A Trip to Luna's Moon, or the Equestrian Dream Factory

The cylindrical, bullet shaped spaceship rocketed forward, flashing across the sky before crashing into the crater-like eye of the mare in the moon.

With a hiss of steam, the door on the side of the ship popped open, making way for Celestia and her five most trusted astronomers. Three zebras and two ponies. The white alicorn stepped from the rocket, dust billowing from around her hooves as she touched down upon the surface of the moon for the first time.

Excitedly, they look around, the landscape of the moon seeming vast and alien, but beautiful too, filled with a magical whimsy that only the mind of a foal could properly comprehend. They all stare out into the vast expanse of space, their breath catching with awe as they make out the beautiful planet of Equus, nearly silhouetted by the sun and surrounded by hundreds of twinkling stars.

Tired from their long and extravagant voyage through space, Celestia and her astronomers pull out blankets and bedrolls and settle into a deep sleep below the stars, preparing for the big day ahead of them tomorrow. As they slumber a comet passes across the star filled sky above them unseen.

Then, down from above them descends a crescent-moon swing. Seated atop it sits the most beautiful pony in the universe, their mane flowing softly in the breeze and shimmering with the light of the cosmos itself. She is the goddess of the Moon. Princess Luna herself.

Princess Luna raises her hoof towards the endless expanse of Space above. Slowly, snow begins to fall.

“Aaaand cut!” Flicker Light chirped gleefully, his grin practically stretching across his whole face. The camera pony beside him fumbled for a second before shutting off the camera and letting the rolling film come to an abrupt stop. Flicker had spent a while teaching him how to operate the magic lamp camera the moment it had been returned to them by the Nightmare Gang, but he was still a little inexperienced with the device.

Popcorn let her horn fade, the image of the night sky she was projecting onto the wall behind the set slowly faded from view. Swindle hadn’t been lying when he said that she was a master illusionist. After having watched her display her magic a few times, Flicker was pretty sure Popcorn could project an image onto any surface, any size and from any distance. She didn’t seem to even break a sweat. Her magic made his projector seem almost useless.

Shadow Silhouette glanced down nervously at Flicker from her spot atop the crescent-moon swing that still lay suspended above the set. “D-did that look good?” She questioned timidly, before glancing down at the six actors below her. “You all did really good by the way.”

The actress for Celestia gave Shadow a kind smile, using one of her fore hooves to adjust the fake horn atop her head. “You did good yourself.”

“It was perfect,” Flicker gushed, rushing over and beginning to pull out set pieces for the next scene of the film. Across the room, Flicker spotted Swindle trotting in, a newspaper tight in his magic. “All of you are doing perfect.”

“A-Are you sure? I could do something different if you didn’t like it,” Shadow squeaked.

Flicker gave her a nonplus stare. “Don’t be silly. That performance was exactly what I was looking for,” He turned to address everypony more fully. “I don't think I could have gotten a better crew.”

“Flicker my lad, mind if I talk to you for a second?” Swindle asked, finally coming to a stop behind Flicker Light. “Something just came up.”

Flicker glanced down at him for a second before nodding. “Alright. Popcorn, you’re in charge of setting up the set until I get back.”

Popcorn’s head shot straight up. “What? Me?”

Flicker nodded before hopping off the set to land beside Swindle. “Sure. Just make it look like it snowed. You’ll do great. I’ll be back to help you in a moment.”

Popcorn gave a confident nod and Flicker turned and followed Swindle a few feet away. “Okay… what’s going on?”

“This! This is what’s going on!” Swindle declared, levitating up his newspaper and waving it in Flicker’s face.

Flicker took a small step back and tried to read the words on the rapidly waving page. “Um… and what is that exactly?”

“What is it? What is it!” Swindle Gyp gaped, tossing the newspaper into the air. “It’s a threat against our next big thing. That's what! A competitor!”

“A what?” Flicker asked, raising an eyebrow. “Slow down. You aren’t making any sense.”

Swindle paused and took a deep breath before returning his attention to Flicker with a more reserved expression. “The papers don’t say who’s making it or what the film is, but somepony is making a movie. It’s aired to release before ours. ‘Equestria’s first feature,’ they’re calling it.”

