigans.

*Yawn* Getting up from bed to get some breakfast...wait, I better bring the program-brochure thing...and here it is on my desk...and yesterday's newspaper as well. Hehehe! Revenge of the blank flanks.

Right. Into my saddlebag you go.

Breakfast is quick, as well as brushing my teeth and taking a bath before going to school. I did this hundreds of times, so I'm used to it.

“Mum! I'm off to school!”

“Pipsqueak! Don't forget to give me a kiss and a hug, dear!”

Oh, right. Mothers.

****

Trotting off to school, I meet Dinky on the corner of the next street.

“Hey Dinky!” I greet her.

“Hi Pip! Sorry I wasn't able to make it yesterday. I was sooo tired. Pinkie Pie made me drink a honey berry shot, and I drank two more, and it really really woke me up. But the crash that followed...woo, what a doozy!”

“Oh, that's right! You were there too! So...wait, you drank how many honey berry shots?” I ask.

“Three in total.”

“Three?” Gosh. That's a lot for a little unicorn filly to have.

“Yeah, I know,” she says while looking up to the sky as if she is recalling something that happened. “Three is a lot! How many did you have?”

“I only had one. Princess Luna said so. Plus, she told Pinkie to stop taking any more honey berry shots.”

“Why? How many did Pinkie Pie have?” Dinky asks.

“Five.”

“FIVE?!?!”

Dinky and I talk all the way to school. ^_^

****

The class seems noisier every morning nowadays. My classmates and I chat as we wait for Ms. Cheerilee.

“Okay class, settle down!” Ms. Cheerilee says. That is usually what she says first thing in the morning.

“Today, we will have those who went to the Saturday Canterlot event tell us their experiences. What was it like? How many gryphons did you see? Did you talk to any of them?”

“I did!” Dinky pipes in. We all look back at her, and she's grinning and nodding as if to say, “Yup! I did!”

Ms. Cheerilee quickly reacts. “That is interesting, Dinky!”

“Hmph!” reacts Silver Spoon with her classic Silver Spoon snootiness.

“Is there something you'd like to say, Silver Spoon?” Ms. Cheerilee asks.

Silver looks at Diamond Tiara, who says, “I'll let you have this one.”

Silver Spoon nods snootily, and then says,“Talking to a gryphon delegate is like, friendly and all...”

“Yeah, friendly,” comments Diamond Tiara in a disinterested way while looking at her polished hoof.

“...but somepony here did something more...outrageous!” Silver says with her trademark evil grin.

“Total. Scandal.” Diamond Tiara says with both eyes wide open as if surprised.

Oh gosh, here we go...

“Isn't that right, Piiipsqueeeak?” Silver says with a laughing squeal-and-grin combo.

“You mean Pipsqueak being Luna's escort?” Apple Bloom cut in quickly, ruining the whole thing for Silver Spoon and Diamond Tiara.

Nice counter-attack AB!

“*GASP!* What? How did you know? You weren't there!” Diamond Tiara says, this time with genuine surprise.

“Yeah, but our sisters and their friends were,” Sweetie Belle says with just a pinch of sarcasm.

Ms. Cheerilee cuts in, “I'm afraid you've been beaten to the punch, girls, by Pipsqueak himself and Pinkie Pie. She 'spilled the beans' yesterday at Sugarcube Corner.”

She spilled more than just beans if you ask me.

For a moment, Dai and Sil are both speechless. Their faces go from surprise to disappointment. “...Oh, fine!”

Defeated! Yes!

“Anywhoo,” Ms. Cheerilee continues, “every foal here who got to see the show in Canterlot will have a chance to tell us how it was! So all you have to do today is listen, unless of course you went to the show. Now, who will start first?” Ms. Cheerilee says enthusiastically.

Every foal who went to the show raises their hooves. “Oh oh! Me, Ms. Cheerilee! Me!” I say as I wave my hoof as high as I can.

“No, I want to be first!” says Silver Spoon.

“No, ME! Ms. Cheerilee, pick me!” says Diamond Tiara.

And it is like that for a while. Then, I bring out my secret weapons!

“Ms. Cheerilee! I have the show's...brochure...or...program (whatever this thing is called)! I also have yesterday's newspaper featuring the show!”

That gets Ms. Cheerilee's attention. “Oh, wow, Pip. You actually have…” She pauses to give my stuff from the show a closer look. “Is that the show's playbill?”

“Uhhhh...” I dunno, is it? I hold it closer Ms. Cheerilee to see.

“Why, yes, yes it is! Class! I think it's just befitting that Pipsqueak gets to go first for his trouble and insight,...” Ms. Cheerilee says, smiling at me, “...bringing in actual documents about the show! Very nice, Pip! Well done!”

A “playbill.” So that’s what it’s called.

The rest who wanted to go first groan. Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon protest.

“But Ms. Cheerilee, we brought newspapers about the show, too!”

“Well, what else?” asks Ms. Cheerilee. “Pip actually brought in...” I show it to her again, the “playbill.” It looked like a mini magazine-slash-pamphlet, actually.

“...that,” Ms. Cheerilee says.

Silver and Diamond give out a collective “Hmph!”

“That is called a playbill, class. It is also called a programme, or program,” she says as she writes on the blackboard the two similar words with different spelling. “It is a document, like a booklet, a brochure, or a printed leaflet available for patrons attending a live event such as theatre performances, fêtes, sports events, etc. It outlines the parts of the event scheduled to take place, principal performers and background information. In the case of theatrical performances, the term playbill is also used. It may be provided free of charge by the event organisers, or a charge may be levied,” Ms. Cheerilee says, in full teacher mode.

“In short, it is a document that may or may not be free, that tells the audience a lot about what they are about to watch,” Ms. Cheerilee concludes.

Yeah, you heard The Teach. So then, any more complaints? That's right! I brought stuff from the show, including the “playbill.” I have it. Do you? Or how about you? So, I get to go first. Too bad, chaps! Right, then.

“The floor is yours, Pipsqueak,” Ms. Cheerilee says as she stands aside.

I go in front of the class. “Wish you guys could all have been there! It was tiring in the end. But fun! Tiring, but fun! Just look at how tiring it was!”

I take out yesterday's Equestria Daily. It is full of photos. I point to one particular photo. “See? See?”

I show every foal and Ms. Cheerilee. “Why, that looks like Mr. Rich...and Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon are sleeping on his back!”

Classmates start to laugh. “Why, Dai, Sil, you two look like you're snoring!” says Apple Bloom.

“Loudly! Look how wide open your mouths are!” says Scootaloo. More laughter.

Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon remain still, calm, composed...unmoved. Uh-oh...

I should have known not to invoke the anger of the two “Snooty Sisters”. It was a baaad idea. They remain calm, but firm.

“Touché, Pipsqueak. Well played,” says Diamond Tiara.

“But two can play that game,” says Silver Spoon.

Together, they take out their newspapers, and point out a particular photo. Classmates gather around Dai and Sil, looking at the photo. I wonder what it is. Dai and Sil hold their newspapers high. I squint to get a closer look and see...It’s a photo showing how I was sleeping, on my Mum's back. My mouth was also wide open as I slept!

And they laaaugh! I put a hoof to my face. Classic case of backfire.

“*Sigh* Nice try, Pip, nice try,” says Button, patting my back.

“Honestly, Pipsqueak, what happened to you?” asks Silver Spoon with an over-exaggerated sense of concern.

