Chapter One
Moonstone Ruby
Scarlet paced nervously on the hard floor, waiting impatiently for the very important news. His sky blue mane was combed neatly into place, and his wings folded close to his gray body. This morning had been wonderful, he had been ready for the day. He had cleaned himself up quite nicely, hence the neatly placed mane and the tucked wings, but had never expected the news that had come to him a few minutes later.
“Honey, it's time.” his beautiful wife, Peridot had said.
“Time for what?” Scarlet looked at her. In that one moment his heart skipped a beat. She was pale, her mane matted to her neck and her horn glowing as it always did when she was nervous or excited.
“Oh no, you don't mean...” Scarlet trailed off. Peridot nodded.
“We must get to the hospital...” she wheezed. Scarlet had then picked her up and rushed out of their fancy white house, into the carriage that was supposed to take him to work.
“To the hospital, now!” he'd ordered. The silver and purple stallions had rushed them here, and were now waiting outside, along with a large crowd of ponies.
Scarlet shook his head at the memory.
I should have been ready. Should've been prepared. He berated himself. Finally, the doctor, a black pony with a purple mane and tail stepped out of the room in which Peridot was lying.
Scarlet jumped and looked at her. She looked up from her clipboard and nodded.
“You may go in now. She'll need you for the birth.” she said. Scarlet breathed a shaky thank you and trotted in to his wife.
The couple were very rich. One of the richer families in the Fillypines. So the crowd was waiting patiently outside, holding their breath in excitement over the Stallion and Mare's first child.
“Scarlet! My darling! Thank goodness. I don't know why the Doctor wouldn't let you in before. She was just taking my pulse and charting my breathing and weird stuff that would not have hurt you to see.” Peridot said with an edge to her voice.
“She was just being cautious.” Scarlet assumed.
“She barely let me allow you to come in! I had to insist!” Peridot took a breath. “but it's over now. No concern.” and she gasped as another wave of pain came over her.
Scarlet took her pretty pink hoof, which was now covered in sweat, and his eyes widened at her iron grip.
Doctor Black Hooves came in and looked at them through her glasses.
“The delivery will start very soon. I believe it will be an easier one.” she said and adjusted her glasses. She put her clipboard down and came over to the other side of the bed.
“You may leave now, Mr. Scarlet.” she said.
“No! I want him here!” Peridot said. Scarlet could see Black Hooves press her mouth closed hard and nod.
And then, the beautiful Peridot Stars went into labor.
As the doctor said, it was an easier delivery, and a beautiful foal was born. She had large eyes, was a white color, which they assumed she would grow out of, and her tiny first wisps that would grow into a mane and tail were a very faint brown, which matched her eyes.
“Oh Scarlet, look, she has a tiny little stub of a unicorn! She'll grow to be a beautiful little mare!” Peridot exclaimed.
“Uh, Peridot, look!” Scarlet gently pushed a part of the pink blanket back and pointed. There, on her side was a tiny little something that looked like-a wing?
“Is it just me or did I just give birth to a-”
“-alicorn.” Scarlet finished.
“Oh Scarlet!” Peridot laughed outright.
“The crowd will be happy.” Scarlet said, only half joking.
“They sure will be. An alicorn! Think of that!” Peridot leaned back and closed her eyes happily, then launched back up, a look of sadness in her eyes.
“Scarlet-you know what this means. When she is thirteen, she'll have to go to Queen Marble's Academy for Alicorns!” She cried. Scarlet paled a very light gray.
“Oh dear.” they looked sadly down at their beautiful child. They would lose her, as the law stated, at age thirteen.
Queen Marble was a just ruler, living only for her people and her country. But, since alicorn foals were extremely rare in the Fillypines, they were needed to go to her academy, so that they might learn all the skills a king or queen might need in case they ever had to take over the throne. She had done this because she was not married and had to heirs to the thrown.
Those who would not go on to become the queen or king, would do something else important, most likely at the palace, so that they would make good contributions to the land.
