Moonbug - Author's Commentary and Extra Notes

On the 2nd of May, 2020, a few of us at the Fimfiction Discord server tinkered around with a Shipping Generator - the May 2020 Pairing Contest had just begun, and we were throwing ideas around to see which one sticks.

I got Luna and Pharynx at one point. I thought it might work. I had, after all, written a scene with the two of them for the story SPECTRUM (check that out, by the way It’s a fantastic story).

An hour later, I had set up the document for the story, henceforth titled Moonbug. 11 days later, the story was complete, and published on the 18th, becoming my first ever featured story.

This commentary outlines the thought process that went on behind this tale of a gardener and a soldier.

Please note that I’m not actually reposting the entire story here. I simply wish to highlight a few (well, more than a few) moments, and the thought that went through behind them. Some details do pop up now than before, in hindsight, and this is why I thought it important, now that it’s out, to sit down and reflect upon it.

I acknowledge that some scenes do speak for themselves, and do not necessarily need explaining. If I do so for scenes that you thought didn’t need one, my bad . I intended for Moonbug to be a story that, for all of its direct style of prose, still hint at so much going on beneath than what it appears to be.

Alternative interpretations are very much welcome, of course . And I hope this commentary’s insight enhances, not ruins, your reading of the story afterwards.

Once more with clarity, as the TV Tropes would say.

Without further ado, let’s begin;

---

Diplomacy was never quite Princess Luna’s forte. How could it be, when usually her sister’s words were enough to placate dignitaries.

Thankfully she knew just enough about manners to be cordial to the Changeling King beside her. Even if he wasn’t quite the most welcome distraction, as his unexpected arrival at Canterlot Castle, in the early morning hours, had interrupted her usual gardening.

From her behavior in the comics as well as “A Royal Problem”, I came to the conclusion that Luna is a bad diplomat, something that pops up in SPECTRUM as well. A little further down - right after this, actually, one can note that the purposes of Thorax’s diplomatic visit, save for one line from him, is never actually mentioned once throughout the story.

It’s Celestia’s job to deal with diplomacy, after all. Luna wouldn’t care past formality, and thus, it didn’t linger in her mind.

“Phew, that’s a relief,” replied Thorax. “Actually I did say that… earlier so, sorry for that, too. And… thanks, for, well, holding the door open.”

“It’s no trouble. And you may call me Luna, Thorax,” Luna said, smiling.

Friendship!

“Right, right,” said Thorax sheepishly. He looked around, his gaze panning over the many lavender pots that hung on the castle windows. “You did a lot of work tonight.”

“As I do, most nights,” Luna said with pride.

 

While she is a far cry from Nightmare Moon, well, Luna craves attention, I feel, and she’s quite receptive to compliments. Something “A Royal Problem” showed was that she felt her work was neglected, and as such, any compliment would stick with her, really.

“Well, I am feeling a little sleepy, so I guess they do,” agreed Thorax, and he sniffed the air. “It’s really nice. Mmm, maybe we should have these up in the Hive, too, but no one really knows where to get lavender. Or how to take care of them.” 

“Is that an invitation?” Luna’s ears perked up. “Oh, pardon my forwardness, I mean, well, I cannot be away from Canterlot for too long, but… I may be able to spare some time to teach your gardeners.”

A few things, right here. First, lavender sooths and makes one feel sleepy. Thorax, who spends time dealing with the stress of the Hive, would definitely appreciate it. Secondly, Luna (who wouldn’t pass up an opportunity to de-stress either, and to both bless the Changelings with a pleasant sight, but also to show-off) drives Moonbug’s plot. She has a personal goal to achieve, throughout this tale, not necessarily tied with others.

I should mention Thorax also has a little storyline of his own, though one needs to look very closely. Luna doesn’t notice it, or if she did, she doesn’t ponder it too much - everyone has a story of their own. In any case, those flowers would come in handy much later for him.

They parted ways with a nod and a hoofshake. Luna turned to leave, levitating her watering can by her, to pour water on the pots she passed.

Her newfound friend hadn’t noticed her giddy smile as she hummed a tune to herself, skipping happily along the way.

She does love it when people notice her and her stuff, of course.

Many knew the Princess of the Night as an astronomer, and that was true. She liked her telescope and star-charts very much. But fewer still knew of her gardening, for she only put the flowers up after she had ensured the Moon had risen for the night, and most within the castle were asleep. The only ones in the know were the local florist down the road from Canterlot Castle, and the old castle gardener who’d retired since the Wedding Invasion, as well as some of the castle’s servants on graveyard-shift.

Gardening, I felt, gave her something that isn’t inherently tied to her work with the night, while also still being a hobby she can indulge in conjunction with her duties. Also, another call back to “A Royal Problem”, naturally - hardly anyone has had the time to see her lavender.

Then there was her sister, who had come to appreciate her flowers, once Starlight had lent her unusual help one eventful week. Lastly there was Starlight herself, who’d found it sufficiently calming to privately ask for a pot to call her own after her stay.

I know Starlight’s potted companion isn’t lavender, but I thought it’d be nice to hint at her deciding to pick up Phyllis later down the line, by indicating an interest in plants.

Then she turned around a corner, coming across a lone Changeling. And Princess Luna froze where she stood. The Changeling did not look very friendly at all, with his furrowed brows, withering glare, and sharp, prominent fangs.

Thorax and his ilk were bright and colourful. This one was not. 

He was the spitting image of any faceless drone, one of many that had assaulted Canterlot. His chitin was black, his legs filled with holes like the Changeling Queen herself. His wings were purple, and his fins red in colour, and a blue-metal helmet was attached to his head. Perhaps a guard for Thorax.

Gave Pharynx a helmet, because he is officially bodyguarding Thorax. Like any good brother would. I’d also contemplated mentioning how Luna was captured by Changelings, in “To Where and Back Again”, but a counterpoint would be that the Canterlot Wedding was a much more prominent event. The takeover in Season 6 was covert. Nevertheless, I consider it somewhat an oversight in my part.

He didn’t seem to notice her approach, too busy glaring at the lavender pots hanging by the window. He reached out and bit into the flowers, and tore them from the pot.

Luna dropped her watering can.

“Excuse me?!” she exclaimed, her voice shrill.

There it is, the moment the story truly began, and the base premise. See, I thought it was hilarious how Pharynx is perfectly, completely serious when he does his… well, plant-trashing ways. With reasoning that… kind of makes sense? From his point of view, anyway.

