A Cancer patient at the age of 16 believed that nothing could save him. Not even magic. Just as he is about to fully leave the world something strange happens causing him to end up in a busted ruined castle in a unknown land. Someone is watching.....
Jayden or Jay made a wish. He wished the world was full of magic so he can make it look powerless to help him. Real magic. Not magician's parlor tricks, the real thing. Not even a week later something strange happens... A giant energy surge happens as he is dying. Jayden appears in ruins of a forgotten castle in the Everfree forest in a completely new body unfamiliar to him. Jayden taking the opportunity starts a new life for himself. His new life will twist and turn corkscrew and jerk... He will make friends along the way to help him along.
Looking back it's hard to comprehend just how far my life has come. I can explain but writing it would be too hard. So I'll skip that... It isn't that important...
-In the Human World 5 years before-
I learned that I have cancer... It is sad that I learn of this now. I'm only 16 yet cancer is sucking my life away... Pulling me to my grave. So soon... There's nothing I can do about it... I could fight it... But it would only be a delay of the inevitable... We all die at one point... Why not die now? My parents don't care about the fact I have cancer... All they care about is the hospital bills... And finding a way of paying them... Me dying would be better... The insurance they have on me will pay for everything and more... I'm going to sleep now... I have one of my parents coming to talk with me tomorrow.
-The Next Day-
Silence... Pure silence... Then a small beeping... Rhythmic beeping... Next the door opening then closing... Clicking of something against the floor getting closer. I guess it is high heels... But I could be wrong. Hearing, tasting, touch, and smell are enhanced but it is still hard to tell between male dress shoes and high heels.
"Son, I hope your happy with yourself..." It was my father's voice but I know that my father is to busy to come personally... Skype... The answer to everything communication. "I am disappointed in you... Extremely smart... Athletic... And a bright future that would have made the company millions... All gone because of you... And your illness."
I smiled. "I'm sorry... But it wasn't my fault... If you want to blame someone... Blame God... Or yourself... Your side of the family is the one prone to cancer... So I guess I take after you more than you think, huh? Remember when you told me I could be of any religion I wanted? I choose to be of my own belief in reincarnation of mind and soul... Not some Catholic denomination or a Muslim. God maybe there pulling some strings but unless seen he will be nothing in my mind. So you can pray I die or get better, that is up to you. Plus, all you ever care about is the company, never anything or anyone else. Just leave dad, it will make it easier on us both."
"So be it. Kate, end the call and take the rest of the day off to do what you want." His voice was gruff as he said this. It confused me but I ignored the feeling the best i could.
I heard a few clicks and then a sigh. "You should be more considerate about your father's feelings." A feminine voice said. The clicking of her high-heels on the floor started then stopped next to me. I heard movement so I can assume she sat down in the chair the doctor uses when he asks me questions or for a conversation during his lunch break. "He really does care for you."
"Kate how much do you know my father?" I asked her turning my head in her direction.
"In truth, not much, but I do know this much. All fathers love their sons no matter who they are and what they do." Her voice is solid and seems truthful but it is hard to tell without looking at her face.
"Kate my father was going to force me to work for the company wether I liked it or not. Honestly, the pay I was going to get was decent and I would have loved to work with him. The fact is I wouldn't be able to make my own choices on my career path if I had wanted to. He was never home when I was growing up. Never sent me gifts on my birthday or Christmas. Didn't show for any of my sporting events or band concerts. I even sent him the schedules in emails when I got them. I looked at every person that come in at every event. Never showed. The first time I saw him was when I was 13. He brought us on vacation with him to the Bahamas. I talked with him once. He asked about what my grades where and what I wanted to do when I got out of school. That's all, nothing else. No how are you or have you been good. I have never even been touched by him. No hugs or signs of affection. I bet he won't even go to my funeral! Now that you know all that, do you really think he is a good father?!"
Silence was the only answer I received. Movement was heard, then the clicking... That rhythmic and now agitating clicking. With every click it seemed to slow just to piss me off. The sound of the door opening dislodged me from my growing agitation. "Have a nice day Jayden. Sleep well." the clicking stated once again getting a ways away then muffled to nothing as the door to the room closed.
"Bout time I got some sleep... I can't tell what time it is any more... But I think it's late or it just feels that way." I turn my head to face the ceiling but I still see nothing... Just... Darkness... The darkness that could drag anyone no matter who into despair and anguish... I found it comforting as I drifted into a boring sleep. I wished magic existed. For it would never fix what has happened to me... All the magic or power in the world can't fix it. So I wished it was there so I could make it obsolete and useless. Make it as powerless as a fly caught in a spider's web.
Six days pass in a sudden speed up of time filled with Doctor visits, medicine, and the occasional pain in my head. Untill it stopped, and I no longer could move... My limbs felt heavy my breathing was slower than normal... Then... It all froze. Nothing moved, as my heart slowed. the soft beeping got slower and slower until it was just a straight beep that i could hear for a few seconds then the nothingness continued.
-TTTHHHHHHHOOOOOOOOMMMMmmmmmmmm-
It starts with a beat... then another, and another until it starts going at a normal pace. Next, sounds of shuffling. Then, the smell of rust and a bit of sulfur. Finally, sharp pain in the eyes. Opening them the stars stare back in the blackness of the night.
"Beautiful... Such a beautiful night sky." I said in a raspy strained voice. I need water and soon.
"You think... My night is... Beautiful?" I heard a strong and commanding feminine voice ask. I turn my head towards the voice and look at form whom it came. A large pure black pony with turquoise dragon eyes, large wings and what seemed to be a long horn. Her hair was a particular shade of blue but it seemed to flow with no wind to make it move. Whom ever it was she got closer and looked down at me with a smile. "Just what about the night to you deem as the best part? I am curious about your opinion." She moves her eyes from me to the sky full of the twinkling stars and large omniscient moon with a lustrous silver face.
I turn my attention to the sky and gaze of a few moments and turn my attention back to the dark pony to see her still looking up at the stars. "I'd say it isn't the sky that is beautiful... It's the imagination and feelings of the person who made it." The large pony looked down on me with interest and curiosity burning in her draconic eyes.
"What is your name young stallion?" She asked.
"Well... My name is Jayden. Jay for short. May I ask of your name?" I asked and rolled over to my stomach and tried how I normally got up, but I fell flat on my stomach.
"my name is Nightmare Moon... It is... Nice to meet you."
"NightmareMoon? Really? Is there something shorter I could call you or would you like to stick to formality?" I asked looking up at her from the floor at her questioningly.
"I don't have a shortened forme of my name. Nopony has ever asked for a shortened one before." The large black mare said as she walked to a window and looked out it. "But, I assume you can call me Moon. Of course the only time I will allow it is if we are alone as we are now."
"Oh, okay I understand." I tried to stand again but once again my stomach met the floor. "Ugh..."
"Are you having trouble standing?" I look to Moon to see her with an amused smile on her face looking back at me. "Would you like some help?"
"Please... I'm really not used to this." I felt myself lift off the ground as a dark purple hugh surrounded me and stood me up. "um... huh, that's weird..."
"What is weird? There seems to be nothing out of the ordinary here." Moon said with a now confused look in her eyes.
"Is there a mirror somewhere near here?"
"No there isn't. Why do you wish for one?"
I nod in response. "I do wish I had a mirror. I could see what I look like." A few seconds later a mirror materializes in front of my eyes in a soft flash of blue. "What the hell!" I take a few steps back away from the mirror.
"How... How did you do that without magic? A pegasus shouldn't be able to do such things!" She backed off as well, her horn started to glow.
"How about we ignore the mirror and talk about something else?"
"Yes that would be nice." She calmed down given the tone of her voice becoming calmer.
"Okay... I have a question."
"What would that be?"
