Story
"Moondancer, I want to, I really do, but I can't keep my eyes open anymore," I mewl, falling backwards on the pillow. "We're supposed to be sleeping, anyway." We really are, too. It's rare for me to be up this late, the sun having set hours ago, but my friend is relentless.
Maybe it was the scare at the diner, that I was nearly taken home early, that Moondancer is so desperate to squeeze every minute out of the sleepover, or maybe it was the coffee provided by her sister that we both took sips of. Neither of us could have swallowed more than a few drops of the bitter liquid, hacking as we were, but the taste alone was enough to jolt me awake at the time, even if the energy didn't last.
"But you'll really like this one!" the beige filly protests, interrupting my thoughts and holding up yet another book. "It's one of my favorites!"
As were the fifteen others stacked on the side of the bed. To no one's surprise, when we finally arrived at Moondancer's home, and our combined puppy eyes prevented my parents being contacted, the two of us have done little more than read. I got a tour of the house, of course, specifically Moondancer's bookshelf, and we hung out with her sister, Dawn Blend, for a bit, but eventually, we were laying on the carpet of her room, reading.
That was hours ago, and besides dinner, we haven't stopped. About halfway through her book collection, the magic drain from earlier started to take its toll. As much as I am proud of the progress I made, and as much as I want to repeat my success, I know it's better to get a good night's sleep first to avoid complete exhaustion, but Moondancer is insatiable.
"We still have all day tomorrow," I argue, barely lifting my head to meet her eyes. "Can't we read the rest of them then?"
"But we're going to the library tomorrow!" she counters desperately. "We'll have a whole bunch of new books to read then!"
"Yeah, but not until later in the day. We'll still have time in the morning. We can get through your books if we go fast." I'm relieved to see my reasoning getting through to her, her bottom lip caught cutely between her teeth and the book clung tightly to her chest, but I can tell she still needs a little more incentive. "How 'bout we lay back and tell stories to each other 'til we fall asleep? Like, from our heads?"
She looks hesitant. "I don't know... I'm not too good at telling stories without reading the words. I get all mixed up."
"Well, I'll tell a story then, and it'll be super good, I promise," I assure her, patting the space beside me. Her bed isn't all that large, but luckily, we are small enough that we both can squeeze in under the covers without one of us having to migrate to the floor. Reluctantly, she concedes, wiggling in next to me and pulling the blanket up to her chin.
"So, what story are you gonna tell?" she asks inquisitively.
"I'm not sure yet," is my honest response, tired eyes closed but brain digging furiously for a tale. I realize then that practically every story book I've ever read in my new life, Moondancer has as well, and I'm left lost, struggling to keep my promise. Then, upon reaching back further and further, I stumble upon knowledge often ignored, and inspiration strikes.
If I didn't have any stories from this world to tell, then I'll simply have to pull some from a different one. "Okay, this story is called, um, An Equestrian Tail. That's tail, like on our butts, by the way," I clarify, getting the filly to giggle.
"I haven't heard that one before. What's it about?"
"It's about mice."
"Mice? But aren't they suppose to be icky?"
"Hey, mice are cute," I counter. "Especially this one. This is the story of Fievel, the cutest, nicest mouse of of all, and his family."
"F- Fiiy-vall? That's a really weird name."
"Mouse names are different from pony names. Anyway, the story starts in... The the land of the gryphons, like we read in that book, remember? With Fievel and his family throwing a party on, um, mouse-Hearth's Warming, I think, and Fievel's dad has just given him a big blue hat as gift and told him about Equestria and how much better it is."
"Why doesn't Fievel's dad like the gryphon land?"
"Cats. There are cats everywhere, and cats eat mice. Plus gryphons are part cat, so they probably eat mice too."
"Gasp! Do they really?"
"Well, in this story they do. I mean, I'm pretty sure mice don't wear hats and throw parties either, so..."
"Yeah... I guess so. That's still gross to think about, and sad."
"It is. Anyway, just as Fievel's dad tells him about how their are no cats in Equestria-"
"But there is! Miss Drizzle across the street a has a whole bunch of cats, like five!"
