The Shy Shadow of the Moon

The Past Looms

”It is often the same things make the most wicked ponies, as which make the kindest...”

The filly laughed, turning back to taunt her friends, only to have two colts zip past, their wings brushing her hind hoof and ear.

”Gotta keep up blank flank!” came the challenge from the new leader.

Huffing in annoyance, she redoubled her speed, quickly overtaking the crimson coated colt, but he laughed, as it was all in good fun. She and the other seven pegasi foals joined in... it was only ever in good fun...

They flew in a poor excuse of a formation, dipping and dodging together like birds in a game somewhere between a race, and tag. They were flying ever higher in this endeavor, using the thicker non-enchanted clouds to hide and leap off for quick turns, flying as fast as they could. But this meant the foals didn't see the dragon until the filly ran head first into their chest.

”Hey! Watch it!!” roared the emerald drake, as she bared her teeth.

The filly tried to apologize, and invite the dragon to play, but the drake snatched one of her wings, claws digging in as her hand wrapped around the bones. She cried out in pain, but the dragon didn’t seem to care, roaring insults and names at the others when they tried to talk her down, and rescue the filly. Finally, with a crack, her bone snapped. Surprised, either at the snap, or the frailty of the wings no one knew, the dragon let go... dropping the filly.

Opening her eyes, the dream ended as usual, just before the scary part. As the mare sat up in her bed, her companion moved off to head for their food bowl, the usual wing ache greeting the mare as she stretched. Even though the dream didn’t finish the story, she did not need it too, for she remembered the injuries that stunted her wings permanently well enough on her own.

Heading down stairs, she greeted her guests and tenants, friends every one. Each one of them she has helped, or saved in some way. As she checked on some of the infants, her companion tapped his foot rapidly in impatience. The mare couldn't help but giggle, but before she could give a reply, some pony knocked loudly on her door, startling her and many of her friends.

“W-who is it?...” the mare asked in a gentle voice, little more then a whisper, and sweet as flowers on a gentle breeze.

“It’s me, just open the door already, I got something to tell yah!” came a cocky, but thankfully familiar mares voice.

She opened the door a crack, to look at her visitor with one eye.

“Oh come on Flutters, no one else is here!” cried Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy’s oldest friend, and the only reason why she hadn’t run away as a filly.

Opening the door the rest of the way, Fluttershy was still cautious, but trusting her friend. Rainbow was many things, but she usually only lied to protect her friends.

“Y-yes Rainbow Dash?...” she asked, her nerves still high from the loud knocking.

“Ponyville is going to host the Summer Sun Celebration this year!” Dash was so excited, Fluttershy couldn’t help but smile.

“Oh my, does that mean you get to do your acrobatics routine?” Dash had been working on that for years, waiting for any opportunity to display it, perfecting it as she went, and making it more extravagant and intricate.

“No, unfortunately they already hired the Wonderbolts, but hey, at least I get to see them perform! Maybe even get an autograph!” what a shame, though it was a bit complicated, last time Fluttershy saw it, it was a marvel of aerial acrobatics and speed.

Rainbow Dash kept talking about every ones plans, and tried to convince Fluttershy to go along with her... she did suppose the birds would enjoy the chance to show off. Giggling at her thought, she recalled how many birds, especially the colorful ones, were very vain creatures, kind, but vain.

“Okay, I suppose the bird choir can make a return this year...” she finally said, causing Rainbow to leap up, and cheer.

“Yeah! Finally convinced you to leave your house for a reason other then groceries!” seems this has been building up inside Rainbow Dash... Fluttershy considered that it might be best to visit her more often, seems she might be bored...

“I um, also go to the spa sometimes...” she replied, knowing Rainbow Dashes response already.

“That doesn’t count, you spend most of your time in there alone anyways!” which was kind of the point of a spa, but she does have a point, in a way.

Fluttershy gave her a saddened look, it couldn't be helped, she didn’t actually know anyone in Ponyville, and meeting new ponies always made her nervous they wouldn’t be nice... It would probably be a good idea to at least get to know the ponies in Ponyville, it isn’t a large place to begin with, only 40 ponies, mostly earth ponies. It’s why she had moved here after all.

