My name. You know what? Screw this. It's not like it even matters to you. No one has cared much about me, not my father, not my mother, neither of whom I've ever met or known. Not even the foster parents I live with care for me. To them, I'm just a burden, a chip on their shoulders, a money vacuum-cleaner. The list just goes on.
Wait, you're still listening? Well maybe you at least deserve my name.
Moonbeam Crater.
My cutie mark had made itself appear on my dark blue pelt when I stargazed after my fifth set of foster parents said they were fed up with me. I remember looking up at the stars and moon and forgetting about all life’s troubles for a while. I still stargaze today when I feel down, the night sky is just like a hole in the ground, an escape from everything. The silvery half moon complete with dark grey circles of craters had made itself apparent that the night sky was my passion. I felt that the starry canvas was my real home. Why? No idea, it just felt right.
My life wasn't exactly normal until one week changed all of that in the most catastrophic of ways.
I was a troubled kid so to speak; Dead parents, 12 previous foster homes, and 3 arrests. Not a poster child right? I had wanted to join the Royal Guard, but after being arrested, those dreams were smashed like a hammer to a glass goblet. I was a unicorn, using magic, which was a very good talent of mine, had come in handy when I wanted to get back at bullies and nasty foster parents. I was very talented as my teachers in school noted, but needed to use my real powers for good instead of evil. I was a straight a student and was supposed to be the valedictorian for Fillydelphia High School. It was May so everypony was buckling down and getting to work. I didn't have to work so hard, I got most of the lessons the first time, so repeat questions kinda became a pet peeve of mine. I walked through the bustling city on the way home to my foster parent's apartment in downtown. The spring air was cool and refreshing against my fur, a great contrast from the flank-freezing winters.
"Sup Braeburn." I said, opening the door and seeing my foster dad's brother on the couch, cider in his hoof already. During the summers, Braeburn was my foster parent essentially. I lived in Appleoosa until school started in september. He was the nicest guy I ever met and really appreciated my work on his ranch. He was like a brother and a father to me.
"Well what took ya so damn long?" He asked, his southern drawl very apparent.
"I walk home dude. I hate the buckin bus. Too many assholes." I said.
"Damn city kids" he grunted, "don't know a stallion finer than you in all of Equestria."
"What the buck is that supposed to mean?" I asked.
"Well first of all, you've got a body that would bring Iron Will tuh tears. Second, you are smart as the devil himself. And thirdly, you're just an overall nice pony. Only reason I see someone pickin on you is if they were jealous." He explained.
"Thanks Brae. Hey, toss me a cider will ya?" I asked him, making my way to the couch.
"You're not old enough" he smirked, reminding me of our summer together. I had out drank him twice when I was 16, humiliating him in front of the whole town.
"Shut the buck up Brae and pass me a damn cider!" I laughed as i plopped down on the sofa. A cider was tossed towards me as I grabbed it with my magic.
The tv was showing some crappy reality show.
"Hey Brae?" I asked him.
"Hm?" He responded midway through a drag of cider.
"How's AJ doing?" I asked. I had met his cousin a few times and we really hit it off. I hated this damn city, if I didn't have to be here I would be in either Appleoosa or the country outside Ponyville.
"She's fine. Why do you ask?" He smirked.
"I haven't seen her in a while. I bucking hate this city, and wish I could live out there with you all the time." I lamented, giving the coffee table a light kick.
"Well, Apple Core and Candy Apple are the only Apples who live in the city. Don't know how they do it but I wish you lived out here too. But Apple Core and Candy are nice parents right?" He asked.
"Nicest I've ever had. Just too citified" I answer.
That was true. Candy Apple and Apple Core were the nicest parents I ever had. They actually cared about me. I had never been arrested with them, and they really straightened me out. I would be sad to see them go when I graduate.
Speaking of the devil, Candy Apple opens the door and sighs. Her eyes then fell on me and Braeburn.
"Well hello kiddo? How was school?" She asked, sitting on the adjacent loveseat.
"Same crap, different day." I said, waving a hoof in the air.
"English a drag?" She asked.
"Yeah, essays over spring break. Speaking of which, do you think I could go with Braeburn over spring break?" I ask.
"Core was just talking about that. He said you asked him yesterday. He and I have no problem with that. Braeburn, could you pick him up tomorrow afternoon?" She asked.
"Not a problem. I gotta get going, just wanted to drop by and say hi. See ya tomorrow Crater." He said, downing the last of his cider.
"Peace Brae." I said as the door shut.
"Better get started on that essay." Candy told me.
"Sweet Celestia Candy! He hasn't even been gone 5 seconds!" I said, exasperated.
Nonetheless, I grabbed my bag and headed down to my room.
I was working for hours, dinner came and went. I stopped for 10 minutes to eat, and tried to finish the essay before tomorrow. Suddenly around 10 o'clock, there was a knock at my door.
"Moonbeam?" Candy's voice came from the other side of my door.
"Yeah? I grunted
"There are some very important people out here to see you!” She said, an unnatural urgency in her voice.
“Alright, Alright. What’s the big d-” I was cut off by the sight in front of me.
There, in the small den, her ethereal mane and tail flowing and sparkling with the light of a thousand stars, stood Luna. The princess of the night.
What is going on? Why is the Princess of the Night in our den?