The Chronicles of Moonshade part 3

“Hey Rainbow Dash, I hope I didn’t interupt anything.” As the rainbow maned speedster lands, clearly somewhat upset, I can’t help but wonder if I made the right move. Its been two days since I explained things to mom, Celestia and Twilight and both days Celestia or mom inquired about some of what I told them, trying to get me to remember exactly where certain things were found or if I could remember certain things. Today I was able to get a reprieve and decide to learn something new.

  “Uh yeah..... So whats up Moonshade?” I can tell she’s slightly annoyed but is trying to hide it. Which is, from what I understand, a suprise from the brash and arrogant mare.

  “Well..... I've sorta learned how to..... Create wings out of shadows, see.” In a few seconds a pool of shadows gather along my sides and form into wings resembling mom’s but matching my coat color. The move causes Rainbow to jump back startled. I wait for her to resettle before I continue. “I think..... Having wings, even fake ones, would be less unsettling for other ponies over my gaseous form and..... I’d like if you could teach me how to fly properly.”

  “Soo, you created fake wings. Do you think they are able to work properly like real wings should?” Obviously she’s very skeptical of this idea as she looks over my wings carefully, even going as far as testing their solidness and flexibility. “Hm..... I guess I can help you. For starters you need to loosen them up. Your wings are the right size and placed in the proper positions, but there are way to stiff.” After complying she reexamines them. Finally after four more attempts she approves of how the wings are shaped and their ability to move. “Now lets see if you can get them to flap together.”

  For the next hour we just stand on my balcony, even Midnight joins in as all that gets worked on is syncronizing my wings. “So..... Keep working on that, once you got the movements down I'll help you. Soon you'll be blazing around the sky if your fake wings can hold up. Now I uh..... Gotta go and..... Help AJ.”

  “You like her don’t you, why not ask her out?” My question causes her to blush fiercely before she takes off, a rainbow trailing behind her as she heads back to Ponyville. With a giggle I continue to practice for another hour before calling it quits. I grab my saddlebags and my journals along with my art supplies, humming softly. Immediately I’m joined by Solar and her squad as I make my way towards the garden. “Hey Solar, I..... I've been thinking. How do you think a trial combat session sounds? Just you and me..... See if I can..... Keep from succumbing to the other side of me.”

  “Well its about time you gathered up the nerve to try again. But this time there won’t be any giving up princess. If you want to do this then you have to promise you'll give it your all, understand.”  Her tone conveys both relief and anxiousness at the upcoming sparring session. “I'll see about getting the practice arena booked for us next week.”

  “Alright, I promise I will give it my best Solar. Hopefully I can keep myself under control.”

  “I know you can.”

  With a smile and nod I settle down upon a bench and begins to fill out my journals, noting that I need to get new ones soon I begin to fill them out. Noting how much cooler it has been getting as I work, three of the guards mock battle eachother as the lieutenant stands watch. Midnight decides to fly off to the nearest fruit tree and begins to feast, his muzzle soon covered in fruit chunks and juices. The peaceful surroundings bring a genuine smile to my lips as I go to work.

  The time seems to slip quickly away as I spend most of my day in the garden. After finishing the journals I spend some time playing with Midnight as well as Solar and her guards. Finally we end up going back inside in time to meet the rulers for dinner. “Hey mom, auntie, guess what I learned to do.”

  “I have no clue my little moon, did you learn how to finally clean your room or keep it clean?” Mom’s response causes me to blush a little, knowing that she’s right. My living space is definately not very well kept and I can’t seem to bring myself around to clean it.

  “I don’t think thats it Luna. I hear its such a jungle in there the maids refuse to go inside lest they become lost forever or eaten by some unkown thing.” Celestia adds her two bits with a laughing smile.

'I really need to bring myself around to atleast making a dent in the mess.’ My mental admonishment brings me a slight smile. “Nope, I've learned how to give myself wings, see?” Before I answer I stand up and gather the shadows to me and form the same pair of wings which I had earlier, matching their proportions and flexibility. “Rainbow Dash is even gonna teach me to fly once I get used to flapping and moving them in unison.” To emphasize my point one wing is folded against my side as the other is halfway extended. When I try to fold it the other wing pompfs out to its fullest extent, the little show causes the sisters to laugh.