Earth ponies didn’t care how fast you could fly, so long as you were willing to work. Fluttershy had come here as an advisor to the wild life management, this usually consisted of inspecting areas of the nearby forest for dangerous animals, and being consulted on how best to deal with infestations. For Fluttershy, that was all much easier, as she could just ask the animals to behave.

Harry groaned from the left of the house, as Rainbow Dash started talking about the Wonderbolts and how 'totally awesome' it was going to be. Personally, Fluttershy just hoped the sound of the event didn't scare her friends... The birds and mice were especially skittish, even more so then herself.

Seeing that Dash was just going to keep talking, Fluttershy began to do her chores while the ever hovering Rainbow drifted along beside her. Both were well used to this routine by now, so she wasn't worried her friend would get offended.

Angel Bunny looked at his food when she finally filled his bowl, steamed carrots with ginger, his favorite. Seemingly satisfied with the food, he turned to look at Dash.

"Is she still talking?" Fluttershy sighed, he was always a little rude before he had his breakfast.

"You know how she is Angel, please don't be rude." this seems to have caught the attention of Rainbow Dash.

"What now?" Rainbow asked, looking at Angel.

"Oh, Angel is just cranky before he has breakfast." Fluttershy explained.

"Uh huh..." Dash clearly wasn't satisfied with that answer, but let it go. "Oh, I just remembered, the advisor from Canterlot is supposed to take the old library while they are here. Rarity seems nearly 'askew from the sheer excitement for the opportunity to have a noble from Canterlot here,'” Rainbow tried to mimic Rarities accent, but honestly it sounded more like some pony with a stuffy nose. “I swear, that mare reads too many romance books."

Fluttershy remembered the unicorn tailor, having gone to her boutique a number of times because of mice, and once for a raven that was trying to get some of her gems. She seemed nice, if a bit dramatic. However Fluttershy didn't like how she always tried to gossip about every pony else with her, like Rarity thrived off of rumor and here say.

"Oh my, then I should return my books before they lock it up..." Fluttershy usually borrowed books like the library was still open, even stamping and logging the books herself.

She has asked some mice and an owl to keep the place clean, thinking some pony likely wouldn't want to walk into a building that was nothing but mildew and rotten books. It would probably be a good idea to ask them to leave until after the festival...

Dash had to leave to tend to the clouds, so she waved, then like a hummingbird was gone in a blink. Fluttershy's wings ached as they unconsciously opened partially, wanting to join her friend, but Fluttershy knew that she couldn't keep up with her. Besides, even if she just stayed nearby, her wings would get sore within the hour, and if she persisted would almost be paralyzed from the effort the next day. She was just glad her lay lines were strong enough to easily support her, despite the stunted wings, to begin with.

Her mood dropping from the thought, she turned to the photos on her walls... they weren't here, but in her minds eye she recalled the photos back on her parents walls. The ribbons, trophies, and plaques she had won in her filly hood. Her father had been so proud, her mother proclaiming her bright future... Even after all these years, Fluttershy still felt like such a disappointment...

Sighing, she went to check on Harry, the clumsy bear had fallen out of a tree yesterday. He proclaimed his health whenever she asked, but she could see the huge bruise under his fur. Honestly, it's like he wasn't used to her being his doctor by this point.

During the weeks leading up the the festival, Fluttershy decided she would practice with the birds, it had been awhile since they last sang together after all. Right now, she had asked them to perch on various low hanging branches so they could decide on a song. So far, half wanted to sing 'Farewell Moon', while half wanted to sing 'Ever Rise the Sun'. Both were great choices, but they had to decide one or the other, in case they didn’t have time to sing both.

"Both are great choices, but maybe 'Ever Rise the Sun' would be more appropriate?" asked a parakeet, which was a good point, but a sparrow in the other camp rebutted this claim.

"Perhaps, but 'Farewell Moon' is a better piece of music, and I believe would be better received." both good points, but the sparrows argument was entirely subjective.

"What if we sang 'Ever Rise the Sun' when Celestia first flies in?" Fluttershy suggested, which left the birds in thought.

"That should work."

"I don't see why not."

"That’s a good idea." came the many replies, making her smile brightly.

"I'm glad we have come to an accord, but this means we need to double the time we practice, make sure we have both songs memorized." Fluttershy pointed out, the various birds tweeting their acknowledgement.

They started practicing through the afternoon, it went well, for the most part...

