Author's Note
Silver Spoon's POV
A Skyward Spoon: 1
Pinkie Pie had come bouncing by, in her common manner. There is no mistaking her. Only now she had come with an offer. Maybe I should have refused?
“Would you follow me up in my balloon, Silver Spoon?” Pinkie had inquired innocently
“Well, why not? I have nothing better to do, right now!” I had responded.
“Good, jump right in and we can get going. It is promised to be a great day for a trip in a balloon today, you know!” she then explained as I jumped aboard.
Of course I wear the top and skirt, I am not the common little filly, after all.
To my surprise, Pinkie Pie is wearing a suit, like at the Equestria Games in the Crystal Empire. The top and skirt a brilliant, iridescent pink to cerise, just as her boots. At first I saw nothing special about these. At least they are not special on Pinkie Pie. She also wore the same style of mane and head-wear as she had been wearing, even if it is the same rainbow style as at the games, as opposed to her more common standard pink.
Of course it is a hot air balloon, but this time we are sitting in a pink sphere with clear glass windows. Maybe it isn’t strange in her eyes, and I am after all siting inside with her right now. Actually, it is strange now, she is commonly using contraptions or uncommon modes of flight, we all knew that.
“All aboard!” she exclaimed as she closed the door behind me, sealing me inside.
“Uh, yeah. Unless you are expecting any other Pony?” I responded, failing to notice how the balloon slowly and quietly took off, smoothly floating up skywards. It is after all a hot air balloon.
Pinkie Pie could be one insidious and insightful mare, guess we all knew it. She always had one more trick up the short sleeve of that top, even if they were more likely hidden somewhere in the swirls of the curls of her mane.
As an Earth Pony, she is the only one known to take flight. Even if we had seen Apple Bloom fly with the looptie hoop as she had contracted the feared Cutie Pox. Pinkie Pie needs no wings and no looptie hoops.
Likewise, she is the only one to handle the arcane magic, among the none Unicorns. Maybe I should claim that she is the most Magic of Ponies. At least beside Twilight Sparkle and Rainbow Dash. What ever pushed her to perform her feats is any Pony’s guess. I don’t bother, I know that I am ignorant on this subject. Considering how even Twilight Sparkle gave up on the subject, I don’t need to feel ashamed now.
“Look, there is the Sweet Apple Acres, and there is Twilight Sparkles Friendship castle!” Pinkie then exclaimed.
As I look out, I can clearly see the locations down there, well beneath the balloon.
“It is just a few hundred feet under us, at this time!” she then pointed out.
“Whoa; how did you ever manage to get us this high, without I even noticed it?” I then exclaimed.
“This is a hot air balloon, Silver Spoon. It is designed to be smooth and quiet. Oh, but wait and see how far I can take you in but a few minutes!” she then responded, as she fiddled with a few gauges.
“I know that, Pinkie. It is just that you managed to take me by surprise!” I responded, before I realized what she had been doing, as she sent us even further skywards.
Then she pulled out a pair of gloves matching her suit and slipped them on, right and left.
“I need a delicate touch on these gauges from here on, you see!” she merely pointed out as I noticed her wearing the gloves.
From what I could see, the walls are clean, just the four seats of which Pinkie Pie is clearly occupying one special place. This is where she is controlling the balloon. I realized it first now as I had seen her fiddling with the gauges, of course. She can be such a sneaky Pony, when she is in that mood. What ever she had in mind for me. Yet, she couldn’t have intended to just drop me from this altitude, now could she?
“It is getting a bit chilly, in here. Besides, it is starting to get dark. We haven’t been up here all that long, right?” I pointed out.
“Ah, thanks. I’ll fix that right away!” she merely responded, and the room soon became nice and cozy again.
“Could you fix the lights too?” I inquired in a more worried voice than before.
“In here, certainly. On the outside; that is clearly Celestia’s domain, even if I guess we are approaching Luna’s domain now!” she merely pointed out, as if it should have been obvious.
Yet, the room soon lit up as if in the middle of the day. Where the light came from, I am not sure I like to know. I don’t chance to question Pinkie Pie on one of these days. Not on these subjects.
