It Could Always Be Worse,And It Is

After several minutes of watching Dusk chase Barb around the hospital, and an hour explaining what he would be teaching Moon, seeing as how he’d completely forgotten to explain it himself, the group of Dusk, Barb, Sun, Moon, Solaris and Artemis left the hospital, and took a long walk back to the library.

“I am boooooorrrrrrrrrrrrrrreeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeedddddddddddd.” Moon whined.

“Moon, if you’re bored, then hit Dusk, that should make you feel better.” Barb suggested, much to the annoyance of Dusk Shine.

“No, I already messed with his food the other day with Bubble Berry and Rainbow Blitz and I am bored.” Moon exclaimed.

“Then how about I explain the basics of Kendo?” Sun asked.

“No sounds boring.” Moon said.

“Will it be boring when you can take down ten enemies in under five seconds?” Sun retorted.

“Or he could spend time with Sweepie Bell, Scooteroll, and AppleBuck.” Dusk said with a sly grin.

“SHUT UP! No way, not going to happen.” Moon said.

“It was part of the deal Moon. Sorry, but our hooves are tied in this.” Sun said.

“Why do I have to, then?” Moon asked.

“Because you need to spend time with ponies your own age. Besides, Sweepie knows a couple of things you might like to learn.” Sun replied with a grin.

“Do I have too?” Moon asked, giving puppy dog eyes with her lower lip quivering.

“Yes. Stop asking.” Sun deadpanned while everypony else was about to give in from the cuteness

“Maybe she does not have to.” Dusk said.

“Oh. What are you suggesting Dusky?” Sun inquired.

“I don’t know, but look in those eyes. You can’t say no.” Dusk said.

Sun took one look into Falling Moon’s masterful puppy-dog eyes, and said, “No.”

“Uggg, you are no fun!” Moon complained.

“Yeah, from the filly who used to try to shut herself in her room all day, only to come out when her dad came to her room with ice-cream.” Sun retorted.

“So what, ice-cream is cool, and shut up!” Moon said.

Eventually, after much arguing and bickering between the two, they arrived at their destination. As they turned to enter, Solaris spoke.

“Could you please go ahead. I need to have a ‘private’ discussion with Rising Sun.” He said.

“Maybe about getting her to lose some weight.” Moon said with a smirk.

“Oh, ha-ha. Just for that, I’m gonna make your training a living hell.” She replied.

“Ok, miss chubbiness.” Moon said with a smile as she ran inside, closely followed by everypony else, leaving only Solaris and Sun.

“So, what’s on your mind, Solaris?” Sun asked curiously.

“Rising Sun, what else did that creature say?” Solaris inquired in a stern tone.

Sun sighed. “It said it would have the prophet. I don’t know what it meant, and I don’t care. If it wants Moon, it’ll have to go through me first.” She said.

“Well, I think you are a good guardian for my daughter.” Solaris replied.

“Yeah, except I didn’t beat it. It just ran off after it nearly killed me.” Sun replied flatly.

“Well, I want you to protect her with your life.” Solaris said sternly

“That’s not an issue. I’ll die before I let her get hurt. It’s what happens after that worries me.” She replied. “Are you sure she can’t stay in the castle, just until we can figure out just how bad this threat is?”

“Yes, I am sure. I trust Dusk Shine.” Solaris said

“It’s not a matter of trust. I went toe to toe with that thing. If it attacked again, I wouldn’t stand a chance unless I went all out, and that would mean giving up my soul, and I know you know what I’m talking about.” Sun stated.

“Please trust me Rising Sun.” Solaris asked. Rising Sun nodded slowly, and headed to the door, but turned to Solaris at the last minute.

“Solaris, I want to ask you something, and I want a straight answer.” She said.

“Yes, what is it?” Solaris asked.

“I want to know what this Umbra really wants with her. And don’t lie to me.” Solaris flinched at the mention of the creature’s name.

“Fine, I want you to keep a good eye on her then.” Solaris said.

“Agreed. Now tell me what they want with Moon.” Sun demanded.

“I do not know the answer to that.” Solaris states.

“Bull-shit! I saw how you reacted when I mentioned its name.” Sun replied angrily.

“Yes, I have heard of it, but I know nothing of what it wants.” Solaris said calmly

“Solaris, that thing wants Moon for something. You have to have some way of finding out why!” Sun pleaded.

“Unfortunately, the only way I can find out is to wait. That is all we can do.” Solaris said.

“Dammit. Why is this happening to us?” Sun exclaimed.

“I don’t know but, I must ask you refrain from saying that around Moon.” Solaris asked.

