//------------------------------// // Chapter Thirteen // Story: Eternal Nightmare // by Jgame //------------------------------// I suddenly became aware of my lack of awareness of the hour. “What time is it?” I was promptly answered by twelve consecutive bongs from Ponyville's clock tower. “Convenient,” Idle Hooves remarked. “Very, with the exception that only you are here,” I said dryly, “have you any idea where the others are?” Infectious Cheer, with haunted eyes and shaky breaths, walked with a concerned Favourable Outcome moments later. “Are you alright?” I asked. “Yeah, just fine, Princess,” Infectious Cheer replied shakily. “We ran into a cave full of bats,” Favourable Outcome explained. Idle Hooves visibly grimaced at that. “Are you okay?” “No. I'm not. You should know that, out of anypony,” Infectious Cheer said, tersely as she saddled herself to my chariot. “Why are you so scared of bats? There are way more dangerous things in that forest, but it's batsthat worry you?” Favourable Outcome asked as he saddled himself as well. “Their beady eyes... the way they dive at you and chase you down... just creeps me out,” Infectious Happiness shivered. “I kept telling you to stand still,” Favourable Outcome said, “they won't chase you if you stand still.” “And wait for them to get me?” Infectious Cheer squealed, “no way!” “If you stood still, they'd leave you alone...” Idle Hooves reasoned. “Enough,” I intervened, “everypony has their own fears that they cannot face.” “Then... what's your fear that you can't face?” Infectious Happiness said. “Night Mares,” I said. “Hunh,” Favourable Outcome said, “I didn't take you as the type of mare to be afraid of nightmares.” “She is far more fearsome than you'd think,” I said. “She?” Infectious Cheer asked. “I won't say more than that,” I said, as I stepped onto my chariot. The Lunar Guard prepared for takeoff, but I could see that Infectious Cheer was still shivering in fright. The Lunar Guard coordinated their flight upwards, but I noticed it was slightly wobbly. Infectious Cheer was lead pony, but I could immediately see her wing speed was all over the place, going slowly and then speeding up, and then slowing back down as well as going in a small zig-zag pattern. “Set me back where we started,” I ordered immediately. They complied, and after we had touched back down on the ground, I ordered Infectious Cheer to unharness herself. “I'm sorry, I'm so sorry, Princess Luna, I just can't think straight, just give me a minute, I mean, I'm fine, just...” Infectious Cheer blubbered. “I understand, Infectious Cheer. Which is why you will sit in the chariot,” I said. I got off and took Infectious Cheer's harness and saddled myself to my own chariot as Idle Hooves watched me, trying to surpress his shock. Infectious Cheer was still standing next to me, even after I had harnessed myself. “Problem?” I asked. Infectious Cheer started like she'd been hit with a sudden jolt. “No, Prin- I mean, Luna, it's nothing.” Infectious Cheer got onto the chariot. Favourable Outcome was clearly trying not to laugh. “Let's attempt this again,” I said. Now, for those that have never flew as a lead pony, allow me to explain what it is like. Imagine dancing as a duet. You and your partner must know where to move, and at what exact speed. At least, you have to if you're leading said dance. If you're simply being lead instead of leading, the task of not falling and tripping on your face while still actually dancing is far simpler. I started forwards as lead pony, and chariot groaned horribly. I immediately halted to find that my two wing ponies were still going forwards, which resulted in me nearly being run over by my own chariot. That is the chariot-pulling equivalent of falling flat on one's face. Idle Hooves and Favourable Outcome halted as soon as they saw what had happened. “Jeez, Princess,” Favourable Outcome teased, “you're supposed to start slowly. What flight camp did you get sent to?” Idle Hooves visibly scowled at Favourable Outcome, as if he was the one under scrutiny instead of me. “What is this 'flight camp?'” I asked. “Well, that explains a lot,” Favourable Outcome said dryly. “Show some respect to the Princess!” Idle Hooves said. “Can you guys just stop?” Infectious Cheer asked quietly, peering over the chariot like Kilroy, “if Luna can't be lead pony, then maybe one of you two can? Unless you really need me...” “A sound suggestion,” I agreed, “Idle Hooves, can you be lead pony?” Idle Hooves shifted uncomfortably. “If you so wish, Luna.” “Let me rephrase. Do you want to be lead pony?” I asked. “Not really, but... if you really need me to be lead pony, I can handle it,” Idle Hooves said. I levitated the harness I had on akwardly as I thought about my current dilemma. Idle Hooves had proven himself to be a loving older brother as well as being quiet, calm, and competent. Adding to that, the fact my sister felt that he could handle being in my personal guard would suggest that his superiors took more than a cursory notice of him. Even with his apparent discomfort in the leadership role, he was