//------------------------------// // Chapter 04 (This Night Shall Last Forever!) // Story: The Mane Six Meddle with Time // by Alticron //------------------------------// On a late evening in Canterlot, Twilight Sparkle and Spike had arrived at the royal palace after receiving a summons from Princess Celestia. Spike had gone to his and Twilight’s guest room while Twilight went to the throne room. The guards let the young princess into the room, where her former mentor and Princess Luna were waiting for her. “Good evening, Twilight. I assume you know why Luna and I have summoned you here?” Celestia asked while having a cup of tea. “Yes, Princess Celestia. You both want to know why Pinkie was covered in blood and caused the town to panic.” As Twilight spoke, Luna eyes widened with shock. “What are you blathering on about? We called you to discuss an error on a zoning permit for your library. What’s this about Pinkie Pie being covered in blood?!” Twilight proceeded to sweat bullets as her situation apparently went from bad to worse. “Uh… Well… You see…” Twilight stopped talking once she spotted that Luna was biting her lip to keep from laughing. “Princess Luna, what’s so funny?” As Luna broke down laughing, Celestia rolled her eyes. “I apologize for this. It appears Luna thought it would be funny to make you panicked.” Celestia’s horn glowed with a golden light as a small, dark cloud materialized behind Luna before a small lightning bolt shot out, striking the blue alicorn in the rump, causing her laughter to cease with a yelp. “Now, would you please explain to us exactly why your friend was in such a shocking state? I assume that there is an explanation.” “Rest assured, I do have one.” Twilight said with a nod. Her horn glowed magenta as a golden bracelet floated out her saddle bags. “This is a bracelet I enchanted to become a reusable time travel device. It has no effect on the timeline that we inhabit any way.” “And how are you sure of this, Twilight?” Luna asked as she brought an ice pack to her smouldering plot. “Well… could you promise not to tell anypony what I’m about to tell you?” Twilight asked hopefully. Celestia’s eyebrow rose. “That depends, Twilight. Please continue.” She said sternly. Twilight took a deep breath before continuing. “On my initial trial-run, I accidentally killed my father thirty years ago. Since I still exist, I assume that you realize what that means.” Luna looked confused while Celestia nodded. “I assume that means… that thy mother is a harlot?” The confused princess spoke with a note of uncertainty. “LUNA!!!” Celestia bellowed as Twilight flew up to Luna’s face, glaring. “Don’t call my Mom a whorse!!!” Twilight exclaimed. “My apologies, Twilight Sparkle. But how can you be certain that the explanation for your continued existence is the possibility of alternate timelines or some such thing rather than your mother inviting another stallion into her heart and parts beyond?” Twilight spoke with gritted teeth. “Because I wrote a letter to him to make sure that he was okay, and I briefly saw him and my mother when I got off the train from Ponyville.” At this, Luna stared down at her hooves and blushed. “Also, the fact that you’re still alive is more proof the alternate timeline theory.” Luna’s head rose at this with a confused look returning to her features. “Beg pardon, Twilight. But what do you mean by this? It so far has been a most confusing of nights.” “What I mean is actually why I was called here in the first place. When Pinkie used the Time Band, she went back in time to try to turn by you back from Nightmare Moon without using the Elements of Harmony. The end result was… well… Nightmare Moon exploding. That’s why she was covered in blood.” Luna jaw dropped in a rather un-princess-like manner upon hearing this news, Celestia could only stare on. “My word, that is rather shocking.” Luna said. “How could she dispatch of Nightmare Moon in such a… gruesome manner?” “From what I can tell, she used a magical amulet she had purchased called the ‘Sun Stone’.” When Twilight said the name of the amulet, Luna’s eyes narrowed as she slowly turned her neck to glare at her sister, who was staring down at her hooves while a light blush came across her cheeks. “Sister.” Luna spoke with clenched teeth. “What did you do?” “I’m sorry, Luna.” Celestia said while continuing to stare downward. “What