“It’s beyond me,” The dark princess says as her hoof lifts up the dress. “Why my subjects need such tasteless apparel.” She speaks again as she turns to another nearby rack of clothing. “Who wears white anymore?” She tore the dress from the rack and tossed it to the floor.
Rainbow Dash cleared her throat calmly. “Is there anything I could help you find mistress? Are you seeking out something specific?” She asked calmly. “Or shall I get a store attendant to assist you?” Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes behind the ruler of Equestria but said nothing more after her long list of questions.
The ruler turned her head, thoughtful, before speaking again. “An attendant, yes.” She turned her head. “Fetch somepony, make haste, I need to look perfect for our Starry Nights Gala.”
Rainbow Dash bowed her head and turned her back to Stormfly and Windrammer. “Stay with her.” She said, “I’ll have your wings if you do not.”
The tall princess smirked. “I am sure we’ll be fine,” she turned to the two. “Won’t we?” She teased the two guards who stood just behind Rainbow Dash.
“Yes Ma’am.” They said and saluted in tandem.
Rainbow Dash turned her head and began to walk slowly along the tile floors in a nearly empty store. She passed rows of exquisite gowns that shown with such bright and beautiful colors they reminded her of Rarity. She banished the thought from her mind as she looked left and right, before stepping into another area of the store. “Hello?” She asked. “Hello!”
“May I assist you?” A soft voice asked timidly with a rolling accent that spoke of places far north of Manehatten. “It is after hours.”
Rainbow Dash turned to the voice. The unicorn, a tall and thin female with red hair, spoke with clipped words as she walked out from behind the cash register. “There are no hours when Nightmare Moon is about. Yes.” Rainbow Dash nodded her head in the direction of the apparel department. “Our Mistress of the Night, Nightmare Moon, demands your attention to pick out her gown for the Starry Nights Gala.”
The pony stalled for only a moment. Taking a second to process what she had been told. She turned back to her counter and closed her drawer with her magic, but after pulling a measuring tape out and wrapping it around her neck. “I will do my best.” The unicorn said nodding her head as she came closer.
“What’s your name?” Rainbow Dash asked simply.
“Sassy Saddles.” The unicorn said calmly. “But you may simply call me Sassy.”
“Rainbow Dash.” She addressed herself as she motioned a wing in the direction of the princess of the moon. “Now, please she requires your assistance.”
The pale blue mare nodded gently, walking past Rainbow with a steady gate. Rainbow could see the edges of fur turning up at her neck and shoulder, as she walked behind her. “Calm down,” Rainbow said looking around the store. “She can sense your unease.”
“I am fine,” Sassy said as her magic began to push a few displays in order. “Anything for our Mistress.”
Rainbow turned her head at the half-empty displays. “Holiday?”
“What is left of it. We’re packing away all the decorations to be destroyed per the orders of the higher moon.” The higher moon, being Nightmare Moon. One she had come to power, overthrowing her sister Celestia, she had outlawed many events, holidays, and celebrations. She even outlawed her sister’s name, and anypony with Sun in their name was encouraged to change it.
Rainbow pauses a moment looking into a small cardboard box set aside on the floor before the tall unicorn’s magic sealed it tightly. “What’s left of the Spring Easter Holiday,” Sassy explained politely. “It’s nothing.” She nods “The staff will have it sent to the castle to be destroyed soon.” She continued to walk “We had just gotten word this morning.”
Coming up to Nightmare Moon was definitely a new experience for Sassy, Rainbow could tell. Sassy stood just a head shorter than the tall princess, but Rainbow was sure she would be able to help her.
“Madam Moon,” Sassy bowed her head low, horn almost touching the white tiled floors. She rose and spoke again. “how may I assist you?”
“I am seeking a dress,” The ruler spoke turning around a stand. “No. I seek a gown, one that is most beautiful.”
Sassy nodded. “My lady we have many options. What colors would you like.”
The ruler turned her head. “What are your favorite colors?” she asked the Guards.
“Aqua,” Windrammer said and bowed his head.
“And you?” Nightmare Moon turned her head on Stormfly.
“Pink.” The female guard said a bit too loudly.
Nightmare Moon sighed, clearly unsatisfied with the answers. “And you Rainbow Dash?”
The Shadowbolt leader strode forward. “Black Ma’am.”
The Ruler smiled at her. “Black?” she chuckled. “That seems unlike you.”
Rainbow Dash nodded stoically. “Black ma’am.” She walked between Sassy Saddles and the princess. “It goes with every other color under the-” Nightmare Moon’s gaze turned to pierce into her. “Midnight sky.” She said with an ease that she hoped was believable. “I get along better with an easy choice.”
The princess nodded. “Yes,” she turned her eyes on Sassy. “Black, a Black dress,”
Sassy smiled at her fondly, clearly a front, but this Unicorn was a good sales pony for sure. “Of Course, Mistress.” She bowed her head “Shall I fetch you some wine and a place to sit while I present outfits for your consideration?”
The princess nodded. “Yes, that sounds rather enjoyable.” She waved a hand. “Guard doors and keep other ponies out.” Rainbow Dash motioned to the doors of the department store. “You too Commander.”
Rainbow Dash sucked in a breath, after the last go-round she had stopped questioning Nightmare Moon’s orders. “Yes Ma’am.”
“I can take care of myself you know.” Nightmare Moon smirked down at her, Rainbow almost felt she was asking her to challenge the command.
“I know Ma’am, that doesn’t mean you should have to.” The ruler looked pleased with the response and motioned a hoof for her to go. Rainbow turned after giving Sassy Saddles one final appraisal but made her way outside to guard the door. This was going to be the most interesting job in history, Rainbow Dash only wished History could forgive her, but as she looked up to the sky a twinkling star caught her eye. A signal for a holding pattern, that they all knew well. She held fast, as she knew that someone was watching over her.
The end.
Author's Note
“The ones who are insane enough to think that they can rule the world are always the ones who do.”
― Stefan Molyneux
