Secrets of the Night

Moonflower stumbled through Ponyville, the dark stallion by her side. Their pelts brushed just the tiniest bit as they walked, laughing and smiling goofily through the streets. But one thing was bugging Moonflower like an agitating gnat; what had Umbra been running from? She knew that he had been avoiding the subject entirely. But she was no fool. He had been trying to desperately flee, and that had caused him to run into her, and the collision was powered by force of impact, which sent her, the slighter and lighter one, rolling in the dust. Which in turn meant that he had been running away from somepony fast enough to suggest that he had been chased.

Moonflower looked up at him, her eyes narrowed and her lips pursed as she tried to find the thought and the courage to ask him. "So...Umbra..." she began hesitantly. "Why were you running?"

The question seemed to be expected, as the stallion sighed, his lips forming a scowl, "I got in trouble with a few of the stallions here. I owe them money I don't have, so I am leaving town to find a way to pay them off." His voice dropped lower, as did his gaze, "I always repay my debts...perhaps you should think of doing that as well."

"I already have promised to repay Miss Fluttershy for her kindness," Moonflower answered quietly, "But who was chasing you? How much do you owe them? Is there someway I can help?" She asked eagerly, her mind already scanning through possible ways she could help make money for him.

"No. I don't want your help. I don't want any help, from anypony at all. I got myself into this mess, I can get myself out." He growled, "And as for who and how much, that is classified information, and I am not telling you. Don't like it? Too bad." he snapped at her, his mood now soured by her questions.

Moonflower blinked and looked around, her eyes trying to take everything in, but her drunken mind was blocking out any ability to store what she saw. She growled and shook her head irritably, and she limped forward more. "Let's just get to the boutique." she sighed.

"No need." Umbra snickered, causing Moonflower to look up at him. "Your caretaker and her obnoxious unicorn friend are heading this way."

Moonflower blinked and whipped her head around, only to stare into two very angry, dark green eyes. With a gulp, Moonflower took in the time, and found to her dismay that the sun was setting.

"Where have you been! When Rarity told me you weren't at the boutique like you promised, she came looking for me! And we have spent the last three hours looking for you!" Fluttershy scolded, and Moonflower hung her head in shame. She wasn't used to being bound by such rules, having been asleep for over a thousand years since the fall of Princess Luna. A part of her wished that she could go back to her ethereal prison, rather than face the wrath of this normally gentle mare.

"Fluttershy, darling," Rarity interjected with a graceful step forward and a flick of her mane, "Don't be so hard on the poor dear. It wasn't her fault she was late. It was his." she pointed a polished hoof at Umbra.

The stallion wasn't too thrilled at being blamed for this entire messed, and with narrowed eyes, he calmly stated, "I am not at fault here. We both are. We lost track of time, but what could we do? We had a little fun, got to know each other, and since I have safely returned her to you in the same state as she had been in when we left, I see nothing wrong. Besides, I recall you, Miss Rarity, let Moonflower go with me. If she was of that much importance to your friend here, you wouldn't have let her go at all." Umbra pointed out, his statement long, but his voice sounded clipped. As if he was one irritant away from anger.

Rarity's muzzle turned a bright pink, her accusation having turned on her. With a nervous smile, she looked at Fluttershy, who was glaring back at her, "I suppose he is correct, and I am so very sorry. I tried to put the blame on somepony else, when it was I who was in the wrong."

Umbra's lips formed a perfect smile, but this smile held no warmth, and it sent chills down Moonflower's back. It showed a cruel, merciless pony, and it made Moonflower nervous. "Why thank you Miss Rarity." he purred, "But now that you have your little Princess back, I shall take my leave."

"W-wait!" Moonflower squeaked, her head snapping back up, "You're leaving? Now?" she couldn't keep the whine out of her voice, and she blushed as she realized that she sounded like a needy filly. A needy filly with a school-filly crush.

Umbra chuckled and stepped closer, leaning in to whisper into her ear. "Yes, but I have a feeling we shall see each other again one day...farewell, my Princess." Umbra planted a swift kiss on her cheek, and the intimate touch sent shivers down Moonflower's spine. She looked up at him, her heart beating rapidly in her chest as she tried to memorize him.

But Umbra was backing away, his eyes trained on Moonflower. In the ruby depths, she could see regret, and anger, but then they were gone as the stallion turned around and melted into the shadows.

With a sigh, Moonflower turned back to the silent mares, who gazed back at her in disbelief. Rarity seemed to regain her voice first, and she cleared her throat.