“Thank you, Pinkie Pie. At least it is no longer dark in here!” I responded.
“You are quite welcome, Silver Spoon!” she responded.
As I followed her gaze, something occurred to me, she is looking at the moon. Yet, that isn’t the shock, it is in just how close to the moon she had managed us to float off.
I hope you are enjoying the little ride. It isn’t as if you are flying every day. Not with me, or in a hot air balloon; now is it, Silver Spoon?” she inquired intently.
“No, I guess you have me there!” I responded, shaking my head quite vigorously in response to her words.
Then I looked out, once more. The moon is quite bright, but what transfixed my eyes; is a castle, where no castle should have been.
“I told you that this is Luna’s domain, didn’t I? This is why. It is the castle she built during her exile, even if I fear she never set hoof in the castle herself!” Pinkie then explained.
“Yes, Pinkie Pie. You certainly did let on that it was her domain. But, if she never set hoof in the castle, why did she bother building it here?” I inquired.
“I am on final approach!” Pinkie Pie announced as we slowly circled closer to the castle, sinking down towards the court yard.
“Are you taking us down here, now? Is she even there?” I inquired.
“Yes, I am. I think you could enjoy seeing an actual castle, as opposed to the rustic homes of Ponyville you have seen before!” she then pointed out.
“Rustic? I exclaimed in alarm and confusion, not sure as to how to continue.
“You do know that I have been to the Royal castle at Canterlot, as well as the Crystal castle of the Crystal Empire, aside from the one of the two sisters in the Everfree forest and the castle of Friendship at the edge of Ponyville, right?” she prompted.
“Uh, oh?” I responded.
“This is the Lunar castle of Nightmare Moon, the castle she built while in exile. It is very different in style comparing with the homes in Ponyville. It is Royal, as opposed to Rustic!” she explained in crisp tones.
“Oh? I guess that would make sense. What Princess would be living in a small cottage in a farm village like Ponyville?” I pondered.
“Here we are!” she pointed out as I felt a thud from the balloon hitting ground.
“You mean to say that you just landed on the moon? And in the Lunar castle, of all places? I inquired.
“Exactly. Here you go. Enjoy your stay!” she prompted as she opened the door and pushed me out.
I noted that gravity is far below Equestrian standard, just no idea as to the exact figures, as if it made any difference.
“Are you not coming with me?” I exclaimed.
“Send my regards to Luna, when you see her!” she just stated as she closed the door and took off.
A Lunar Meeting Episode: 2
Author's Note
Echo Luna Lulamoon's POV
A Lunar Meeting Episode: 2
I had noticed that a balloon had landed in the court yard of my castle. A filly had apparently embarked, in order to venture into my castle, so I set off to greet her.
Picking the nearest door in the court yard, the one where I would spot her early and easily. Trotting off in a stately manner, rather than galloping there in undue haste. I am a Princess, even when in exile. This is my castle, I built it for myself within the time-span of a thousand years, a millennium.
Only when the spell exiling me here finally let up enough to escape, I was trapped within the walls of the castle I had built. I am the echo of the mare who had been imprisoned and exiled. I can never escape on my own.
I am the remnants of the creative spirit building the castle, brick by brick, while the hateful mare who escaped returned to Equus, and Equestria in order to exact her revenge and plunge the land in the promised eternal night.
For all I care, it is fortunate that she failed, I have no desire to see the land in darkness and despair. This never was my dream, I am a Pony of light and day. Even if I was a part of the Pony entrusted with the night, and the beauty of the night sky. The Moon and the stars. The original Luna painted the sky in a beautiful scenario she wished for her fellow Ponies, her subjects to adore and watch in wonder and bewilderment. She never realized that they would need their sleep and that her night was the time assigned for this purpose. The later Luna of today found her place in that world.
Just like an artist, I had been working hard on making this castle as grand as I possibly could, just as when I painted the night sky.
“Greetings, my dear filly!” I pronounced as I spotted her just a few yards from the chosen door.
“Greetings, I am Silver Spoon!” she responded in kind.
“Nice to see you, Silver Spoon. I am the echo of the mare you know as Luna Lulamoon!” I presented myself.
