Light of the moon

Moon ran. He didn’t know where he was running, but he didn’t care. All he knew was that he could not be there anymore. The eyes of everypony had stared at him, had judged him, and found him unworthy, just like all the others. The alleyways did not contain his flight for long, and he kept running. The field he ran through was green, with flowers across the soft, rolling hills. Small animals looked up in shock at the sound of his flight. Spotting a treeline, Moon bolted toward it. It would provide some relief from his burning shame. Plunging headfirst into the foliage, Moon felt a single tear roll down his cheek.

The princesses glared at Pinkie Pie. “Pinkamena Diane Pie. We need to talk. Now!” Twilight was surprised to find the thundering voice come from Princess Celestia this time. Whatever was going to happen, it wasn’t going to be pretty. Pinkie held her head down as she walked with the princesses towards Sugar Cube Corner. As soon as they were out of sight, the crowd finally found its voice. Everypony was talking over each other.

Applejack was one of the first to react. “Elements o’ Harmony! Meet at Sugar Cube Corner! NOW!” she yelled across the crowd. Twilight and Applejack started running toward the confectionary shop. They needed to meet up before they could all confront the princesses. “Say, Twilight… What do you think is gonna happen? The Princess seemed in a right awful temper.”

“I don’t know, Applejack. I just hope we can stop it before somepony does something she will regret.”

Pinkie Pie was miserable. She had just wanted to meet the new colt! She didn’t mean to embarrass him… Although what was he embarrassed about? He seemed pretty normal. No extra wings, no multiple eyes… Nothing too weird there!

As they entered Sugar Cube Corner, the princesses looked down at Pinkie Pie. Luna sighed and said sadly, “That… That didn’t go as well as I had hoped. I hope he is ok. I will need to find him soon, if he does not return. As for you, Pinkie… What was that huge party all about? Did Twilight not tell you he was shy?” Pinkie Pie didn’t answer, instead keeping her head low.

Princess Celestia stepped in. There was no anger in her voice as she extended a wing around Pinkie Pie. “We understand you only wanted to make him feel welcome, but he wasn’t ready for that. He was going to tell everyone in his own time, but instead you showed his secret to the people he was going to befriend. I know you didn’t mean to, but it isn’t me you need to apologize to. From what I understand about him, he will forgive you, but only if you explain what really happened, and that you don’t crowd him when he needs his space. Is that ok?”

Pinkie’s lip trembled. She had just wanted to help. She made somepony else sad, and she didn’t even realize why. It didn’t make sense, it wasn’t fair! “I do- do- don’t under*sniff*stand what he ran away from! I didn’t mean to hurt him! I promise! Cross my heart, and hope—“ Pinkie Pie lost it, tears rolling down her cheeks as she realized she may never get Moon to be her friend ever again.

The door burst open, Rainbow Dash almost slamming into a low-hanging wooden beam. “Let her go! She didn’t mean to do it! Uh—Princess.” Rainbow Dash yelled loudly before remembering exactly who she was yelling at.

Princess Celestia was reminded of a time, not too long ago, when the ponies had come to the rescue of one of their own, but this time Twilight stood tall and defiant, as Pinkie cried her eyes out.

“Princess Celestia, I failed you. I didn’t inform Pinkie Pie of how shy he was. I thought he was only shy out of nervousness, and that he would feel welcome. Punish me instead of her!”

Luna looked at her sister. “May we speak in private, sister? I have an idea on how to resolve this.”

The two alicorns backed away from the group, and the ponies ran over to comfort Pinkie Pie. Applejack turned to Rarity. “Look, ah have an idea to cheer her up, but ah need you to trust me. Alright?” Rarity nodded her agreement. “Ok, stand right there. Hey, Pinkie! Rarity has somethin’ ta show ya!” Rarity looked around in confusion. For a split second, she saw a white bag flying at her.

Time stopped. She couldn’t have. She COULDN’T HAVE!

The flour exploded all over Rarity, covering her in the white powder. Rarity’s eyes narrowed. Applejack was going to suffer for this travesty! That little farm girl would NOT get away with—

Rarity broke off her thoughts of vengeance as she heard sniffling giggles come from behind her. Pinkie Pie was smiling, and the smile had travelled up to her eyes, drying off the tears that were still in there.

The steady clopping of hooves brought the girls to attention.

“We have decided your punishment, Pinkamena. Unless your friends would rather share your punishment?” Celestia raised an eyebrow at the rest of the group, and was met with many emphatic nods. “Very well, then you must see to it that Moon Light enjoys his time in Ponyville. If anything happens, each of you will be held responsible. Now, may I make a suggestion?” The girls nodded again.

Celestia looked out the window. “Go find him, please.”

As the six ponies ran out, Luna walked up to Celestia. “I know where he is. He went there immediately.”

Celestia looked back at her sister. “Why there? Does he know what memories that place holds? What will happen if he discovers its original purpose?”

“Worry not, sister. The wards holding her still hold strong. With any luck, Twilight and the others will find him well before… anyways, we need to return home, quickly. We have been away for much longer than anticipated, and we need to prepare in case...” Luna fell silent, and walked toward the doors.

The two princesses left the building and headed towards the carriages. Behind them, a small bipedal shape crawled out of its hiding space in a donut box. Producing a quill and parchment, Spike began to write.

Moon looked at the ruins in front of him. The door barely stayed on its hinges, and the cracked, overgrown wall showed many years of neglect. The absolute silence showed the isolation of this place, and the nearby fields were overgrown with weeds. This would be his new home, alone with the moonlight and stars.