//------------------------------// // Prologue // Story: Luna’s protege // by Scootafan //------------------------------// Princess Luna was walking through the quiet Apple Orchards of Sweet Apple Acres, having had a fun time in Ponyville, celebrating Nightmare Night, she now had a chance to think to herself. She thought of her sister and scowled, she thought that now that she was back of the moon that Celestia would have changed but no she was still her distant self. She was angry, Celestial had promised to spend time with her during this Nightmare Night but instead, she had to spend it with her student Twilight Sparkle. Celestial had also promised to change the holiday into one of celebrating the night, not fearing it but that was shot down when she heard that zebra’s legend of Nightmare Moon. As she was silently ranting to herself, she heard the sound of crying coming from a nearby tree house. Quietly hovering towards the little house, she peered in through the window to find a small, orange pegasus weeping to herself. The filly sniffled “I’m all alone, my parents didn't want me and now my own idol doesn't care about me.” Luna recognised the filly from several nightmares that she had to rescue her from. She felt sorry for the little Pegasus and felt the same way as she did. She entered the clubhouse to comfort the sobbing foal. When she entered the filly jumped up in surprise. Turning around, she was shocked to see the princess of the night standing in front of her. “Hello there, what is your name?” she asked. “Scootaloo,” she answered, looking away. “Why are you crying little one,” she asked sympathetically. Scootaloo wiped her eyes, saying “I’m not crying, big fillies don't cry.” Luna smiled “There is nothing wrong with having a little cry, I cry all the time.” “Really,” Scootaloo said incredulously. “Of course, we wouldn't be pony if we didn't let the sadness out. Now why don't you tell me what the matter is?” Scootaloo looked around before reluctantly answering “I don't have any parents, they abandoned me when I was young, left me to fend for myself. I always wanted to have Rainbow Dash as my big sister but today she shunned me and told me to stop bothering her otherwise I would ruin her pranks.” “Scootaloo, a sister who only cares about her pranks than she does, her own family is no sister at all,” Luna told her. Scootaloo didn't answer, Luna looked around to see a blanket and several old wrappers along with a stuffed toy and a pair of worn saddlebags. “Have you been living here?” she asked worried for the foal's well-being. Scootaloo nodded looking down at the floor, Luna then exclaimed “I want you to stay with me.” “What really, at the castle but what would Princess Celestial say?” Scootaloo's asked in disbelief and excitement. “Yes in the castle and let me worry about my sister,” she replied. She then took the filly in her magic along with all her belongings and teleported straight into her room back at Canterlot Castle. *** Once they arrived at the castle, Luna placed Scootaloo in bed and tucked her in. Scootaloo’s cheeks went red as she asked “Er, can I have Puddy? I can't sleep without him.” Luna looked at the stuffed bear and held it up with her magic for Scootaloo to confirm once she nodded she gave the filly the bear who in turn glared at the Princess and exclaimed “Don't tell anypony about this, it will ruin my reputation” “Don't worry, your secret is safe with me, can't have that reputation be ruined can we.” she grinned. Scootaloo's nodded knowing full well that Luna was only humouring her. “Now you go to sleep while I go speak with my sister.” *** Luna walked into the throne room to find her sister sitting there. “Luna, how did you find Ponyville?” she asked. “It was well but I have more important matters to address,” Luna told her sister “And that is?” she asked staring intently at Luna. “I have brought this pegasus filly home with me,” she explained. Celestia’s face hardened as she asked coldly “Why?” “She was homeless.” “Then take her to an orphanage.” “Well you see sister, I was hoping to make her into my personal protege.” “No, you can't take a homeless filly, a Pegasus nonetheless as your protege, it will be a stain on the Royal family.” This made Luna angry “Of course because if I have anything you have then it's a crime.” She then stormed out the throne room and went back to her room where she woke the sleeping fully and told her “Cone on, we're leaving.” “Where are we going?” the filly asked groggily, rubbing the sleep out of her eyes. “The castle of the two sisters,” she said simply before teleporting them away again. *** Celestial was seething, angered that Luna had once again disobeyed her. Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of the doors slamming open. She looked up to see Twilight and her friends, who didn't look happy at being woken up at this time of night. Twilight yawned, asking “We came as soon as I heard, what seems to be the problem?” she asked sleepily. “It would appear that my sister is falling back into her own ways and this time she has a hostage.” this instantly snapped the group out of their tiredness. Twilight stammered “But she seemed so happy earlier on.” “Exactly too happy, I believe that this holiday has given her motivation to become Nightmare Moon once more.” this made the group gasp. “Wait a second year Majesty but yer said she had a hostage,” Applejack asked. “Yes I dont who it is but she told me that it was a Pegasus filly” celestial explained, before ordering them “Get the elements of harmony and find her.” The group nodded before grabbing the elements, Celestial then told them “I believe she is at the Castle of the two sisters.” The group nodded before rushing off. *** In the Castle of the two sisters, Luna had explained everything to Scootaloo, who was stunned, not believing that Celestial could be so cruel. Luna then asked Scootaloo “Do you know how Celestial has Twilight Sparkle as her number one student?” Scootaloo nodded before Luna asked the ultimate question “Do you want to be my personal student?” “Yes, but I thought that you needed to be a unicorn.” she said confused. “While my sister leans towards unicorns, I tend to look at all other races. I will teach you combat and survival skills as well as how to fly, I will also teach you how to channel magic through your wings,” she explained, making Scootaloo more excited, her wings buzzing like a hummingbird. Suddenly they were interrupted when Twilight and her friends burst in, each of them wearing the elements of harmony. Twilight exclaimed, “I can't believe you would do something like this.” Luna told Scootaloo to get behind her as she flared her wings in a protective stance. Rainbow Dash shouted “Scootaloo! You better not have hurt her.” Luna merely rolled her eyes before saying “Like you care, you abandoned her” “Let her go.” Twilight commanded. “I am not keeping her prisoner, Twilight Sparkle, she wants to be here, isn't that right my number one student,” she said gesturing towards Scootaloo. Twilight gasped when she said this before asking Scootaloo “Is this true?” Scootaloo nodded confirming their worst fears, Scootaloo had gone over to the dark side. “Fine then, if you end up getting banished as well then it's your own fault.” Twilight exclaimed, tears beginning to leak out of her eyes as she was faced with the prospect of banishing a filly. She then finally said, “Come on girls.” Each of the mane six got into position with Rainbow in stunned disbelief as she faced her number one fan, who in turn glared at her. Twilight started to focus her magic into the elements but was shocked to find that they weren't working. “What's going on Twi, where are the rainbow lasers.” Applejack asked. “I don't know!” she shouted as she poured all her concentration into the jewellery around their necks but to no avail. Luna smiled “I guess they don't agree with you.” she said before using her magic to create a force field that basted them out of the castle. *** Celestia was shocked to see that Twilight had returned in defeat, she was also disturbed at the thought of the elements not working. When she told her about Scootaloo’s act of betrayal, Celestia merely sneered “Then she is a traitor, she will get the same punishment as Nightmare Moon.” causing Twilight to gasp at hearing her mentor speak like this. Celestial then announced “If the elements aren't working then I am afraid to say that it is war…” making the room go silent.