The Shy Shadow of the Moon

Some Try to Follow

”The strongest spirits, are seen in those who have learned to keep going...”

The filly walked alongside her father, approaching her school, the stallion carefully guiding her with a wing. Her own were bound to immobility against her barrel, as they are to be kept for the next several months. The damage had been so extensive that even magical healing, at least what her parents could afford, had to be used after surgery to put the bones back in place... The doctor said that if she hadn’t of been a pegasus, her spine would have shattered because her wings absorbed most of it.

She couldn’t wait for the casts to be off, to fly again, to... scratch this incessant itch! Her father stopped her from rubbing against a cloud wall to scratch at it... again. He sighed, understanding his daughters plight, because he went through something similar not even a month ago, where he slipped and his hoof dunked into the scalding rainbow maker.

“I know how that feels, but please don’t scratch it. Mine is a burn, yours is shattered bones... We don’t want to have them shift, Dr Bright Mend will be here tomorrow”, he said with a placating tone, and yet, she still wouldn’t be allowed to take them off...

Well, Mom did say the itch was because of her ‘deep tissue’ healing, so hopefully the magical healing will fix that. She just knew the others were going to make fun of her... playful ribbing sure, but she also knew a few would not miss the chance to try and put her down. But, so is the way of those who can’t stand up for themselves.

She climbed onto her Fathers back, as he glided to the school house. At least he didn’t try and carry her... Getting off, the filly nuzzled him, and went inside as the bell rang. The teacher today was a substitute, a midnight blue mare with a night sky for her mane and tail. The filly paused, mesmerized by the flowing image of the night sky, each strand seemingly marked with pearls of a divine polish.

”Hello students, mine name is Starlight Aurora, call me Ms Aurora.”

”Hello Ms Aurora” chorused the class, the filly included...

Why does this feel wrong?... Why was the teacher speaking funny... Didn’t she already graduate? The world around her rippled as she questioned why she was here.

”Please...” Ms Aurora said in a voice that sounded broken and desperate. “Not yet... doth not let this dream end so soon...”

"Ms Aurora? What’s going on?” the filly cried out, as the school house crumbled, revealing void where there should be sky.

”Mare, before this fades entirely, we must tell thee! The dark mare nears escape! Alert our sister!" She tried to shout at the filly, Fluttershy, but found herself unable to move, her voice quickly fading away.

"Tis not fair...” Ms Aurora faded away, as if she was never there...

Fluttershy opened her eyes, the dream this time was weird... but at least it hadn’t ended the way it usually did, with the entire school taunting her about having her wings removed... She stretched, the wing ache returning with the motion. Angel stretched with a yawn, before covering himself back up. Looking outside she could see that the sun has yet to rise, nothing unusual, but the level of darkness suggested day was still a few hours away.

Well, the bats would probably enjoy the company, she normally didn’t get to see them before they slept. She made her way down carefully, so she wouldn’t wake Angel. Lighting her fireplace, Fluttershy began to make the fruit mash the bats loved. Just a bit of mango, apples, grapes, and watermelon, all smashed together with wheat. Together they made a wonderful mash, she sometimes made it for herself in fact.

She brought out several bowls, three held on her back and head, one in her mouth, and six more on top of the other bowls. The bats looked over at her curiously, then swarmed Fluttershy excitedly, keeping their distance so they didn’t make her trip. She set the bowls down, then smiled as the swarmed around her.

“Okay everyone, here is something special tonight.” Fluttershy backed away so the bats could eat in peace.

They ate the mash in seconds. It made her concerned that she didn’t give them enough food, until she saw their bloated bellies, and giggled. They certainly enjoyed fruit. These weren’t the rude vampire fruit bats Applejack had to contend with, but cute fuzzy fruit bats, their faces reminding her of moles without the feelers.

Really, she was sad that she couldn’t let them near the apple orchards, because of the vampire fruit bats. The vampire variant was greedy and rude, but the fruit bats Fluttershy nurtured, they were pollinators. They enjoyed fruit sure, but also nectar, it was the sugar they were after, something they could get from other fruits during the harvest season.

Turning to go back inside, Fluttershy sat in front of the fireplace. It wasn’t that it was cold or anything, but the warmth was still nice. She kept the flame low since the heat wasn’t needed, just the warmth, to keep out the morning chill. Sitting in front of the fire place was rather comfortable, even when there was no flame within, it was just cozy.

Fluttershy often used the shed fur and feathers of her animal friends to stuff her furniture, this kept them from wanting to rub or scratch it on instinct. It also had the benefit of making her furniture smell like them, this helped her calm down whenever she had panic attacks after especially bad nightmares. Often the temptation hit her to make a stuffed animal in this way, maybe a bear... Harry has been shedding a lot lately... A teddy bear would be a perfect addition to her bed come to think of it...

Her thoughts were interrupted by a shadow dashing through her peripheral. Fluttershy froze as her eyes turned to look, relaxing slowly when she saw it was one of her squirrel friends.

“Oh Ms Walnut, you startled me.”, she smiled, motioning for Ms Walnut to come over for a bit.

She hopped over, rubbing against Fluttershy's fore-hoof, chittering her apologies.

