//------------------------------// // Another Day For The Star // Story: The Star And The Moon // by Robobrony //------------------------------// Another Day For The Star Midnight Star and princess Luna shared one final kiss before saying goodnight. “Goodnight Midnight Star, thank you for a wonderful evening.” Luna said. “I had a wonderful time too, I’m glad we did this. I’m looking forward to our next date.” Midnight stated with a smile. He then turned to face the carriage that was to take him home. His smile instantly disappeared and turned to a fearful look. Luckily, because he was turned around, Luna did not see his face. “Midnight, are you ok?” Luna asked with concern. Midnight didn’t turn around when he answered. “Yeah, I’m fine.” He said with a nervous smile. He gulped and walked to the carriage to climb in. He was shaking slightly with fear, but he was too far away from Luna for her to notice. “Until next time my love.” Luna said as she waved a hoof. Midnight waved back with a nervous smile. “Yeah, until next time.” With that, the carriage took off into the air. Once he was sure he was far enough away from the castle, he dropped down to the floor of the carriage and covered his eyes. The carriage came to a landing and Midnight climbed out feeling relief to be back on solid ground. “Maybe I should tell Luna I’m afraid of heights.” He said to himself. “Thank you for the ride.” Midnight said to the ponys. They nodded and headed back to the castle. Midnight Star then made his way to his front door and entered his house ready for bed. Princess Luna walked back to her room feeling giddy as a school filly with a huge grin on her face. “This Night couldn’t have gone better.” She said happily. She soon reached her room, opened the doors and made her way to her closet. She used her magic to remove her dress and placed it back on the hanger she got it from. Then removed her jewelry and placed them on her vanity mirror, turned back around and jumped to her bed. With a poomf, she landed with her chin on a pillow. She rolled over on her back and grabbed another pillow, hugging it tight. “Midnight Star, could you really be the one for me?” She asked happily. Morning soon arrived as Celestia’s sun peeked out over the horizon and greeted the town of Ponyville with its morning rays. Midnight slowly stirred from his sleep as the light crept into his room from his window. He yawned as he stretched out his forelegs. Midnight Star removed himself from his bed and used his magic to fix up the covers, then made his way to his bathroom for a shower. Once done, he came back out and was about to head downstairs when he remembered something. “Whoops, almost forgot.” Midnight went up to his nightstand next to his bed and used his magic to lift up the necklace Luna gave him on their date last night. Midnight took a moment to admire it. “It really is a nice necklace. A moon as a symbol of her, and a star, just like my name. Quite the coincidence.” He then just placed it around his neck and headed downstairs. As he walked down, his nose was met with a pleasant scent. “Good morning son, I trust you slept well?” Sombra asked from the kitchen as he was making pancakes. “Dad, you didn’t have to make breakfast.” Midnight said with a smile. “Sure I did, this is my first day as your assistant now, so I figured what better way to start the day than to make breakfast for my new boss.” Sombra said as he flipped another flapjack. “Go ahead and take a seat at the table, there’s a plate there ready for you.” Midnight walked up to the kitchen table and took a seat at the table with a stack of pancakes ready to be eaten with a cup of orange juice. “Well dad, I’d say your off to a good start.” Sombra soon joined his son at the table with a plate of his own. “Well, what are you waiting for, let’s eat up.” The two wasted no time and dug in. Once breakfast was done, Sombra started to get up. “Oh no you don’t, you’ve done enough dad, I’ll take care of the dishes.” Midnight insisted. “Can I at least lend a hoof?” Sombra asked. “Fine, you can help, I’ll wash and you dry.” “You got it boss.” Sombra said with a smile and a salute. Midnight just rolled his eyes. As they cleaned up the kitchen, Sombra finally noticed the necklace his son was wearing. “Say Midnight, where did you get that necklace?” Midnight looked to his dad first, then to the necklace, he used his magic to lift up the center piece a bit. “This? Princess Luna gave it to me last night during our date. She said it’s a sign that I’m her colt friend now. I think she even went so far as to give me a title, calling me her royal courter or something.” Sombra chuckled a little. “Nice, dating a princess and earning a title. You’re really moving up in the world son.” “Whatever.” Midnight said with a smile. The two soon finished with their task and got the kitchen spotless. “Well, that’s that. So what’s on the agenda for today Midnight? Whoa!” Sombra was unexpectedly gripped in a hug by his son. “Midnight?” He asked as he looked down at his son. “I really missed you dad.” Midnight said with a smile and closed eyes. Sombra smiled and hugged back as well. “I missed you too son.” They held the embrace for a good minute before Midnight finally released his dad. “So, as I was asking, what are we doing today?” Sombra asked again. “Well first, I need to get a few more things for my art supplies, I just want to make sure I’ll have enough paint and pallets to fill the orders I got.” Midnight left the kitchen, his father behind him, and went to the stair case closet. He opened it up