It was a beautiful afternoon, with few clouds and the bright sun shining through Equestria. Wind blew through Moonlight’s face as she passed some clouds and kept flying toward her destination: Cloudsdale. It’s been a long time since she last saw her aunt and just looking at her photo album at home in Fillydelphia made her want to see her. Her aunt did lots of wonder to her when she was just a filly, like showing her how to form clouds into shapes. Remembering such memory made her smile.
She descended and stopped near at the outskirts of a small town known as Ponyville, landing on the dirt road. Moonlight heard of the place before, but she has never been to the place. Heck, she’s never been to Cloudsdale neither. But she needed rest. Flying for long periods of time is really tiring for a pegasus, especially for a mare like her. She started walking towards Ponyville, but then stopped. She noticed something in mid air, not far from where she was.
A cyan pegasus with rainbow mane flying at high speeds, doing spins and aerobatics in the sky, as if danger meant nothing to her… Or maybe she didn't know the meaning of pain. Well, she will if she does it wrong… But the rainbow-mane pegasus did tricks that were incredible. She made it look easy. Now, Moonlight was tempted to try, but she didn't want to get hurt. Who would, anyway? But the way she did those tricks, they looked very easy…
Well, she can do it… I mean, if she could, so why not?
Moonlight stretched her wings a bit before she took off from the ground. She reached high, high enough to make the small town look like toys. She felt a little nervous, but brushed it off. She wanted to try that. She’s never done any aerobatics before, but if the she can pull this off, she might as well sign up for the Wonderbolts. She then dived down. As she descended, her speed increased and she felt it, the cool air rushing against her face.
However, Moonlight never did any aerobatics. So when she tried to turn for a tumble in the air, all she did was change her direction, which of course made her worried and put her into panic. Her face was filled with fear, thinking that she made a big mistake. Well, she kinda did. “Never imitate professionals”, she remembered her aunt’s saying. Why did she have to remember that when she’s already plunging to pain? The ground came closer and closer with each second. She decided to just cover her eyes with her hooves. There was nothing else she could do by then, anyway. She clenched her teeth and braced for impact.
Moonlight did not feel much pain, except her right wing hurt terribly.
Probably broke it…
She slowly opened her eyes, and noticed she was on top of another pony. Upon realizing that, she quickly got off him.
“Oh dear Celestia, I am so sorry!”
The stallion opened his eyes, and then stood up. He had a bluish coat and brown mane, which was a little long. His green eyes stared at her, as if studying her.
“Don’t mind me.” The stallion said as he shook his head a little. “I think you’re more hurt than I am.”
Moonlight felt pain jolt through her right wing. Every time she tried to move it, it only caused more pain. She managed to hold back her tears, but just barely. She was never the brave type…
“I’m alright, mister. My wings are okay.” She said, trying to make the stranger be less worried.
“But I never said anything about your wings.”
“Oh…” Moonlight looked down, feeling stupid at her attempt to ease the pony before her. “It’s just a little pain. No worries!” She then smiled, despite the excruciating pain.
“Is that so? Well, if that’s the case…” He turned around, but then Moonlight let out a small cry of pain. “I think you need help. Come on, follow me. My house is just near here.”
“Okay…” Moonlight muttered, embarrassed. She knew she couldn't act nor lie. Not anymore.
The stallion started trekking to the direction going to Ponyville and Moonlight followed his steps. A few minutes later, they moved away from the path to the right and they arrived at a small house. It was similar like the ones in Ponyville, and it was old, but in good condition.
“Well, don’t just stand there; come in!” The winged stallion said as he gestured Moonlight to come in.
Moonlight flinched a little from his sudden invitation. She followed him inside. It was rather spacious inside, though it looked kind of small outside. The deep red carpet covered the flooring, and they felt nice. There was a fireplace, and the bland white walls were donned with bookshelves and shelves like it were a library, and they were filled with different items. Some of them had some sort of suitcases. There was a large harp that looked pretty old, but well-maintained around the corner, though Moonlight didn't really knew if it was just a display. Then she realized that, probably, all the suitcases in the shelves were instruments too.
“Wait here,” The stallion said. “I’ll get the first aid kit.” He then ran off to another room.
Moonlight decided to look around a bit. She looked at the shelves. Some of them were filled with difficult books, focused on magic, history, or other things she didn't understand. She wondered what he would do with magic books, with him being a pegasus. Maybe they were just for reading… He certainly seemed like the studious type.
She approached the harp next. It seemed too out of place to this room. It had beautiful wood carvings that showed images of the sun and the moon. Then she noticed the strings; they were golden. It seemed the stallion had more money on him than she thought.
“I’m back,” the stranger said, with a saddle on his back. “Are you a musician?”