Scarlet and Peridot understood this, and knew that at age thirteen she'd soon be old enough to be on her own anyway, but they would still miss her.
The parents smiled at each other, and knew that though she'd just been born, she had a chance at becoming the new queen, since Queen Marble was still a young mare.
“Well, dearest, we'd better show the patient crowd our prize.” Scarlet said, and Scarlet took the foal in his hooves so that Peridot could rest, then walked out on the balcony with Dr. Black Hooves.
The crowd silenced and looked up at the wealthy stallion and his foal.
“A beautiful alicorn filly!” the doctor announced. The crowd cheered, and many showed off their whistling tricks.
“You should write her name down in this book. Every hospital in the Fillypines were given one in case any alicorns were ever born.” the doctor said, handing Peridot an old book.
“Of course. We already came up with a name for her the second we found out it was a filly.” Peridot assured her, and took the quill and book.
In it, she carefully and lovingly wrote, Moonstone Ruby
“A beautiful name.” the doctor remarked, and took the book, then left the room.
“Well, soon as you are able, shall we take her home?” Scarlet asked.
“Yes. I never did like hospitals.” Peridot said, wrinkling her nose.
And, they did, as soon as they were able, they took their bundle of joy-Moonstone Ruby-home.
As Moonstone-or Moon, as they liked to call her-grew, so did her parent's surprise and wonder.
She did not grow out of her white color, but instead the white color grew more and more beautiful, as if Moon was carved from ivory. Her mane grew to be extremely long and wavy, and was a lush, brown color. Her unicorn sat tall and proudly upon her head, and her wings big and beautiful. She was indeed a beautiful filly.
“Mom!” she said one day, bringing her magazine to Peridot. “look! These ponies from Equestria have pictures on their hindquarters! This one has balloons, this one has three gems...” she looked questioningly up at her mother.
“Oh! Well, most ponies have those. They are called cutie marks. Ponies from the Fillypines don't have them. We have talents, like them, but we usually have more than one.” Peridot explained.
“Wow. So, if I grew up and married a stallion from Equestria, what would happen to our foals?” she asked. Moon was always curious.
“Oh, well, your foal would probably have a cutie mark, if the stallion was from Equestria. Now, if a stallion from here married a mare from Equestria, then the foal would have no cutie mark. It all depends on where the stallion is from.” Peridot replied, and put another freshly cut strawberry into her bowl.
“What're you making?” Moon asked, suddenly changing the subject, and lying her magazine on the table.
“I am making strawberry-flavored, chocolate-coated fudge.” she replied, and poured sugar and water in with the cut up strawberries. She had chocolate boiling on the stove, and her fudge was in the freezer.
“That sounds yummy! Where on earth did you get such a weird recipe?” Moon asked.
“Oh, just from a friend of mine. It's really delicious.” and she set the pot on the stove.
“Hmm. Well, I can't wait to taste it. Oh, mom? Can I please have Turquoise over? I haven't seen her for a while. Not since school let out, and that was a few weeks ago.” Moon looked up at her mom, her large brown eyes made her mother smile as usual.
“Of course. Have her come over tonight. She can have some of the fudge.” Peridot answered, and got to stirring. One of her main talents was cooking.
“Alright! Thanks, mom!” and she flew up to her room, to get things ready.
Turquoise Dream was her best friend. She was also a beautiful pony, and lived in the country. Moon always liked the hustle and bustle of her Fillypine city, but the country was amazing, because it was filled with adventure and there was lots of room to run and frolic.
Moon went here and there, doing this and doing that. She fixed her bed, tidied her room and set out snacks. She brushed her long mane and put it back in a casual up do to keep it out of her eyes.
Finally, she phoned her friend and told her she was welcome to come over.
“Oh yay! I'll be right over! Soon as I finish feeding the animals.” Turquoise said, and they hung up.
