My Mother is the Night!

Chapter 3

The Crusaders

“So Uncle Discord, weren’t you sealed in stone before?” Scootaloo asked as she rode around on her scooter in the gardens, Discord flying just above her. Discord smiled as he rolled his eyes.

“Now was your mother talking bad about me again?” he said lying on his back mid-air.

“Not really, she just said something like you used to be sealed in stone before” she asked tilting her head.

“Well yes I was actually Scootawoo” he said looking to the sky. “You see, before I was a bit of a bad person causing all sorts of chaos. So, your mother and aunt sealed me away for being a bad person” he said turning so that he was facing her. “Now after around…let’s see, a thousand and 3 years, I was able to break the seal and caused a bit of chaos again” he said looking down to her.

“What? You were still bad after a thousand years?” she asked raising an eyebrow.

“Well, until the Elements of Harmony came and stopped me” he said to her, seeing she was a little confused. “Your friends elder sisters and their friends” then Scootaloo got it. “Instead of being sealed in stone again, I had my powers taken away from me. Well, most of them” he said snapping his fingers for another glass of chocolate milk.

“Oooh…so you were sealed in stone for being a bad person, but then came back, and lost your powers, and became a good person?” Scootaloo asked looking to her hoof.

“Well, not to mention your aunt threatened me and told me I had to live in Canterlot” he explained to the young filly who looked to him wide-eyed. “Oh but it’s all fine and dandy, sunshine and flowers now. Plus a few years of living here, and the occasional chaos around the castle is honestly kinda fun. So I’m not a bad guy anymore” Discord assured the now smiling filly.

“All right Uncle Discord” she said with a smile and looked to the time. “Oh! I gotta go see Sweetie Bell and Applebloom now! Talk to ya later Uncle Discord!” Scootaloo then rode off out of the garden, leaving behind a smiling Dischord.

“Those Crusaders always manage to have the most chaotic fun” he said with a grin, lying back on a cloud sipping his chocolate milk.

Scootaloo had gotten to the front door, where two guards bowed and opened it for here. “Come on guys! You know me there’s no need to bow!” she said with a smile before scooting out, seeing her two best friends riding up to meet her.

“Scootaloo! Me and Sweetie Bell were talkin’ and came up with an awesome idea!” Applebloom said with a big smile.

“It’s so great I think you’ll absolutely love it!” the unicorn chimed in.

“You know how we’ve been needin a place to set up for our Cutey Mark Crusaders headquarters?” Scootaloo nodded as she listened to Applebloom.

“Well we came up with the idea of building a club-tree house!” Sweetie Bell said with a smile.

“But…we can’t build one at the new Sweet Apple Acres outside Canterlot, and Sweetie Bell doesn’t really have no trees outside her house, so we was if we could build one here!” the young Apple said with a bright grin.

“I like it! But…I gotta ask my mom and auntie if it’s ok” Scootaloo said with a nervous smile. “Come on! Let’s go see my mom!” Scootaloo said with a smile as she led the others through the halls of Canterlot castle. Soon they arrived outside of Princess Luna’s bedroom, Scootaloo opening a door to find Luna looking up to her ceiling, which looked exactly like the night sky, seeming to change stars around in the picture.

“Oh wow Scootaloo! You didn’t tell us your mom had such a cool room!” Sweetie Bell exclaimed, causing Luna to gasp and lose her focus.

“Child! Don’t scare me like that” Luna breathed out, smiling to her daughter.

“Sorry mom we wanted to ask you something…were you working on the starts again?” Scootaloo asked rubbing her foreleg with the other nervously.

“Yes I was Scootaloo, but there’s no need to be shy or nervous about it!” Luna assured her daughter with a smile. Scootaloo smiled at her mother and looked back to her friends.

“Workin on the stars? But I figured you’d do that at night time when they’re out!” Applebloom rubbed her head raising an eyebrow causing Luna to chuckle.

“Oh no child, you see I manage the stars here, before I bring them into the night sky” she said pointing up to the ceiling, all three filly’s looking up. “One has to actually put the night sky together before one can present it to the world. Each night I try to do something a little different, and have to make sure it is dark enough for ponies to sleep, and light enough with the moon for those who must work” Luna said with a smile to the fillies. Then Luna’s horn glowed and the stars on the ceiling suddenly came down and surrounded them all.

“Whoah!” all three fillies said with wide eyes and smiles as they touched and watched the stars and shooting stars.

“THAT’S SO COOL!” the unicorn and earth filly said with smiles causing Luna to chuckle.

“I’m glad you like it my little ponies, now I believe you have something else you wanted to ask about?” Luna asked looking to Scootaloo.

“Oh um…well we wanted to build a club house for us to hang out in, and Sweetie Bell can’t build one at her house, and neither can Applebloom…so we were wondering if we could build one here in the garden” Luna at first frowned to Scootaloo, causing the girl to lose her smile as well as Sweetie Bell and Applebloom. Luna however smiled again and nodded.