  “I know you'll get used to it soon enough Moonshade, just don’t give up.” With mom’s word of encouragement I sit down and resume eating, keeping my wings going as I still struggle to get the hang of them.

  “If you have no special plans for tomorrow Moonshade I’d be honored if you can join me and help me perform some royal duties. I know things have been rough for you, but me and Luna have decided that we need to start talking to you about your future. I know its fun but you can’t just spend time playing around inside the castle.” Celestia’s words cause me to look up at her, open mouthed and in complete shock. “However you don’t have to give us an answer now . We shall you give you some time. Whatever you wish to try we shall support you one hundred percent.”

  The subject leaves me completely silent as I think it over. 'I never would have made that demand of you Moonshade, in fact I would have given you complete command of my forces and made you my second.’ The remnant’s voice sneers at me, either to taunt or try to entice I have no idea.

  “Well Midnight, seems I have something serious to think about, and that means I won’t have as much time to spend with you as I used to. You'll cope won’t you?” An affirmative chitter and wing hug from him earns him a kiss on top of his head before I flop onto my bed, front legs outstretched to my sides and hind legs bent so they're still planted on the floor. Mom’s moon already risen a half hour ago.

  It takes me about a month to start getting the hang of synchronizing the wings, also during the elapsed time I also give possible jobs a thorough thinking, already having tried a few but failed, some spectacularly. It wasn’t until my latest visit with doctor Sunshine that I began to inquire about how to become a psychologist. Also it has seemed that Rarity and Applejack have heard of my dilema and offered to have me try out helping at the farm or being a model.

  “Hey Rainbow, how are you?” As expected the rainbow speedster arrives not only twenty minutes late but also tired, a big yawn escapes her muzzle as she lands in front of me. “I think I got the wings finally synchronized, see.” To show I flap, extend and fold them. Both wings moving in complete unison, causing me to proudly smile.

  “I’m doing good I guess. Thats cool Moonshade, now, watch how I take to the air and do what I do.” With a bunching of her legs and a powerful kick she times it to where her wings begin flapping at the height of her jump. “Now you do it, peace of cake.” Despite her assurances I crash to the ground on twenty attempts. The last crash while painful also showed some improvement and wasn’t as hard as the earlier attempts. “Heh heh, you're starting to get the hang of it. I..... Gotta go, keep practicing and you'll get it. Then you'll be speeding throw the skies, it'll take you ten seconds flat, see ya Moonshade.”

  The next day is Nightmare Night and despite my wishes to not celebrate the occasion both mom and aunt Celestia have finally badgered me into going. Which is why I’m somewhat grumpy as I arrive via royal chariot, touching down in front of Carousel Boutique. Most of the ponies out and about stop and stare, expecting either princess Celestia or Luna. the majority of them turn their expressions sour as they recognize me and give me a wide berth. I shrug it off as I knock at the door to Rarity’s who promptly answers.

  “Hey, I've been thinking. I don’t think it’d be to bad of an experience to atleast try modeling, if you're still willing and neec the help. But I’m also here cause I've sorta been coerced by mom and Celestia and I need a costum for tonight.”

  “Well darling I don’t need the help now but come closer to Hearth’s Warming Eve I could use somepony to help show off my work, and I’d be honored if you can help. As for your costume what did you have in mind?” She asks as we enter her work space. A trio of blurs dash past us but come to a crashing halt as the spot me.

  “Hi Moonshade, hope you're doing good today, looking forward to Nightmare’s Night princess?” The girls speak in unison with smiles.

  “Hm..... I don’t really know. I guess the idea of Nightmare Night is to be scary right, so lets try that. And hello to you as well girls. No I’m not really looking forward to it, though this is my first Nightmare Night I'll be celebrating.”

  “Ideeaaa!” In a rush Rarity hurries and begins to go to work, leaving me alone with the girls.

  “Are you serious, you've never celebrated Nightmare Night before?” Sweetie Belle’s squeaky voice comes out full of shock.

  “But Nightmare Night is like..... The coolest holiday ever. How could you not have celebrated it when you were filly?” Scootaloo adds, her wings buzzing as she hovers a little off the ground.

