The sun is getting close to the horizon and signaling the end of the day as I make my way home.
"Finally my day is over. Now to settle down for some mild R&R."
I trot back to the quaint cottage after a long day of work. Working part-time doing commissions (posters, business cards, flyers, etc.) takes a lot out of me since most clients are demanding and insist on almost a thousand revisions. Then change their mind and say they preferred the first version better! But it does have its perks since I get to travel around a lot and get paid a good amount of bits for my work. But it was finally the weekend and time I got to relax. My cottage in Ponyville looked like it was just big enough for a bachelorette like myself to live in. But, with a little inspiration, it's like that house from Howl's Moving Castle. Normal on the outside but more than it appears to be on the inside...and it doesn't move as inside is simply an ethereal realm. I pull out my key and unlock the door, walk in and close it behind me. Inside, the wheel (or as I call it, the Cutie Wheel) just above the door changed over to my cutie mark, signifying that I came home. The other two parts of the wheel are for Lily's side (which - I think - looks like her own personal version of Tartarus) and Midnight's side (which looks like a dreamscape Princess Luna would love). And though we each have our own sides, we all meet in the middle since that's where the kitchen and dining area is.
I waste no time in grabbing a book and settling into my reading sofa and hunkering down for, what I believe to be, a few hours of light reading to unwind from a long week of work. My room was, well, a writer/otaku/fic reader's nest. A bookshelf full of fantasy, manga, adult and young adult books. My recording equipment and computer set up in a makeshift booth in the corner. A second computer and camera set up on the opposite side (for my anime channel) along with anime posters and wall scrolls decorating the walls. And finally a closet full of cosplay along with regular clothes. My phone, for what it's worth, was full of useful apps. But I mostly just used it to play Voltage romance games till the battery died (and my wallet cries because of my addiction).
I was in the middle of reading the third book in the House of Night series when...
"Lotus!!" A loud banging came to my door. That could only be one pony...Lily. And she sounded very cranky (which is normal). "Lotus Moon, get your flank out here! I know you can hear me!!! It's nearly 7 pm and it's your turn to make dinner!"
I look at the clock and groan. "Ok already. Keep your horseshoes on, Flower Flank. I'm coming now." I put my bookmark in my pause spot, closed the book, and hop off my reading sofa. "That book is too good to put down, but if I don't cook, Lily will definitely flay me alive. Looks like another all nighter~! I gotta know what happens to Zoey." I trot out of my room and head to the kitchen to make dinner.
"Now what am I going to do today...aside from lay around bored?" I lay on my back with my wings splayed out on my bed, using my magic to scroll through my phone on a shopping app and seeing what I can buy on Lotus' dime. "I could go out...doubt anypony would mind if I walk around. But why would I want to leave my castle? Took me a lot of time to come up with a complex spell to make the Castle of the Royal Sisters continue to look ruined while I restored it to look how I want."
I didn't want to live in Ponyville (or anywhere crowded) and the Changeling Forest was too dull for my liking. The Everfree Forest doesn't scare me and I took a liking to the castle immediately. So long as the Princesses don't disturb me. For reference, the castle is simply where I sleep and blow off time. As well as a love nest for Sombra and I (as soon as I can return him to physical form). My real room was in the ethereal realm where our (Lotus, Midnight, and mine) true home resides. My room looks normal (I guess) with a light gothic decor, computer and recording equipment on a corner desk, a long list of readings that need to be done (which I read and release at night), and books on powerful spells only Alicorns can handle. The part which looks like a section of Tartarus (what I let you see) is just a set up where I record...though I do have a lava bath that does wonders on my body when I'm stressed out.
"I could go back to my room. I mean it's almost time I start trying to help my darling return to normal." I hop out of bed and hit the purchase button on my phone, buying a whole cart of 50 items...and costing Lotus a good chunk of bits. I walk through the castle, my hoofsteps echoing in the empty halls as I make my way to the door. Lighting my horn and inserting it into the portal keyhole, the castle doors open to the ethereal realm. I hear the click of the annoying Cutie Wheel (as Lotus calls it) which let the others know I'm home. "Lotus should be home soon. I mean it is the weekend and all. And her turn to make dinner." I go to my room and see Midnight standing in front of the door. "Midnight, what are you doing outside my room?"
"Oh...L-Lily...I heard something weird in your room. I thought you might be in trouble. But you're here...so what's in there? Midnight, as usual, looks as nervous as Fluttershy. I swear one day, she'll jump out of her own skin.
"Nothing, just something I'm working on. Nothing you need to concern yourself with. Go, go, now. Don't you have a workload to do or some appointment to get to?"