She maintained what she hoped was her best, most polite smile. The strain on her mouth told her otherwise, as did her clenched teeth. The Changeling turned, frowning.

“May I ask... what are you doing?”

His large, purple eyes met her own.

Luna still has trouble with appearances, naturally. But a small detail here is that Luna notices his eyes. It’s part of my personal touch that, while physical appearances can vary, eyes can be familiar to plenty of different creatures.

The closest thing to a universal standard of beauty, perhaps.

“I’m inspecting these plants,” he said, dismissively. Luna’s eyes darted down quickly to the torn lavender, their petals laying in a sad little pile. “They are a safety hazard.”

Luna raised an eyebrow, and her smile faded. “And…” she said, choosing her words carefully. “How do my lavenders pose a threat to this… diplomatic visit?”

“What? Not the flowers themselves, of course, don’t be stupid,” the Changeling lectured. “Your enemies can hide in them. You should probably remove them immediately.”

Pharynx doesn’t mince words. And, case in point regarding sincerity. This was exactly his reasoning in “To Change a Changeling”, too.

For a Changeling, he’s honest, and true to himself. Kind of like his brother.

“Pharynx!” he said, and he wiped a cold sweat from his brow. He puffed up his chest a little. “That’s no way to treat our hosts’ decoration. We’re here to make them comfortable, remember?”

Changelings still are viewed warily in the eyes of ponykind. This is also the one time the goals of Thorax’s visit is mentioned. The rest of the boring details, that’s Celestia’s job.

“I’ll make sure of it, Luna,” Thorax agreed, with a few hurried nods. “I just wish he’d listen more. He does this a lot at the Hive, too.”

Luna looked at him, aghast.

“Truly?” she said. “Everyday?”

“Yeah, and every kind of flower! You should see it. Or maybe not, not when he’s doing his… thing. He stomps and, uh, hisses and growls and kicks holes in the walls…”

She looked at the hallway Pharynx had disappeared off to. No scattered pots yet, at least, but she harrumphed nonetheless. She looked back at Thorax, but upon seeing his puppydog eyes, relented on assigning a Royal Guard to Pharynx.

Who can resist Thorax when he’s being adorable?

* * * * *

But Thorax did not, in fact, make sure of it.

Over that whole week, three times did Luna rise in the evening, put on her gardening hat, and head downstairs. The second and third times, she saw her lavender pots scattered on the floor, throughout the hallways, and then she’d drop her watering can. And both times, she’d stomp a hoof upon the floor, huff and mutter, and readjusted her pots.

‘This won’t do. At all. That little fiend!’ she thought, with gritted teeth.

None in the castle heard her grumble ancient curses and words quite unfit for polite company, all the way to her room. There, Luna climbed onto her bed, and promptly flopped down onto her pillow with a loud groan.

Luna, when no one’s looking, is quite the expressive mare.

Her glance fell upon her gardening book, upon the nightstand. Fourth edition. A gift from Twilight Sparkle, once the bookworm had learned of her outdated gardening techniques. And Luna was going to ask her if she could borrow a newer copy.

I wished to convey that Twilight still keeps in touch with Luna after “Luna Eclipsed”, and though the latter is busy, they do try to make time and keep a friendship going.

* * * * *

“My gift for you both, friend Thorax,” said Luna. “I understand these past few days have been… quite the experience, for you and your brother, and the Changeling Hive is not Canterlot.”

“Oh, you shouldn’t, Princess, but thank you!” Thorax replied humbly, looking at the cover in awe. “We still have a lot to learn back at the Hive. Isn’t that right, Pharynx?”

His brother snorted. Thorax shook his head.

“He’ll come around,” said  Thorax. “H,e uh… he’s trying, I promise.”

See, Pharynx is much calmer here than he is at the Hive - call it irony, but he’s actually making an attempt to be diplomatic to the Princesses.

Starlight and Trixie aren’t officials.

She glanced at Celestia, who nodded at her. She took a deep breath. 

“As I’ve said, Thorax,” said Luna. “Do not worry. Know that you and your people are always welcome here in Equestria.”

Luna remembers the goals of the visit, despite it being mentioned once,  so at least she also tries to be diplomatic to an extent.

“Don’t worry,” Thorax said hurriedly. “Pharynx has something to say, actually. An apology.”

“Don’t be ridiculous,” Pharynx said, grumpily. “This is merely doing our hosts a favour, with some useful advice.”

Pharynx isn’t the most polite nor sentimental of people, but he’s well-intentioned. True, he’s harsh and blunt and everything that isn’t quite nice, especially when we see him in his debut episode. But I thought there was more to him, this inherent trait of him being driven to do what’s necessary without mincing words.

Still a jerk though.

He looked up at Luna. “You have a pest problem, Princess.”

“Pest problem?”

He reached down into the crate next to him,, and lifted out a small metal cage. In it, there was a little opossum, his eyes wide with fear, his little paws clutching his tail against his body, and strands of grey fur lying scattered on the cage.

“... T-Tiberius?” Luna gasped out.

“Is that what they’re called? I captured this one, that’s how I broke the third pot. Nasty little rat, but I got it, alright,” said Pharynx proudly, with a toothy grin. “You can get rid of him yourself, it would be your honour.”

Luna threw the book at him.

Tiberius should have been introduced in the show. He’s adorable, and adds so much to Luna.

And, as I’ve just mentioned, Pharynx is well-intentioned, but still a bit of a jerk. Luna, meanwhile, is understandably upset, and promptly goes overboard.

Admittedly, this one scene here had me consider tagging this as comedy, but, hey, it’s just one scene!

* * * * *

“You were lucky I caught it in time, Luna,” said Celestia, quite seriously, a few hours later. “It wouldn’t have been pleasant. You could have at least stayed to explain a few things. The fourth edition, really! You know how thick that one is.”

Her sister’s room, large and spacious and filled with comfortable, if excessively large, fluffy white pillows, did not comfort Luna much. After the incident, she’d marched off with Tiberius, seething, and went to Celestia’s room, where she awaited her sister’s arrival.

Luna groaned. 

“But you did explain–”

Celestia raised a hoof.

“Luna,” said Celestia. “We do not throw books at guests.”

She paused, her expression softening.

“And they shouldn’t ruin your flowers, either, that is true,” she added, her tone gentler still. “Or trap your pets.”