“I don’t see a problem with it, but be careful Scootaloo! All three of you be careful!” Luna said leaning down and kissed Scootaloo, who perked up and nodded happily.

“We will momma! Come one girls!” Scootaloo said with a smile as she led the others out, all three cheering happily. Luna just smiled as she turned back to her ceiling, continuing to work on the night sky.

It was around six pm, and the sun was setting, Nightmare Moon had decided to walk around the garden, catching sight of a now snoring discord. “This early? Wow you can’t stay up at all can you?” she said with a smirk, continuing to walk along. Though she slowed down as she heard what appeared to be sawing and hammering. “Construction? Here?” she asked herself, walking along until she happened to peek from behind a tree. There she could see the three young fillies hard at work, building something in a tree.

“Whoo! Building is hard!” Sweetie Bell said as she wiped some sweat from her forehead.

“Well duh! But it’s gonna so cool when it’s done! We already have the floor, stairs, and one of the walls done!” Scootaloo said with a bright smile.

“Yup! I can’t wait till we get it-wh-whoah!” Applebloom was up working on the wall, but she had lost her grip and was now falling out of the tree.

“APPLEBLOOM!” both Sweetie Bell and Scootaloo yelled, Nightmare Moon moving into action. In the blink of an eye the dark alicorn moved under Applebloom catching her.

“Night momma!” Scootaloo exclaimed happily, Applebloom and Sweetie Bell gaping to the large dark alicorn.

“Child you could have been hurt! You must be more careful!” Nightmare Moon scolded the filly, who was still gaping at her. The alicorn soon realized that maybe she shouldn’t have shown herself and looked up to Sweetie Bell, who was getting behind Scootaloo.

“Girls there’s no need to be scared! This is my Night Momma! I’ve told you about her!” Scootaloo assured them, Sweetie Bell coming out from behind Scootaloo.

“U-Um…howdy I’m Applebloom” she said nervously as she looked up to Nightmare Moon.

“U-Um…hi, I’m Sweetie Bell” the unicorn said as well.

“Well…hello children” Nightmare said to them, honestly not sure how to handle this situation. Other than Scootaloo, she wasn’t good with kids.

“And this is my Night Momma!” Scootaloo said with a big grin, the other two lightening up a bit.

“U-Um…yes hello children! Though you can call me…Dreamweaver” Nightmare didn’t like using her old name, but she didn’t want these fillies to be afraid of her. “Oh!” Nightmare moon then used her magic and pulled her helmet and armor off, remembering that probably scared them too. “S-So children, what is it you’re working on?” Nightmare asked smiling to them, Sweetie Bell perking up a little.

“Well, it’s our clubhouse! It’s going to be our home for the Cutey Mark Crusaders!” Sweetie Bell said with a smile.

“Cutey Mark Crusaders?” Nightmare Moon asked raising an eyebrow looking to Scootaloo.

“Yeah! Since we haven’ got our cutey marks yet, we formed a club! And Princess Luna said we could build our clubhouse in a tree in the gardens!” Applebloom said with a smile.

“Well that really is exciting isn’t it?” Nightmare moon said with a smile as she looked to Scootaloo who smiled brightly up to her. “But it is getting darker now, and it is time for you all to go home” Nightmare Moon said to them.

“Awe but we just got started!” Applebloom pouted.

“Yes my little ponies, but you can finish tomorrow” Nightmare Moon said with a smile. “Now be off with you all, make sure the guards lead you home. And Scootaloo, make sure you go and see momma” Nightmare said with a smile to her.

“Yes Night Momma” Scootaloo said as she walked into the castle with her friends.

“Well now, who’d expect the big bad Nightmare Moon to be a parent?” the teasing voice of Discord caused Nightmare to turn and frown at him. “Oh come now I already told Scootaloo I’m not a bad guy, and don’t even have the power to be a bad guy anymore” Discord said lounging on his cloud.

“You were awake the whole time weren’t you?” Nightmare asked walking over sitting next to him.

“Of course I was, I couldn’t miss the opportunity to see you acting like a parent” Discord said looking up to the setting sun. “Now to get you to just admit your feelings for Luna, and showing her you are still here” Discord said with a smirk.

“You’ve obviously been talking with Chrysalis haven’t you?” the alicorn asked already knowing the answer.

“Of course, she tells me of how you’re absolutely smitten with the Princess of the Night. And who better to accompany her, then the Princess of Dreams, Dreamweaver?” Discord said turning on his cloud so her was resting his head in his hands, looking to Nightmare.

“I am not what she needs, nor wants. I am nothing but a Nightmare to her now and caused her nothing but pain for a thousand years” she said looking to the night sky once more.

“That’s not what I think, but then again, I’m just a crazy Draconequus who loves chaos” he said with a smile to her. “Who happens to know a changeling who knows a thing or two about love” Nightmare just rolled her eyes turned away from him.

