The Night Child
Rainbow Dash shifted through the darkened Ponyville sky. She stomped on clouds encouraging them to rain. The blue mare had just finished putting the last raincloud in place when she noticed an unfamiliar cloaked pony getting of the train. “What?” Rainbow said to herself, “I didn’t know the express ran this late.” She surged it off and flew around to inspecting every cloud. Returning from her circle drenched in rain, she saw the unknown pony still just standing there. “Okay, now I know I’m not just seeing things.”
The soaked pegesus flew down next to the hooded stranger. “Hey, uh, you want me to help you get to a friendly place to stay for the night”
“Yes. That would be nice,” said a feminine voice. Rainbow Dash showed her the way to Twilight’s castle. “Wait here.” She told the stranger as soon as they got inside. With a burst of speed she flew straight up to Twilight’s bedroom.
“Hey, Twilight!” Rainbow Dash shook the limb alicorn. “I need your help!”
“Ah!” The princess bolted straight up.
“Ah! Spike panicked from a pet bed at the foot of Twilight’s, “What’s going on? Are we under attack…? Oh… It’s you.” The young dragon yawned, “Twilight I think Rainbow wants to talk to you.” He rolled over and pulled his covers over his head.
“Rainbow Dash, what are you doing here and why are you up so late?” Asked Twilight Sparkle.
“Well, uh, that’s not important. What is important is that I found this mysterious mare just standing around just outside Ponyville.”
“Rainbow, please tell me you didn’t bring her here.”
“Well, I couldn’t just leave her there in the rain.”
Twilight sighed, “Where is she now?”
Rainbow Dash and Twilight Sparkle walked down to the main entrance. At the front door sat a dark blue pegasus with amethyst eyes, black hair, and a cutie mark depicting a cloud covered full moon. Next to her was a black coat. The mare then bowed before the princess of friendship.
“Oh my gosh, oh my gosh, oh my gosh.” The rainbow-maned pony flew circles around the pegasus, “Lunar, It’s been so long, how are you? Where were you?”
“It’s nice to see you too, Rainbow,” the darker pegasus replied.
“Rainbow, you know this mare?” The alicorn said.
“Know her? We are practically related. Actually we are related. Twilight this is Lunar Dash, she is my cousin. We used to hang out all the time when we fillies in Cloudsdale.”
“Well, it’s nice to meet you Lunar Dash.”
“The pleasure is really all mine, Princess Twilight Sparkle.” Lunar said once again bowing.
“What brings you to Ponyville?” Twilight Asked.
“I came here to see Rainbow.”
“You came just to see me? Why?” Rainbow Dash said.
“I came because I’m sick.”
“What? You don’t look sick.”
“I know, but I am. The doctor said that I only have until the end of tomorrow to live.”
“What!” Rainbow and Twilight both exclaimed.
“And I wanted to spend my last day with you, Rainbow.”
“Well, maybe there is a way I could help.” Twilight said. “There must be something I can find in one of my books.”
Lunar shook her head, “Don’t bother Princess.”
“Please call me Twilight.”
“Don’t bother, Twilight. The doctors already tried everything. I’ll be fine as long as I get to spend time with Rainbow.”
“Well, if there is anything you want-
“I got an idea.” Rainbow Dash interrupted, “We should get all our friend together and make sure you have the best last day ever!”
“That’s a great idea Rainbow.” Twilight said, “Lunar, I know it might not be what you were expecting, but you’ll see our friends are great and I know you’ll have a fun time meeting them.”
The next morning Lunar Dash was startled awake to find herself in a bright and colorful room. It was definitely not part of Twilight’s castle were she had rested. She was surrounded by tons of other ponies. Staring directly at her was a pink monstrosity.
“H-hello? Who …” Lunar Dash began to speak.
The pink pony cut her off speaking a mile per minute, “Well, hey there sleepy head. My name’s Pinkie Pie, last night Rainbow Dash told me all about how her cousin Lunar Dash is here, and I figured that was you. Well, I mean you’re the only pony I haven’t seen before so it must be you. I threw you this party because you’re new here. I know you’re gonna love it because everypony I know loves to party and so that must mean you love parties to.”
“Well thanks but…” Lunar said as she stepped steadily backwards, but the farther she was from the pink the more she was engulfed in all the other colorful ponies.
Pinkie Pie continued, “Look we have cake, and balloons, and ooh everypony’s favorite party game pill the tail on the pony!” Pinkie Pie kept on rambling about how great the party. Lunar Dash started to grit her teeth and shake her legs in the middle of the crowd. Suddenly with a burst from her wing she was hovering above the many curious party guests. She was breathing very heavily. In the blink of an eye, she was outside away from the crowd in the hooves of her cousin.