Tiberius, resting on her side of the coffee table, shuddered. Luna stroked his back, hearing him purr with satisfaction, and sighed.

“I suppose I should apologise, then.”

“And he should too,” Celestia said. “I told Thorax that as well. To be fair, he said Pharynx did stop it after the second night.”

The aftermath. This was actually one of the scenes I took some time in carefully crafting. Luna is upset, and rightfully so at Pharynx’s rudeness. But attempting physical harm, had the book actually hit Pharynx with the force of an alicorn, it wouldn’t be funny then, and Celestia knows it.

Repercussions of an action should always be addressed. That’s what makes a comedy tasteful.

But Celestia does acknowledge that Pharynx is also at fault here, and sympathises with her sister, and actually listens to her without dismissing her worries and reasoning.

“Well, Pharynx is back at the Hive, I believe. He didn't want to go with Thorax in visiting Ponyville. A little too 'soft' sounding a place he said. And… well, you know how he doesn’t like to go out much.”

Luna scoffed. 

“But you said the Dragon Lord is coming as well,” Luna said, frowning. Changelings and dragons weren't known to get along… or know one another, really. “I was not aware of any other diplomatic visit.”

“To Ponyville? Yes,” said Celestia, laughing softly. “Now isn’t that something to see…”

“Triple Threat” wasn’t the best episode for Spike, but it’s also the last time we see him and Thorax together, unfortunately. It also had an excellent dynamic established between Thorax and Ember, sharing their worries and providing mutual advice.

Something Celestia (who, of course, would have been informed by Twilight of Ember’s visit, and aware that Spike had also invited Thorax from what the latter told her in the past week) thought might be amusing. She knows when to nudge the right people together at the right time.

“No,” said Luna, harrumphing. “I shall show him the right way, if he won’t accept my apology.”

She looked around, gears turning like clockwork in her head. It was the perfect plan. Now, to carry it out. If he did not understand gardening the way she did, then she would have to show it herself.  Then…

“Tia, where is my book?”

Luna is not Celestia, and so, prefers a more hands (hoof?)-on approach. In her mind, it would indeed be better if she just showed them the right way to garden.

This is also Celestia’s only speaking appearance and last appearance, period. She’s here to provide Luna with some advice, but Luna has her own agenda. This is Luna’s tale, and she’s an active protagonist in her own right. Yes, she does suggest Celestia

This is an overarching theme for Moonbug, that Luna and Pharynx (though they share some thematic connections, as the ‘dark’ one to their gentler siblings) do not need to be tied to their siblings, or have said connection and similarities spoken about between themselves. This story is about them, and each other.

* * * * *

“Ah, Luna?” Thorax said. “Are you sure about all this? It’s only, um, a week or two, right?”

Luna looked back at her cart. Watering cans, rakes and shears, compost and even a sunshade net lay neatly arranged there. With her horn, she lifted the tarp covering half of it, and saw Tiberius fast asleep upon a pile of seed bags, with his little hat laying a little ajar.

“Yes, Thorax. But it does depends on how long I decide to stay– my sister can handle my absence for some time. I shall return here often in the following months. A garden does not bloom easily. It must be nurtured. If I am to expect any further visits from you and your brother to Canterlot, then I ought to show him, and your Hive, the art of gardening.”

Luna is very serious about her hobby. Fun fact, the stay at the Hive was supposed to be only a week or two, making Moonbug a week long. But I decided to actually look up the time needed for lavender to grow - so naturally, I had to make some adjustments.

“Well, if you want, I could ask him to stay…”

“That is fine as well,” said Luna. She patted him on the back. “But you and I both know he will follow you anyway.”

“Of course he will,” said Thorax, shaking his head.

Pharynx is, after all, assertive and protective. Of course he’d ignore his brother if it meant protecting him.

“Siblings, always the same,” Luna said, with a mirthful chuckle. “And of course, this is to show your Hive as well, lest he plant the wrong ideas in your grubs and nymphs.”

Luna knows a caring sibling when she sees one. Also, she couldn’t resist the pun.

“Where is your brother?”

“Ah, he’s still busy, you know. Wanted to do a little more for the Hive now that he’s stopped with the kicking and the grumbling. Mostly.”

“Oh,” said Luna. “What came over him?”

“Well, it’s a long story. Starlight and Trixie helped out with him, right before you visited and… I guess he sort of changed his mind? You’ll know when you see him.”

“... Very well, then,” said Luna, still unsure. “Pity, I was hoping I would change his mind myself.”

I wished to weave this as closely to canon as possible. Is it a shortcut, for Pharynx’s development? Maybe. But I didn’t want to undo Starlight and Trixie’s help or their episode.

This is also a recurring theme - while Luna has a story, it isn’t just the only story. Life goes on elsewhere, and though no other named character outside of Luna, Pharynx, Celestia, Thorax and Tiberius appear physically, their impact is still felt nonetheless. That’s just life.

* * * * *

She went to work not long after that, after having settled in one of the various nooks and crannies closest to the peak of the Hive, with just enough to make herself at home. A coffee table, a telescope, her sleeping bag and food and all her bulbs and seeds and other such gardening supplies within her reach, all covered beneath a hanging tarp. And a little home for Tiberius too, in the form of a miniature tent.

Like her sister, Luna can be quite informal and down to earth.

But she was still a stranger to them, and despite Thorax’s wholehearted encouragements, she was a touch crestfallen still, when many returned to their business upon learning that the flowers’ growth was accelerated by her earthpony side, and flowers grown by a Changeling would take months instead.

Earthponies are underrated, and an alicorn’s earthpony side is rarely, if ever, pointed out.

As a matter of fact, it’s why she’s good in gardening, after all - and yet another reason why I’m still a little surprised Luna-as-a-gardener isn’t a common headcanon.

So there Luna was, three days after it had all begun, resigned to trimming the weed still rampant, and the wildflowers still needed plenty of arrangements. And a familiar pain had begun to surface once more, though she weathered it with Tiberius’ company – and he was helping her the best he could, raking away some stray leaves with his own little rake. In these early morning hours, few Changelings were about, for most of the adults were out supervising the nymphs playing outside the Hive, and the few that remained tended to the grubs.

Save for one.

Once more, Luna likes it when people give her attention and appreciation. It’s not something that can go away easily.