“You used to be sooo sweet and innocent,” says Dai.

Silver Spoon continues, “Then you started hanging out with these Cutie Mark Crusaders...”

“Such bad influences!” comments Diamond Tiara.

“...and now you are out to get us? Like, that's so...mean,” says Silver Spoon, pouting in a smart-alecky way.

Arg! I must have been off my trolley! These two are veterans. What possessed me that I thought I could best them?

“Okay, class, that's enough. Pip, not very nice to try and embarrass your classmates,” Ms. Cheerilee says in a reprimanding tone.

“Yes Pip, very very not nice!” says Silver.

Ms. Cheerilee looks at Silver and Dai and says, “Like I said, it is not nice to embarrass your classmate. Am I clear?”

Though she is looking at Silver Spoon and Diamond Tiara, every foal in class knows that Ms. Cheerilee is referring to everypony. She’s got that “thing” in her voice that says so.

“Now,” Ms. Cheerilee says, looking at everypony and then at me, “I'm afraid, Pip dear, that after the stunt you tried to pull, you have lost your chance to be first.”

Ouch.

“Does that mean we get to be first, Ms. Cheerilee?” pipe in Silver and Dai excitedly.

“Ehehehe, no,” says Ms. Cheerilee, “You two did the same thing Pip did. No, I'm afraid only Dinky is qualified to be first.”

We all look back at Dinky, sitting on her chair behind her desk, smiling back at us. She practically have a halo over her head.

“Yep, she remained a good filly while the rest of you laughed at the expense of your classmates. Tsk tsk, class!” Ms. Cheerilee says.

Yes, I concur. After all that, Dinky does deserve to be first.

Chapter 12: Pipsqueak - Dinky's Account of the Show

Chapter 12: Pipsqueak

Dinky's Account Of The Show

Dinky goes to the front of the class. I go back to my seat, still feeling a bit bad for the ironic turn of events. Oh, how the tables have turned.

“Well,” Dinky starts, “there really isn't much I can say. I mean, it was good and all. Nothing that Pip, Dai, or Sil can't tell you about.”

Gee, sheepish much, Dink?

“The music was great. Gryphons sang. There was acting, illusions by Master Illusionist Trixie... Uhm...the four Alicorn Princesses were there...” Dinky is already having a bit of trouble thinking of what to share with us. I gotta help her.

“Tell them about how the show started! How the Princesses opened up the ceiling and how Princess Luna made the moon stop right on top...” I say, but I’m interrupted as Dinky gets excited about that part of the night.

“Oh! Oh! That's right! They opened up the roof with their combined magic! And the moon hovered above us and lit the whole place up! Great, huh?” Dinky says with a smile.

“Dinky,” says Diamond Tiara, “you make it sound so boring. You're going to ruin it.”

“Yeah,” Silver Spoon follows, “tell us about the gryphon you spoke to.”

The rest of the class wants to hear about that, too. “Yeah, Dinky! What's he like?”

“How did you two meet?”

“Was it a guy or a girl gryphon?”

“Was he part of the gryphon delegates?”

“Describe him...”

“...or her...”

“What did you talk about?”

Finally, Dinky gives in. “Okay okay, classmates, hold your horses! First off, it was a boy gryphon.”

“OooOooh!” comments the class. I roll my eyes. Poor Dinky. Yet another victim for the class's teasing.

“He looked like, uh...” Dinky thinks.

Silver Spoon sighs. Putting a hoof on her forehead and shaking her head, she says, “Dinky, before you describe him, what say you tell us his name first, hmm?”

“Oh, right,” Dinky says sheepishly. “His name is Kite.”

“How old is he?” Diamond Tiara asks.

“I guess he's around our age...I guess?” Dinky answers.

“Wow! A foal, like us!” Button says.

“Not a foal, ya ding dong!” says Diamond Tiara, looking back at Button.

“Diamond Tiara, language, please,” says Ms. Cheerilee, her reprimanding tone coming back.

“Oops! Sorry Teacher,” says Dai, embarrassed. “A...a chick?”

“I think gryphons as young as you would be called...” Ms. Cheerilee thinks deeply, “...a gryphlet...or is it a fledgling? They have many names, class. After all, they are creatures that are a mix of big cats and birds of prey. Now, Dinky, please continue. What did you and Kite talk about?”

“No, Ms. Cheerilee!” protests Silver Spoon. “Where did they meet first!”

“Oh, okay, yes,” Ms. Cheerilee says. “Where did you meet Kite?”

“I bumped into him before the show started. Then I bumped into him again during intermission.”

“That's a lot of bumping,” Diamond Tiara comments.

Dinky continues, “That's when we talked. He's seen unicorns before, but never talked to one, let alone a filly unicorn like me, so we talked. I told him I’ve never seen or talked to a gryphon before, especially not one as young as me.”

Silver Spoon interrupts, “Now is a good time to describe him.”

Dinky continues, “Ok, Kite looks like...well, a Kite. Like a...Mississippi Kite.”

“How do you know that he looks like a Mississippi Kite? Did you read a book or something?” Apple Bloom asks.

“Oh, he told me he was named Kite because he looked like a Mississippi Kite. Except that he's got a lion cub's body, and his claws and beak are so yellow they look like gold. Oh, and his fur is white as well as his feathers, but he's got black pointed oval outlines around his eyes, and his feathers are tipped black.”

“Wow, Dinky, you really remember him well,” says Sweetie Belle.

“Yup!” Dinky says with smiling eyes. “Oh, and also, half the time he walked on all fours, and the other half he walked on his hind legs like a human.”

The class goes “WOW!”

“So anyways, we talked about where we came from, school, friends, favorite subjects...”

This is the part where Dinky lost me. They talked about this, they talked about that. Friends, school, teacher, home, town. Chit-chat.

Chit-chat.

Yada-yada-blah blah...

Hmmm, maybe I should file my hooves? What do you think? I think my left front hoof is a bit off thanks to this chipped part. Looking out the window, I can see clouds poofing away as a streak of fading rainbow goes through them. Rainbow Dash.

“Then, during intermission, he took me up to the roof where most of the gryphons and pegasi were.”

Huh? Most of the gryphons were on the roof during the intermission? I didn't know that.

“There were tiny foods and drinks being served by pony waiters and waitresses up on the roof. Ms. Pinkie was also there, and she gave us honey berry shots.”

Up on the roof? Okay, I gotta listen to Dinky now.

“What's a honey berry shot?” Scootaloo asks.

“It’s a thick and sweet drink served in the tiniest glass you've ever seen,” Dinky says. “The honey berry shot really woke us up. Kite and I drank two more. After that, Kite was all like, 'I need to fly!' He was actually flapping his wings. I felt like running. Like I said, the honey berry shot really woke us up. So he told me to climb onto his back and hold on tight, and he leaped from the building! It felt like I was on a roller coaster! My heart just went to my tail!”

I listen intently; now it’s getting pretty exciting. Totally ace! The whole class is at the edge of their seats.

Dinky continues, “Then he spread his wings, and we went from a free fall to soaring high into the sky! Soon, the buildings were all below us! Kite leveled his flying, and we were just soaring there, gliding, up above Canterlot with all its towers just below...the moon was above, and the wind was on our faces.”

Wow! “That sounds awesome, Dinky!” I say. She’s got my full attention back.

