The need for food is a powerful motivator, it can drive ponies to do things they normally don’t want to do. At least, that is how I felt as I woke up to a complaining, empty stomach and find myself grudgingly pick my way to the dining room. With every step I curse mom and auntie as they have cancelled the room service I have grown fond of, saying, and I quote ‘You cannot lock yourself in your room. You need to socialize and show every pony that you are in fact trying to show you have changed.’ Yea, like they’ll be convinced I changed, it won’t matter what I do, they’ll always hate me.
‘You are right, why try when it will not change how others feel about you? Had you not screwed me over, you would not be in this dilemma in the first place, instead you would be sitting at my ride side, general of my army. You have no other pony to blame for this misery but yourself.’ The Remnants words, at least the final sentence, is nothing but one hundred percent truthful. However, that realization doesn’t make me feel any better as my tail drags limply across the floor while I hang my head with ears pinned against the back of my skull.
Somewhere in my walk through the corridors I find an open, but empty office with a clock facing the door and it’s only then I realize I’ve been asleep for almost fourteen hours, no wonder I’m so hungry.
Despite how late in the day it is the dining area is surprisingly occupied by quite a few ponies and as I enter the room goes deathly silent, all eyes on me as I notice there is a mixture of royal guard, lunar guard and bureaucrats of various stations gathered throughout the room. I don’t even try to hide how bad I am feeling as I find myself sitting alone at the high table, which is only reserved for the Princesses, which I am counted as according to mom and aunt Tia, much to the nobles’ dismay.
"Greetings Princess. I hope you're feeling better, I've heard about what happened yesterday." So deep in my self loathing that I failed to recognize that I’m being joined by four strangers. It takes me some time, but I soon recognize the lieutenant from the day before as she speaks up cheerily while sitting down across from me, flanked by three other guards. "By the way I’m Solar Blitz, Lieutenant Solar Blitz." This is the first time I got to get a good look at her, since I’m not being hurried and she isn’t wearing her armor. Her coat is a pure white with her mane and tail a bright yellow that almost matches the sun.
"I'm corporal Diamonds, pleasure to meet you." The earth stallion who is sitting on Solar’s right says first. He has a coat that is light grey, a few shades lighter than mine, with a short, black mane and tail. I barely avoid his light blue gaze while focusing on my plate.
"Hi, I'm private Rubyshine." The red unicorn stallion in the center says. His mane and tail are a pure white with a slender streak of bright red going through it.
"And I'm private Amber Rays. It’s good to finally get to know you." The pegasus mare happily greets from the furthest position from Solar. Her coat is an amber hue while her mane and tail are a bright yellow with a white streak.
As the rounds of introductions are made I just look at them in confusion while also trying to sound somewhat sociable even though I’d rather be left alone. “Why… why are you four here? Where are your armor and weapons?”
Before any of them can answer, a loud, familiar voice can be heard from nearby. “Well, when did aunt Celestia and aunt Luna start allowing criminals to eat amongst the nobility?” Sure enough, Prince Blueblood, my adopted, higher than thou cousin is sitting at the far right end of the table.
“You know, Blueblood, if I didn’t know any better, I would say you’re afraid. Afraid that with Moonshade around your influence and power base could be weaker than it already is. You know your claims of being Celestia’s nephew will only get you so far, right?” Solar says as she stares him down, which gets Blueblood to back down fairly easily.
With a sigh Solar sits down, smiling. "You know, he is cute. If it wasn't for his attitude I think he'd be buried up to his eyes in swooning mares eager to be with him." With a giggle she adds. "And I wouldn't mind being one of them, what do you think, Moon?"
"I'm... I… I don’t want to think about something like that right now. How did you know about what happened?" I finally speak up after a minute as our plates are placed quickly in front of us, the server bowing before me as she backs away. Either it was out of respect for my ‘position’ or respect for my mom and aunt, I have no clue, but it only serves to intensify my unease with my new… position.
"Well, we had to be informed, seeing as how we are your appointed personal body guards." Solar announces between bites, making me cough and choke as I look at her in shock. Why… why does she seem so… enthusiastic about this appointment? She should hate my guts for what I did to her and the other two members of her squad.
