//------------------------------// // Chapter Ten // Story: Mother Moon, Daughter Nightmare // by ShadowStar_IMHP //------------------------------// Luna watches her daughter head to the toys. “you sure it be alright? I would not wish to burden you on your first day.” Peppermint smiles “We be fine she’s not the first filly I have taken care of. Look she’s already playing.” Luna smiled seeing the purple filly putting the toys in neat rows. “Interesting, she’s more organized then I would have thought.” “Every foal is different I heard of one filly who ran away from home to stay the night in the library. It’s part of the fun of watching them grow.” He tilts his head “Hmm almost like she lining them up like an army.” Shakes his head. “I better be going. fair thee well Peppermint Heart.” She looks over to Nightshade “Behave yourself Nightshade.” The little filly started walking back and forth in front of the toys paying no attention to Luna or Peppermint Heart. Luna struggled with her feelings, on one hoof this filly hasn’t been in her life for very long. On the other, she found the idea of leaving her even for a few hours hard. “You better get going the other Princesses will be waiting.” “oh ... yes. Thank you Peppermint Heart.” She then left the chambers and headed for the main gate. At the gate, Cadence was once again showing that rare leadership side of her nature. “Okay, this is a girls' night out so I want the guards to give us space. Second, the point of this is to mingle with the common ponies. The Club Arcane has some of the best bouncers around let them do the job they are hired to do. So no royal guards inside... that includes you as well Shiny.” “But... Cadence all three of you without an escort?” Shining Armor asks dressed in his Captain's uniform. “Mixer and his crew have it covered. Heck half of the bouncers in the place either served or are serving as Royal Guards as well.” She looks to Celestia “When was the last time you mingled with the common pony? Not one of the Galas, or Nobles, but normal working ponies? And no your school doesn’t count.” Celestia's face dropped as she tried to think of such a time. “Hmm... I believe there was a grand opening of the Mare Statue in Manehatten. The facehoof Cadence gave herself was audible even to Luna as she approached. “Isn’t that statue fifty years old now?” Luna asks as she came into the conversation range. “Has it been that long?” Celestia scratched her head as Cadence shook hers. “Besides that, I do believe grand openings count as ceremonial events. Perhaps we both needed this time to socialize with the common pony.” “I’m so glad I stuck with public schools when I arrived here in Canterlot.” Cadence shook her head and started walking in the direction of the Club. “Now a little about Night Club Etiquette. We have the advantage of being on the guest list so we don’t have to wait in line. However, we want to be respectful to those that do have to wait. The Bouncers will be looking for those who show up just to meet us. Others show up regularly just for the fun. We don’t have to worry about photos the Club Arcane is a no Photographing establishment.” “Once inside we walk around the dance floor, no cutting through the dancers even if they part for us. Third, we tip our servers at least one bit per drink ordered. Arcane pays well but we also want to be seen as generous. Once we get our drinks don’t leave it alone. Always have someone watch it for you when you leave the table or take it with you if you can.” “Why the last rule about our drinks?” Luna asks indeed curious about this rule. “Even in a nice place like Club Arcane, there is always a chance some crooked Pony will try to slip some drug into our drinks.” “Is that a regular problem?” Celestia looked worried as she thought about the implications. “Not at the Arcane, I have heard it happen in some other locations. Like I said before the Club’s bouncers are highly trained and even Guard trained. Still, it best to be in the habit of keeping track of your drinks.” Soon the group made its way to the nightclub. The building was in the shopping district near the School for Gifted Unicorns. “This is very near my school,” Celestia stated as the three approached the door. The guards that followed them spread out as ordered to let the Princesses have their time. “Why do you think it’s called the Club Arcane. The owners wanted to attract the older students of the school.” Unlike the marble white exterior, the interior was dark blues and grays. A smile to Luna’s lips as she took in the decorations. Mystical symbols were glowing on the walls with no true order or magic, pure decorations. The most fun was the entrance where strange colored lights made Celestia and most of the other ponies glow. “What are these strange lights?” “Those are Black Lights they are only in the entrance. It’s fun to see how they change shades of ponies!” Cadence prances as they entered the main chamber. “SURPRISE! Wait ... you knew this was a party so it couldn’t be a surprise party. Oh, I know the surprise is me. You didn’t know I was going to be here.” Pinky Pie says as she bounces up and down before the three princesses. “Welcome to the party Princesses! Oh!” With a flash of pink, she zips to the DJ booth. “She is a very hyper pony isn’t she,” Luna says looking to the blue-maned pony with shades handing a mic over to Pinky. “Greetings every pony! The guests of honor have arrived first is the Pony that got this party started! Princess Mi Amore Cadenza or as she prefers Princess Cadence!” Once