"Why are you here... all alone?" I look in the mirror thoughtfully as I wondered on it looking at my new features. A candy silver colored pegasus looked back at me with ruby red eyes and a straight face. The mane is a azure blue color with scarlet highlights.
"I-" She started but she clearly hesitated on what to say, as a result her voice cracked. I heard the clearing of a throat and she continued. "I am feared. Also, if I left this place I would get either killed or banished to the moon. I tried to take over Equestria... thus... earning me the privilege of being... Hated."
"Ah... but that still doesn't explain why you're alone. You see... No matter how much you're hated, despised, or shunned you can still have a friend. I know that for a fact." I slip around the mirror trying to stay standing to look at her. She just stared at me. And stared. And stared. Until she broke the silence.
"I have thought about what you have told me, but I cannot be forgiven even if I want to be."
"You don't want to be forgiven? Why wouldn't you want to be?"
"I-I don't want to be forgiven because I don't deserve it."
"So, You just want to live in your own darkness by yourself?"
"Yes...." She said with a slow sad nod.
"I'm sorry but that darkness... It is senseless to sit in it and do nothing. Evil once or not. Any- er... Anypony has a chance for redemption... For reformation... Also forgiveness." I clumsily make my way to her almost tripping over my hooves a few times. "Moon I'll say what I know," She looks up at me with a refined blank face. "I know what you've done. I assume this much, senses you haven't attacked or killed me yet, you're fine in my book."
"Y-you..." She threw her hooves around me and pulled me into a spine-crushing hug. I won't dare to tell her to stop because it hurts. The reason behind that would be because it would hurt her. "Y-you are too kind to a terrible pony like me. Thank you."
"W-well that's what friends are for, right?" I feel my spine pop in a few places as her hug tightens even more at me calling her my friend. Trying to ignore the pain, I hug back gently.
"Thank you, but... There is something I'd like to ask you." The hugging stops and she backs up a pace so we are standing about five feet apart.
"Oh? What's that?" I tilt my head slightly
"How old are you?"
"Um... if you must know I am 17."
"Really? Such referential wisdom at such a young age how did you manage to get it?"
"Um... I guess you can say I am a councilor of sorts." A lie, yes, but it's better than nothing at all. I have to change the subject somehow. "Um...So Moon, why don't you tell me about yourself? Like where you were born and stuff like that."
"Well... Alright. I was born or rather created one-thousand and two years ago by Princess Luna's lust, envy, and greed. I'm what she turned into...."
"When I was born, I took over Princess Luna's mind and made those feelings stronger in a very short time." Moon said calmly as she continued on, "I was making her do all of the things she did all that time ago. I just couldn't get enough of the envy she had for her sister, it fed my power over her will to the point that all I had to do was repress her thoughts to my will." I listened carefully to her as she explained that process but I didn't really understand the complex parts. "After a while I had enough power to challenge Princess Celestia at her full power. I waited patiently for the right moment then I lashed out a Celestia."
I could understand that much but something was nagging at me that I had to ask. "Moon?" She gave me a questioning look but she seemed to pause her story for a moment for me to speak. "I can understand that you lashed out at Celestia but why did you have to? I mean I know you were created by negative feelings but I don't fully see or understand why you had to do what you did. While as a friend I can try to respect whatever decisions you made in the past, but as a normal per-... er pony I can't really see why you'd just do it." Moon's face scrunched up in possible thought or anger, I'm not fully sure which so I decided to shut up after I said that.
"..." Moon remained silent for a long while and it was getting really awkward for me. I tried to direct my attention to the room we were sitting in but after a minute or two it got even more awkward for me. "I don't know." I looked back to her to see her looking at me with almost pure void of emotion. "I really don't know why. It's possible that I just thought it would make myself happy and maybe Luna too, but I can't fully remember back that far what I thought about that." That statement struck me as odd, why couldn't she remember?
"You don't remember? Why not?" Moon just shook her head and shrugged a bit at my question. "Hm, maybe Luna has that memory... I mean you both shared a mind right? So, there maybe a possibility that she has that part. There might even be some memories you have that Luna doesn't." Moon cocked her head sideways slightly and seems to understand what I was saying because her eyes had widened in possible realization of what I just had said to her.
"You must be right..." She stood up from where she was sitting and walked to the window and looked out of it. Curious as to what she was looking at I also made my way over to the window she was at. The window was huge, it must have been an old stain glass window at one time. Looking up to her eyes and guessing where she was looking I spot what looks like to be a town or village in the distance.
"Moon... Why don't we try going to that town in the distance, it doesn't look that far away. It may be that you could start looking for forgiveness there." I look up to find she wasn't looking out the window anymore but looking down at me with a slight frown and a less than happy look in her eyes. Those turquoise dragon-like eyes seemed to be filled with a regret and sorrow. I couldn't say anything further because that sad look made my words freeze in my throat. I decided to not pressure her anymore, instead I did what I thought would make her smile. I edged closer to Moon and hugged her. I could feel her move a bit as if she was uncomfortable but after a few seconds she hugged me back gently.
"I- " Moon started as she let go of me and I let go of her as well. "... Thank you Jay, I needed that more than I thought I did." I gave her a smile and a nod to which she stood up. "I think going to that little town would be a good idea but maybe it would be best for us to go in the morning."
I smiled a bit wider and nodded again in agreement getting up slowly hoping not to fall flat on my face. "I just wish I could walk without worrying about falling on my face." One of my hooves slipped out from under me just after I said that to myself and I felt myself freeze in mid fall and be put into a standing position as Moon stared at me from what I could tell the whole time. "Did you stop me from falling?" She shakes her side to side slowly a few times. "O~okay that's getting a bit creepy..."
A nod of agreement was about all I got from Moon and a uninterpretable mumble. I was confused as to what she was mumbling about, but I pop my neck and look around, unsure what to do now that there is a now growing awkward silence in the room. So, I turned on my mental music player. I've memorized so many songs that I just think of the lyrics or the tune and it starts playing as if from a CD or YouTube into my ears like I actually had headphones in. I start slightly nodding my head with my eyes closed with the beat of Streamline by Newton.
After about 3 minutes of it I got annoyed and switched songs to Up in the Sky by 77th Bombay Street and made my way around the room inspecting various cracks in the walls, crumbled pillars, and shredded banners. I started mouth the words about into the 5th line of the song and continued from there. I got so caught up in the song that halfway through I started singing it in normal volume. I almost got so caught up in the song that didn't hear Moon call my name.
"Jay, what is that your singing. I've never heard it before."
"Up in the Sky, and I wouldn't be surprised if you haven't heard of it. It's a song from where I'm originally from." I explain to her as the song starts again in my head.
"It reminds me of when I was on the moon with Luna. She always asked to sing with me and I scolded her for it..." She clearly felt bad about it by the new frown appeared and she stared at the ground. I immediately turned my mental player off and go over to her. She was laying on the ground now clearly beating herself up about what she did all that time ago.
So, I did what I could guess no per- er... pony has done before I laid right next to her and wrapped her in my wing the best I could given I'd never even tried to use them and I don't have full control of them yet, plus her size compared to mine it didn't really work like I had envisioned but I think I got my message across. One of Moon's wings wrapped around me pulling me to her, I could only smile as I felt her warmth, and it got to my rather quickly, for soon I was asleep in Moon's warm embrace.
After a refreshing sleep and some breakfast magicked up by Moon. She and I made our way through the forest talking about random subjects like hobbies, a bit about sports, and our favorite places to go when were stressed or need to think. We got so caught up in a long argument about how the Forth of July wasn't a holiday, we almost missed the sign that said 'Welcome to Ponyville' on it.
"Well Moon, I guess we'll have to continue this verbal tussle later, we are at the town." I say breaking Moon off mid-sentence in her explanation of how I was wrong. "Ponyville, a rather stereotypical name if you'd ask me, but I guess I could wrong." I start to walk a few steps but after noticing Moon wasn't following me I stopped, and looked back at her. "Something wrong?"