* * * * *

The first thought Luna had was that this one was a stranger, only another. But few Changelings roamed alone, and none had followed this one’s trail. The second one, of course, was how much had changed with him in so little time, yet enough was left in his tall, imposing form to leave Luna with little doubt.

“You look different,” said Luna at last, having taken a good few seconds to take in the sight. She put her watering can down, and tipped her hat in acknowledgement.

Where once he was just another drone, whose bug-eyes would look up to her with a stern glare, Pharynx now stood tall enough to look at her, eye to eye, elegant, and more tranquil in the ways Chrysalis’ Changelings were not. He resembled his brother much more closely now, though his shade of green was darker than Thorax’s bright lime-green.

A prince indeed.

I wanted to strike a balance between physical and emotion here. We already know what Pharynx looks like, and I didn’t want to spell that out. So, the focus is on what his appearance gives off to Luna.

“Guess I do,” said Pharynx dismissively. His voice was still as grouchy as she had heard it the first time around, and Luna held back a snicker. “I... uh, decided to get on with the times.”

Luna nodded, and briefly, a certain Nightmare Night passed her mind – and the thought of Pharynx trying to fit in with the Royal Canterlot Voice brought a laugh.

She doesn’t share it now (nor does she need to say it out loud, later on), but she does compare herself to him.

Tiberius squeaked in approval. Pharynx’s only reply was a contemptuous snort, and a slight incline of his head. He looked around the garden, or what was already planted of it, and already he wore the telltale scowl of an officer inspecting their barracks.

Pharynx still doesn’t think much of ‘pests’.

Privately, she wondered how he might have compared to Shining Armor’s training. Or Chrysalis’ methods, for that matter. Somehow, Luna pictured her lounging on her dark throne, her back legs rested upon Pharynx’s back as a footstool.

Perhaps his grouchiness had something to do with that.

Well, maybe Chrysalis did, maybe she didn’t. But it’s still quite the image, isn’t it?

“You don’t seem very angry,” said Pharynx.

“Pardon?”

“You threw a book at me,” he pointed out. And Luna chuckled. 

“It was meant as a gift, and I presume you still have it. But, I do apologise, Pharynx. That was unbecoming of me.”

She raised her watering can. “Gardening cools the mind, and I no longer hold much in the way of grudges,” Luna replied, waving him off. “You know the old stories, Pharynx, and I hardly wish to let myself be consumed by resentment once more. All is forgiven.”

This is not the Luna that lamented her failure as Nightmare Moon, from Seasons 2-5. She has already moved on past that, and come into her own.

A pause. Pharynx seemed hesitant to speak his own apology, his purple eyes narrowing in something between a suspicious glare, and a curious stare. But Luna did not mind. She returned to her flowers.

“Actually no, I don’t even know the old stories. They’re old,” Pharynx said. “Chrysalis never told us anything. Just what we needed for the Hive.”

Chrysalis deliberately held back the Changelings in more ways than food supply. Also, Luna notices his eyes again, subconsciously, and Pharynx isn’t quite there yet to admit where he was wrong. He still thinks he doesn’t need to apologise, naturally, seeing how in his view, it was a misguided favor.

Still rough, but mildly less so.

“I still don’t know what the point of this is,” he said gruffly, shaking his head. “It’s just sunshine and pretty little flowers with you ponies.”

‘Ah, still the same old Pharynx, I see.’

Case in point. And Pharynx doesn’t quite get it yet that sometimes, it’s the journey, not the destination.

“That is precisely the point,” Luna replied coolly. “It is calming, and pleasant to look at, much better than that grotesque look your home used to have. And the aroma of lavender welcomes your sleep, and makes for better nights.”

“It’s nauseating, is what it is,” said Pharynx. He sniffed the air. “Look, it even smells like lavender already.”

“Is everything nauseating to you?” said Luna. “These flowers take time to grow, so nice try, Pharynx, but I shall continue as I please. I’m sure your brother understands.”

Pharynx, while he does get stressed, is a guard and a soldier. Of course he’d think it’s an unnecessary distraction when he’s trying to stay awake in the night.

As for the scent of lavender that Luna can’t smell, but Pharynx can, well, Luna does love her garden.

* * * * *

It had been the first time Luna visited the Changeling Hive. Neither would it be the last. Days had turned to weeks, and she had done enough and told a few intrepid nymphs about gardening, and they would tell their families too, on and on.

For the most part, it remained a pleasant stay. She tended to her garden, putting up pots and planting seeds, all the while she watched the Hive move on without much care for her presence. She did not mind. She was an outsider, and if they could live with her around, that was enough. There were many questions from the children and even the adults to keep her entertained and keep her thoughts flowing and fresh.

Luna is a friend to all children. And here, after the initial pain, she does muster enough will to move on from the initial feeling of being neglected. She isn’t the same mare as she was one thousand years ago.

Often, though, from the corner of her eyes, and warned by little Tiberius’ warning squeaks, she would turn around in time to glimpse purple eyes and dark green chitin for a split second, before they blended into the greenery.

Again with the purple eyes, Luna. Something caught your eye?

Pharynx can’t help but keep an eye on her, of course, just in case. And though I deliberately refrained from showing his point of view, he has his reasons.

And when she did return to the Hive, on the first day of summer, she was greeted with the sight of daffodils and dandelions, and even her lavender, with enough pots that remained. There were a few broken pots, overgrown flowers, and weeds, but none too concerning.

‘Good,’ Luna thought, having exchanged her greetings with Thorax, a few of the children, and of course, some of the prospective gardeners. ‘One last matter to deal with, I suppose.’

With Tiberius safely perched atop her hat, and her shear and watering can held ready, she went ahead, and turned round the corner to her personal garden.

And who else to await her there, if not Pharynx.

Case in point. 

* * * * *

“Why are you here?” Luna asked, raising an eyebrow. 

“Well, I thought you might come here,” said Pharynx, nudging her watering can. He stood between her and her flower bed. “Guess I was right.”

A moment’s hesitation passed. Then Luna lowered her gardening shears, realising she’d raised them in alarm.

“What? You think I’ll let you grow more of these lavenders?” Pharynx continued. “Not on my watch.”

Luna stared at him for a good few seconds.

“Right,” she said at last. “I presume that explains why you took my lavender bulbs?”

Pharynx merely huffed.

They’re both assertive in personality, but still cordial, and polite. They’re adults.

“Come with me,” he said, turning around. “Got somethin’ to show you.”