did you do?” “I hadn’t used it in centuries.” “What did you do?” Luna voice started to rise. “I completely forgot it was weapon! I thought it just another piece of jewellery!” Celestia shouted as she threw her hooves over her eyes. “What… did… you… do?!” Luna said as a large vein became visible on her neck. “You want to know what I did with that blasted stone?! Fine!” Celestia exclaimed as she threw her hooves down as she faced her younger sister. “I sold the damn thing along with the rest of my disco outfit! There! Are you happy now?!” “YOU WHAT!?!” The Royal Canterlot Voice caused the windows closest to the throne to crack as the others in the room trembled. Celestia let out a sigh. “Luna, please try to understand. It had been at least 1,100 years since I had last used to stone in combat. It had been so long, I mistook it for just another necklace that had been in my possession for an unknown amount of time. I wore it with me during the time when disco was a popular music and dance fad. After the fad had died out, I had the outfit, Sun Stone included, sold off in a charity auction. I hadn’t realised it until years later, and I thank Faust for the Garlic Festival that was being held then.” Luna harrumphed like a small child at her sister’s explanation. “I still find your explanation somewhat unsatisfactory, dear sister.” “I know Luna; you’re upset over my mistake. I do promise to reclaim the weapon from civilian hooves. In the meantime, I do have something that’ll put a smile back on your face.” Her horn glowed as a small photo had appeared in a flash in front of Luna’s face. A large grinned crossed her face as a golden barrier appeared over her. Twilight could clearly see that Luna was laughing so hard and leaning back that she had caused her and her throne to tumble back. “Wow. She seems to be enjoying herself. What did you show her to make her laugh like this?” Twilight piqued up. Celestia let out an embarrassed sigh. “Me in my old disco outfit. Other than this, I’m pretty sure I burned all the pictures of me with an afro.” “Was it really necessary to put a barrier over her?” Twilight looked at the muted blue alicorn whose legs were kicking wildly into the air. “Maybe, maybe not. Either way, I cannot risk having her Royal Canterlot Laugh destroying all the windows in the throne room. The budget just won’t allow it.” After several minutes, Luna had finally calmed down and the barrier dropped. “Sooo… is there anything else we need to take care of tonight?” Twilight asked. “Not tonight, Twilight. All three of us will be meeting with a special guest tomorrow morning. Her train will be coming in very late tonight from Appleloosa. The guards shall escort to her room and we shall meet her at breakfast.” Celestia responded. “Well, if all business has concluded for the day, might we venture to my chamber for some fun?” Luna asked after catching her breath. “Um… What kind of ‘fun’ did you have in mind?” Just as Twilight finished her sentence, Luna’s horn shone for an instant before both of them vanished in a flash, leaving Celestia on her throne. “What am I? Chopped liver?” Twilight’s eyes took a moment to adjust after the teleportation. She found herself and Luna in a room very much like Celestia’s bed chamber, but there were several differences. The most obvious was that the colour scheme was primarily dark blue and black with some purple and silver accents. The next that Twilight noticed was that instead of the golden birdcage that normally housed Philomena was a silver perch that a possum was hanging from by his tail. The final difference was all of the boxes scattered all across the room. Twilight decided to ask the first question that came to her mind. “Luna, I still need to know, what do you have planned for our fun? Please tell me it doesn’t involve spying on my friends in their dreams.” “Neigh, Twilight Sparkle. I don’t go into the dreams of others for my own entertainment purposes… often.” Luna quickly muttered the last part under her breath. “Besides, I have been avoiding the dreams of your friends unless necessary ever since I stumbled upon the dream of Pinkie Pie’s where she performed a wedding ceremony for Rarity and some… strange cat/unicorn hybrid. After that, she turned into a gerbil and Celestia became a massive teacher with a glass tube and…” Luna shivered. “Just the thought only causes my buttocks to ache… Of course, that could be due to the lightning.” Twilight decided now to try to quickly change the subject away from Pinkie’s dreams. “So… um… what’s with all the boxes?” “Ah yes, those were some boxes I stumbled upon within a storage area within the palace walls. These boxes were apparently Cadance’s, but she did not see fit to take them with her to the Crystal Empire. Since she seemed to leave these behind, I believe the modern saying that fits this situation would be ‘Finders, keepers. Losers, weepers.’ Besides, it mostly appears to be either clothing that one would call, ‘out-of-style’, or costumes for Nightmare Night… which brings me back to why I brought you here this night.” As Luna spoke, she started to grin wider and wider. “Remember when I visited Ponyville on Nightmare Night and you lent me your assistance? It was a most wonderful of nights. Since then, I have spent some of my free time to read up on this holiday and the ways it is celebrated. When Nightmare Night comes next, I hope to make it an even more wonderful night.” “Um… and what would that have to do with me being here right now?” “Why it’s quite simple, my friend. What I have planned is currently just theory, so intend to put my plan to the test. I would like to use your time band to practice my Nightmare Night routine on the citizens of Ponyville past. This way, should something be amiss with my plans, it would be, as I believe the young foals say, ‘No harm, no foul’. Yes?” “Hmm... that does sound like a fairly safe plan. Alright Luna…” Twilight horn glowed as she flew the time band to Luna. “Here you go. Remember, just picture the time and place want to go to and press the gem.” Luna quickly slipped the band onto her right foreleg. “Ah, but it appears that something important has slipped your mind, my good friend.” She said with a slight smirk. “I did? What could I have missed?” “It’s quite simple, dear Twilight, for what is Nightmare Night without the delightful costumes?” Luna then ran behind a screen near her bed. “Tis a good thing I’ve prepared some costume ideas in advance.” Soon after she disappeared behind the screen, her necklace and crown were tossed over the top, hitting the possum’s perch and causing it to wobble. The possum let out angry chittering noises towards the pony behind the screen. “Sorry Tiberius, Mommy’s getting ready to test out her plans. I’ll get you some treats to make up for this offence.” After a minute, Luna emerged from behind the screen. “So Twilight, what do you think?” Twilight’s jaw dropped at what she saw the night princess was wearing. Along with her regular silver boots was a purple cape with a pale-violet fringe, clasped around her neck with a pink opal pendant. Upon her head was a dark purple wide-brimmed hat with a long pink feather. Sitting on her nose was a small set of gold-rimmed glasses with rose coloured lenses. She carried a gold cane in her left foreleg. “I see that my attire has rendered you speechless. Excellent, that is exactly what I was hoping for. And with that, I am off!” Luna’s hoof reached for the gem in the band. “Luna, wait! Stop! You look like a…” Twilight rushed to try and stop her, but she was too late. Luna had vanished in a flash and returned a second later. “Twilight, what is a ‘pimp’?” She asked, confusion written all over her face. Twilight groaned. “A pimp is a sort of manager one or more prostitutes. I tried to warn you before went off. Sorry.” “Ahh… no need for apologies, Twilight. It was I who rushed in. I thought this was merely festive yet casual party attire, though this would explain why several ponies on street corner were offering me their services. Perhaps my attempt to introduce myself with modern vernacular also may have given ponies the wrong impression of me.” “What did you say?” “‘Sup homies, Luna in da house!” Twilight bit her lip to keep herself from laughing. “Err… Maybe you should try dressing like a superhero. That would probably help you connect better with your subjects.” “Splendid idea, Twilight Sparkle!” Luna shouted as she tossed off her clothes. “I shall garb myself like one of the colourful heroes of the novellas of many pictures! I may know little about the medium, but I believe I know the perfect one to go as, the perfect shining beacon of hope and light! One that I doubt anypony has looked properly like.” “Oh, and