“Then you are Princess Luna?” she responded.
“In a fashion. I guess you could say that I am the Princess of the Moon. Yet, I guess I do prefer it, if you would call me Echo, if it is all the same to you?” I pointed out.
“Echo.. echo, echo.. ! she spoke, as if making a point out of a joke, not quite realize the situation.
“With magic as strong as that of an Alicorn, there is more than enough to go around. Enough to create an echo of the original Pony. That is where I came in, where I am!” I pointed out.
“I guess that is a kind of immortality!” she offered.
“Not the kindest of Immortalities goes, but yes. I will live on, even when she fails. Just as she can live on, even when I fail. I have little to no knowledge of what she is doing, or how she is feeling right now. I have but the faintest of echoes of her in my heart!” I continued as I lead the filly from the door towards the private chambers, and the little room where I use to have my tea.
Only now, for once, I will not have it in dark solitude and silence.
“Of course, there are consequences in being the echo. Even after all this time. I will leave a weak imprint on you, as you will leave one on me!” I pointed out as I entered my private chambers.
“Please, have a seat, I will prepare tea for us. Then we can discuss anything under the sun and on the moon!” I proclaimed with a wink.
“Thank you, Princess Echo. A cup of tea would be delightful, right about now!” she then responded as she sat down on one of the chairs around the hexagonal table.
“I think Laughter shall be yours, let me fix that for you!” I offered as I turned the circle of elements around on the table.
“Why do you say that?” the filly inquired.
“Not so much that you came with Pinkie Pie, who currently is the wielder of that Element, but because you are bringing joy to me in my solitude. You see, I have been here for over a thousand years. There is precious little to smile about, when you are alone. I hope you will never learn the depth or the weight of it in your lifetime!” I offered.
“If you have been here that long; your endurance is legendary. I couldn’t last a day, I am nowhere as stoical as to endure more of solitude!” she groaned.
“Good, then you know enough to make good the friendships you have and appreciate them for all they are worth!” I pointed out.
“I do have a friend named Diamond Tiara, a pink Earth Pony, just like me. Then I do have my family, of course. I have little need for more, or do I?” she responded, in uncertain tones.
“So long as you have them and they are loyal to you; that can be enough. Yet, I would suggest that you do enjoy a certain pink mare, the one who brought you to me!” I then added.
“Wait, Pinkie Pie? She is the Party Pony of Ponyville. She works at the café the Sugar-Cube Corner and throw every party in town. Every Pony loves her in one way or the other, at least after a fashion!” she responded.
“Every one of your birthdays, your cuteciniera? Even if she acts the filly, she is also timelessly wise well beyond reason. She is, and she has power. Oh well, enough about her. Even if she was the one kind enough to borrow you to me for the briefest of instants. What blend would be yours?” I rambled.
“These, right along with the parties for about anything and everything. She is literally throwing them left and right. Any and every reason is enough to her. Although she has thrown a few parties even outside of town, from what I have heard. Oh yes. The tea. Do you by chance have Filly Vanilla?” she responded.
“Certainly. With a millennium on my hooves, I have explored almost every blend currently in existence. It is one of the few things I can do here alone!” I pondered.
“Thank you, Princess Echo!” she responded in delight.
”Sorry, I have no Earth Pony cups. I guess we can make due? Would you accept my temporary gift, Silver Spoon?” the Echo of Luna, formerly known as Nightmare Moon inquired in a curious, yet friendly and polite voice.
“I guess I could, even if I worry about how I will react when I am to leave. Do I want to let go of the gift as I leave? How would my friend react on how I explain? If I even choose to tell her about you at all? Yet, I certainly do not wish to insult you by refusing your offer. It feels like too gracious an offer to reuse for someone such as me!” she expressed.
That is the question of life. How does one react to the quandaries of what you inevitably have to lose? Is it better to keep the silence? Yet, that is a question you can postpone, for now!” I put forth.
“Since you are here now, I would take the offer and hope for the best later on. Even if I can tell no Pony about you or the time here with you. Though I fear Pinkie Pie is the wiser to these issues as well!” she pondered as I poured her the cup of Filly Vanilly tea.