He turned to leave, through a side entrance Luna wasn’t sure was there before. She glanced at the lavender, and Tiberius hopped off to give it a look as well.

And not a lavender was out of place, though a little sullen without her tender care.

How very odd.

Much as Pharynx prefers not to see more lavender, Luna’s quite assertive, too. And, of course, he isn’t the same, grouchy little drone. That Pharynx would have trashed everything at this point.

Luna stopped in her tracks, as Pharynx went on and waved a hoof to present his own sanctuary. She saw plenty of roses.

Yes, roses. Pink roses blooming from bushes so large and overgrown she had mistaken them for weeds, their many leaves covering the walls of this part of the hive. Roses with thorns so large and sharp they seemed unnatural. Roses that, against all sense, smelled quite… wonderful, to her nose. She took one sniff of the air, and it brought her memories of that old garden she had once tended to in the Castle of the Two Sisters.

The Damask rose is renowned for its fine fragrance. I took some liberties here in how big it gets, for in-story reasons soon to be explained a little further down.

Also, Luna’s been a gardener for some time.

Nevertheless, those memories faded quickly enough, for this grove was still overgrown and thorny and everything that wasn’t very pleasant, and her first instinct was to ask, ‘What have you done?’

But naturally, Luna had wanted the Hive to have their own gardeners. And everyone had to start from somewhere.

Thus, after a second thought, what did come out of her mouth was, “What’s all this?”

Some further development for Luna. She’s certainly trying to be diplomatic, heh.

“Roses, obviously,” said Pharynx. “I thought you would know.”

“Rosebushes do not usually grow this big. Where did you get them?”

“It doesn’t matter, but no, I didn’t steal these from you.”

“They are pink. You don’t even like bright colours.”

“Hey, they’re the closest ones I got, alright? It’s not like I even have any options. And your roses weren’t even pink!”

Luna has certainly taken notice of his preferences, over the months.

“They’re… very sharp. You must’ve used too much fertiliser. Industrial-grade stuff, too, for goodness’ sake.”

“Why’d you bring them, then? It’s just what I needed.”

“But, they weren’t for the flowers!” Luna protested. “I was offering them to Thorax, so that he may grow crops, too.”

“We don’t eat plants.”

“Crops to sell.”

“Huh, okay then. Well, I use ‘em because my flowers have a use,” Pharynx replied, shaking his head. “If you want this Hive to look pretty, then it’d better be safe too. That’s why I got to work once that book of yours told me what roses can do.”

Banter! In any case, Pharynx does begrudgingly admit flowers have a use, quite indirectly. Except, naturally, he has different priorities in mind. 

“No, I don’t.”

“Yes, you do,” Luna pressed on. “You don’t want your Hive’s grubs and nymphs to prick themselves.”

“That’s the point! It teaches them,” Pharynx retorted. “Makes ‘em sharper, less squishy. A little bit more careful.”

“You are not very fond of children, are you, Pharynx.”

Birds of a feather. Beneath their mysterious or rough exterior (respectively), they do care.

“Hey, just because I don’t coddle them, doesn’t mean I hate ‘em, Princess, and not everyone can just walk into dreams and fix their nightmares for ‘em.” 

Luna raised an eyebrow.

“I... thought you hadn’t read the old stories.”

Pharynx looked away from her.

“Yeah well,” he said. “I had to read up on my own. Gotta find out for myself, don’t I? Thorax gets busy enough with his ‘bedtime stories’ for the grubs.”

Pharynx isn’t dumb, of course. Now with the Hive being free from Chrysalis’ repression, well, time to catch up.

That’s what he tells himself. We all know the real reason why. Do note him changing the subject

“And you, my good sir,” she continued. “You wouldn’t be able to protect the hive if these bushes prevent you from leaving too. That giant spider-monster-whatever-it-is form of yours, now wouldn’t that be an inconvenience for it, hm? Wouldn’t you want to deal with a maulwurf before it reaches the Hive?”

Luna withdrew her hoof, waiting for any sort of response. Pharynx’s stern glare remained, yet, even as Luna contemplated it, something did stir behind his eyes. At last he relented.

“Fine,” he said. “Here, give me the shears.”

He cares. It just takes time to get to him, but he isn’t stubborn for the sake of being stubborn.

“Is something the matter?”

“I… uh… don’t know how to do this.”

Gruff and tough, but also, he knows his limits.

“But no more of your lavender,” he added quickly. “Bah, it still smells, and everyone here needs a clear mind.”

“Brave of you to presume you can command me. Nay, Pharynx,” Luna retorted, smirking. “I have my corner, and you shall have yours, and no garden will last without their caretaker’s guidance.”

With a wing, she pointed towards the overgrown bush before them. She expected him to stomp out then, grumbling as he usually did, and to go out there and beat up a maulwurf or two to let off some steam, and turn her down after all.

Instead, he settled for a scoff.

“Oho, is that a challenge?” said Pharynx, with a smirk to match Luna’s. “Challenge accepted.”

Banter! And progress.

* * * * *

The challenge did happen, and over the warm summer months, the Hive’s garden grew larger. 

It had started with their lavender and roses, in one little corner of the Hive, and Luna’s scattered lavender pots and other such flowers. But it went on, and on. Pharynx had not wished to let her lavender be so widespread as to overshadow his work, and Luna thought the same of his rosebush and hedgerows.

Now, Luna, for one, wasn’t quite sure what it was in the end, or if it even was a challenge. For as much as she and Pharynx told the other that this was a competition, neither he nor her seemed determined to shape it as such. 

May the best garden win, they told the other. Neither had bothered to figure out just what determined the best.

Each of them settled into a routine of their own, over three months. Luna would come whenever she could, and tend to her garden as usual. Nothing much changed in that regard. Except, of course, the fact that she wasn’t quite alone as she used to be, for in that routine, she would take the time to visit the rosebushes.

And there, she was not alone.

At first, they had simply settled to tending to their own corners, with only the gentle sounds of water dripping onto leaves, or shears cutting through weeds to provide ambience. Then, when the summer days grew longer and longer still, what else could Luna do but steal glances at his work, as he did hers.

And yet Luna did not mind, as such. Company was company. Pharynx was no fussy companion. He would be away, for long periods at a time, even as Luna continued with her work. And when he returned, grumbling and irritated and all around resigned by his fellow guards of the Hive, Luna would nod and perk up her ears upon hearing his tales of maulwurfs and tatzelwurms and other nasty creatures lurking outside in the Badlands.