  “Well, I don’t know how much you know about me, but I am older than I look.”

  “How much older are ya princess Moonshade?” Apple Bloom’s question brings a sour smile to my lips, I begin to debate if I should answer or not, but her look makes my decision for me.

  “I’m a thousand and five years old Apple Bloom, when I was a filly we didn’t have Nightmare’s Night. And please, don’t call me princess, Moon or Moonshade will do.” The answer stuns the little fillies, leaving them stuttering. About what I couldn’t guess, their looks cause me to giggle.

  “Ah know, why don’ we show prin- Moonshade around tonight? Show'er what Nightmare Night is all about.” Apple Bloom’s offer comes after a few minutes. Eagerly the others agree.

  “CUTIE MARK CRUSADERS NIGHTMARE NIGHT GUIDES..... YAY!”

  “Shh girls, Rarity is working. Besides I don’t..... Think its a good....”

  “Well I think its a marvelous idea darling, the girls need a chaperone tonight and you are basically under orders to spend some time having fun tonight. It shall do you good Moonshade.” At Rarity’s interruption the girls hug me with smiles and bounce around in circles, babbling nonsense. “By the way your costume is finished, come try it on.”

  With a sigh of defeat I follow her. The costume is done in blacks and reds, including a very fancy cape and old styled clothes. “Wait, you decided to dress me up as a vampire Rarity? really?” The style finally hits me as I think back on a rare show I caught with Twilight and girls.

  “Of coarse dear. With your unique look it fits you perfectly, go and try it on.” With an eye roll I put the costume on. As usual it fits perfectly, and has no movement restrictions. 'I think I'll try this out. Its no suprise the costume suites me so well, and Rarity did make this for free. No sense in throwing away her efforts.’ The sight in the mirror I’m looking at is suprising as I turn and pose, checking the costume out in different angles. “Thank you Rarity for the costume and the chance to try something unique.”

  “Its nothing darling. Now stop back here around five so you can get dressed, get your makeup on and pick up the girls, unless you want to spend some time with them now?”

  “C'mon Moonshade, we want ta show ya our clubhouse. Plus sis has been wantin ta talk ta ya.” Apple Bloom is the first to enter as I remove the costume and hang it up. All Rarity does is motion me towards the door with her head and a smile, the trio of fillies follow behind me.

  “Are you hungry Moonshade? Its getting close to lunch time.”

  “Actually I am starting to get hungry Sweetie Belle. Should we get something to eat now, or would your family mind having me over for lunch Apple Bllom?”

  “Nope, us Apples are always happy ta have friends an family over.”

  “Well well, if it isn’t the three little blank flanks. What do you think their costumes are gonna be Silver Spoon?” The mocking voice comes from behind. Judging from the girl’s reactions and the voice I figure the speaker is a filly around the same age as the three I’m babysitting. “And who are you?”

  “Can’t ya jus leave us alone Diamond Tiara? Why do ya gotta tease us all the time?”

  I notice the girls are tensed up, ready for a fight. All I do is sigh and look at Apple Bloom. “Who are these two fillies, and why are they teasing you?” My gaze falls upon the two. The first one is pink with a white streaked purple man, a tiara sits atop her head. The pony next to her is grey with a light grey mane and she’s wearing a pair of cyan glasses and a matching necklace.

  “I’m Diamond Tiara, and this is my friend Silver Spoon, who are you?” The pink filly answers, clearly a little displeased by my presence.

  “Their family is very rich, has been fer a long time. They tease us because we don’ have our cutie marks yet.”

  “Well you know the saying that bits ain’t everything right? No matter what you can’t buy the most important things in life, you can only earn them.” I look at the two bullies as I speak, the words directed at them as well as the girls.

  “What can’t you buy with bits Moonshade?” Scootaloo’s question is also directed at the pair, earning a smile from me.

  “You can’t buy love, true love. Nor can you buy true friendship, respect, manners, morals, or true happiness.” A sneer crosses Diamond Tiara's and Silver Spoon's lips at my answer. “Judging from your friendships and how much your families love you, I’d say you three are alot richer than those two. And in things that are more important than bits or material goods.” With a humph the two fillies turn and walk away arrogantly. “Alright girls, I’m starving, lets go.”