//------------------------------// // Part Seven: Not Any Pony A Fancy Pony. // Story: The Elements of Lunar Harmony // by Paganbrony //------------------------------// The Elements of Lunar Harmony Part Seven: Not Any Pony A Fancy Pony. As a new day began over a buzzing Canterlot the Moon Princess Luna was scouring the castle for assistance as she tried to find out where she could get supplies for use in finding her lost student. This ordinarily would be simple but it was complicated by something her sister had neglected to mention before about the current crisis. Canterlot castle had become a refuge, a sanctuary in the midst of chaos for all those wishing to escape the party outside the walls that had turned Canterlot upside down. Among this tide of frightened elderly ponies disapproving traditionalists and the staunchest of patriots were the upper class of Equestria all seeking protection from the howling mobs of increasingly organized revelers roaming the streets and buildings. It was the same upper class ponies who were taking over many of the finer rooms of the palace demanding constant service from the servants and guards, Luna wondered if Celestia would blame her if she opened the gates and let the chaos outside take them all. As she made her way across the Palace Luna kept tripping over young colts and fillies that ran around screaming and hollering as guards who were needed to watch the walls chased after them on the behest of their uncaring snooty parents. Turning a corner she failed to see the pure white unicorn coming the other way and stumbled as she sent the smaller pony flying with the impact. “Oh my… Are you OK? I’m sorry I didn’t mean to hurt you young one.” Luna observed the pure white unicorn as she awkwardly got to her hooves and saw her pink mane and tail both with a streak of white and the way she held her head high as she regained her composure which made Luna immediately think ‘posh airhead’. It was a moment before the still wobbly mare realized she had been asked a question, “I am unhurt thank you…” The pure white mare slowly thought about the pony that had knocked her down, she was definitely bigger than she was and she had a horn… but also she had wings even she knew only one pony had that. “You are not the Princess Celestia.” Luna blinked as the cultured and usually just eye candy kind of mare shook her head, “Princess Celestia is pure white… that’s why my nanny said I was a little Princess just like Celestia because I am pure white.” Luna blinked again as the unicorn that looked about Trixie’s age waited patiently for an answer whilst adopting a variety of small poses and flicking her hair, “Um well I’m her sister… Princess of the Moon, Luna…” Luna tailed off as it was plain the unicorn had no idea who she was, “So you’re a Princess?” “That’s right” “So how come I haven’t seen you at any royal functions?” “I uh don’t get out much… I prefer less bothersome things, do you enjoy them?” “Fancypant's enjoys them so I enjoy them.” “Fancypant’s who is he? Your stallion friend” “Yes, he gets me anything I ask for and he takes care of me and he always takes me to the best places.” “Wow he sounds nice you two are deeply in love then.” “L-Love…” Luna noticed the sudden change as the pure white unicorn seemed confused and backed off. “Is everything OK I didn’t mean to pry or anything.” “I make him look good… I am good at that but he’s never said that he… why… why… would he… no ponies have ever said that to me…” Cursing Luna desperately looked for an escape route as the white mare began to well up and then let loose with a wail of anguish. “WAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH” “No please don’t really I mean it… please… I’m not good at this…” Stricken and with no place to run or fly Luna placed a hoof on the mares shoulder and began gently stroking her mane while making soothing noises whilst still desperately looking for a way out. The aforementioned lost student of the unfortunate Moon Princess far away from Canterlot was herself dealing with two crying ponies, however she wasn’t dealing with it in quite the uncomfortable yet motherly way her mentor was, “WILL YOU SHUT UP YOU ANNOYING PAIR OF FOALS SHUT UP.” “TRIXIE, that is really not helping you know.” Spitfire the captain of the Wonderbolts stood trying to calm not only a crying Roseluck but an angry and crying Apple Cobbler as the last member of the group Berry Punch lay passed out in the cart Apple Cobbler was strapped into unable to get free of on her own. Trixie and Spitfire were in the middle of convincing, or at least trying to convince Roseluck to join their adventure willingly… Well Spitfire was, Trixie had resorted to implied violence and undisguised threats causing the nervous and frightened mare to burst out in tears. Apple Cobbler was crying because Trixie during their recent escape from Ponyville had magically whipped Apple Cobbler repeatedly to get her pull the cart she was fixed into. She was also angry at being forced against her will to drag said cart halfway to Manehatten before Trixie relented and allowed her to stop to rest, her strong legs still shaking from the effort. “Look all we need is you to come on an