Lunar let go of her cousin as she began flying on her own. “Thanks Rainbow.”
“No problem. I know how Pinkie Pie can be, and I know it would be better to start you off with somepony more your speed.”
“Oh? What’s her name?”
“Actually, you already know her.”
“Who?”
“Fluttershy”
“Fluttershy is here!” Lunar Dash beamed.
“Yeah! She lives in the cottage right over there” Rainbow Dash pointed with her hoof. Then they both flew straight to it. They found Fluttershy with a salad bowl on her head and Angel bunny glaring off in the opposite direction. “Uh, Fluttershy, is this a bad time?” Rainbow dash peered through the door.
“Oh, no, not at all I just… I just wasn’t expecting you to be here so early, Rainbow Dash.”
“You can thank Pinkie Pie for that.” Rainbow said, “Well, anyway, you remember Lunar, right?”
Lunar Dash strolled in, “Hey, Fluttershy.”
Fluttershy jumped. The salad bowl smashed on the ground, “Lunar Dash I haven’t seen you in so long. Ooh I really wish I had more time to prepare. I know I’ll go make some tea.”
Now alone with her cousin Rainbow Dash said, “Do you think I can leave you two alone?”
The black mane nodded, “Uh, yeah, but –
“Great, I’ll go make sure everypony else is ready.” A rainbow trail leading through the slammed door appeared as. Fluttershy floated back into the room.
“I’ve started the water boiling,” the yellow one said. Suddenly Lunar collapsed on the floor planting her hoofs squarely against the side of her head. Fluttershy gasped, “Lunar what’s wrong.”
“I don’t know. I just got this severe headache.”
Fluttershy speed out of the room and grabbed the boiling water and a purple flower. She rushed back and place the mixture in front of Lunar Dash. “Here Smell this.
The other pony obliged, and inhaled deeply. “Wow, I actually feel better. What was that?”
“It was lavender oil. I usually save it for when one of my animals are sick but I thought now was a good time”
“Thanks Fluttershy, you’re the best.”
“So Lunar what has Cloudsdale been like since I moved to Ponyville?”
“Actually, I didn’t stay in Cloudsdale either, but after you disappeared everypony thought that you had just fallen off the edge and couldn’t fly back up.”
Fluttershy blushed and looked to a corner of the room.
“Oh Fluttershy, I’m sorry. I didn’t know that… I’m sorry.”
“Oh it’s quite alright, really. After all that’s where I discovered my love for animals and how I earned my cutie mark.” Fluttershy showed off the three butterflies on her flank.
“That’s awesome. Do you want to know how I got my cutie mark?”
“I am sure that it is a lovely story. Go on tell me all about it.”
“It all started the day before my class was supposed to take the final test.” Lunar Dash began, “I remembered that just the year before when Rainbow had passed. She was the best they’d ever seen…”
“I don’t know, Rainbow Dash. After you impressed them so much last year, I just don’t think I could live up to that.” Filly Lunar Dash said to another young pegasus.
She responded, “Lunar Dash, you’ll be fine, I’ve seen you fly you’re amazing.”
“But I’m not good enough. I’m going to fail I just know it.”
“Lunar, you have to stop holding yourself up to my standards. I am the best flier they have ever seen, but you’re almost as good.”
“Almost, but I’m not. I’m not good. I will fail. Do you even know what happens to the pegusi who fail? Because I’ve heard that they get banished from Cloudsdale and they’re never allowed to see their families again.”
“You’re not that –
“But I am. I might as well leave now and avoid the embarrassment tomorrow.”
Once the moon had fully taken over the sky the blue pony climbed out of her bed. She crept past her parents’ bedroom, and into the kitchen. The pegasus gathered a pencil and paper, and set them underneath a window. Under the light of the full moon she began to scribe.
Dear Mom and Dad,
If you’re reading this, I have already left Cloudsdale never
to return. As you know the final test is this morning. I could not
bear the thought of the shame and embarrassment I would get
when I failed. I know I haven’t always been the easiest pony to
leave with, but even when I was at my worst you guy always stayed
by my side. If it weren’t for you I would not be the pony I am today.
I really just want you to know this is not your fault. I know I don’t
tell you guys this enough, but this probably the last chance I’ll get
so I love you, I love you, I love you two so much I wish things could
be different, but it must be this way. I’m sorry I couldn’t tell you
sooner. Thanks for everything.
