//------------------------------// // The Moon's Message (Prologue) // Story: Final Stage // by Duke of Canterlot //------------------------------// Princess Apple Bloom was still getting used to raising the moon. Luna had taught her well, but the moon was sometimes stubborn – especially when it was a full moon. Tonight was gonna be one of those nights. Apple Bloom groaned as she used her alicorn magic to raise the moon up in the sky. “C’mon, you know ah am not going to play dead.” Apple Bloom strengthened the force of her magic on the moon – emitting a fervent blast from her horn. The moon, in its full beauty, moved up the sky. Apple Bloom smiled and said, “good, ah’m glad you finally came to your senses.” The moon appeared to be done with its tricks. A year had passed since her coronation. Apple Bloom felt that she had come a long way since Luna first told her that she would be the new Goddess of the Moon. She went over her mental to-do list for the night. Apple Bloom would be visiting the dreams of four ponies, a griffon, and two yaks. The full moon certainly made creatures’ thoughts more active and anxiety-driven. She would start with the teenage unicorn stallion in Manehattan. But the moon seemed to be emitting a message for Princess Apple Bloom. “What do you want now, moon? Ah have a lot of work to do tonight.” The moon flickered in a code which only Apple Bloom could see. This must have been important. The moon only did this once before and there was a bugbear attack on Canterlot. The moon flickered very quickly but Apple Bloom’s mind worked just as quickly. She could make out the message, “Beware. A pony who you thought was your friend seeks to take you and Twilight Sparkle out. A clever yet devilish pony has taken advantage of Twilight Sparkle’s kind heart. Beware.” “So, are you going to tell me who this clever yet devilish pony is?” The moon flickered again. “Sunburst would know the answer..” Oh my Luna, thought Apple Bloom, could it be? This was the only hint Apple Bloom needed. Yes, it made sense. They needed to beware Starlight Glimmer. She had to go warn Twilight right away! The dreams would need to wait. Starlight Glimmer had largely been a recluse the past year – hiding in Twilight’s old castle in Ponyville. She was officially the Headmare of the School of Friendship but she had delegated just about all of her duties to anyone who volunteered. Not that she really cared but she needed to put up the act. Starlight was the most brilliant pony and the most powerful at magic. She deserved to rule over Equestria herself. She had it all with that small village she took over until Twilight Sparkle ruined everything. But it was okay. Starlight’s dreams were bigger now. She deserved more power than that of a mayor. Starlight deserved to be the most powerful alicorn in Equestria. Starlight spent the past year perfecting her magical abilities. Her plan would require perfection – no mistakes were allowed. This was her chance to strike. Twilight Sparkle and Apple Bloom were both inexperienced princesses who were just growing into their roles. Starlight would win on magical ability alone. Apple Bloom just learned how to use magic basically five seconds ago and Twilight was not as smart as ponies seemed to think she was. Well – Twilight was smart, it was just that Starlight was smarter – even if other ponies didn’t see it. Why wouldn’t Sunburst join her? He was so damn noble and refused to participate. She was forced to intimidate Sunburst into silence. Killing Sunburst would have raised suspicion. But he knew that she would kill him, his mother, and anyone else he cared about if he rang the alarm bells. Starlight was forced to work with a more incompetent partner. This partner wasn’t as magically defunct as Starburst but she lacked his brilliant analytical mind. Starlight’s assistant arrived at the castle, Trixie Lulamoon. “The Great and Powerful Trixie has gathered all of the pig hairs that she could find in that filthy farm.” “I know – it is filthy indeed. Some low-life farm pony becomes a Princess and I am a nobody. Thanks a lot, Luna. But yes these pig hairs are exactly what I need to enact my master plan.” “So do you wish to share with Trixie what this plan entails?” “You will find out soon enough, Trixie.” “I might be able to assist more if I knew what it is that we are doing.” Starlight chuckled to herself, Trixie gave herself way too much credit. But she needed to ensure Trixie’s loyalty. Trixie was the only pony who actually liked her through all of this. “Very well. I suppose I can trust you with the information on my plan. But you cannot tell any pony – otherwise, it will not work.” “Certainly. The Great and Powerful Trixie can keep secrets whenever her best friend says she must.” “Let’s say that I am going to get every creature in Equestria to follow my lead. Twilight and Apple Bloom will be forced out by public demand!” “But you are not the most popular pony, how can you get Equestria on your side?” “How do you think? Don’t be a dumbass.” “Ah – this is why I am needed. The Great and Powerful Trixie has the magic necessary to get the plan going. But even she cannot use her magic to brainwash ponies.” “Err.. just keep getting me all the ingredients on my list and your great and powerful magic will help. Now I believe you must go to Griffonstone and get some goods from the griffons – you know, the drugs.” “Trixie will not let her friend Starlight down, she promises that!” “I know you won’t. Now, go and get me some meth.” Trixie ran off. Starlight smiled. This was going to work. This had to work. Starlight waited too many years not to seize this opportunity for herself. She would become the ruler of Equestria and ponies would accept.