still an appealing option. And then there was Favourable Outcome. All I knew of him is that he liked to gamble and was known to bend the rules frequently. Not ideal credentials for a lead pony entrusted to guide my chariot. And then I remembered what had transpired a few short hours ago. I had walked into a town that I had previously terrorized, knew that my reception was going to be chilly, and still had my hopes up like a little filly before it was predictably crushed, which I allowed to spiral into losing my temper and almost permanently canceled one of the most beloved holidays in Equestria. I couldn't say that I was a perfect princess in the same way Favourable Outcome was not an ideal guard, yet Twilight Sparkle had put faith in me even still. So I decided to put my faith in Favourable Outcome. “Favourable Outcome, wouldst you like to be lead pony?” I asked. “Yes!” Favourable Outcome said with as much delight as a colt being given his presents on Hearth's Warming Day. We switched harnesses so that I was wing pony, or to extend my dancing analogy, I was now being led by my partner rather than leading. “This is sweet!” Favourable Outcome squealed in delight as we made a successful takeoff into the night sky. I found the task of flying while pulling my own chariot rather liberating in a sense. After months of doing nothing but reading books and engaging in diplomacy with ponies, the flight was a simple, but fun, change of pace. My wings ached by the time we had landed back in Canterlot. The Lunar Guard and I had silently deharnessed by the time we realized we could hear snoring. We peered over the chariot to find Infectious Cheer as the source of the noise. “Soak her in cold water?” Favourable Outcome suggested. “Is that thy typical first reaction when thou sees a sleeping pony?” I asked. “Only the ones I know,” Favourable Outcome grinned. Idle Hooves simply flew over and gently shook her until she woke up. “Hunh? Are we there yet?” she asked sleepily before her eyes widened in embarrassment, “oh... sorry. The ride was so smooth, I just closed my eyes for a second and....” “'Tis fine,” I said, “I do not take offence to sleep.” “You're much more sympathetic and patient that the rumours say you are,” Idle Hooves said. “No,” I said, “the rumours were right, at first. I... have met somepony who has encouraged me to be kinder to others, no matter how badly I first think them.” “That's... kind of cheesy, but kinda nice at the same time,” Favourable Outcome said. Infectious Cheer concealed a large yawn. “You are all dismissed for the night,” I told the Lunar Guard. “Understood,” the Lunar Guard said in unison. I left with the Lunar Guard and, with a lack of other things to do, started towards the castle library. As the path out of Canterlot Castle and the path to the library were identical for many paces, I silently listened to their banter as they walked. “I wonder if Star got a lot of candy,” Idle Hooves said. “Where your parents live? When I was a filly, that was the jackpot neighbourhood for candy! The question isn't if, it's how much?” Infectious Cheer said. “You're right. This is Star's first Night Mare Night without me guiding her along, so I was kind of worried,” Idle Hooves admitted. “Aww, big brother's worried over her little sis! How cute,” Favourable Outcome cooed jokingly. I am invisible to them, I realized. It was nothing profound. I had long since tried to resign myself to not existing to my subjects until I was their revered ruler. But tonight, hearing them talk about their lives in front of me, and not including me in the conversation, it irked me somehow. “Are you heading home after this, or to your parent's place?” Infectious Cheer asked Idle Hooves. “Parent's place. If I'm lucky they'll just have gotten home. You're coming?” Idle Hooves asked. “Of course!” Infectious Cheer chirped. “Excuse me, wouldst thou mind if... I came to visit as well?” I asked nervously. Idle Hooves looked at me in surprise. Why did I ask such a foolish question? I berated myself, I am a Princess, and he is my guard that has done his work. Even ruling out the vast difference in status, why would he want me in his home? “Sure!” Infectious Happiness said, “the more, the merrier! It's all right with you, right, Idle?” Idle Hooves smiled. “Of course. I'm just...” “Just?” I asked. “Just surprised that you'd want to visit. I'd think that the high society ponies are who you'd be friends with, being a princess and all...” Idle Hooves said. “You would be surprised how little friend-making happens when you are one in high esteem,” I said. “So... how long are you planning on visiting?” Favourable Outcome asked. “Why do you wish to know? Are thou... you... coming as well?” I answered. “Just curious,” was Favourable Outcome's reply. “Likely long enough for a pleasant chat, and back to the castle in time to lower the Moon for my sister,” I said. “Oh,” Favourable Outcome said, “well, anyways, I gotta get home, see ya!” “I'd be careful if I were you,” Idle Hooves warned when Favourable Outcome had left us behind, “I know he's planning something.”