Bound Books

Prompt #247: Basically, I cheated on this prompt. All you have to know is that I had to use the name "Wishing Star."

“Art thou sure that this guise will work, sister?” Luna looked to Celestia, who had stepped back to admire her handiwork.

“Sure I’m sure! I’ve done this before, haven’t I?”

“Thou were caught both times. In fact, your subjects noticed that it was you before you even spoke.”

“Well… subtlety was never really my thing,” Celestia said. “I’m perfectly confident in you. Go have a fun time!”

Luna looked at herself in the shining full-length mirror. Her mane and tail, normally shining with stars and galaxies, were now disguised by white dye. Her wing had been a greater challenge to hide, but Celestia had magicked a temporary illusion to cover them. She had also attached a temporary sticker to her flank to change her cutie mark into a beautiful shooting star.

“I hope that thy plan works, dearest sister. It has been a very long time since We have been able to allow our mane to fall majestically into place, as the saying goes.”

“Well, you’ll never fool anyone with that voice of yours, Lu-lu!”

Luna glared coldly at Celestia. “And what exactly is wrong with our voice?”

“Well, nothing’s wrong with it, it’s just… wildly anachronistic. Didn’t you notice how nopony says ‘thou’ or ‘thy’ anymore?”

“Oh. We see. We— I will try to correct my voice.”

“Okay, then! I think you’re set! Enjoy the party!”

“I will try to, sister.”

Celestia shook her head as Luna teleported away. “She’s about as subtle as six Diamond Dogs in a jewelry store.”

Meanwhile, in Ponyville, Pinkie Pie’s party of the week was rocking. Music spilled out across the street and blared so loud that half of the ponies in the town were kept awake.

Luna, undercover as the unremarkable mare Wishing Star, was there to have a good time. She wasn’t exactly sure how a pony could go about having a good time; it had been a very long time since she had last been out.

A trash can beside her on the street popped open, revealing a completely dirty and stinky Pinkie Pie. “Hi! I don’t think I’ve met you before! Are you coming to the party?”

Luna almost screamed, but she quickly regained her composure. “We— I, I mean, intend to. It’s just so… loud.”

“Oh, don’t worry about that! It’s not that bad once you get used to it!” She grabbed Luna by a hoof and pulled her through the doors of Sugarcube Corner. “Come on! I’ll introduce you to some of my friends!”

The pair waded through the crowd and walked up the stairs. Standing in the open area were six mares and a dragon, all of whom Luna had met. But currently, she was undercover as the dashing Wishing Star, so she feigned ignorance.

“Well hello, darling! Pinkie, would you introduce us?” Rarity stepped forward and inclined her head. It wasn’t close to being a full bow, but Luna knew that only Princesses could demand genuflection.

“This is Wishing Star, everypony! She’s here to have fun!” That was odd. Luna couldn’t recall actually telling Pinkie her fake name. She puzzled over that internally and eventually just chalked it up to Pinkie being Pinkie.

“Hello, darling. I’m Rarity,” the white unicorn proclaimed haughtily.

The rest of the ponies all introduced themselves at the same time, which caused Rarity to mutter something about manners, or lack thereof.

Something shifted in the atmosphere of the room, as if an unheard message was passing between the ponies. Spike shifted and peered out the window.

“It’s a beautiful night,” he said mechanically. “Princess Luna has really outdone herself.”

The other guests stepped over to the window as if following a script. Luna followed, feeling a rush of pride at the praise.

“It’s terrible!” Rainbow Dash stared into the sky, eyebrows furrowed. “Worst. Stars. Ever.”

What? Luna blinked her eyes rapidly. Had she really just heard that?

“Yeah. Ah reckon that is the worst moon Ah have ever laid eyes upon,” said Applejack. She pronounced every syllable carefully with her eyes shut in concentration.

“They are simply tawdry,” cried Rarity. “Complete and utter trash.”

“Y-Yeah,” said Fluttershy. She looked at Luna and made an “eep” sound.

Twilight shook her head and said, “Yup, girls. I’m going to have to agree with you on this one. Princess Luna must be losing it.”

Luna looked between all of the mares, sorrow replacing anger as she realised what her friends really thought about her. She hiccuped, then the hiccups turned into sobs. She shook her head and sprinted out of the room.

She was out so fast she didn’t even hear Twilight’s shout of “Wait, Luna! Wait!”

Applejack asked concernedly, “Ya think she’s alright?”

Pinkie Pie smiled evilly. “Of course she will. Nopony’s ever been harmed by a little prank.”

The next day, the world was plunged into eternal night.