"Yeah, Fievel's dad might not be too smart. I think maybe he's a hat maker, or something... So, the mice are all celebrating and having fun, Fievel's dancing with his sister, his dad is playing music, and they're eating cheese and drinking punch, when all of a sudden, cats attack!"
"No!"
"Yep, and Fievel and his family barely escape. Cats are swiping at 'em one way, and the mice dodge the other, and they're chased out of their home and into the snow. After that, the mice are tired of the cats and always being afraid, so the dad decides it's finally time to leave-"
"And come to Equestria!"
"Mhmm, they sneak onto a big steam boat heading towards... Mmm, Manehattan. While his family is down below, waiting to reach their new dream home, Fievel, adventurous little mouse that he is, goes up top to see the ocean, but there's a really bad storm happening, and a big wave ends up knocking him into the water."
"Oh no!"
"Yeah, it's super scary as he gets pulled under, and he fights just to keep his head above the waves. It doesn't look good, until he ends up inside a glass bottle and he gets washed to shore. He makes it to Manehattan, but he's lost and alone, and his family are afraid they'll never see Fievel again."
"Please let him find his family," Moondancer whispers repeatedly under her breath, pushing harder against me. Warmth bubbles up in my chest at the response, glad my friend is so invested in a story that meant much to me so long ago. Even after everything, both from my past life and my new one, I still remember watching this movie with my father religiously.
Before the permanent move to the hospital when there was still hope for my recovery, we'd play the VHS tape of this movie everyday, it being a favorite of both of ours and something we could share. For years we watched it to the credits, only to rewind it back to the start and repeat the process. We did it so many times, in fact, that the tape eventually tore and Father promised to find another copy.
That was right before I was rushed to the ER where I spent my last few years. I had always wished to watch it again, but things had simply become too difficult then, and there was never any time.
Those thoughts have sadness budding right alongside the warmth, especially as I guiltily realize how vague my memories of the movie have become over the years, but I strive forward nonetheless. "On his own, Fievel tries to find his family, but the streets are scary, and the city's huge, and he starts to lose hope. Luckily, he meets a kind pigeon named Henri, who tells him not to give up; to never say never."
"Never say never?"
"Yeah, like, as long as you keep trying, you'll get what you want, and for Fievel, that's his family, so that's what the little mouse does, he keeps going... Until he meets this tricky, fibbing rat named Warren who foalnaps him and makes him work in a shop."
"But he's just a baby! What a mean rat!"
"Don't worry though, Mooney, Fievel doesn't stay there long before making a friend; another mouse named Tony, and the two escape together. After that, they meet a girl mouse named Bridget-"
"Ugh, who came up with all these silly names? How am I supposed to remember them when they don't make sense?"
"I know, I know, sorry, but these are the names. Anyway, Bridget is trying to make all the mice in the city work together to fight the cats, and Fievel and Tony end up joining the cause."
"See, I bet Fievel was really shocked when he found out there are cats in Equestria."
"Oh yeah he was, and his family was too. See, there was actually a big cat attack at a mouse marketplace, and Fievel's family was there. This makes them even sadder after they lost Fievel, but his sister, Tanya- hush, I know it's a weird name- Tanya is sure he'll come back."
"That's right, big sisters know everything. Dawn is super smart, too."
"Lucky. All I got is Bluey." I can only maintain the faux pout for a for seconds before joining Moondancer's giggles with a snort. "I'm joking, don't tell him I said that."
"Sure, but what happens next in the story?"
"Right, well, Tanya goes out and looks at the moon, thinking about how Fievel is probably looking at it too, and he is. He's even thinking the same thing as his sister, and he can't wait to find her and his parents, but first he has to help Bridget and the other mice beat the cats."
"But how? Cats are big, and mice are little. What can they do?"
"Fievel's the one who figures it out. He comes up with this crazy plan to scare the cats away by making a giant monster mouse out of a bunch of old stuff."
"Like garbage and stuff?"
"Yeah, and some hot air balloons to make the body."
"Pff, that's silly. Who'd be afraid of balloons?"
"Cats. Especially if they pop them with their claws. Anyway, the mice think it's a good idea, and start working on it right away. While they do that, Fievel goes to see Warren, the mean rat, but when he finds him, Warren is taking off a disguise, because he's actually a cat."
"Wait, what!?"
