War of the Princesses

      “ Once upon a time, in the magical land of Equestria, there were two regal sisters who ruled together, and created harmony for all the land. To do this, the eldest used her unicorn powers to raise the sun at dawn; the younger brought out the moon to begin the night. Thus, the two sisters maintained balance for their kingdom and their subjects, all the different types of ponies. But as time went on, the younger sister became resentful. The ponies relished and played in the day her elder sister brought forth, but shunned and slept through her beautiful night. One fateful day, the younger unicorn refused to lower the moon to make way for the dawn. The elder sister tried to reason with her, but the bitterness in the young one's heart had transformed her into a wicked mare of darkness: Nightmare Moon. She vowed that she would shroud the land in eternal night. Reluctantly, the elder sister harnessed the most powerful magic known to ponydom: the Elements of Harmony. Using the magic of the Elements of Harmony, she defeated her younger sister, and banished her permanently in the moon. The elder sister took on responsibility for both sun and moon. And harmony has been maintained in Equestria for generations since.”

     This is a tale that has been told ever since the days of old. Around one thousand years ago to be exact. Now, there is another tale that is sure to strike inspiration into the many hearts of readers for years to come. My name is Shining Armor. And this is the saddening tale that came to be known as “The War of the Princesses”. Get your tissues ready fillies and gentlecolts.

     It all began about five years ago, after King Sombra’s defeat in the Crystal Empire. As well as many other events that transpired afterward. Such as Discord’s reformation and even Twily's coronation. But that’s beside the point. Anyway, it was a day like any other; the sun was shining, birds were chirping, and ponies all over Equestria were bustling as always. On that very day however, a mysterious illness befell the ruler of Equestria’s beautiful nights; our beloved Princess Luna. Nopony, not even Princess Celestia, knew what it was.

    My little sis; Princess Twilight Sparkle tried to find the illness and its cause in many different books. None of which held the answers that were sought. Princess Celestia tried everything to cure Luna...but nothing worked. Medicine, soup, magic, and even a wonderful bedtime story failed. Princess Luna coughed and hacked violently, often coughing up a red, liquid like substance. I later found out that the red substance was, in fact, blood. Blood! And Princess Luna was coughing it up onto her favorite bed sheets!

    “Am I-?” Luna coughed violently in her bed, with Celestia sitting in a chair by her sister’s side. “Am I going to die big sister?” Luna asked, coughing up more blood.

     Princess Celestia ran a hoof through Luna’s sparkling and ever flowing mane. “No. I will never let that happen to you little sister. I give you my word.” Celestia had told her with a reassuring smile. But above that smile, I noticed tears forming in her eyes. Never once had I ever seen that. Never once in my years as a captain of the Equestrian Royal Guard had I ever seen Princess Celestia cry.

     I too was aggrieved by Luna’s life draining condition. But I did not have the courage to display it. I approached the regal sisters slowly. “Aunt Celestia? A-are you alright Your Majesty?” Guh! What a silly question I had asked that day.

      All the same, Princess Celestia looked to me, still wearing an uncertain smile. “Y-yes. I am perfectly fine Shining Armor. I appreciate your concern.”

      I couldn’t help but crack a smile of my own, despite the circumstances. “You are most welcome Aunt Celestia. I wish Cadence could have come with me though. But somepony has to watch over our subjects in the Crystal Empire.” I stated, trying to keep my smile from disappearing.

     Celestia turned her attention back to Princess Luna, who was still coughing violently. “Big sister...I-I’m scared. I-“ Luna coughed up more blood before she could continue her sentence.

      “Save your strength Luna. You need to rest.” Celestia shuddered at the continued sight of the blood covered sheets. “Everypony leave us at once please.”

     As if on cue, everypony obediently left Princess Luna’s bedroom. Well, everypony except for me. I was far too loyal to my dearest aunts-in-law to move even a muscle. “But Aunt Celestia, you and Aunt Luna need somepony your sides! I can’t leave you two by yourselves. What if there’s an attack?” I asked, trying to come up with an excuse to stay by their sides. Obviously enough, it was a very poor excuse.

