Stolen in the Night - Prologue

Characters: Stolen Night

Cameos: Night Light, Donut Joe, Various others.

“Well hello there.” A quiet voice echoes throughout a chamber, “It would seem I won’t have much trouble with this heist.” A dark, although relatively short, figure drops from the ceiling before a large display case. The character expertly opens the case, prepared for the worst. After a moment he sighs in relief.

“They must’ve really thought it impossible to get this far.” He whispers carefully removing a small, black tiara from the case. The glass doors shut silently, the thief hears the guard moving along his nightly rounds. With practiced ease he spins behind the case, ducking as the guards eyes shift into the room.

The next day, a short pegasus stallion trots impatiently in the museum lobby. He grabs his bag and pulls out a small black tiara, stands before a mirror and jokingly places it upon his head. The pegasus spins around as double doors behind him are thrown open. A gruff looking unicorn rages out of the meeting room, the black pegasus stealthily slips the tiara into his bag. The mare at the front desk turns to the pegasi, who nods and calmy trots into the meeting room.

“I’ve seen better, great if only it were a bit darker.” The pegasus answers, obviously bored. “Who was that before me? Seemed pissed when he left.”

“H-he leant an ancient artifact to the museum, the original crown of night, and it was stolen last night, the thief didn’t leave a trace.”

“Shame, such a beautiful relic shouldn’t be in a museum, it should be with its true owner. Judging by the name, I would say this crown belongs to the imprisoned Princess Luna, No?”

“I was always told those were just old mare’s tales.” The curator responds, slightly confused.

Night laughs, “Yes, yes, just stories, it’s almost time for the Summer Sun Celebration, If they are anything more than stories, I would be quite frightened. Would you, Mr.”

The curator laughs, “Light, Night Light. And yes, it would be rather frightening.”

“Well Mr. Light, I’m afraid I must go, all I remember is something about the moon.”
The pegasi bows slightly and takes his leave, muttering “Why the hell do they need a english professor for that?”

The black pegasi sits at the back of a lecture hall, waiting for the professor to call him down. He starts talking with some of the students, missing his cue, the classroom falls almost silent as tells a long, complicated joke. Night is about half-way through the punchline when the professor picks him up using magic and floats him, rather quickly, down to the podium.

“Aww, that’s the best part!” He complains to the unicorn before him, then yells to the back, “No soap, Radio!” The group roars with laughter. After a spell, Night recomposes himself and addresses the professor, “So, what are we talking about?”

“Well, because of the foals-tale “The Mare in the Moon” and its coincidence with the upcoming festivities, I would like you to elaborate on your ideas about this.”

Night’s expression immediately darkened. “Well, every lie uses at least a cup of truth. I can only hope that Pri-” He cuts himself off, biting the inside of his lip, “Nightmare Moon doesn’t return.” He pronounces the name as if it were a bile on his tongue. The pegasus calms himself with a few slow breaths. “That’s all I can really say on this subject.” He trots toward the exit. He looks straight up at the sun and scowls. Night leaves campus, headed toward one of his favorite eateries.

“Hey Joe,” Night says as he enters the donut shop. “Could I get the usual?”

“Coming right up, “ Donut Joe says heading into the back room, “what’s got ya down?”

“It’s nothing I want to concern you with. Thanks for asking, Joe.” The earth pony returns with a bear claw and strawberry milkshake. He sets them on the counter and Night shuffles in his bag for his wallet.

As he fishes out five bits Night asks, “Hey Joe, what do you think of the whole ‘Nightmare Moon’ business?”

“Well, I know it ain’t a load of malarkey, but I don’t know how much of it is true.” Joe takes the money Night placed on the counter and tosses it into his register. “Whenever Cel’s down here on one o’er binges, all she talks ‘bout is Luna.”

“What would you give to find out? Before Tuesday that is.” Night asks, between bites.

“Well not much, if that’s all I’ve gotta wait. Hey, aren’t ya going down to Ponyville for this year’s celebration?”

“Yeah, what do you need?”

“Rumor is, that them there Cakes make some mean pastries, try ‘em out for me wouldja?”

“You’ve got it Joe. And next time Spike’s in here, remind him of our little wager.” Joe laughed as Night finished his shake. The two bid farewell and Night stepped out, only having successfully wasted about half an hour.

The black pegasus sighs, shielding his eyes from the evening sun. He had been laying on this park bench for nearly four hours, waiting for the night to come. Just a few more days and his princess would be free. To him it didn’t matter that she was corrupted by anger. Night loved her just the same.

Author's Note

If you're going to comment just to bash it, save your time and don't. If you're going to give feedback that could be used to better this story, thank you very much.
This is just the opening, and despite what a lot of "expert readers" may say, you can't judge a story by its first chapter. Especially if its not a professional writing. People improve over time.