“We were just soaring up there, above the Canterlot towers and buildings. Then Kite said, “Hold on to me tighter.” I was about to ask why when suddenly he dropped altitude! Now, we were flying just several meters from the streets. Kite turned from street corner to street corner, barely reducing speed! It was sooo thrilling. You know, for someone as young as Kite, his back feathers were really comfortable. Still, I had my hooves super tight around his neck, just above his chest. Didn’t want to choke him as we flew, right?”

The class nods in unison, too absorbed to utter a word.

“Soon, we were coming up to the castle. Kite pulled up and we gained altitude and we flew just above the castle wall. We flew over and around the castle towers, and under the castle bridges. I think we made quite the commotion among the Royal Guards. But we didn’t stay there long. Kite climbed up and we were among the clouds. Mom rarely takes me up that high. Then, he lined up with Canterlot Cultural Center, and we flew a gradual descent towards it. We landed in front of the building. It was the softest landing I’ve ever had. Ponies were looking at us as we landed. Kite and I fixed ourselves up. We were quite a mess with the wind blowing on my mane and on our clothes. We headed straight to the comfort rooms to fix ourselves up in the mirror. We came out just in time to see Prince Shining Armor dance with Princess Cadance. The end.” Dinky smiles.

The whole class complains. “Whaat? That's it? Awww.”

Then Dinky says, “But we could listen to the music later if you want! I bought the CD!”

“You did!?!” Ms. Cheerilee cries out with a smile.

“Yep! It’s a compilation of all the musical pieces that were performed during the whole event! Even the music that I missed during the intermission when Kite and I were flying above Canterlot. It’s even got the cheers of the audience!”

“*GASP!* Dinky! How could you?!” Button shouts out. “You wouldn't steal a wagon, you wouldn't steal a saddlebag, Piracy. Is. STEALING!”

Pffft, nice one, dude! Of course everypony knows that Button is just being cheeky.

“Oh shush, Button!” Dinky says. “This copy is legit! I've got the receipt and everything!”

And she holds up a piece of parchment with the Canterlot Cultural Center seal. Yep, that's a legitimate proof of purchase all right!

“Oh, wonderful!” Ms. Cheerilee says as she clops her hooves together. “Class, we get to listen to the music, all thanks to Dinky!”

Wow, Dinky got the CD. All I have is the program during the show. How come she only mentioned this now?

Apple Bloom is quick to point out, “That's funny, Dai, how come you and Silver didn't get the CD? Ran out of bits?”

Diamond Tiara blushes. “Actually...yes, yes we did.”

Silver Spoon nods and is quick to add, “We...kinda splurged on gryphon jewelry at the shops downstairs below the foyer.”

What?!? What shops?!? There were shops?!?!

“Wait just a galloping minute!” I say, loudly stomping a hoof on my desk. “There were shops?! SHOPS?!! With gryphon things for sale?!?”

“And other things, not just gryphon things.” Silver Spoon says.

“I...I didn't know.” Wow, the things I missed.

“Oh Pip, don't feel bad. That's just the price you had to pay for being with your favorite Princess,” Diamond Tiara says.

Actually, she's right. Being with Princess Luna all night long during the whole event – totally worth it.

Chapter 13: Pipsqueak - Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon's Account Of The Show

Chapter 13: Pipsqueak

Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon's Account Of The Show

Sooo, it’s Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon's turn. But first, recess. They’ll be up after recess. Diamond Tiara gives Featherweight two bits to go get their butler, Randal.

Lucky Featherweight, probably the lightest pegasus colt in the whole school—hence, probably also the fastest flyer in class. I'm not sure, actually. It’s not like we had a race or something.

Anyway, Randal comes with saddlebags full of something. Gryphon jewelry? Take a wild guess. I mean, he's got bodyguard ponies on both sides, right?

Well, my idea of bringing in stuff from the event went swimmingly. Not only am I the last to tell my story of the show (because of the stunt I tried to pull on Sil and Dai), I'm now also the one with the lousiest...what's the word?...Props?

But I still have a good story to tell – my night with Princess Luna.

Right. Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon, as expected, present their story together.

“Settle down, class! It’s our turn,” Silver Spoon says with that air of self-confidence that borders so close to vanity and pride.

“K, so we watched the show with our families from our own private box. We had a handsome crystal stallion as our guard. His name is Halcyon Lookout, and he's a private...” says Diamond Tiara.

“...Private First Class...” Silver Spoon says with emphasis. She probably thinks the words “private” and “first class” mean something fancy. Thanks to Button and his gaming ways, we know that’s the bottom rank, *snicker*.

“...under the Prince's command himself!” Diamond Tiara continues.

“So, okay, we had binoculars so that we could see the show as if we had front row seats...”

They continue on, emphasizing how our quaint little agricultural town had so many musicians performing that night. And of course there was Princess Twilight...

And yes, they showcase the jewelry they bought during the event. Shiny things for sure, but...

Boooriiiing!

They drone on about who they talked to, about the owner of a chain of fashion stores in Canterlot and how he is expanding to Manehattan and Fillydelphia and San Prance-sisco. And then there's this rich Earth pony who funded the research and development of a device that magnifies the gem-finding spell that unicorns use to find gems, so that any unicorn regardless of level can cast a gem-finding spell, and the device will magnify the spell over a 30- to 75-meter radius, thus negating the need for highly-paid, high-level unicorns. Of course, he owns the patent on the device, which will give him an edge up against his competition.

Maybe I can make a lemonade-squeezing machine so that I can make lots of lemonade in a snap? Hmmm, probably a good idea, yeah?

During the intermission, that's when Dai and Sil went down to the shops. There were shops of fashions from outside Equestria, books about art and culture, native zebra artifacts like seashell necklaces, mane-bands with fancy feathers, wall masks, carved stone paper weights, and door stops. There were also art shops that sold paintings and sculptures made of fancy stones.

Finally, Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon lay out in nice rows on Ms. Cheerilee's desk the jewelry they bought.

Aaand I'm off to Sleepy Town. Cheerio, chaps! Wake me up when it’s my turn.

****

“HEY! DON'T YOU COLTS SLEEP ON US!” Somepony’s high-pitched voice shouts in protest.

“Huh!? Wha?!” That wakes me up. Oh, it’s Diamond Tiara. Dear Celestia that filly’s squeals can wake the dead.

Oh, will ya look at that! All the fillies are in front, surrounding Ms. Cheerilee's desk. Scootaloo is also there, but barely interested. I’m sure she’s there only because her two non-tomboy friends are.

“Are you fillies drooling all over the 'gryphon crown jewels'?” I ask. I know, how cheeky of me.

Button, Featherweight, Snips and Snails, they all snicker.

“Oh, well how about I show you colts these babies?” says Diamond Tiara with a smirk as she reveals an awesome sight.

“GRYPHON CLAW GAUNTLETS!” shouts all of us colts in class while we practically stumble all over each other as we raced towards the Teacher’s desk. Ms. Cheerilee just stands there, enjoying watching us.

“Bejeweled...” says Diamond Tiara.

“With real gems!” says Silver Spoon.

“...gryphon claw gauntlets,” says Dai with a grin.

In an instant, we colts are there with our filly classmates drooling over the gryphon crown jewels. Some of us were literally drooling.

“I have never wished to have claws instead of hooves as much as I do right now,” says Button.

“Meee toooo!” says Snails.

