//------------------------------// // Part 6 // Story: Lunaughty // by StreakTheFox //------------------------------// Begin Part 6 “Colgate! Carrot Top!” Berry Punch called out to her friends as she rushed into the club. “Berry?” Colgate asked as her and Carrot Top turned around in their seats. “Oh hey, you're back pretty quick. Where's Starshine?” “Oh, she's uh, just back at the house. We, er, I wanted to ask you both for a big favor.” “What is it?” Carrot Top asked. “Well... can you both come with me so we can hold a 'welcome to Ponyville' party?” Berry Punch smiled in a way that made the two at the bar think they were talking to Pinkie Pie. “A party?” Colgate tilted her head. “Yeah! I just wanted to invite some of my friends there to celebrate my cousins coming to ponyville, it'll be great!” “Your cousins, ah, I see...” Colgate took a small sip of her drink as she exchanged quick glances with Carrot Top. “Pleeeeeease?” Berry put on her best little filly eyes... which weren't any better than Fluttershy trying to act like a hard-ass. “Um, I'm sorry Berry, but we-” “Sure we'll go!” Colgate announced, interrupting Carrot Top. “In fact, this sounds like a great idea! Don't you think so Carrot?” Colgate looked at Carrot Top with a smile, who looked back with a face fill with horror. “You will!?” Berry gasped in glee. “Yup!” Colgate nudged Carrot Top roughly, snapping her out of her horrified face. “Isn't that right, Carrot Top?” “I, uh, s-sure... sure we'll go, it'll be fun!” Carrot Top put on her best fake smile, but her eyes still darted angrily at Colgate, giving her a 'what are you thinking' look. “Great! Let's get going right now then!” Berry said, already turning towards the door. “Wait a minute Berry,” Colgate said, giving Carrot Top a 'trust me' look in return. “What is it?” Berry asked, turning back around. “Why don't you invite some other ponies to come too? I mean, yeah five ponies makes a party... but how about some others? I mean, Rose, Lily, and Lacy Luck are right over there!” Colgate pointed to a trio of mares sitting on the other side of the club talking to each other. “Not only that, but you know that Vinyl Scratch is performing tonight at another club, so some of our friends might even be over there too!” “Hmmm...” Berry placed a hoof on her chin as she thought to herself. But Luna only wants these two. How do I get them to the secret place while still making them think I'm inviting others? Eh, I guess I'll just fake it... “Okay! But, can you two go on ahead while invite some other friends to join us?” “Sure thing!” Colgate smiled cheerfully. “We'll go right now.” She turned around and slapped some bits onto the bar, paying for their drinks. “We're going now, see ya later Reb!” “See ya Colgate, Carrot Top!” Replied a mare behind the bar who was serving drinks. Colgate got out of her seat with Carrot Top following suit soon after, moving slower with a sign of uncertainty. “So, where should we meet up at?” Colgate asked, her and Carrot Top looking to Berry Punch. “Oh, just go inside the Windmill at the center of town! I'm holding the party there.” “The Windmill?” Carrot Top raised her eyebrow. “But why would-” “Sounds great!” Colgate Interrupted. “We'll see ya there!” Colgate waved at Berry as her and Carrot Top began walking towards the door. Once out the first door, Berry Punch decided to start randomly walking around the club, looking as if she was inviting ponies in case Berry Colgate or Carrot Top came back for something. She sort of felt bad for having to trick her friends like that, but she knew it was for the best... for her, for them, and for her mistress. “Are you out of your mind!?” Carrot Top yelled at Colgate after they went through the second door of the club, the two walking down the street casually. “We talked about this in the bar! You know how fishy that whole deal with Starshine being Berry's relative is!” “I know I know, but that's why we accepted the deal in the first place.” “Wait... what?” Carrot Top Tilted her head. “Listen, Pinkie Pie said herself that she thinks Luna could shape-shift and stuff, right? And if Starshine and Discal really are Princess Luna in disguise, that would explain why we never got the chance to see them both together at the same time.” “Well yeah, but what are you getting at...?” “All we have to do is go find Derpy and Cheerilee and see if they had a run in with Princess Luna while they were out with Discal! That would mean that Discal and Starshine really are Luna, and that Berry is working with her like we suspect.” “But... we still haven't figured out why Berry Punch would be working with Luna to cause trouble around Ponyville!” “Heck, knowing Berry, Luna's probably just really good in bed or something, hehe.” “That's not funny...” “Yes it is.” “Okay, maybe a little, but you know what I mean! Berry's our friend, we gotta help her too ya know!” “Whadya mean help her? She seems to be doing all of this willingly!” “I know, but what if she doesn't know what's good for