"W- who gave you that assignment? When?"
"Yesterday, by both Princess Celestia and Luna." Amber answers, seeing as how her commander’s mouth is full. She must be one of the newer members of the squad, I wonder if Solar or Diamonds have told these two about what happened last time we met.
"Though while you are gone and visiting Princess Twilight Sparkle, we won't have much to do. Which, is… to be honest, ok with us, we're due for some R and R." Diamonds finishes with a grin. “Hopefully you will have just as good a time as we plan on having.”
A slight, forced smile creases my muzzle as I push the food around my plate some, dreading the upcoming trip. "Yeah it's gonna be… fun." I doubt it. I wonder if I can hide myself at Twilight’s the whole time.
I quickly grow tired of being around my new bodyguards and their cheerful attitudes, so despite my nearly empty belly I barely eat the rest of my food before sighing, getting up from the table with a mumbled excuse. The four of them just watch me, a bit taken aback at my sudden leave and at my how miserable I must look as they join me while I amble back towards my room. The last sight I take in of the dining room is of Blueblood and his uppity sneer as he watches me leave.
By the time I’ve made it to my room the squad of four are actually a little worried at my silence and body posture during the trip. “Thanks, you’re dismissed.” The words are mumbled as I close the door, sighing as I start to pack, unsure of what I should bring. Eventually I settle on just a couple of my comforting stuffed dolls and a few other items that may be necessary. By the time I finish packing I notice a pair of visitors who must have been watching me the whole time. Without turning I can guess who they are. "Hey mom, aunt Tia."
"Excited for this opportunity, little Moon?" Mother asks tenderly as she watches me, I can tell she is a bit upset though tries to hide it behind a smile. She grasps a couple things that I pulled out but declined to add to the bags in her magic before adding them to my baggage.
"Not really mom, Just---” I feel myself deflate as I expel a sigh, trying to sound somewhat positive, but I can tell I failed epicly. “Scared. my last victims were killed in plain view in Ponyville. What if… what if they still hate me? What if they don't want me there? I know Twilight is well loved and a positive influence there, but… there's only so much her and her friends can smooth over. I don't want to cause them any problems by my mere presence." As I finish up bringing up my fears, I heavily fall onto the bed, my legs unable to support my weight. Again I can’t help but feel nothing but despair and the crushing but nearly constant weight of sadness.
"Don't fret little Moon, you underestimate my student's strength and the power of forgiveness. You were a different pony then." Celestia responds as I'm wrapped up in a tight a hug, surrounded by two bodies and four wings.
"We found this not too long ago in the ruins. We had to replace the chain, however. Do you remember it?" Mom asks as a locket is levitated in front of me, letting me get a good look at it before being placed around my neck. It is a golden locket made to look like the Solar Princess’ cutie mark with mom’s cutie mark inlaid in silver. The chain was sized so the locket would rest perfectly over my heart.
Out of reflex I open it up with my magic as the memory starts to come to me, tears filling my eyes. As the halves slowly spring open a soft melody begins to fill the room, a lullaby I haven't heard for a very long time. As the song continues to play I bury myself in mother's chest. "I- I somewhat remember. Y- you gave me this as a Hearth's Warming gift, didn’t you? Was… wasn’t this from my very first Hearth’s Warming? That’s what you told me back when I was five.”
After an hour of just laying there in the comforting embrace of mom and auntie I reluctantly strap my saddlebags on tightly and make my way to the courtyard, where the chariot is waiting for me.
Watching the ground as you walk requires skills, like being able to pay attention to what is coming up in your way, not spend it trying to sort the jumble of mess your thoughts have become, or you run the risk into running into some pony. Before I can apologize or even see who I bumped into the pony turns around, sneering at me.
"Humph, how dare you touch me, you filthy monster. I can not believe my aunt is allowing you to roam around the castle free and unsupervised. You can bet that I'll have the royal court override the decision and put you where you belong." Blueblood berates me once he notices who bumped into him. As he continues I can't help but cower, my ears pinning against my head as my belly brushes against the floor. "Hm, you don't deserve the title of 'princess' nor that crown, ‘cousin’."
