//------------------------------// // Chapter 3 // Story: Daughter of the Moon // by CartoonNerd12 //------------------------------// Luna pulled the drapes in as her sister's sun shone right through the window. She did this every day as soon as she had lowered the moon and Celestia raised the sun. She set up her bed, knowing she would need her rest for tonight's activities. She did not want to see Celestia's grandchildren off, for it would only remind her of what could have been… At this point of time, she too could've had grandchildren of her own had her daughter been there. Cadence… Our time together may have been cut short, but I will always treasure the time we have spent since your birth… Raising a daughter of the night was fairly easier than most ponies would think. Cadence cried awake every night and because Luna's duties happened at night, it was simple to satisfy her child's needs so quickly. Another reason was that mother and daughter both slept throughout most of the day, making it more stress-free. The crib was right by Luna's bed, making it comfortable for Luna to reach for her daughter if anything went wrong. She could remember one tranquil night when Cadence was having trouble going back to sleep, so Luna rocked her while sitting in a rocking chair and sang to her. "La-la-lu… La-la-lu… Oh, my little star sweeper… I'll sweep the stardust for you… La-la-lu… La-la-lu… Little soft, fluffy sleeper… Here comes a pink cloud just for you… La-la-lu… La-la-lu… Little wandering angel… Fold up your wings… Close your eyes… La-la-lu… La-la-lu… And may love be your keeper… La-la-lu… La-la-lu…" And just like that, she went to sleep peacefully. Luna gently set her baby girl back in her crib, looking on with pride. As time went on, Cadence started to get up more in the daytime, so Luna arranged with Celestia that her daughter played with her sister's daughters while Luna slept. There were days that Luna could play with Cadence as long as it was early in the morning and that every night as Luna went to go perform her duties, she would tell Cadence fascinating tales before she went to bed. Even though she was supposed to visit her subjects' dreams, she went into Cadence's dreams often so they could spend more time together. Luna actually named her daughter Mi Amora Cadenza when she was born, but later on, she just named her Cadence for short. Cadence's full name was rarely used around her family. All her cousins called her Cadence and so did her Aunt Celestia and Uncle Sombra. As Cadence continued to grow, Luna still saw her daughter every morning and every night. She would tell her mother all about her day. Whenever it was time spent with her aunt or uncle or her cousins, it made Luna feel happy knowing her daughter was content in her life. Everything was going so well for the two of them until… that day… Luna pulled the covers up as she tried to get comfortable. But thinking about Cadence had made it hard to do so. Someday, my daughter… someday, we'll be together again… Celestia hugged each of her daughters and grandchildren while kissing the babies. Sombra shook his son-in-laws' hooves or claws. Celestia said, "Goodbye, my darlings…" The girls did random goodbyes to their parents as Twilight said, "We'll be back in time for the Grand Galloping Gala." Rarity pointed out, "But with our wedding anniversary coming up, we'll be quite busy in the meantime." A couple of groans came from the guys and Spike whispered to Soarin', "Like did she had to remind us of that?" Cheese whispered in, "Don't worry, I got it all planned out." Soarin' mentioned, "That is if the girls don't think of something first… For the last six years, they've always managed to get the better surprise for us." Discord popped into between them, getting into a small huddle, "Not this year! We'll beat them at their own game!" "How?" questioned Spike. "It's simple…" He whispered the rest of the plan. Meanwhile, most of the sisters were in a huddle, too, thinking over a surprise for their anniversary. "That reminds me," said Rainbow, "What are we going to do for an anniversary surprise this year?" "Yeah," agreed Applejack, "every year, they get the better surprise for us." Fluttershy went, "Mm-hmm…" Pinkie notioned, "Don't you worry, ladies. I got a surefire way to make this the best anniversary surprise ever!" "We're all ears." said AJ. Pinkie whispered the plan. On their way to the train station, and while being in the back of the group, Twilight noticed Flash had a stone expression as he watched Shining Armor escorting them. This concerned her as she had noticed Flash's strange behavior toward Shining Armor since they met. Maybe it's just his need to impress the captain of the royal guard…? she thought, Flash was after all a guard before he married me to be a prince. Perhaps it's his way of showing how capable he was during his training and that marrying me has nothing to do with wanting to earn a higher status… I know Flash didn't want to marry me because I was a princess. It's mainly because he was interested in me before I told him I was one… In Flash's head, he was thinking the exact opposite, Why does he keep looking this way towards Twilight…? I know they have history and he is my captain or… was my captain… In our kingdom of the Everfree Forest, I get to be charge of training recruits that are enlisted to us, but that's about it. Other times, I'm at Twilight's side for support knowing fully well that her sisters and she have a kingdom to run every single