August

Moon Dancer woke up with a start. She was sweating and panting and panicking. Her dream had been so real. She slid out of bed and wobbled into the bathroom. And through up in the toilet. When she was done she looked in the mirror she saw her horn was glowing faintly. It faded.

Did I cast a spell? In my sleep? Without knowing it? Or how? It seems to have been glowing bright and then began fading when I woke up. What did I dream about?

She stared at her horn for several minutes. It didn’t do anything. Moon Dancer took a shower.

Moon Dancer was late to breakfast. Sunset was spoon feeding human Twilight with her magic and Twilight was blushing and giggling. Princess Twilight looked exhausted. Pony Moon Dancer was smiling and talking to Spike who was animatedly telling her a story. Starlight Glimmer was reading a book in the corner.

Moon Dancer walked over to the serving table and looked at her options. Moon Dancer reached a hoof out to grab a serving spoon when it was enveloped in a light purple aura.

“What do you want?” the other Moon Dancer smiled at her and waited.

Moon Dancer stared in shock. She came to her senses quickly. “Well this stirfry looks pretty good. Also maybe a glass of juice?” Moon Dancer said hopefully.

Pony Moon Dancer razed an eyebrow at her human counterpart. “There is no need to be shy I offered to help you.” she said awkwardly. “I realize that I’ve been a bit rude. I wanted to make up for it.” she did her best to smile normally.

“Okay.”

Pony Moon Dancer served human Moon Dancer the way she wanted and walked with her back to the table. They sat with Spike and listened to him tell stories of their adventures.

After breakfast Princess Twilight called human Moon Dancer and Twilight to her for another magic lesson. Twilight grabbed a plate in her magic and picked it up for a whole minute. The princess was speechless. Moon Dancer was able to grasp a plate and make it wobble. They practiced for an hour. Human Twilight could lift a plate up and down over and over. Moon Dancer managed to get one off the table for a second.

“Did you see her face!” human Twilight demanded when she and human Moon Dancer found pony Moon Dancer in the library.

“I did.” pony Moon Dancer smiled.

Human Twilight was grinning ear to ear and bouncing up and down.

Pony Moon Dancer rolled her eyes and returned to her book. Human Moon Dancer grabbed Twilight by the tail and pulled her away.

“Ow!” Twilight complained loudly.

Princess Twilight’s Council of Friendship assembled at noon. Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Princess Luna, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Princess Twilight, Spike, Applejack, pony Moon Dancer, human Moon Dancer, human Twilight and Sunset. (The names are in order around the table. Imagine a clock with each character sitting at an hour.) Starlight Glimmer set the table and served everyone before being kicked out.

Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie were the first to arrive. Pinkie Pie was eager to meet Sunset and was already planning a welcome to ponyville party.

Rarity walked in with Applejack. Rarity personally dished Applejack up and helped her into her normal chair.

Princess Luna flew in and majestically landed on the table.

Rainbow Dash arrived last. She looked exhausted. She was dressed in her Fleet Admiral uniform and her mane was a complete mess. She piled her plate high sat down and started stuffing herself in an undignified manner.

Once everyone was seated there was a lot of shuffling and waiting for Princess Twilight to dictate the schedule. Princess Twilight had her nose buried in paperwork.

Finally Princess Twilight set down her papers and picked up a checklist and cleared her throat.

“First things first.” Princess Twilight announced. “We will be using nicknames for both me and my counterpart. I am am Princess she is Midnight. Sunset and her counterpart, she is Dusk and the human is Rai. and… I would like to have one's for the two Moon Dancer’s.”

The two Moon Dancer’s looked at each other uncomfortably.

“We are not using Moony.” human Moon Dancer said.

Pony Moon Dancer folded her ears back. “No and I refuse to be called four eyes.”

Human Moon Dancer thought about Rai’s nickname. A name came to mind but it was a horrible name. Did she really want them calling her that? No. But what else should they call her.

Human Moon Dancer was pulled from her thoughts by the feeling of a hoof on her arm. She looked up to see her own purple eyes.

