//------------------------------// // Off to Canterlot // Story: Goddess of the Moon // by Duke of Canterlot //------------------------------// Everything was changing so fast. Apple Bloom was moving to Canterlot soon – but not for college. The newest alicorn already had to tell Canterlot University that she needed to defer her enrollment at the university indefinitely. However, she knew that she wouldn’t have the time to enroll full-time in college. Besides she was already getting the best education she would receive from Professor Luna. Apple Bloom was already packing her things out of Sweet Apple Acres and getting everything ready for her move to Canterlot Castle. But this wouldn’t be goodbye to Ponyville at all. She would never forget Ponyville. Apple Bloom’s biggest concern though was the state of Sweet Apple Acres itself. Would the farm need her to survive? Applejack and Big Mac both claimed that they could handle the farm themselves. They might have to hire another pony or two to help – but they would be able to survive. Applejack even told her that she thinks Apple Bloom’s rise to alicorn status would help expand Sweet Apple Acres’ reach outside of Ponyville itself so they could start an “empire of farms”. Yeah, things were changing way too fast. Apple Bloom ended up not packing too much. She decided that she wanted to have some keepsakes at home for whenever she visited. Luna was going to meet her outside for the move to Canterlot Castle shortly. She hoped AJ and Big Mac were nearby. She needed to say goodbye to both of them. Thankfully, they were both out in the farm doing their daily work. “There’s my Princess Sugarcube”, said Applejack with a smile. “Ah hope that’s not my official princess name”, responded Apple Bloom. “You’ll also be my sugarcube to me”, responded Applejack, “still can’t believe you’re an alicorn. We’re gonna miss you here so much at home.” “We can always see each other any time we want. Ah can always fly to Ponyville.” “You sure can! Yer gonna do some great things, you know that.” “Eeyup”, said Big Mac, “gonna miss you so much, sis. Don’t forget about us common folk.” “Ah could never forget”, said Apple Bloom with a chuckle, “all of you helped make me the pony ah am today. Princess Luna knows that too. How’s your new marefriend doing?” “What marefriend?” “You know who ah am talking about!” “Oh Daisy Fields”, said Applejack, “those two are getting along just fine. Daisy is a real sweetheart.” Big Mac began to blush. “And you, AJ”, said Apple Bloom, “don’t forget to find a nice companion of your own.” “The farm is my life these days, sugarcube. But ah’m open to the opportunity if it arises.” “Tell that to Rainbow Dash next time she visits”, said Big Mac with a wink. Applejack looked embarrassed – she knew she been had. The three of them couldn’t help but to laugh. Every pony could kind of guess there was something going on between AJ and RD. “So what about yer love life, Apple Bloom? If we’re on the subject.” “Ah’m gonna be a princess and ah don’t really feel like going out with some royal jackass from Canterlot.” “As long as yer happy, sugarcube. That’s all that matters. There are probably some real nice ponies – just don’t have as bad taste as Twi.” “Wouldn’t dream of it. Flash Sentry and Blueblood are exactly the kind of ponies ah wanna avoid.” “Ah know all they would get from you is a kick in the nuts!” Apple Bloom giggled. This was true. “It’s gotta be mighty hard to date as an alicorn. Ah don’t think Luna ever found true love at all.” “These alicorns have been alive for over a thousand years”, said Applejack, “maybe Luna did find love at some point.” “Ah suppose it is possible”, said Apple Bloom, “maybe ah will ask her that on my way to Canterlot.” “Ah am so proud of you, sugarcube. For everything, you have the proudest big sister in the whole wide world.” Apple Bloom and Applejack embraced in a hug. Apple Bloom heard a whoosh. It was Luna. “Princess Apple Bloom, Goddess of the Moon. Are you ready to leave for Canterlot?” “Ah think so. Ah am gonna miss Sweet Apple Acres and ah am gonna miss you AJ and Mac – the best siblings a filly can ask for!” “You’re definitely not a filly anymore, sis”, responded Applejack with a chuckle. “Princess Apple Bloom shall not be far – no need to worry”, said Luna. With that, Apple Bloom and Luna flew off to Canterlot. “Ah still can’t believe this is all real”, said Apple Bloom, “do you really think ah could be the Goddess of the Moon?” “I don’t think. I know. Raising the moon is easy along with your other nightly duties. Dreamwalking can be hard but it is so much fun – that it won’t feel like work!” “Was there a Goddess of the Moon before you?” “Before me and Celestia, there wasn’t. Equestria was so different from what it is now. The sun and moon used to be in constant battle – one minute it would be day and the next it would be night. And then we had brought order to Equestria as you and Twilight will continue to do now.” “Wow ah really have big shoes to fill.” “You have already filled them, Princess Apple Bloom.” “It’s gonna take me a while to get used to that, ah think.” “Took me over a thousand years to get used to being Princess Luna. I wouldn’t worry about that. A part of me is glad to be retired.” “Something ah was curious about. Have you ever been in love? Ah noticed that neither you nor Celestia have a special somepony?” “Interesting question, newest alicorn”, said Luna with a blush, “I trust that you will keep your mentor’s secrets?” “Ah certainly will.” “I was in love once. It was over one thousand years ago. He was a dashing stallion – a unicorn who was exceptional at magic. Perhaps as good as Starswirl the Bearded himself. But he had a dark side to him or should I say a different point of view. His name was Nova. Nova wanted to take over Equestria from my sister ‘Tia. He promised that I would be his queen and the two of us would rule together. He already had a family of his own including a son and daughter but he saw me as his ticket to world domination. I was in love with Nova and I thought he was in love with me. Nova helped me realize my transformation into Nightmare Moon. He was clever and the two of us had a strong bond. I saw Nova’s dark side and hoped to change him and make him good – but instead Nova brought me to the dark side.” “So what happened?” “Nova wanted to kill Celestia. I refused to go along with killing my own sister. But there was nothing I could do to stop Nova. I pleaded with him and said that we could make Tia one of our servants. However, Nova was convinced that if Tia were around that his plans would fail. And in a sense – he was right. Nova challenged Celestia to a magic duel. He was crafty and skilled with spells. Arguably more talented than Celestia. However, Nova was no match for my sister’s raw power. She killed him in battle. I was distraught by Nova’s death – just a mare in love and, in a fury, I sought to take Equestria for my own. I then lost to Celestia as well. Rather than Celestia killing me, she banished me to the moon. I am glad that my story did not end there. I was a foolish young mare in love and everything was just so complicated. But Apple Bloom, you are better than I am. I don’t think you will make the same mistake I made.” “Ah don’t know about that. Nova sounded like he was impressive.” “Yes he was but his heart was filled with hate. I regret giving my heart to him. It had ruined so much for me. I am done with love but you shouldn’t give up on it. And while my story is secret, there is something you must be wary.” “What’s that?” “Some of Nova’s descendants are still alive. I have been watching one of them for some time. She seems to have reformed and Twilight has warmed up to her. But I am suspicious. I think Starlight Glimmer is waiting for her chance to conquer Equestria. I see so much of Nova in her and it concerns me.” “You have my word, Luna. Ah will keep an eye out on Starlight Glimmer. Ah don’t trust her either.” “Good. I know you will be ready. Celestia and I are now much weaker versions of ourselves but you and Twilight should be ready if it happens. I hope I am wrong but I don’t think I am.” Apple Bloom nodded. The two alicorns arrived at Canterlot Castle.