“Class,” interrupts Ms. Cheerilee. “Careful, I think the claws are sharp.”

“Oh, but they are, Ms. Cheerilee! These are the real deal, after all,” Silver Spoon says.

“Oh my, well then,” says Ms. Cheerilee anxiously. “Class, back to your seats now. Come on, back to your seats. Thank you, Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon, for a wonderful presentation.”

Everybody groans as we go back to their seats in protest.

Oh boy, now it’s my turn!

Chapter 14: Pipsqueak - Investment 101

Chapter 14: Pipsqueak

Investment 101

“Right then, classmates, my turn!”

Ms. Cheerilee tells me, “Just a moment, Pipsqueak.” She then turns to ask Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon a serious question. “Dai, Sil, those are really expensive things you bought in the show. Your parents allow you to spend so many bits on things that even grown-up ponies would think twice about before buying?”

“Well, Ms. Cheerilee, uh, y-yes,” Silver Spoon says in a...self-conscious kind of way. Huh, fancy that.

“Yes, they do,” Diamond Tiara follows up with a nod.

“Besides, it’s not like we're going to go around wearing fancy real jewelry,” says Sil.

“No, these things aren't toys – they’re investments,” Dai says with emphasis.

Oookay, just gonna sit here then waiting for this riveting conversation to finish...

“Our parents allow us to spend so many bits on things that will be worth more in the future,” Silver says.

“Then, when the time is right, we'll sell these things, make a bundle, and voilà! Instant capital!” says Dai.

Ms. Cheerilee is pretty impressed. “That's...very financially smart of you gals. Very impressive.”

“...And with that capital, I'll get my own chain of fashion stores, except mine will have tea and coffee shops with rare books for ponies to read,” says Silver Spoon.

“...And I'll hire a bunch of ponies like Sweetie Belle's sister Rarity, and I'll have my own 'Fashion Firm'...” Diamond Tiara says.

Everypony in class listens, but I don't think we quite understand how they are going to do this. Oh well, they come from rich families anyway, so they must know what they're talking about.

“...It’s like a Law Firm, except we would do fashion! And I'll be Sil's premier supplier.”

“Uh, I look forward to seeing that, Diamond Tiara, Silver Spoon,” Ms. Cheerilee says.

I bet if that happens, Ms. Cheerilee will be so proud of them.

Chapter 15: Pipsqueak - My Account Of The Show

Chapter 15: Pipsqueak

My Account Of The Show

“Now, you may begin, Pip,” Ms. Cheerilee says.

“Ok, finally!” I sigh with relief. “Well, much has been said about the show already. And...well, I have nothing much to say other than tell you how it was to be with Princess Luna all night.”

“Actually, no,” Scootaloo says bluntly, “nothing much has been said about the show itself. Dinky told us about her time with a gryphon boy named Kite....”

Sweetie Belle followed suit. “Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon told us about the business ponies their parents rubbed elbows with and showed us some fine jewelry...”

“...But the show itself, nothin'!” Apple Bloom says as she shrugs.

Ms. Cheerilee agrees. “Hmmm, that is right, isn't it, class? And Pip, since you are the one with the show's playbill, maybe you could give us a short description of each of the musical pieces?”

“Use my CD!” offers Dinky.

“Oh, yes! Pip, you may use Dinky's CD!” Ms. Cheerilee says as she trots to the supply closet to get the radio CD player.

Well, seems like my “props” are going to be useful after all...combined with Dinky’s CD, that is.

****

Long story short, I tell them how the four Princesses opened up the sky light with their combined magic, and how Luna practically “grabbed” the moon with that intense beam from her horn to hold it above the Canterlot Cultural Center.

Then, I tell them, with help from my playbill and Dinky's CD, about each one of the musical pieces.

“Don't you dare leave out stuff about you and Luna, Pip!” says Silver Spoon with just a pinch of threat in her voice.

“Yeah, we want to know the scoop!” Sil is seconded by - would you believe it? - Sweetie Belle, with Apple Bloom nodding in agreement.

So, as for my time with Princess Luna, I begin from when I first saw her. Luna was there greeting ponies and gryphons with Princess Celestia. Mum and I came to pay our respects, and she asked Mum if I could be with her for the whole show.

More on that later. I have to say stuff about the show too.

****

After gathering my thoughts and waiting for the class to settle down, I start from the beginning.

“The show begins with ‘The Anthem.’ Ms. Fiddly Faddle was the lead violinist and had an acting part while playing her violin. It was really cool! So it starts out in darkness up there in the stage, and then a single lit candle carried by a hooded Ms. Fiddly Faddle can be seen, and then the Royal Canterlot Symphony played from out of that darkness, like, behind the darkness!”

“Oooh,” the class reacts.

“‘The Anthem’ was great, grand, and big on instruments, as if it always has to be played by an orchestra.”

“The next piece was about a tragic love story set during the time of the Three Tribes.” Sweetie Belle really loves that piece “My Love, My Heart's Desire” even if it doesn’t have a happy ending.

Sweetie sighs and says, “I am so glad that the ‘three tribes’ nonsense is over. Now ponies can love any kind of pony they like.” I take a quick gander at Button. True enough, he’s glad too.

“‘The People of the Alliance’ was pure Royal Canterlot Symphony. Pure orchestra with grand sweeping illusions of popular locations of both kingdoms by Ms. Trixie. Powerful music. All about two different peoples – Gryphons and Equestrian Ponies.

“Next, Ms. Octavia Melody played ‘The Anthem - Quartet version’ with two other ponies and a gryphon drummer. They were really good. That was the only time that ‘The Anthem’ was played by so few musicians.

“Then there were the performances during intermission. The first was ‘Lover's Cave.’ Ms. Lyra Heartstrings played it in the middle of the foyer with another unicorn musician, a violinist named Viola Violet. Another love story during the Three Tribes era, but the setting was different. There was no animosity, no resentment, no bad blood between the villages of the two lovers. Still, it ended in tragedy.

“After ‘Lover’s Cave,’ Ms. Lyra Heartstrings then did a solo entitled ‘For Future Kingdoms.’ She was raised up on a pillar that came up from under her, and from that height she played her music.”

“That's probably around the time when Pinkie Pie gave me a honey berry shot,” I comment.

“And Luna?” asks Scootaloo.

I sigh. “Believe it or not, most of the time, I just stood by her side as she fellowshipped with nobles and gryphons.”

Ms. Cheerilee comments, “That's politics for you.”

“Anyway, a few moments after that, there were Spanish guitars everywhere. I mean, you could hear Spanish guitars coming from all directions. It was probably magic.

“Princess Luna told me that it was a surprise for Princess Cadance by her husband Prince Shining Armor. And true enough, Princess Celestia and Princess Twilight escorted a bewildered Princess Cadance to the foyer, which was now free of ponies, except for the royal couple.

“Actually, it was a surprise for everyone except for the Prince, Princess Celestia, Twilight, and Luna...I think. See, the playbill doesn't say anything about the royal couple dancing. On that part of the playbill, only their cutie marks are shown together, but what does that mean, right? There's no description whatsoever.”

I show the class that part of the playbill.

I add a few details. “The Prince approached Princess Cadance with this...Casanova look on his face, right? And since Princess Cadance didn't know about this surprise, she was caught off-guard and just stood there awkwardly in the middle of the foyer, practically shaking in her shoes.”