"Yes," Moon said with a frown on her face." I find myself thinking it may be not such a good idea. Maybe you should go and I should and I'll go back to the forest." I turned around to face her fully and give her a look of concern. "Thanks for the encouragement Jayden..."
"Moon, what are you talking about?" I ask walking back over to her. "Listen up my lady of night," saying that clearly shocked her into listening for her ears perked up signaling I now had her complete and undivided attention. "See this place? Look around you, does this seem like a place is dangerous?" Moon looked around hesitantly before her eyes looked to me, who gave her a warm smile. "Moon, I'll be with you the whole time, I won't leave your side at all. There is no reason to fear or be feared, because fear is weakness in your mind and only gets bigger the more you second guess your own decisions. I know what that is like and while you may grow in experience, your heart will become a hardened shell of hate and result in hurting yourself even more." I let a long moment of silence pass before I spoke again. "To be honest, I don't want you to end up like you were before, in the short time I've come to know you, I know you are kind... While you may seem a bit intimidating, no offense, if you have a kind enough heart to be kind to me... You have enough to share with everyo- er... everypony else."
"..." Moon remained silent for a while but she took a few steps past the sign and into the town. "Are you coming?" I nod simply and walk up next to her and we start making our way into town. Apparently it was a Sunday, because nopony was around outside. Either that or nopony has gotten up yet and is taking a siesta. I am grateful for that though, I think I'd be a lot harder on Moon if there were ponies out and about. Screaming at her, or running away afraid of her, something to that extent would be very frustrating for her and myself. " It doesn't seem like anypony is around right now..." I nod in agreement to her statement and look around a bit more at our surroundings, a few signs of businesses and restaurants, nothing that really catches my eye as we walk down the dirt road.
"Where is everypony? I saw lights from the houses last night... Maybe they partied all last night and some pony spiked the punch?" A guess but given that nopony was around that did seem like a reasonable hypothesis, considering these circumstances. Looking around I notice a huge tree with a door in it with windows and a little mailbox that seems to be held together by a a bungee chord and some duct tape. Whoever delivers the mail must either have major thrill issues or is just plain recklessness. "Why not give the door a knock? Maybe somepony lives here." I trot over to the door while my wing gestures for Moon to follow. While my wings seem to look useful they aren't really, when I want them to work the don't cooperate with me. When I don't think about it they move. I could count my lucky stars and wish they would cooperate with my thoughts but that would be ridicules. As if I could just wish they'd work ha what a laugh.
Looking back to moon to see her right behind me looking rather nervously at the door in front of me. "Ready?" I ask her as i lift my hoof to knock on the door. I hear a barely audible uhuh and I give the door a couple of sharp knocks turning my gaze to the door and waiting for an answer.
-CRASH!! BANG!! THU(THU)MP(MP)!!!-
"Spike! Are you okay?!" I hear a feminine call from inside the tree home.
"Yeah, I'm okay Twilight!" A childish yet male sounding voice called out to the first voice presumably named Twilight.
"Alright, if your okay could you get the door?" The voice I assume to be coming from a gir- er... mare named Twilight.
"Sure," the male voice said disinterestedly as the door opened. "Hello?" Standing in the open door as a baby dragon. I assume Spike would be a appropriate name for a dragon. While if I saw a dragon back at home I would have freaked out and called the pound or animal control. Now it isn't really that shocking, but what was shocking was that the door was slammed in my face. "Twilight! Nightmare Moon is out side the front door with somepony!" No sooner had I heard him shout I look back to Moon and see her sitting down looking ashamedly at the ground. It took me a few seconds but I put two and two together. This Twilight must have been one of the ponies who must bare a grudge towards her.
"Moon?" I walk over and sit next to her, "Are you okay?" I waited a few seconds and received no answer from her. I could tell she felt terrible and that only one thing could possibly take her mind off it, hugs! I mean a hug from my mom always made me feel better no matter how bad I felt, and if I think about it Moon doesn't really have anyon- er... anypony like that, because she was more created then born so she doesn't really have a mom or a dad. Taking that into account I scoot myself in front of her and gave her a hug. Compared to her large size and my rather small one my hug may be a bit less then comfortable for me but that doesn't mean it isn't comforting for Moon. "It's alright Moon, I'm sure that there was a logical explanation for what just happened and maybe if we explain we can possibly come to better terms with whoever this Twilight pony is."
I hear something blast open and I turn my head and look towards the door I had once been standing in front of blown off the hinges and a purple unicorn standing in the doorway horn lit with a purple hugh and seemed to be ready to fire a bolt from it at any sign of movement.
"Nightmare Moon! How did you survive the Elements of Harmony and why are you here?!" The purple unicorn shouted and I felt Moon clutch me tightly as the unicorn advanced closer. "Are you here to bring eternal night again or have you come for revenge?" Moon's eyes were closed tightly and she shivered slightly as if she were afraid.
"Excuse me miss..." Twilight looked at me and her horn lowered to point at us both, "What is your fucking problem!"
"Wait what?" the purple unicorn backed up and her horn's purple hugh died away. "What do you mean?"
"What business do you have scaring the living daylights out of someone!" I say with a scowl directed at the unicorn. "We come here to say hello and you slam the door in our face, then blow it off the hinges and start questioning us like we're criminals! What the hell have I ever done to you? You point your horn at us in offense and we've done nothing in the time we've been standing here to make you do such a thing! You are absolutely terrible!" My rant must have made the purple unicorn feel ashamed of herself because her ears flattened and a frown is lining her lips.
"I- but- " Twilight began stuttering out unintelligible words after that was said until she groaned obviously from either frustration or annoyance.
"I can assume your name is Twilight?" I ask to which she nods her head but it was barely noticeable. ""Well, Twilight I can assume you can be a better pony than what your showing right now! Moon and I were just wondering where everyo- er... everypony was, plus I figured there was a huge party judging by all the lights a saw on last night and the one job that is morally against drinking would be a librarian." Twilight just cocked her head at an angle possibly confused as to where I got that logic from. Back at home the librarian of the local library refused to drink even though she would go to parties almost every night. "Now I would like to hear an apology to myself and to Moon."
"I'm sorry," Twilight said with a sigh. "I shouldn't have scared you, or overreacted." As she said all this I could tell that she wasn't being honest but if she said it, it must have taken quite the effort to do so. "May I ask a q-question of you?" Twilight's voice cracked possibly due to her realizing that it was really NightmareMoon right in front of her but instead of answering her straight out I nod and wait for her question.
Moon finally lets go of me and sits up straight but her eyes must find the ground very fascinating, for she hasn't looked up the whole time Twilight was apparently thinking about how to word her question. While I do consider myself a very patient perso- er.. pony, Twilight seems to be taking forever thinking about that question, or is she thinking about it at all?
"Twilight, are you stalling?" I asked her looking for any type of expression of shock immediately after asking. Twilight seemed to gulp as she glanced into the library then shook her head no. "Well then ask me the question you were thinking about all this time."
"Umm," Twilight began, "Why are you here with NightmareMoon? I mean she tried to take over Equestria and shroud it in eternal darkness!" Twilight was clearly trying to hold in some concealed anger towards Moon, whom I glanced at to find out she was staring at me with a questioning look as if to ask 'yeah why are you with me?'
"I'll start with why, and that is because she is my friend." What I said must have been infuriating to Twilight because she didn't seem too happy with a scowl on her face. "Plus she has been kind to me, far kinder than you have been so far. I'm being kind to her in return." The scowl turned into a look of disbelief when I told her Moon was kind but I ignored it and continued my explanation. "As for who, my name is Jayden or Jay for short," At this point, out of the corner of my eye I see the purple dragon motioning for Twilight's attention pointing at a scroll in his claw and mouthing words that I can make out but just barely, something around the lines of, 'It is ready, should I... Nail it?' Nail it? Maybe mail is what he said. "Twilight, I believe Spike is trying desperately to ask you something. Maybe you should answer him... Before I tell him to just come over here and talk to you because it looks flat out rediculas, what he's doing over there." Spike was trying so hard to get Twilight's attention that he was flailing around waving his arms around and jumping up and down.