“Alright, but I need to ask you for a favour then.” Sun replied.

“Ask away, be it within reason.” Solaris said

Sun took a deep breath, as if she felt she were about to dive into a shark tank.

“Do you know any spells that allow interdimensional travel?” She asked.

“Alas, I do not. The only pony who was working on one died before he could finish.” Solaris said.

“Who was it? Who was the pony that worked on it?” Sun asked in an emotionless tone.

“It was Starswarld the long haired.” Solaris said.

“I see.” Sun sighed. “Well, thank you Solaris. And I hope you’ll be able to figure out what Umbra wants. Cause until we know for sure, we’re at a disadvantage.”

“I do too. I just hope so, but if you find anything unusual, be it a book or anything, write a letter, and Barb will send it to me.” Solaris said in a matter-of-fact tone, before following Sun into the library.
______________________________________________________________________________

Rising Sun & Dusk Shine kept pushing Falling Moon out the library door while she was resisting.

“No! I don’t want to spend time with Sweepie Bell and all of them!” Moon said, trying to run back inside while being pushed back out.

“Ugh, you are such a scaredy-foal!” Sun said.

“No, I am not! I just don’t want to.” Moon said trying to run again, this time being picked up by Sun and magically stuck to her back.

“You’re not getting out of this Moon. You’re going to spend time with Sweepie and his friends, and you’re going to enjoy it.” Sun deadpanned.

“No I won’t enjoy it, but i will do it, just to shut you up!” Moon said in an angry tone.

“Ok, would the two of you quit bickering for two seconds?” Dusk shouted in exasperation.

“But I did not agree to this.” Moon whined

“Yes you did. Besides, you’re going to be learning how to wield a sword starting tomorrow.” Sun retorted.

“No, she’s learning magic tomorrow!” Dusk stated.

“Shut up, I am out of here!” Moon said, somehow freeing herself from Sun’s back and running off at random. Almost immediately after she started running, she ran into Sweepie Bell, falling on her flank.

“Woah, you ok Moon?” Sweepie Bell asked while Moon just looked at him, shocked. Moon was staring at him while a blush grew on her face.

“Y-y-yes, I’m fine, but watch where you’re walking.” Moon said.

“Hey, I said I was sorry, jeez.” Sweepie Bell said to the alicorn filly, frowning. Just as Moon was about to start yelling, Sun and Dusk ran up to them, Dusk with a worried look, and Sun with a small smirk seeing the two of them together.

“Awwwww, ain’t young love grand?” She snickered.

“SHUT UP SUN!” Moon yelled, blushing furiously, as was Sweepie Bell.

“What, its true, you two love birds.” Sun said as Moon hit her in the leg, her blush turning deeper with every passing second.

“Just shut up, Sun!” Moon stated.

“Fine.” Sun relented, playfully ruffling her friend’s mane, eliciting a small chuckle from Sweepie Bell.

“So, is she com’in? Ah’m getting bored.” AppleBuck said.

“Who cares, let’s just get goin’ already.” Scootaroll said, tapping a hoof impatiently.

“Not so fast, guys. Princess Falling Moon is here, so unless you want to come off as uncaring hooligans, you’ll say hi.” Sweepie stated, before turning to Moon. “Now, Moon, do you wanna join us?” He asked.

“Uhh, sure, I will go.” Moon said.

“Well then, have fun you four. And Moon,” Sun leaned in close, “Be good, but if you can’t, name the first after me.” She said with a massive smirk, before hitting the ground, clutching her sides and laughing.

“Eeek, SHUT UP!” Moon said, punching Sun in the muzzle, causing her to yelp more in surprise than pain.

“MOON! What did you do that for!?” Dusk shouted.

“Heh, I told her that if she couldn’t be good, to name the first one after me.” Sun said, rubbing her muzzle.

“RISING SUN! She’s just a filly!” Dusk exclaimed.

“Yet she’s still more mature than you, Dusky.” Sun retorted, drawing laughs from the four foals.

“Ya, dummy.” Moon said, still chuckling.

“You-you, AGH!” Dusk yelled, walking back to the library, with smoke coming out his ears.

“Ok, now that that’s over, are you ready to go?” Sun asked Moon and the colts. And one filly.

“Yes I am.” Moon said.

“Same here!” The three colts shouted in unison, causing Sun and Moon to cover their ears in pain.

“Well let’s go.” Moon said while her wings fluttered.

“Ok, you four have fun. If you need me, holler.” Sun said, walking towards the town and leaving the four foals alone, completely forgetting about the destructive power of the Cutie Mark Crusaders.But they were running to Sugar Cube Corner