//------------------------------//
// Chapter 2 
// Story: Line in the Sand 
// by whysoserious1985 
//------------------------------//


Chapter 2:
That Was Unexpected…


A knock on the massive door of the bedroom stirred Princess Luna from her slumber. She stirred from her sleep with a mighty yawn. Today’s sleep had been particularly relaxing after an eventful morning. Luna saw Moondancer walk into her room and smiled at her. She stood on her luxurious bed and stretched out her back, legs, and wings.
“Good Evening, You’re Majesty,” Moondancer said walking up to the windows and opened up the drapes. Luna jarred her head from side to side to crack her neck.
“Good Evening to you, Moondancer,” Luna responded and hopped off the bed. She made her way to the double doors that led out to her balcony. Moondancer waited at the entrance and watched as Luna eyed the disappearing sun. Luna waited patiently as the sun lowered in the sky and closed her eyes. A light blue aura surrounded the Princess’s horn and she fluttered into the air. Moondancer watched as the moon and stars appeared in the sky as the sunlight disappeared over the horizon. The white pony was always taken aback as Luna’s stars popped into sight like fireworks in the sky.
“So beautiful,” the royal aide said. Luna turned to the pony and smiled at her compliment.
“Thank you, Moondancer,” she said. “Has my chariot been prepared for my journey?”
“Yes, Your Majesty,” the earth pony answered. “Your chariot is waiting outside for you. Princess Celestia informed us of your visit to Ponyville and all is ready for your departure.” Luna felt a twinge of fear in her gut. She didn’t want rumors to spread of her intentions.
“Did she mention the nature of my journey?” Luna asked.
“Only that you were going to visit some friends in Ponyville for a couple of days,” she said. “But it is not my place to question where you go for a little weekend getaway. I just hope you have fun.”
“Yes,” Luna said sighing to herself in relief. “A weekend away from Canterlot is precisely what I need to relax my mind.” Moondancer made her way to the Princess’s closet and took out a small trunk. Luna went into the bathroom and retrieved her toothbrush and shampoo. When she returned, Moondancer was waiting for her by the bed. The white pony had laid out a dress, make up, and a bed liner to pack. Luna nodded in approval and Moondancer packed the small trunk for her. Luna went over to her vanity and put on her greaves, breastplate. After she ran a brush through her coat and tail, Luna put on her crown. A final look in the mirror satisfied Luna that she was presentable. She smiled at the image and went into her top drawer. She pulled out a midnight blue pouch and counted out its contents. Twenty five golden bits floated in the air before returning to their home. It was a small amount Luna always took while travelling for brief periods.
“Will there be anything else, Princess?” Moondancer asked.
“That will be all, Moondancer,” Luna smiled. “Thank you for everything.” Moondancer bowed and took her leave. “Guard,” Luna called. The door opened and one of Luna’s unicorn soldiers entered.
“Yes, Princess Luna,” he said with a bow.
“Please take this trunk to my chariot,” she said. “I’ll be down forthwith for our departure.” The guard gave salute and took the trunk out of the bedroom. Luna took one more look in the mirror and winked at herself. “Perfect,” she said before leaving the bedroom. After a brief walk through the palace, Luna greeted the evening sky outside. Her gothic chariot was hitched to her guards and ready to go. Once she boarded, the two ponies in front took to the air and Luna was on her way to Ponyville. The flight was calm and uneventful. Luna’s mind returned to Moondancer’s words from the morning before. She hoped her friends would elaborate and build on the knowledge Luna just learned. Her hopes were high.
The citizens of Ponyville were going about their evening business. Many of the shops were closing up, restaurants were packed for dinner, and others were out to enjoy the night. Many who were passing the library were surprised to see a chariot approach in the sky. Luna had learned that her theatrical entrance on Nightmare Night was more intimidating than she anticipated. Ever since then, she had adopted a more subtle approach. Once on the ground Luna hopped down from the chariot and her bat winged pegasi moved the retrieve her trunk. Those who saw her arrive bowed in respect to the monarch. Luna took note and answered in kind with a friendly nod and hello. One child trotted up and was answered with a hug from the deity of the night. Luna let the child go and knocked on the door. It opened up to show a little dragon greeting the Princess of the Night.
“Hi, Princess,” Spike called. Before he could bow with respect, Luna pulled Spike into a hug. “Good to see you again.”
“Hello, little Spike,” she said crushing the little dragon a bit. “It has been too long my fire breathing friend. I see you have abandoned your redundancy.” Spike looked at the Princess a little confused after she broke the hug. Then the joke clicked with him.