Twilight got a blush on her face, either from guilt or embarrassment of her dragon dancing around like a loon where some pony could see plain as day. "Spike, you can send it!" At that the littl dragon gave a thumbs up then spits green flames swallowing the scroll and turning it to ash. I don't see how that is a way to send a message by burning it before it's mailed.
I feel Moon tap my shoulder and I looked up to her pointing over my head at something. Turning my head I was slammed into the ground by something very colorful. I was dazed for a bit before I look up into rose colored eyes a cyan face and a rainbow mane. I feel the pegasus' weight being lifted off of me. Pulling myself up off the ground and popping my neck with a groan, Moon is holding the rainbow maned pegasus in a dark purple shroud of what looks like to be her magic because her horn is lit up and she seems angry.
"Lay another hoof on him and I'll turn you into a turtle!" Moon said with force and anger. Her dragonic eye slits thinned I swear I saw lightning flash in it. I'm not going to lie, it frightened me a bit but I have to convince her to put her down. The rainbow maned pegasus was struggling with anger in her eyes while Twilight started yelling at Moon to put her down, more like threatening with colorful language. The noise only grew as three more ponies showed up and started yelling, two earth ponies and another unicorn. I looked around seeing some of the nearby residents looking out there windows and doors only to slam them shut and by the look barricade them.
Getting really annoyed by all this, it was my turn to shout. "SHUT THE FUCK UP!!!" Every single pony stopped what they were doing and stared at me, even Moon looked at me with a little shock. "Listen to yourselves! Are you ponies insane!" I switched my voice to gentle and looked to Moon, "My lady Moon, please put down the pegasus and come here by me." Moon complied with my wishes putting the rainbow pegasus down ungraciously with her falling flat on her ass. Then she walked over calmly and sat behind me. "Now what the hell did you think you five were," that's when I noticed a pegasus hiding behind the white unicorn. "Err, six where doing. Look, I don't know what is rammed up your pony asses this morning but isn't the best first impression. I mean, a 'hello' or a 'calm what's your business?' would be a thousand times better than this!" I let a burst of air out of my nose and shook my head at them. "Honestly this is the worst welcome I've ever gotten, and now you want to scare away somepony who has come to apologize? You six are just despicable." I glared at them as they looked at each other with shame clear on there faces, one of them, the pegasus with a long pink mane is whimpering with tears in her eyes.
VI - Explanations Are Informational Yet Boring Pt. 2
The pink haired yellow pegasus seemed close to tears and this got my full attention. Did I cause that, or is it fear of Moon?
I couldn't help but try to convince her to stop. If I have one weakness is a girl crying. "Miss are you okay? Did I frighten you with my yelling?" I then realized that she was the only one to not say anything when they rest of them were yelling at Moon. Was it Moon she was afraid of or was it my yelling? I cant really really tell but something is telling me making this girl cry isn't the best idea.
She only whimpered and hid behind the white unicorn whose name I have yet to learn of. That is when the rainbow one spoke up still in a angry tone but at a lowered volume. "See they made Fluttershy cry. Clearly they aren't here in peace! Twilight send a letter to the Princess we'll hold them off." While meeting a princess would be in my books awesome, being the subject of one's wrath isn't on my bucket list that's for sure. Which is: Meet a nice girl, Don't die a virgin, and find a way to obtain immortality... the third one may never happen but hey, a guys gotta try right? The rainbow one continued to try and rally her friends to attack Moon and I.
"Pardon me," I say getting all of there attention except for the rainbow one and Twilight. "Please allow me to introduce myself, my name is Jayden. Jay for short and I'm here with my friend Moon." What they heard must have been in a language foreign to them because they exchanged glances and didn't say a single word. "Uhm, I can't say I'm sorry for blowing up earlier but your rainbow friend attacked me and I blew my top. I came here with Moon to help her, and find a place to work and stay while I figure out where I want to take myself. I haven't really planned to far ahead yet as you can tell but I figured that a small town like this is normally full of friendly folks that would help us." The four were listening to me talk while Moon being about 3x my size placed her front hooves in front of me. I pause in my explanation and see Moon looking straight forward as if she were a guard on duty protecting me. I guess to them it seemed like prison bars because the blonde of the group wearing a stetson spoke.
"Now I think I've heard 'bout 'nough of this. You're not really her friend are ya? Is she making ya say this stuff?" Our eyes lock and I can feel her look into my soul.
"No, all my words are my own, why?" I ask as the blonde gazes harder at me before relenting and looking away.
"Ah guess you're tellin' the truth... but why is she keeping ya so close for?" she asks in curiosity.
"I'll answer that," Moon spoke up as I was about to open my mouth to answer. "I don't want what happened earlier to happen again." Moon speaking caused Twilight and the rainbow one to stop talking and look over at Moon and I. "I would like to have everyponies attention for just a moment please." All of them are looking at her and I looked up from where I was sitting below her. "Listen, I... know that I have done some terrible things... Tried to put Equestria into eternal night.... I want to apologize.. for what I did... I know a single apology wont be enough and I know that I will have to deal with whatever Celestia has in store... I just want you to know I'm sorry. You don't have to accept my apology but at least you heard it and that's all I could even ask for, I won't ask you to forgive me." She looks down at me and I nod and motion for her to continue. She nodded and opened her mouth to continue when a white chariot with a white Alicorn in it pulled by two guards landed next to us.
"NightmareMoon," The alicorn said sternly. "Why have you returned and what are you doing to my little ponies?"
I tried to speak but the second I opened my mouth the pink pony explained the whole thing in under 3 seconds, and what's weirder is that the alicorn understood every word by the look of concentrated though crosses her face. I couldn't get a single word out of the pink pony that made any sense but whatever she got out of it, it's making her think hard about what she's about to do. "I need to speak to Jay and NightmareMoon alone.."
Soon after the whole incident Celestia, Moon and I were in Twilight's library no one else just a whole bunch of books everywhere. I'm normally not OCD but the books all over the place started to bother me.
"I assume you're Celestia?" I ask starting the conversation that we've neglected to start for a whole 10 minutes. The white alicorn nods and sips her tea Twilight set out for us before leaving us to our devices. I'm not a big tea enthusiast but I do drink tea occasionally.
She places the cup of tea down and smiles at me. "Yes, but why would you ask that my little pony?" Celestia asks me calmly.
I look to Moon for a second to see her looking at me and I reply, "I am not from anywhere around here so I don't know anyone except Moon. That includes royalty, nobles, or the famous ponies. I know nothing about where I am." Celestia was clearly taken back by my statement. "Now if you'll excuse me I have to do something about this mess. It is bothering me." I got up and began to pick up books and put them on the shelves in alphabetical order by author. Some of the authors' names looked familiar but i passed it off as a coincidence.
I assume that Moon and Celestia talked very little because after I returned the tea was completely gone all except for my lone cup now sitting on the table. I began to sit back down when Celestia began to speak again. "Jayden tell me, how well has Nightmare Moon been treating you?"
I cocked my head, slightly wondering why she'd ask something like that. Thinking back on the time I've spent with Moon so far which has been, at the least, 18 hours. "I have to say that Moon has been treating me with the utmost respect and care. She hasn't in anyway tried to hurt me if that is what you're looking for." I say after taking a sip of my tea. "To be perfectly honest, Moon is already my best friend. Even though I met her about a day ago I will not leave her by herself, alone and scared of the world. No one deserves that no matter what they could have done in the past."
