I have no idea what time it is when I finally come to, just that it is daytime, judging by the harsh light assaulting my eyelids. What happened? And why does my head hurt so much? Gah, even thinking hurts. I can hear voices around me, but they seem so distant and jumbled and of no concern at the moment. For some reason images similar to the ones from… however long it’s been return, this time with audio.
The scene I’m witnessing takes place in what looks like a very opulent, and vast kitchen. A couple jars, cans and bags are broken, smashed or torn and left on the floor. Almost every inch of the shiny stone is nearly covered in some kind of powder, frosting, flour or splotches of dough. ”Moonshade, what hast thou gotten thyself into this time?” From my view of the scene, it seems as if the fake ruler of the night is addressing me, looking down at me through a serious gaze.
“Nothing momma, we just… we wanted to bake thee a cake for thine birthday today.” Even though I don’t say anything the reply sounds like it comes from a younger me, filled with fear as the view shifts as if I’m backing away with my head lowered.
This has got to be a memory charm Discord played on me. Why would he---
My thoughts are interrupted by a flash of white light and instantly the devil herself, Luna appears. “Those are not false memories, Moonshade. They are yours, of a… happier time.”
“Even if I were to believe you, false princess, why are you in them? Why would I care about baking you some nasty cake for your birthday? I could care less about you.” I try to add as much venom into my voice in an attempt to mask the confusion and surprise.
As I stare daggers at Luna and take my usual combat ready stance, something inside me feels sad at the sight of tears forming in her eyes and her lowered head, even her tail is lowered sadly. “You did, at one point in time. It seems life has been cruel to the both of us for the thousand plus years.” As she talks, I can see the regret in her eyes and hear it in her voice as she approaches.
“Why do you say life was cruel to you? You became the most powerful alicorn ever, you should be on the throne Celestia occupies, not her. And how can you say life was cruel to me? You don’t even know me!” Each step she takes closer to me is followed by my own step away. I try to maintain my snarl and glare, but I can feel something inside me starting to break, and I don’t know what it is. Angrily my tail swishes, a clear sign I want this conversation to end, now.
“Yes, I did have the power to rival my sister’s. However, that power came at a price, it alienated me from the two ponies who loved me, my sister and my daughter. That power eventually caused them both to be hurt in different ways.” The way she said daughter gives me a very bad feeling in my stomach as she looks at me. “As for your comment, I don’t even know you, I do, or at least I used to. You are my daughter, Moonshade.”
It… it can’t… she… she’s lying. She must be lying. Even as I continually repeat that line, something deep down inside me keeps saying the opposite. The warring thoughts and feelings are strong enough that it hurts my head, badly. “I must be going, my little Moon. Please, fight whatever influence has taken its hold on you.”
In a flash she leaves, as if something forced her out. Who should I believe? What is the truth? Where are you! The voice I have grown so accustomed to is nowhere to be heard, the same goes for the figure that has shown up a few times during my dreams.
"Moon, wake up. We gotta go, we need to meet the others and have breakfast." Was that… was that just a dream? Why does my head hurt so much? The feeling of my body rocking only increases the headache and brings about a feeling of nausea as I slowly come to.
“Stop it, Lily. I’m getting… sick.” As the rocking stops I try to open my eyes, but the blinding brightness greeting me only increases the throbbing pain in my forehead. Instinctively I reach for my magic and attempt to darken the room, but nothing happens. I can’t even feel that surge of power as my horn activates.
I have no idea how long it takes but eventually I am able to get up and ready, though I feel as if I’m moving at a snail’s pace. I think this is the worst wake up I’ve ever had that I can remember. Damn you, Celestia and your infernal ball of brightness.
"Wonderful to see you ladies up and about this fine morning, I hope you slept well." Discord's cheerful greets as we finally join the others, his voice again sending a wave of pain through my skull.
"Morning Discord, I slept ok, but......" She cuts off, glancing wearily at me. “I don’t think she did, or she is not a morning pony."
"Oh what ever is the matter Moony, nightmares?"
"I don't have nightmares, ever, I give them." My reply comes grumpily and quietly as I lower my ears in an attempt to block out most of the noise around me.
"Hmm, I might have just the pony in mind to help. Dear Lily would you mind keeping an eye on our new friend while I'm away. Go and do something fun together, raise some chaos for me."
"I could, if I wasn't chained down like this."
