Chapter 14: "Moonlit Melody."
A newfound confidence was emanating from Daring as she strode through the halls of the palace. She couldn't decide if she should just leave and go tell her friends that, thanks to her father, she had finally discovered the location of Atlantis...
Or if she should try out her new talisman against Moonbeam.
Part of her felt that if she could somehow manage to defeat Moonbeam here and now, then that would be it. The world would be saved and she wouldn't have to worry about anyone misusing the magic of Atlantis anymore.
But, of course, Daring knew better. It didn't matter if it was Moonbeam, or some other nameless evil out there, as long as the Black Magic Of Atlantis continued to exist, then there would always be somepony out there wanting to use it, thinking they can control it, and the world would never be truly safe from it.
She had already decided she was going to destroy it. And Moonbeam was not going to stop her this time.
Canterlot Palace Ballroom
The gala was in full swing now, as ponies danced the night away along the freshly polished ballroom floor. This made it quite easy for Daring to make her way through the crowd and to the exit to the main lobby. She was almost there.
When she spotted Moonbeam talking with her henchponies in the hall. Their voices were tuned down to barely audible whispers, as Daring hid swiftly behind the door, being sure to keep out of sight as she listened to them speak. Or rather, Moonbeam spoke. Her henchponies listened.
"You're sure everything is in place?" Moonbeam asked, with a slightly threatening tone.
The portly henchpony in front of her nodded. "Yes, mistress, everything's exactly the way you wanted it set up."
"And our friend, Daring?"
The thinner henchpony looked almost scared to answer. "We haven't seen her just yet, mistress."
"Well find her!" Moonbeam snapped. "I don't want her ruining this for me, or my organization." Moonbeam turned and looked into the ballroom, as if expecting Daring to jump out at any moment. She narrowed her eyes. "Whatever she's here for, I know it isn't for this pathetic little party Celestia and her sister throw every year. She came for something about Atlantis. And if she's gotten it..."
Moonbeam turned back to her henchponies, an evil smile cracked across her pretty face. "Then obviously we can't let her leave, now can we?"
The portly henchpony shrugged. "Well yeah, of course. Then she would find Atlantis before us, right?"
Moonbeam rolled her almond shaped eyes. "It was a rhetorical question, you lummox." she said like a teacher correcting a grammar weak student in school.
"Rheto-what now?"
"Just get in there and find her! Now!" Moonbeam yelled. Her henchponies instantly scrambled into the ballroom, causing Daring to lean a little further back into her hiding spot, before she peaked out again.
Moonbeam sighed to herself, before she walked up the stairs to the higher parts of the Royal Castle, and out of sight.
Daring quietly came out from behind the door and let her eyes shift from inside the ballroom, to the stairs Moonbeam had just climbed. What should she do? She had to get back to her friends, but...now Moonbeam was looking for her. More than that she was planning on doing something at the gala. And Daring knew it was something bad.
Her mind raced as Daring struggled to come up with the best thing for her to do. But a voice behind her caught her by surprise.
"Is everything alright?"It asked sincerely.
Daring whirled around, half expecting Moonbeam or one of her henchponies. But the pony standing before her was neither of the two.
"I...uh.." was all Daring managed to say, for her mind had gone blank.
Princess Luna looked concerned at the young Pegasus in front of her, who was clearly worried about something. But she seemed to be tongue tied at the moment. Perhaps she had startled the poor mare.
"Forgive me if I alarmed you. I was just wondering what you were doing out here by yourself, instead of enjoying the festivities with all of us." Luna said with a kind smile and even kinder eyes that sparkled like a moonless, star filled night.
Unfortunately, Daring's ability to speak still refused to work at the moment. She hadn't expected to see the princesses again, let alone actually have a conversation with one of them. But then something occurred to her...
Maybe this could be a good thing. If Luna knew about Moonbeam and Celestia's history, then maybe she could help her. Tell her about Moonbeam's past, or even warn her sister and the other ponies about Moonbeam's plans. But where should she start?
Daring thought it best to start, by actually saying words.
"Oh, no I- I'm sorry I just came out here to, well, to see somepony." Daring said calmly.
"Oh? Are they still out here?" asked Luna, looking around, and seeing no one.
"Well, um..." Daring was failing miserably. She had never had to speak to anyone as important as Princess Luna before. And she decided, that it would be best to just come clean. She had no time to waste anyway.
Daring took a breath. "Princess Luna? Do you know anypony named Moonbeam?" she asked curtly.
Luna blinked for a moment, as if to quickly process the question, before answering. "I do indeed. Is she a friend of yours?"Luna asked, with a barely noticeable lilt of suspicion in her voice.
But Daring didn't care. She wasn't about to lie to Princess Luna. She needed help, and for that, Luna had to know everything she could tell her. Daring looked Luna in the eye. "No, Princess Luna, she isn't. In fact, she's no-pony's friend at all. She's an evil and wicked unicorn whose planning to overthrow you, Celestia and the rest of Equestria once she finds Atlantis and uses the Black Magic Of Atlantis to take over everything alongside her organization of evil Dark magic using unicorns. I don't know what she's doing at this party, but I know it isn't good. I need to stop whatever she's planning, but I need help. Please, Princess Luna, can you help me?"
By the time Daring finished explaining everything, she was nearly out of breath, and was expecting the worst. Would Luna call the guards and have her thrown out? Maybe ask if she needs mental help? Or maybe she would just plain laugh about all of it.
But Luna simply closed her eyes and spoke in a grave tone. "I see...so Moonbeam still hasn't changed her ways."
Daring was NOT expecting this answer from Luna. "Um...huh?"
Princess Luna put a hoof to her muzzle. "Not here. Follow me to my chambers, we can talk more there." With that Luna hurried up the stairs on her wings, with a bewildered Daring Do following close behind.
Princess Luna's Chambers
Luna's bed chambers had a calming yet dark tone to it. It was a majestic kaleidoscope of deep blues and evening purples that carried in them a sort of enchanting feeling of laying under the stars.
Luna's large crescent moon shaped bed sat near the window, which was opened to the night sky, that perfectly matched the star filled ceiling above Daring. She watched in amazement as the stars on the ceiling twinkled and shined, in what could've been the exact same way the stars outside were.
The room was illuminated by three moon like orbs which hung without support on curled vine like poles. They hovered and shimmered in their places, as bright as small moons, as Luna quickly used her magic to close the window and doors, locking them tightly in the process.
Daring couldn't help but feel she was in trouble. (A feeling she knew far, far too well) as Luna removed a book from her shelf. "I'm deeply sorry for anything Moonbeam has done, Ms. Do. This is all of my fault." Luna said solemnly, turning the pages of the book.
Now Daring was really confused. "Sorry? What do you have to be sorry for, Princess Luna? wait...you know who I am?" Daring asked genuinely surprised.
Luna chuckled a bit. "We both did. It's not hard to notice somepony who feels they shouldn't be here in a crowd."
"Then...why did you let me in?"
Luna turned to Daring and smiled. "Because we were willing to let it slide this once. What right did we have to keep you from enjoying yourself?"
Luna's smile suddenly faded again. "Only, because of Moonbeam and myself, you couldn't do that could you?"
Daring raised an eyebrow. "Why do you keep blaming yourself Princess Luna? Do you know Moonbeam from the past or something?"
Luna sighed and shut her eyes. "If only it was that simple. No Ms. Do. I know Moonbeam very well...
Because she was once my student."