“My costume from Nightmare Night,” he laughed. “A dragon dressed as a dragon is kind of redundant. You could say the dragon was doubled.” The two shared a laugh as Spike welcomed the Princess into the library. She was greeted by a series of pillows, drinks, and a plate of marshmallows and other sweets. It appeared as though several of Luna’s friends would be joining her and Twilight Sparkle tonight. Adjacent to the snacks was a pair of bowls with a cream of some sort, brushes, and rollers.
“Hello, Princess Luna,” Twilight Sparkle called from her upstairs loft. The unicorn came down the stairs quickly and embraced her friend. Twilight then backed up and gave a respectful bow to the Princess.
“Hello, Twilight Sparkle,” Luna said. “Thank you for seeing me so quickly.”
“It’s my pleasure,” Twilight said. “You know my door is always open to you. I hope you are comfortable here while you are in town.” This caught Luna off-guard.
“Here?” she asked.
“Yes,” the purple unicorn said. “Princess Celestia asked if you could stay with me in the library. It’s my pleasure to welcome you to my home.”
“I’m touched you would accommodate me, Twilight Sparkle,” Luna said. “But I must protest. I wouldn’t want to impose on you and Spike.”
“See you in a few days, Twilight,” Spike said grabbing a backpack by the door. “Have fun, Princess,” he said bowing to Luna. Spike left the library with excitement leaving the two mares alone.
“A few days?” Luna asked. Twilight nodded and went over to the closet.
“As luck would have it, Princess,” she began. “Spike is going camping with Lickety Split, Snips, Snails, and Archer for a couple days. Tonight I’m having a slumber party with my friends. So it will be just us girls having girl talk all night. Then it will be you and I until you return to Canterlot. I love it when everything pans out perfectly.”
“Well, since you are insisting,” Luna said. “I accept your invitation, my friend.” Luna turned to the door and went outside. She ordered her pegasi to bring in her trunk right away. The guards brought it upstairs where Twilight had her spare bed ready for the Princess. Once they were done, Luna dismissed them and the alicorn and unicorn were left alone in the library. Together they sat by the fireplace as Twilight lit it. “So,” Luna started. “Do your friends know of the nature of my visit?” Twilight shook her head after the fire was lit and growing.
“Not yet,” she said. “I’ll tell them when they get here. Something this personal should be discussed in complete privacy. I don’t want to risk any eavesdropping or rumors, Princess.” Luna thanked Twilight Sparkle for her discretion on this matter. No sooner had they finished their conversation, a knock came at the door. “Come in.” Twilight called. The door opened and Rarity and Applejack trotted into the library out of the night air. They came up to Twilight and gave her a hug before turning to the Princess and bowing to her. Luna acknowledged them and the two ponies laid on two of the pillows. 
“I’ve been lookin’ forward to this sleepover all day,” Applejack began. “It’s just what I need after a hard day’s work in the fields.”
“As did I,” Rarity added. “Thank you for the invitation, Twilight darling. And it is a privilege to be in your presence again, Princess Luna.” Applejack nodded in agreement with Rarity.
“It is my pleasure to be with my friends again,” Luna said. “When will our other friends arrive? I look forward to seeing the rest of them.”
“Pinkie Pie is babysitting for the Cakes tonight,” Twilight said. “The twins always wear her out. So she’ll be here for breakfast in the morning.”
“That is most disappointing,” Luna said. “I was looking forward to Pinkie’s style of fun.” Applejack chuckled and whispered something to Rarity. The unicorn giggled at the remark. “And what of Rainbow Dash and the gentle Fluttershy?”
“They’re in Cloudsdale for the Winter Weather Conference,” Applejack added. “Pegasi gotta coordinate something fierce when the seasons change. Fluttershy just went along so she’d have an idea of when her critter friends will have to hunker down for the winter. They’ll be home in a few days. So it’s just us tonight.” Luna’s brow arched a little in sadness. She was expecting to see all of her friends.
“I hope you aren’t too disappointed, Princess?” Rarity asked.
“I am a little,” she said. “But my visit was a last minute decision. I understand that even the Elements of Harmony have previous engagements.”
“Speaking of visits,” Applejack chimed in. “Twilight said y’all were in Ponyville for a special reason.
“I am, fair Applejack,” Luna said. She got a little nervous as she readied herself. Rarity and Applejack picked up on her mood change and listen intently. “I am here to learn of…modern courtship customs.” Rarity and Applejack looked at each other.
“Beg pardon,” Applejack said.