“Are you alright?” Pony Moon Dancer asked quietly.

Moon Dancer looked away. “When I was twelve I wanted to learn how to camp and survive in the wild. My parents signed me up for a summer camp called Wolf Camp. It was an overnight camp and it was all summer long. I loved it at first. During the second week I was carrying a large pile of firewood to the fire pit when I tripped. I fell into the pit and inhaled a lot of ash. I couldn't breath. I was choking and my lungs burned. My lungs dried out. I was rushed to an emergency room and was put on oxygen for days. I had to take horrible medications and undergo lots of treatments. They finally let me go home with a portable Respirator I spent the rest of the summer in and out of the hospital as the doctors tried to fix the damage. When I returned to school word had gotten round. My classmates started calling me Ash Face. Ash Face is the only name I can think of but… ” human Moon Dancer choked up. Her eyes had watered. “I don’t want you to call me Ash Face.” she started crying.

Pony Moon Dancer levitated a clean handkerchief over and carefully dabbed at human Moon Dancer’s eyes.

“We won’t call you Ash Face if you don’t want us to.” Applejack said kindly.

“What if the names weren’t based on our pasts. What if we just picked an adjective and you guys called us that.” Pony Moon Dancer suggested.

“Sure.” said Princess.

The two Moon Dancer’s thought.

“Which one of you is older.” Dusk asked.

“I would imagine pony Moon Dancer is.” Princess said immediately.

“How come.” Dusk asked.

“Well it seems like all the ponies are older.” Princess said.

“I don’t know. Time is a funny thing. According to the calendar on your wall I’m twenty five in this world and Rai is twenty six on the other side of the portal. I don’t know how old you all are but I do not think we should get hung up an small details.” Dusk said.

“I’m twenty three if anyone cares.” human Moon Dancer aid.

“Your older than me?” Pony Moon Dancer was shocked.

“I guess so.” human Moon Dancer said.

There was a moment of thinking.

“I got it!” Pony Moon Dancer declared. “Iunae and Salto!”

“Okay. Which one do you want?” Human Moon Dancer asked.

“I don’t care.” ponyMoon Dancer said.

“I’ll be Iunae and you’ll be Salto.” human Moon Dancer said.

“Okay.” Salto sad.

“Umm… You two lost us.” Rainbow Dash said.

“Pardon the rest of us but how do you pronounce your new names?” Rarity asked.

“ee-u-nI and SAL-to” Princess Luna sad. “I think they are lovely names for you two.”

“What do they mean?” asked Fluttershy.

“Moons and Dance” Iunae said.

“Fantastic! Time for Check ins.” Princess said.

“Oo! Me First!” Pinkie Pie hopped up and down. “I had the most awesome wonderful date ever! I can’t wait for our next one!” Pinkie Pie beamed. Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes.

“Let me guess you locked yourself in the pinkie cave and watched a movie by yourself.” Rainbow Dash said sarcastically.

Pinkie Pie pouted. “I went on a real date and it was romantic and everything.”

“Rainbow Dash leave her alone.” Applejack said wheerily.

“My turn” Princess cut in. “I went to Canterlot and looked Celestia in the face and she told me she was sorry for going behind my back. She also said she wants to see you tomorrow.” Princess said looking at Dusk. “As for my feelings… I’m fine. Next.”

“I’m doing great. Nothing to report.” Spike said.

“I’m tired. I didn’t sleep well. I fine. I’m interested in the stories I’m going to hear.” Applejack said. “Next.”

“I feel good this morning.” Salto said. “I’ve been busy working nothing exciting. Next.”

“I can just lift a plate off a table.” Iunae said. She blushed. She was proud even though Midnight’s accomplishments were more impressive.

“I am also very excited.” Midnight Levitated her plate up and down. Pinkie Pie applauded enthusiastically. The others smiled and nodded approvingly.

Everyone turned to Dusk. “I’m going well. It is nice to be back in Equestria. It is nice to have a comfortable bed and lots of food to eat. Next.”