And right on cue, most of the fillies were giggling, from Twist to Apple Bloom. Even Ms. Cheerilee. Except for the class tomboy Scootaloo. She is making gagging gestures, opening her mouth as if she's going to put her hoof in it to gag.

“...aaaaand then they dance moving on!” I say as fast as I can. Look at their faces turn from swooning to “grrrrr.” Hehehehe. It’s fun being cheeky!

“Oh look!” I say, holding up the CD cover. “The Spanish guitar music is here on the CD! Let's hear it!” I loudly state.

Everypony cheers and we listen. And everypony in class enjoys. Looking at them, I think they are all trying to picture how the Prince danced “all Casanova-like” with the Princess of Love.

“After dancing, many ponies went to the Royal Couple to praise their impromptu dance. Ponies continued fellowshipping with each other,” I say. “Then Princess Luna had to go somewhere to meet somepony – or someponies? – then left me with Princess Celestia and Princess Twilight.”

“Why?” Snips asks.

“Youh where ththeir ethcort, thoo?” asks Peppermint Twist with her trademark lisp.

That's just ridiculous! “What?! No! Princess Luna had to meet somepony...or someponies.”

“Who could it have been?” Button asks. “That sounds so mysterious.”

Scootaloo is quick to point out, “Well, she is the Night Princess – ergo, mysterious.”

I then told them how I tried to sneak away from Princess Celestia and Twilight while they were having fellowship with ponies, to try and follow Princess Luna.

Ms. Cheerilee asks with concern, “Well, did you?”

“I almost did, Teacher, I almost did. Then I decided to turn back. *Sigh* It still bothers me that I didn't. I could have found out who she had to meet.”

“Assassins!” says Button.

Sweetie Belle is quick to retort, “Oh don't be silly!”

“Well, whoever it was,” Ms. Cheerilee says, “I'm glad you turned back. It’s not nice to be a nosy pony. What's important is you trusted the Princess and gave her privacy. She is a Princess, and there are things they need to do that only people in authority has the responsibility to do.”

“That's kinda what Twilight said when I came back. She figured out that I tried to sneak away and told me that it would have been naughty of me.”

“Oh my gosh!” Silver Spoon cries out. “If you pulled it off, then you would officially be Princess Luna's stalker!”

“Ew! Pipsqueak, Princess Luna's stalker?” says Diamond Tiara.

“Well, think about it...” says Silver Spoon before I interrupt them.

“What's a stalker?” I ask.

“Pipsqueak, please move on,” says Ms. Cheerilee. “Sil, Dai, a quick word with you after class.”

“Oooh!” The class is quick to react. I know that reaction. What’s going on here?

“Uh, what's a stalker? And why is Sil and Dai in trouble? I'm confused...”

“They are not in trouble, Pip,” Ms. Cheerilee says.

“Oh, thank Celestia!” both Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon sigh in relief.

“Whatevah, never mind. Moving on!” I say, quickly losing interest. A stalker?

Button puts a hoof to his face and gives out a frustrated, over dramatic sigh. “A stalker is a Protoss unit, a war machine controlled by the shadow essence of a Dark Templar. They are known for their ‘blink’ ability, making them effective in ambushes and at catching fleeing foes.”

...
...
...I can hear a cricket. Is there a cricket in the classroom?
...
…
...

“Dork,” Silver Spoon says with a smile. I don’t know why, but Button is also smiling...at Sil? Weird. He’s smiling at Sil after she called him a dork. I’d be frowning at Sil if she called me a dork. On the other hoof, I wouldn’t be saying dorky, geeky things like Button does.

Silver Spoon doesn’t seem to notice Button smiling at her, but I know he is. I can see him and everyone else plain as day. He thinks he can hide his face, but really, Ms. Cheerilee can see anyone in class from here. And right now, so can I.

I take a deep breath. Moving on. “Rrriiight. Where was I?”

“You didn’t follow Luna but went back to Twilight instead,” says Scoots, ever the tomboy.

“Ah! Yes. Then, just like that, Princess Luna snuck up on me and Twilight and said, 'Naughty of Pip?' and both me and Twilight almost jumped out of our coats! It was amazing! Nopony can do a scare like Princess Luna!”

I then tell them about the other performances and how the call back to our seats was made. “It came from the stage, and the doors to our seats were all wide open, and the music echoed into the foyer.

“So, we were back in our seats...”

Then Apple Bloom interrupts. “More about you and Princess Luna, please.”

Oh for Celestia’s…“I just did, didn’t I? I just told you guys about how Princess Luna scared both me and Twilight. I’m gonna get there, just wait. I have to say stuff about the show too, you know.”

“Oh, but we want it naa-ow!” Apple Bloom cries out in that southern accent of hers, complete with a pleading face.

“My night with Princess Luna was just me being close to her, actually, now that I think about it. Like, by then intermission was over, and I'm sitting next to her in her special seat that’s big enough for a pony to lie down on. We were both on our tummies and she had her wing over me and it was nice. No biggie!”

“Her ‘wing’ was ‘nice’?” Sweetie Belle asks with a bright smile.

I nod heartily, with a smile as well. Her wing was nice.

Wait a minute…

This is a prelude to the class’s “Oooh!” reaction, a prelude to a tease! I hastily shake my head.

“Well, which one is it, Pip? Yes or no?” Diamond Tiara asks.

“Uh, what I mean is, all of it was nice,” I say, which, to tell you frankly, didn't help. All of it was nice? Blithering nincom...

“Her whole body was nice?” asks Snails. What? Okay, this is getting ridiculous.

I put a hoof on my face. “What I mean is this – being close to the Night Princess was like…

“...being surrounded in the most relaxing night you've ever had, quiet, peaceful, fresh, and cool. It...it was like...”

I think deeply and close my eyes as I recall the night I spent being next to her.

“...her body was warm, but it was surrounded by the most peaceful, most wonderful night. Her wing over me was like a blanket...so smooth and soft. Her coat on mine felt like black silk, smooth, with just a touch of coarseness on the side of my face.

“When I looked at her in that dark theater, I could see her eyes soooo clearly.

I could see the stars twinkling in her ever-flowing mane.

“The air around her was like a fresh, gentle midnight rain shower as you are tucked safe and cozy on your soft bed in your room full of cool nighttime air.

“Lying down next to her was like lying down next to a living dream.”

I open my eyes reluctantly and look at my classmates. “How's that? Did I describe her good enough? Do you get it now?”

Twist was the first to swoon with her lips lisping swooningly. “Oh, how poeththic! Ith sthe rheally lihke thath?”

“Oh yes,” I say, matter of factly. “May I continue?”

The class is quiet. No teasing? I think they do get it.

Right, moving on. “The next performance is a two-for-one. Both have ‘Discord’s Defeat’ in the title, but the first is called ‘Children of the Night.’”

I pause for dramatic effect.

“Classmates, Princess Luna sang this one.”

“Wow!” they say in amazement.

“Sadly, classmates, Ms. Trixie isn't here to perform that virtual reality-type illusion she did,” I say as I shake my head.

“Virtual...reality?” asks Button.

“Yeah, dude! I mean, it was awesome! The theater and the audience disappeared...more like everyone, except Princess Luna, became invisible. And the inside of the theater became an ancient castle overlooking a small medieval town. It was like watching a movie from the inside!”