"Ah, but there's a difference, my dear in the kind of fun chaos I create and your terror, now Arrivederci." With a bow he disappears in a flash, leaving a huge bag of bits on the table. The flash causes stars to explode in front of my eyes, bringing back a wave of nausea.
"Well since we have all this what do you guys wanna do?" Sunstreak asks cheerily.
"Well... I heard there's a carnival in town. And since we don't have anything else to do, why not go there?" If I could, I’d cut your tongue out, Lily, just so I cannot hear your voice again.
"Sounds like a plan Lily, what do you think Moon?" Almond says with a chuckle.
"Shove off and die already."
"Its decided, let's go guys.... Uhm Moon, you do know how to have fun don't you?"
"What is fun?" A collective groan escapes the three before Lily responds.
"Just..... watch us and please try to relax and maybe smile every once in awhile."
"Sure." I mumble under my breath as they head out with me trailing behind as far as the invisible chains will let me. My murderous scowl and glare, along with my eyes, cause some of the street goers to hurry inside or find places to hide as we pass.
A brave pair of colts actually make the worse decision of their short lives as a pair of cans whistle through the air, hitting me squarely in the side. Once I have located them, I approach quickly with my fangs barred. The chains give me enough room to reach them and the two fall on their sides in an attempt to flee in fear. As they recover from the landing they look up in terror as their eyes focus on my hooves racing down to crush their skulls at the same time, my blood colored eyes shimmering with the chance to release some of my pent up rage.
"MOON NO!" Lily screams, the flurry of action drawing her attention. Just before my hooves land, a hard yank jerks me away and onto my side. As I recover, I glare back at her, my voice pure venom.
"You will pay for that, trust me." It takes some time, but the incident is cleared up with the colts and their parents. Once they are freed, the two colts race away fearfully, and we finally reach our destination.
The sounds of laughter rings through the air, drifting on the slow breeze along with the scents of various foods. Brightly colored banners hang all over the place and there seems to be a huge crowd inside. I can see from my spot various things rising into the air, one looks like a large wheel, another looks like a large tower with four arms coming from it and finally there is what looks to be a large, bumpy flat surface that angles towards the ground. The multiple conversations going on around me start to bring back the headache I thought was gone.
"Four tickets please." Almond says as we finally come up to the booth occupied by a bright green unicorn stallion who is wearing a red and white striped shirt. His mane is a darker green with a blue streak going through the center.
"Here you go, sir.... Uhm what's wrong with your friend there?" The attendant asks after spotting me. A glare promising death quickly silences the foal, making him shift uncomfortably.
"Stop it, Moon. Here take this." Lily sighs as she looks back at me, one of the pieces of paper in her left hoof.
"Ugh, why do I need this piece of paper."
"It's to show that you paid to enter here and so you won't get into trouble."
"But I didn't pay, Almond did."
After taking a deep breath as we step inside Almond replies. "Yes, but I'm being nice and giving you one so you don't have to spend any bits."
"Fine." With that I reluctantly take it.
"So what shall we do first huh?"
"I know, since we're supposed to be helping Moon why don't we let her decide what we do?"
"You sure that's a good idea?"
The conversation between the trio is mostly ignored as I keep my ears flat against my head in an attempt to drown out the multitude of sounds assaulting me.
"Yes, so Moon, does anything catch your attention or curiosity?" The trio staring at me anxiously draws a sigh of frustration as the question snaps me out of my thoughts. My eyes brighten after falling on something called the house of horrors.
"There, if you're going to make the choice mine."
"Alright let's go!" Lily's shout and eager steps confuse me as yet again I'm being dragged along as my headache is definitely making itself known.
As we enter the building terrified cries and screams of not just the three annoyances but also other ponies echo throughout the building. Strange figures and images, some vaguely familiar greet us at every twist and turn. The ponies and decoys jumping out at us causing Lily, Almond and Sun to shriek, laugh and jump while I just glare at the foals, trying to keep up on three hooves as my fourth is messaging the side of my head, near my horn. As we exit the building their laughter confuses me as we stand around, the trio try to get themselves under control but fail, their laughter causes them to fall onto the ground.
"That was fun, what'd you like Lily?" Finally they get themselves under control and Almond looks over at the pink mare.
"Hhhmmm I don't know, it was all fun. How about you Moon?" Lily lets out a few more chuckles before looking up at me.
"You call that horror? That was nothing."