"Oh, you're right! I'll be late for my train! Midnight panicked and sprinted for the door, switching the Cutie Wheel to her side and running out the door to...Canterlot? Didn't think she lived there. But with her gone, I get in my room, greet my shadowy lover, and get to work trying to restore him. I work until around dinner time...or what should've been dinner time. I leave my room and check the dining area...it was empty. Dinner should've been ready by now. It's almost two hours late! I stomp over to Lotus' room.
"Lotus!!" I "knock" as loud as I can, to get her attention. Knowing Lotus, she's reading her fantasy/romance books again. One day I'll burn them. "Lotus Moon, get your flank out here! I know you can hear me!!! It's nearly 7 pm and it's your turn to make dinner!"
"Ok already. Keep your horseshoes on, Flower Flank. I'm coming now."
Great. Now I have to wait longer to eat.
My day goes by slowly, albeit at a nice pace. I sit at my desk and try thinking of new ASMR ideas for my videos. Best to stock up for when I start posting again. I spin around a bit in my rolling chair before going to lay out on my chaise by the lake. My room is normal (for me). Part of it looks normal with my desk that houses my recording equitment and a few books. I don't really have a bed...well I do, but it's a giant soft pillow that I can just melt into. But that's just one side. On the other side, there's a meadow and a lake and my relaxing chaise (where I'm currently laying). When I lay here and stare at the sparkling water, I tend to talk to myself to make ideas come a little better.
"I can't seem to come up with anything. I feel like it's right on the tip of my tongue...but it's not coming. I want to also do more when it comes to my work...but larger scale products are so complicated. Maybe I can do short things like normal...well shorter. But what can I do? I could do character improve. That could work. But who? I don't really know who my fans like. Maybe I can do the Mane 6 or even the Princesses...maybe Queen Chrysalis?"
I think for a while and consider making a checklist of things when a sudden sound breaks my concentration. It sounded like a storm mixed with a stampede. Weird combination. "Weird...where did that come from?" I leave my room and check Lotus' room first. Nothing. The sound came again. It seemed to be coming from Lily's room. I go stand in front of her room and was going to knock when...
"Midnight, what are you doing outside my room?"
I jump and look at Lily nervously. In size order, she's the tallest, with me in the middle and Lotus being this shortest. Honestly, though I'm used to living with her, Lily still makes me nervous. "Oh...L-Lily...I heard something weird in your room. I thought you might be in trouble. But you're here...so what's in there?"
"Nothing, just something I'm working on. Nothing you need to concern yourself with. Go, go, now. Don't you have a workload to do or some appointment to get to?"
"Oh, you're right! I'll be late for my train! I run across the ethereal floor and out the door, which is linked to my loft in Canterlot. I get the feeling Lily is lying about her room, but I won't press it.
I make it in time for my train to Manehattan. I have a foal sitting appointment with a couple just dying for a night out. I love watching foals. I may be nervous and shy but I'm good with children. And for 10 bits an hour, it's perfect. If things go well, then I should be home after dinner. I check my phone for the time schedule and (to my relief) the train will arrive in Manehattan with enough time for me to get to the couple’s residence. Tonight I'm foalsitting for a new pair of clients, Cherry Blossom and Velvet Night (a unicorn mare and an earth pony stallion). Their home looked like it was in chaos and their unicorn daughter, Silky Peach, was having some magic outbursts. As soon as we found where she teleported to and the couple was ready, they left for the night and I took care of little Silky. She was an angel.
Now, I bet a lot of you are wondering why I'd be foalsitting and not out on a date myself. Well, that's because my coltfriend is busy tonight. His name is Mystic Night and he's a batpony; one of Princess Luna's Royal Guards. I know, strange that shy mare like me is dating a batpony. But he's not all bad, he's a sweetheart.
Anyway, my night goes smoothly and it seemed Cherry and Velvet had a good time too on their first date out in a while. They paid me for the night and I make it back fo the final train of the night. And with nothing to do tomorrow, I think I'll get some ASMR work done.
Magical Mishap...and the Birth of Midnight Lily Moon
Author's Note
Ok for them individually, I referred to them in first person perspective. For this, it'll be in third person perspective to make it easier.
Magical Mishap...and the Birth of Midnight Lily Moon
Nearly two weeks of non-stop work on Lotus' part and she definitely ready for a break. A break consisting of a lavander bath, ice cream, and a whole lot of reading. No calls from work to interrupt her. No projects for a while. "Well today is finally a real relaxation day. I'm gonna make the best of it." Lotus grabbed some fresh towels from the laundry.