adventure with us in the name of Princess Luna…” At the mention of the night goddess both crying ponies tears trailed off as they both warily looked at Spitfire. Roseluck plucked up the courage to speak as Apple Cobbler resumed staring daggers at Trixie unconvinced by Spitfires tone and Trixie’s snort of derision at the mention of her mentor, “Princess Luna? You are doing this for Luna?” (Historical Note: Roseluck and Apple Cobbler both residents of Ponyville and having been present when Luna had attended the previous Nightmare Night knew she was a good Princess and that she wasn’t as scary as they’d believed, but they couldn’t understand how this violent and downright disagreeable mare Trixie had been made her student and why she was being accompanied by the captain of the Wonderbolts?) “What kind of adventure is it? And why me…” “We don’t know and as for why you… well you just fit the bill OK?” “W-What… You don’t know… But how do I fit the bill you know nothing about me? ” Trixie shouted ‘BOO’ really loudly causing Roseluck to cower again the blue magician laughing loudly as Spitfire joined the farm pony in wishing a harsh end to her existence. “Trust me your perfect.” Trixie sat on her haunches as she continued laughing while Spitfire just looked on trying not to make it obvious she agreed wholeheartedly Roseluck was more than shy enough to fit Luna’s somewhat broad requirements for this so called mission they were on. “And me… what do ya’ll want from me, or am ah just your ride?” Spitfire nodded, “Yep you too… And thanks for the ride…” Apple Cobbler snorted as she wiped away the last of her tears with a hoof and tried to look calm and not at all bothered by the stinging sensations still randomly occurring across her flanks. “So you expect us to believe you? Do you have any proof?” Spitfire looked briefly at Trixie before shaking her head, Apple Cobbler was about to speak when Trixie beat her to it, “Come with us and when we see Luna she will confirm everything we have said.” “Do you plan on whipping me the whole time we’re traveling?” “Why is that a request? I admit it would be amusing… for a while I suppose… But you’d have to promise not to get too excited and crash.” Apple Cobbler shivered as she got the distinct impression Trixie would do it on principle just to annoy her and because the thought of that much control obviously pushed her megalomania-cal buttons. “You know what ah mean.” “I suppose if you volunteer to pull the cart I can hold off giving you ‘encouragement’.” Trixie looked vaguely truthful if you ignored the faint hint of repressed evil in her smile and since if they were telling the truth this mission was for royalty then Apple Cobbler could be like her older as well as famous cousin Applejack. After all Apple Cobbler looked up to her cousin and anyway wasn’t this Spitfire a Wonderbolt? She could be trusted right? She obviously had some element of control over Trixie’s behaviour as the captain gave Trixie a disapproving frown that the blue mare actively tried to ignore. Anyway if Berry Punch was with them then they couldn’t be all bad. Berry may be an unpredictable mare she thought but even in her constant state of inebriation she always could tell the good from the bad and was fiercely loyal to the good ones. “Ah suppose ah can trust you for now but if Roseluck doesn’t join you ah will take her home and be done with y’all.” All eyes turned to the still cowering and now self conscious Roseluck (except Berry Punch who was still gently snoring in the cart), “O-OK, if Apple Cobbler comes along and Berry too… I’ll go too…” Trixie smiled as she felt Spitfire lay a hoof down on her shoulder, turning Trixie saw the Wonderbolt was grinning as they went one hoof closer to their objective… …Whatever it might eventually turn into. The inventor of said vague goal was hard at work in her personal study as she prepared to invoke a spell to locate her wayward student but every few minutes stole a sideways glance at the other pony in the room. Princess Luna had brought the white mare to her chambers after failing to find any other pony to take charge of the tearful but now silent white mare that had remained quietly watching Luna’s work with a curious expression. “You may speak if you wish” Luna watched as the white mare just continued to sit oblivious to the question and not even acknowledging it. “EXCUSE ME…” “I’m sorry were you speaking to me?” The white mare gave a startled expression and shifted her focus from the arcane books and charts that adorned the room to the now irritated Princess. “That was the second time you have ignored a question from me and acted surprised even though we have not been with other ponies but alone?” Pondering the question the young mare put a hoof to her chin and pouted as Luna watched the cogs tick slowly through her mind until the mare’s eyes widened and she spoke. “I’m sorry” “What are you apologizing for? I asked why?” “I don’t know…” It was Luna’s turn to look perplexed as she studied the innocent looking yet slightly simple seeming mare. “What do you do when you aren’t making your stallion friend look good?” “Um… I spend my time shopping” “Shopping? Surely that is not all…” “Oh no