My words seem to have had very little effect on Celestia for the poker face I'm getting stared at with is absolutely flawless. I glance to Moon to see a similar one being given to Celestia to which I believe she has yet to notice. The stares didn't end for a good few minutes before Twilight came through the door with a stethoscope.
I gave her a look of confusion at first but then I realized she was eavesdropping. "Princess Celestia, you may want to remind a certain individual that it's rude to listen into a conversation to which she is not involved." Celestia's poker face broke and she looked directly at where Twilight was now standing. The look on Twilight's face as Celestia looked at her with what seemed to be disapproval. Twilight looked down at the stethoscope and her ears pinned back and her head dropped.
"Twilight, what we are discussing at this moment isn't anything you need to worry about. We will discuss everything one on one later." A aura of yellow surrounds the stethoscope and it is lifted on to the table form Twilight's shoulders.
"Oh, I assume that a private conversation isn't private?" This caught all three of their attention. "You, Celestia requested to speak with us, privately. Which in turn means you'll respect our privacy and not talk about anything we say unless it's a threat to your kingdom. I'm assuming you don't give a damn whether we have privacy or not given you'd just up and tell some pony about private matters and not punish her accordingly for doing something wrong." I couldn't help myself from entering a rant so I continued on. "Back where I'm from if you made any false accusation high authority you'd be imprisoned if the falsely accused pressed charges for incrimination on there rights. So I will make this clear I will not stand for this. I am only here for NightmareMoon because she is my friend. Nothing is wrong with me and I will NOT change my mind EVER. Understand?" My rant came to an end as I took a few deep breaths. Everypony in the room was silent. Moon moved over and pulled me into her chest, the back of my head is just under her neck. I looked up but I couldn't see her face, so instead I looked at Celestia's and Twilight's. By the look on there faces I tried to deduce what face Nightmare is making. Then I thought, what's the point; she's my friend and I will trust her. Twilight seeing an opening left the room with a spring in her step. I lean back slightly and turn my head using Moon's chest as a pillow. I close my eyes resting there feeling the beat of Moon's heart as it thumped calmly inside her. It's was like a hypnotizing metronome for I felt myself getting sleepy. As I fell asleep I don't recall any words that were said, were they attempts to wake me up they failed terribly.
---------
"Well, Nightmare... I want to know, did you cast a spell on him?" Celestia asked as calmly as she could given the stallion known as Jayden is now being held by NightmareMoon as he slept.
"No, I didn't. You may check yourself if you wish but if you attempt to harm him Celestia... I will not tolerate it." Moon says protectively her wings covering Jaden like a blanket. "He is my friend. My one and only friend and you won't take him away like you took Luna from me with your little student and her friends."
"You know what you were making Luna do was wrong!" Celestia shouted at the dark alicorn. "So don't you say I was being a terrible pony like you."
That statement was the last straw for Moon for her eyes went from an ocean of calm to a raging hurricane of anger. "Leave!" Moon said with enough force in the tone to knock a dragon away if it was a physical blow. "Leave now. I no longer wish to speak with you. For if I do I will do something we both will regret." Celestia's eyes went from Nightmare's eyes to Jayden's sleeping form then back up. Celestia then stood and without another word left the library.
“Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind.” ― Bernard M. Baruch ---------
I don't know why but this pony, he chooses to protect me. Friend or no if I were in his position... I don't think I could do what he does. I may have the power of a god but he has the kindness of somepony who has been giving all his life. NightmareMoon stared down at Jayden as he slept wrapped in her wings and hugged closely to her chest. He is trying his best to be there for me and he doesn't know how much the words he said about me mean. Now I am protecting him... Will he be the one? The one I would sacrifice myself for? Nightmare shook her head and shrugged to herself. For now, I shouldn't worry on the future. I should worry about today and let tomorrow worry about itself. What should I do until he wakes? I definitely don't want to leave him here alone with Twilight. Nightmare pondered on what to do for a fare amount of time until coming to a conclusion. We need a home. We definitely can't use the abandon castle... Nightmare once again looked down at Jayden. What would you do Jayden? Maybe I should enter his dreams and ask him? She immediately shook her head. No! I shouldn't ever do that. It wou... Nightmare sighed and continued to think until she couldn't think anymore on the subject.
Eventually giving up on thinking opens her wings and using magic lifts Jayden onto her back. Maybe I should just act instead of think. Using her wings to keep Jayden on her back she left the library to find somewhere to stay that she deemed safe.
After searching most of the town Moon had knocked on every door that looked to be an Inn of some sort. Moon slumped on a bench in the park laying on her stomach. Jayden still lay asleep on her back covered by her wings. She feels as if she failed Jayden. She couldn't find anywhere that they could stay. Moon got up after a bit and sighed. She would try one last time only this time she would only look for Jayden instead. She didn't want him to catch a cold or possibly freeze to death. She would find somewhere, no matter what she has to do.
Seeing an apple farm she didn't notice before she made her way towards it. She mentally scolded herself on not seeing this place earlier as she passed row after row of apple trees. After getting about halfway through the orchard she stopped and adjusted Jayden on her back so he wouldn't fall off. Getting a look at a large barn and a homely looking house she took a deep breath and made her way to the door of the house. Composing herself she lifted her hoof and knocked on the door lightly and waited patiently for an answer.
The door opened slowly and a elderly mare stood in the doorway. "Hello?" The mare was looking into Nightmare's forelegs until she looked up. The kindness and wisdom in the mare's eyes seemed to extend from the mare and lock Nightmare into place. "How can I help ya sweety?"
Moon cleared her throat and opened her mouth to speak when her stomach growled loud enough for the old mare to hear. The mare just smiled and stepped to the side, guiding her in. Nightmare took a few steps inside the house before looking to the mare. The mare nodded to the couch and she made her way to the kitchen slowly but surely.
Moon just sat there, waiting in silence after she had laid Jayden on the couch. Soon the mare came back with a slice of apple pie on a plate. The mare didn't say a word she just gave her the plate and sat in a rocking chair. All Moon could do is look at the pie until the old mare spoke up.
"Sweety," Moon raised her head to look at the mare as she continued. "What brings ya'll to Sweet Apple Acers?" She asks looking from Moon to Jayden and back. "I'd reckon ya be lookin' fer directions 'til yer tummy started a talkin'." She said with a smile. "I'll understand if yer not wantin' to talk 'bout it but I'd like it well to know."
Moon looked at the mare, computing what she had just said before speaking. "As for what I am here for... No, I shouldn't be rude." Nightmare shook her head a bit. "I think I should introduce myself first. My name is NightmareMooon, and I thank you for taking Jayden and I into your home. Nopony else has been so kind to me." Moon looked down and around the room only to stop on the old mare again. "Could I ask for your name?"
The old mare nodded and replied. "Mah name is Granny Smith but everypony calls me Granny. I'm glad ta see that someponies still introduce demselves. Now eat up, or it'll get cold." Nightmare looked back down at the piece of pie and magically broke off a reasonably sized piece for her and popped it into her mouth. The pie was like a firecracker going off in her mouth, all the wonder and amazement flooded Nightmares mouth with a strong delicious taste. Each bite she took made her want to smile to the point where she almost did. Granny noticed this and spoke again. "Dearie, don't hold off what yer feelin' inside, if ya do how will anypony know what yer feelin'?" Moon finishing the pie and taking Granny's advice smiled a bit.
"Thank you for the pie, it was delicious." Moon said with a bow of her head. "I think I should answer your questions now." Granny only nodded and waited patiently for Moon to speak. Moon takes a few deep breaths before answering. "We need a place to stay for the night for starters, I'm sorry if that comes off rude by the way I said it. Tomorrow, I assume I am going to be house hunting with Jayden, or at least looking for a place of semi-permanent housing. I don't know how long Jayden and I will stay but I'd like to on the safe side."