“That sounds like a wise choice. Knowing your friend can never do anything compared with what I may be capable of, knowing I am an Alicorn. Besides, you will always have Pinkie Pie and me, rest assured of that!” I explained, matter of fact but with a sly grin.
“Then, my greatest worry would be in how to manage the cup you offered me. I am after all new at this!” she then put forth, but with growing confidence.
“Of course, being a Princess; I still do have great power and influence even now. If it is in the lack of means to travel back to Equus, or if it is in lacking resolve. Yet, I am still just as powerful an Alicorn as ever Luna and her alternate ego Nightmare ever was. I have no power over the moon or the night sky. I have little interest in what is going on, on the planet-side, these days. Yet, I still do crave the company of Ponies. As an Alicorn, I have the combined weight of the magic of this Moon!” I pondered.
“Maybe I could convince Pinkie Pie to drop me off by your castle from time to time?” she responded.
“So long as it brings a smile to the face of just one more Pony, she would do it for you any time. Rest assured of that, dear filly!” I pointed out in no uncertain terms, but in a light voice.
“Then you do know her more than in passing!” the filly pointed out.
“No Pony knows her well, not even the mare herself. She resigned to let that part slide in the hopes of being able to do all the things she is doing. Some things are best left alone. Had she been an Alicorn like me, but she can do as she pleases!” I pointed out.
“Maybe the power of the magic of Earth Ponies are just as strong as that of any other type? Or is it in how she is the only one actually using magic in any quantity openly?” the filly pondered.
“I think I am more comfortable in seeing her as exceptional. Yet, there is a hidden reason why so few Earth Ponies use magic. If it is in requiring all to their farms, and the few who are not farmers no longer know how or even what magic truly is? On the other hoof, it is as they say; Friendship is Magic, and she has an extreme abundance of friendship. Maybe the answer is in her converting all that raw magic of friendship into what she is doing?” I proposed.
“The very same friendship that defeated Nightmare Moon, Queen Chrysalis, Discord and Lord Tirek?” she filly inquired.
“That magic could stand up to the combined power of the magic of Equus. I could see that, even from here, you know!” I then pointed out.
“I guess that was a spectacle of unrivaled proportions, Princess Echo?” she proposed as she tentatively touched her cup with the newly gifted arcane magic the horn gave her control over.
A faint purple glow had been alight on the horn of the filly; before a faint line stretched out, touching the edge of her cup.
“You know, right now it feels almost as if you had been my very own little filly. I enjoy seeing you handle the cup!” I then submitted.
“Thank you, Echo. How I have been longing to be told just something like this. My father never seems to have time for me, and I have no clear recollections of my mother to speak of. A little filly like me needs to hear words of encouragement, from time to time!” I pondered quietly.
“Then; maybe we are sailing the same ship, or sitting on the same Moon?” I put forth.
“Oh wait; I think I recall fragments of the tail of how Nightmare Moon came to be, and was consequently banished to the Moon. That is exactly where we are now!” she pondered.
“Oh yes; that old tale. I am not the first, and I know I will not be the last. I was just the one powerful enough to warrant the banishment and exile here!” I prompted, the old memory still with me and paining the back of my head every time it floated up to the conscious level.
“An Earth Pony like me can never do enough damage to warrant exile, they just imprison me and forget all about it!” she pointed out.
“Exactly, my little filly. Only now, you are a Unicorn, even if it may last only for as long as you are sharing my exile here on the Moon!” I filled in.
“Oh, but of course. Yet, what damage can a little filly, like me do? Even if I had been down on the planet with the others?” she inquired, to the point.
“Probably nothing, which is just as well. Be thankful for the little blessing it is. The day your resentment starts to grow and consume you; you will see the wisdom, just as I do now!” I prompted warmly.
“You know, Echo; I like being a Unicorn. Maybe it isn’t so bad to be here with you, as I had expected; before I met you, while she dumped me here!” she expressed.
“I guess I have something you enjoy. If it is a kind of blackmail, just just a friendly exchange; but that is for others to say later!” I prompted.