The Chronicles of Moonshade part 3

  “Hey girls, Moonshade. How'er ya'll doin?” Applejack’s warm greeting as we enter the farm house has a relaxing effect despite my growing dred at watching over these three tonight.

  “Heya sis. Ya don’ have ta worry ‘bout findin us a chaperone, Moonshade agreed to watch over us tanight.” Applejack’s one raised eyebow and gaze tells me exactly what she’s thinking, making me rethink what I got myself into.

  “Ya sure yer up ta it Moonshade? Mah sister an her friends can be quiet a hoofful.”

  “I’m doing good Applejack thanks, and no I don’t think I’m up to it, but I got no choice. Mom, Rarity and these three have already roped me in to it.” My answer brings a round of laughs from the four, which is broken up by the sounds of hungry stomaches. "But thats not why I’m here, but first can we get some food please?”

  “Sure thing, lemme guess yer here ta try yer hoof at apple buckin tomorrow right?”

  “Yep, though you're gonna have to show me how its done, or can I just use magic?” As the food is set upon the table a familiar bat flies in through the window, chittering at me in admonishment. His suprise visit startles the others. “Hey sleepy head, you were the one who didn’t want to wake up today, so don’t blame me for being left behind. Oh, Applejack, girls this is Midnight.” After his chittering dressing down is finished he looks at the food longingly. “Hey, is there any chance he can eat an apple or two Applejack?”

  “Hey Midnight. Ah heard ya adopted a pet from Fluttershy, so this is the lucky guy huh?” The comotion in the dinning room draws the attention of Winnona who takes immediate interest in Midnight. “Ah guess he can. But not to many apples, or Ah'll be chargin them ta the princesses.” With her consent Midnight flies off towards the nearest tree and begins to eat. “As fer yer question about apple buckin’ Ah guess ya can use magic. Ah don’ think yer strong enough ta do it properly, even if we had time ta train ya.”

  “Alright, thanks Applejack. You..... Got a place for me to sleep tonight so I don’t have to fly all the way back here from Canterlot?”

  “Yep, Apple Bloom'll show ya after tanight. Be ready ta wake up extra early, fair warnin’.” As the food is finally devoured the girls pull me energetically with them, a laugh from the orange coated farm mare meets my pleading look for help as I dissappear from her view.

  The rest of the day blurs by. Once they settled down it was suprisingly fun. By five me and the girls enter the boutique and go our seperate ways to get into our costumes. While she’s helping me get ready Rarity gives me a two mile long list of rules. All I can do is nod, knowing I won’t be able to remember them all. “Ok girls, you three ready?” The thundering of small hooves racing down the stairs answers me and once they spot me all three of them let out a scream and scatters.  'Great, I hope I didn’t scare them to bad. And I hope I don’t scare off the other ponies, specially the foals.’

  “Hey scaredy fillies, lets get going, I can see a couple groups already making their rounds.” In response the trio form up in front of me, Scootaloo dressed as Rainbow Dash in a Wonderbolts costume. Sweetie Belle is dressed as some sort of singer, including a headset microphone. As for Apple Bloom I can’t really tell what she’s supposed to be, all I know is she doesn’t look to excited about her costume which is a very formal looking gown, even her mane and tail are styled. “Ok, so whats exactly do we do on Nightmare’s Night?”

  “CUTIE MARK CRUSADERS CANDY COLLECTORS..... GO!” In a surge of engery they rush out the door, leaving me to follow as Rarity watches us, giggling.

  “We gotta try ta hit every house an collect candy. The goal is ta try an fill yer bucket up ta the brim at the least.” As Apple Bloom explains Scootaloo thrusts a bucket into my muzzle, which after the suprise I grasp with my magic. The force and how deep the handle went causes it to be punctured by my fangs.

  “And because this your first Nightmare Night ever you get to participate Moonshade, and sorry about that.”

  “Thats alright, you didn’t know my fangs are real.” The four of us begin to make our rounds as we talk. My appearance with a bucket raises eyebrows of the houses we've visited so far, but unlike the looks I previously recieved these seem more curious than anything.

  “Don’t worry about it Moonshade, they find it weird that a grown mare is going around with a bucket also asking for candy with a bunch of fillies. Not alot of older ponies do it.” Sweetie Belle’s explanation seems to make sense as I look about. Only one other grown mare is going from house to house, a very large bucket dangling from her mouth.

  “NIGHTMARE NIGHT, WHAT A FRIGHT, GIVE US SOMETHING SWEET TO BITE!" The montra of the night is repeated as we get to our fifth house. In suprise both Lyra and Bon Bon answer the door, their gaze falling on me and the awkwardly held bucket in my magic. A silly grin decorates my muzzle.

  “Hi princess Moonshade, I didn’t know you celebrated Nightmare’s Night. How’d you get roped into escorting those girls?” Lyra recognizes me immediately with a smile while dropping some candy into the three fillies’ buckets.