Pinkie announced her arrival Cadence stepped forward and makes a bow. “Next to the Princess that head and withers above us all, and I mean that literally. Princess Celestia!” Celestia bows and replays “Please my little Ponies for tonight it’s just Celestia.” “Last but not least the mare who this party is for! The original astrologer, she who puts the night in nightlife! Stomp your hooves for Princess Luna!” Luna blushed a little as the crowd of ponies stomped their hooves and cheered. “Okay DJ Pon Three lay down some beats and let us get this party started!” With that, the pink party pony vanished in a blast of confetti and laser lights. Dubstep music begins playing as groups of ponies move onto the dance floor to party. Guided by Cadence the three princesses head to the bar. Luna was overwhelmed by the Club Arcane. High above pegasus dance and fly in the air. Along the walls were platforms where some pegasus stand with vests labeled Bouncer watched the activities. Support beams were also resting locations for various peguses couples. A number were being more open in showing affection then Luna was accustom to. One pair were grooming each other in public such scandal would never happen a thousand years ago. All this shock was nothing compared to the entity behind the bar counter. He was lean in the body like many pegasuses, a blue-gray coat, and nearly blood red mane and tail. Bright colors were more common for ponies of all types, to see such dark shades was rare. What was even odder was his wings were membraned like a bat or dragons. His eyes seem to glow a vibrant yellow were slit like a cat’s and his ears had a tuff of fur on top. Softly not to offend she whispers to Celestia. “Sister, what is that pony? Thou has never seen such a pony before.” Celestia sighed and nuzzled Luna softly as well “Remember how I told you that everything that was touched by the magic of Nightmare Moon was changed? Luna no pony died by that spell, but many were...” The Bartender spoke up with a smooth voice that carried a slight accent “I’m a Thestral, or as some call us Bat Ponies. I prefer Thestral or night pony. Pegasus isn’t called Bird Ponies after all, or Unicorns horned ponies. Among our gifts, we have enhanced hearing” Smiling and offers the pair of Princesses a wink. “My name is Mixer the lead bartender here at Club Arcane. What can I give you two lovely mares this evening?” “Mixer I thought you said you don’t listen in on private talk?” Cadence asks as she leans against the bar “And you forgot about me am I not a lovely mare?” Playfully flirting with the stallion. “Ah, Cadence first I know what you want. Your regular, Sex on the beach, and second your stallion Shining Armor will give me the stink eye if he heard me even remotely flirt with you, thought lovely as you are he can’t detect that it's just played between us.” The stallion started tossing bottles up in the air and catching them in a display of skill and art. In a cup, he adds ice, alcohol, Orange juice, and cranberry juice. Stirred the mixture he adds a slice of orange at the top and passes the cocktail to Cadence. Taking the drink Cadence sips from the straw “As perfect as always Mixer. Too bad Shinny is restricted to being outside, it’s always fun watching him get frustrated as you shamelessly flirt.” Mixer chuckles “Ah if he only knew that I would prefer to flirt with him.” He then looks to the other two Princesses. “Thou are beyond what I expected. Truth be told nothing been as I expected.” Luna looked around again and she did spot another Night Pony up in the rafters with a bouncer vest. That one was a mare. “A whole breed of pony adapted to the night...” Mixer bows “Night Mother is the name we call you, Princess Luna. It’s an honor to serve you and welcome you home.” Luna’s head snapped to the stallion the same as Cadence and Celestia. Mixer smiles and lifts his head “Thought your sister hid the truth well, she didn’t take in the night pony customs. We embrace the night Princess Luna, we came to enjoy our lives and are happy being what we are. Now, how about those drinks? I for one thank you, without you and what happened I would never have been born.” Luna was speechless, a thousand years ago only a small number of ponies stayed up during the night. Most were guards whose duty demanded them to do so. A rare few like Shadow Striker enjoyed the night. Now there was a who breed of ponies who are nocturnal by nature. The world did change in the last thousand years. “Yes, drinks...” Celestia was lost for words as well. Thinking back she did ignore the ponies that were transformed during the Nightmare Moon event. Many were lost to a form of insanity as new instincts took over the pony’s mind. Others thought regrouped and headed to the mountains to form there own community. “Hmm, I think something sweet for my Aunts, Mixer, what do you think?” Cadence spoke up after hiding her shock with a sip of her drink. “Ah, I know a few drinks for our Royal Sisters.” Mixer once again puts on a performance mixing up a Tequila Sunrise cocktail for Celestia. Slipping in the straw he passes it over to Celestia. “Careful Princess this drink has a surprising kick. Sip it slowly.” Celestia took the curious drink in her magic. The bottom was a red shade and the top was bright orange the middle a blend of the two colors forming shades of orange. Sipping the drink the flavors blended in the straw each sip was slightly different than the last. “And now for the Princess of the Night. Something special... let's see.” He looked