"I think I get what's going on, yer trying ta prove somethin' ta him." Moon immediately straightened up and shook her head. Granny just laughed a bit and continued talking. "Ya wanna show him yer dependable and can help 'im am I right?" Moon couldn't believe what she was hearing, did Granny think she was in love with Jayden? Or maybe that she thought of him as more than a friend? Moon just shook her head no again and Granny laughed again only it was a few giggles, if you could call little cackles giggles. "If ya need a place ta stay the night ya can stay her'. Just no funnin' around on the couch, okay?"
Moon knew exacly what the elderly mare was referencing to and she couldn't hide a blush of embarrassment that she would think such a thing. They were only friends, nothing serious like that... Moon shook her head and looked back to where Granny was sitting to find her no longer there. Moon looked up and out the window to see darkness staring back at her. How long was she thinking to herself? She didn't know. Shaking it off and placing it in a mental lockbox and tossing it into a pile of things in her mind to never think about or bring up again, she yawned. The conversation with Granny took more out of her than she realized she lifted Jayden up with her magic and got on the couch and placed him back where he was laying before in the library only this time they were both laying on there sides with Moon being on the outside near the edge of the couch.
"Jayden, I don't know if you can hear me right now but I found somewhere we can stay the night." Moon whispered in Jayden's ear as she closed her eyes. She soon drifted of into the land of dreams that she has prevented herself from entering for so long.
Waking up to the crowing of a rooster wasn't in my plans and nor was waking in an awkward position on top of Moon. Opening my eyes I'm staring into a abyss of the color black. Am I blind again? Did I perhaps dream all of the things that happened to me? I stare for some time before I hear clicking on the floor that same agitating clicking from the hospital. I groan softly and start to move into a position of sitting up. All the black slipped away and I was blinded by the sunlight I threw up my hooves to block the sun while my eyes adjusted. A very familiar orange mare wearing a Stetson.
"Rise 'nd shine sleepy head, time ta get off yer rear 'nd get ready for work." She said walking out of the room. I was left wondering for a moment. When did I get a job and how did I get it? looked down at Moon to find her laying there her mouth slightly agape her pearly white dagger-like fangs are showing slightly, her front hooves are pressed to her chest and every minute or so her right hind leg twitches. Should I wake her? I think for a minute or so before shaking my head. No, I wont, she deserves her sleep after getting us a place to stay the night while I passed out from all the ranting I did
Lifting myself off of the couch and away from the overall endearing sight of the snoozing Nightmare I made my way to the kitchen to get some answers. That's when things got even more confusing. The orange mare was sitting at a table eating with a greenish-yellowish mare, a very large red stallion, when say red I really mean a sharp brick red, and a little yellow fillie with a bow in her hair. I raised an eyebrow as they all stopped eating and stared at me.
A long silence filled the room until I spoke up. "Good morning..."
"Mornin'" They all respond and the familiar orange mare gets up and grabs a plate with some pancakes on it and places it across from her on the other side of the table. The rest of them started eating again as she did this.
"Come on over an' get somethin' in yer gut. Yer gunna need it." The orange mare stated sitting back down in her seat and starts eating once again. I, being extremely confused stood there for a minute or so until I made my way over and took the empty seat. A average stack of five pancakes sit with syrup drizzled on it. The syrup somehow reminded me of blood. Not exactly sure why but I believe I've lost my apatite and look at the plate of pancakes dully. I know if I don't eat and I work on an empty stomach it isn't exactly healthy. I unhappily take up the fork and start to eat to my discomfort.
After my distasteful and uncomfortably eaten breakfast I was lead outside by the orange mare. While I was completely in the dark as to what I was doing following her into a huge apple orchard. I would say something but I get the feeling that this is the work she was talking about.
"Alright, how strong are ya?" The orange mare askes walking along. "Cause for a pegasus you sure got a bit of meat on ya." I at first was thrown off by the question, do I really look that different? As far as I knew I was average all around. I assume she took my silence as a I'm not going to say nothing because she had stopped walking and turned to face me. "Alright look, I know your mad 'bout yesterday but could you at least by a little more friendly? Ah'm tryin' to be nice even after everything that happened."
I sighed and nodded. "Alright you win, I'll talk, as for my strength I have no idea... The last time I went to the gym I could bench maybe 125-135. That's with the bar being about 40 pounds so... maybe 165-175 pounds. What did you need that information for?" The mare stared at me then shook her head.
"175 max? Ya expect me ta believe that? A normal pegasus can only lift around 85-95 pounds except BuffBiceps and RainbowDash." I look at her blankly as she continued speaking. "Well if ya got the power, Ah wanna see ya use it. Give that apple tree a buck and lets see if ya got that power in ya." She says waving her hoof at a tree to her right.
"Um... would you care to demonstrate miss...?"
"AppleJack, and Ah don't mind demonstratin'" AppleJack goes up to the tree and with a swift, powerful movement her hind hooves slam into the tree and it shook apples right out of the tree. "That is how you buck an apple tree. Now howwa 'bout givin' it a try? If ya can do it ah might give ya a job assisting with the harvest, if ya cain't Ah'm pretty sure ya could find a job somewhere in town." I think for a moment before nodding. I make my way over to one of the trees and look at the worn in buck marks in the tree. These apple trees must be old due to how much wear they have. I turn around and square myself with the marks. "Give it yer best shot."
Thinking about the marks are it reminds me of the mirror. The mirror that had suddenly appeared in front of me in the old castle. If I had that mirror right now I could do what AppleJack did. I shake my head, I put my mind back to the task and popped my neck. "Here goes nothing." I mimic what AJ showed me to the best of my ability and slam my hind hooves on the tree. I shiver runs up my as i fall on my face because my front hooves buckled. "Ow..." I say as I lift my face from the ground. I look at AJ and her face was blank. No emotion, just as blank as a new sheet of paper.
"Ya did it, but Ah didn't think ya'd leave a dent in the tree..." I look behind me from where I am on the ground and see a new spot a bit lower than the worn out spot dented inward in the shape of my hind hooves. I look at the ground to see a bunch of apples all over the place. I was surprised that one didn't hit me on the head like in one of those cartoons where the lumberjack is hit in the head by an apple every time he takes a swing of his ax. I get up and shake myself a bit to get the dust off of me as AJ begins to speak again. "Ya got the job for taday. Tamarra ya'll have ta go ta town and find a job." I give her a cock-eyed look but give a nod in understanding. If I caused that to a apple tree in one buck I don't think me continuing to do that would be healthy for the orchard.
That morning I worked my flanks off and my back felt as if it was in 30 pieces by the end of it. I stubble into the house and onto the couch. "ooooooooooowwwwwwwww......"
"Stupid floor..." Moon knocked her hoof on the floor slightly annoyed. She cracked her neck and opening her eyes she looked around at the living room seeing it empty except for her she assumed Jayden had went to the bathroom or something. Stretching out and lifting herself off the floor she heard a slight argument going on in the kitchen between a deep stallions voice and Granny. She had only just woke up in the house and already ponies in the house were arguing, at least she wasn't the cause of it.
Upon walking into the kitchen the argument became clearer a brick red stallion was having practically a one word argument with Granny on whether or not he would make it to a event at AppleBloom's school.
"So, yer not goin' to AppleBloom's event?" Granny asked again.
"Eyup, work." The red stallion replied simply.
"Come now BigMacintosh, I'm sure ya have enough time to go to the event." Granny countered, "You work here on the farm, the school ain't that far down the road."
BigMacintosh once again shook his head no. "Nope." As if that was the end of the conversation he left the room after putting on a sweatband.
Moon couldn't help but realize the look of complicated struggle on Granny's face. Even though she had just met Granny just the other night it made her slightly saddened to see the old mare like that. "Granny?" The old mare looked to Moon and immediately the smile was back.