"Just make sure to not miss dinner this time. It's your turn to cook tonight. Be late again and I'll burn your books." Lily huffed and went to her room with a cup of tea. "I'll be in my room all day too."
"Whatever, Flower Flank." Lotus rolled her eyes as she trotted of back to the kitchen area. 'Though her threats tend to happen when she gets serious...good think I know restoration spells and fire proofed my entire room.' She thought as she grabbed a bowl of graped from the fridge.
Midnight sighed, picking up the dishes in her magic to wash them. "You two are always at odds with each other. One day we might find ourselves in a situation where your arguing will need to be put aside. But that's a big might. Anyway, I have a date tonight with Mystic. He and I are going to a new restaurant that opened up in Saddle Row. So I'm going to work a bit on some of my stuff then get some rest." Midnight started washing the dished.
"Well someone's coming out of her shell. I still never thought you'd date a batpony. Hope you have a good night." Whistling to herself, Lotus took her towels and grapes and went to the bathroom which was a large room with three personal tubs. Lotus' was a decent temperature, not too hot and not too cold, with lavander oils. Lily's bath was a literal lava bath as only she could handle that much heat. Midnight's bath was rose petals and sparkling bath bombs.
Lotus settled into her tub, sighing as the lavander oils soaked into her fur and relaxed her muscles. Between working on design commissions and readings (and maybe a few all nighters), she was almost exhausted. She munched on graped as she hummed Glassy Sky to herself. 'I haven't had much of a break in a while...haven't seen Saphirus in a while too. Hmm. Maybe I'll take a page from Midnight's book and go on a date too.' She thought, sinking deeper into the tub.
***
Midnight worked on some ASMR projects before going to lay on her relaxation chaise. "Ok...so my best impressions are Fluttershy, Celestia, maybe Cadence, perhaps Twilight too if I put my mind to it. What could I do next? Maybe a video voicing a scenario. Like welcoming someone home or having a picnic or something. Or what about something easier like saying things to help others sleep?"
Midnight mumbled ideas to herself for a while until she found herself waking up. Since her meadow was partially linked to the outside world, and with how the sun was shining, she could tell it was almost noon. "When did I doze off? Listening to the water tends to relax me a lot...I forget that. Oh well it's nice here so I guess I'll just continue my nap for now. I won't be home till morning after all." She shifted a bit on the chaise and settled back down to continue her nap.
***
"Today's the day I restore you, my love." Lily smiled to the shadowy pony form of King Sombra. "Soon you'll have a physical form is and everything will be perfect. Sure you may not be able to take back the Crystal Empire, but eventually we'll carve a new kingdom for ourselves. There are lands beyond Equestria for the taking. You and I will rule with iron hooves!" Lily snickered.
She trotted around her room and picked a few inredients. What she was making was a slightly complex spell almost venturing in the black magic territory. Having her ingredients placed out and the instructions in front of her, she got to work "Good thing I decided to browse through the library at my castle. Though now I must wonder why Celestia and Luna would even have such a book in their library when still living in there to begin with." She smirked. "Perhaps it was given to them for safe keepign or whatever. Oh well."
Lily worked on the concoction needed for the spell. Mumbling to herself, she made sure she properly measured ever ingredient. The shadowy form behind her murmured a whisper, causing Lily to grin. "Don't worry. I can do this. All I need to is..." She added the final ingredient, mixed them properly, and nodded approvingly at her work. "There we go. Now all that's left to do is say the spell...looks like it's written in Old Ponish. Well here we go.".
She chanted the spell and a low rumbling was heard, which steadily grew to a near earthquake. Lily looked around, a feeling of uncharacteristic panic setting in as it grew darker and she heard eerie howling. "What's going on?!" The rumbling grew stronger, starting to effect the rest of the realm. Lotus, who had finished her bath and had settled down into a book, yelped as she was startled at the sudden earthquake. Midnight woke from her nap as she felt the quakes as well. Both mares left their room and met with each other.
"What's happening Lotus? Where's this rumbling coming from? Could there be an earthquake outside?" Midnight asked.
"Impossible. Anything outside shouldn't effect us here. Something of this nature cold only happen here. And if it's not you...and it's not me...then it must be Lily!" Lotus turned to face the middle room and noticed the ominous glow coming from the door. She and Lily went to the room and swung open the door. "Lily! What's going on?!"
Before Lily could answer, there was a sudden explosion, a ringing in their ears, then darkness.