and took out his saddle bags with his magic, placing them on his back. “Come on dad, let’s head out.” “You got it.” Sombra said with a smile. The duo were making their way through Ponyvill when they had an encounter with a familiar grey Pegasus. “Midnight, hey there.” She greeted cheerfully. Midnight greeted back. “Hey Derpy, good to see you. What’s up?” “Nothin much, I’m just doing my morning rounds delivering mail. I just wanted to say hi.” Derpy said. “Well that was nice of you. OH, by the way…” Midnight then pulled his dad closer to his side. “Derpy, I would like to formally introduce you to my father, Sombra. Though, I guess you already knew that huh?” Midnight asked with a light chuckle. Derpy’s smile faded a bit and was replaced with a nervous one. “Oh, right, your dad….Sombra….it’s…nice to meet you.” She greeted nervously. “A pleasure to meet you miss.” Sombra said with a welcoming smile. It was during this greeting that Midnight got an idea. “Say Derpy isn’t the post office looking for help?” “The post office?” Derpy asked. “Yeah, my dad needs a job and I figured he could be of help to you and the others at the post office.” Midnight informed. Derpy looked to the side in thought. “I….I don’t know, we already have plenty of help there right now.” Midnight cocked an eyebrow. “Really? Cause I’m pretty sure I saw a help wanted sign posted in the window yesterday.” “Oh that, well….um…..that position was filled….so……yeah, sorry no.” Derpy said nervously. “Oh would you look at the time, I gotta go. It was nice seeing you again Midnight, later.” With that, Derpy took off like a shot into the air. Midnight gave a credulous look. “What was that all about?” Sombra frowned and hung his head a little. Midnight saw this and turned his attention to his father. “Dad, what’s wrong?” Sombra lifted his head back up and plastered a smile on. “It’s nothing son, come on, let’s get those supplies you need.” He then took the lead. Midnight still looked a little confused as his dad started walking. It suddenly hit him and he realized what happened. “Wait a minute, dad hold up.” Midnight galloped up to his dad’s side. “Dad, I think I know why Derpy acted like that.” “Oh?” Sombra asked, feigning ignorance. “Come on dad, I know you know why too. She still sees you as that tyrant you used to be when you were corrupt. I know she was here when the princesses made that announcement explaining how you were purified by the elements of harmony. So it doesn’t make sense that she acted like that.” “Midnight, it’s fine.” Midnight stood firm in front of Sombra, stopping him in his tracks. “No dad, it isn’t fine. Every pony should understand that you aren’t evil.” Sombra’s ears folded back as he recoiled a little from his son. “Midnight….” “Dad, you need to show them you’re not bad anymore.” He then smirked. “You also should try to find a mare of your own.” Sombra was surprised by this sudden topic change. “What? Now Midnight….” Midnight interrupted again. “Come on dad, it’s what mom would want. She did say for you to find a nice mare before she said goodbye didn’t she?” “Come on Midnight, do you really think I could with the kind of past I have?” Sombra asked sadly. “Dad, there is bound to be a mare around here that won’t care about that. You just need to try.” They resumed their walk. “For now, let’s get those supplies and head back home.” They soon retrieved said supplies and were on their way back home when something caught Midnight’s attention. “Dad, hold up.” He said as he placed a hoof in front of his dad to stop him. “What is it son?” Sombra asked. “Look over there.” Midnight pointed to a mare with a mulberry colored coat and a light pink and white mane with three sunflowers with smiling faces for a cutie mark. She seemed to be struggling with her saddle bags that were packed with groceries. “Dad, I think this is a perfect opportunity for you to show others that you’re a good pony. Just go over there, say hello and offer her your help.” “Just like that? I don’t know.” “Come on dad, just try. Her name is Cheerilee, she’s Ponyvilles school teacher for the young ones. She’s really nice and all. So I’ve heard. “You’ve heard?” Sombra cocked an eyebrow. “Well, I have run into her now and then in the past. In fact, she’s one of the ponies who asked me to make a painting for her. Just go over there and help her.” “I don’t know son…I…” “Go!” Midnight said as he got behind his dad and started pushing him over to Cheerilee. Once Midnight finished pushing him, Sombra looked back at his son first, then to Cheerilee and trotted a bit to catch up with her. “Um, excuse me.” He said to get her attention. Cheerilee stopped in her tracks to face the pony that spoke. “Yes? Oh, hello.” She greeted a little nervously. “Hi there, um, I couldn’t help but notice you may be having a little trouble with your bags there. Would you like some help?” Sombra offered. “Well, uh....” Cheerilee was a little surprised that Sombra had come to her offering his assistance. She did hear the princesses say he had changed and was no longer evil, but there was still a little doubt in her. But at the same time, she knew she should give him a chance. “Why, thank you. That is very nice of you to offer. Sombra is it?” She asked with a smile. Sombra smiled back. “Yes, it is. Here, allow me.” Sombra used his magic to lift Cheerilee’s saddle bags off her back and placed them on his own. “So, do you live close by?” “Kind of, just follow me and I’ll lead the way. I’m Cheeriliee by the way.” “I know, my son told me.” “I’ll see you back at the house