    Princess Celestia continued to run a hoof through Luna’s mane. “No, Shining Armor. Your aunt Luna and I need to be alone for now. Leave us, please.” She said calmly.

    Yet still, I couldn’t bring myself to leave Princess Luna’s chamber. I opened my muzzle to speak again. “But-!”

    Suddenly, Princess Celestia turned to look at me, her eyes were glowing white. Celestia’s mood had shifted from somber, yet calm to somewhat angry. But what I didn’t realize at the time is that she was trembling. Not in anger and annoyance. But rather, in fear and sorrow. “SHINING ARMOR!!!”

    That outburst was enough to make me jump in shock and a trembling fear. But I soon regained my composure.

     Celestia took a deep breath to calm herself down. “Do you dare to defy a direct order that is given to you by the princess that rules the day? I am not asking you, I am ordering you to leave this tower. Do I make myself clear Shining Armor?” She had asked me. Her tone was as clear as the Crystal Heart. She wanted me out of Princess Luna’s tower immediately.

      I stood there, still shaking in my horseshoes. While I did truly regain my composure, I still could not help but fear my dear aunt-in-law. “N-n-no Aunt Celestia. I apologize. It is not my place to be so persistent in my own desires. I shall depart for my old quarters in your palace now.” I turned and trotted to the chamber door after solemnly bowing to the princesses. “Sleep well Aunt Luna. I hope all is well in the morning.”

   “G-good night Shining Armor.” Princess Luna coughed once more before finally drifting off to sleep.

      “Good night Aunt Celestia...” Without another word, I left the chamber and closed the door behind me, leaving my royal aunts-in-law to their solitude. I tried my best to calm my frightened nerves as I cantered down the stairs of the tower and down the spooky corridors of the Night Palace. Guards of the night saluted to me as I made my way to the exit. Once I was completely outside, I broke into a gallop toward the Day Palace, where Princess Celestia sits in her throne, governing the day and watching over the many ponies of Equestria. As I galloped, my mind raced to when Princess Celestia used the traditional voice that she and Princess Luna used to address the public back in olden times. I never thought I’d get to see the day when I’d hear it for myself. But for it to be used on me was unexpected. I couldn’t help but think “Shining Armor, sometimes you are just too loyal and persistent for your own good. “. That is something that I knew to be true. But it was of course in my nature. And it still is.

     Anyway, I cantered into my old captain’s quarter’s in the Day Palace, where a chambermare was just getting done with preparing and freshening it up for me. As if from nowhere, a wave of nostalgia hit me harder than a flash flood. It had been quite some time since I stayed in that room. I honestly can’t help but chuckle when I look back at that moment. I was so overcome with happiness.

    It was then that the chambermare approached me, bearing an expression of ill concern. Petunia was her name. She worked as a stewardess for Her Majesty, Princess Celestia. “Greetings m’lord. It is a great pleasure to see you again.” Petunia bowed to me in respect.

     I smiled slightly at Petunia, remembering all too well of whom she was. “Greetings stewardess Petunia. How do you do?” I asked her, with that goofy grin still on my face.

   Petunia looked away; her expression did not change at all. “I…I’m a tad afraid.”

     My smile had faded and turned into a sympathetic frown. “Why? What troubles you stewardess?” I asked, hoping that I would be able to help resolve the problem.

      “I...I’m worried about Princess Luna, Lord Armor. Something bad is happening to her. W-what can we do to fix it?” Petunia looked at me with a hint of fear in her eyes. “What is this illness that ails the princess of the night?”

    With a sigh, I reluctantly replied to Petunia. “I have no idea what ails Princess Luna. I fear the worst. But I will not give up hope. I’m confident that a cure to whatever affliction it is will be found.” I smiled at Petunia to reassure her. And to my relief, it worked.

     Petunia returned a smile to me with a newfound hope in her heart. “You are right m’lord. Her Majesty, Princess Luna is strong! Surely she will pull through!” Petunia exclaimed.

   I must say that she truly knew how to show hope even in the bleakest of times. She still does. I gave Petunia a pat on the back. “That’s the spirit. That’s the kind of hope that I like to see. Now, you’ve been working hard on preparing my quarters all day. I suggest that you go home to your family and get some rest.” I said with a sincere nod.

