//------------------------------// // Explore: 1 // Story: Under our Crimson Moon // by Ponyess //------------------------------// It is the morning of the Summer Sun celebration, and Princess Celestia is supposed to be here any time soon. I had just thrown a Welcome to Ponyville party for my new friends; Twilight Sparkle, or Twilly. My party had been a success, even if she was barely seen at the actual party at the Golden Oak Library, where she is staying over the festival. Of course, she had planned to go back to Canterlot and her teacher, Princess Celestia, after the day. Maybe I should not blame her? As the time grew closer; Spike, her dragon and messenger walked up the stairs in a jubilant mood, while wearing a lamp shade on his head. When he finally got up to the top of the stairs, he made his announcement. After hesitation, Twilight Sparkle had finally made the connection and followed the rest of us to the location; where Rarity had been decorating for this momentous occasion. Of course, Mayor Mare was holding her traditional speech, just before Princess Celestia supposedly was about to appear. Once Mayor Mare had finished her speech, Fluttershy had her birds sing a fanfare for the Princess, before Rarity pulled the curtains aside in order to reveal the Princess in her full glory where she had been expected to be standing on the balcony on the second floor. Only now as the curtains parted, no Princess is there. The balcony is empty, void of any Pony. “This can not be good!” Mayor Mare exclaimed in agitation, as the first in a line of problems was facing us. “You are nightmare Moon, intent on bringing back your everlasting night!” Twilight Sparkle pronounced, certain and with dread on her voice. “Oh my, some Pony who remembers me!” Nightmare Moon expressed, with a hint of joy to her voice. “Sorry, Queen. You must have forgotten your crown, on your way to Ponyville. Sadly, most of us doesn’t have a very good memory; you will simply have to forgive them for their shortcomings!” I proclaimed, before the Mayor was about to say anything. “Of course, you are mere subjects; how could I expect you to remember what went down a thousand years ago?” Nightmare pondered. “Flop, flop, flop, flop, flop, flop, flop!” my tail went, as I lift from the floor and leisurely hover for but a moment; before I take aim towards Nightmare Moon and slowly fly up towards her, with no haste in the world. There are a few gasps from the gathered crowd on the ground; and the Queen does make very big eyes, as she sees me carelessly approaching her, in the expected to be impossible manner. “How could this be? You are an Earth Pony, right!” she now put forth. “Yes, silly Queen, of course I am an Earth Pony. I am representing the third tier of magic, commonly forgotten by all Ponies. Yet, as you see; I can wield it quit proficiently, to the point where I can fly high enough to approach my Queen!” I responded. “You certainly are a very unusual Pony, performing long lost magic that never took root amongst the Earth Type in the first place. What is your name?” she responded. “I am Pinkamena Diana Pie; but my friends call me Pinkie Pie, or Pinkie for short. Now, if you would be the Queen your subjects could follow; fearlessly and as far as their Queen asks?” I prompted in response. “Pinkie Pie? You do have an unusual name, for a mere Earth Pony; maybe destiny had greater plans for you; than even a Queen could foresee at first glance?” she pondered in response. “Yes, Queen; I am a very unusual Pony, practitioner of all the unusual to forgotten arts of Earth Magic. On that note, you are in Ponyville; a very unusual place in Equstria. I guess it falls upon my shoulders, to bid you welcome to town. Now I need to prepare a party, for you. I am obligated to host a Welcome to Ponyville Party, since you are new in town!” I prompted. “Are you by any chance claiming that you are performing more magic than mere flight and farming? A Welcome to Ponyville Party; for me? That is highly appropriate, I would have to concede. I have indeed never been to a village like Ponyville, not just because there was no village here, when I was last seen in Equestria!” she pointed out. “Ponyville is a miniature, of what Equestria could be as a whole; if permitted to grow and prosper. Even if the village was founded by the Earth Ponies, of the Apples; but we do have both Pegasi and Unicorns living comfortably and contributing to the greater good of the common Ponies. Of course I would know that you are new in Ponyville, my Queen; I know every Pony in Ponyville intimately. I haven’t seen you before, thus you are new in town. Naturally, I count Unicorns, Pegasi and Earth Ponies as my friends equally; there is no point in making differences here!” I explained lightly. “What does an Alicorn and Queen have to fear; from a few mere Earth Ponies, Pegasi and Unicorns. We all know, there is no way we can match power or experience with one as powerful as you!” I proclaimed. “If you are prepared to host the party for me, I presume they will see and love me as their Queen. When you put it that way, I have nothing to fear. All I ever wanted and desired, was to have a little respect and admiration from my subjects. Is that so much to ask?” she responded. “I am throwing you the party, personally hosting it; in order to make all see just how great a Queen you are. Once you take your rightful place, the land can know all the peace it needs and prosper like never before. Once the throne is yours, what difference is it if it is night or day? They will see you, and love you for the wise rein!” I pointed out. --- --- ---