I also go to the spa and the tea and cake shop!” “And your cutie mark is what exactly? What is your talent?” Slowly the mare cocked her head looking at her cutie mark of three Fleur de Li’s then gave it some thought but after a few moments Luna lost her patience and took a not so wild guess. “Is your talent modelling of some sort?” “Yes that’s it… Ponies take pictures of me all the time and I always look good for Fancypant’s.” “How remarkable,” Luna hid her expression and the rolling upwards of her eyes as the emo in her instantly urged her to despise such an example of everything she should rebel against and shy away from. “But…” The Princess raised a skeptical eyebrow as the young white mare hesitated then continued. “It can be some what lonely… no other ponies except for his friends bother to acknowledge me… and they don’t like me to talk too much since I’m a mare and I wouldn’t understand business or politics…” “Look…” Luna blinked as she realized something she had forgotten to do… “Um… Sorry but I didn’t ask your name young mare…” “Oh… It’s Fleur, Fleur de Li’s” “Well… Fleur… What else do you want out of life? Surely you want more than to look good and be treated in such a way? I do not like the sound of this ‘fancy’ lifestyle.” “Y-Yes I do have things I want to do…” Luna wondered if she would regret her next decision but plowed on regardless suddenly realizing by going over what she’d just said this mare might lead to a solution to her student’s ongoing mission. “Tell me all about it if you would be so kind… Miss Fleur.” As Fleur was caught off guard by possibly the first time she had ever had a pony interested in more than gossip or photo’s Luna prayed to her mother silently wishing that the mare’s hopes and dreams weren’t either too sordid, out of this world or too silly, what she got was the furthest from her expectations any answer could be. “I want to make lots of friends and go on an adventure and do lots of things and maybe see the big green bits of Equestria I saw on a big map back in school… And not have to be afraid of whether or not I look my best or have to care what any pony thinks of me!!!” “R-Really…” Luna was taken aback as the previously quiet and reserved mare exploded with enthusiasm a fire alight in her eyes a sparkle that shone as Fleur replied. “Oh yes… It would be a dream come true!” The Moon Princess wondered if her mother was looking down and in her own way trying to help her daughter complete her goal. In fact Spellbinder was instead watching her other daughter while laughing as Celestia attempted to stop the tide of upper class twits from completely taking over the royal castle and failing miserably as the cacophony of their insolent demands on her and her guards and the etiquette involved threatened to overwhelm the normally calm goddess. “So… If say some pony were to offer you the chance to go on an adventure… you would say yes?” “Who would want me?” Fleur deflated as negativity punctured a hole in her hopes and dreams Luna saw her chance. “I would.” “…” “Honest…” “…” “I really mean it…” Fleur responded in a hopeful yet cautious voice, “A-Are you serious A real adventure? Me?” “I have a student who is searching for companions to share an adventure with in the hopes of creating bonds of friendship and reporting back to me the results!” Luna decided at this point it would be detrimental to point out her student and her first companion were missing and currently wanted for a crime they didn’t commit. (Historical Note: Not the first group of ponies to be on the run for a crime they didn’t commit Luna desperately hoped that Trixie and Co wouldn’t follow the same path as the last lot, a quartet of royal guards who had escaped from a military prison and gone underground becoming mercenaries for hire, although admittedly they did represent the common pony by only taking jobs that were just cause’s… That of course depending on if you could find them.) Fleur sat apprehensively watching Luna for any hint of a prank or a laugh at her expense but as the moments passed and the Moon Princess began tapping a hoof, the now calmer Fleur gently smiled and without a pose or a flick of mane she nervously nodded. “HUZZAH!!!” Luna startled her new recruit as she threw a hoof in the air, pausing only to smile encouragingly at Fleur she resumed arranging the collection of herbs gems and arcane and mystic objects around a large map spread out on a nearby table. “So… What are you doing?” “I’m going to use a spell to locate on this map my student and then go to her…” Luna started to wonder if she should check Trixie was OK first hand before introducing Fleur but at the same time her impatience was successfully convincing her it would all work out no problem. Certainly Trixie wasn’t exactly the model student like Twilight nor was she exactly a diamond in the rough thought Luna but she had potential and transforming her into something might earn a little more respect from her own sister Celly. “Are we going to teleport to see her?” “I don’t do that… I-I can’t carry…” Luna remembered Trixie’s comments when she had refused to let her ride her, and besides Luna’s survival instinct kicked in to not tell Trixie she was probably