    It was at that point that Petunia looked at me in surprise. “R-really m;lord? You are allowing me to return home to my family? But…but I have not even brought your dinner to you.”

     She was of course swift to point that out. Because as if it was scripted to happen, my belly growled as loud as a cockatrice. I simply chuckled nervously. “I will take care of that on my own Petunia. Now please, I insist that you go home and enjoy the evening with your folks. And…I’ve always allowed you to have an evening or two off. Mostly when I was around.” I winked to her.

      As I expected, Petunia wrapped me into a hug. Not a hug of affection of course. Just a friendly one. Even Discord said this before; friendship is magic.

     Thank you m’lord! You have not changed a bit!” Petunia exclaimed excitedly.

       I gave a soft chuckle. “Not at all. Have a good night Petunia.” I bowed to her in respect. What can I say? She did the same for me.

     “And you as well m’lord. Good night.” I watched as she gallop out of my room after being released from her embrace.

     “Ha ha ha. Nope. I haven’t changed in the slightest.” I mused to myself and sat at my desk, looking over important…empire related stuff. Stuff that I’ve never really been able to understand. Well, that is until I started watching over the Crystal Empire by Cadence’s side. It feels like only yesterday when we got married and were carted away to a lovely honeymoon. Ah, now those were the days. But I believe we’re getting slightly off topic.

      Now where was I? ...Oh yes! That night, while I looked upon some good old memories in a photo album, I heard the familiar sound of Princess Celestia’s hoofsteps echoing down the hall from my room. I recall that it was very silent that night. I sat in my chair, trying to look casual.

     “Shining Armor?” My dear aunt-in-law’s voice sounded silent as she entered my room.

       I turned myself around in my chair as best as I could. “Yes Aunt Celestia?” I put on the greatest supportive and welcoming smile that I could muster.

        She approached me at my desk slowly. “I would like to speak with you for a little while. I hope that is ok.” Princess Celestia said softly.

        I gave a polite nod and gestured to a seat next to mine. “Certainly Aunt Celestia. Please have a seat.”

       She sat in the seat without hesitation and we immediately shared each other’s glances. “Thank you Shining Armor.” She smiled slightly.

     “So…what would you like to talk about?” I asked, curious as to what the topic was. Though I must admit, I had my suspicions.

      “Well…” Princess Celestia tapped her front hooves together as she looked down to the floor. “I…I apologize for snapping at you earlier today. I hope you are not upset with me.” She said very sincerely.

      I wrapped my hooves around her in a loving and caring embrace. “Not one bit. I could never be angry with you, Aunt Celestia.” I smiled reassuringly at my dearest aunt. What’s a unicorn stallion like me to do? Princess Celestia is my aunt-in-law after all. And as her nephew in law, I had always felt that has, and always will be, my job to be there for her when she needs comfort. I do the same for Princess Luna when great opportunities arise. Did I mention that she’s my aunt-in-law as well? I think I did.

      Ahem. Well anyway, my dear Aunt Celestia looked up at me, seeming relieved. “Thank you. I…I don’t know what came over me. I should not have yelled at you like that. I apologize.” She said, one again sincerely.

       I had already known why she yelled. “It was from fear Aunt Celestia. Fear can make even the calmest of ponies do things that they’re not proud of. Believe me, I know.” I released her from my caring embrace, still smiling in reassurance.

        Celestia looked away, tears were slowly forming in her eyes. “I…Shining Armor…I feel so helpless. Once again, I am in a position where I cannot help my dearest little sister.”

     That was the moment in which something VERY rare occurred. She had wrapped me into her own hooves and wings. She craned her head onto my right shoulder and started sobbing. That was one of the biggest shocks I ever had in my life. More shocks came soon after that moment. But for now, let’s focus on the moment at hoof, before I get ahead of myself.