"Yep, he was lying to the mice so they would trust him and he could steal from them easier. Even worse, he's also the leader of the cats and has been telling them where to find the mice and when to attack."
"That's horrible! I hope Fievel ran straight to his mouse friends and told them what a bad kitty Warren is."
"He wanted to, but he ended up getting caught instead and held prisoner. Luckily though, Warren left a big, orange, fluffy cat in a purple shirt named Tiger to watch him, and even though he pretended not to be, he was really nice. When Fievel shares his story, Tiger starts to cry, and decides to let him go."
"Aww, good kitty."
"Definitely. but not the other ones, because as soon as they see him, Warren's whole gang of cats starts chasing Fievel as he runs to the other mice, who are at the docks by the ocean. Seeing him coming, the leader mouse tells the others to release the secret weapon! In a really funny voice, by the way. And that's just what they do, bringing out the scariest, giant, fireworks spitting mouse you've ever seen."
"Uh, I don't think I've ever seen a giant firework spitting mouse before."
"Oh, uh, just imagine a dragon, but covered in fur, I guess."
Moondancer giggles. "Heh, it's cute."
"No! It's scary! It has big, jagged, sharp teeth, and blank, glowing yellow eyes, and haunting, grinding roar!"
"Eep! Okay, it's scary now."
"The cats think so, because they dive right into the water and swim all the way to a boat leaving Equestria."
"Yay!"
"The mice are happy, too, and they celebrate, but, things don't stay happy for long before a big fire breaks out. Turns out fireworks can be dangerous. Who knew? Well, during all the running and screaming, Fievel gets separated from his friends, and they're shouting his name looking for him, which is actually a good thing, because Fievel's family is there too, and they hear it.
"Tanya hears it first and tells her dad, but he thinks it must be a different Fievel and ignores her. They probably would have left and not seen him again if it weren't for his mom finding his hat. After that, they go looking for him, joining up with his friends, and run into Tiger, who gives them a ride on his back."
"And then they find him, right?"
"Of course, with his friends and family working together, how couldn't they? And with Fievel and his family finally back together, they all live happily ever after."
"I'm glad," Moondancer says with relief, yawning. "That was a nice story, maybe we'll find it at the library tomorrow and we can actually read it. I bet Fievel is really cute in the pictures."
"Um... maybe," I answer, a little nervous. "I... actually don't think it's a book."
"What do you mean?"
"Well, I think, maybe, I... made it up? Or maybe it was from a dream. I don't remember," I fib. Really, there isn't much else I can do since I doubt the movie has a book of it here in Equestria for Moondancer to ever find.
"You mean... you made up that entire story? Even the silly names?"
"... Yes?"
"...That's incredible!"
"What?"
"You made up an entire story in your head!? You're like a real life author!" She exclaims, turning to her side to look at me.
I open my eyes to meet her wide ones. "It's not that incredible," I try meekly, but she just shakes her head.
"Yes it is! You should write it down and make your own book!"
"I don't think so," I mumble, turning away to hide the blush spreading across my cheeks. Some of it is from embarrassment, but most is shame. I didn't mean to steal someone else's story and claim it as my own, I just wanted to tell a bedtime story to my friend so she'd fall asleep happy.
"But why not?" she practically whines, getting me to wince.
"It's... just not that good, barely a whole story even. No pony would want to read that." That's certainly the truth. I'm actually amazed at how foggy my memories of the movie are after having watched it so many times, but when I think back on those days, I mostly remember leaning into my father's side, munching on snacks, and clutching his shirt whenever the giant mouse came on screen.
"I liked it," argues Moondancer. "I'm sure other ponies would too."
"Just... just no. I'm sorry, Mooney, but..." I sigh, the exhaustion from before doubling in that moment. "Can we go to sleep now? I'm really tired."
Fighting to keep my eyes open until she gives an answer, I look through heavy lids to see her with a strange expression. Finally she gives a small nod. "...Okay."
"Good," I say with a tired smile, letting my eyes fall closed again.
I just want to go to sleep and bury those drudged up memories again before they can put me in tears, but Moondancer speaks up. "Pure... are you mad at me?"
"Of course not," I respond, peeking at her pensive face. "Why would you think that?"