“Oh, no. Not really… I was just admiring your instrument. Do you play it?”
“Well, yes, but let’s get that wing patched up.”
Not long after, Moonlight’s wing was being treated and bandaged. She started wondering about what he does for a living. It seemed that he is quite the talented one. She wanted to take a look at his cutie mark, although she thought it might be rude to him, especially when he’s still fixing her.
“And… Done! Now you just have to give it some rest. It won’t take long.” He explained as he put away the bandages and other things back to the medical kit.
“Oh, thank you so much for your help… I wish I could repay you. I have to get to Cloudsdale as quick, so how long will it take to heal?” Moonlight said as she looked at her bandaged wing.
“Two weeks.”
“That’s great; I can go to my aunt in no time- Wait, what? … Two weeks?!”
Moonlight eyes widened as she let his statement sink in. She knew that her aunt will be worried if she didn’t get there on time. Maybe she should mail her… Another problem that came to her mind was that she had no place to stay to recover. Before she started panicking, she shook her head and told herself to calm down.
“I take it that you’re not from here?”
“Uh… No, I’m not… I’m supposed to visit a relative at Cloudsdale… I guess that will have to wait.” She sat down on the floor, slightly depressed by her situation, though she realized that she brought it upon herself.
“I haven’t introduced myself,” He said. “My name’s Milestone, but you can call me Miles.”
“Oh, right. I’m Moonlight. Thanks for patching me up, Miles, even though I’m the one who crashed into you…”
“It’s alright. So, what brings you to Ponyville today?” He asked.
“I was supposed to make a short stop here, and then… Well, you know the rest…” Moonlight blushed as she spoke.
“Well, I don’t see how a pegasus could forget how to land nowadays.”
Miles started to put wood into the fireplace. Moonlight noticed that the sun was long gone. She started to keep telling herself to calm down.
Moonlight started walking, thinking where she should stay for two weeks, when to write a letter, money for food, and things related to last two weeks and to reassure her aunt that she’s safe. She kept walking until she left the house, completely forgetting about Milestone. Milestone however followed her.
“Hey! Where are you going?!” He said as he followed her hoof steps. Miles couldn't help but worry about her. Moonlight ignored him, though; her mind was too busy making plans.
She kept walking straight into the path to Ponyville. Moonlight thought she’d look around and maybe see some pony she knew, even if the chances are low. She remembered that two or three of her friends stayed at Ponyville for summer. Moonlight started hoping that at this moment they are there.
She arrived at Ponyville, with Miles on her tail. It was rather quiet, barely any noises coming from the few stalls that were still open, trying to sell their remaining wares. Some were already taking their tents and packing up. Moonlight rubbed her forehead, trying to remember what her friend said where she stayed.
“Care for some snack, miss?” The pale yellow vendor asked her.
“No thanks…”
Moonlight remembered she hasn’t eaten yet, but priorities came first. She had to find a place to stay, and not just a day, for two whole weeks. If she finds somepony, that will be great. But if not, she’ll have to find a part time job to pay for rent at an inn. Moonlight could not seem to remember her friend’s summer job. It was relevant, considering she stayed at the place where she worked. She continued walking, looking around for any sign of her friend.
Milestone lost track of Moonlight. She walked too fast, and as a result, just one look away was enough to completely lose her. He placed his hoof on his forehead. He knew there was something troubling her, more yet she’s still injured; what if she bumps into somepony? Judging from what she said last time, she needed to get to Cloudsdale quick and that she’s only making a stop over here. This means… Is she looking for a place to stay? She could just asked him, but asking a stranger something like that would be awkward.
There were only few ponies walking around during the night, most were at home. He looked around, searching for any signs of the blue-maned pegasus.
“Miles! What are you doing out so late?”
He looked around, and then he saw the source of the voice. It came from a tan-colored pony with a blond, short and messy mane.
“Champy… Hello there,” Miles said. “Aren’t you supposed to be working at the bar by now?”
“I had to close for tonight. I have to some errands to do.”
She was carrying a small saddlebag on her back. The mare, known to every pony as Champy; her whole name is Champagne Barrels. Miles does not go to her bar very often, but they’re good friends. She’s a really hard-working pony, partly because she closes at late midnight… Well, it’s a bar.
“Oh, right. Champy, have you seen a dark grey pegasus with a blue mane?”
“What’s this? You found a special somepony?” Her eyebrow was raised and her tone was filled with exaggeration.
“No,” Miles replied. “She’s injured and she needs a place to stay. Moonlight doesn’t know anyone from here.”
Champagne’s eyes widened.
“Moonlight?! She’s here!? Oh, my gosh, she should’ve sent me a letter first! ” Her face was filled with excitement as she started to touch her own face with her fore hooves.