Some nights, he would burst into the garden, groaning and wincing, with his chitin cracked. Which was an inconvenience, no matter how much he insisted it wasn’t. And he would stagger and curse and lean against the wall, cursing his duty, or renew his vow to protect, until Luna offered him a wing draped over his withers and a few words of comfort.

Other nights, Luna would sulk in the corner, grumbling about the unjust nightmares that befell ponies, children most of all, innocent and unaware of life’s hard truths. Some had nightmares whose experiences reflected their troubles in the real world, and she would weep for those who could not escape so easily. She would ramble for a long time, but she would always give her thanks to Pharynx, who sat awkwardly by her side until she'd finished.

And what else could they do, if not listen to one another, and provide some trims and water to the garden, when the other could not.

Sometimes, all you need is someone who’s there for you.

While they share a gardening hobby, I wanted to show that, while they are close, and getting closer still, they still have their personal agenda, separate from one another. They have their own lives.

Conversely, they’ll always be there to listen.

* * * * *

Comparatively, I won’t be pointing out every detail in this entire scene, as I think it speaks for itself for our two main characters.

“I don’t get it, Luna,” he repeated. “Dunno why… I just had a thought. What’s the point of all this?” He shook his head. “What’s the point of you doing this? You’ve got a whole castle to command. You have an entire realm only you can control. So why do you even do this?”

He pointed towards a rose. Regrettably, they had both missed it until now. The flower was all wilted and decayed.

“You’re old. You’re going to outlive every bug in this Hive,” he said plainly. “Why do you even bother to have anything to do with us, or anyone, or every flower you ever planted? Why do you even wear a gardening hat? It’s night-time.”

Pharynx doesn’t mince words, as always. Also, it was at this exact moment that I thought about yes, why does Luna wear a gardening hat?

I didn’t get to explain it here, but it’s simple enough to mention, really. She wants to fit in, and everyone knows gardeners have hats.

“Lie down with me,” Luna said, patting the space nearby. Pharynx obliged, while she took off her gardening hat, too, laying it down before her. “And tell me, Pharynx. What troubles you so, after all this time?”

Whether it’s the children, or a close friend, Luna is someone who listens and offers friendly advice. That is her duty, after all.

“My sister thinks of herself as a teacher,” said Luna. She chuckled. “She’d have done a better job at teaching you how to trim properly, when we got started.”

“But you said you were fine with it,” Pharynx protested.

Luna winced. “I wanted to be nice. And they are fine as it is now, not to worry. But… she is a better teacher than I am. And I? I am but a gardener. I watch over Equestria and let ponies blossom with their dreams, quelling their nightmares when I’m needed. Is that not what a gardener does, to let their flowers bloom?”

The moment speaks for itself, as plenty have remarked, and mentioned in the comments. But I’m taking an aside to say that, well, I’m surprised this isn’t a common a headcanon as I think it is. And should be, if I do say so myself.

“From your perspective, they don’t last very long, do they,” he said blandly. “You said these would last a good ten years. That’s a blink of an eye for you.”

“You are quite astute,” agreed Luna. “I have outlived many over the centuries. As I will outlive you, and this Hive of yours. But I wish to see the flowers bloom here, too. And they will bring you joy, as I feel when I see my ponies, and your Changelings, live their happiest lives.”

“So it’s a reminder,” Pharynx surmised. To which Luna nodded.

Deep down, Pharynx too wants to know if it’s all worth the effort. 

“That it is, for me, at the very least,” said Luna. She poked him with a feather. “And what does it bring you?”

He did not answer at first, choosing to keep pawing at the ground. He used his injured hoof, wincing and cringing upon every touch of the dirt. Yet when Luna reached out for it, he recoiled.

“A distraction,” he said, looking into Luna’s eyes as he said so.

You know who he’s really talking about. 

“What will you remember, Pharynx?” asked Luna.

“I’ll remember this.”

Luna smiled. And so did he.

I could go on all day, outlining every detail of this intimate scene between two people who found a companion in one another, two people who found someone who’s there for them.

But I think I’ll let the entire scene speak for itself, as well as this final line

* * * * *

“And thank you for your help, Princess Luna,” said Thorax, with his ever-friendly smile. “I just wish we could come, but we’ve got another meeting with the dragons first. Dragon Lord Ember told me she’s looking forward to seeing the flowers. Although she gets… allergic. I think.”

“A dragon’s sneeze is not to be trifled with. Now, the Friendship Festival is open to all, as my friend Princess Twilight has assured me,” Luna replied. “And you and your brother would be very welcome, no matter how late you are.”

Both Luna and Thorax are aware of the romantic connotation of flowers. Pharynx, like the oblivious goof he is at certain points, is not. Also, why, yes, I ship Ember and Thorax .

And there you have Thorax’s minuscule subplot. He appears in more scenes than Celestia, but he still has his own business to deal with.

“I see where you get all your mushy stuff from,” Pharynx said dryly. “Couldn’t she have named it something better?”

If something has ‘friendship’ in it, it’s probably Twilight’s idea. Food for thought, and I’m kicking myself for only thinking about it now; Pharynx probably refused to come to Ponyville because… well, the moment he hears the name ‘Castle of Friendship’, he’s out.

“Here,” he said. “You can have your book back.”

After a moment’s pause, setting aside the little flutter in her chest, Luna shook her head.

“Keep it, Pharynx,” she said, pushing it back, with a smile. “Did I not tell you already that it is yours to keep? My gift, to you and your brother.”

“But… do I really have to share this?”

“I’d love it if you did,” Luna replied. She knew, from the grumble and the sigh Pharynx let out, and the glee in Thorax’s smile, that he would indeed share it.

I admit, this is a little on the telling side compared to most of the story, but, well, I do hope Pharynx’s begrudging agreement to Luna’s wishes should also cover the showing side of it, heh.

“Same goes with the Hive,” replied Thorax, accompanied by a nod from Pharynx. “Goodbye, Luna. And tell Spike, and Celestia, and Cadance, and Twilight, and… okay, everyone I guess, we said ‘hi’.”

It’s easy to forget that Spike was the first friend he ever made, given that it’s more common these days to see stories pairing Ember and Thorax, or to have Thorax spend time with Pharynx and Ocellus.