Flicker gritted his teeth. “The Nightmare gang no doubt,” He grumbled, down casting his eyes. He had had a feeling that something like this would happen ever since he 'agreed' to letting the Nightmare Gang make their own copy of the magic lamp camera. “But there's nothing we can do about that. If we try to stop them, we’re going to be in a lot of trouble.”

Swindle tapped his chin with a hoof. “You’re not wrong. Directly getting in the way of Nightmare Gang activity is practically a death wish. I avoid those monsters if I can, and I'm notorious for getting into trouble with the wrong ponies. I can't even begin to imagine what they might do if you backed out on a deal with them.”

"I could," Flicker grumbled, remembering all too well the mob bosses threat to burn his theatre down with him and all his friends inside it. “Besides, I want other ponies to make movies too. I wanted to prove there's more to film than they all thought,” Flicker continued optimistically, his ears perking up a little. “I might not like the Nightmare gang, but somepony else making a movie isn’t all that bad. In fact, it was what I wanted anyway.”

Swindle sighed. “I suppose you’re right. I just don’t like the idea of needing to compete with other ponies for success. Not to mention it will be harder to get publicity now that you are insisting Flim and Flam don’t help us out.”

“They literally broke into the theatre and stole our one and only camera,” Flicker deadpanned, giving him his most grumpy looking face. “They resigned the moment they did that.”

“I hate that I can’t argue that,” Swindle chided himself. “All the same, it feels wrong to me that you aren’t the pony to be credited for the first feature.”

Flicker gave him an amused look. “I didn’t think me getting credit was all that important to you? I thought it was all about business and bits?”

Swindle responded with an unexpected sigh. “That’s what I used to think. To be honest with you, I’m coming to really enjoy this little business we’ve started up here. Can’t quite place it, but it feels better than others I’ve done somehow, and I’m not just talking about its success.”

Flicker felt a warm smile touch his lips. “It’s kinda like we’re family, huh?”

Swindle looked surprised at the sentiment for a moment before tweaking the tip of his muzzle and putting on a daft expression. “Don’t push it. You’re talking silly talk.”

He turned and trotted away from Flicker, moving to help Popcorn with the set. Flicker felt himself grinning as he watched the charismatic pony walk off. “Call is silly talk all you want. It's totally like family.”

Shadow Silhouette, seeing that their conversation had finished, lifted herself up into the air with her wings and flapped over to where Flicker was standing. “What was that about?” She asked, slowly touching down.

“It looks like those Nightmare Gang ponies are making that movie of theirs,” Flicker replied honestly, not quite meeting her eye. Shadow gave a perturbed look at that, but nodded as the two of them started walking back to the set. “Nothing we can really do about it now… Try to just focus on our film. We’ll be fine. Everything is going to be just fine...”

Flicker let his eyes roll over the menu, his thoughts more focus on the mysterious upcoming film than eating.

It had been almost two months since he had first heard that another film was being made by some allusive director, and yet aside from the rapidly growing hype over the production, there hadn’t been a single hint as to what the film was about or who was making it. Though he was almost positive that the Nightmare Gang was involved.

Who else could it be? And with the film's release date, that being that very day, happening to be only three days away from the ever approaching election, his suspicions were only growing. That mob boss had said he wanted to use film to advance his political agenda… If only Flicker could figure out what that actually meant.

Shadow looked up from her own menu, noticing that Flickers face had been cast into an expression of unfocused distress. “Hey? You alright?” She asked, worry creeping into her voice.

The two of them had spent the last two months grabbing a bite to eat at the old diner down the street from their theatre after film shoots. It was a good way to get their minds off of more pressing matters and the jukebox theme always seemed fitting for some reason. Flicker had to admit that half the reason he insisted the two of them get food so often was because he simply really enjoyed spending time with Shadow, though he found himself hesitant to say that outright to her for some reason.

He glanced up from his menu at her. “I’m… yeah, I’m alright. Just thinking is all.”

Shadow cocked an eyebrow at him. “You aren’t still worried about that other film are you?”

Yup. That is exactly what he was worried about. “What? Worried about the other film? No. Why would you think that?” Shadow continued to give him a flat, but patient stare. After a few seconds he dropped his gaze again. “Okay, well maybe that’s what’s on my mind a little bit.”

