Prologue: Meeting in the Night
It was a peaceful night. Everypony was tucked soundly in their beds, ready to wake when Celestia raised the sun, signaling the start of a new day. It was during these nights that ponies dreamed many wondrous things, such as a unicorn who dreamed of being immersed in the warm waves of the ocean, or an earth pony who dreamed she flew with the wings of a Pegasus. Each dream was different, and, more importantly, they were private, hidden from the eyes of everypony else. At least, that’s what they thought.
Within each of these dreams there was a figure standing somewhere off in the distance. Most ponies took no notice of the figure, and those who did, dismissed it as a trick of the mind. But no matter what they thought, every single night the figure stood there, watching and waiting. That is until one night, a young earth pony colt was having a particularly troubling dream; in his dream, he was a cowpony on the open range, when suddenly, a herd of wild buffalo started charging right at him. The young colt screamed and took off running. He didn’t dare look behind him, he didn’t need to; the thunder of thousands of heavy hooves were rapidly catching up to him. Then, just as he was inches away from being trampled, a mysterious figure leapt out of nowhere, throwing itself between the colt and the herd of stampeding beasts. The thing gave a deafening roar, causing the buffalo to halt, and suddenly evaporate into thin air.
“Are you all right little one?” came a gentle voice.
The young colt turned around to face his savior, and froze, shocked by who he saw standing before him; the dark, flowing mane like the night sky and shining with the lights of a million stars was the unmistakable sign that he was in the presence of the one and only Princess Luna. Coming back to his senses, the colt quickly knelt down, and bent his head in a deep bow, just as his parents showed him to do when in the presence of royalty.
“Princess,” he said, not daring to look up at the magnificent figure that towered over him. Instead, he focused his gaze on her beautifully ornate silver shoes. “Thank you for saving me. I have no idea where those buffalo came from. I owe you my life.”
“Rise young one.” Luna said, as she gently placed a hoof under the colt’s chin. “Everything is alright. As the princess of the night, it is my duty to watch over the dreams of everypony as they sleep. You may have caught a glimpse me once or twice without knowing it, but I usually veil myself in shadow, for it is not my place to interfere with another pony’s dreams.”
“So this is just a dream?” The colt looked up at Luna, a confused look on his face.
“Indeed it is. Not one of the strangest that I’ve seen, but it was certainly lively. Tell me, is there something troubling you?”
At this question, the colt looked down again, his light brown coat flushing a light shade of red.
“It’s kinda embarrassing.”
“It is alright little one. The only time that I ever show myself is when I sense that somepony is concerned with something; I am here to help try and put your mind at ease.” She rested a hoof lightly on the head of the colt and ruffled his mane.
“Well, my folks and I are moving out west, you know, where the buffalo live, and some of my friends have been making jokes, saying that if I wasn’t careful, I was going to get run over by a stampede. Now, the closer we get to the day of our move, the more scared I get; I don’t want to be run over.”
“I see, and is that the only thing you are afraid of?”
The colt dug shyly at the ground with his hoof.
“No, it’s not.” He took a deep breath. “I don’t want to move. I like it here in Trottingham; I have tons of friends, I like my school, everything. It’s not fair that I have to leave everything behind.”
“Hmmm. What is your name little one?”
“Maple, ma’am.”
“Well Maple, do not think of this as a loss. Yes, it can be sad to have to move to a new land, but it can also be a good thing. Just think of all the new experiences that you’ll gain. You’ll make new friends and see new sights; it’s an experience that your friends in Trottingham will never have.”
Maple thought for a moment.
“But what if the other ponies are mean?” He finally said.
“Do not worry, if you are ever scared, I am always here for you in your dreams, all you have to do is just call my name.”
The colt gave a hint of a smile. He took comfort in knowing that someone would always be looking after him. And she was right, what was there to worry about; he may be leaving a few things behind, but he was still young, and there were so many experiences awaiting him out west.
“Thank you princess.” he said as he bowed again.
Luna simply smiled in reply. Just then, the landscape around them became very hazy. Maple looked at the princess, but could barely make out her shape as she was absorbed by the mist.
