True Colors

Red Dawn

Celestia sat in her throne room pondering. It was all she seemed to do these days. She could think of few else who could send a message to the Prefect by flare delivery other than her sister, but what reason could Nightmare Moon have had to send praetorians to Stalliongrad? More importantly, where was the younger alicorn? She had not been seen once since she left, and Celestia had expected some news of her by now. Obviously, Nightmare did not wish to be found, and that bothered the day empress greatly. A simple tantrum and a fight was all she would have attributed to her sister’s actions, but Nightmare had not returned yet. That, and Celestia recognized the look in her sister’s eyes during their last argument. It was one of both fury and determination. Nightmare Moon meant to actually do something. She believed she was right, but what did she plan to do?

Celestia was stirred from her thoughts as the doors to the throne room opened, and a soldier, from The Grand Army judging by his black armor, entered being escorted by two royal guards. The soldier looked like he’d been through hell. His fur was messy and wet with sweat. He was panting, and his armor was dented and scratched. He seemed like he was about to keel over, but he continued to march forward. “Your majesty,” One of the guards addressed her. “This soldier is from the Stalliongrad territory, and he has come as quick as he can bearing a message that he deems extremely important.”

Celestia stared at the soldier for a moment. If he had been stationed in the Stalliongrad territory he had been to deployed to counteract the rebels. He was clearly exhausted, and the alicorn doubted from his condition that his message was unimportant. She suspected he hadn’t rested the whole trip here. Something had happened with the rebels. “What is it?” She asked calmly.

The soldier took a deep breath before speaking, “My empress, Stalliongrad has fallen. The Rebellion overwhelmed us and took the city.”

“How?” Celestia asked.

“There were too many of them. They ran right over our defenses.” The soldier answered.

“Were the outposts nearby unable to help?” The empress questioned.

“I…No. I don’t why. I was stationed in the city, and I was one of the few lucky to escape with our lives. I made for here as quickly as I could, and only stopped when I could go no further.” The stallion explained.

“I see. Thank you for this message.” Celestia responded.

“Wait! Your highness, there’s more…” The soldier stated.

“Oh?” The alabaster alicorn wondered.

The soldier waited several moments before speaking, seemingly preparing himself, “It’s Empress Moon. She was with the rebels. I saw her in the distance as I fled, walking among them.”

Celestia strained not to let her surprise shine through. Her sister was working with the rebels? It certainly sounded like that. Of all the things for Nightmare Moon to do, she was leading a revolution against her own sister. This was treason! How could she do something like this? “Your majesty?” One of the guard’s asked.

“Leave me.” She ordered.

The guards nodded in understanding and escorted the soldier out of the throne room. The empress’ mind was abuzz with thought. Her sister wanted to wage war over her beliefs? Fine then. Celestia would slaughter all of Nightmare Moon’s followers. Their deaths would be on the former night empress’ hooves. Because she was the one that made them so foolishly believe they had a right to freedom.

The main issue at the moment, however, was dealing with the immediate fallout. Her sister aiding the rebellion wasn’t something she could keep quiet for long, so it would be best not try. The question was, how would The Grand Army take this? How many of those moon-revering soldiers could she trust? They had a total of eight legions. They made up the bulk of the military. She couldn’t afford to lose them. Well, they had been the ones stationed in Stalliongrad. Perhaps Celestia could portray her sister as a butcher. Someone who mercilessly slaughtered her followers. That wouldn’t work for all of them, but it was the best choice at the moment. Now, she needed someone. “Guard.” She ordered, and one of the praetorians stepped up from their post. “Bring Legate Artillerus to me.”

Twilight Sparkle stared at the ruined structure she use to live in. She had asked to be alone for awhile, and, thankfully, her master had complied. This half-collapsed building was no longer her home, and it took little more than staring at it to make that clear. She wasn’t going to go inside. There was no nostalgia to be had. She had no joy or pride in this home any further than the fact she had dug the tunnel underneath it herself. Which was also likely why she wasn’t bothered to see the door to it had been broken down. That wasn’t a surprise. She’d been gone for months, and it would’ve taken only a couple of days before the criminals in the area grew bold enough to try something. She wasn’t worried about anything they would’ve taken either. All she’d ever owned was blanket that she herself had stolen off a dead pony’s corpse. If they wanted it they could have it.