  “Hey Lyra, Bon Bon, how you been? And actually..... This is my first. Tuanks to mom, Applejack and Rarity  I’m stuck watching these girls for the night. And thanks to Scootaloo she felt I needed a first hand experience with this night, which includes gathering candy.” My answer causes a smile on their lips as Lyra begins to levitate some candy to my bowl, but is stopped by Bon Bon.

  “I don’t recall hearing the princess say the magic words. Until she does she shouldn’t get any of our treats.” I just look on in shock at Bon Bon’s words, pleading, hoping she’s joking. “We're waiting princess.”

  “Please don’t make me. And please don’t call me princess, just Moon or Moonshade.” At this point the three fillies join in to encourage me. So with a sigh I mumble the words out under my breath.

  “What was that Moonshade? We didn’t quite hear you.” Lyra taunts me with the dangling candy pieces. The crowd behind us blocks my exit in a semi circle as they also begin to encourage me.

  “Fine..... Nightmare night, what a fright, give me something sweet to bite.” The words are heard over the crowd, but still I’m refused. In a huff I finally give in. “NIGHTMARE NIGHT, WHAT A FRIGHT, GIVE ME SOMETHING SWEET TO BITE!” As Lyra and Bon Bon smile and wink at me I can’t help but give them a mock glare, even showing some fang, earning laughs from them and the fillies. As we pass by the large crowd gives way with cheers and applause. “I'll get you three fillies back, just you wait.”

  After a few hours we've covered the entire village, just in time to see a large crowd gathering in front of a large stage. Its at this point while me and the girls are in the back that I’m suprised by a visit from mom, her expression thoughtful and worried as she settles next to me. “Hey mom, whats wrong?”

  “Nothing to be concerned about my little moon, enjoying yourself tonight?” Her answer is followed by a nuzzle, the entire scene is watched carefully by the three fillies in front of me. “I see you've been a chaperone and partaking in the most important part of this night.”

  “Suprisingly I am. And yea I got hooked into watching these three by Rarity and Applejack.” I return her nuzzle with my own, smiling happily before I seperate from her and my expression turns serious. “Aren’t..... Aren’t you affected by what this celebration re.....”

  A feather lays against my lips before I can finish my question. Zecora’s speech and tricks on stage are ignored by the two of us. “I did in the begining my daughter. But the first night I deigned to see what the celebration was about I learned what joy and happiness this night can bring to the foals and the suprise that ponies enjoy being frightened if its done properly. So I make sure that each Nightmare Night I visit a different city and spread the happiness I can bring.”

  “But..... Doesn’t it sadden you to have a night named after your..... Other self?”

  “No my little moon it doesn’t. In fact I find that tonight is the only blessing I have from my time as Nightmare Moon. And it is a very good blessing that has opened my eyes. Now, its time for my act soon, I shall see you later on tonight.” With a smile and kiss mom hurries away into the woods. All I can do is sit there and watch, mulling over her words.

  “Hey Moon, hello..... Are you awake?” Sweetie Belle’s question snaps me out of my trance. With a quick clearing shake of my head I give her a smile.

  “Yea, sorry just had something on my mind. What are we doin now?”

   "We gotta go ta the statue o Nightmare Moon. Its part o the tradition, now lets git goin’.” Apple Bloom leads the way with Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo flanking me.

  “We have to sacrifice some of our candy to Nightmare Moon so she won’t come and bother us for an entire year.” Scootaloo explains as we approach the statue. I can’t help but giggle as I watch the events that unfold. As the candy is begining to pile up the statue begins to move. A couple of large bolts of lightning smash into the ground while the wind picks up. Its at this time some members of the lunar guard appear, only they're supporting the iconography of Nightmare Moon.

  Once everything is in place the voice of Nightmare Moon echos through the night. “This offering of candy shall be sufficient to keep me from eating YOU!” As she finishes another bright flash appears, causing the foals to scream and run away. The girls I’m watching cower behind me a little as they watch the candy being swept up by mom.

  “So, that was your big performance?” I step out of the shadows with a smile, helping her gather the remaining pieces. “How can you find that fun?”

  “You remember what your friends said when you first visited a carnival about being frightened?”

  Her question opens up a flood of memories and I sort through them. ‘That was the best she could do when trying to impersonate me, pathetic just like you are.’

'Shut up will you, she’s not trying to actually be you. She just wants to scare the foals for some reason.’ Eventually I come across the memory I’m searching for. The task made all the more difficult as I try to ignore and push aside the ones involving the past murders and tortures that the remnant shows me.

  “Yea..... Sometimes its fun to be scared, if its done properly. But still, why do it mom?”

  “Because Moon, it not only shows that my night has become appreciated but it also helps me to connect with our subjects in a personal way, making it easier for them to be able to approach me.” Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo and Apple Bloom burst out of their spot as mom talks, giving her a big group hug.

  “Alright mom, I think I understand a little. I need to get these three back to Rarity's, its getting late. Is there anything else happening tonight?” Despite the yawns the girls protest a little.

  “Yes there are alot of games to play, when you're done you can join me in doubling the fun.” She smiles as I walk off, carrying the now sleeping fillies. The rest of the night is spent in joining mom as we play a multitude of different games and mingle in with population. Despite my desire to stay I make my way to Sweet Apple Acres after only spending an hour playing, knowing I gotta be up early tomorrow.