Love,
Lunar Dash
A few tears hit the page as she left it on the table, then she stepped outside and took off following the moonlight. The cool night air flowed through her mane, but as the sun peered through the trees Lunar landed on a secluded piece of land. She laid her head down and closed her eyes. When she opened them she spoke, “W-what? Where am I? Where is the ground?” Wherever she was, was surrounded by a starry night sky and a purple haze. Lunar Dash stood up, and walk in place to find the floor, which remained unseen. She walked around looking every which way, and as time passed she began to pick up speed. She ran faster, and faster, until she came to a sudden stop with the sound of a voice.
“Relax. Do not be alarmed,” it spoke.
Lunar returned, “W-what are you. Where are you? Where am I? Where are we?”
“Do not be afraid thou art in, but a simple dream.”
“A dream? So none of this is real?”
“It may be a dream, but it is as real as thy waking life.”
“Who are you? Why are you in my dream?” Lunar Dash demanded.
“Allowest thee myself to show.” A dark blue alicorn manifested in front of the filly, “My name is Princess Luna, but thou may’st call me thy night mother.”
“A princess what are you doing here?”
“My sister banished my cursed body to the moon. I came here to request that thou lendest thine aid in my time of need, and become one of my children of the night.”
“What do I have to do?”
“My job in Equestria was to walk into the nightmares of young ponies, and help them through their pain and their sorrow, but from my imprisonment on the moon, it has become difficult to cast my mind all the way down to Equestria. That is why I need my children to be there to take my place. Dost thou, Lunar Dash humble accept mine offer?”
“Yes I humbly accept your offer… n-night mother.”
Princess Luna graced Lunar Dash’s forehead with her horn.
“And when I woke up this was here, and I knew exactly what I was meant to do.” Lunar concluded.
“Wow,” Fluttershy commented, “Did you ever go back to Cloudsdale?”
“No, I mean, how could I? After all, I –
Lunar was interrupted when the Fluttershy’s front door burst open. A bright blue pegasus flew in, “Lunar, come on let’s go.”
“What do you mean ‘let’s go?’” The darker one asked.
“We have a schedule to keep for your best day ever.”
“But I was –
“Come on, it’s time to go meet Applejack.” Rainbow Dash grabbed her cousin by the hoof.
“Uh, Rainbow Dash.” Fluttershy said softly.
Rainbow rolled her eyes, “What is it Fluttershy?”
“I was just wondering, if it wouldn’t be too much trouble.”
“Out with it, Fluttershy!”
“Could I come with you and Lunar to sweet apple acres?”
“Fine just don’t slow us down too much okay.”
The three of them took off into the sky.
“Wow Fluttershy! You’ve really gotten better at flying since I last saw you.” Lunar Dash commented
Fluttershy blushed.
The night child responded, “Fluttershy, you don’t need to be embarrassed. That was a compliment. You really have improved.” She playfully punched the yellow one.
“Ha you’re one to talk of that.” Rainbow Dash said.
“What do you mean, Rainbow?”
“Well, um… Hey look there’s Applejack right now. I’m gonna go ahead and introduce you.” She dashed off.
When the other two pegasi touched down their hooves sank into the soft earth.
“Careful there, Fluttershy,” Applejack said, “Oh, and howdy there, you must be Lunar Dash. Why, Rainbow here was just telling me all about you.”
“It’s nice to meet you too, Applejack.”
“Why don’t the two of you come over here where it’s, uh… dry.”
“Yeah thanks.” Lunar said.
“Well, now that you’re introduced I’ll just be off.” Rainbow Dash said.
“Rainbow wait. Why are you leaving?”
“Well, you know I –
“You keep dropping me off and then ditching me.”
“What? I thought you liked it when I was alone.”
“Wha- I don’t- I -
Applejack said, “I think what she’s tryin’ to say is you sound plumb crazy sugar cube.”
“Yeah, what she said.” The black mane agreed.
“Fine I’ll talk,” Rainbow Dash said, “But only if we’re alone.”
“Come on, Fluttershy. This could get serious.” Applejack said as she and the yellow pegasus began to walk into the house.
Lunar said, “Rainbow Dash I feel like you’ve been avoiding me all day.”
Rainbow responded, “Well, I kinda was.”
“Why?”
“I don’t I know. I want to spend time with you but I… you… I… you could’ve at least said good bye you know.”
“Rainbow, what are you talking about?”
“I’m talking about when you left Cloudsdale you never told me you were really leaving.”