Still, all these things aside, Twilight couldn’t help but stare. Had she really lived here? Of course she had. She knew it, but…still…It seemed like it had been so long ago. It felt more like years than months since she’d left, even though she didn’t feel much older herself. The few rebellion unicorns combining their efforts to move the rubble from the structure’s backside helped add to the feeling of unfamiliarity. The Rebellion was making use of everything they could to fortify the town. Outside of Stalliongrad’s actual edge was where they had moved their camp. The tents and campfires now covered the field, and at their edge were the many tall sharpened logs that The Grand Army had used to fortify their outposts. There weren’t enough to ring the whole town and camp, but The Rebellion was fixing that with the aid of the Stalliongrad ponies by cutting down nearby trees to add to the fortifications.

That was another thing that was different. Many of the citizens of the town were actually helping The Rebellion. It was so odd to Twilight. Normally, the ponies of Stalliongrad just tried to mind their own business, but many of them were actively helping in anyway they could. So far, not many citizens aside from town guards had actually “joined” The Rebellion, but the others were definitely aiding. Lumberjacks helped cut down the nearby trees. Carpenters helped shape them right. Those who knew about construction helped set up the fortifications. Other citizens provided information to The Rebellion about the town’s layout, and those in town who couldn’t be trusted.

If Twilight had to guess, she would assume the helpfulness came from the direction the town was taking over the past few days. The Rebellion was doing away with money for time being. If you needed, they made sure you were provided for as best they could. On top of that, they were making good use of the information the townsponies were providing. If they heard of a known criminal, they hunted him down, and made him do forced labor for them. Twilight didn’t see how that in particular was much better than what The Celestial Empire did with its criminals, but she supposed it was excusable given it was a time of war. A judgment system could be put in place after they took over.

Twilight sighed and turned away from the building. She didn’t belong there anymore. She didn’t belong here anymore. This was where her master was, though, and Nightmare Moon was all she had. She had promised herself she would try to trust the alicorn again, and she wasn’t going to back down from that. Now that she thought about it, her master was probably wondering where she was by now, and it was best she hurried back. As she began to walk away, however, she accidentally bumped into someone. “Oh, I’m sorry!” She began.

“Well, well. If it isn’t little miss starshine. What’re you doing back here, runt?” The pony she’d bumped into replied mockingly.

Twilight studied the scruffy-looking earth stallion she’d bumped into who, despite his insult, wasn’t much bigger than her. She didn’t recognize him, but figuring out what he was was simple. If he wasn’t an outright criminal who simply hadn’t been caught yet, he was street trash, like she had been. “I’m here with the rebels.” She answered shortly, not in the mood for putting up with an attitude.

“Oh? So is that where you went all those months ago? Couldn’t stand the queen bitch’s speech, so you ran off to join The Rebellion? Bet you’re pissed she’s part of it now, huh?” He asked snidely

“No.” The lavender unicorn responded. “I’m here because she is. She’s the one that took me out of here months ago.”

“Oh? So you’ve been living in lap of luxury? I bet you don’t even remember how to fight. Easy pickings.” The earth stallion continued mocking. “If it weren’t for all these rebels walking about I’d take you myself. Bet you’d like that, huh starshine? You’ve never felt a stallionhood before have you?”

Twilight’s eyes widened, and her horn instantly flared as the stallion began laughing. His mirth was cut off, though, as he felt his neck tighten. He struggled to breathe, scraping his hooves uselessly at the glow around his neck. This stallion…This…THIS TRASH! HE WANTED TO RAPE HER!? TO USE HER LIKE THAT WHORE AT THE CASTLE HAD!? WELL SHE WOULD SHOW HIM! SHE WASN’T GOING TO BE PUSHED AROUND ANYMORE! The stallion’s eyes pleaded for mercy, but he received none. Without even thinking about it, the unicorn snapped his neck.

Twilight was breathing hard as she dropped the body from her magical grasp. She suddenly became aware of eyes staring at her. She whirled around to see rebels and civilians alike gawking at her in shock, but why were they afraid? He’d threatened her. Hadn’t they heard? No, they hadn’t. Twilight looked back at the stallion she’d killed, and his terror stricken eyes stared back at her in an expression so familiar. It was one she’d worn not too long ago. It wouldn’t matter if the crowd had heard what the stallion said. He hadn’t threatened her. He’d just been mocking her.