“Hey!” the birds scattered and Fluttershy let out an ‘eep’ as she turned to face whoever spoke. “Whoops... sorry Ms. Fluttershy... um... Package from Cloudsdale...”

“I-it’s fine Derpy Hooves, I should have been paying attention...” the mail-mare smiled sheepishly, handing over the small package.

Fluttershy opened it, revealing a bronze locket, she knew this locket, it is her mothers...

“Bye Fluttershy, have a nice day.” Derpy flew away to continue her route, waving goodbye.

She returned the wave, though not with as much energy. Why would they send her the locket?... Mother never took this off. Opening the locket revealed not the picture of her father holding her when she was a little filly that had always been there, but Fluttershy and her parents when she graduated flight school, Rainbow Dash hugging her with a wide grin. Nostalgia hit her, bringing a small smile to her lips, as she remembered her fathers face when he heard that she got an A++ in the paper work, it didn’t change even when he heard she got a D- in flying... Maybe she was wrong about being a disappointment?...

Her smile faltered when she recalled how much brighter his smile had been whenever she won a race, or an agility course... She may not be a disappointment to her family, but Fluttershy knew she would have gotten a much better grade if her wings hadn’t been stunted... her father would have smiled so much brighter... Her mother would have been able to remain a housewife, instead of having to get a job to pay her medical bills...

“I.... I’m sorry everyone, I have to go...” she told the birds, who were looking at her with concern.

She always forgot that the animals were able to tell emotions, their languages were mostly body movements after all. Hopefully she didn’t worry the birds too badly... Fluttershy drooped her head lower thinking about how worried she must be making her animal friends.

History Lingers

The dark mare stood, watching Equis far below with a desperate and obsessive glare. Right now Zebrica passed, her magically enhanced gaze able to see the mortals go about their day. Soon. She can feel the chains binding her to her own moon weakening rapidly, as the thousandth year finally, mercifully comes to an undeniable close. Not even Celestia could postpone this, not even the elements can keep her from her ponies adoration... Soon, very soon...

Deep within the dark mare, rested a small spark which separated, unnoticed, centuries ago. This spark was the remains of an Alicorns sanity, the last sliver of sanity left in a mare that went mad a thousand years ago. This spark wasn’t able to influence anything, not even gaze out from this form, but she could still walk with the creatures of Equis in their dreams... Walk, but not interact, barely more then a background character in the dream.

However, it is because this sliver took this from the dark mare that has kept the spark alive, and the mortal creatures below safe from her wrath in the dreamscape.

It is this sliver that remains of Luna.

Eternally regretting her decision to hold the day hostage, shown the error of her ways by the very dreams she now could only observe. Not by dreams of eternal night, no, by dreams of disasters like volcanoes covering the sky in ash for weeks, if not years, causing plants to wither, animals to starve, and entire regions to die, hit only by the shadow of the ash, not the burning ash itself. If only she could see this when she still walked Equis... No, she never would have allowed such dreams to play out if she had been able to stop it, and thus never would have seen the aftermath...

She used to visit her sister in her dreams... she stopped after a couple decades, because she saw how much her distant figure on the edge of the dream hurt Celestia... Turning otherwise pleasant dreams into nightmares born of sadness and regret... Well, after the nightmares that originated from the event itself stopped haunting her nights for fifty years...

How often had she wished she could speak to her sister? How often had she tried? How often has she been forced to watch her sisters desperate hope wither when Celestia tried to chase her form through the dreamscape, after catching a glimpse of the spark?...

None could understand the feeling of walking the dreamscape, able to see every dream, of every creature that walked Equis, from the tiniest rodent, to the largest drake, each having a passage here. Because of this, no pony else would ever know what it was like to feel the primal wave of unfiltered emotions one experiences while dreaming, for it is blunted by the dreamer being unconscious... But Luna felt it directly whenever she entered a dream. The sheer loss and regret she felt from Celestia displayed the full depth of her love to Luna, showing her how little she actually understood of her sister...

And now, very soon, she would have to watch her sister re-live that night a thousand years ago... and it was all her fault. Even so deep inside the dark mare, Nightmare Moon, Luna could feel the weakening restraints, feel the obsession rise up to broil inside her corrupted form... By Faust, she had been such a fool, if only she could have a second chance...