* * * * *

Or it would have, had things not taken a turn for the worse when the Storm King and his servants came to pay Canterlot a visit. And they had come prepared. When Luna and Celestia and Cadance took their stand and fought, it ended in stone for the three of them.

This is the biggest liberty I’ve taken for canon. They deserved a longer fight - Luna especially, but that’s just my Luna bias showing, hah!

She was never sure if it had all taken a day, or a few days. Amongst the Bearers of Harmony, the pink one could be so enthusiastic in her storytelling – she, and her new hippogriff friend.

I still don’t know how long the movie took.

Of course, where there was joy, there was also sorrow, as it often goes. And for Luna, that sorrow came in the form of her ruined garden.

The Storm King’s occupation of Canterlot Castle had not been kind to it. The flowers were crushed, trampled and burnt. Their leaves were strewn about, even the ornamental fountain had been shattered. Although Twilight had restored most of Canterlot with the power of the Sun and Moon, none could bring back Luna’s ruined plants.

You can’t bring back the dead.

* * * * *

“You got busy.”

Luna stopped watering her new, tiny rosebush, and turned to face her guest.

“You’re late,” Luna said. “And what brings you here to Canterlot, Pharynx?”

Time to start anew with her garden, and what better way to do it indeed, if not by paying tribute to her new companion.

“I thought I might visit you.”

“How touching,” said Luna, sincerely. “I was beginning to wonder if you’ve forgotten me.”

“You? Never,” Pharynx said.

This is the closest they did get to openly flirting. They are, after all, quite formal and cordial with one another - even if Pharynx is rough around the edges. Have to keep it consistent, heh.

Also, ‘I’ll remember this’.

“Also, uh…” He tapped a hoof on the grassy ground. “I’m… sorry.”

Blinking, Luna tilted her head, slightly. “Whatever for?” she asked. “I forgave you a long time ago. The garden we grew together is apology enough.”

“Not to you,” Pharynx clarified. He pointed a hoof at her head – and Luna’s eyes darted up to where Tiberius was now, perched upon her hat. “Him.”

He sighed.

“Look. I’m sorry I called you a pest… um… Tiberius. And I’m sorry I put you in a cage.”

“Ah, I see...” Luna replied. “Do you forgive him, Tiberius?”

A happy squeak was all the answer she needed.

One last loose end to tie up.

Thus Luna’s gaze returned to Pharynx, taking in the sight of him. He looked much as she remembered him, tall and dark and imposing, yet also a warm and welcome presence. His eyes met with hers.

But then her gaze looked down towards his hooves. The chitin was cracked, moreso than usual.

“Are you alright?” She frowned. “Your hooves...”

“I’m good,” said Pharynx dismissively. “C’mon, got somethin’ to show you,” he added, beckoning her to follow.

A nod to most of their previous scenes together, if a little out of order.

“Told Thorax I was coming with him. He had that… bleh, School of Friendship to visit, so might as well offer to carry their stuff for them. You would not believe how much Ocellus talks when it’s just him and me on the way here. Anyway, yeah. You wouldn’t mind if we stay for a week, right?”

And this at long last, wraps up the continuity details. To wit, I based the timeline off the ‘My Little Chronology’ project, and Moonbug is, in order, written with the events of “Triple Threat”, “To Change a Changeling”, My Little Pony: The Movie, and “School Daze, Part One” happening in the background, while the episode “A Royal Problem” is set around Season 6 instead as per the My Little Chronology project.

Side note, Luna has a conspicuously reduced presence in Season 8, and so does Pharynx - with Moonbug  and their budding romance in mind, well…

“I thought you hated lavender,” Luna replied, more a statement than a question.

“Psh, I did. Wanted to get rid of 'em at first. So I guess I'm sorry for that, as well,”  said Pharynx. “But that'd be a waste of time. So, no, I don't hate ‘em. Not when it’s you.”

Luna’s heart skipped a beat.

“Me?” she asked, looking back at him. Pharynx rolled his eyes.

“What, you think I didn’t notice?” he said, with that playful smirk of his. “Everyone has their love-scent. Yours is lavender.” He sniffed the air. “See? I smell it right now. Don’t think you ponies can smell ‘em, but I can tell you it’s stronger and better than your flowers.”

People tend to make exceptions for people they care very much about. And this is, in an indirect way, the closest Pharynx gets to saying “I love you” to Luna. Even if he didn’t even consciously think so.

It’s tricky to write characters who aren’t normally very sentimental in the lovey-dovey way and whatnot, but it’s also quite fun coming up with ways they might express it, I must say

An awkward pause hung in the air. Many things passed Luna’s head then. Of her lavenders, of her gardening in the castle and at the Hive. The little trims Pharynx did on her behalf, showing off his new skills, whenever she missed a few spots on the hedges and rosebushes. The rare smile he shared with her when she had regaled tales of old beneath the moonlit sky. The little flutter that had grown larger in her chest.

Few words formed in her throat. And fewer conclusions still. Dreams were easier to weave. Her thoughts were not. Best to clear them up, though.

“Hah! Got you blushing,” Pharynx grinned. “Told you it’s lavender. Didn’t believe me now, did ya?”

She settled for an awkward cough, and a quick flap of her wings to clear the air.

I confess that I do think this is a little on the telling side, and weaker than their intimate talk in their garden. But Luna and Pharynx, on the other hand, developed their feelings more quietly than other, more expressive people, in their own ways. And when the realisation hits, of course, it does not stop easily. Therein lights the spark.

That being said, Pharynx, like the gruff and tough fellow he is, is still an oblivious dingus.

“Ahem, Pharynx, dear,” said Luna sweetly at last. “You do know what flowers are for, of course?”

“Aromatherapy and decorations, yeah. And protection,” said Pharynx, chuckling. “Why?”

“Anything else?”

“Nah, pretty sure that was it, Luna,” came the clueless reply.

Luna rolled her eyes. “Very well,” she said. “Then let me teach you another lesson.”

She leaned forward, closing the small gap between them, and planted a kiss on his cheek.

The ship is sailing, full steam ahead. A little less grand than many romantic conclusions, but, well, Pharynx has never been the most overly affectionate – and what does that say about Luna, to understand him well enough that a full blown kiss might be too much? And I do hope it works well enough

Luna calls him dear at last. And the very last word Pharynx says in the story, naturally, is Luna’s name

“They are the traditional gifts to fair maidens,” said Luna, parting from the kiss. Pharynx said nothing; his eyes had widened, and he stood still like a statue would. “Now aren’t you quite the gentlecolt, to bring a whole garden.”