too heavy for such a journey for the inexperienced Princess… (Had she been paying attention Luna might have noticed the currently very thin state Trixie was in and realized instead of sending her on a strenuous mission she should have sent her to a hospital.) She looked Fleur up and down, the mare was very lithe so Luna figured it might be OK, especially as Trixie had pointed out they were both mares. “I… Will carry you…” “Y-You mean F-Fly?” The Moon Princess watched as the happy smile explode across the face of Fleur, whose look of pure joy meant she was about to tick something off a mental wish list, most presumably flying Luna guessed silently. As Fleur watched Luna begin a most complex and difficult spell that the young white mare didn’t understand and if she did and she was to write the whole description of how it went down she would quickly run out of space in the chapter she was writing and most assuredly would end up cutting a humorous aside involving the Wonderbolts and Royal Guards. On the map shone a small silvery light the size of a tack pin, as both ponies leaned in it faded away leaving a small burn, Fleur had never seen a map so large or complete but Luna knew instantly where Trixie was… smack bang on the road between Ponyville and Manehatten! Smiling the Princess began to prepare for her first passenger included flight while Fleur contemplated the beginning of the biggest adventure in her life, the socialite pony who had dared to dream of making her own choices for once. Some hours later back with the five now very hungry mares on the road to Manehatten, the group were busy arguing over why continue on to Manehatten, but Trixie was adamant it was the best place for fancy ponies apart from the now smouldering spires of Canterlot. This reasoned argument, an electric blue whip a bottle of wine and a hoof on heart promise not to shout BOO (immediately broken to Trixie’s own amusement) won the day since Spitfire seemed strangely not to really care where they were going. Apple Cobbler slowly stomped along cart in tow as the others then fell into silence since no pony could think of anything to say, the obvious gap in similarities of profession and taste not to mention Trixie and Spitfires somewhat strained comradeship coupled with the others all hailing from Ponyville meant large divides between the group. Across this gap of silence came the sound of snoring as Apple Cobbler who hadn’t had the chance to sleep since the night before at last drifted off while she still managed to head straight down the road failing to notice the midnight blue goddess with a pure white passenger land in front of her. As Apple Cobblers nose bumped into something she awoke finding herself face to hoof with the princess Luna… Luna who was a little puffed from flying managed to speak. “Um have you seen a Trixie?” (Historical Note: The following extract is from a diary, part of a testimony taken at saint mare’s hospital from a royal guard a survivor of the Great Canterlot Bash as the party/social upheaval cultural revolution and all round shindig currently devastating Canterlot would be known as by future generations among other things.) Day Five The morning began with dub and then electro, the party rages on… but its been three days since I and my fellow guards pony sought shelter in this basement. The small windows in the basement look out onto a local square about which are dotted cafe’s and restaurants and bars, the revelers had completely emptied the assorted venues and moved on to other parts of the city so its been quiet but since the Party for Politics Party had taken over and industrialized the party onto a mass scale there have been patrols… Yesterday I watched as four of my comrades were dragged into the square by one such patrol… A group of Wonderbolts, I watched as they were put up against a wall and blindfolded… After a few moments one of the ringleaders appeared wheeling what seemed to be a giant speaker she called a ‘bass cannon’ that was then set up in front of the now crying guards, the white mare hit a button and the device boomed bass electro and dub the stallions were left where they fell… paralyzed, bodies and minds purged by the thumping tribal and aggressive beats… (Historical Note: This next extract was taken from the same period and recalls what happened mere hours later…) Looking across the square I could only see broken cafe chairs trampled and burnt bushes cobbles littered with party junk… then… they came back for the still twitching forms of my comrades… they were dragged from the square… I don’t know where… I only turned for a second… But it was too late… When I turned back a Wonderbolt was looking in… before I could move two hoses were smashed through the glass. (At this point the patient becomes agitated, begins crying.) Oatmeal… it was oatmeal that poured through into the basement! I… I… Can’t remember… Tried to escape… I turned a corner… Pink pony… So much pink, that… that... Cannon… (Historical Note: Many of these ‘Dubstepcutions’ have been furiously denied by the members of the Party Political Party along with the numerous accusations of electro torture and bass discrimination against royal guards.)