"Mornin' sweety, how'd ya sleep?" The old mare asked sitting in a chair.
Moon didn't want to press the fact she just saw the argument that just transpired but she couldn't ignore the fact that something was wrong. "Granny is there something going on that you can't make it to?" Granny's smile faded slightly and she nodded.
"These old bones ain't what they used to be. Even if Ah started there now I would get there by the time school was over. AppleBloom said she need to bring in someone from the house to school today fer history class. We are the oldest farm around in these parts so she thought that maybe one of us wouldda been able to make it. Ah see now that none of us is gunna make it..." Granny sighed softly. "Ah may as well get on o'er there... Ah may as well try to make it."
"Granny," Moon grabbed Granny's attention, "If you'd like I could go. I may not know what goes on to make an apple orchard run, but I know things that happed very long ago. I'm sure the children at AppleBloom's school would benefit from it..." Granny's smile returned and she nodded. "Only problem is I don't know where the school is..."
"Well, all ya got ta do is get on the path and stay to the left, ya'll get there eventually." Granny said making her way over to Moon and hugs her. "Thank ya kindly."
Moon nodded her head and slowly returns the hug with a few soft pats on the back. "Your welcome Granny. It's the least I could do since you took Jayden and myself in last night. Do you know when I should leave?"
"Well, I guess ya should leave as soon as ya can. Now would be yer safest bet." Granny replied releasing Moon from the hug. "Cause bein' the fillie AppleBloom is she didn't say a direct time ta be there."
"Alright, I'll be back soon then..." Moon left the kitchen and went out the door giving a glance at the grandfather clock in the corner reading 9:23. She made her way down the path following granny's directions. As she walked along the path her mind wondered around she began the think on different various things. First it was wondering how many laws were put in place since she was banished and the two years after she broke free. Next it wondered to the subject of school, when was the last time she saw a school? Must have been a thousand and five years ago. Of course back then all the classes were taught either outside or in a barn of sorts. Finally her mind drifted to thinking on how her life was going, what direction it was going to take. Would she really be able to live a normal life now? Would she get a job? Where would she live? She thought long and hard on these questions she even slowed her walking pace as she saw a little red building that has a school sign in front. She didn't stay on the subject long before thinking on how Jayden would fair. It soon shifted to whether or not Jayden would support her and if she would support him in the pursuit of a simple life.
Upon reaching the sign the bell rang and the children came out and started playing. Recess had started and Moon just watched as the children played. The way the children played with carefree looks on their faces Moon felt out of place. She was so used to seeing fear when she was around that it was like to sides negative sides of a magnet trying to connect when all they do is push away from one another. That was until a break in the happiness was found.
Two ponies approached a group of three and the group of three when from happy to extremely tense and unhappy. Moon didn't like that the happiness she was seeing was being disrupted. This made her rather, vengeful. Seeing words being shot back and forth between the two groups she opened her wings and with a single flap she lifted off the ground and landed behind the group of two with a loud impact and frown clear her face. There was now a indention where her hooves had landed but Moon cared not.
The sight made the group of three immediately silence themselves and cower a bit. One of the group of two who Moon had landed behind wearing a tiara got a look of confusion before slowly turning around and upon seeing a set of 4 dark black hooves instead of her teachers dark pink ones made her look up slowly into a look Moon never thought she would ever make. The look of pure undivided judgment with a matching frown. The grey pony with a silverspoon as her cutiemark immediately fled in terror of the look but the one in the tiara did not. She getting the full blunt force of the look could only cower in fear and lay stomach on the ground and cover her head with her forehooves. The look continued until a unfamiliar voice called out.
"Excuse me, Miss?" Moon looked away from the little pony and turned her head almost all the way around to see a dark pink pony with sunflowers as her cutiemark. "May I ask why you are frightening my students?" Moon looked around a bit and all the other students were hiding and the grey pony from before is hiding behind the dark pink mare.
Moon quickly thinking on her question turned fully towards her. Little did Moon know that her presence was now known by the entire town. "I-I was here in the stead of the Apple family. They unfortunately have too much to do today to attend any events today." She cleared her throat and began the next part of her explanation. "As for my current action, I was watching the children here play when this pony and the one behind you decided it right to disturb the peaceful banter with I assume to be harsh words or accusations. I understand whatever it was to be is not my business yet I didn't like to see frowns on these children's once happy faces." The dark pink pony's face immediately turned from unhappiness to strict disappointment and it wasn't directed at Moon it was directed at the two ponies whom started to disturb the peace. The one who was cowering glanced up at Moon and dashed behind her teacher thinking she'd be safe but little did she know she was out of the frying pan and into the oven.
"DiamondTiara and SilverSpoon you both will come with me inside where you will wait for recess to be over after school we will be having a talk with your parents. Miss Moon will you keep an eye on the children while I get in contact with the parents?" Moon simply nodded and sat down in the grass. "If anypony askes I asked you to watch them."
"Pardon my ignorance but I don't know your name." Moon said watching the teacher mare heading towards the schoolhouse.
"Cheerlie. I understand that you are NightmareMoon? Can I trust you to watch the children while I'm busy?" Cheerlie askes slowing down.
"I assure you they will not leave my sight, not for a single second. You have my word." Moon replied with an affirmative nod. Cheerlie smiled a nodded her head but the second her head turned to the children she was leading inside it turned less than friendly. The two fillies followed Cheerile inside the school house and the door closed quietly behind them.
Moon looked about the school yard to see the children slowly gathering around her. Looking at each fillie and colt as they approached she noticed there were fewer than she realized. One was quite smaller than the others and was white with a brown spot covering one eye, his flank, and on his back left hoof. She decided that it would be best if she started small so why not start with the smallest of the bunch.
"Hello there little colt." Moon craned her neck down to be eye level with him. "May I ask your name?" The little colt nodded a smile growing on his face. "Well then, what is your name?"
"The name is Pip, your highness." Moon was taken back at what the little colt said. "Don't you remember we met at Nightmare Night?" Pip continued, "Did ya forget?" The rest of the children snickered at the little colts expense. "What so funny? Isn't it Princess Luna?" The rest of the children except the group of three started laughing a bit louder.
Moon saw that Pip didn't know that there was a difference between herself and Princess Luna, and because of that he is getting ridiculed. "Actually Pip, I am not Princess Luna. My name is NightmareMoon. He knows now you may now silence your laughter, I don't think any of you would appreciate it if you were being laughed at because you mistook who somepony was." The laughter almost completely silenced when she turned her attention to the other children. "Now I would like to make all of your acquaintances one at a time with name and age please."
One at a time the kids filed in line until the last three came up. Moon had placed the children's names into her memory but these three were the most memorable. "Hiya, Miss Moon my name is AppleBloom and these are my friends." As AppleBloom points at each of them and they say their names accordingly. Pointing at the white unicorn with light pink and light purple hair she spoke up, "SweetieBelle." She then gestured to a pegasus with fuschia pink hair and an orange pelt to which replied, "Scootaloo," Then together they shouted at the top of their lungs, "AND WE ARE THE CUTIEMARK CUSADERS!!!"
Moon thought hard on what they just said and remembered the crusades of her day. So much discovery during those times. "So, you three are after your cutie marks?" The three nodded as Moon continued. "I would tell you how I got mine but it is a saddening story, but enough of me I'm glad to meet you all. I assume that..."
*DING DONG*
"I suppose that means you must go inside?" The children nodded with a few groans and began to head inside. Moon followed the children inside to find Cheerlie waiting for them.
"Thank you, Moon. I appreciate you keeping an eye on them." Cheerlie smiled and took attendance. "Moon, you are here for our history day correct?" Moon nodded and listened as Cheerlie continued. "I'm afraid that that event is tomorrow at noon... but I assume you could give your presentation today."