dad.” Midnight said as he started walking off. “Ok, see you later son.” Sombra called back. Two hours later, Midnight had finished getting everything set up to begin work on his first painting. Just as he was about to start, there was a knock at the door. “Oh come on. Really?” He said with a smile. “It never fails, just when I’m about to start work, I get a knock at the door.” Midnight shook his head as he made his way over to the front door. He used his magic to turn the knob and open the door. “Yes?” “Hi Midnight.” Derpy said as she stood there looking a little guilty. Midnight gave a light glare. “Oh, hey Derpy, what’s up?” Derpy shuffled a hoof in the ground before responding. “I…I wanted to apologize for how I acted this morning when you introduced me to your dad.” Midnight cocked an eyebrow. “Really?” “Yeah, I shouldn’t have acted that way. I should believe you and the princesses when you and them said he had changed. I wanted to apologize to him for that. Is he around?” She asked as she looked up. Midnight smiled a little. “He’s out at the moment. He should be back soon, you can come in and wait for him. We can just talk while you wait if you want.” Derpy smiled. “I’d like that, I hope I’m not bothering you.” “Nah, come on in, I was just about to start on a painting, we can talk while I work.” “You sure?” Derpy asked with a concerned look. “Sure, come in.” Midnight stepped aside to let Derpy in. She walked in with a smile. “You can have a seat on the couch. Would you like something to drink?” “Sure, do you have any applejuice?” “Yep, just a sec.” Derpy took a seat on the couch and made herself comfortable. Midnight came back with two bottles of applejuice floating next to him and sent one to Derpy. He then took a seat and opened his bottle up. “Fresh from Sweet Apple Acres, courtesy of Applejack. I tried to tell her I could pay for it, but she wouldn’t let me.” “Yeah, that sounds like her.” “And here I thought Rarity was the generous one.” Midnight stated. The two then shared a good laugh at that. After, Midnight finally got up and started on his painting. “Midnight?” Derpy said to get his attention. “Yes Derpy?” Midnight continued to paint, keeping his eyes on the canvas while he worked. “I guess you also know I lied when I said that position at the post office was full too huh?” She asked as she hung her head. “Kind of, yeah.” “Well, if he wants, he’s more than welcome to come by and apply for the position. He’ll be given a fair chance just like any other pony.” Derpy stated happily. Midnight paused in his work, moving his brush in his magic grasp away from the canvas. “Really? That’s great, he’ll be glad to hear it.” Suddenly, the front door opened and Sombra walked in. “Hey son, sorry it took so long.” Midnight placed his brush down in a jar of water he had on the side. “Hey dad, what did take so long?” He asked with a smile. “Well, when I got to Cheerilee’s place to help her with her groceries, we ended up talking a bit.” “That’s good.” Sombra finally noticed Derpy. “Oh, hello, I’m sorry, I didn’t see you there. Derpy Hooves right?” Derpy gave a small smile. “Yeah, that’s me. I came by because I wanted to apologize for my behavior earlier. I’m really sorry about that.” Sobra cocked an eyebrow at first, then smiled. “Really? Well I’m glad you did. I take it you don’t think me as evil then?” “Yeah, I’m sorry about that. No, I just…….never mind, can we start over?” Derpy asked with a smile. “Hm, sure.” Sombra said as he extended a hoof for a shake. Once the greeting was done, Sombra took a seat on the couch next to Derpy. Midnight then went back to his canvas to begin his work. “So son, what painting are you working on?” “This one is for Golden Harvest, she asked for a scenery painting of an open field.” Midnight said as he took hold of his brush with his magic. “Sounds nice.” Derpy said. Midnight, would you be willing to make a painting for me too?” “Of course, just let me finish this and we can discuss it.” As Midnight worked, Derpy and Sombra talked. She soon told Sombra that the post office was indeed hiring and he was more than welcome to apply for a position. Half way through Midnight’s painting, he finally asked. “So dad, you and Cheerilee had a good talk you said?” “Yes, she is a nice mare.” “What did you two talk about?” “Stuff.” Sombra simply answered. “What kind of stuff?” “Midnight.” Sombra said with a smirk. Midnight looked back at his father. “What, I’m just curious.” Sombra rolled his eyes and Derpy just giggled. “Derpy, this painting is going to take a while, are you sure you want to wait until I’m done? You can come by anytime.” Midnight stated. “I don’t mind waiting, I would like to see you work, if you don’t mind that is.” Derpy said. Midnight gave her a smile. “I don’t mind. It’s nice to be able to hang out with you, even if it is while I’m working.” “*Sigh* All right son, I’ll spill.” Sombra said with a sigh. “Great, so what happened?” Midnight asked happily. “We got to talking, she was curious about my past so I kind of told her. She offered her sympathy upon hearing what happened to Heart String. She told me a bit about her and before we knew it, we made plans to meet again.” “Who’s Heart String?” Derpy asked. Midnight seemed to slow his work upon her mention. “She was my mom.” “Was? Oh, I…..I’m sorry, I….” Derpy frowned as she hung her head. Midnight looked back at Derpy with a smile. “Don’t worry about it, it’s fine.” Midnight continued his work as he, his father, and his friend talked about various things. It was just a regular day for Midnight Star.