“It is almost dawn, young Maple.” Said Luna. Her voice was very distant. “This is where I must take my leave. It is my hope that when you awake, you face the day with a lighter heart.” With those parting words, Luna disappeared, leaving the colt alone in the field alone, but no longer sad.
…
Maple awoke in the morning with a start. Had it been real, or did he just imagine the conversation he had just had with one of the rulers of Equestria? Either way, he couldn’t help but notice that he was feeling much better this morning than he had the night before. He was no longer scared about moving; rather, he was looking forward to it. Maple climbed out of bed and rushed down stairs to the kitchen where he found his father, Oak Leaf, sitting down, the morning paper resting open on the table before him. His mother, Cherry Blossom, was by the stove, watching over a pot of oatmeal.
“Morning mum, morning dad.” Maple said, sitting down to his place at the table.
“G’morning Maple,” said his mother. She ladled oatmeal into a bowl and brought it over to her son. “My, you seem awfully cheerful this morning.”
Maple took a bite of his breakfast.
“I sure am mum. To tell the truth, I was feeling down because of the move, but Princess Luna told me that there’s nothing to fear, that everything will be ok.”
“Oh she did, did she?” his mother gave a little laugh; her son always had had one of the wildest imaginations of all the foals in the little town. “And when did Princess Luna speak to you?”
“Last night; she came to visit me in a dream. She was really friendly.”
At these words, Maple’s father turned away from his paper.
“Are you sure about this son? Are you sure it wasn’t just a dream?”
“Uh-huh, I’m sure. Princess Luna told me that it's her duty to watch over all of the ponies in Equestria while they sleep.”
Maple’s father stood up from the table.
“I knew it!” he exclaimed.
“Oak, honey, what are you getting so excited about?” Maple’s mother was alarmed at her husband’s outburst.
“Don’t you remember the rumors, Cherry; the ones about ponies seeing a mysterious shape in their dreams. From what I recall, they all said that it resembled that of an alicorn, with a flowing mane as dark as the night sky. It all makes sense; Princess Luna spies on us while we sleep.”
“Oh honestly Oak, you can’t believe in such nonsense.”
“I didn’t used to, but there have been far too many reports for this to be a coincidence. And if what Maple says is true, then it makes all the more sense; only an alicorn would have enough power to enter a pony’s dreams.” Oak crossed the kitchen to the door.
“Where are you going dad?” Maple asked as he finished his oatmeal.
“I’m going to meet with the mayor to put an end to this. I don’t care if she is one of the rulers of Equestria, that princess has no right invading our inner most thoughts; it’s an abuse of power. Who knows what she’s seen, or done? For all we know she could be looking for information or implanting thoughts into our heads, putting us under her control.”
“But dad, she’s not bad, she just wants to-” Oak wouldn’t let his son finish.
“I’m sorry Maple, but please, stay out of this; you’re just a foal. You’re too young to fully grasp the severity of the situation.”
“But-”
“No Maple.” He gave his son a stern look that frightened the little colt; he had never seen his father this upset. Without another word, Oak Leaf left the house and trotted off towards the village.
And so started the rise against the princess of the night.
It was still quite dark when Princess Luna returned from her patrol of the kingdom. She found the highest tower of Canterlot castle and circled it a few times before gingerly setting down in front of her sister, Princess Celestia, who was waiting patiently on top of the tower for Luna’s return.
“How did the night watch go, little sister?” asked Celestia as she watched Luna stretch her wings after the long night’s flight.
“Quite uneventful.” Said Luna, walking over to her sister’s side. “It's strange; I have always been able to see into the dreams of everypony in Equestria, but lately…”
“What is it Luna?” Celestia could sense that her sister was discouraged.
“I am not entirely sure. It could be nothing, but a few nights ago, as I was flying over Trottingham, I tried to see into the dreams of its citizens, but all I saw was fog. No ponies, no dreams, just a thick layer of fog; it was almost as if I was being blocked out. I wouldn’t have thought much of it if not for the fact that this same fog has been spreading to the dreams of ponies in other towns. I am not sure what I should do, my sister.”
