Luna's Apprentice

by ScientistTrixie


A Chariot Trip

“Check her room again.”

“At once, Night Mother..” Quickshot snapped off a salute as he turned and trotted into the castle, quickly disappearing from view. As the thud of his horse shoes faded away, Luna turned her attention to the various ponies in the courtyard below. The servants trotted back and forth as they readied her personal chariot, some setting up the harnesses, while others cleaned the interior.

Unlike the chariot she used during her bout to Ponyville’s Nightmare Night, this chariot was a long range chariot, built with comfort in mind rather then speed. The sleek chariot was half and again longer then her local chariot, with a small area for cargo below it. There was evena small section at the back of the chariot for two extra Pegasi to sit so her guards could swap out as the pullers. Unlike her normal chariot, this chariot also came equipped with a large enclosed area to keep the wind off the occupants. Some of the richer nobles of Canterlot had similar chariots, although not as… ornate.

Servants were busy strapping various bits of luggage and necessities to the bottom of the chariot in the cargo hold, and a single servant was stocking up on the refreshments in the seating area as she watched. The only thing missing at this point was her apprentice. She had been reported entering the courtyard sometime after midnight, but her guards had failed to see the mare since. Considering she had use of a powerful Invisibility spell, that was not exactly surprising.

“Do you think I should cancel the trip?” Luna asked hesitantly, half whispering to the bat mare at her side. The mare turned amber eyes on her for a moment appraisingly before shaking her head.

“No Night Mother. This trip will do both of you some good, so I would not recommend it. Trixie will show up, she is… just having some last minute doubts.” Duskfall reassured her, ignoring the very real possibility the mare had done a runner.. Again.

The pair lingered for several moments, each reluctant to voice their doubts. Just as Luna opened her mouth to call out for her travel companions to begin unpacking, one of the servants let out a shout.

“What’s wrong?” Luna called out, leaping over the balcony as she extended her wings into a slow glide. As she approached the chariot, a stallion stepped out of the seating area of the chariot, dripping wet with two empties glasses in his aura.

“My apologies, your highness.” The stallion responded, bowing his head low as his horn flashed. The moisture in his fur flowed off of him into a sphere of liquid that floated beside him. “I was in the middle of pouring wine for your trip when..” He looked back into the chariot and sighed. “Your apprentice startled me.”

Luna had to stop herself from rushing forward, only a slight forward bob giving way to the fact she had nearly bolted into the chariot. “I quite understand. Thank you.” She waited while the stallion bobbed his head before trotting off, before making a beeline into the chariots main area. A small, at least compared to an alicorn, cerulean mare was curled up in one of the back chairs, her cloak nestled over her as a makeshift blanket.

Luna waited for a moment, relief filling her chest as she gazed at the peacefully sleeping unicorn. She smiled gently as she poured herself a glass of water, and drew some of the heat from the glass. The top of the water quickly frosted over as it was levitated into the air. She turned her attention back to the unicorn, just in time to see the glass tip over end and pour onto the mare.

“WHAT IN TARTARUS!” Trixie screamed, jolting awake as the ice water soaked into her fur. “What in the heck was that for!” Trixie demanded, scrubbing at her muzzle to get the warmth back.

“For scaring me!” Luna thundered, her voice nearly a growl as she glared at her student. “You have made such a habit of running off, that I assumed you had vanished on me again!” She stared at Trixie as she looked down, halfheartedly rubbing at her damp fur as she avoided Luna’s stare. The alicorn rolled her eyes and lit her horn, causing the liquid to steam off the mare, warming her instantly.

“I didn’t mean to scare anyone.. I couldn’t sleep last night, so I came to the courtyard to see how we were going to be traveling.. I sat down and kind of got lost in thought.. and fell asleep.” Trixie explained halfheartedly. Luna’s frown slipped from her face, recognizing the troubled expression on her face quite easily.

“I do understand being nervous Trixie. It has been years since you’ve seen your mother, but surely it will not be as bad as you are thinking?” Luna said hesitantly, cocking her head.

“I’m just not sure. I hope you're right Luna, but I just won’t know until we are already there..” Trixie explained, avoiding her gaze as she peered outside. “Speaking of, are we ready to go yet?”

“I will go and check.” Luna trotted to the doorway, slowing at the entrance as she glanced backwards. “I am sorry I poured water on you, I was a bit upset. Forgiven?” Luna asked, cheeks flushed in embarrassment. She smiled guiltily as Trixie looked to her, a gentle smile on the unicorns face.

“Nope.”

“Good. I’m gl- What?” Luna exclaimed, startled as she did a double take to her student. “What do you mean nope?”

“I mean nope. I will get you back for that, and you will not even know when it is going to happen.” Trixie said smugly, grinning as Luna huffed and snapped her tail to the side as she exited the chariot. Trixie giggled to herself as she picked up her cloak and twisted it around herself to be secured around her neck where it belonged. A moment later, her teacher re-entered the chariot, appearing to be in a slightly better mood then moments before.

“We will be departing in just a moment. The trip should take about 6 hours, so we will be arriving right between lunch and dinner. As such, there are several snacks aboard and you may eat them at your leisure.” She trotted into the chariot and sunk her flank into the large padded chair, a happy grin on her muzzle as she levitated an apple over to herself.

“Thank you stewardess. Can you tell Princess Luna I am ready to leave as soon as she arrives? Chop chop now!” Trixie exclaimed, clopping her hooves together in a faux snobbish manner.

She allowed a loud giggle to escape her mouth at the deadpan glare directed her way from the lunar princess. Before long, the princess was giggling along to, and the pair were chatting about this and that as Trixie tried to avoid dwelling on the upcoming confrontation.