"You sounded mad when I was saying you should write a book. I... I'm sorry if I ruined our sleepover."
"You didn't," I assure her, placing a hoof on her chest. "I'm sorry if I sounded mad, I'm just tired really. I promise, this is the best sleepover I've ever had."
She looks skeptical. "This is the only sleepover you've ever had."
"Still the best," I answer confidently, getting Moondancer to smile lightly. "You're like some sort of sleepover master."
She giggles, chin tucked to her chest, and soon we both say our final goodnights, snuggling in under the covers and wrapping each other in our hooves.
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Dawwwwww
Meh. This chapter can easily be skipped. It doesn't seem to add anything to the story.
This was cute. Pure as a writer, why not?
Heh nostalgia hit me hard
This may not have any plot, but what it lacks, it makes up for with cuteness tenfold!!!
this was wortht the wait
this was nice and I kind of liked the movie, yep I remembered it a bit. I'm kind of thought this would have been the start for her romance.
I mean the chapter and the atmosphere (?) felt nice. I want something like this to happen should she find her crush. I believe you said she would notice to be into Mares right?
I had to image a scene where she would suddenly act strange after telling Moonshine the story, getting the first feeling of love. Not sure how much experience she had with that during her previous life to notice it. I thought of her trying to get the attention of Moonies big sister the next day to ask some question to figure it out.
I could see her blushing and stuff like that in the future if it happens, but I actually kind of wish for her to act a bit unfazed by it. I mean she can feel it and everything, but I don'T like it that it is always the main char who is blushing for every reason possible, acting nervous and everything you can think of.
To often the other characters act either smug, like they would be experts, appearantly know about it before the main char even decited that he was in love and everything else.
I just want it to be the main char for once that is acting stronger. (I mean yes I got that two or three times already but it still wasn'T perfect.)
If someone has to grin knowingly then let it be her mother, if Moonie should be her Marefriend in the future, I would accept her mother to.
I just don't need any teenies or unwanted characters to suddenly notice by their movement alone that it has to be love like there would be no possible reason for it being anything else than that.
Yep the chapter felt perfect, but while I actually only wanted to mention the scene I was thinking of I got a lot of thought about it again.
You mean interlude chapter?
Yea an update.
The cuteness.. Hnnnggg!
8551236
That's okay I thought this might take a while, it just looked like a good moment for her first confused feelings. How old are they again?
8551106
Moondancer levels up in friendship (which is easy to do at the low levels), and pure winds up dropping her first outside-universe-story-bomb, possibly setting her up for a carreer path.
Considering this story is largely slice of life, I'd say that's not terribly skippable...plus it's super cute and fluffy.
this hits the feels. I even read release the secret wepond in the voice! Keep writting gold!
I watched it in 2010, I think? It's kind of funny, you don't realize how fuzzy is your memory until you try to retell the contents. That's the paradox: you're stumped when you try to retell, but you go "I remember it" when you actually rewatch.
8551236
In movies and stories, even infants have crushes. Though I doubt that there will be romance in this story even as adults.
8551459
"Wewease, Tha Sequet, Weapon!"
I found myself vaguely offended by Moondancer's repeated name complaints.
And then I realised that their names are actual words and ours— most of ours, anyway— are conglomerations of letters that sound tolerably attractive.
Ah...young people becoming overtly invested in the story.
I'm glad to see she's using some of her past life knowledge.
Very cute, I'm just glad she didn't tell her the story of Watership Down, That would have scared Moondancer for life!
OMG!
Cutest story I've Ever read!
I mean, telling the tail?!
And the reactions!!!!!
In the most manly way I giggled and my wife rolled her eyes when I told her why.
Keep it up!!
8551636
Actually, the etymology of a vast majority of names actually has its roots in ancient languages where they actually were words, but over time and multiple translations and miss-translations became the names we recognize today.
I liked this one well enough, but....
*~ But there are no cats in Equestria and the streets are paved with cheese ~*
Damnit, you made me feel old. I'm 29 now and i remember watching that movie when i waa little.
8551200
They're barely in school, dude, slow your roll.
8552218
i haven't wished for them to get intimate with each other relax
edit: that and I'm not sure how her old life would maybe affect her.