“The Princess wants to learn how ponies date these days,” Twilight said. Luna cringed expecting some level of mocking.
“Is that all, Princess?” Applejack said.
“I thought for a moment we had another quest on our hooves,” Rarity added. The three elements began laughing for a moment and as they did, Luna joined them.
“What would you like to know, Princess?” Twilight asked. Luna looked at the three and began to relax. Rarity took this moment to levitate a few drinks over to the group.
“Thank you,” Luna said taking a bottle of apple juice. “And please, we may speak informally during this visit.” The others nodded as Luna began. “I wish to seek out companionship, but my understanding of courtship is dated and obsolete. So I wish to know how one goes about choosing a mate.”
“Well that’s easier than finding a crow in the cornfields,” Applejack said. “To start with, y’all got to find somepony you share some common interests and traits with. That’s the basics of any relationship.”
“Indeed it is,” Rarity added. “Every stable relationship is based on how well ponies fit together. No romantic relationship will succeed if you don’t have commonalities.”
“I assumed as much,” Luna said. “And how would one go about meeting somepony? My most recent engagement was a chance encounter at a fundraiser.”
“A chance encounter is one way to meet somepony,” Twilight said. “There are also formal introductions and matchmakers. I’ve known of ponies making arrangements for each other in what is called a blind date.” Luna nodded as Twilight spoke. “There are lots of ways to meet somepony.”
“What of conduct during these dates?” she asked. “This is what is vexing me to some degree.”
“Y’all don’t have to fret none,” Applejack said. “Y’all can start with being yourself. Try and get to know a little about each other first.”
“Talk of basics to begin with,” Rarity added. “You talk more in depth as the date goes on. You start with hobbies, musical tastes, literature for example. Later on, you talk of your goals, beliefs, and dreams.” Luna was listening intently at her friends. But she still was not getting all the answers she was hoping for.
“I think Luna was talking about how you should act,” Twilight chimed in. “Such as holding hooves and stuff like that.” Luna’s gut tightened at hearing of holding hooves.
“Oh why didn’t you say so, darling,” Rarity said. “Holding hooves is an excellent way to use body language to gauge interest.” Applejack nodded with Rarity.
“If a stallion tries to hold your hoof,” Twilight began. “It’s his way of saying ‘I am enjoying myself and your company’ without talking.”
“And it’s the same for us if we take his hoof,” Applejack finished. “But it is the fella who should make the first move.”
“So it is merely a non-verbal communication?” Luna asked. “Holding hooves in no longer an act of intimacy?”
“Exactly,” Twilight said.
“Not every form of physical contact is intimate,” Rarity said. “Some colts put their arms around you. I once dated a pegasus who put his wing around me.”
“And what of kissing your date?” Luna continued. The girls blushed a little at the subject Luna brought up. Even Applejack had to lower her hat to cover up how red her cheeks turned. 
“Well…” Twilight began. “I can’t comment on that.” Everypony snapped around and looked at Twilight Sparkle. “The few dates I’ve had never made it to the goodnight kiss.”
“Twilight, darling,” Rarity gasped. “I never imagined your standards were so high.” Twilight’s eyes dilated at Rarity and shook her head quickly.
“No, no, no, Rarity,” Twilight said in her defense. “The few stallions I have dated showed me a wonderful time. But they never challenged me on an intellectual level. One was all brawn and not a single brain. I’d always hoped my perfect stallion would make my brain and my heart go crazy.”
“Tain’t nothing wrong with that, Twilight,” Applejack cheered. “Y’all need a stallion just as smart as you are. I always pictured a teacher or scientist catching your eye.” Twilight blushed and released a giggle.
“And you, Applejack,” Luna asked.
“Actually,” she started. “I ain’t had a date yet.” The realization made Twilight and Luna look at each other in disbelief.
“Darling…” Rarity said with shock. “With your looks you could have any stallion you wanted. It’s a crime you haven’t partaken of the opposite sex yet.”
“I know, but I ain’t had the time,” Applejack responded. “I spend all day tending the farm and selling my apples. When I’m not doing that, I have to look after Apple Bloom and Granny Smith. I just ain’t had the time to date.”
“I applaud you, fair Applejack,” Luna said. “You place your family above your own needs.”
“You’re too kind, Luna,” she replied. “I’ve had my eye on a couple studs though. Don’t tell Rainbow, but that Soarin fella’ from the Wonderbolts…” Twilight and Rarity squealed at this sudden confession making Applejack blush again. Soon the two started laughing at her embarrassment. Applejack eventually laughed with them and Luna joined right after.