"Please relax Moon, your kind of horror isn't fun. Do you honestly not know what fun is?"
"No I do not, but it sounds weak and pathetic."
"When was the last time you did something you enjoyed doing and couldn't wait to do again? And exclude any killing or torture or even the slightest thoughts of either."
"Well if that's the stipulation, never then."
"Oh sweetie, I'm sorry to hear that." Lily wraps her hooves around me again sorrowfully. This time the two stallions cringe at the closeness, fearful how quickly I can attack despite not being able to use magic or my abilities.
"Can we just get this over with and get back to our rooms." I growl as the other mare holds onto me tightly.
"Nope, we're staying until we see a smile form on your lips."
In response to Almond's statement I force my lips to curl, a forced smile somewhat appearing. "See I'm.... smiling, let's go." I continue to hold the fake smile as I talk.
"Nah thats a fake. We want to see a genuine smile." At his words I resume scowling, inwardly cursing Discord to suffer the most painful, longest unimaginable death possible. "So what is next, Moon."
"Nothing."
"If you don't choose, I will." A mischievous grin plays on Lily's lips as the two chuckle.
"Whatever."
"Go on boys, you probably won't like what I got in mind."
"We'll wait for you two at the end, we're curious as to Moon's reaction."
With grumbled curses I reluctantly follow her when my eyes fall upon the poster of our destination. "Wait, what's this?"
"You'll see, now let's get in the boat." As she starts to get closer I begin to struggle with all I have, my hooves digging deeply into the earth while I begin to throw my weight around, all to no effect as finally I'm stuck in the boat next to her. "Now just relax and try to enjoy yourself, Moony." With a smirk we shove off heading towards a colorful cave. As we get nearer to the mouth, the sounds of sappy, sickening music flows towards us and Lily relaxes as one of her hooves fall gently across my shoulders. A wide smile forms on her muzzle as she looks at me. "What do you think so far, Moon? Lovely isn't it?"
"Ugh is this payback for for me terrorizing you with my spell?"
"Not fully. Discord did want us to help you learn friendship as well." As we slowly travel down the path, the images and characters get nauseatingly more colorful and sappy. Lily however sighs as she rests her head on my shoulder, smiling sweetly up at me. Angrily I throw her arm and head off my shoulder and glare at her. "You know, despite your evil looking eyes and fangs, you do look kinda cute when you glare, at least once somepony gets to spend some time with you and you can't hurt them."
Growling I settle back, waiting for the ride to finally finish. "I can't wait till I'm able to paint your blood on my blade." Her only response is a giggle as we finally near the end.
"So how many times did she threaten you, Lily?" Almond asks as we get out, my look of disgust drawing laughter from the two stallions.
"Oh, bout three or four times, but I wasn't counting. Seems I may have made a very small nick in her scary shell." She again nuzzles against me, drawing even more laughter from the others and a growl from me.
"Now, are you gonna make the rest of the decisions, or will we have to resort to more torture?" Sunstreak asks, causing Almond to pipe up.
"Maybe we should 'torture' her some more until that nick becomes a crack."
"Fine, let's go on that ride." I motion to a ride with all kinds of different blades and other attempts to frighten.
"Sorry, new rule Moony. Nothing with weapons or any themes meant to frighten, pick again."
"Ugh fine." Growling I stomp off towards a game booth.
"Ohhh fun, you know how to play Moon?"
"No." Where are you? I need your advice, NOW!
"Well watch and learn." Lily says, oblivious to my inner dialog and takes a ball. Sticking her tongue out to the side she takes a few seconds before throwing, the ball landing on the edge of the center bowl and falls into a different bowl.
"Close miss, which one do you want?"
"Hmmm… That one." Lily points excitedly to a stuffed doll of an alicorn with a pink coat that I haven't really paid attention to. "Here you go, Moon. Take a throw." A ball is shoved into my hoof, which I take with an eye roll. Not really caring I lob it hard towards the bowls, hitting the side of the front most bowl and lands on the ground.
"Try again miss, but a little higher and softer." Again a ball is placed in front of me and a glance at the others tell me we aren't leaving till I try again. This time my throw is harder and hits the front bowl again, but this time breaking it and causes some of the other bowls to topple over, smashing against the ground.
"MOON, NO!" Lily shouts as she realizes what I did just before the ball hits.
"OUT NOW!" The stallion yells as the destruction ends, a grin of anger curls my lips as I stare at him.