“Children of the Night...” Ms. Cheerilee thought for a moment. “Is that about the time when Princess Luna took foals to start a new colony but was told not to by Princess Celestia, but Luna did it anyway?” asks our Teacher.

“Yes, Ms. Cheerilee. And we saw it as if we were there! I couldn’t tell if Princess Luna was acting or was really reliving that part of her life.”

“Ok,” Sweetie Belle says, “we can't see this virtual reality thing, but we can still listen to...”

“...THE MUSIC! YAAAAY!” The class is positively excited! This is turning out to be one of my better class reports.

“Quick! Play it!” says Snips.

****

The song is Princess Luna singing to little foals, to take them to a special place. My classmates and I listen in earnest. Needless to say, we are very moved.

****

“Princess Luna loves little foals, doesn't she, class?” Ms. Cheerilee asks after the track ended.

“Yeah, she's awesome!” Scootaloo says confidently...as if...as if, she had her own adventures with the Night Princess. I wonder...

Anyway, I continue. “‘Flight Of The Orphans’ was about Princess Celestia and Princess Luna and the same bunch of foals. So, Princess Celestia made her younger sister return the foals, because she knew that all of them had parts to play during that time in Equestria's history, in making our kingdom great. But before that, they had at least that special night in the night sky flying toward the moon. Plus, it’s not like Princess Luna wasn't a part of their lives as they grew up. So, it was happy, actually.”

I told them how Luna and Celestia touched horns together during the show. “Nopony saw that but me, I think.

“‘Chronicles of First Contact: The Tale of the Pony Bard and Gryphon Knight’ was even more exciting than the first performance of ‘The Anthem’. There were fight scenes between a gryphon and a young mare.

“And then...” Pause for dramatic effect! “The Royal Guards, Night Guards, and Crystal Guards, along with the leader of the Gryphon Knights and Prince Shining Armor, sang ‘Together In Vigilance – Till the End’ and boy how they sang! Not on stage, but from where they were, at their posts!”

Diamond Tiara pipes in. “Oh yes! I don't think I can ever forget Sir Hal's singing,” she says, blatantly imagining that part of the night, her eyes sparkling as she looks up into the ceiling.

“Mee toooo!” Silver Spoon says, swooning, of course.

...Rrriiight.

Gosh. Everypony is enjoying my account of the show. I have to thank Dinky. She could have used the CD herself for her own presentation...but I guess everypony was more interested in the boy gryphon she met.

“Next was ‘Vision of the Future,’ played again by Ms. Octavia. But somehow, Ms. Vinyl was also involved, as well as a gryphon named ‘Ethereal Whisper.’ What that gryphon sang was pre-recorded, and Ms. Vinyl ‘pre-mixed’ some of the music. Only Ms. Octavia played live on stage, and it was the most modern among all the performances.”

“Unfortunately, classmates, that's as far as I can go. The next piece is when I fell asleep. Maybe I should have had another honey berry shot...” Yeah, I should have had one more.

“Awwww!” whines everypony.

“There'th goththa bhe mohre!” longingly says Twist.

“Hmmm,” I think deeply. “Actually, Princess Luna fell asleep first...yeah, yes she did!”

“Whoa!” says Snails.

“Seriously?” says Button.

“NO Way!” Scootaloo says adamantly with disbelief.

Then Diamond Tiara exclaimed, “Yeah! That's right! I saw her. She just slumped over next to Pip.”

“Guess she was really zonked, huh?” I ask.

“Guess so...” Diamond Tiara says. “But then you slumped next to her right after.”

“I did? Yes...I did. Heh, fancy that.”

“What's with the next piece? Was it a lullaby or something? Who performed it anyway?” asks Scoots impatiently.

What does my playbill say...

“...Uh, let's see. Says here it’s by a pegasus cellist named Woody Luthier...” Then I recall. “But it was played by Ms. Octavia.”

“Oh! That's the part where she turns into a werepony!” Dinky says loudly.

“Ah! Yes! My Mum told me all about that!” And I still feel bad about missing it.

Dinky continues, “I cannot believe you missed it, Pip! You would have loved it! Total Nightmare Night material!”

“Thank goodness Dinky bought the CD, huh?” says Snails.

“Now you get to listen to it,” says Snips.

“Yeah *sigh*, let's, shall we?” I say, still feeling down.

“Pip, what's wrong?” Ms. Cheerilee asks, concerned as to why I sighed.

“Well, Teacher, I missed that performance. Ms. Octavia turned into a werepony for Celestia's sake! And from what Mum told me, the moonlight crept slowly onto the stage, and covered Ms. Octavia from her hind hooves to her head, and then she turned into a werepony, and I missed all those special effects because I didn't take another swig of honey berry shot.”

“Wait,” Sweetie Belle says, deep in thought. “At the start of the show, Luna stopped the moon right above Canterlot Cultural Center, right? That was part of the show...” Everypony was looking at her. “...then she fell asleep during this musical piece. Then, you fell asleep right after her. Were you part of the show?”

“N..no…” I say, flummoxed. Everypony was thinking and wondering.

Sweetie Belle continues, “Then, the moonlight crept onto the stage…”

“...Which means...?” says Snips.

“...She lost control?” Snails asks with disbelief.

Sweetie Belle goes on, “Was all of that part of the show, Ms. Cheerilee? I mean, Luna and Pipsqueak falling asleep?”

I look at Ms. Cheerilee, and she looks concerned.

Diamond Tiara thinks and says, “It can’t be! Pip isn’t part of the show!”

“Play the music!” says Snips.

“I don't think that's a good...” Ms. Cheerilee starts to say, but it’s too late.

I already pressed play.

For a few moments, it was just music. “Yeah, I remember this. It was just Ms. Octavia playing her cello. Then Luna...tensed up then...relaxed...and just laid her head next to me...Then I...also started feeling... sleepy...”

It’s...all...coming back...

“Next thing I know...”

“What?!” ask some of my classmates.

“*Yawn*...I was sharing a dream with her...”

Yes...I was...sharing a dream...with her....

Chapter 16: Pipsqueak - Luna The Filly

Chapter 16: Pipsqueak

Luna The Filly

“Pipsqueak?”

“Yes, Luna?”

“♪ Nightmare Night! ♪ What a fright! ♪ Give me something sweet to bite! ♪”

Luna sings as she smiles so close to me. Our muzzles are almost touching. Her breath is in my mouth.

“Sorry...I...I don't have...”

She backs away playfully. Why is she acting like this? Does she want to play?

“...any candy,” I said.

“*giggle!*” She laughs again.

This is making me so happy! Princess Luna is a filly! A foal, same age as me! She flies off.

“Luna! Don't leave me here!” I run after her. Funny, I am running up into the air, to where she is flying to!

“Woohoo! I'm running on air!”

“Haha! Catch me, Sir Pip!” Luna taunts me. “If you can!”

Aw, so she wants to play, huh? Tag, is it? Bring it!

“I'm going to catch you!” I shout at her.

“In your dreams!” she says.

“Luckily, we are in a dream! So I will catch you!” Right back at 'cha!

The shadowy fog becomes more colorful, with bright, colorful musical lights popping up all over.

She dives straight down. I run after her.

SPLASH!

What the? We're in water? But, I can breath – oh right! A dream. I'm sharing a dream, with Luna.

The bubbles surge upwards, revealing that Luna was in front of me all along. She's looking at me straight in the eyes. I smile at her with a toothy grin. This is so awkward.