Twilight began to hyperventilate. She’d killed before, a good number of times thanks to the recent battle, but not like this. It was always in self-defense, never anger. The young mare rushed away from the corpse deeper into town. She needed to get away from the body. It looked too much like her.

Nightmare Moon sat in the den of Gravel Pie’s former house with the other members of the rebellion council. Following the taking of Stalliongrad they had been true to their word, and now welcomed her and Twilight into The Rebellion. As a show of respect she had even been made a member of the council. She was one of the leaders of The Rebellion now. Thunder Cracker was not pleased. Which, of course, pleased Nightmare.

The alicorn was surprised at the lengths The Rebellion would go to, though. If something could be used they would use it. They scavenged any weapons or armor left by the dead that was still in good enough condition to work. What wasn’t, they sent to the town blacksmith to see if it could be repaired. Usually it couldn’t, but the blacksmith, like the most of the town, appeared happy to help. Hell, they even used the ruins of broken down buildings to reinforce the fortifications. Nothing went to waste.

“So, he’s provided nothing?” Thunder Cracker asked in aggravation as he paced in front of the burning fireplace.

“Nope.” Masque Raid answered simply from the couch near Nightmare Moon where he appeared to be reading a book.

“Then what use is he?” Thunder Cracker queried.

“Absolutely none.” Masque replied.

“Are you certain it’s not just you? That your methods just can’t break him?” Hail Bolt wondered from the far side of the room as she sharpened one of her daggers.

“Last time I came for him he begged for his life in one minute, and I’d only really killed one guard. I’m certain that if he knew anything useful he would’ve told us by now. If it makes you feel any better I let that one praetorian dig around in his mind.” Masque explained.

Nightmare Moon winced. That couldn’t have been pleasant for either of them. Both the praetorians in The Rebellion were pegasi. They had no experience with magic. Whatever had been done, the praetorian was likely reeling from the effects. “Then we kill him.” Thunder Cracker stated.

“No.” Nightmare objected.

“What?!” Thunder Cracker turned on her.

“That is no better than the empire. I can understand simply making the petty criminals work off their punishment without trial, for now, but Gravel Pie is an important figure. If you want to set an example, and prove to the ponies of Stalliongrad your intention, give him a trial first.” She reasoned.

Thunder Cracker growled. “We’re just going to find him guilty anyway.”

“Yes, and that is what’s expected. However, doing this can be perceived as fair. It will help show the public that you’re not just going to become another empire.” Nightmare countered.

“She’s right.” Hail agreed, sheathing her dagger. “We want them to trust us, not fear us.”

“Aaarggh!” Thunder Cracker yelled as he was defeated in yet another conversation.

“Speaking of becoming another empire.” Masque Raid Spoke up. “We intend to be a nation, right? So we can’t just keep calling ourselves ‘The Rebellion.’ That’ll grow old quick, and when we win it’ll lose any reason. We’ll be a sovereign nation, and everyone will be left wondering what the hell we’re rebelling against now.”

Though worded silly, Masque had a point. They needed a name. A flag. Something to rally behind. Something to identify them more than as just a bunch of rabble rousers. They were a budding nation, and they needed to be recognized as such. “A republic.” Nightmare suggested.

“What?” Thunder Cracker asked.

“A republic. It’s an old type of government wherein the government is run by a council of some form. Like us.” The alicorn explained.

“Well, gee, thanks for the history lesson. Don’t mean squat though.” Thunder Cracker replied.

Nightmare glowered at him until Hail Bolt spoke up, “I think she was suggesting that we be called a republic.”

“Still not a proper name.” The red earth stallion grumbled as he turned to look at the fire.

“Maybe not, but I think have an idea. It could work well to get us more troops.” Masque explained. “After all, there are plenty of ponies in The Grand Army who would be willing to side with Nighty-”

Nightmare Moon’s horn sparked. “Nightmare,” Masque corrected himself. “Over Celestia. Most of them practically worship her, and I doubt she liked having to kill them.”