which hero would that be?” “Watch my friend, and be amazed at the sight before you!” Luna shouted has her horn lit up, engulfing the room in a bright flash. When Twilight could clearly see again, what she saw made her go slack-jawwed. She saw that Princess Luna was covered in flames, yet she seemed unusually calm for a pony that was on fire. “Are you impressed by this display, my friend?” Twilight shook her head to regain her senses. “Luna, are you supposed to be on fire?!” She nearly screamed. “But of course!” The burning mare answered. “For I am the mighty and marvelous mechanical mare and the courageous creator of conflagrations, I am The Equine Torch!” “Is… whatever you’re doing to yourself safe?” Twilight asked, on the verge of panic. “Certainly, I have used this spell many times in battle before. It completely engulfs the user in flames while leaving them unharmed.” Luna said with a flick of her tail, not noticing it brush against one of the many boxes behind her. “And now, I go forth into the past again. Excelsior!” When Luna vanished, Twilight’s eyes widened at the sight of the blazing box. Upon arriving in the past, Luna had decided to forgo her personal chariot. She believed it would be much more fitting to fly in by herself, to appear like a shooting star with her arrival. When she landed in the town’s square, everyone was stunned into silence by her appearance. Excellent, my subjects have truly never beheld a costume quite like mine. Now, let’s get this show on the pathway! “Greetings, citizens of Ponyville.” She called out joyfully. “Let us have a most wonderful of nights. I can clearly see that you have to effort in preparing for these festivities and the results speak for themselves.” Luna jumped to the various games that were set up. “You’ve set catapults for pumpkin launching, webs to toss plush spiders at; you’ve even set up a dunk tank. I believe this shall be quite fun.” Luna then ran passed closely to the many stands that were lining the street. “You have set many stands filled with treats, sweets for the young ones and spirituous beverages for the adults.” Luna hopped onto the stage were a band was standing slack-jawwed. “You’ve erected a magnificent stage so we may be serenaded with many a merry melody.” She flew off the stage and on to the roof of a house before running across several others. “And last, but most certainly not least, you’ve all put a great deal of time and effort in decorating your homes for the occasion.” She jumped off the last roof before gently gliding back down to the centre of town. “So with this improvised speech out of the way, let the festivities begin!” Luna closed her eyes, waiting hear her subjects give out shouts of joy, but what she heard instead where screams of panic. “Quick, find some water!” “Run!” “Protect the foals!” “My cabbages!” “Somepony! Get some pegasi to make it rain!” Luna then opened her eyes. “Rain? Why would you want rain at a time like th…” Her voice died in her throat at the horrific sight before her. All the attractions she had visited were now ablaze. She soon realised that she was the cause of the catastrophe the town now faced. “Oh… poopie…” “Don’t worry, Princess Luna! I’ll save you!” A voice yelled out. “What?” Luna turned to see the source of the voice. It was Twilight Sparkle, running toward her with her horn glowing as she levitated the tub meant for apple bobbing beside her. “Twilight, wa-” Luna was cut off as the tub landed on her head, soaking her to the bone, extinguishing the flames and causing an apple to get speared on her horn. “Ugh… this time was a total train wreck.” Luna pressed on the central gem on time band to return home. When Luna returned, she saw that Twilight had just grabbed one of Luna’s blankets and was using to smother a small fire. After making sure that the fire was out, she then turned her attention to the damp alicorn. “So… um… how did it… go?” Twilight asked nervously. “Disastrously.” Luna replied as she levitated a towel and brush towards her. “Twilight, you did say that nothing we do in the past has an impact on the time we live in, correct?” “Yeah… why?” “Good, I really don’t want to have to deal with burning down a town right now.” As she spoke, Tiberius climbed up her mane and on to her head to steal the apple away. “Err… maybe… I should pick out a costume for you…” “Very well, it couldn’t possibly