Is this how Princess Cadance felt during that dance?

I can hear her voice through those colorful lights, like an echo. She's not opening her mouth.

“Pipsqueak?”

“Yes, Luna?”

“Give me something sweet.”

“Huh? Well, I, uh?”

Wait, are we in Ponyville? Ponyville right after sunset? Hah!

“Hey, Piiiip, over heeere!”

I turn quickly to where the voice is coming from, and I barely see her around the corner. Nice try, Luna, but I saw you!

Turning the corner, she isn't there.

“Over here!” Oh, she's good. I run over there, but find no Luna.

“No, over here, Pip!”

“No, here!”

“Here!”

Whoa! There must be a hundred Lunas. They all go in different houses, giggling. She's not playing fairly! I run as fast as I can, running inside one house after another, only to find her giggling outside. And when I get outside, I find her just in time to see her run into another house. Funny, no other pony is here.

Fine then. This is quickly becoming tedious, but I just love to hear her giggle. Finally, she goes into the Golden Oak Library. I open the door, and there she is, hovering underneath...that is supposed to be a sun that looks like Celestia's cutie mark on the ceiling. But it’s a moon that looks like Luna's cutie mark instead.

She's looking at me straight in the eyes. What a mesmerizing sight. Then, she looks up and flies through the ceiling.

“Luna, wait!” I jump up right after her.

I open my eyes and feel like I am swaying. Where are we? *Gasp!* This is the foyer!

Luna's in my hooves? Are we dancing?

“Yes, we are, Pip.”

!!!

“Relax, Pip, my Pip.”

“Luna?”

“Hushhh...”

I...uh...hush, yes. Didn't know you could get drowsy in your own dream...colorful lights all around us. Just me, and Luna...dancing.

The foyer disappears and we stop. I look at her, straight into her eyes...they’re deep and dark and mysterious, like looking into the night....looking into the night...

The night in her eyes spreads around us, and we are now lying down on our sides, face to face, on something soft.

It is as dark as the dead of night, by moonlight.

“Now where are we?” I ask.

“Why, we are in my room, silly, in the castle.”

“Oh, so we're still in Canterlot, then?” I say as I sit up, looking around her room.

She sits up right in front of me and shakes her head.

Those eyes again, looking straight into mine.

Pipsqueak?

Yes, Luna?

“♪Nightmare Night...”

“♪...what a fright...” we sing together, saying each word slowly.

“♪Give me something sweet...”

“...to bite.♪” I can only hear her voice now.

I...I understand, Luna. She's a filly now, a beautiful filly, same age as me.

I look up; the moon is right above us. Her muzzle is on my chin, going down. Something sharp pierces my neck.

What a pretty moon...

“...Turn it off! For Celestia's sake! Turn the CD player off!”

Chapter 17: Pipsqueak - The Dream After

Chapter 17: Pipsqueak

The Dream After

“...Pipsqueak?!”

“Luna?”

“I think he's coming to, Ms. Cheerilee!”

And I'm thrust back into reality. Funny, reality is a bit blurred.

But the happy feeling, and the stinging pierced sensation in my neck, remains. Oh gosh, I'm so happy I'm positively smiling! I don't think I'd care if the class teased me right now.

“Luna?”

I'm still looking up...but the moon is gone, replaced by a ceiling. Hmm, strange.

“Pipsqueak? Are you alright?”

I look at Ms. Cheerilee and all my classmates. They look scared. Why, did something happen? Ah, I don't care.

One of my filly classmates, I can't say who, says something about someone's neck. Huh, really? Fancy that!

Speaking of necks, something is trickling down mine. But I don't care. Who would have known that...doing a presentation about a show...would be so...so tiring.

I'm...kind of cold...but it’s the middle of the day...weird...I honestly don't care. Guess I'll just lie down here and sleep. Maybe I'll dream again.

…
…
…

What? Where am I?...It’s so dark...oh, right. I fell asleep in class…And I didn’t dream again. Too bad it was a dreamless sleep. But it sure was a long one.

Am I really awake? So why is it so dark, then? Is it...is it nighttime already?

“Ms. Cheerilee?” I call out, barely. Throat dry, sticky...really thirsty. Am I even in school?

What the hay happened? “Muuum!?” I call out. Nothing. Why am I calling out so weakly?

What's in my mouth? Feels as thick as honey berry shot, but it doesn't taste like it at all.

If I just woke up...why am I sooo woozy? Oh wow, I'm on a bed! Whose bed is this? Where am I?

Finally my eyes adjust to the darkness. And I can see that this looks like Luna's room in our shared dream, only...it’s...messy and dirty. There are cobwebs everywhere. Luna should really clean her room. Mum always tells me to clean mine.

“Mum...” I gotta get back to Mum...it’s late...and I'm...not home.

Home...I roll off the bed, only to find my legs give way under me and I plop on the floor.

Get up. One step....at a time...to Mum....to home.

I open the door. This place...like an old castle...Mum...home...gotta get back home.

Somehow, one hoof after another, I make it out of that crumbling place.

Rickety rope bridge...Button would love this...like that stage in that video game, Castle-mania...Just...have to get through...Everfree. Hope...don't run across any monsters.

Almost there...almost...through this forest. Oh no...a timberwolf.

Why, why is it afraid of...me? Or is there something...behind me...something on my face...perhaps?

Hey, Timberwolf...where you goin'? Heheh...silly timberwolf...

Mum...almost there, Mum...almost...home.

Is that...the bridge? Town hall...I'll be home soon.

Sorry, Mum, for being out so late...tired...really cold.

I see ponies. I try to smile at them, but...they look at me as if they've seen the dead. Gosh...is there something on my face? Hope not...hope not...

Hi Lily...Lotus, Aloe...hi...Lucky Clover...hi.

Mayor Mare...hi...hi, everypony. I'm...I'm just tired.

Twist...is that you? Hi, classmate...hi...Rainbow? Hi...hi...

Thunderlane, Rumble...hi...

Mr. & Mrs. Cake...hi...Hi Pinkie, Fluttershshshy...really tired...Yeah, hi...everypony.

Everypony is being so funny....like seen the dead...

...like seen the dead...

Mum, almost home...sweet home.

And there it is...home.

Hope...won't be grounded...

Why is it dark in our house? Only one light...like a star.

I open the door, “Mother...I'm here.”

Mum is...sitting in the dark with nothing but a dim candlelight beside her? Her face wet with tears, staring blankly...at my framed picture. Why?

“Pip?”

“Mum, have you been crying?”

“...”

Mum has the look of everypony I’ve come across to on my way home. “Mum?”

“Uh, yeah, Mum, it’s me.”

“They...they told me you were dead, that somehow you've lost a lot of blood.”

What?

“I was there, in the hospital...You were completely covered with a blanket...It’s been three days.”

“What? I...I'm here. I'm alive. How can I be dead? I just feel a little cold...tired, that's all...but am home now...Mum...am home now.”

“Pipsqueak? Is it really you?” Mum asks as she walks towards me.

I nod. Mum is really being weird now.

“But how...?”

I dunno.

She looks at me, like she’s examining me. Then she smiles. “My Pip is alive!”

Uh, k.

She hugs me. She hugs me tighter. There we go...yeah. That's really tight. Did I mention that I'm cold and tired? I did, right? Wonder if Mum had dinner yet, cuz I sure could have some.

I hug her back as best as I can.

