//------------------------------// // Chapter 18: Luna Woona // Story: The Royal Vacation // by Colt Vulpes //------------------------------// · Chapter 18 Luna Woona Warning: contains Woona. · Cadance and Shining Armor—along with the mane six—were still in the wedding room. (Time Turner had left to check up on Derpy.) They had been staring at the barrier sphere, daring Chrysalis to return. “Okay, I think it’s been long enough.” Shining Armor took his eyes off the altar, and relaxed himself. The others followed. “Finally!” said Rainbow Dash. “I was getting sick of staring at an empty bubble!” The empty bubble remained, however. It was to ensure a safe return trip once the battle was over. Shining Armor turned around to face Twilight. “So, Twily! How are you, little sis?” “I’m doing...” she thought about it for a moment. “...well, I’m better than I was yesterday!” “What’s been happening, anyway?” “Well, Celestia and Luna decided to put me in charge of Equestria...” “No way!” “I know, right? And then I had to deal with this really grumpy ambassador, and then...” Twilight started telling her brother all about her previous day. Huh, thought Shining Armor. There’s something strange about my sister, but I’m not sure what. “...and when that was over, I was told Derpy and Time Turner were getting married! Again, I know. And then...” What is it, what is it, what is it? What’s weird about Twily? “...and after that Nightmare Moon showed up and I used the want-it-need-it spell on Celestia’s crown and then...” Aaaah, why can’t I figure this out? “...and then finally, Celestia and Luna came back. But—” And then, and then, and then! And then Twilight was interrupted. “Hey Twilight!” “Huh, sounds like Cadance wants to talk to you!” Why does there always have to be a crisis? thought Twilight. Why can’t things just be normal when we meet up? Regardless, she was happy to get a chance to catch up with her old foal-sitter. “Sunshine sunshine, ladybugs awake! Clap your hooves and do a little shake!” (See, I told you they’d do that.) So Cadance and Twilight got caught up on things, and Twilight explained her day all over again. Huh... thought Shining Armor, watching them. Cadance was inspecting Twilight’s wings. And then suddenly it hit him. “Twily! You have wings!” “Yes I do, brother.” “But... but...” Twilight flapped them demonstratively. She was still far from flying—her wings felt very clumsy—but she at least knew how to fan them out. “See? Wings. Kinda surprised you didn’t notice until just now.” “But... when did you get those?” “When did I... get my wings?” Twilight cocked her head. “I’ve always had them, silly!” “You—what? No you haven’t!” “Uh, yeah I have. Are you feeling alright?” “Wait, what??” Shining Armor was getting confused. “Remember, when I was a little filly Celestia saw me and said ‘Ooh, another alicorn’ and took me on as her protegé? I used to buzz around the house until Mom and Dad told me to quit bumping into things and knocking them over?” “What, I don’t remember—” “Big brother, I think you hit your head. You should go to the hospital ward.” “No, I—” Shining Armor stopped. “Hang on, wait.” He shook his head around and snapped himself out of it. “Okay, you really got me there,” he said. “Wow, my sister’s turning into Trollestia Junior.” “What’s all this now?” asked Applejack. “Oh,” said Shining. “Back when I was in the royal guard, Celestia used to pull all sorts of pranks on us. We heard Luna nicknamed her ‘Trollestia’ so we started calling her that too. Never to her face of course, but trust me, it suits her.” Shining armor walked over and rubbed his sister’s head. “And it looks like Twily here’s been picking up on her habits.” · · Nightmare Moon looked at President Zeldo. The alicorn pondered for a moment, and then she nodded. “Okay, come this way.” She began to lead Zeldo down from the roof. Before they left, though, Derpy decided to try some of that popcorn Nightmare Moon had given her. She stuck her face in. She took a bite. It was the most delicious popcorn she’d ever tasted. Oh. My. Celestia. IT’S MUFFIN FLAVORED! Nightmare Moon flew down to the ground with Zeldo. Derpy and Galdo followed. “I’m Ambassador Galdo, by the way,” said Galdo. “Pleased to meet you.” “Likewise,” said Derpy, extending a hoof. “I’m Ambassador Derpy.” Galdo grabbed her hoof and shook it. He noted how considerate it was for Derpy to offer that gesture, considering a handshake is not something a pony would normally do. (Because, you know, hooves.) “Ah, just kidding,” said Derpy, laughing. “I’m not really an ambassador.” “Well I think you’d make a good one.” While those two were making small talk, Nightmare Moon led the group to a small side door. She opened it, and motioned for the others to enter. Okay, this is it, thought Zeldo. Last chance to run. Knowing the fate