“I wouldn’t put too much thought into it, Luna.” Celestia put a hoof on Luna’s shoulder. “I’m sure it’s nothing.”
“Perhaps it is, my sister, but I still feel uneasy. Maybe I should-“
“I’m sorry, Luna I’d love to listen to your story, but I have to go; the sun won’t raise itself.”
“Very well, Celestia.” Luna turned and started for the stairs. “I’m heading down to breakfast. Would you care to join me when you return?”
“No, I have studying that I must do.”
“Oh, uh, would you like me to have anything sent up to your room?”
“That won’t be necessary, I’m going to be really busy and I would very much like to be left undisturbed.”
“Very well. Have a good morning my sister.” But there was no response. Luna turned to look at Celestia, only to see her sister flying away, already a good distance away. Celestia had left before Luna had even finished talking.
Luna frowned as she walked down the stairs towards the first floor of the castle. It wasn’t unusual for Celestia to shut herself in her room and spend the day studying, it just seemed that lately the two were spending much less time with each other these days than they did in the past. Luna would have enjoyed being able to sit down and spend time with her sister again, especially now when she had so much on her mind. She was sure that Celestia would be able to give her good advice on how to approach her Trottingham problem.
Perhaps I should do a little investigating of my own, Luna thought as she reached the bottom of the long spiral staircase. After breakfast I’ll see about sending a couple of my guards to Trottingham to check on things.
Luna made her way through the winding halls of the castle until she reached the private dining room. It was smaller than the dining hall that was used when the princesses were entertaining guests; this one was made for the royal family to dine in peace and enjoy each other’s company. These days, however, Luna found the room to be very lonely as she ate most of her meals there alone.
After a nice breakfast of blueberry muffins and oatmeal, Luna called for Shadow Hoof, Captain of the Night Guard, to meet her in the dining room. She only had to wait a few minutes before a navy blue pegasus dressed in black and silver armor came into the room and bowed before the princess.
“You called for me, Princess Luna?” Shadow Hoof asked as he rose from the floor.
“Yes, it has come to my attention that something peculiar is occurring in Trottingham. For some reason I cannot see into the dreams of the resident ponies living there. I am not entirely sure why this is, but I feel that it needs to be investigated. I ask that you and three of your guardsponies fly to Trottingham and see if you cannot find the reason for this.” Luna saw a slight look of fatigue on her Captain’s face. “I apologize, Shadow Hoof, I understand that I am asking a lot; after all you must be tired after keeping guard all night. If you wish, I will ask one of the Day Guard to travel to Trottingham in your place.”
“No princess, I will do as you ask. I’ll gather my best stallions and we will gladly undertake this task for you.”
“Thank you, noble Shadow Hoof,” Luna bowed her head in appreciation. “I shall await your return.”
With another low bow, Shadow Hoof exited the dining room, leaving Luna alone. After a few minutes Luna yawned and looked at the clock. It was already seven in the morning; it was past time for Luna to retire to her bedroom. She got up from her chair, stretched her legs and wings, and started making her way to her room.
As Luna left the dining room, she spotted Celestia walking down the hall towards her, reading a book that levitated steadily in front of her face.
“Good morning, sister. How did the sun raising go?”
Celestia didn’t answer; she just continued her path, walking past Luna without taking any notice of her.
“I thought you might like to know that I have sent a couple of my guards to check on the abnormality in Trottingham; I am very curious to see what they have to report.”
Again, Luna’s attempts at conversation were met with silence.
“Ok, well, I’m going to bed, I’ll see you when it is time to raise the moon.”
At this, Celestia turned her head and glared at her sister.
“Luna, please!” Celestia snapped. “I told you before that I don’t have time to talk about your imaginary issues. Now please, leave me in peace!” In a bust of golden light, Celestia disappeared.
Luna just stood there shocked; yes there were times when the two did not get along, but never had Celestia sounded so cruel. Luna felt tears running down her cheeks as she turned and slowly retreated back to her bedroom. She wasn’t sure how much sleep she was going to get; she just couldn’t stop her mind from racing with everything that had been happening with Trottingham, and Celestia. As strong as the young princess was, this was just too much for her to handle.