“And what of you, Rarity?” the Princess asked. Applejack got very evil smile on her face and Rarity noticed.
“Don’t…you…dare…” Rarity said glaring at Applejack.
“Prince Blueblood…” Applejack said quickly. Luna watched as Rarity got a very angry look on her face.
“Have at you!” she screamed and jumped on Applejack. The two began wrestling around and hitting each other with pillows. Luna jumped up from her pillow and Twilight leapt over beside her to avoid the fight.
“We must stop them, Twilight Sparkle,” Luna declared. She moved forward to break the two up. But Twilight held a hoof up to stop the princess. “You intend to let them continue?” Twilight nodded at the Princess’s question. “This is madness.”
“This is a slumber party,” Twilight said taking her own pillow in her mouth. Using her magic, Twilight pulled her copy of Slumber 101 from the shelf and opened it to the pillow fight chapter. Luna gasped as Twilight jumped in the fray after she took the book in her own magic.
“Pillow Fights,” she read. “A free spirited game in which the combatants fight using pillows to moderately strike each other.” Luna was so focused on reading she failed to notice a stray pillow had found its way from the fight towards her. “Use caution when unicorns…OOOF!” she called as the pillow hit Luna in the face and stayed their. Rarity, Twilight, and Applejack gasped in terror at what they had just done. When the pillow finally fell from Luna’s face, her pupils had contracted in shock. The four were silent for a moment before Luna’s horn glowed azure and all the pillows in the room levitated. An evil grin curled on Luna’s face. Twilight’s memory flashed back to Nightmare Moon upon seeing that grin. “The proper phrase, Rarity,” she said. “…have at thee!”
Rarity, Applejack, and Twilight Sparkle screamed in fear and fun as they were barraged by an onslaught of fluffy doom. Luna jumped into the fray and her reserved nature was left in the dust. Anypony passing the library at this moment would have wondered just what was going on inside. Pillows, hooves, hair, and magic were flying everywhere. After a few minutes the four fell to the floor laughing and panting. Luna had finally relaxed and was enjoying herself. It was now hanging out with friends instead of a lesson in courtship.
A few minutes later the girls began to get hungry. Applejack expertly toasted marshmallows while Rarity assembled the s'mores. Luna had joined Twilight in the kitchen to make ice cream sundaes. They all gathered by the fire and ate to their hearts’ content. While they were eating they played Truth or Dare. Applejack and Rarity’s rivalry was reborn as Rarity dared Applejack to get dolled up in make-up and a new hair style. Applejack commented that she looked like a hussy when she looked in the mirror. She got her revenge by daring Rarity to eat her ice cream face first ala Pinkie Pie. Twilight Sparkle and Luna laughed hysterically when she came up for air and her face was covered in melted ice cream, chocolate, and peanuts. Applejack grinned with a lot of pleasure seeing the new look on Rarity. Twilight revealed the origin of her secret shake with Princess Cadence from her truth. Luna revealed her most embarrassing moment of stumbling down the grand staircase at her first Grand Galloping Gala. As they continued the discussion turned to back to stallions and dating. Luna learned more of how courtship had changed. They discussed acts of kindness, proper attire, manners, the futile attempts to turn bad stallions to good, and much more.
“It all seems so much to learn in such a short time,” Luna said chomping on her last s’more.
“Look, Princess,” Applejack started. “Like I said earlier, y’all just need to relax and enjoy yourself. You always have the option of leaving if you don’t like how your date is going.”
“As long as you carry yourself as a lady, it will be clear he should be a gentlecolt,” Rarity added. Twilight Sparkle nodded and Luna took a deep breath.
“Thank you so much for all of your help,” she said. “I cannot tell you how I treasure you all.”
“Don’t thank me yet,” Rarity said getting up and trotting over to the beauty supplies Twilight had set out. “You can thank me after I give you a new look that will stop a stallion’s hearts.” Twilight squealed and clopped her hooves together at what was next.
“New look?” Luna asked Applejack. The country pony had a very annoyed look on her face.
“Makeovers…” she drawled. “It’s just like ripping off a bandage. Best grit your teeth and get it over with as soon as y’all can.” Luna gulped and turned back to Rarity to decline her offer. What she saw puzzled her. Rarity stood absolutely still with eyes wide in awe. She was staring out of the large window in Twilight’s loft.
“Rarity,” Twilight said standing up. The alabaster unicorn just lifted her hoof and pointed out the window. Twilight, Applejack, and Luna looked up and what they saw cause all of them to run out of the library. In the sky, they saw a silver object trailing smoke and heading for the ground.