”Sorry dear, I was wondering why there was light in here.”, Fluttershy smiled, scratching under the squirrels fluffy chin.

“It’s fine, thank you for making sure everything was alright.”, reaching above the fireplace, she retrieved a hoof full of acorns, handing them to the little detective. “Please, for your troubles.”

”I couldn’t possibly! Not after accidentally scaring you like that!”, cried Ms Walnut.

“Now now, your my guest, and I am giving it freely. Besides, like you said, it was an accident. Please help yourself.” Ms Walnut hesitated for a moment before giving in.

Fluttershy was happy her friend felt the need to check on her house, but it really was no problem to give some acorns to the squirrels and chipmunks, it’s why she kept them after all. Besides, it was her fault for lighting the fire to begin with, in the middle of the night no less. Fluttershy turned to look out at the still sky bound moon, the mares silhouette seemingly peering into her window.

Ms Walnut bade farewell, before scampering off with her gift in her cheeks. Fluttershy could tell by her movements that she was pregnant, how could she not after all her years with these animals, early stages but definitely with kits. She would be happy, as she always is, to welcome new life into her home come the spring! It always brought an air of renewal and joy. Speaking of which, she should probably check on the nursery since she is awake.

Later, as dawn finally touched the horizon, she woke up in the nursery, a bear cub in her hooves drinking a bottle of milk that has grown cold. With a yawn Fluttershy set the early cub back in their crib, thinking about how they were all going to be gone in two months, saddened by the prospect of an empty nursery. This room always got so quiet in the winter, so very barren of the activity of newborns...

Quietly walking out, she walked into her backyard from the sunken greenhouse, the underground structure was a constant temperature, making it perfect as a nursery, even though it was originally a winter greenhouse. Still, she didn’t have need for a winter garden, her animal friends either moved away or slept during those months. Be that as it may, she still used it to store extra food for them, just in case.

This time Fluttershy saw Derpy Hooves fly in, waving to her with a small smile. Really, aside from Dash, Hooves was the only one she might be able to call a friend... In fact, she might have something to share with her.

Waving her over, Fluttershy went inside, and grabbed her a little something she got from sugar cube corner. By the time Derpy came to the door, she was almost out.

“Yes Fluttershy? Oh! A muffin!” cried the cross eyed mare, snatching the muffin excitedly from Fluttershy's muzzle.

“Oh my...” She squeaked, surprised at Derpy's sudden movement.

Derpy stuffed the muffin into her own muzzle, munching on it as if starving, as she began to fly off she waved back at Fluttershy, whom was quickly back inside her hut. She waved back shyly, and returned to her chores.

The hens eggs still needed collected and checked for developing embryo, she needs to check Harrys bruise as well, the bees are due for their monthly checkup to ensure there were no signs of hive rot, so much needs done today...

Others Get Stuck

Nightmare moon never took her eyes off Equis, doing her best to not even blink, using the task to let time pass so much faster. By now she could hold her eyes without blinking for weeks, perhaps she was the best at staring- No! No! Don’t lose focus now, not so close to her time of victory! Hm? whats this? Firelight before the cold months?

Nightmare Moon focused her attention on a house within a mound, next to a small village, dangerously close to the ancient forest of ever-free, like the traditional homes of earth ponies in the era of discord. Why is a Pegasus residing in an earth pony home? She gazes up at us like so many before, but again like so many before she does not see... Never the matter, soon they will ALL see!

They will all know my Night! For they will have not the choice!

The dark mare recalled the events before her banishment, before her sister betrayed her...

She and the solar mare had been at war with a tyrant like no other, one whom used dark magic to steal the minds of his subjects. Luna had felt that magic, a warped form of her own dream magic! But what made it worse was not this, but that he didnt trap the minds of his citizens in dreams, no... He trapped them inside nightmares, fueling his dark magic with their suffering as they slept.

It had not been enough that he had removed the shield from the kingdoms boarders, allowing the frozen north to kill the nations crops and freeze its rivers. It had not been enough when he shattered the mind of the alicorn ruling with kindness and wisdom. It had not been enough when he banished their children out into the cold for the snow or the windigos to take them... No... It was so much worse...

The dark mare knew this is what birthed her shadow, as she repressed her sadness and anger down back then... She had needed a clear mind to lead her forces to victory... Sure, the solar forces had it difficult, this tyrant was powerful, but the magic of this tyrant was based in shadow and darkness, meaning her own forces had it so much worse as they battled during the night... But did they care?

Did they allow her the solace of her fallen comrades having proper burials? Did they praise the bat ponies and thestrals of the lunar legion for their service and sacrifices?... No... and for that...

For the fallen, she must make them understand... Must make them appreciate the fallen... She had promised them glory, and all they found when coming home was... THAT!!!!

Three days... three more days until either the elements seal us away again, our sister stops us, or... or we kill all of Equis... half by eternal dark, the other by eternal fire... We should have tried to warn the mare from before sooner, but the sensation of finally being free to move as we wish... mostly... was just too good...

What a shame it ended after not but a few minutes! Surely we will lose, surely our ponies will not be ended by our folly... Surely?...

Faust can only hope...