“We don’t need to go to their premier you know,” Shadow suggested. “We could just stay at the theatre? Maybe talk a little longer? I always like just sitting around talking to you, so I wouldn't mind. If you don’t want to go, just say so.”

Flicker Light shook his head sadly. “Not an option. I think I need to see this, if only to calm myself down and put all my worries to rest,” His smile brightened a little bit. “Besides, I look forward to seeing what other ponies can do with the medium, even if they will be taking the title of first feature film director.”

“And that doesn’t bother you?”

Flicker let his mouth twist into a sadder smile. “It does a little, but I’ll be fine, really. I never did all this for fame anyway. As long as I get to make my movie, I’ll be happy.”

Shadow’s smile softened a little as well. “Well in that case, you had better order. The premiere is in an hour and I feel like I’ve been waiting for you to choose what you’re going to eat for forever.”

Flicker stuck out his tongue playfully before once more returning his attention to the menu. After a few seconds of perusing, he put it aside, having finally decided what he was going to eat.

“You know, I’m glad we get the time to come out here,” Flicker admitted, picking up the glass of water in front of him and taking a small sip. He forced himself to say the next bit, feeling embarrassed to admit it for some reason. “I enjoy the time we get to spend together.”

Shadow blushed at that, her dark cheeks flushing a dark red. “Uh… yeah. M-me too.”

Putting the thoughts of the mysterious other movie out of his mind, Flicker allowed himself more pleasant thoughts. “I’ve been thinking. Once ‘A Trip to Luna’s Moon’ kicks off, I’ll probably look into buying a new apartment. And as great as Rosemary is, I would love to get a nicer place than my last one,” He paused, taking another sip. “I was thinking, we could probably get you a place to stay as well. Somewhere more comfy than a theatre that is. Without Nightmare Gang baggage attached.”

Shadow’s eyes widened a little. “You’d do that for me?”

Flicker gave a small half tilt of his head “Well I mean, technically you’ve been helping out and working in the film and all, so like… It only seems right that you get paid and all. I figured I could just throw a few extra bits towards you getting a place. Celestia knows I don’t need all the bits I’ve been raking in.”

Shadow’s blush deepened. “I um… yeah. That would be nice, but you really don’t have to…” She trailed off as Flicker gave her a look that told her his mind was already made up and there was no room for debate. She smiled wider and lunged across the table, wrapping him in a big hug. “Oh, thank you thank you thank you! You’re the best friend ever!”

Somepony coughed from beside them, making them both look up to see a waitress standing beside their table, a clipboard in her magic. “Please don’t lay on top of the tables.”

“Oh… um… sorry…” Shadow stuttered in embarrassment, unwrapping her hooves around Flicker and returning to her seat with an abashed look on her face.

“Can I get you two anything?” The waitress asked, an unamused expression scrawled across her face. "The lovers couple special perhaps?"

Flicker felt the slowly fading blush on his face strengthen at that comment. Shadows face turned an even brighter red as she realized what the waitress had said. Flicker cleared his throat and picked up his menu again in slight embarrassment. “Um, no no. Nothing like that. We're not... um... Can I get the hay burger please?”

Shadow gave him a playful look, her blush almost all but gone. “Hey, that’s what I was going to order,” She looked back at the waitress. “I’ll get the same please.”

With a nod, the waitress was off, rolling away on a pair of bright red roller skates and taking their menus with her.

Flicker Light turned his attention back to Shadow and let out a deep sigh, glad that awkwardness was over. He wasn't sure why that embarrassed him so much. Shadow was nice, but it wasn't like he... He quickly decided he needed to move the conversation along before he dwelled up this to much, picking back up the dropped conversation from earlier. “Well, whatever happens, I guess we’ll find out what all this film business is about in an hour. You ready?”

“They’re premiering their film here!” Flicker gaped, staring up at the huge theatre before them. “How, what, huh?”

Shadow cast him an odd glance. “What? Were you expecting it not to be in a theatre?”

“No, it’s not that. Of course it’s in a theatre,” Flicker corrected himself, allowing his face to lose a little of its shocked expression. “It's just... I wasn’t expecting it to be this theatre. I mean, this is the Palomino Theatre! The biggest theatre in all of Coltifornia! Only the highest rated Broadmare musicals get shown here, and sometimes even not those! How on Equus did a film no pony even knows the name of get the privilege of Premiering here?”