“I’m exhausted!” Rainbow Dash said. “The wonderbolts have been training hard the past two days and I am sore all over. I got a lift here thanks to Luna so I could rest. So thanks for that.”

“Your Welcome.” Princess Luna said.

“Next!” Rainbow Dash said.

“I don’t really have anything interesting to report.” Rarity said. “Just the usual work. Next.”

Princess Luna looked thoughtful. “My sister has been leaving me in change for long stretches while she does stuff. She is frantically making preparations. I don’t know what for. And to be honest I am not too concerned right now. Next.”

“Oh nothing interesting has happened to me.” Fluttershy said. “I’m fine.”

“Alright then. To business. Sunset I believe you owe us a story.” Princess said.

Dusk furrowed her brow. “I don’t owe you anything.”

“Will you please tell us the story we are dying to know!” Princess said.

“I woke up in a cage. It was pitch dark. I couldn’t see my hands/arms in front of my face.” Dusk explained her time in captivity up to her rescue.

“So you were corned by six guards with electric sticks and there were more in the room and you escaped? On your own?” Princess asked.

“No Applejack- the other one broke in and rescued me.” Dusk said.

“What!” Princess said baffled.

Dusk leaned forward across the table to face Princess. “Do you remember the fight you had with her the day you brought them here.” Dusk stared intently into Princess’ eyes.

Princess spluttered. “Fight? We didn’t fight. We disagreed and then she let it go after I explained why she was wrong.”

“You owe her an apology. You hurt her feelings.” Dusk said seriously.

Princess’ face reddened. “I was working with the information I had. I was explaining to her the most likely explanation. I didn’t mean to-”

“Well you did.” Dusk cut Princess off. “She alone had the guts to call you out and ask you to think over the evidence again and you pushed her aside. She was right. She saved me and you know who else did?”

“Who?” Princess asked quietly.

“The sirens.”

“What!” Several ponies shouted at once.

Dusk leaned back smiling. “The sirens and Applejack teamed up to rescue me.”

Everyone stared in shock.

Iunae stared in confusion. “Wait there are sirens in my home world!?” Iunae squeaked.

“Yes. You actually met them.” Dusk said.

“Really?” Princess asked.

“The three ladies you met in the coffee shop with your wife who thought she was me.” Dusk said.

“Oh. They are sirens?” Iunae asked.

“Yes.” Dusk said. “They are very dangerous. Do not piss them off.”

“Why would the sirens go out of their way to save you?” Rainbow Dash asked.

“My thoughts too.” Princess Luna said.

“The answer I got was that they were board. They saw rescuing me as a fun adventure. Adagio said it was a mission accomplished which makes it seem like she another goal. Personally I am a little worried but Applejack has faith in them so I guess we will have to wait and see.” Sunset said.

“So Applejack and the sirens broke in and ran out… where was the risk?” Rainbow Dash asked. She glanced at Applejack. “You made it sound like a sacrifice to go and that it was really dangerous but how so?”

“First things first I cannot emphasize enough that the human world is different. Here I am a unicorn trained in combat magic. Other there the tools and style is different. Also I hadn’t eaten in four days so I was weaker than normal.” Dusk said. “Applejack put herself in harm's way to rescue me. She took a bullet for me.”

Iunae and Midnight both gasped in horror. The ponies all looked confused.

Dusk cleared her throat. “A bullet is a deadly weapon. It is kind of a more advanced crossbow bolt. It is highly deadly. Applejack got shot in the shoulder. A doctor fixed her up. She will be fine. She just needs to take it easy for a week or so.”

“If it was so dangerous then why didn’t they bring more ponies?” Rainbow Dash asked.

“A combination of short notice and wanting to be stealthy. In hindsight having another person in heavy armor fighting with Applejack could have helped.” Dusk said.

“What do you mean by heavy armor?” asked Spike.

“Yeah. Shouldn’t her armor have prevented the injury?” Fluttershy asked.

“Applejack didn’t get specific on the full capacity of her armor or how she acquired it. She had her vitals protected. Her whole torso was completely bullet resistant and she had protection for her neck, arms and legs. I watched Adagio help her out of her armor and it looked like she was shot in a strap I.E. a chink in her armor. All the other bullets bounced off her.” Dusk said.