her? Like her drinking problem, she could be getting herself into something she'll really regret later.” “But Berry loves alcohol!” Colgate's claim, although true, was met with a stern glare from Carrot Top. She sighed, “okay okay, you're right... Berry is our friend, so we should help her.” “That's the spirit!” Carrot Top smiled. “But... how do we help her out of this mess?” “Hmmm...” Carrot Top lowered her head, thinking for a few moments while the two continued walking practically aimlessly down the street. “You know how there were royal guards in the club, and they're searching for Luna, right?” “Yeah, go on.” “Well, if somepony as important as Luna is here, then don't you think Princess Celestia would be here too?” “Hey yeah... you're right! So you're thinking we should go find Celestia, tell her about Berry's plan, and then get Luna captured so we can save our friend, right?” “Precisely!” “Hah! I like this plan, I feel happy just being a part of it! Let's do it!” “Alright then! But uh,” Carrot Top stopped in the middle of the street, Colgate doing the same as she looked at her. “How do we find Celestia?” “Hmm...” Colgate looked up for a moment in though, then, an idea. “I think I know just who to look for... I hear he's a bit of a pervert, but I know he can help!” *=*=* “You found another one?” Celestia called out to a group of guards and Applejack as she landed in front of a house. “Not just one yer highness, but two!” Applejack said as he and another guard moved out of the way, revealing two mares cuddled against each other with a blanket draped over them. “You mean, both at once?” Celestia asked as she approached the two. “Seems like it...” Applejack began, looking at the two ponies again before looking back at Celestia. “This here's Lyra and Bonbon, they live together. They get around quite a bit, and usually know most of the local gossip, so I figured that if there was something to know, they'd know it. Turns out they don't just know it, but they experienced it!” “Is it true...?” Celestia asked as she looked towards the two mares, who looked up at her slowly. “Did you have an encounter with my sister?” “Y-y-yes... your highness...” the teal one said, both of them visibly shivering. “Me and Bonbon were just hangin out at our usual club, just talking and having some drinks. But when we came back here, we got inside out house and then Luna was there!” “Did she follow you, or was she already inside?” Celestia asked. “Well, we think she followed us,” Lyra said, curling her arms further around Bonbon when she curled her head back down. “We heard some strange noises when we were coming back, and the place was still closed up how we left it when we got here, so I'm pretty sure we were followed...” “And this club you mentioned... what was the name?” “M-m-melody's...” Bonbon stuttered, still holding her head down and not looking up. “Melody's M-midnight Mares... It's just down the street...” Bonbon could be heard sniffling, making it apparent that she was crying. “Please, tell me, did either of you see anything unusual there? Perhaps some ponies you never saw before?” “Well...” Lyra spoke up, her arm beginning to stroke Bonbon's mane to comfort her more. “There were two mares that came there that we hadn't seen before.” “I see...” Celestia closed her eyes for a moment, then opened them, a greater seriousness visible that Lyra could immediately see. “My faithful subject, I need you to describe to me everything you saw in there from the time the first of the two new ponies came in to the time you left. I know you and your partner are not in the best condition right now, but please, the fate of Equestria may be in the balance...” “She's right Lyra,” Applejack said, stepping in. “I know how tough this is fer ya, believe me, but we gotta know or else something terrible is fixin' to happen.” “A-alright, we'll tell you what we know...” The next several minutes was Lyra explaining what she had seen and the little she had heard coming from the two mystery ponies and her friends. She knew the first pony's name, Starshine Brightglow, but not the other one. However, when she connected the second mystery pony with Cheerilee, it became obvious to Celestia that the second mystery pony was Discal Lens. What's more is that is appeared as though Luna was targeting everypony who she had come in contact with in that club, meaning her first target would have been Berry Punch. Then it would have been Cheerilee, and then Lyra and Bonbon, and then... “Help! Somepony help!” The sound of a young filly could be heard in the distance, and rapidly getting louder. “The muffin monster is eating my mommy!” All three guards, Applejack, Celestia, and both Lyra and Bonbon looked over to see a little unicorn filly running over to them with tears in her eyes. “Dinky Hooves!” Applejack called out as she stepped towards the distressed filly. “What's wrong little filly!?” “A-applejack!” Seeing a familiar and friendly face, Dinky immediately ran up to Applejack and flew straight