“She can’t still love me…” Nightmare just said to herself as she walked away from Discord, disappearing from sight.

“Yet she still sings that silly song of yours” he said with before lounging back on his cloud closing his eyes.

Inside the castle Luna happened to be walking down the stairs and see Sweetie Bell, Applebloom, and Scootaloo walking towards the front door. “Children, you came in on your own? Usually I have to go out and get you myself” Luna asked.

“Ms. Dreamweaver told us to come in since it was getting so dark” Sweetie Bell answered, causing Luna to shoot down the stairs with wide-eyes.

“DREAMWEAVER?! What did she look like?! Are you sure you saw her?!” Luna asked them as she looked at them all.

“Well yeah, she was there, she was a tall dark blue almost black alicorn, she had pretty green eyes, and a blue mane, lighter than yours” Applebloom answered.

“Children have a safe trip home and Scootaloo go up stairs and get ready for bed!” Luna called out as she started galloping towards the garden. Once she was outside, she looked all around, trying to see if she could catch a glimpse of her.

“She’s not here right now, please leave a message after the beep. BEEP!” Luna sighed and heard Discord’s voice turning to face him.

“I don’t have time for your games Discord! I’m looking for somepony!” she said as she looked around more.

“Could it be your Princess of Dreams?” he asked turning on his cloud.

“You’ve seen her?!” Luna exclaimed running to him. “Is she still here?! Was she ok?! Was she really here?!” Discord smirked as he heard Luna question him.

“Oh now this is too much fun! You actually needing something form me?” with a grin. “Now this should be-“ though before he could answer Luna used her magic to grab his beard and yanked him towards herself.

“TELL ME” her Canterlot voice boomed, Discord deciding that it wasn’t wise to piss her off.

“All right all right she was here! You lovely Dreamweaver is still alive after all this time!” Discord answered her. “Geez you act like you love her or something” he said with a smirk as he was let go.

“You wouldn’t know what the feeling is” Luna growled out and sighed. “Did you see which way she went?” she asked and he shrugged.

“Nope, and I don’t think you’ll find her either, after all she doesn’t want to be found by you now” he answered her, causing Luna to raise an eyebrow.

“Why? She needs to know she is welcome by me and I still care for her!” Luna exclaimed causing Discord to raise an eyebrow to her.

“Will you sister welcome her back? And what of the fact that she still has the form of the Nightmare, and not of the Dreamweaver you once knew?” he asked looking to her resting his arm in his hand.

“Then she is still cursed…” Luna said slumping back.

“I don’t know what this curse is, since you were banished after I was sealed in stone, but whatever it is, she seems to be quite affected” he said laying back on his cloud again. “Then again this is mostly your problem since after all, it did start with you” he said opening an eye to look at Luna, who was immediately struck with guilt.

“Sadly…you are right, and I have to be the one to fix it. It is my fault she is still cursed” she said turning away from Discord and made her way back inside. Discord simply smiled and got comfortable on his cloud.

“Will the two love birds come together, or push each other apart eternally? I can’t say, but things are about to get interesting…”

Luna walked out to her balcony, looking up to the moon as she thought of Nightmare Moon. Though to her, she was still her Dreamweaver. She was the one who sang to her every night, helping her sleep peacefully. She was the one who supported her when she was at her neediest time, when she felt none of her subjects appreciated her night. She was also the one who agreed with her to bring eternal night, and joined with her, cursing herself as the dark alicorn Nightmare Moon.

“It truly is my fault you have been cursed, isn’t it?” Luna asked looking to the night sky, and began to sing. The same song she would always sing for her, the one she loved. The one that always put her at ease and reminded her of her Dreamweaver.

((I posted it in the other two chapters, go there to hear it again xD))

“Momma?” Luna’s attention was broken as she turned back to see her daughter walking up to her. “Is something wrong momma?” Scootaloo asked looking up to her. Luna smiled as she draped a wing over her daughter.

“Momma’s just remembering someone she really cared for, someone she would really like to see right now” she said with a smile and Scootloo leaned against her.

“Is it Night Momma?” Scootaloo asked, Luna looking down to her tilting her head to the side.

“Night Momma?” Luna asked.

“Yeah, she comes and sings that song to me sometimes. She even asks how my day was, though she always asks about you, wondering if you are all right” Scootaloo said closing her eyes. “Momma, can you not see her because something is…wrong with Night Momma?” Scootaloo asked looking up to her.

“Yes…Night Momma cursed” Luna answered her. “And I would do anything to take that curse away from her” Luna said sitting back on her haunches, smiling down to her daughter. “I will tell you more about it tomorrow, for now go and get some sleep” Luna told Scootaloo who nodded and walked inside.

“Goodnight momma!” Scootaloo said galloping inside, Luna stayed on the balcony and looked up to her night sky. As Scootaloo went to her room, she stopped and smiled.

“That’s it! That’s what we’ll do next! Cutey Mark Crusaders curse removers!”