day. I don't know why I'm feeling this way. It's obvious he knows we're married and Twilight is by my side most of the time, but when I see them together like that… It upsets me… Shining Armor was in his own thoughts as he admired how Twilight and her husband, Flash, were walking side-by-side. It reminded him of Cadence and him taking walks around Canterlot. He couldn't help but smirk at how Twilight had grown over the years. She used to be that cute, playful filly and now was this strong and resourceful young mare. He never once doubted that she would turn out that way. She was, after all, the next queen… He would serve her for the rest of his days. Suddenly, he saw Flash give him a hard glance that was almost as if he was being threatened… Shining furrowed his brow in confusion as to why Flash would give him such a look. As everyone else boarded the train, Twilight said to him, "It was so good to see you again. I hope we see each other soon…" Shiny smiled, "Me, too…" He saluted to Flash, "Flash." He saluted back, giving off an emotionless face, "Sir…" He quickly boarded the train. Twilight turned back to Shining Armor with an apologetic look, "I'm really sorry about Flash. He doesn't normally act this way…" "It's fine. I'm sure he has a good reason." "I hope so…" Then with a determined look, she said, "We will find Cadence… I promise you that…" "I will wait for as long as it takes. Cadence means everything to me…" The train whistled and the conductor shouted out, "All aboard!" "You better go." he said. She nodded as she gave him a hug, which Flash had regrettably seen through the car window, causing a pang in his heart. She let go and ran to the door as it shut behind her and the train pulled away. Some minutes later, as Twilight and Flash sat, she noticed him being quiet and giving her concerned looks when he thought she wasn't looking. She was about to ask what was wrong until Fluttershy addressed them all. "Oh! I almost forgot! It is time for the Breezies to come gather their pollen in Equestria! We'll have to create a breeze for them when they pass through Ponyville!" Twilight gasped, "That's right! Thank you for reminding me!" She quickly scribbled something on a long list of parchment. Aside from the duties they did at their castle, the sisters had personal assignments to take care of. Fluttershy, for example, was in charge of knowing all living creatures, magical or not, and how important they were to Equestria. Rainbow Dash would check local weather teams to make sure that the weather was right on schedule. Applejack supervised the food supply in towns surrounding the Everfree Forest. Rarity managed charity organizations. Pinkie would spread joy to keep ponies' spirits high, even if things seemed tough. "When do you think they'll arrive?" Rarity asked. Fluttershy replied, "I'm not sure, but it'll be pretty soon. Of that I am certain." The train kept chugging on. Cadence looked around her surroundings while moving with the breeze. Oh, Equestria is so lovely… I've never went beyond Canterlot when I was younger. That is, until I was sent to live with the other Breezies… I do hope we pass Canterlot, even if I won't see my mother with it being the daytime. But seeing Aunt Celestia and Uncle Sombra and the girls would be just as wonderful. She smiled as she recalled the times she spent with her cousins. A picnic blanket was set up on the grass of the gardens. Cadence brought over a basket and set it down on the blanket. Six fillies shortly joined her as they sat down. Pinkie bounced in excitement and so did Twilight as Pinkie asked, "Did you make the cookies?! Did you? Did you?!" Cadence giggled and she replied, "Yes, I did, and they're your favorite: chocolate chip." "Yay!" both Twilight and Pinkie cheered. Cadence started going through the basket, "Now let's see if I brought everyone's favorites… A garden salad for Fluttershy…" "Oh, thank you…" said the shy princess. "…tiny hoof sandwiches for Rarity…" "Wonderful!" exclaimed the pampered filly. "…apple fritters for Applejack…" "Yee-haw!" Young Applejack shouted out in joy. "…oats for Rainbow Dash…" "Alright!" the speedy filly cheered. "…cupcakes with pink frosting for Pinkie Pie…" "Yum!" the little energetic filly took a bite. "…and a daisy sandwich for Twilight…" She magically handed it to the young unicorn. "I'm so lucky to have you as my cousin!" "I'm the one who's lucky, Twilight… You girls are the best friends I could ask for…I can count on you if I'm ever in trouble…" "We can count on you too, Cadence!" said Fluttershy. "That's right! You covered for us when we tried to get to the cookie jar in the kitchen!" gestured Pinkie. "And we would have been so in trouble if Applejack had opened her mouth while Mom tried to find out the truth!" pointed Rainbow. "She was totally cracking under the pressure!" "I couldn't help it! It was the first time we did something behind her back and I didn't want to lie to her!" Rarity said, "But thankfully, you came to our rescue and took the blame. We owe you one." "Don't worry about it. I know how hard it is to want some sweets before a meal." she winked. "Come on, let's enjoy this delicious looking picnic, then we'll go play. How's that?" Some of them nodded their heads while the others did random cheers and began to eat. Cadence smiled at her memory, I know they couldn't do anything to stop my curse from happening. I may not remember much about it… but I do know that it makes me glad that they weren't there when it had happened… They