“Oh, well, Rainbow Dash I’m –
“After I had reminded you how awesome you were.”
“Rainbow I’m –
“You were my only friend, and I did everything for you, and you just up and left.”
“But I’m –
“NO I’ve had enough you can find your own way around.” Rainbow said while fighting back a flood of tears then she flew away as fast as she could.
“I’m sorry,” Lunar said. She then wiped the tears from her eyes, and shambled down a nearby street until she wandered back to Twilight’s castle. The pegasus pushed the door open slightly, “Uh, Princess Twilight Sparkle? Are you here?”
“Oh, Lunar!” The princess called back, “Come on in. Where is Rainbow Dash?”
Lunar Dash stepped inside and allowed the door to swing shut, “That’s just what I wanted to talk to you about.”
“What do you mean? Did something happen?”
She told Twilight all about what had just happened.
“I see, but what do you want me to do about it?” Twilight asked.
“Well, you are the princess of friendship. I was hoping you could figure out a way for me to get Rainbow back.”
“I- I don’t know. Uh, how about you start by telling me about you and Rainbow before you left Cloudsdale.”
“Okay… Rainbow Dash and I where the best of friends. She was almost like my big sister…
“You can do it. I know you can,” a filly Rainbow Dash said.
“No I can’t,” filly Lunar said with her eyes shut tight, “It’s too hard.”
“You just have to flap your wing really hard.”
The struggling filly flapped her wings as hard as she could, “I just can’t do it, Rainbow”
“Lunar, open your eyes.”
She did as her cousin asked, “Ah! I’m doing it. I’m doing it. Rainbow, I’m doing it. I’m flying. I’m really flying!”
“Now that I helped you be a real pegasus, I can count on you to be there for me at the filly flyers competition tomorrow right?”
“Yeah I’ll be there.” Lunar Dash promised.
The next morning at the competition Rainbow Dash was waiting at the edge of the stadium when one of the other competitors approached her, “Hey, Rainbow Crash you’re up next.”
“Ha ha, I know and I am definitely ready to kick your butt.” The blue pegasus retorted. She then glanced at all the stands and whispered to herself, “Come on, Lunar, where are you?”
An anouncer’s voice spoke, “Our next young flier is, Rainbow Dash!”
Rainbow Dash flew to the center of the stadium so that all could see her, “Hello my name is Rainbow Dash and I’m going to perform a sonic rainboom.”
“Rainbow Dash are you sure?” One of the judges said, “You do know that no pony has ever performed a sonic rainboom.”
“No pony except me I have done it before, and I will do it again, right now!” Rainbow flew straight up as high as she could, and then straight back down. She quickly gained momentum. She flew faster and faster, pushing against the sound barrier. Until, snap, it pushed back and sent the young filly flying backwards almost hitting an audience member. Rainbow Dash smile awkwardly at the judges, as they revealed their scores. 1-0-3.
The middle judge said, “Rainbow Dash, I am going to say this as nicely as I can. That was the worst performance I have ever seen.”
“Now now, don’t be so hard on the young filly,” the third judge said, “She did much better than anypony could expect from a pony her age.”
“But she didn’t do it she said ‘rainboom’ and I did not see a rainboom. Need I remind you this is a flying competition? Did I see flying? No, I saw falling.”
“With style. Falling with style.”
“Wi- style? No! If there was any bit of style to that I would have seen a sonic rainboom. Rainbow Dash what are you still doing here? Go home. You lost.”
Rainbow Dash glided out of the stadium, but then quickly changed to a full on dash straight to Lunar’s house where she burst through the door and demanded, “Lunar Dash where are you?!”
“I’m right here,” The black mane said walking in from the other room.
Rainbow flew up to the ceiling, and glared down at her, “Where have you been?!”
Lunar Dash recoiled and shrunk down, “I was, a mm hmmm hmmm.”
“What did you say?!” Rainibow Dash flew up close and stared her right in the eyes.
“I was at my friend’s house.”
“Why?! Since you weren’t there to support me, I lost. I got the worst score possible.
“Rainbow Dash I’m sorry. I was going to go really I was.”
“Then where were you?”
“I was on my way when my friend told me that she was having a party today. I couldn’t help myself so I went there instead, but then I felt bad about missing you’re show. So I left and tried to see if I could still make it to see you’re part, but they wouldn’t let me in. So I came home, and… well come to the kitchen” Lunar led Rainbow Dash to the room she had come from. On the table there was a cake covered in chocolate icing.
Rainbow Dash read the red frosting, “Congratulations… Rainbow Dash.”