be worse than what just happened.” Twilight started searching through the various boxes that we’re scattered across the room, searching for something suitable. “Hmm… let’s see… no… that won’t work… Ah ha! I think I’ve found the perfect costume for you.” She shouted before tossing the clothes at Luna. “Don’t forget this wig.” She said as she tossed the last item. “I won’t.” Luna said before going back behind her screen once more. After a minute Luna emerged wearing her costume. Her hindlegs had long, pink boots with a white trim with an angled top. Her forelegs had long, white gloves with pink bands at the top. Her body was covered by a blue pleated skirt and white blouse with a blue sailor collar and a large pink bow. In the centre of the bow was a small gold pendant. Lastly, her mane was completely covered by a blond wig with two buns and long pigtails. “You’re certain that this costume is ideal?” “Positive. You’ll have a great time. Have fun, Princess Luna.” Twilight said as she waved at Luna. “Hopefully, I shall.” Luna pressed the gem and vanished. A second later, she had returned. Her belly was swollen and her face looked somewhat green. “Um… Are you alright, Luna?” Twilight inquired as Luna walked towards her balcony. “I am quite fine, Twilight. I simply indulged too much on sweets and spirits. I simply require some fresh air to settle my stomach.” She said as she placed forelegs on railing. “Okay, how did things go?” “Splendidly! I played many games with the young foals and feasted on the most delightful treats I had ever had. It was truly one of the most wonderful of n…” Luna was when cut off as her cheeks expanded suddenly. Twilight looked away as Luna quickly turned her head and retched over the balcony. “Luna, are you okay? Is there anything I can get you?” Twilight asked as she rushed over to Luna’s side and started rubbing her back. “Urgh…” “FAUST CURSE IT LUNA!!! I JUST GOT OUT OF THE SHOWER!!!” A Royal Canterlot Voice shouted out from below. “Sorry sister, I ate way too much can- BLEURGH!” Luna said weakly before vomiting again. “URGH! LUNA, THAT WENT IN MY MOUTH!” Celestia spat before lowering the volume of her voice to a much quieter shout. “Ergh… Just make sure that you’re ready for our meeting in the morning. I’ll be in the shower and brushing my teeth till my tongue sparkles. Maybe by then I’ll get the taste of sick out of my mouth.” “I will, sister.” Luna responded weakly before turn to look at Twilight. “I should be fine now that my stomach is empty. However, there is something I must inquire about this costume you game me.” “Sure thing, what would you like to know?” “Could you please tell me about the strange stain I found upon the inside of the skirt? I am unsure about what this stain between the hindlegs could possibly be.” “Hmm… well… I did make the outfit from a box of Cadance’s old things, so it’s probably…” Twilight suddenly paled at the mental image that suddenly came to her. “Eww… Shining!” “You believe that Shining Armor is the cause of this stain? Why is that?” Luna asked as her eyebrow rose. “Urgh… I really don’t want to think about it. I’m going to go to sleep and try not to think about Shining and Cadance doing… that…” Twilight said as she headed toward the door. Once she had left, Luna was left to ponder. “Hmm… To what was Twilight referring to when she mentioned Shining Armor and Cadance?” Luna asked as her mind started to wander. “I wonder what they are doing now.” In the Crystal Empire, Princess Mi Amore Cadenza and Prince-Consort Shining Armor had entered a dark chamber in the palace. “Is everything thing ready?” Shining Armor quietly asked as he closed the door behind them. “Yes, I managed to get the last pieces for the chest plate. Tonight will be the night I’ve been waiting for since I was young.” Cadance said as a large smile crossed her face. “I put it with the swords and everything else you’ll need for this.” “Alright, I’ll get ready.” Shining answered before heading towards a nearby room. “How do feel about this, Shiny?” She asked with concern. “I’ll admit I’m a little nervous.” He then put on a turned to face her and smiled. “But it’s nothing I can’t handle.” “Excellent, you get prepped. I’ll be going over my maps while you get ready.” Once her husband was out of the room, Cadance went to her desk. On the desk was a map of Canterlot. Cadance opened one of