“That seems like a pretty big information gap.” Princess said.

“Well me and Applejack weren’t in amazing mental states at the time.” Dusk said.

“What do you mean?” Fluttershy asked.

“I was weak with hunger and in something of shock at being safe. Applejack was exhausted and in pain.” Dusk said. “Applejack got the journal from the other Rarity and said she will send a full account of what happened from her perspective to us when she is able.”

“Fantastic!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed. There was a general nod of agreement.

After a moment of silence Salto speak up. “So now what?”

Princess immediately looked at her checklist.

“I think the logical next step it to return again to the topic of where the human Sunset is. Perhaps you Dusk will have a useful insight because we have been speculating for days and have gotten nowhere. I feel like there is only one or two more pieces but we just aren’t there. Do you have any ideas where Rai could be?” Princess asked.

“Considering that I’m out of touch my incites may be a little unhelpful but I feel like we need to concentrate our search around canterlot. I think we should go to canterlot and check it out. We could try turning Iunae and Midnight loose and let them wonder. I think we should focus on sustenance. How did she meet her needs.”

Princess shuffled her notes “We were looking to the possibility of her staying at a hotel. We had all the hotels and motels send us their guest lists but we didn’t find her name. Also we asked the apartment owners.”

Princess Luna cleared her throat.

“Seriously!? What makes you think a poor pony could afford a hotel or apartment in Canterlot? Have you not seen the prices the cheapest room is over a hundred bits!” Dusk demanded.

Princess Luna cleared her throat.

“Where do you think she could have stayed” Spike asked.

Dusk looked thoughtful. “The cheapest ‘housing’ in the city is the Hot House on the edge of town.”

The reaction was immediate.

“How dare you suggest such a thing!” “You pervert!” “Rai wouldn't!” “Not everyone is that kind of pony!” “She would never!”

“Silence!” Princess Luna demanded. Her voice boomed through out the room. Everyone shrank back in shock and fear.

“I was trying to tell you what I know for I have found new information.” Princess Luna said.

“New information!” Princess looked eagar.

“The manager of the Hot House at the edge of Canterlot reached out to me. He was filing paperwork and found Sunset Shimmer’s name among their guests. She was there. She signed the agreement to rent a room for the night and paid. A few hours later she turned in her key and said she didn’t want a refund. He didn’t think anything of it. It happens all the time.” Princess Luna said.

“What’s a Hot House?” Midnight asked.

Dusk and Salto face hoofed. There were groans and blushes of embarrassment from the other ponies. Iunae guess it must be something sexual.

“Not to be… not to deflect but I feel like Dusk is the best pony to explain this.” Rarity said.

There was a general nod of agreement.

Dusk looked thoughtful. “There really isn’t a human equivalent of a Hot House.” she thought some more. “The closest thing is a brothel but that doesn't really capture it.”

“My wife went where!” Iunae looked horrified.

“First off we don’t know if she was sexual with anyone while she was there. She may have only been there because it was the only place she could afford. The fact that she turned in her key and left must mean that she didn’t like the scene.” Dusk said.

Princess Luna nodded.

“That still doesn’t change that my wife went to a-”

“It’s different.” Dusk said with a hint of anxiety in her voice.

“How so.” Midnight asked.

“Culture. This all has to do with a difference in culture. Pony culture is a lot more… sex positive if you will. In general we are really open and frank about sex because you can't hide it. Stallions can’t hide their erections as well as humans. Mares can’t hide their heat as very well. In general we take a no shame approach to sex. We have nothing to hide. We also have a culture of polyamory. Most ponies even married ponies have casual sex with others, their friends their coworkers complete strangers. Hot Houses are a place for ADULTS to have fun. It is a safe environment for hookups with strangers who are horny. There is an agreement that everyone in there is a consenting adult who is open to experimenting. There are very different standards of behavior in the building as apposed to public. Privacy is irrelevant on the dance floor.” Dusk tried to explain.

