XCOM: Ranger

by Wanderer D

Chapter 253 - Intermission Pt. 1: Home Research

Equestria

The communication cut off and the gathered ponies walked away from the table, each contemplating their own thoughts. For Moon Dancer, these contemplations focused on how much her life had changed, and how her perceptions had been challenged, destroyed, and just now slowly rebuilding themselves with her newfound knowledge.

Although she still resented Twilight, she had to admit the newly-minted princess had chosen their new friends well.

She stopped and snorted, noting how she counted Rarity and the others as her friends too now. It hadn't started like that of course...

A few weeks back...

Moon Dancer was not a happy pony. She wasn't a sad one either, she just wanted to live her life and be left alone to live it the way she wanted, and that usually involved being by herself doing her own thing.

In fact, 'usually' didn't cover it. Her living her life was being left alone entirely.

Sure, she had friends once, but that hadn't worked out, and therefore she had decided to simply stick to research and books and reading and research and collecting books. It wasn't much help for her social life, but since she had quite happily killed said lifestyle, she had simply decided to continue as intended and ignore the rest of society. 

Thus, she was very unpleasantly surprised when a group of mares and a familiar reptile knocked on her door.

"I don't care what you're selling. Leave me alone," she said flatly, beginning to close the door seconds after opening it.

"Wait, Moon Dancer!" Spike spoke up. "We need your help with some very important research!"

"Research?" That cursed word made her hesitate. It was just the right thing to stop her too. She scanned the group again, narrowing her eyes. "Where is Twilight?"

The group gathered outside her door gave each other worried looks, and deep within, the part of her that resented Twilight missing her birthday, struggled with the part of her that cared for her old friend.

"It's… complicated," an earth pony with an accent that spoke of many hours hanging out in the fields replied.

Well. She supposed it would make things less awkward.

"Fine," she muttered and opened the door fully. She didn't step to the side to let them in. She simply made her way back to her couch as they followed. "Close the door behind you."

She took the only seat in the house (her favorite couch) and turned to look at them with some mild interest as the group tried and failed to make themselves comfortable. There was a try-hard unicorn that looked like she wanted to be invited to the party. A pegasus that seemed to be debating whether hiding  behind the zoology section was better than reading the titles, Spike the dragon, the farmer/cowpony, and a pink earth pony that was simply staring at her with a huge Cheshire smile and wide eyes.

She knew that look. "There's cupcakes in the kitchen," she said as the rest of the group gave up and sat where they stood.

"Yay!" the earth pony skipped into the back of her abode, leaving behind the others to talk.

The prissy-looking mare of the group fidgeted around, looking for a place to sit, then looking back at her expectantly. When Moon Dancer made no attempt to speak or provide a seating arrangement, the mare sighed and simply sat down, as did the others.

"Twilight is on a mission," Spike began, clenching and unclenching his claws.

"I'm surprised she left you behind," Moon Dancer said, then snorted. "Or rather, I'm not. She's good at that."

"You take that back!" the earth pony with the hat growled, jumping to her hooves.

"Darling," the other unicorn spoke up. "Please sit down. Twilight asked us to talk to her." She turned to glare at Moon Dancer who didn't really care for it. "Please allow me to do the introductions. I'm Rarity, this is Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, and of course you know Spike. Twilight left most of us behind for several reasons. Mostly to protect our lives." She narrowed her eyes at Moon Dancer. "But also because she trusted us to help find information she needs. Information she felt she could entrust to you as well."

Moon Dancer rolled her eyes. "Of course, delegating work, how predictable. So she goes gallivanting somewhere and leaves everypony else behind. Classic Twilight."

"Why are you so angry with Twilight?" Pinkie Pie asked, emerging from behind Moon Dancer's couch.

"Why? I'll tell you why," Moon Dancer poked Pinkie with her hoof. "Because she's a self-centered, pampered little princess that wouldn't think twice about abandoning her friends!"

"Um… are we talking about the same Twilight?" Fluttershy asked. "That doesn't sound like Twilight."

Moon Dancer rolled her eyes. "Yes. We're talking about Twilight Sparkle."

Spike sighed and offered up a scroll. "Here, this is for you. I'd given it to you as soon as we walked in, but we got sidetracked."

Pursing her lips, Moon Dancer levitated the scroll and gave Spike a look, which he returned with a pleading puppy-eyed combo that she could simply not ignore. "Fine."

Dear Moon Dancer,

It has been some time since we last spoke and I'm sure this comes as an unwelcome surprise. 
I know I have failed you as a friend for years… it took me this long to realize what I had done, and how badly I had acted. In fact, I'm ashamed to admit that even now had exceedingly dangerous circumstances not arisen, I probably wouldn't have reached out so easily.

I feel that after failing so long as your friend, the last thing you'd want is to have me around, and yet I'd like to talk to you face to face once this is all over.

I'm sorry I can't be there to apologize for skipping your birthday party and being away for so long…. But I need your help. Not for myself. My sister needs help. Her world needs help. Billions of creatures you've never met or even known existed need your help.

Out of anypony I knew in Canterlot, you were always the best at research, and your assistance with this could really help bring a war to its conclusion.

I'm setting out with Daring Do and a few others to Fleece in order to try to find the Algae Photis. I've given Spike other scrolls that include the details and scope of the project… and among those, I've included a tablet that contains a few requests from the Commander. They have been approved by Celestia and Luna.

Moon Dancer, I joined the soldiers fighting in this war a few months ago and I can assure you that there is no chance of reasoning with the Elders and their forces. Especially the Chosen. I've seen friends die on the field, and others out of sheer madness. My sister is being taken by these dark forces and she's turning into a blood witch. I can't let that happen.

Please… even if I don't deserve your friendship, please help my friends and my family.

Maybe one day I can look you in the eye and tell you how sorry I am that I was such a bad friend. But until that day, I am trusting you to help where I can't.

-Twilight Sparkle

Moon Dancer gave them a look. "You expect me to believe Twilight Sparkle went to war."

Her visitors looked uncomfortable.

"She was different when she came back," Fluttershy almost whispered, which made Moon Dancer frown.

"I don't believe you." She glared at the mares and the dragon. "This is just Twilight being a coward and not even deigning to come down from her throne to see me."

"Ah think you need a real talkin' to—"

"Show her." Rarity's voice was cold. Gone was the semblance of pacifying politeness.

Moon Dancer raised an eyebrow as everyone in the room gaped at Rarity. Fluttershy looked downright scared.

"Ah know she's not bein' the most cooperative, but Ah don't know if we should—"

"Show me what?" Moon Dancer asked, making a groaning sound to indicate she wanted them to get it over with.

The others looked at each other. "You girls step out," Rarity said after a moment. "I'll play the recording for her."

"Are you sure?" Applejack asked.

Rarity gave her friends a smile that did not inspire much confidence in Moon Dancer. "Sometimes seeing is believing."

Moon Dancer snorted. "Nothing you have will change my mind."

Rarity gave her an unamused look and floated out one of the so-called tablets. "You might want to sit down."