The Dark Apprentice: The Call of Shadows

Twas the night before the lessons were due to begin from their sudden two day interlude. And Luna was atop her tower looking down onto the Kingdom, the air was still and the darkness wreathed throughout the land.

Perfect for a little scheme.

'Tonight's the night' She thought to herself. 'Tonight is the night to do it'. 'Tonight is the night, and it will be done!'.

And when Luna wanted something, there was always a 99% chance that she would get it.

The Princess was a master of stealth and espionage, designing intricate plans and being able to influence others from behind the scenes was as easy as she had influenced Twilight. Like plucking feathers from a goose. However this was not her usual case of simply shadow routing her way through the night and entering the dreams of somepony. That would be too obvious.

No for this move (given the complexity and delicacy of the situation) she would need to attribute and apply a more subtle tone as her modus operandi. Something so incognito that it might as well be a part of the furniture, as if the plan itself had been akin to the very course of the natural unfolding events themselves.

And for Luna, being able to affect the natural using the supernatural would make too much noise, arouse too much suspicion. For this she would need to be as light on her magic as possible, as far away from the intended situation as possible while still being able to achieve her aims from the confines of her personal space.

It continued to frustrate her that Twilight wouldn't trust her word on her own sister, but still this would ensure just the right amount of measure could be applied. To protect both her and her Student. And to finally, finally bring this enveloping situation under her control.

After all, that is the nature of the student/mistress relationship in the formation of 'The Dark Apprentice'.

As she stood there, she could feel an idea brewing in her mind. Something so brilliant not even her own sister would see this one coming, although it most certainly wasn't an idea in spite of her, quite the contrary in fact.

"Aha, I've got it!" She said, striding across the room poising herself over her writing desk.

Hovering a little quill and ink pot over, she pulled out a thin slice of parchment, and began to scribe.

Dear Ms Mi Amore Cadenza,

Following the recent fashion week over in Manehatten with the latest release of your wardrobe, Ponyville boutique would be honored to host your newest editions at our store. One of our representatives attended the Canterlot fashion summit last year and were greatly pleased with your proposal for natural floral sequin designs.

In particular I would like to discuss with Rarity a particular line from your catalog with the flowered sequin patterns, I'm sure she would be delighted to know about those, possibly obtain a few units to sell alongside our product range.

Should you be interested in this proposal please come to our opening night three days from now.

Signed,

Sweet Buttercup.

Sales Manager - Ponyville Boutique

Of course Luna knew this alone wouldn't be enough, not all of the pieces were quite in place just yet.

And with that she pulled out a wooden panel from under the drawer just under her desk. A secret compartment hidden and neatly tucked away out of sight. Inside was a large almost purple box. Opening it she pulled out a diamond like single sealing stamp with no stamp engraving on its surface, it had a beautiful crystal jewel as its handle with a crescent moon insignia in its center.

Levitating it over to her eye-line, she cast a small dark shadow onto the seal. On it, formed the seal from Ponyville boutique, with 1st class VIP edition signifying it was for a pony of VIP status. Only one seal of this exists, as only the owners of said establishments have a copy of one. It was how other businesses and organizations could recognize one another without the risk of impersonation. These seals were made by Celestia herself, only her magic could unbind that.

However, this was no problem for the Princess. For Luna managed to attain a mental image of every seal in just a single night. Therefore giving her the letter writing keys to the kingdom! For her, she knows that the mental imagery of the seals had just enough of Celestia's impression to make Luna's master counterpart passable.

All that was left now was to give Sweet Buttercup a little memory changing potion floral powder disguised as a bouquet of flowers, sent in a random delivery from an anonymous admirer. And the stage would be set.

What Luna knew unbeknownst to those involved, these flowers spoken of at this summit (of course which she as a Princess had to attend, as boring as it was) could only be woven into fabric by means of a spell. Something that she knows Rarity would struggle with given the plant in question.

Flavonis javana dixieorium. A rare plant only found at the summit of Mount Eres. Or something like that. Luna couldn't fully remember, nevertheless however, she didn't care.

This she knew would trigger Rarity to ask for Twilight's aid. Rarity being anxious for this visit from Ms Mi Amore Cadenza and Twilight being a close friend practiced enough in the arts to perform a spell such as this, it was perfect.

Of course she knew that messing with someponies memories was wrong, but the situation was beginning to run away with itself. And for what the Dark Princess had install for Twilight next would mean that she would need to get a handle on this before either her sister, Twilight or both got hurt.

"Guards!" She shouted in a moderate yet commanding tone.

"Yes ma'am" Said the two guards who took no less than 5 seconds to be stood to attention in front of her.

"Fetch my private carriage, we are going to Manehatten". Said the Princess.

"Uh, yes my lady. But why exactly are we going at this hour?" The guard asked meagerly.

"To deliver a letter". She replied.