of her country was on the line, she decided to followed Nightmare Moon inside. She was hoping Galdo would flee for his own safety; to her dismay he entered the castle as well, along with the grey pegasus. Nightmare Moon led them to a small conference room. Zeldo was both relieved and confused to see that Luna was waiting inside. Wait, they’re two seperate— Zeldo wasn’t quite sure what to make of this. I don’t know what’s going on here, she thought, but I trust Princess Luna more than Nightmare Moon, so this is a step in the right direction. “Come in,” said Luna. “Glad you’re all doing okay. And long time no see, President Zeldo.” Zeldo pushed her fear and confusion aside. “Thank you,” she said. “Unfortunately, I come with bad news.” “Oh?” Luna looked concerned. “What is it?” Zeldo then realized that in order to get her message across, she would also have to push some awkwardness aside. How do I tell them my own troops are about to attack Equestria? “You just did,” said Luna. “Huh?” Luna shook her head. “This one’s a doozy alright, but I think I have a plan. Meldo’s attacking at dawn, correct?” Suddenly Zeldo forgot her fear of Nightmare Moon. Her eyes got wide. “Okay, how do you know that?” Luna leaned in close. “You know I can enter people’s minds when they’re asleep, right?” Zeldo nodded. She had heard about that. “Who says I can’t do the same thing while they’re awake?” Wow, thought Zeldo. Unbelievable. Luna’s explanation made sense in some strange way, but this was still a bit much for the president. “And really,” continued the princess, “you’re thinking very loudly. Anyway! I have a plan. And don’t worry. Nopony—or griffin—will get hurt.” Luna frowned. “...probably.” Well okay, thought Zeldo. At this point I’ll settle for a ‘probably’. “Good!” Luna clapped her hooves together. “Now let’s get this sorted out before Celestia and Chrysalis come back.” Wait, Celestia? And Chrysalis is— “Yes, Celestia is still here. Reports of her death have been greatly exaggerated. Right now she’s battling Queen Chrysalis back at our old castle, and they’ll probably be back within an hour or two.” At this point Zeldo felt like her brain had been fried. But she had not come here for tea and crumpets, so to speak; she had a job to do. And if Luna could help, then the Griffin president was prepared to stick around no matter how crazy things got. She just wished Galdo had gotten to safety. And speaking of! “Hey Galdo, you want some popcorn?” asked Derpy. “Sure!” Galdo reached a claw in and took out a handful. “Mmmm, muffin flavored.” “I know! I just wish I knew where Nightmare Moon got it.” Galdo’s eyes got wide. “This is from Nightm—” “Oh no no no no,” interrupted Luna. “This—” she gestured toward Nightmare Moon “—isn’t Nightmare Moon.” What?? Galdo and Zeldo both looked at the princess, shocked. (Derpy, being Derpy, looked at Luna with one eye and Nightmare Moon with the other.) “I apologize if you’ve been scared of her,” continued Luna. “But be assured, she’s nopony you need be afraid of.” Then what— “I would like to formally introduce you to my assistant.” Luna looked at her three guests. “Zeldo, Galdo and Derpy: this is my clone, Woona.” Zeldo was flabbergasted, but at least she wasn’t terrified anymore. Once she got over the initial shock, she was actually able to think more clearly, seeing how she was no longer scared for her life. She and Luna got back do discussing logistics. Derpy smiled, as she now understood why “Nightmare Moon” had been so nice to her. Galdo, giving up on making sense of the world, shrugged and ate the rest of his clawful of popcorn. · · “So,” said Twilight, “what’s the full plan, anyway? Celestia didn’t get the chance to tell me much.” “Oh,” said her brother. “Okay, here’s how it goes: Step one was to get Celestia and Chrysalis away from everypony else safely. Cadance and I put up the barrier, and you and your friends would have used the Elements of Harmony if that didn’t work. Luckily it all went as planned. “Step two was to keep our guard up in case they came back. If Celestia mis-teleported or something, her backup plan was to return to where they left—and as such it was important to keep the barrier up so we’d be able to contain Chrysalis in that scenario. Luckily that all went as planned too. “And right now we’re at step three: keep this bubble in place and wait for Celestia to return. If she defeats Chrysalis, she plans to return back here, within the barrier. In the meantime, Luna’s out scouting the area for Changeling troops. “Celestia has also given us instructions to go find her if she doesn’t return in three hours. She said she’ll be at the old castle, so we can use the elements to—” *POOMF* Celestia returned within the purple barrier, bringing with her a defeated Chrysalis. “Wow,” said Shining Armor. “That was fast.” · ×