The two of them stared up at the theatre, no real answer to the proposed question on either of their minds. The theatre was huge, dwarfing Flickers theatre by quite a few stories. It was clear that the publicity for this film had been through the roof, a line consisting of almost the entire city stretched from the door all the way down the street. Flicker doubted that everypony was going to be able to get a seat.

This director got Flim and Flam working promo no doubt, Flicker thought to himself grumply. Darn those two smooth talking foals.

Shadow Silhouette kicked the ground softly with one of her hooves. “Keep in mind, this is probably funded by the Nightmare Gang. They could probably get any theatre they wanted for the premiere,” She reminded him.

“It would have been costly though,” Flicker insisted, still feeling confused by the premiering location. “This Nightmare Gang must really want this film to be a success.”

The two of them were silent for a little longer, just staring up at the large theatre. After a few seconds, Shadow looked around. “By the way, is Swindle coming along? He didn’t tell me if he was or not.”

Flicker shook his head. “Nah. Said he didn’t want to come. Grumbled something about not wanting to help the competition.”

The doors to the theatre opened up and the line of ponies outside slowly began to funnel into the ornate theatre. They had to wait for a bit, but eventually Flicker and Shadow managed to get themselves inside and into the audience with a fairly decent seat.

Flicker’s eyes scanned the room as he waited for the show to begin. His eyes landed on two ponies talking on the far side of the room. “Wait, is that who I think it is?”

Shadow glanced over, her own eyes trying to spot who he was looking at. Finally her eyes landed on the dark brown pony with a curled pink mustache that did not match his coat at all. “Who? The mayor? I heard he was going to do a small speech before the show. I don’t really like him much. He’s not very nice to non ponies.”

“Wait, I hadn’t heard anything about that? Flicker questioned, pulling his eyes away from the two ponies talking. “And no, I’m talking about the pony he’s talking to.”

Shadow raised and eyebrow suspiciously. “Who is he talking t…?” Shadow trailed off as she craned her neck a little to see the pony beside him. her eyes went wide with fear. It was the Nightmare gang mob boss, the very one who had captured us and stole our camera. A lit cigar protruded from his mouth and the top half of his face was shrouded by a dark, wide brimmed fedora. “O-oh…”

The mob boss pointed the mayor towards the stage, whispering something into his ear that no pony else could hear. The mayor looked around it worry, before gulping and giving a worried nod.

“Looks like the Nightmare gang has the mayor in their pocket,” Flicker grumbled, his eyes following the two ponies as they began walking towards the large, red curtain covered stage in front of the audience.

“Probably won’t for long,” Shadow said simply, pulling out and munching on a bag of popcorn. “His supporters have been dwindling since he was elected. Plus, with the zebra’s being allowed to vote this year, things will probably turn out pretty bad for him.”

Flicker’s eyes shot open, a sudden realization washing over him. He suddenly had a very unsettling idea about what all of this was about. “Oh no…” The words left his mouth at about the same time the mayor stepped up to the stage. “Shadow… I think we’re in for a big problem.”

“Fillies and Gentlecolts,” The mayor started, looking out over the crowd. “Today, I have the honor and privilege of presenting you with one of the greatest works of art that Equestria has seen in a long long time. I had the privilege of viewing this motion picture before hoof, and I must say, it is truly astounding. And its story, I feel is just as important in these uncertain times as ever, if not more so.”

Flicker felt an icy grip slowly constricting around his heart. This couldn’t be happening, he begged. “Please let me be wrong.”

“And now, allow me to introduce you to the wonderful visionary and mastermind director behind the piece,” The mayor declared proudly, stepping aside and gesturing to the red curtain behind him. Slowly, the curtain began to rise, revealing the monochrome griffon standing behind it.

“Thank you mayor,” D.W. Griffin said smugly as he stepped forwards to address the crowd in full. “I am honoured to be here tonight and am beyond ecstatic to share with all of you the film I have been working on these past few months. I would like to take a moment to thank the wonderful artist Flicker Light, for without his brilliant invention, none of what I am about to show you would be possible," There were a few stomps of applause from the crowd, silenced a second later as Griffin raised a single talon into the air. "But I digress. I will not hold your suspense any longer… Please, without further ado, allow me to introduce to you my film. The first Equestrian feature. The Birth of an Empire!”