"Ahem...well darling, I would suggest forgetting that ruffian. He has been nothing but trouble ever since he arrived in Ponyville. And he is just plain scary. Nopony wants anything to do with him, and since he is leaving,  I think it would be best if you forgot about him entirely. A lady such as yourself should not in any way be getting involved with trouble-makers."

"Oh but Rarity," Fluttershy objected gently, "Couldn't you see what was happening? Umbra had actually been nice for once. And to a stranger no less. Normally he is very mean and very scary, but we saw a different side of him. A side he only revealed for Moonflower. He seemed reluctant to leave, and we both saw that kiss. It made my stomach flip, just seeing that small display of affection." Fluttershy giggled and beamed up at Moonflower.

The alicorn could only blush and look down, scraping her hoof shyly in the dirt, "He is nice. At least I thought so." Moonflower blushed deeper as she realized how she might sound, and she sighed, "I like him, but not enough that I would fawn over him like a twitter pated filly. He is gone, but I have a feeling he will be back. I won't let that hold me back from what I need to do. Anything could happen, and there will be nothing I could do to stop that."

The two mares looked at each other in surprise, not having expected such a mature and thought-out confession from the alicorn. Moonflower remained where she was, looking around again. She was slowly sobering up, and she flicked her ear in aggravation as another group of ponies walked by, whispering as they gazed at her. Ignoring them, Moonflower looked up, taking in the sky as it transitioned from evening to night. She could see the moon rising, and she waved a little at it, smiling as she looked up at her old friend.

As she looked around more, she smiled as each star began winking into existence, and the sadness suddenly overwhelmed her, causing her to ache all over as she missed seeing them like this. She sat down, her shoulder burning from the use of it, and she sighed in relief as the pressure was placed elsewhere.

"When I heal..." She began as she looked up at the stars solemnly, "I want to go to into the Forest. I have need of going there, but my current injury prevents me from going."

Fluttershy let out a frightened squeak, "You can't go in the Everfree Forest alone! You could get lost! Or hurt! Or worse!" She hugged Moonflower as she fretted, causing the alicorn mare to hiss in agitation.

"I'm not a helpless filly! Stop treating me like you are my mother! I have a mother! Or do I? I'm not even sure anymore." she snorted and looked away, her ears pinned to her skull as she glowered at the ground

Fluttershy cringed away from the angry mare, "I-I'm sorry...I didn't mean to offend you. It's just that I want to help, and I don't want you hurting yourself more."

"Fluttershy, perhaps you could give her some space to breathe?" Rarity suggested gently. "Even I must say that being mothered as an adult is quite irritating."

Fluttershy turned a bright shade of pink, having been reprimanded by one of her closest friends, "Oh my...perhaps you are right. Moonflower is older than me, so she should be able to fend for herself. I am so sorry..."

Moonflower hugged the shy butterscotch mare, sighing in frustration. "it is fine Miss Fluttershy, but can we go home now?" She smiled sheepishly, "I am tired, and my shoulder hurts."

Fluttershy squeaked as she was pulled into the hug, and she looked up at Moonflower, "Why of course. We shall go at once. Rarity? Are you coming with us?" Fluttershy looked at her friend.

"I must get back to the boutique. I am far behind schedule, and I simply must get this latest order filled out for Sapphire Shores. Twenty brand new dresses, all styled uniquely." Rarity sighed, "Sapphire Shores seems to love having diversity in one outfit. I suppose that is why she is my favorite client." Rarity smiled and lifted her chin proudly.

"Well then have a nice night Rarity, and I hope you get everything finished on time." Fluttershy smiled sweetly.

"Farewell darlings. I must be off now!" Rarity waved and turned around, trotting back to her boutique.

Fluttershy turned to Moonflower, "Ready?" she asked softly.

Moonflower rose to her hooves again, scowling as she tested her shoulder on the ground, "Ready," she said, her voice tight. Without another word, she limped away. Her mind was reeling from everything that had happened that day, and she shook her head, trying to clear her foggy thoughts. Fluttershy followed close behind, biting her lip anxiously as they made their way to her cottage.

Several minutes later, Moonflower was standing in front of the cottage, yet her gaze was drawn once more to the Everfree Forest, and she felt her hooves grow restless with longing, "Soon...very soon I promise..." she whispered to the dark expanse of trees, tearing her gaze away as she stepped inside, ready to fall into her bed and sleep.

As she stumbled upstairs and into the room she was staying in, she fell upon the bed just as she had wanted and her last thought was of Umbra, the dark handsome stallion. With a shiver, she thought she could feel his crimson gaze upon her neck, and her nethers tingled with a strange sensation. Shaking it off, she closed her eyes, and welcomed the blackness of slumber once more.