***
Though there was very little in the realm, debris was scattered around the place. As the smoke cleared, a figure coughed and started to sit up. "Ugh...what on earth happened? Lily? Midnight? Are you girls ok? Lily, you've got some explaining to do...what in the hay were you trying to do?" The figure, Lotus, sat up and lit up her horn and conjured a spell to clear out the smoke. But her magic felt odd. Almost tangled. And she noticed her voice was a bit different too. Like it was a songbird mixed with an eerie reverb. "What's wrong with my voice? And my magic?"
Lotus looked around for a mirror. When she found one, Lotus almost fainted at what she saw. Her mane wasn't the same shade it was before. It was longer and curly...but it was also blue and black like Midnight's. Not only that, but she was also wearing Midnight's glasses. Looking closer at her eyes, they were the same color as Midnight's but her pupils were catlike slits, similar to Lily's. She noticed her coat color looked the same, but her legs changed to a gradient shade of black, the only color contrast was a pair of golden bangles on her left front hoof. She felt something ruffle on her back and upon glancing back, saw a pair of wings! Large and powerful like Lily's. Knowing she had to examine herself more, she looked past her wings and to her backside, seeing her tail was the same red and black shade. She sighed contently at that but then her eyes turned to pinpricks upon seeing her cutie mark. It wasn't the usual one she woke up to every morning. It resembled the Cutie Wheel she had created for their realm (which she noticed was no longer on top of their door once the smoke cleared more). "What happened to my cutie mark?! What happened to my body?! Girls?!!!" She panicked when she suddenlt heard a voice in her head.
"Lotus?" The voice asked. The voice was Midnight.
"Midnight?! Is that you? Where are you?" Lotus looked around frantically.
"I don't know...I feel strange...I can't explain it but it feels like I'm in a bottle or something" Midnight said.
"I feel the same. What happened to us?" Lily's voice was the next to be heard.
"Lily?! What did you do?!" Lotus snapped. "What the buck were you attempting?!"
"I was trying to restore my love! Is that so wrong?! The spell I picked should've made that possible. I did everything right!"
Lotus quickly ran to Lily's room and saw the book still turned to the spell in question. The color drained from her face. "You were doing a spell bordering black magic?! Have you lost your mind?! Did you even read the consequences or anything other than what you wanted to read?!"
"This wasn't supposed to happen!" Lily snapped and wanted to stamp her hoof, but the thought transferred to Lotus' new body. Her right hoof stomping hard enough to crack the floor.
"What in Equestria?" Lotus looked at her hoof then at her new wings. "Lily...as pissed as I am at you...flap your wings for me."
"Why should I? What would that even-"
"STOP QUESTIONING ME AND DO IT!!!" Lotus snapped, her voice bordering on the Royal Canterlot voice, and Lily did as she was told. The wings on Lotus' back flapping and already lifting her a few feet from the ground.
"I don't like this. Please stop!" Midnight squeeked, wanting to ignite her horn and ignited Lotus' horn instead, conjuring Midnight's sound canceling headphones. This startled Lotus as something dawned on her.
"Midnight...your magic...did you use it?" Lotus asked.
"I did...what's going on?" Midnight asked curiously, the tone in Lotus' voice worrying her.
Lotus flew back to the mirror and looked over herself again as her ears flopped back under the headphones. "I think I know what happened. The explosion merged our bodies together. And now we're three minds in one body." The three mares stayed silent as this truth settled in.
"I guess I shouldn't delve into such spells again. I screwed up badly." Lily hissed at herself.
"What do we do now, Lotus?" Midnight asked.
"I don't know. For now, I'll work on fixing up our home for now. Then I'll look into a counter spell. And if I can't find that...then we'll have to go to the Princesses for help." Lotus sighed and got to work on what she set out to do. 'For right now...I guess we're going to have to learn to live like this until we can have our own bodies back again.' Lotus thought and suddenly thought back to what Midnight had said earlier that day. That some day they'd be caught in a situation where their differences would have to be put aside in order to resolve their dilemma. Oh how right she was.
The girls began the start of their new (and hopefully temporary) life as a new being, as one being....as Midnight Lily Moon.
***
Once their realm was restored and Lotus was reading through the spell that caused all this, she suddenly realized something. 'And a new dilemma. Midnight had a date tonight with Mystic...and I planned to have an eventual date with Saphirus...now those will have to be cancelled. And we also can't go to work like this either.' Lotus sighed.
"Guess we've got no choice." Midnight mumbled.
"Sorry girls." Lily sulked.
"It's fine. We'll untangle this eventually...hopefully...it'll just take time."