Before he can walk off I notice Solar and her underlings rounding the corner, this time in full armor and in formation. Immediately she beelines towards the prince, anger hardening her features and voice once she spots me. "HOW DARE YOU TALK TO HER THAT WAY YOU LOW LIFE PIECE OF SCUM! CAN'T YOU SEE SHE'S SORRY AND REGRETS WHAT SHE DID?" She starts off, backing him against the wall in surprise as her nose scrunches hard against his as she yells.
"Watch your tone, lieutenant, and your manners unless you wish to throw your career away. Besides, she killed two of your fellow officers, you should hate her even more than I do. Why stand up for her?" He retorts after spending a couple of minutes to regain his composure. Her outburst, followed by his retort and her three subordinates surrounding me cause me to cower even more as she continues.
"You know as well as I do that she was being manipulated. If anyone is to blame it's the Nightmare forces, not her. Now IF you don't mind 'Prince', Princess Moonshade has an appointment and is running late." With an offered hoof she helps me up and gives a final annoyed glance back towards Blueblood and escorts me the rest of the way to the courtyard.
"Have fun, Moon. And please, take care of yourself." Mom says with a hug as I go to climb aboard the chariot. Must be mom’s, judging by the design, though the pegasi don’t really go with it.
Once I'm settled the pegasi attached to the chariot take off, speeding me towards my destination. Alone, I curl up on the floor and wait for the trip to end while fighting back the tears that are trying to escape. In a moment that seems both too long and at the same time to short, the lead guard announces our arrival in a few minutes. At his announcement I take a deep breath and work on composing myself, only partially succeeding.
"Moonshade, I'm glad that you were able to make it, I hope you had a good trip." Twilight greets warmly as I step off my ride, smiling happily as she leads me to her tree house. "I have so much planned for you these next three days, I can't wait." She must have been waiting out here for a while if I had to guess.
Stepping inside the building, dubbed Golden Oaks Library, I notice immediately that the place is dark. Out of reflex I begin to focus and a bunch of pings sing back, all of them clustered in the single room. A total of nine all together. "Oh, and Rarity will be waiting tomorrow to make your dress for this upcoming ceremony." She adds before I could question her about it.
"SUPRISE!" Multiple voices shout happily as we enter the threshold, the lights springing on to reveal a happily decorated room, a bowl of punch, games and snacks, to include cake and other sweets.
After the initial shock has passed I attempt to try and look happy, cracking a half smile as my head raised a little bit. Despite my attempt to appear happy I can't help but feel the emptiness inside me as it begins to grow and threatens to overwhelm.
"You… you didn't have to do this for me. I- I appreciate the thought though." The words barely stumble out as I look around, noting it is only Twilight, Spike, their friends along with Almond, Sunstreak and Lily. Despite the growing dread inside of me I fight the urge to run, not wanting to seem inconsiderate or rude.
"Oh don't be silly, you're a friend who's new here and in obvious need to be cheered up and there's no better way to cheer up a sady- wady friend than a ppaarrttyy!" Shouts the energetic Pinkie, a noise maker shoved into my mouth as a hat is placed on my head. With her signal the music begins and most of the ponies begin to dance or play games.
I do my best to socialize and join in the games, though it has an opposite effect than what the pink wonder had in mind. After some time I find myself reclusing into a corner as my socialization gets less and enthusiastic.
The party comes to a screeching halt as I stop socializing period and eighteen eyes turn yo face me, concern etched on their faces.
In that moment I can feel myself starting to panic as my breathing and heartbeat quicken while my vision blurs. "Moon? Are you ok?" A voice inquires. In my current state I can't tell who is asking my vision and the voice distorted.
I can feel my mouth moving but can't seem to form words, or if I am I can’t hear them. Something is immediately wrong, I don't know what exactly however. "Darling, please calm down." This voice sounds even more urgent and is the last thing I hear before darkness consumes me.