“Have you ever been?” Midnight asked.

“No. I wasn’t old enough when I left.” Dusk said.

“What about the rest of you?” Midnight asked.

There was more embarrassed squirming.

“I have.” Salto said bluntly. “I went in got a drink, stood in the corner for an hour and then left. My sister told me I had to. I walked strait home and went to sleep.”

“Same” Fluttershy said softly.

“You two were the last people-ponies I was expecting.” Midnight said.

“It is sort of an informal right of passage for a young woman.” Pinkie Pie said. “Your first heat after you come of age you go and get an alcoholic drink and hang out. You have to stay for a minimum of an hour. Your supposed to try to have fun and bring back a recite to prove you did it.”

“Okay.” Midnight said.

“So my wife went to a hookup place and stayed for a few hours and it’s just a normal place to hang out?” Iunae asked.

“This time of year it was probably packed.” Pinkie Pie said.

“I think the better question is did she know what it was before entering.” Salto said.

“I would imagine she didn’t” Midnight said.

“At this point it’s neither here nor there what happened happened. The question is why did she leave and where did she go. Presumably she wanted a place to stay and assumed it was safe enough and off the grid. So why didn’t she stay. She paid. What made her leave. The fact that she gave back the key means it most likely wasn’t a kidnapping. Unless the pony didn’t reveal their motives until later.” Dusk said.

“Well that brings us back to wandering if she has a secret friend in Canterlot.” Pinkie Pie said.

“I think your idea from earlier is best.” Fluttershy said. “Go to Canterlot and scout it out see if you find anything. Go to the hot house and see if you can get anything else. Any clues from the ponies who have reported. If you Dusk ask you might get something else. I also think we should explain the two Sunsets thing. And if Iunae and Midnight go…” Fluttershy trailed off.

“For security reasons I don’t think we should he honest when we explain why there are two of some ponies running around.” Princess Luna said.

No one wanted to argue with her.

“So it looks like we have a plan.” Rarity said. “You all are going on a trip to Canterlot tomorrow. And you’ll report back.”

There was another pause. “So is that it?” Dusk asked.

Princess pulled up she checklist. She marked off lots of things. “The only big things left are the paperwork and Rainbow Dash's story.”

“Paper work?” Midnight asked.

“Yes. You have been privy to confidential and classified information. And given the nature of future conversations you will be exposed to more. You need to fill out some paper work and take a vow and then I will make you official members of my council of friendship and then you don
T have to be worried about being arrested for knowing too much.” Princess explained.

Princess floated papers to Iunae, Midnight and Dusk but Princess Luna Intercepted Dusk’s papers and shredded them in mid air before lighting them on fire.

Everyone one stareed.

Princess Luna turned to Dusk. “You signed basic confidentiality papers when you became my sister’s personal student. You made a vow.”

Dusk nodded.

“Tomorrow Celestia will present you with a different set of papers.” Princess Luna said.

“So she already has high clearance?” Rainbow Dash asked.

“Yes.” Princess Luna said. “You ladies can fill out the paperwork after the meeting. Let’s let Rainbow Dash talk and then her and I need to head out.”

Everyone nodded even though they were confused.

“I received the message in the evening. A messenger owl showed up just after the sun went down. The owl was told to harass me until I left. I flew strait to headquarters. I got their at the crack of dawn. I landed outside Spitfire’s office exhausted. It is a long flight. I knocked on the door and she was really secretive. Checking it was me with security questions and everything. Finally she let me in. She looked exhausted too and stressed.

Spitfire said Princess Celestia herself came to meet with her to discuss her plans for the Wonderbolts. She demanded an emergency summons with a threat of firing anyone who couldn’t show up quick enough. Then she instructed us Spitfire to train us differently. She showed me the battle maps and flight patterns and honestly I was pretty freaked out. I was always aware that war was possible but I just didn’t think it would happen, you know, when I was alive.

