Silence filled the room, as we awaited the Jury's verdict. The cyan, rainbow-maned Pegasus sat upon the Defendant's chair, bound in a straight-jacket, struggling to hold in another outburst of insanity. I sat in the Witness' chair, trying to ignore the Pegasus and think back on my testimony. I was blatantly honest and the evidence and proof were irrefutable. Clear as crystal. Solid as a rock.

I thought on how this case came about. It was last week, on a Tuesday. I woke up during the evening, just before the sunset, and started my routine to get ready for work. Being a Bat Pony is never easy, but you'll get around.

I brushed my messy plum mane as neatly as I could, cleaned my teeth, got dressed into my uniform and flew off to the Canterlot Castle. Alon the way, my bright blue eyes caught two grounded Ponies leaving the city. A mare and a stallion. Married by the looks of it. What surprised me was they were Pegasi. The mare was deeply concerned, but the stallion looked like he was gonna blow a casket.

I swooped down to the couple and asked, "What seems to be the problemo?"

The mare looked at me with tear-filled sky eyes. The stallion glared at me with his fiery amber-gold eyes, "Why would a Bat Pony care?"

I gave the stallion a look, "Cause I might be able to actually help?"

"You would?" The mare asked. I assured with a nod and a smile. She sighed in relief and explained, "We're worried about our little filly. She was taking the Flight Test about four months ago. She's never been gone for this long."

The stallion finally calmed down and aided his wife's story, "We went to see if Princess Celestia would be able to call a search party. But the guards just kept declining."

I raised brow, as I listened. This is the fifth report this month. With the same problem no less. I shook my head and assured, "I'll see if Princess Luna will aid you."

"Thank you." The mare whispered with a bow.

I nodded and resumed flying to the castle. I entered through the back, Luna's portion of the castle. All of the other Luna Guards have arrived and talked to each other. The atmosphere felt heavy. Was there something I missed?

The chatter came to a screeching halt, as my mentor and father-figure, Captain Nightshift, and Princess Luna arrived on the scene. The cadets and I gathered and stood straight with a salute.

Captain Nightshift was the most respected Bat Pony in Equestria, apart from the ShadowBolts. Faced the toughest challenges and stayed head-strong.

The Captain's dark blue eyes scanned the area and he spoke in a deep baritone, "At ease." Most of us relaxed as he started, "As you know, there have been numerous reports of missing fillies and colts taking place after failing the Flight Test. Parents and Guardians have called for Princess Celestia's aid. However, each time, the Guards decline."

"Selfish donkeys!" The cadet on my left shouted.

"Watch your tongue, Silver." The cadet on my right hushed him.

"So, Princess Luna has placed us in charge of the investigation." Captain Nightshift finished.

Princess Luna stepped forward and scanned the room with her beautiful turquoise eyes. "Melody Moonshine." She called.

"Ma'am!" I answered, stepping forward.

Princess Luna looked at me, "Due to your acting and infiltration skills, I charge you to enroll into Cloudsdale Flight Academy, as a student, and gather intel about the missing foals."

There was chatter of disagreement among some of the cadets. The cadet on my left, Silver Shade, spoke up loud enough to be heard, "You're letting a merry-legs take this mission? That's bullhorn!!"

I glared at him, "Just because I'm small doesn't mean I'm weak!"

My size doesn't do me justice. I'm about the same height as a 15 year-old filly, although I'm 20 years old.

"At ease, cadets!" Captain Nightshift shouted.

Silver Shade and I instantly froze and looked straight ahead.

"The reason I chose Cadet Moonshine wasn't because of her size, Cadet Shade. It was a long debate on infiltration and acting skills. Cadet Moonshine was the most reliable candidate. "Princess Luna explained in a stern tone.

"Oh. My apologies, Princess". Silver Shade uttered dumbfounded.

I stuck my tongue out at Silver. Nah-Nah!

"However...." Princess Luna spoke up, "Since this is an under-cover mission, Melody Moonshine will have to under-go an alias and a different look."

I looked at the Princess of the Night. "Princess-Navy-Of-The-Moon says what?"

"Bat Ponies are not allowed to take the flight Test." Nightshift answers.

I nodded in understanding, but i wasn't happy to swallow my pride and become one of those feather-winged, bright-colored, weather prancers!?

I swallowed a large lump in my throat and requested, "Just don't make me look stupid."

Capetian Night shift smirked, "No promises."

"Step forward, Cadet Moonshine." Princess Luna told me.

I walked up to the steps and stood in front of the Princess of the Night. Her Alicorn horn glowed in her magnificent light blue aura. She lowered her horn over my head and my body was enveloped by a light.

I felt a sharp pain in my wings, as the dark blue leather was replaced by bright yellow feathers. Wait! Yellow?! The bight color traveled from my wings, through my navy blue coat, to the tips of my hooves and nuzzle. My plum and lavender streaked tail faded to a white with golden streaks.

White and gold? What am I? An outdated party gift?

That wasn't the worst of it. My Cutie Mark of a moon on a moonshine jug faded and was replaced with a horizon sky that looked similar to a lemon meringue pie.

The light vanished and the burning pain subsided. I noticed, at the corner of my eye, my comrades were trying not to laugh.

The first to break the ice was Silver Shade. He burst into hysterical laughter and shouted, "Moonshine, you're a dessert!"

I raised a brow, "What?"

Using her magic, Princess Luna summoned a mirror in front of me. Staring back at me was a petite Pegasus mare with a bright yellow coat and white and golden-streaked mane, in the same style as my own. Her eyes were the same blue as my own.

After a few seconds of staring, I screamed, "You made me into a lemon pie!"

Captain Nightshift snickered, "That's actually your alias."

The entire room burst into laughter. I've never felt so embarrassed in my life. The only one that wasn't laughing was Princess Luna.

Luna walked up to me and used her magic to put a choker with a moon pendant around my neck.

"This pendant is enchanted with the same spell. Remove it when the time is right." She told me.

I nodded in understanding.

Captain Nightshift calmed his laughter and instructed, "Alright. You are dismissed for the night. You're going to Cloudsdale in the morning."

With that, the debrief was adjourned and it was time to get to work.

Author's Note

This is my first fanfic ... I've read the other Rainbow factory fanfics and this popped in to my head .. im not every good at putting my fanfics on to paper but with the help of my big sister i trying too ... i hope you like this. ^_^