Heh, mothers, right?

I try to take all this in. I honestly do not understand...But...I think I'm starting to. Right here, in my mother’s embrace. Slowly I do...scenes and pictures of that special night fill my mind...and as I do...my heart breaks. With a blank face that's too tired, I cry...

“There there, Pip, you're home now. Oh, my boy! My dear dear boy!”

Really too tired to cry well, but I still do...because I feel sad.

That night! Oh what a night! In my mind I recall how it was. Truly a night to remember. Everypony was happy, including me. I was with my Princess, Princess Luna.

“Mum...” I continue to cry.

“Yes, Pip?”

Then, something happened. The cello music played. And Luna fell asleep, and I fall asleep right next to her. We share a dream. Oh, what a wonderful dream! Luna, a filly. Same age as me...Oh my Luna...my Luna!

...and we play...we play tag...and we dance too...

I smile at the sight of her as a filly in my mind. And she's calling my name!

I...I feel so happy!

“Oh my Luna!” I say with a painful throat and whatever coherent voice I have left.

I move my lips but no words come out. I think I'm just quivering miserably now.

“Pip, why are your tears reddish?” I hear Mum say in a worried tone.

They are?

“Mum...”

She looks at me, troubled. I am looking up, blankly. The moon isn't up there.

“My Princess is a Vampire.”...To Be Continued.

Author's Note

AUTHOR’S NOTE: The ending music here is the ending credits of the game “Bastion”. An amazing game worth playing, if only to hear the coolest narrator-voice in the history of video games.

The lyrics of this song is sung by two in-game characters: Zulf and Zia.

I intended Zia's Part to be replaced by the lyrics I came up with (Luna’s Part) to be sang in Luna’s voice. It gives a clue as to what is happening/happened to Luna at this point in time, and throughout the future BOOKS.

Disclaimer: Though the ending credits is copyrighted music and lyrics, I have not posted the actual lyrics in the game. What I’ve done is write a new set of lyrics to replace Zia’s part. I did my best for Luna’s lyrics to fit the music in Zia’s part.

For Pip’s part, it’s just Zulf’s part sang in Pip’s voice, I guess.

Luna's Part
Lie on my back,
Clouds are making way for me.
I'm coming home, sweet home.

So have your subjects (5)
of the day I'll (4)
have my subjects come what may (7)

Come come fly with me to the clouds (8)
Stealthy and silent, draped in shroud (7)
Our kind shall never be avowed (8)

So come with me, my little colt (8)
So come with me, my little filly (9)
Our secret lives we'll live freely (9)

So have your subjects (5)
of the day I'll (4)
have my subjects come what may (7)

Chapter 4: Pipsqueak - The Show Begins

Chapter 4: Pipsqueak

The Show Begins

The Royal Canterlot Symphony and Canterlot Cultural Center Presents

A Night To Remember

To all our friends, welcome! Tonight, we celebrate our bond with music and good company.

Though our future may be wrought with hardship, we all know that such things are easier dealt with together.

Once we were strangers. But our common struggles and difficulties have brought us together.

And together we are better.

We celebrate our alliance in the hope that other kingdoms and races would join us.

To exist in peace, in harmony.

And now, without further ado,

A Night to Remember

ORDER OF PERFORMANCES:
Beginning Performances:

The Anthem

A piece with lead violinist Fiddly Faddle, who plays the part of the original Earth pony noble that, according to legends, met and protected lost gryphon peasants who were blown into a land not their own by an evil sorcerer’s typhoon spell.

In a strange land and with the dark typhoon raging around them, this Earth pony is said to have escorted the injured gryphon peasants to the safety of a nearby Equestrian fortress.

Music performed by the Royal Canterlot Symphony with lead violin by Fiddly Faddle.

My Beloved, My Heart's Desire

A love ballad between an Ocean Pegasus Mare, played by Marina Sea-Salt, and an Earth Mining Stallion, played by Digger Jake.

In a time before the three pony tribes united under the rule of the Regal Sisters, could a love between two ponies from two different tribes exist? For a time their love blossomed, and in secret they nourished it. But they were found out, and their tribes, full of animosity, banished them to fend for themselves in the wilderness of the Everfree. One legend has it that they perished, but their love survived and manifested itself in a new flower called Heart's Desire.

Music performed by cellist Octavia Melody and lead pianist Frederic H. with accompaniment by

The Royal Canterlot Symphony.

The People of the Alliance

Though our alliance is small, we are strong. Though our two kingdoms are different, we are one.

In peace or troubled times, we are one.

We are one.

Performed by The Royal Canterlot Symphony

with grand epic magical visuals by Master Illusionist Trixie Lulamoon.

The Anthem – Quartet version

A more personal take on “The Anthem,” about the might and resolve of the alliance, as played by a trio of pony cellists, (from left) Rudolf Strings, Octavia Melody, Bassy McGaffy, and gryphon drummer, Stuart Chickilittle.

Chapter 8: Pipsqueak - The Morning After

Chapter 8: Pipsqueak

The Morning After

*Yawn*

Is it morning already? Hey...wait...This is my room. I'm on my bed. Oh dear Celestia, the sun is already up?

*GASP!* The show! What?!?! I...I fell asleep? NOOO!!!

“Nooo!!! I fell asleep! Princess Luna!!!”

Mum comes in bursting through my door.

“Pipsqueak! Are you alright?!”

“Mum Mum! Did I fall asleep? I...I was Princess Luna's escort and I fell asleep!??”

“Oh Pip!” Mum says, relieved. I guess I kinda shouted. Mum probably thought I was having a nightmare.

“Well...yes darling, you fell asleep. But really, don't worry about it. I'm sure the Princess understands. Like I said, you are, after all, still a young colt who needs his sleep.”

“But Mum, I...”

“And besides, Princess Luna was kind of off after the show. Like something was bothering her very much. She carried you and hugged you as you dozed before leaving you with me.”

“I didn't even got to finish the show, Mum,” I say, pretty downcast I might add. And with only one performance left, too. That must have been the grand finale, and I Missed It! Gah!” I say as I press my face upon my pillow and flail my legs in exasperation.

“You and several other foals deary. You weren't the only foal who fell asleep,” Mum says. “In fact, I even saw Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon on Mr. Rich's back snoozing like babies...”

“You saw Dai and Sil, sleeping on Mr. Rich’s back snoozing like babies?” I ask Mum.

“Uh, yes. Like I said, you weren’t the only foal sleeping, son,” Mum tells me as she stroke my mane.

Darn, it would have been great to have pictures of those two in such an embarrassing situation. To be able to blackmail them like Dai did the CMC when she was the Foal Free Press editor. That would be too good.

I ask Mum further, “What else did you see after the show, Mum?”

“Oh, reporters were doing interviews and taking pictures after the show, dear,” she says.

That’s...quite interesting, hehehe.

“Oooh, really now? I'll be sure to keep an eye out for the newspapers then. Thank you, Mum. You make quite the spy,” I say with a grin.

“Hmm, you are planning something son. Anyway, best be up now, Pip dear. It’s the last day of the weekend. Were you not going to spend the day with your friends?” she asks.

“Yes, me, Button, and the Crusaders are off to the arcade. And maybe even Dinky. Wait! Mum! My brochure of last night's show! Where is it!?”

“It’s on your desk, dear.”

“Oh, thank you, Mum! You’re a lifesaver!”