The obsidian alicorn looked to the ground in thought. She didn’t like them worshipping her, but she, indeed, would rather not kill them. She had been able to do so easily during the battle because it was in the middle of battle. Of all the distractions she had, stupidly, allowed herself in combat she had at least kept herself from pitying her enemies. If she could avoid killing them in the future she’d prefer to, however. “What are you suggesting?” She asked.

“Simple, we use you as advertisement. The Lunar Republic.” Masque answered.

“NO!” Thunder Cracker yelled. “Absolutely not! I refuse to be identified with her!”

“You already are.” Nightmare Moon calmly shot back.

“I will not have you take over!” Thunder Cracker argued.

“If I wanted control I would simply have stayed at the castle and killed my sister.” Nightmare growled.

Before the earth stallion could respond Hail Bolt spoke up, “Masque has a point. The Celestial Empire has over fifty thousand soldiers. We have just five thousand, and we’re lucky to have that many. If we’re to stand a chance we need more ponies, and I don’t care where they come from. So long as they obey orders and stick to the cause.”

“Three to one. You lose again, Thunder.” Masque stated, eliciting another yell of anger from the stallion. “I’ll see if I can find someone in town willing to make us a flag later.”

“Well, if that is all, I’d like to go find my servant.” Nightmare Moon stated as she rose.

Thunder Cracker waved a hoof at her as he ordered, “Get out of here!”

The alicorn snorted and left the building to find Twilight waiting at the doorstep in front of the praetorian guards posted at the door. “Twilight,” She said. “You could’ve come in.”

“I…I know.” The unicorn responded.

The alicorn quirked a brow at the hesitant answer, and trotted down the steps saying, “Come.”

Twilight Sparkle silently followed her.

The silence lasted until the two of them entered the camp circling the town. “Twilight, is something bothering you?” Nightmare asked.

Though the unicorn wasn’t as open with the alicorn as she had once been, she hadn’t been as reserved or upset since the battle either, much to Nightmare’s relief. “I…I’m fine.” Twilight answered.

That was a lie. “Twilight, if something is wrong I can help you.” Nightmare Moon attempted to reassure her.

“I…I killed someone.” The lavender mare choked out.

“Most everyone here has.” Nightmare responded, unsure of why her companion was bothered.

“I know, but…not like this. I-it was a little while ago. I killed someone because they made me angry.” Twilight explained.

The alicorn eyed her oddly. She’d never seemed the kind to do something like that. It was almost against her nature. “Why? Who were they?” The older mare asked.

“I don’t…know who he was, but he recognized me. He started mocking me, and then he…he joked about raping me. Then I lost it.” Twilight explained.

Now it made sense. That topic would be extremely sensitive. “The look on his face…it was just like mine was…” The unicorn added, trailing off.

“Twilight…” Nightmare Moon began and hesitantly placed a comforting hoof on the lavender mare’s shoulder.

She flinched, but didn’t fight it as the alicorn continued, “We all make mistakes. Some are bigger than others.”

“But this was more than a mistake! I ended somepony’s life just because of the way they talked me!” Twilight argued.

“You were not in your right mind. He brought up something that deeply hurt you. Had you been thinking clearly you would’ve known better.” The obsidian alicorn consoled.

“But…But I shouldn’t hurt somepony like that because of…what happened!” Twilight replied.

“No. You shouldn’t, and you regret your actions, do you not?” Nightmare asked.

The unicorn nodded, and she continued, “Then you need to move on, Twilight. He is dead now, and there is nothing you can do to change that. Dwelling in the past will do you no good.”

“But it was hardly an hour ago!” Twilight argued.

“It is still in the past. You need to move on, or you won’t find any peace.” Nightmare stated.

Twilight was silent for awhile before she responded, “I don’t think I can.”

Nightmare Moon sighed, “It will come, in time. For now, I need to begin training you again. I believe it will do us both some good.”

Author's Note: Right, so I have to apologize for this being my shortest chapter yet. It was basically just a fallout one to tell what has happened since the last chapter. The only piece of news I have right now is that there's a new sidestory up called True Black. It's made by the same guy who did that last one, but this one is neither a clop nor a one-shot. It's fairly interesting, so you guys might want to go check it out if you haven't already.