Turquoise's father was a sheep rancher. She loved the sport, and declared she'd always live on the ranch and tend the fluffy animals. Moon loved to visit and help round up the sheep.
Soon, she heard footsteps. She brushed a strand of mane back and opened her bedroom door to see Turquoise, hat and all.
“Hey, Dream! So glad I could come over! Oh, and what is your mom making that smells so delicious?” Turquoise asked, coming into the room.
“She's making strawberry coated chocolate flavored fudge. No, wait, it's strawberry flavored chocolate coated fudge.” she shook her head at the complicated sentence.
“Yikes. Well, I hope it tastes as good as it smells. Knowing your mom it probably will.” Dream said, settling herself on the bed.
Moon grinned as the pony took off her brown felt hat and fluffed her mane. Turquoise was such a beautiful filly. She was a fair pink color and had a light-and-dark blue mane and tail that was slightly frizzed from spending all her time outdoors.
“Wanna play a few games?” Moon asked. Turquoise nodded and they brought out their favorite game Settlers Of Catan.
“My mom said we can have some of the fudge when she's done making it, so, we can be her royal taste testers. Oh! And did you know that ponies from that place Equestria have pictures on their hindquarters?! They are called cutie marks....”
Today was the day. Moonstone was excited, but also sad to leave her parents whom she loved so dearly.
Princess Sunset, number two in Queen Marble's palace, was coming to pick up Moonstone herself. Moon was very excited to meet real royalty. Maybe she would even get to see the queen!
Turquoise Dream had stayed over the night so she could help Moon's parents give the proper send off. Dream had some more of the fudge and waited patiently, knowing these were her last moments with her parents for a long time.
“I can't believe this day has finally come! I'm going to meet the one and only princess of the Fillypines!! And ride in her carriage!” Moon said as they waited, hopping up and down.
“Yes, it's quite awesome!” Turquoise joined in the jumping.
Suddenly Moon stopped and cocked a pretty white ear toward the door. She could her the clip-clop of big hooves and the rattle of wheels over gravel.
“That's them! That's THEM!” she squealed, then stopped, brushed a stray strand of mane behind her ear, and calmed herself. Peridot and Scarlet smiled at each other. She seemed definite queen material to them. But that wasn't for them to decide.
The foursome walked outside and Moon gasped. In front of her was the most beautiful carriage she'd ever seen. It was silver, with gold and bronze edging, and two, big green stallions with gray manes partially hidden under their armor stood hitched to it. On the top of the carriage near the end was a small replica of the Fillypine flag. A green background with a dark silhouette of two swords clashing with a diamond in the middle.
After gazing at all this, Moon finally fixed her gaze on the gold-etched glass windows, hoping for a glimpse of the princess inside.
An armored stallion unhitched himself and stood in front of the family stern and serious.
“Scarlet and Peridot with their daughter Moonstone Ruby?” he questioned. The named ones nodded. Turquoise did too, for good measure.
“And who is this? We can have no bad-doers here.” he said.
“This is my best friend in the whole world Turquoise Dream and she is quite the opposite of a 'bad-doer.'” Moon answered defensively.
The guard's mouth twitched but he refused the smile and went to open the carriage door.
“Then, welcome to your grounds Princess Pearl Sunset, daughter of her majesty, Queen Quartz-Marble, husband to deceased King-”
“Enough! There is no need for such fuss and nonsense!” came a musical voice from inside. Moon's eyes widened as a beautiful mare stepped out. She was a lot taller than Moon's parents, and a striking color of red-orange that Moon had never seen before. She had a beautiful, curly, flowing, blue and green striped mane, and wore a simple pink dress over her large wings. From her horn hung a tiny blue amulet. Her eyes shone like rubies. She had a simple golden crown with an emerald imbedded in it.
“I am....well, everything my guard was about to say, but you may address me as Princess Sunset.” the mare said.
The foursome bowed, and the guard did, too.