could've shared the same fate as me… I remember Aunt Celestia wanted Uncle Sombra and her to take the girls to their home in the Everfree Forest while my mother would look after Canterlot. I in meantime stayed by her side as I saw her handle the jobs that were needed to be taken care of. She started off great in the morning. It wasn't till the afternoon that I noticed she was growing tired, obviously deprived of the sleep she needed during the day to perform her duties at night. I managed to help her to get through the rest. The day was almost done as we decided to take a break in the gardens… But then it gets fuzzy for me… A pair of glowing of eyes watching us… A burst of magic overpowering me… I'm suddenly a Breezie and my mother was crying… She looked over to Sea Breeze and she remembered first meeting him. Mother had taken me to where she knew the Breezies would be pollinating at the time. She showed me to them and they welcomed me with open arms. It was then that Sea Breeze showed a practical side to him and Mother asked him to help look after me. He accepted the responsibility, though as time went on, he thought I did alright on my own… Of course… I never did get the chance to say goodbye to my family and… Shining Armor… She sighed, We sure had some fun times even if some of those fun times led us into trouble… Cadence and Shining were running around in the gardens. Cadence was in the lead and she taunted him, "Come on, slowpoke!" She giggled while using her wings. He panted, "Well, I'd be going faster if you weren't cheating!" "I said let's have a race. I didn't say how we could race, so anything goes." she smirked. He groaned, "Cadence, I swear, if I didn't lov-" Suddenly, the ground underneath him gave way and he began falling and yelling. Cadence gasped when she saw that and went to the hole. She called out, "Shiny! Are you alright?!" Shining gave out a cough and he looked around to see crystals shining in the light made by the hole. He called up to his best friend, "I'm okay! But I don't know where I am!" "I think you're in the caves beneath Canterlot!" "Well, how do I get out?" "Can you try teleporting?" "Teleportation spells aren't really my thing! I can only do shield spells!" "Hold on, I'll come down to you!" she flapped down and saw the crystals gleaming, "Whoa…" "Yeah, if not for me being trapped here, this place wouldn't be half bad." "I'll try lifting you up." she went above him and wrapped her hooves around him. She flapped her wings hard and sweat rolled down her face. Finally, she gave up trying. "Did you gain weight this summer?" "Hey! My weight's been constant!" "Well, lucky for you, Mister-Constant-Weight…" He slumped, "So now what do we do?" "Hmm… I may not be able to lift you on my own… But if I get some vines, they should help… I'll be back." she flew up to the hole. He shouted out, "Take your time!" She rolled her eyes and yelled back, "Very funny!" Minutes later, a long vine rope came down to him and Cadence told him, "Grab on!" Using his magic, he did as he was told and wrapped his hooves around the vine as well. Cadence positioned herself next to a tree while holding on the vine rope. Using her magic, she began to pull him up with all of her might. In a few minutes, he came out. Once he came onto the ground, she let go of the rope and she rushed to embrace him. He returned it. He said, "Let's get this hole covered up so no pony goes through what I had to go through." She nodded and they quickly found a couple of big rocks to cover up the large hole. "That should do it…" she said. "I owe you for this…" "It was nothing. You would have done the same for me…" "You bet I would have…" He wrapped his hoof around her. She smiled and gave him a peck on the cheek, which made him go pink. Then, using her magic, she untied her blue hair ribbon. To Shiny, she looked more beautiful than she had ever been before. Then, she tied her ribbon around his neck, making him confused. She explained, "I want you to keep this ribbon as a way to remember me if I'm not here…" "Oh, I could never forget you…" "You're so sweet…" they stared into each other's eyes until a loud booming voice came from the castle. "MI AMORA CANDENZA! WHERE ARE YOU?!" Cadence then realized that the moon had risen and that her mother was looking for her now. "Uh-oh… I have to go!" She took for the castle and she shouted back to Shiny, "I'll see you tomorrow!" He hollered back, "I'll be here! I'll always be here for you!" She smiled at the thought and flew off… Shining Armor opened the door to his quarters of the castle. He slowly made it to his desk, where he had to do paperwork for security measures, draftees, and a list of names of the Royal Guard. He wasn't getting into the work right away as he opened a drawer from the desk and took out a small box. He opened it and it revealed some of his personal items from his younger days of being in the Royal Guard and a drawing Twilight made when she was a filly, which was of him, her, and Cadence. Then, at the bottom of the box was a blue ribbon, which Cadence wore before she gave it to him as a remembrance of her. Even without the ribbon, Shining never forgot the mare of his dreams, no matter how long it had been… "As I told you… I never forgot you… No pony could ever take your place… I love you, Cadence… I wish I had told you that before it was too late… but I love you… From the moment I find you again, I will tell you that… I promise…" he stuffed the ribbon into his uniform and went to work.