     I patted her back, frowning sympathetically. “Oh Aunt Celestia, you are many things. But you are not helpless.” I told her. “Princess Celestia, in everypony’s lives, there are times when we all think that there is nothing that we can do to solve a troubling dilemma. But in the midst of these troubles, we manage to find a way. Do you remember when King Sombra was beginning to make a return to the Crystal Empire?” I asked Princess Celestia, determined to make her feel better.

     She nodded her head over my shoulder. “Of course.”

        My horn glowed as I levitated a tissue to Princess Celestia. “Well…” I continued to pat Princess Celestia’s back as she blew her nose into the tissue. “…with each passing moment, I feared that Sombra would succeed in his endeavor to “reclaim” his throne. The very throne that he enslaved many innocent crystal ponies from. I feared that Twilight and Spike would fail in retrieving the Crystal Heart. Especially when Twi was trapped and Spike plummeted Sombra. In that moment of fear, I lifted Cadence up and threw her, in hopes that she would catch Spike and the Crystal Heart. I did not have a moment to lose while aiming. Were it not for my teamwork with the others, everypony would surely have been done for.”

    Princess Celestia once again nodded her head. “I-indeed.”

      I placed a hoof gently on her tear-soaked cheek, to which she looked at me through her puffy, pinkish eyes. “Do you see now Princess Celestia? You are not helpless. This is merely one of those troubling times. Soon enough, you will know what to do.” I smiled. And as I had hoped, Princess Celestia’s frown turned into a comforted smile.

       “Yes. You…” Princess Celestia sniffled and once again blew her nose into the tissue that I given her. “You are right Shining Armor. Truly correct. I…I should not be behaving like this. I am a princess of Equestria. I must act like one.” She rose from her seat and stood tall next to me. “Thank you for your comforting words. I’m going to my chamber now. Good night dear nephew.” Princess Celestia trotted to my bedroom window, which was of course open. She flared her wings proudly and soared out the window like a mighty eagle. Now THAT is the Princess Celestia that I’ve always known.

     “Good night Aunt Celestia!” I galloped to the window and waved to my aunt-in-law. I watched as she entered her tower. I then closed my window. With a yawn, I cantered to my bed and slowly lied down. “What a day it’s been.” I tucked myself neatly into blankets and ever so gently rested my head on the soft, fluffy pillows. “I hope that we can cure Aunt Luna soon…before it’s too late.” I thought to myself and slowly closed my eyes, drifting off to sleep.

     Later that night, as I lay sleeping in my old bed at the Day Palace, my ears perked up to the strangest sound. I sat up and stretched all four of my legs out. “What is that noise? I asked myself, still half asleep. I quickly used my magic to light a candle. First, I peered at the time on a clock nearby. “4am? Who in Equestria is awake at 4am?” Once again, I asked a fairly silly question. But I can answer that question. Other than Princess Luna, her Nightguards, and Twilight Sparkle…I don’t know anypony that is awake at 4am. But, I am again getting off topic. Anyway, I lifted my candle up using a levitation spell and cantered slowly out of my chamber, perking my ears up to listen all around me. Once again, I heard the mysterious noise. It sounded like a crack of thunder and lightning. Followed by the sound of swirling wind.

     “A storm?” I poked my head out of a nearby window. To my surprise, all was calm outside. “Well that’s odd. There’s not a single cloud to be seen.” I tapped my chin with a forehoof. Then, to my horror, I slowly determined the source of the sounds. They were coming from Princess Luna’s tower at the Night Palace! “Princess Luna is in danger!!” I raced out of the Day Palace with the candle still lit in a levitation spell. My heart was racing even faster than I was as I saw bright flashes of light resonate from Luna’s tower. It was as I feared; Princess Luna was under attack. Or…so I thought. As I rushed into the Night Palace, I heard a wicked laughter pervade the air. It sounded to me like Princess Luna’s laughter.

     “That’s impossible. Why would Aunt Luna be laughing in such an evil manner? Is something wrong with her lungs?” All of these questions soared through my mind as I galloped through the dark corridors and up the tower’s stairwell to Princess Luna’s bed chamber. To my surprise, I saw a small group of Nightguard soldiers banging on the chamber door, upon a Nightguard captian’s orders.