She winked at him.

Giving Luna flowers is both a grand, and a simple, straightforward gesture. There’s no need for Pharynx to jump over the finish line when he’s so close to crossing it anyway.

“Thank you,” she said. “They are very pretty, Pharynx, and you should be proud of them… I know I am. Come then! We have a long week ahead, and so much to do.” 

Then Luna tugged at him, and that smirk of his had returned. Right then and there she knew he would follow her, carrying the flowers with her, on a long walk down the entrance hall, where they would talk for hours and hours about the art of gardening and roses and lavender, siblings and duties, old mare’s tales and so, so much more.

Yes, it would be a very pleasant week.

A date it shall be. And thus concludes Moonbug.

---

When it comes to pairing two characters whom we rarely, if ever, see paired, I am of the belief that it’s absolutely crucial that these two characters have a connecting thread, whether it be something that they do have before they ever met one another, or something that’s built upon as the story goes on. Really, though, it’s something that should always be kept in mind when playing two characters off one another in stories that focus on the two of them.

Sometimes, this connecting thread may be something that’s quite obvious. But other times, it’s something that isn’t seen at first glance. Luna and Pharynx, as my good friend VoxAdam mentioned, are two siblings that contrast greatly with their older/younger sibling. They are the ‘dark’ to their ‘light’ sibling, someone more rough around the edges, compared to their more overtly compassionate sibling.

With Moonbug, however, I wanted to explore both their characters independently of their siblings. As close as Luna and Pharynx are to Celestia and Thorax, this story is not about their contrast with the latter two. This is not a story about Celestia’s sister or Thorax’s brother. This is a story about Luna and Pharynx, two guardians who work behind the scenes and besides their siblings - Pharynx with his patrols, Luna with her realm.

And even then, it still needs a catalyst. Something that brings them together, as it were. 

Now, let’s get some things out of the way first. Princess Luna is, hands down, my favourite character from Friendship is Magic, as plenty of my friends (looking at you, Team Spectrum) are aware, and I will not hesitate to tell anyone, here included, why she’s great. It’s difficult to articulate why I adore her so much, and it’ll shift the focus of this blog if I don’t hold back - so, in short, she’s flawed, she’s kind, adorable, compelling and all around fun character to write!

Pharynx is relatively new, compared to old fandom favourites, but he’s since grown on me as a rough and tough, but deep down caring sort of character, who doesn’t care about how others might perceive his actions so long as his actions are for the betterment of his family, and it was fun writing him as well. 

Luna as a gardener is a headcanon I’ve had ever since I saw her in “A Royal Problem”, where she puts up her lavender around the castle. Pharynx disliking plants is something a little more overt, as per “To Change a Changeling”, which frankly I thought was the most hilarious part of the episode. Just look at him go, tearing down plants, with reasoning that, in his mind, made sense.

As an aside, I also wanted to write a Luna who has moved on past her time as Nightmare Moon. Sure, it’s still mentioned here and there. But Luna, in Moonbug, is at peace, and her time as Nightmare Moon no longer troubles her as much as it did in “Do Princesses Dream of Magic Sheep”. Having her let go of this dark time of her, while still remembering it in some ways, allows her to be her, and opened up interesting avenues.

One thing leads to another, and lo and behold, the first scene of Moonbug, where Luna sees her beloved lavender being torn to shreds by this upstart little drone.

Another thing I set out to achieve was to write a ‘complete’ story - start, middle, end, with plenty of happenings as it goes. Slice of life stories tend to focus on one extended moment, and that’s fine! With Moonbug, however, I wished to tell a story that goes beyond, and expands on said moment in time.

This is related to the fact that, apart from Celestia, Thorax and Tiberius, and our two leads, no other character actually makes a physical appearance. A bit disconnected from my point, as it appears, but bear with me here.

Now, emphasis on physical. These offscreen characters do still play a role in Moonbug, and they have their own stories, too. Twilight, Starlight, Trixie, Queen Chrysalis, the Storm King, Ocellus - they may not appear directly, but their stories and actions touch upon Luna and Pharynx, from Twilight’s book as a gift to Luna, to Ocellus’ first trip to the School of Friendship giving Pharynx an excuse to visit Luna. Even Spike and Ember play a role, related to what Thorax is up to when he heads off to Ponyville, and later, his plans to show the Hive’s gardens to Ember. But this one is, as they say, another story for another time.

Because that’s what life is. Stories that play off one another, and contribute in small ways to another’s tale, even if the players aren’t aware of it. Luna and Pharynx’s story goes on regardless of the world around them, and vice versa. While Moonbug focuses on these two, I wished to convey the feeling of a bigger world.

This is reflected on Luna and Pharynx. Romance is a hard sell by itself because you’re essentially trying to convince people that two characters like one another. Pairing two rarely paired characters is an even harder sales pitch. Here, a problem I wished to avoid with Moonbug is the feeling that the world revolves around the romantic leads and their romance alone, at the expense of their personalities.

This is why Luna would have gone to the Hive, regardless of her meeting Pharynx or not. Meeting Pharynx simply added another layer to her motivation in visiting because, ultimately, she wishes to give the Changelings as a whole something nice. Conversely, Pharynx also has his own duties to tend to, separate from Luna, even after he grows closer to her. 

As for their romance, it’s a tricky thing to handle. Some parts of the story are ‘tell’ over ‘show’, I admit, perhaps even in some parts I missed in the review up there. Thus, with Luna and Pharynx, I went for the essentials and emphasised them through the little things in life  companionship, most of all. Theirs isn’t a tale filled with overt drama or grand gestures - which is fine, don’t get me wrong, but not what Moonbug is about. As I’ve mentioned above, sometimes all you need or want, is someone who’s there for you, and someone you can intimately trust to share your deepest worries.

Whether or not you think the romance works, well, I do hope you’ve all found Moonbug to be a pleasant, comforting read, akin to an afternoon walk, or a gardening session in a warm summer evening

Have a lovely day!

~Sledge

P.S.

I had weighed my options for a title; Moonbug, or Bugs and Lavenders. I went with Moonbug because, well, it’s simple, distinct, easy to remember, and it has a dual meaning - Luna and Pharynx, and the fact that for the first half of the story, Pharynx is bugging Luna

P.P.S.

Written before the May 2020 Pairing Contest results were announced.