the desk drawers and carefully pulled out a highly detailed replica of the royal palace and placed it in the centre of the map. Searching through the desk once more, she found the last items she would need for the scenario she was planning. She reached in and pulled out two small figurines, one was of a purple alicorn with a crown that she carefully placed in the replica’s garden. The second was of an orange pegasus in golden armour that she placed in front of the alicorn figurine. She gently placed her hooves on the backs of the figures as she started to speak in voices that we’re not her own. “Flash Sentry, were you staring at my royal rump?” She spoke in a feminine voice as she moved the purple figure back and forth. “Uh, my apologies your highness, I didn’t mean to…” Cadance said in a much deeper voice. “Hehe… Oh, you cute colt…” She returned to the feminine voice before turning the purple figure so that it was facing away from the orange figure. “I didn’t say to stop.” She said in a sing-song voice she wiggled the purple figure’s plastic hindquarters towards the orange one’s face. “Oh my! Princess, would you be offended if I said you had the most perfect plot in all Equestria?” The deeper voice asked as she moved the figure side to side. “Not at all my beloved, but I think we should take this somewhere a little more private. Woosh!” The feminine voice said before moving the figures off the desk. She quickly put the model palace back in her before replacing the map of Canterlot with one of Ponyville. She placed a dollhouse replica of the town’s library in the centre of the map before placing the figurines in the dollhouse’s bedroom with another “Woosh!”. “Ah, welcome to my bedroom.” She said as she moved the toy alicorn. “Don’t think that me letting you in here is an invitation for any funny stuff. I mean…” She carefully used her magic to levitate a tiny riding crop into the purple toy’s hooves. “Not that I have a problem with funny stuff.” “Cadance…” Shining Armor called out as he stuck his head out of the bathroom door and turning on the bedroom light. “Do you really need to play out these fantasies with Twily doing these kinds of things?” Cadance looked to her husband as she levitated a figure of a white unicorn with a blue mane and tail out of her desk. “Do you want Mini-You to join in with them again?” She said with a slight glare. “No!” He answered quickly. “I mean… not really, no.” He said more calmly as he put a mask on over his eyes. “Anyway, I’m all ready for your other fantasy.” He stepped out of the bathroom with the outfit that Cadance had prepped for tonight. He had a large turtle shell on his back with a matching chest plate. A blue belt that matched his mask was wrapped around his waist. On his knees were matching blue kneepads. Lastly, on the back of the shell was a pair of ninjaken in their scabbards. “Wonderful!” Cadance shouted as she discarded her toys before back flipping onto their bed. “Now Leonardo, whisper bad things to me!” Shining Armor gave a sigh before he climbed onto the bed. The things I do for love. On a train headed for Canterlot, a mare sat alone in a train car, looking at the bright lights of the approaching city through the window. A knock came before a green stallion with a white muzzle opened the door and stuck his head in. “Excuse me, can I sit here?” The freckled stallion asked. “All of the other cars are full.” “Knock yourself out.” The mare said as she gestured to the bench across from her, never taking her eyes off the window. “Thanks.” The brown maned stallion said as he took his seat. “You headed to Canterlot?” “Yeah.” “Neat… Might I ask why?” The mare gave a sigh. “Might as well. I’ve basically been living in a box in some small town named Apple-whatever until a member of the guard or some such recognized me and contacted Princi- I mean, Princess Celestia. I then got a request to see her and a promise that she would give me something.” “Wow, that sounds cool. Did the princess say what she would give you?” “No, not really.” “Oh… Is there anything you want in particular?” “Eh, hopefully what anyone in my situation would want.” “Okay… and what would that be?” “Oh, y’know… food… a place to live… revenge…” “DUN-DUN-DUUUUNNNNNN!!!” “Waaaahhhhh! Waaaahhh!” “Darn it, Pinkie!” Mrs. Cake shouted. “You woke up the twins!” “Sorry Mrs. Cake, it just felt appropriate.”