into her, holding her hooves around the country mare tightly. “You gotta help! My mom is being attacked by a muffin monster!” “A muffin monster...?” Applejack held the filly close, but reared her head back slightly in confusion. “What the hay are ya talking about little'un?” “I, I was just,” more tears began to flow from the filly. “I woke up in the night, and I went to my mom's room cuz of some weird noise, and then I saw her on the bed, and it looked like something was bouncing on top of her,” Dinky cried aloud for a few more moments as Applejack looked up at Celestia, their eyes exchanging glances with both realizing what the filly might have seen. “My, mom was tied up, and then she looked at me and told me to run, and when she did, the thing on top of her looked at me too, and it... it smiled at me! It was really scary, its smile seemed to glow in the dark!” “Luna...” Celestia whispered under her breath. “Lyra, Bonbon,” She said in a serious tone, looking directly at the cowering couple. “Y-yes, your highness...?” Lyra replied as they both looked up at Celestia. “I'm sorry to trouble you further, but I need you both to look after this little filly while Applejack leads me to her house. It is very important that you do so, can I count on you?” “Yes, yes you can,” Bonbon spoke up, turning to look at Dinky. “Hun, the princess is going to go save your mommy. Would you mind staying with us for a while?” “I-it's okay if I do...?” Dinky said, her tears slowing down. “Are you sure they can save my mommy, aunty Bonbon and uncle Lyra?” “Yes, trust me, you have no reason to worry anymore... they'll take care of that mean old muffin monster for you...” Bonbon smiled at the filly, who smiled back and then ran into the couple's arms, still sniffling however. “Aunt and Uncle?” Applejack whispered in Lyra's ear. “Well,” Lyra began, whispering back. “We're really good friends of Derpy, so much that Dinky sometimes likes to think we're related or something. It's really sweet.” “Well, I reckon that sorta makes this easier then,” Applejack stepped back and looked at Celestia. “We should get goin now princess.” “I agree. Please, lead the way.” And with that, Applejack nodded and swiftly began to gallop down the street, Celestia taking flight and following close behind with the few guards just behind her. On their way to Derpy Hooves' house, Celestia spotted a sign reading 'Melody's Midnight Mares' on the side of the road against a building. She made a mental note to go there directly after they were done with the task at hand. It did not take long for the group to reach Derpy Hooves' home. In fact, looking over Celestia was able to see the schoolhouse she was just near earlier in the distance. She sighed slightly, realizing just how close to her sister she may have been not long ago. Applejack entered first, simply going through the front door since it was already opened slightly. Celestia and one guard followed behind as the other two guards kept watch outside. It didn't take them long to find the bedroom, and to find Derpy sleeping soundly under the covers. At first it would have seemed as though nothing had happened in this room, but Celestia knew better from when she found Twilight. Applejack and her entered the room and were immediately hit by a wall of hot, musty air. Feeling this, Celestia illuminated the room with light from her horn, revealing several large, dark, damp zones on the bed. As if testing to be absolutely sure this was Luna's work, Celestia got another idea in mind. She leaned down over the gray pegasus, who still seemed to be unconscious from exhaustion, and pressed their lips together. “P-princess!” Applejack cried out. “What the hay!?” Celestia ignored her as she pushed her tongue into the mouth of the mail-mare. She felt around, not for her own enjoyment (not primarily), but instead to taste around. Celestia pulled her head back after a few seconds, licking her lips slightly as she looked over the pegasus still sleeping in the bed soundly. She looked over to Applejack, who seemed ready to bolt out the door at any second. “Don't worry Applejack,” Celestia finally said in a calm, hopefully relaxing voice. “I was only tasting for my sister.” “T-tasting...? Is that what you was doin? Cuz it looked to me like you were enjoyin it...” “I know this sounds strange, but I still remember my sister's taste back on April Foal's night when I first fell... mentally ill. And after probing around inside of this mare, I can say without a doubt now that Luna was here.” “Oh! Well... uh, I guess I can kinda see why ya did that...” Applejack coughed slightly, feeling a bit awkward just then. “Well, maybe we should let Derpy rest, she must'a had a really tough time.” “I agree. In the meantime, I know exactly where we should go next,” Celestia said as she turned flank and began towards the door, Applejack and the one guard close behind her. “And where did ya have in mind exactly?” “Melody's Midnight Mares...” ^=^=^ Luna crept through the shadows