"Was I supposed to have a presentation prepared?" Moon asked to which Cheerlie nodded her head. "Unfortunately I'm not prepared in the least, but I will tell you a few old stories... Maybe some that haven't been heard in hundreds of years."
"What stories are they? I must know if they are age appropriate." Cheerlie interrupted voicing her concern.
"I was going to tell the story of how discord came to be..." As Moon said this Cheerlie's face went from skeptical to curious. Not even Cheerlie knew how discord came to be. "Is the subject alright?" Moon looked to Cheerlie for affirmation and got a nod in return. "Alright... It all started 3,000 years ago long before the reign of Celestia and Luna. Ponies were happy they traded and bardered for what they needed from one another, but one fateful day a pony named Draquise Cordious was traveling through uncharted land at the time. This uncharted land is now modern day Canterlot... Draquise being a curious pony did all he could to discover as much as he could about this new land before him. He sckowered the mountains and when he found nothing he decided to dig into the mountain." All the children and Cheerlie were listening closely as the story pressed on as Moon took a breath to continue. "Draquise, began to drill into the side of the mountain but unbeknownst to him this mountain was filled with ancient magic far greater than any had ever seen in that time. There inside the mountain lived an alicorn, the name of which has long since forgotten before the story has been told, greeted Draquise with hospitality. Draquise accepted the hospitality but he was full of greed... When the alicorn asked Draquise what he wanted for setting him free Draquise replied, "I wish to be a being like you." Draquise did not know that the alicorn was a being that is judged by his or her heart. The alicorn granted Draquise's wish in a flash of light all the greed resting in his heart mixed with all the magic that the alicorn had used in a very bad way... so bad that it was concidered to be chaotic. Draquise had become a Draconis what Discord is today... The alicorn was saddened by what his magic had done so to save Draquise from learning what he had become he turned him to stone. He sadly left Draquise where he stood as a stone statue hoping he would never be released, and that is how Discord came to be." The entire room was dead silent not a peep was heard until Cheerlie broke the silence.
"NightmareMoon, is that a true story?" She asked as the whole class stared at her awaiting the answer.
"Yes, it is 100% true..."
"Nightmare, would you mind coming here every once in a while to tell us more stories about the past? I'll pay you for coming each time. Just be sure to contact me so I can check my schedule so I can give you a date and time to come in."
"Are you offering me a job?" Cheerlie nodded with a smile on her face. "Well thank you Cheerlie, I appreciate it."
*DING DONG*
The school bell rang once again signaling the end of school and the children hurried our of the building all except for DiamondTiara and SilverSpoon. All the rest left with smiles and we're talking about the story they just heard. Moon took her time leaving walking slowly to overhear some of what the children were saying. All she heard was good things about her and her story. Moon walked back to the apple farm with a smile on her face and a spring in her step. She had such good news to tell Jayden.
"Jayden....? .... wake up..... Jayden wake up, please?" I hear a voice calling to me through my hazy sleep. "Jayden wake up." I feel myself being shook gently by somepony. I groan and open an eye to see a dark hoof pushing into me. "Jayden? Are you awake?" I reply with a shallow 'mhmm' and the voice continues. "I have wonderful news."
I sat up and rubbed my eyes opening them to look at the pony who interrupted my slumber. Thankfully it wasn't Applejack, telling me she had some work for me to do. "Wonderful news? Well then lets hear it." I say tiredly getting up and stretching myself even more awake. I was still sore but I ignored the searing in my muscles and put on a smile for her.
"I have acquired a job." I almost fell flat on my face until that strange force from before lifted me and put me back on my hooves. I look at her amazed, who knew she'd get a job within the first day. I really had to step it up tomorrow and find a job. If I didn't what kind of role model would I be?
"That's great Moon, what job did you get?" I ask shaking the surprise off my face and changing it back to a smile trying to cover my surprise as much as possible even though it was near impossible at this point.
"I work at the schoolhouse." She replied with a sharp smile. By sharp I mean her sharp teeth are showing and gleaming pearly white. Besides the fact her teeth being as sharp as razor blades she really does have nice teeth.
"The school? Okay, what job do you have? Teacher, Co-Teacher, Librarian, or maybe a teacher's aide?" My mind was going through all the possibilities of school jobs. Most of them were great, besides janitor, worst... Job... EVER! I couldn't keep my mind from wondering to her in a teacher's outfit.... I shook my head again to purge my mind of those dirty thoughts and slap them into a lockbox in my brain with a sign that says 'DO NOT OPEN EVER!' I turned my attention back to her when she replied.
"Well, I basically am a teacher, but I only come in on certain days." I could literally feel the lockbox in my head rattle for a second before she continued talking. "I was hoping we could celebrate..."
Celebrate? That sounds like a fantastic idea, but how to do it."Hmmmm, how to celebrate..." I though about it for a bit sitting down on the couch and rested my head on my hoof. "How about tomorrow we go into town and we look around for something you want to do? I'm not sure what we'll find but it's worth a look to find maybe a place to have a picnic if Granny is kind enough to whip us up somethin'. Sound ok?"
I guess my idea made her happy because her smile turned from a sharp one to a soft one with no teeth showing followed by a nod and a yes. I got up and looked outside it was late afternoon about 4:30 if I had to guess. "Do you want to scope out a place for the picnic?"
"Yes, I'd love to. Where should we start looking?" Moon replied almost immediately heading towards the door. "I do hope for a nice sunny spot with some shade from a tree... and maybe a game?" She asked stopping by the door.
"A game? Hmmm, I like games as much as anypony else so... what game?" I ask in reply to her question making my way towards her and opening the door for her.
"I thinking somewhere along the lines of a word game? Or maybe a game of secrets?" I for one liked the idea of a game like that however I really wouldn't like it if any of my secrets were accidentally overheard.
"Why don't we tell Twilight about your new employment. I bet she'd be surpized however I believe that if Celestia hears about it she'll flip." I couldn't help but smile as she did at Celestial flipping out over it. "I can picture it now, Celestial coming down from her chariot at the school a day when you there and when she sees you in front of children, teaching them things. I honestly would love to see the look on her face." Moon smile seemed to get a bit sharper as if she enjoyed the thought. We had made our way outside when we saw Twilight was actually helping AJ with the moving of some apples.
"Well, no better time then the present." Moon declared walking towards Twilight and AJ with confidence, more than I've ever seen. Could it be that maybe she's enjoying this too much? Possible... Too little, that's up for debate. I followed her a bit behind as to not interrupt her in her moment. "Twilight Sparkle, I have something I'd like you to be aware of so you may report my were abouts to Celestia, as I'm sure she is having you watch me." I wasnt close enough to hear what twilight said but both her and AJ stopped and listened to what she was about to say next. "I have acquired a job at the ponyville schoolhouse." I didn't even need to hear the other end of the conversation because Twilights mouth dropped open and AJ just plain stared at Moon with disbelief. The looks on both their faces was just to die for. I had to muffle my own laughter at their shocked and dumbfounded looks. "That is all I wanted to say have a absolutely wonderful day." After that she turned and made her way to me with a rather nice amount of pep in her step. "That felt soooo good..." she sighed in relief and gave me a smile. "Now let's get back to finding that picnic spot."
We then trotted our way around ponyville ignoring the mixed scared and nervous looks from mostly every pony as we passed. Moon didn't seem to be at all worried about it though. I assumed it didn't bother her that much because she couldn't wait to rub her victory in Celestia's face.
After a few hours of disagreeing on a spot for our picnic we finally decided on a place just outside Whitetail Woods near the Everfree Forest. She claimed the spot was perfect and I couldn't really complain all that much it was a nice spot. A lake in the center of a clearing under the shade of a large and sturdy oak tree that had violets, daisys, and marigolds scattered about making it quite a lovely scene so I couldn't, no wouldn't dare disagree with this. I had to admit it was perfect, just like her.