“Now, say your goodbyes and come along. School starts tomorrow so you must get to your quarters at once to get organized. Are all your things packed?” her voice was the smooth and beautiful practiced voice of royalty.
All Moon could do was nod. Then she snapped out of her daze and turned to her parents and Turquoise.
“I'm gonna miss you guys so bad.” she said, hugging her dad.
“Aw, we'll miss you too, sweetheart.” Scarlet agreed as he hugged her back. She gave him a kiss and hugged her mother next.
“Be good, darling, and never forget yourself.” Peridot said as she squeezed her daughter.
“Write letters!” Turquoise pleaded as she took her turn. Then Moon pulled back and looked at them. With a slight sniff she smiled sadly.
“Goodbye, guys.” she said. They waved as she was escorted into the carriage behind Princess Sunset.
“Now. Off we go!” Princess Sunset declared. Moon looked out the window and waved—trying hard not to make it look wild and frantic—and watched her house until she saw it no more.
Finally, with a sigh, she turned back to the tall pony sitting opposite of her.
“I'm excited to go to this school. What do they teach, exactly?” Moon asked the princess.
“Oh! Many things. You will love Queen Marble's school. Queen Marble herself is the best queen you'll ever shake hooves with. Although you won't really shake her hooves, because that would be improper and just weird!” Sunset said, scrunching up her nose at the thought of it.
Moon's eyes widened. “I'm going to meet her?!” she asked excitedly.
“Of course! Every student does when they first come to the school. And of course you'll see her in events, or announcements, sometimes. You'll be seeing her more than you think.” Princess Sunset replied.
“Wow...” was all Moon could say. Princess Sunset was so...Moon didn't even know. It was hard to be awkward and self-conscious around this mare.
“Yes. 'Twill be an honor. But let me tell you how to do things in front of her, since she is a queen, after all.”
Moon leaned in eagerly.
“When we first enter, we will stop about ten paces from the throne and bow. I'll teach you the correct Fillypine way we do it when we arrive. Do not get up or make eye contact at all until she says 'rise.' Don't even make eye contact before you bow. When she tells you to rise, then you may. Do not speak unless you are spoken to and address as her as 'your majesty,' or 'highness.' Don't say 'your grace.' That we use only for kings.” Princess Sunset stopped for breath.
“Bow..wait...rise...your majesty...I can do that.” Moon said, storing the information away in her brain.
“Good. We will arrive shortly.” The Princess said.
So, after traveling for a while past the Fillypines' lush grazing, goat herds, mango and pine trees, and flower-dotted hillsides, they made their way into a valley where Moon saw the most beautiful sight she'd ever seen.
It was a valley surrounded by the green hills, with many trees scattered here and there. There was the black and brown school, and the huge, gray, shining castle with the nations flag on the two topmost towers. It had no moat. It needed none, for it was great without. There were several courtyards, buildings and places Moon assumed were used for things at the school. Events if you will. There was a large fence surrounding all this, and guards at every gate.
“Wow...” she breathed.
“'Tis lovely, isn't it?” Princess Sunset said softly. Moon nodded, then looked at Princess Sunset, who was gazing at the scene with a smile.
When they arrived, the same stallion came and opened the door for them, and then another gray and blue guard came and escorted them to the castle.
The castle was even more beautiful inside. The floor was hard marble colored cream with black and gold swirls. The walls rose up in a beautiful white and rose color, and the ceiling held a giant, glass and crystal chandelier that sparkled and caused beautiful sparkles of light to cast on the walls and floors. It was a happy looking place and Moon felt she could sleep in that very room.
“Thank you, Thorn. You are dismissed. We'll take it from here.” Princess Sunset said. The guard bowed and trotted off. Then she turned to Moon.
“Now. The way we bow, is like this..” and she did the traditional bow.
“Easy..I hope.” then Moon tried to do it herself.
She did it perfectly.
“Wonderful! Now, remember what I told you, and let's go in.
And so they did. Moon couldn't wait.