in the alleyways of Ponyville, finally reaching her destination. It was a home that was much better kept than most of the others, being larger and overall more elaborate. It was home to a certain mare, one of great importance in the town. Luna thought the age of this mare may be an issue, but decided to take that risk as she entered through one of the side windows. The house was dark, obviously, but Luna pushed through it, her night vision better than anypony else. It did no take her long to find the bedroom, a very large room with a large sized bed in the center up against the back wall. It was well made, consisted of multiple pillows at the head, and had a comfort of what seemed to be an expensive brand. But this isn't what stuck out to Luna, out of all things. What perplexed her the most was when she entered the room and looked down upon the bed... nopony was there. “Aha!” Came a voice suddenly as the lights of the room flicked on. A slam was heard, and Luna spun around to see the door to the bedroom closed with a mare standing by it. The mare looked back, her face plastered with a devious grin as she stared directly at Luna. She was also wearing some sort of tight, black leather outfit, a riding crop visible hanging in her mouth. Other than the outfit, Luna was able to tell that this was the mare she had been looking for. It was her reaction to her own arrival, however, that startled her... “Mayor Mare?” Luna asked, her mouth agape as she stared at the moderately aged pony. “I knew you would come here!” The mayor said, her voice almost seeming deranged as she began to slowly approach the lunar goddess. “What!? But, but how... how did you know?” Luna felt herself stepping backwards as she, wait. Why was Luna, goddess of the night, suddenly finding herself startled by this simple mare? She didn't know, but this entire night she had been the one surprising other ponies as she would usually end up forcing herself on them, only to find somepony not only willing, but looking as if ready to force their own will on her! “I'm the mayor, of course. I know everything that goes on in my town,” She continued to approach, her gaze turning more seductive, yet more aggressive at the same time. “And though I missed out when your sister came through, I won't miss out this time...” Luna was backed up against the bed, watching the deranged mayor slowly walk closer. This was insane, nopony except her own sister had ever cornered her like this! Not only that, but her subjects being willing was one thing, but when they were trying to force her own will back on her, well... there was a line to be crossed, and Mayor Mare had freaked Luna out enough to cross it. Her mind was blaring at her, the word 'nope' and a picture of her own neck elongating repeating in her mind over and over. She needed to escape, she needed to get out of reach of this creepy mare. But she had to distract the mare first, something to get her eyes off her for just a moment so she could teleport without interruption. Suddenly, an idea hit her... “Look!” Luna announced with a gasp as she pointed her hoof forward past the mayor. “It's Twilight Sparkle in lingerie bound and gagged on a luxurious couch!” “Really? Where!?” Mayor Mare turned around, her excitement peeked as her eyes searched for Twilight. Before she could realize Luna's ruse, however, a magical 'ping' was heard as Luna swiftly teleported away. Turning around, Mayor Mare looked confused as she saw her bedroom empty, save for herself and the riding crop still hanging in her mouth. --- A loud knock on the door made him snap out of his dream. His eyes opened, he could still feel the comfortable embrace of his blanket around him. Slowly he crawled out of bed, half-consciously moving towards the door of the bedroom. His limbs were lazily drudging across the floor, but he didn't care. He just wanted to see who was at the door so he could go to bed. He didn't even bother to see if Twilight was still up or not. Spike opened the bedroom door and made his way downstairs, being careful that his groggy state didn't make him fall. Finally he reached the bottom and approached the door, opening it to see who was outside. He expected to see somepony he knew, and he did, but just not these two specifically. “Colgate...? Carrot Top?” He looked at the two ponies in front of him one at a time as he held the door open. “What are you two doing here?” “Well,” Colgate began as she looked down at Spike. “We need your help in writing a letter to Princess Celestia.” “Princess Celestia?” The topic shook Spike awake further, becoming almost fully awake then. “What do you need to send her a letter for?” “Well...” Colgate thought through their plan of luring Luna into a trap again, and decided to try her luck with a trick Derpy did last week. She floated out a pair of sunglasses as she continued, “Let's just say we've got a...” The sunglasses went on her face. “Special Delivery.” Carrot Top's front hoof immediately made contact with her face. End Part 6