8551636
Here, have fun!
https://www.behindthename.com/
8551617
Yeah, I was actually writing this interpretation from my own memory to really get that partially forgotten feel, so this is about the extent of what I recall of the movie. Like, 8552038, damn, I forgot all about the 'streets paved with cheese," bit. I just remember the tune as I hum it.
8551636
8551987
8552280
Actually, if you remember, they aren't even speaking English in this Equestria, so the names are even further removed from their language. Though she learned to stop commenting on it by then, Moondancer even found the name of Tiger to be odd, because Pure had said the English word for the big cat, and not the Equestrian one.
8551222
Good catch, and fixed. Words are hard.
8551620
8551459
That line always hit close to home for me, because I had the same speech impediment growing up, and was made fun of a lot for it. Even after years of speech therapy, I still flub up and sound like this if I get excited or try to talk too fast.
8551106
8551127
Yeah, it didn't play a huge roll in the story, so that's why I've started the next chapter already and hope to get it out soon. I don't want a large delay after this one, so here's hoping I can maintain my writing energy for a little longer.
Indeed, it's interesting how some memories can fade, even if it used to be our favourite thing in the years past.
And Pure had solid arguments there, but good luck telling the truth about it. Well... even if she did tell the truth, the grown-ups would just think it's kids being kids
These fillies are precious. Maybe Pure should start writing down everything she remembers. If not to publish, then to keep for her own reminder of the past.
8552629
I would enjoy it to see a unusually type of stallion to (the shy one since we get so many brave and playfull partners in every other story.)
However what would be wrong with that?
I honestly don't care who it is, I just want to finally have a partner that actually needs to be protected by the main char for once, or just one where "the main char has the pants on in the relationship". (does that saying exist in english to?)
i.pinimg.com/736x/1d/ca/d6/1dcad6e976c84418bdff3c63d0bd4750--my-little-pony-crusaders.jpg
A filly's ultimate weapon!
Indeed...
I wonder if the ponies would consider Japanese names as more normal? After all they literally translate as objects or actions, just like pony names. Like for example: MIYAMOTO, Miya meaning "temple, shrine, palace" and Moto meaning "base, root, origin", which means that they probably would take the person's name and translate into equestrian as something like Origin Shrine.
Nice chapter, good work.
8552329
Oh yeaaaahhhhhhh
8552280
Kek.
8551987
Would you laugh if I told you I realized that while I was watching Saw: The Final Chapter?
'Cause now I feel like a foolish boy.
I like interlude chapters as they let the characters breath.
8553378
And then there are the names that are similar enough to words that you could say they are those words.
I remember thinking during the story that Bridget isn't so strange for ponies, if you take it as meaning "little bridge."
8552234
How about...no? One: I repeat, they are barely in school. They are tiny. Romance is off the current docket. Two: You aren't writing this story. If it does happen, it's the author's choice when and how.
8554208
really? of ourse I aren'T writing it, otherwise my name would beabove the story.
I'm not forcing the author to do anything, but I can contonue to give him ideas tht he might use one way or another.
well I coul repeat myself as well.
8554321
...You could also get some spellcheck.
8554995
I'm not pretending that I'm a grammar expert, english is not my main language, if that is what your complaining about.
8554180
Ah. I blame myself for being extremely forgetful.
Took me awhile to figure out what she was using for the story it sure has been awhile since I saw an American Tail!
I don't see how people think this chapter has no plot. It has the most important kind: character development.
But I suppose reading from a writer's perspective is a bit different.
One of my favorite movies growing up!
Now I really want to go back and watch An American Tail again. Been a long time since I last watched it.
Daw
Alondro, the Evil One, tempts the poor filly, "It's ok! You're in another dimension now! US copyright law doesn't extend to parallel dimensions! It's a perfectly legal loophole! Exploit it and become rich and famous! Doooooooo iiiiiiiiiiit!"
8554208 Nah! This is a FANFIC! We can have fetus shipping if we want to!
.... Now there's an idea.... (LOOK WHAT YOU DID! YOU GAVE ALONDRO A HORRIBLE, TERRIBLE, AMAZING IDEA!!)
8561242
...The FBI defines that as a felony.
What a story to come back to after reading Dark.