  “Alright Moonshade, here’s the guest room ya'll be sleepin in. I know ya were out for a long time tanight but that ain’t gonna be an excuse fer not bein able to work early.” Applejack warns before going back to her own room. Without a second wasted I fall on the bed and drift happily to sleep.

  All to soon morning comes, accompanied by the shouting of Applejack and the smells of fresh cooked breakfast. “C'mon Moonshade, time ta rise an shine, these apples ain’t gonna buck themselves.” I only manage to groan and swat at the noise while turning onto my other side. Unfortunately she has help and after a minute of pesting I finally wake up. Midnight gives a last chirp before leading me to the kitchen downstairs. “Mornin’ Moonshade. Hehe, ya should get a good look at yerself after wakin up, but it won’t matter. Eat heartily cause we got alot o work.”

  “Morning Applejack, when you said early I shoulda known you meant early. Hay the sun isn’t even out!” I take my first look out the window, suprised that its still dark out as I dig into my plate, stuffing my belly fuller than I’d normally do. “How much work we got cut out for ourselves today?”

  “We got a whole field ta try an clear. If we don’ we'll loose that part o the harvest with how cold its been gettin.” As she says that we head outside followed by Big Mac. In mostly silence we work throughout the day, even with my magic going its a hard job. Halfway through I give an attempt at trying to buck just like Applejack is. All that the attempt does is earn me a shooting pain through my hooves and a laugh from the two Apples. It takes us till dinner time when we finally finish. Though we're sweaty and tired we cleared the entire field. “Thanks fer yer help Moonshade, here’s a gift fer helpin us. Tell Celestia an Luna we said hi.” Before I leave a bucket full of apples is pushed towards me, sitting next to my full candy bucket.

  “Will do Applejack, and you didn’t have to give me anything. The experience was enough, though I don’t think I'll be looking to do this for the rest of my life, but it was worth trying out, take care.” With a groan and pop of my back me and Midnight fly back to Canterlot.

  Over the next week Rainbow Dash stops by for about an hour to work on my takeoff and landing skills. The landing practice while rough is still alot easier than figuring out how to take off.  Once she’s happy with both she finally takes me out for a short flight around a tower, continuing to show me how to properly turn and maneuver around obstacles. The one day I don’t have flying practice I end up having an unexpected time with mom and auntie one morning which leads to us playing out in the garden. Unfortunately it leads to something terrible happening to Midnight which I fear will leave him unable to fly anymore. During my time at Fluttershy’s I meet a strange pegasus mare, something about her reminds me of myself from not to long ago. The experience of meeting her stirs something inside of me that makes me want to help her.

'Something about the event that caused Midnight to be injured is suspicious, like he was intentionally injured, but wh..... I bet it was Blueblood or one of his cronies.’ The thought angers me as I meetup with mom and Tia. A freshly bandaged Midnight is still nestled in mane.

‘You should teach him a lesson. He can’t hurt something you care for without repercussions. Find a way to hurt him as he hurt you.’ I can feel the remnant’s reaction to my anger over the situation even as I try to calm down.

'As much as I’d like for him to be guilty I don’t know that for certain. It won’t be fair to accuse him without proof.’ I retort, not really paying attention to the guards or other ponies around me as I finally enter the mostly filled throne room. A deep sigh releases a touch of my anger as I sit next to auntie. My stiffened posture, the way I entered and my barely contained snarl point to my self contained anger. Aunt Tia’s only reaction at the moment is a raised eyebrow and a concerned look.

  After a whispered word to her commanding officer she returns her attention to the line of ponies, the words exchanged are barely registered as I work on calming down. “Ok ponies, the princesses need to have a private word, please exit the room.” With loud grumbles and complaints the room empties, to include the guards.

  “What is wrong Moon that has you so upset?” The question breaks through my concentration and instead of just answering I show her Midnight, specifically the his injured wing. “When did this happen? What happened?”

  With a deep breath I can feel myself slightly calm down. “It happened shortly after you and mom left me and Midnight in the garden. As for how I have a suspicion but no proof.  I hope he will be able to fly again, gonna take him back to Fluttershy's in a moonth to have it reevaluated.”

  “Who do you suspect caused it? Are you sure that it wasn’t an accident, that he didn’t get his wing caught on something?”

  “I won't tell you cause it won’t be fair to accuse without proof. As for how I know it isn't an accident, well watch this.” I show her what I saw in that moment. Midnight is playing in a clear open spot, no plants or anything else around that could shred his wing.

  “Stop, go back if you can and freeze the image. Rrrriight there stop.” Celestia narrows her eyes as she focuses on the image before using her own magic to enlarge Midnight's wing. A frown crosses her muzzle. “I see now. Yu are right, it was done on purpose. Me and Luna will figure out who did this, just worry about getting him better.” Before the now annoyed crowd reenters she gives both me and Midnight a nuzzle and offers me a chance to stay with her to attend to the ponies which I decline gracefully.