Anyway we are training for power over short distances. We were each given special saddlebags that looked similar to the maternity saddlebags and we flew down to a beach and filled them with wet sand. We flew back up to the clouds. Spitfire and I had arranged them and then we practiced our flight patterns between the clouds. The hardest part is not losing altitude while on a cloud. Wet sand is heavy!” Rainbow dash said.

“You said you were training for power over short distances what do you normally train for?” Midnight asked.

“Agility over long distances. We train for stamina over all else but we put on shows with our agility and speed.” Rainbow Dash said.

“So your a Wonderbolt?” Dusk asked.

“No. Not technically. I’m a Fleet Admiral of the Air Force with Fluttershy. I was assigned to oversee the Wonderbolts specifically on my request. I train with them, perform with them and I have a room on the compound but I am not actually one of them.” Rainbow Dash said.

“So you out rank the Wonderbolts but you still perform with them?” Dusk asked.

“Well duh! It’s my dream! I am the Fleet Admiral I can do what I want. If I want to perform with them I can.” Rainbow Dash puffed out her chest.

“Hold on Fluttershy is the head of a military branch?” Midnight demanded.

“Yes. I am but I don’t know very much and have no experience so I found someone worthy of the honor and made them my assistant. They do my military job for me and give me updates.” Fluttershy said.

“Isn’t that neglecting your duty?” Dusk asked.

Fluttershy flinched. “It was the best solution. Leave my job in capable hooves and just try to keep up with what is happening.”

“There is nothing wrong with delegating. I hired a secretary to do my paperwork and legal stuff.” Rainbow Dash said.

“How did you get into the military without… the desire?” Iunae asked.

“It was handed to us when we became element protectors.” Applejack explained. “After we defeated Tireck. Our status changed. We were all given the fleet admiral rank in the military and got to choose which branches were oversaw. We were also given the option of hiring an assistant to do our job for us.”

“Okay then.” Iunae said.

Applejack turned to Rainbow Dash. “My question is why the weight training. You pegusi are light weights built for speed. What are you going to cary.”

Rainbow Dash paled. “Flechettes.”

Silent horror filled the room.

“The Wonderbolts are preparing to fly from cloud base to cloud base raining death on the enemy below.” Rainbow Dash said.

“Who are we going to war with?” Applejack asked.

“I don’t know.” Rainbow Dash said.

“Word of this can’t get out. We don’t want to panic the public. My sister said she is trying to use diplomacy to avoid war but if things go badly we will declare war and institute a military draft.” Princess Luna said.

“That still doesn't answer the question.” Rarity said.

“I don’t have all the answers. Celestia is leaving tomorrow evening to talk to the queen of the hippogryphs. An escort will arrive in the morning to fly you to the castle.” Princess Luna said. “It is time for Rainbow Dash and I to leave.” Princess Luna stud up and walked out. Rainbow Dash stud and stretched and then ran after her.

Applejack almost fell out of her chair. She stretched and wandered over to her maternity couch in the corner of the room. She lay down on it.

“If that’s the meeting then that's it. Ponies you are dismissed. Humans you need to sign some papers.” Princess declared.

Sunset got out of her char and wondered over with the other ponies to Applejack and the leftover food.

The patter of feet next to Sunset turn to face Spike.

“Hey Sunset you should totally tech me some of your human fighting techniques!” Spike said enthusiastically.

“That could be hard. I won’t be able to demonstrate but I could try to draw moves and correct you. We can try.” Dusk said.

“Fantastic!” Spike said.

Dusk smiled at the little dragon.

Sunset walked to her room alone after dinner.

Sunset walked into her room and strait for the bath when she out of the corner of her eye she spotted the journal glowing. Instantly curious she grabbed it in her magic and floated it over. She opened it to the new message.

This is Applejack looking for Sunset. When you have a moment I would like to “Text” with you.

Sunset stared at the message. It wasn’t what the book was made for but it was an option. Sunset found a quill and ink bottle in her dresser and began to write.

Author's Notes:

I hope the Iunae Salto names make scene. the Ash Face story is my my response to Newbie Dash.

I hope you like this chapter. As always I would love any feed back you have!