at the options of drinks. “Hmm, a harvest moon?... no dark side... no no won’t do.” Glancing a look at Luna he smiles “Ah of course!” With that, his wings went into a blur as he pulls a few bottles and tosses them in another display of bartender showmanship. He mixed a drink and passes over a champagne glass over to Luna. The drink was bright blue with a lighter blue at the bottom going to dark blue at the top. “One Diamond Blue for the Princess of the Night. A beautiful drink for a beautiful mare.” “Is thou flirting with me now? Where I heard you prefer stallions earlier?” “I may prefer stallions, but I’m not blind to beauty.” Luna couldn’t help herself but blush again even if she knew it was just playful teasing from the bartender. Perhaps she drank a bit too much to fast of that first drink. She soon found herself ordering a second. As soon as she was about to order a third her vision was blocked by a sea of pink with blue eyes. “Alright, you are liquored up enough! Time for dancing!” Pinkie Pie said as she fell to the ground. Luna wondered if it was the drink or the oddity of the pink mare. She was sure Pinkie was standing on the air in front of her for at least thirty seconds before falling. “Perhaps thou are right. These drinks are quite strong it seems.” Luna stated as she finishes her drink and put the glass down and with a pleading look for help to Celestia got dragged out onto the dance floor by the surprisingly strong Pinkie Pie. Celestia turned out she wasn’t able to help her due to being pulled onto the dance floor by Cadence. Perhaps it was something about Pink Ponies. Out on the dance floor, the two Pink Party Ponies were coaching the Royal Sisters in modern dancing. The time flew by as drinks and fun did indeed wash away years of resentment and sadness. “Twerk it, Princess Celestia!” A stallion called out as Celestia tried the newest type of dancing. “Oh no... Don’t try it, Celestia!” “Now now Cadence I’m here to socialize right? I shall try this Twerk dancing.” A few mares smile with a flair of mischief as they guided Celestia in the dance moves. Soon the royal flank was wiggling to the beat. “Oh no... I created a Monster.” Cadence sighed to Mixer as she finishes off her latest Sex on the beach. “Thou Moon will not eclipse mine!” Luna in a drunken haze moved onto the dance floor and mimicked the Twerking motions soon the pair of Royal Sisters were jiggling their flanks to the cheering crowd. “Nope, I think you created two. Now they are competing against each other twerking. I do love the nightlife.” Mixer chuckles as he watches. Then there was a flash of light and his head turned to spot a pony stashing a camera. With a quick flick of his wing, one of the overhead Bouncers dived bombed onto the pony. “No Photography allowed.” “Let me go! It’s free press!” “Private establishment, freedom of the press does not override the right to privacy.” The Bouncer was joined by two others as they roughhoused the pony out. “What a buzz kill. it’s time for us to call it quits anyway.” Cadence says with a sigh. Celestia came over “Indeed, though it was fun I do have to be able to raise the sun in the morning.” “It was most entertaining Sir Mixer.” Luna swayed as she came off the dance floor. “It’s my pleasure, my Princess.” A flash of memory, a silvery pegasus saying much the same thing caused a flash of sadness in her heart helping to sober her up some. Quickly she brushes the memory of Shadow Striker away. There wasn’t much to say on the way back to the castle. All three mares were tipsy. The only reason they weren’t drunk was their body size and the Alicorn metabolism kicking in. “That was a fun gathering Cadence, I thank thee for hosting it.” “My sister is correct Cadence. You were right it been too long since I spent time among the common pony. That twerk dancing was quite fun.” “Ugh... Celestia, please. I’m trying to forget seeing your butt jiggle in front of me.” Cadence says as she walks slightly ahead of the other two. Celestia smiles and winks to Luna “Really Cadence? I find that the ladybug thing you used to do with twilight was similar. How did it go? Sunshine, sunshine, ladybugs away, clap your hooves, and give a little shake?” “UGH...” came the sigh from Cadence “Don’t you agree, Shining Armor? Did thou see similar shaking of flank from your marefriend?” Shining Armor mumbles blushing the whole time “Um... I tend to look away. She did do that dance with my little sister after all.” The two royal sisters laughed having got the upper hoof on the younger Princess. It was a few minutes after that Luna found herself walking for her chambers to spend the rest of the night researching the modern laws. “Princess Luna!” Peppermint came rushing up to her “It’s your daughter... something wrong!” In just that moment her heart stopped for just a second, the daughter of the only stallion she loved. Was she going to suffer heartbreak all over again? Luna rushed past Peppermint Heart and charged into nightshade chambers. Hurrying to the nursery she stopped at the crib seeing the purple filly whimpering. “I tried to wake her... I never have seen anything like it, Princess.” Peppermint Heart spoke up as he came into the nursery. “It’s a Nightmare, a powerful one.” Luna's wing reached down and brushes the mane from Nightshade’s face. “Maybe even... I have to go into her dream. She’s not strong enough to face this nightmare alone.” “I help any way I can Princess.” Luna looked down at the filly wondering what nightmares await her within the mind of her daughter.