     “Hurry up troops! Princess Luna is in danger! Put your backs into it! We MUST break this door down!” The captain yelled.

    Very sternly, I approached the captain and his soldiers. “What goes on here Captain Dusk Relic?”

      Captain Dusk Relic and his team turned to face me, ceasing their attack on the door. “Oh, Lord Armor sir. All troops, atten-TION!” The captain raised a hoof to his forehead, his troops immediately saluted as well.

    “Mi’lord!” The soldiers  exclaimed simultaneously.

       I stamped my hoof on the floor impatiently. “Save the salutations for later! What the hay is going on?!” I asked in an urgent tone.

   “I do not-“ Before Dusk Relic could answer however, a bloodcurdling shriek of pain and terror filled the air.

        “Princess Luna??” I swiftly approached the door. I turned my flank and bucked the door with all the strength I could muster. Yet the door did not budge. “Ugh!” I yelled as I once again bucked at the door. Again, the door did not open. “Come on!” I bucked once. “Come on!!” I bucked twice. I raised my hind legs for one final buck. “COME ON!!!!” I delivered a strong kick to Luna’s chamber door.

    At last, the door had swung open. “Good buck sir.” One of the soldiers remark. The others nod their heads in agreement.

         “Move in!”  I galloped into the room with the Nightguards by my side. Then I saw it. To not only my horror, but the soldiers’ as well, a lightning filled cloud zapped Princess Luna without relent. “What the-? Princess Luna!!” I glared at the dark cloud, my emotions turning from shock and confusion to anger and fear. “Stop this!!” is all I could yell.

    To my surprise, it turned to face me and started to form a tall mare with a dark flowing mane. It then sprouted a long horn on it’s head and wings grew on it’s sides.

     “I have not even begun to harm your aunt in law, Prince Armor!” The cloud exclaimed as it opened a pair of glowing red eyes. The cloud let out a sinister laughter. To which I shuddered. To which I shudder even now that I remember. Oddly enough, the voice sounded familiar to me.

      Captain Dusk Relic approached the cloud at the front of the bed. “Speak! Who or what ARE you?!” he asked, visibly shaking in his horseshoes. The cloud gave off such a fearsome and murderous vibe.

     The cloud opened it’s strangely fluffy mouth to speak. “Captain Dusk Relic. What a simple minded fool you are. Is it not obvious? I am your princess of the night. The genuine article.” The cloud grinned, striking an “elegant” pose. If you could really call it elegant. To me, it was more evil than elegant.

   Dusk Relic snorted in anger. “You are not my princess! I am loyal only to the one and only princess of the night; Princess Luna! Who are you, really?! Answer me!!!” Dusk Relic bellowed loudly.

      The cloud’s horn glowed purple. “You dare to raise your voice to me? Perhaps I should teach you a smidgen of discipline.” As it’s horn glows darker, Dusk Relic is dragged toward the cloud. All I could do was stand as I watched Dusk try to fight his way out of the magic. But to no avail.

      The cloud raised a hoof to the captain’s neck and sent a jolt of electricity running through his body.

     “AAAAAAAAAAAHHH!!!” Dusk Relic screamed loudly in pain.

    “Dusk Relic! Stop it! I’ve had enough!” I charged at the cloud. “Release him!” I yelled.

      The cloud cackled. “With pleasure. Catch!” The cloud threw Dusk Relic in my direction.

      I skidded to a halt in an attempt to catch the captain. “OOF!” The captain collided with me. We flew into the wall with a loud thud. “Ungh!” I groaned as I slid to the floor in a heap. My eyes spun around in my head.

     The cloud once again cackled. “Now be good little colts and stay where you are. While Auntie Wuna and I finish our business here.” The cloud said in a baby-talking manner.

     Luna whimpered softly. Not only was it a whimper of pain. I could tell that it was a whimper of fear. “I-it is Ni-“ Luna coughed. “Nightmare-“

    Before Luna could say any more, the mysterious cloud zapped her with another fierce amount of lightning. Already, Luna looked very hurt and burned at that point.

    I shook the dizziness away and narrowed my eyes at the cloud in rage. “STOP IT!!” I sprung to my hooves and charged once again at the cloud. I dived at the cloud like an angry cat pounces on a mouse.