“Uh, yeah, Sure…”
“So where is she?”
“That’s why I’m asking you.”
Champagne’s face went blank.
“So she’s lost?”
“I guess.”
“WHY WOULD YOU LEAVE HER ALONE?!?!”
Miles took a step back.
“Uh, well, she walks fast…”
“Very responsible of you! Then catch up! She easily gets into panic when things suddenly go wrong!”
He wanted to say make her stop, but he knew she would just rant more and start disturbing the whole neighbourhood, or worse, the whole town. Champagne kept ranting, despite his silence, saying things about ‘Moony’, how she is scared of being alone and how jumpy she is. He wondered how she managed to get only that thought into a lengthy speech.
“Does she know that you live here?” Miles interrupted her seemingly unending speech.
“Well, she knows that I only stay here for summer. I just moved in permanently last month. Maybe she knows I am here!” The mare said with delight.
“Does she know where your bar is?”
“Maybe she’s there!” She started running towards her bar’s direction.
“Hey, wait!” Miles started running and followed.
Moonlight found it. Her friend’s place was a bar, which was something she didn’t expect. She knew her to be a shy and nice pony, who would never drink alcoholic drinks. Or maybe it was only her that thought of Champy that way…
The bar’s sign hung atop the doors and it was kind of new, with the words, “C.G.’s Bar” written on it. It was a two-story building, looking like the rest of the buildings in Ponyville. Its front door was an old-style western saloon doors, though behind the doors were another set of wooden doors that kept outsiders out.
She tried to knock at the doors, and then realized that her friend wouldn’t even be able to hear that. If she could fly, she’d take a look inside through the windows. Why must her wings fail her now… She decided to go around the house. And no, her plan backfired. There was no backdoor nor anything like that. She went back to the front and sat there, looking glum.
“Fiddlesticks…”
Moonlight had an idea. She picked up a rock, and tossed it at the window on the second floor. The rock hit the window with a sound of cracking glass, and she lowered her head upon hearing it. Another bad move, Moonlight...
Champagne kept running while Miles was barely catching up to her. He was never the athletic type and thus was already tired, and he never imagined her to be one.
“Would you-*Pant*-slow down!?” Miles managed to scream while catching his breath.
“WHAT?” Champy screamed in reply, not bothering to look back.
Oh, Celestia… Miles thought if he had a heart condition, he would have an attack right now. As they ran, passing by houses and closed stores, they hear a loud crack.
“What was that?” He asked.
“Our windows! Somepony’s breaking in! Those son of a-”
Champagne’s speed seemed to have doubled, as she ran fast as the train going to Canterlot. Miles slowed down to a jog. What the buck… She should join the games or something…
As Champagne’s bar came into view, a silhouette of a pony was also visible. Miles thought it was Moonlight, but Champagne had a different thought, as she continued to run and charged at the unknown being.
“Wait! Champy!! WAIT!!”
It was too late. Champagne tackled the figure with full force, leaving the victim to scream in pain, which obviously sounded like Moonlight. They rolled on the ground for a bit and Champagne ended up on the top.
“I’m so sorry! Please don’t arrest me; I was just looking for my friend. You may not believe me, but it’s true!” Moonlight started to explain with her hooves covering her face, almost bursting to tears as she lay of the ground.
“Moony?”
Moonlight slowly moved her hooves away, trying to identify the one on top of her.
“Champy…?”
Champagne jumped off her and pulled her up, then pulled her again into a tight and slightly painful hug.
“Oh Moony! It’s you! I missed you so much!” Champagne said as she continued to hug Moonlight.
“Champy… It’s nice to see you too.” Moonlight managed a smile, seeing that her friend was still the same. “Could you let go now? I have an injury…”
“Oh, I’m so sorry!” Champagne immediately let go of her friend. “Is it because I tackled you? Where does it hurt? I’ll take you to the hospital!”
“Its okay, Champy… It wasn’t your tackle. It’s my wings… I crashed earlier and Miles helped me.” She chuckled and placed a hoof on her friend’s shoulder with a reassuring smile, though her tackle was more like an assault.
Miles cleared his throat loudly, just to remind them that he’s still there. The mares looked at him.
“So, now you got reunited, let’s go back to problem we had,” Miles said.
“Oh yes! If you need a place to stay, Moony, I have a spare room available for you!” Champagne said excitedly.
“I was going to offer her to stay too.”
“Huh, really now? I thought your house would be too small...”
“It’s bigger on the inside.”
Moonlight pondered. She could stay with her good old friend Champagne in her house/bar, or with Miles. Miles, who she met recently and was a complete stranger that helped her. She had to decide. The answer was obvious.