“I thought you were going to win, I’m sorry.”
“Oh, Lunar Dash, I- I can’t stay mad at you.” Rainbow hugged Lunar tightly tears rolling down the side of her face.
“Rainbow I’m really sorry I –
“I know, Lunar, I know. Just promise me you’ll never leave me alone again.”
“Ok, I promise I’ll always be by your side.”
“But then I left her again two years later when I left Couldsdale.” Lunar Dash finished telling her story to Twilight, “I didn’t even say ‘Goodbye.’ I didn’t even come to visit until today when I told her was going to die. She must hate me.”
“Lunar I highly doubt that she hates you,” Twilight said.
Suddenly a blue blur burst through the front door, “Twilight I need your help.” It said, then she turned around and glared at Lunar Dash, “W- what are you doing here?”
The dark Pegasus through herself at Rainbows hoofs and sobbed. “Rainbow Dash I am so, so sorry,” she groveled, “please forgive me. I didn’t mean to leave you I just… I… I.”
The tension I Rainbow’s eyes began to easy as she said, “Lunar, I –
She was interrupted by a knock at the door, “I wonder who that could be?” Twilight said.
“I’ll get it,” Rainbow said hastily as she bolted over to the door and yanked it open. Standing there was Fluttershy, Applejack, and Rarity. “Can I help you?” Rainbow Dash asked.
Rarity responded, “Why, yes of course. You can start by letting us in. Pinkie Pie said she was going to be having a lovely party for the 6 of us.”
“Actually, the party is for the 7 of use because the party is for Lunar Dash,” Pinkie said emerging from a nearby trash bin, “Opps, Dashie quick let them in and pretend I’m not here.” Pinkie sank back into the trash bin.
Rainbow moved aside and the other three walked in. They waited a moment and when nothing happened Applejack said, “Okay, Pinkie, we’re all here you can go ahead and come out now.” They walked over the trash bin to check up on her, and all 6 of them jumped when Pinkie burst out of a closet on the other side of the room with her party cannon.
“Surprise!” she shouted, and with one blast of her cannon the entire room was ready for a party.
“Pinkie this is really thoughtful but I don’t really like the big parties.” Lunar said.
“Oh, no, no, no. This isn’t a big party it’s a small one just the 7 of us, just the way I know you love it. It will be a bazillion time better than the last one. That I pinkie promise.”
“Oh, okay.”
Rarity approached Lunar, and said, “Before we really get started dear. I want you to have this.”
“What is it?”
“It’s just a dress I made in my free time. I thought you might like it.”
“Well… thanks… but… you don’t even know me.”
“Oh, that doesn’t matter, you’re related to Rainbow Dash so I’m sure you’re more than deserving of it.”
“Wow… I-I don’t know what to say except… thank you.”
“Why don’t you go ahead and put it on. I’m sure everypony simply can’t wait to see how it looks.”
Everypony watched as Lunar froze up in the middle of the room. Then Rainbow Dash flew around and broke their gazes. “Lunar you don’t have to get changed in front of everypony if you don’t want to, right guys.” They all agreed. “I’ll help you out in the back room.” Rainbow lead Lunar Dash upstairs.
For the next few minutes the remaining five of them mingled amongst each other. At the top of the stairs Rainbow Dash was seeking with her cousin. “Are you sure you’re ready.”
“Yeah I am.” Lunar said. Rainbow flew down to join the other ponies. The now lone pegasus closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She opened them again and spoke, “Okay, everypony, I’m ready.”
They all looked up and began making comments such as, “Wow,” and, “You look so beautiful.” Lunar stood firmly taking in all the attention she was getting. She did her best to hide her trembling legs. Suddenly she felt them give out beneath her as she collapsed and tumbled down the stairs. She heard faint concerned voiced as she slipped out of conciseness.
When Lunar came to she found herself in a bed surrounded by the ponies that where there when she fell, “w-where am I? What’s going on? What happened?”
“Calm down Lunar,” Twilight said, “You’re safe now.”
“You had us all worried there for a minute,” Applejack commented.
“I know, and I’m sorry, but I probably only have a few more minutes left, and there is something I want to say to you all while I still can.” Lunar Dash said as her new friends listened intently, “You are all some of the best ponies I have ever met. You took me in to your group as if I was one of you even though most of you have never even seen me before, and if I had any more time I would want to spend every minute of it with you. Thank you, and Rainbow Dash.” She beckoned the Blue pegasus, who happily obliged and drew as close as she could. “Goodbye.”