“Lansakes!” Applejack called.
“What is that thing?” Rarity asked.
“A comet or meteor?” Twilight questioned.
“Nay,” Luna started. “We have not summoned one from the heavens.” With a thunderous roar, the object passed over Ponyville and towards the hills.
“It’s heading for Sweet Apple Acres!” Applejack called taking off for her home. Luna, Twilight, and Rarity took off after her. Many of the citizens of Ponyville had come out to see what caused the sound and began to follow the trail of smoke towards the hills. Thinking quickly the Princess flared her wings and took to the air.
“Citizens of Ponyville,” Luna called in the Royal Canterlot Voice. “We declare that thou all shall remain here until thy safety is ensured.” A sudden boom filled the air while the ground rippled under hoof. Luna didn’t even wait for anypony to respond. She turned and flew off in the direction the object. She caught up to Twilight and her friends in seconds. Soon they were at Sweet Apple Acres. Applejack breathed a sigh of shock and relief at what she saw. The object had crashed outside the entrance of the farm but had carved a scar in the landscape through her fence and plowed into the cornfield. There it rested in a pushed up mound of dirt.
“Mercy me,” Applejack cried. The rest of the Apple Family had come out of their home to see what the commotion was. Applejack quickly ran over to her family and embraced them. She was beyond thankful they were safe and sound. Rarity joined her friend by the house while Luna and Twilight investigated the crash. Dirt, grass, and corn had been strewn about. Parts of the object hissed and steam came of different areas. The few flames that remained were snuffed out with Twilight’s magic. The Princess’s eyes began to glow a bright white and her horn illuminated again. She needed help.
“Guardians of the night appear to thy princess!” she called. In a flash of light, 15 of her guards appeared. “Leftenant,” Luna called and one stepped forward. “Secure the area. Only admit emergency ponies. I do not wish to risk harm to the general populous.”
“Yes, Princess,” he said. Orders were shouted and all but four guards went off to set up a perimeter. Twilight took this chance to get closer to the object. 
“What is this thing?” she asked inching closer.
“Twilight!” Luna exclaimed. The unicorn stopped and the Princess trotted up to her. The two were flanked by the guards Luna didn’t order to the perimeter. “Wait here,” she added. The blue alicorn stepped towards the silver structure. She tried taking in as much as she could. But the object dumbfounded her. It appeared to look like a giant bird of sorts. Closer she stepped until she was inches from what looked like a wing. Luna touched the skin with her hoof and discovered it was made of. “Curious, thou art made of metal,” she said.
“Should I write a letter to Princess Celestia?” Twilight asked.
“Nay, Twilight,” Luna answered. “Celestia has taken on my responsibilities during my visit. I would assume she is likely resting at this point.” A sudden rumble from inside the object startled the Princess and her guards backed her up. The unicorn guards charged their horns while the pegasi took the air. Another rumble came from inside and was followed by a loud squeak and a bang. Nervous eyes watched and waited. Princess Luna stood next to Twilight behind the guards with their eyes shooting all over the structure. They watched and gasped as a section started to move just behind the wing. “T’is a…door?” Everpony watched as the door opened and saw something crawling around. The guards stood firm as they heard grunts and howls coming from it. Inch by inch it came out of the object. Suddenly, the creature collapsed and tumbled down onto the grass. The pegasi guards hovered over it while the unicorns stepped towards it with glowing horns. Another grunt from the form caused them to stop and they watched as it struggled to get up. With a final grunt the creature collapsed to the ground with a thud and failed to move again.
“What is it?” one of the guards said. Luna took this moment to step forward to get a closer look. “Your Majesty?” one guard questioned as she passed them.
“Ensure Twilight Sparkle’s safety,” she answered drawing closer to the still body. Luna illuminated her horn to get a better view. The creature was wearing clothing of some sort. It was torn in places. Most likely from the impact. What caught her immediate attention were streaks of blood on its body and a pool forming from its head. “This creature requires medical attention! Summon a physician at once,” she ordered to one of the pegasus guards. With a salute he took off for Ponyville. Applejack and Rarity took this moment to dash up to Twilight.
“Oh, my stars,” Rarity gasped.
“What in name of applesauce is going on, Twi?” she asked.
“I don’t know,” Twilight responded. Her eyes were locked on Princess Luna and the creature. Luna took her hoof and wiped some of the dirt from the body’s face.
“What art thou?” she asked the form. Silent and still, the body didn’t answer. Everypony was left wondering what was going on.