   “You dare to attack the true ruler of the night? The one true empress to Equestria?” The cloud laughed sinisterly. “FOAL!!!” The cloud bellowed as it held a sword up.

    Just as I was about to collide with the cloud, the sword sliced across my bare stomach. I winced as a pain as sharp as the sword that sliced me surged through the wound on my belly. “AAAAAAAAAAAAHHH!!” I fell to the chamber floor next to the cloud, screaming in bloodcurdling agony.

    “Prince Armor!” A chambermare shrieked as she rushed into the room to see what all the commotion was about.

        “Nightmare Moon!” An angry, yet familiar voice echoed through the air. A bright light shined into the chamber through the open window.

    I opened my eyes to notice that Princess Celestia had appeared in a holy light. “Au…Aunt Celestia.” I said weakly, looking up at her. My belly was bleeding a considerable amount.

   Celestia looked down at me. Her eyes went wide. “Shining Armor.”

       The cloud…no, Nightmare Moon’s horn glowed again. This time, I was being lifted from the floor at her hooves. “Ahh. Dearest Celestia. You have finally arrived. Now I do not have to deal with your pathetic nephew.” Nightmare smirked and tossed me against the wall.

     Upon impacting the wall and the floor, the pain had been severely doubled. “AAAAAAAAAGH!” I screamed even louder as this pain surged through the bleeding wound.

      Celestia’s horn and eyes glowed. Her wings flared. “I had thought the Elements of Harmony had exterminated you upon my sister’s release from your grasp!” Princess Celestia exclaimed with not only an expression of rage, but also of fear and sorrow. Was the sorrow for my injury? I had no idea at the time.

    Nightmare Moon grinned from ear to fiendish ear. “It appears that you had thought wrong Celestia. And now your faith in the foals that were fated to defeat me has become a fatal mistake. How delightful.” Nightmare Moon rasped coldly.

     “Why Nightmare Moon? What are you plotting?” Celestia kept her eyes locked on the cloud.

     “Hmm…well if you must know, then I shall tell you. While the Elements deprived me of Luna’s body, they had failed to destroy me. On the brink of death, I was turned into the very form that you see now. I crawled from the ruined castle in the Everfree Forest, draining the life forces of many pathetic creatures that dared to wander into the Everfree Forest as I formulated a plan of revenge. And now, because of that life force, I had gained the strength necessary to come here. When nopony was on watch, I hid in the shadows of Princess Luna’s bed, slowly sapping her life energy until she became too ill.” Nightmare Moon explained.

     There was not a calm expression in the chamber. Everypony was either shocked, angry, and even sobbing from the pure fear. As for me, the only expression I had was an almost tired one. I suppose that is what one called “dying from a wound”.

       “Soon after, I started to slowly injure Luna inside…” Nightmare Moon jabbed a dagger through Luna’s leg. To which screams and growls were heard. “…and out.”

     Luna screamed in agony. “Aaaaahhhhh! Puh-please! Stop!”

     Nightmare watched blood seep from the wound. “And now that she is too weak to so much as speak, I will possess her body and resume my dark designs to plunge the world into nighttime eternal.” Nightmare Moon laughed.

    Celestia stamped a hoof. “No! I will not allow it! If you so much as yank a hair off the manes of my little ponies, I will personally ensure your destruction is eternal!” She threatened, a spear appears in her hoof.

    Nightmare Moon moved ever closer to Luna, lightning and thunder crackled. “Then I suppose that my destruction will be that of your sister’s as well!” Nightmare Moon swiftly began to phase into Luna’s body, from head to hoof.

     “No!” Celestia rushed to Princess Luna’s bed. Before she can so much as reach for Nightmare Moon’s cloudy tail, an unseen barrier repelled Celestia.

      Through my blurred vision, I watched Celestia fly in my direction. Her crown not falling very far away. Everything went black as Celestia crashed into me. Weapons were drawn. Blood was spilled. And an evil laughter pervaded the air, accompanied by falling weapons as I slipped into unconsciousness.