True Colors

The Golden Days Part II

20th of April

He rushed through the eerily abandoned streets as fast he could his pursuers hounding at his back. His companions were all gone. Either dead, or having abandoned their duty. He was the last one, and he refused to give in. He needed to make it back. He needed to tell his commanders now. First, however, he needed to escape. The ever increasing cacophony of hooffalls behind him alerted him to his pursuers catching up. He tried to pick up his pace, but found himself unable to go much faster. He cursed the armor he wore. It slowed him down considerably, and he would tire out quicker with it. That left his only chance at escape as outmaneuvering his hunters.

Quickly, he turned off the road into a narrow alley. The remains of his wings scraped painfully along the walls, but he forced himself to ignore it. One of his pursuers dove out of the sky, and landed at the end of the alley, blocking his exit. Thinking quickly, he turned down a second wider alley connected to the one he was already in. After a short distance, he skidded to a halt. It was a dead end. He turned around to see the other pony that had been hunting him trot slowly down the alley. He braced himself, knowing there was no escape. He’d have to fight make it out. The enemy charged at him with inpony speed, and reared onto its hind legs. Before it could slam down upon him, however, he rammed into it, shoulder slamming into its gut. The enemy pony was unphased, though, and brought its forelegs onto his ruined wings. He winced, his strength wavering for just a moment. The enemy took this chance, and overpowered him, throwing him against the wall. As he staggered back up his eyes widened in terror. The enemy pony had turned around, and raised its hind legs. Before he could react, the enemy bucked with all its strength. His skull cracked open as the legs drove it into the wall. He died instantly, slowly sliding down the stone, and leaving nothing but a smear of blood and a corpse as evidence of his existence.

3rd of May

Nightmare Moon’s eyes remained studious and observant as the heat of flames and crackle of energy passed along the field. She stood in one of several archways leading to the training field for the guards. Most of the guards were not present, as it was night, but a few stood in the arches as well, watching with mild interest. Nightmare stayed focused, taking in every single twinge of her slave’s muscles, and every alteration of her spells between casting, so as to correct her methods when she needed to. Though the incident a few weeks earlier still infuriated her, she was able to use it as an excuse to train Twilight in offensive spells. The young unicorn did not suspect a thing. She merely assumed it was so Nightmare wouldn’t have to save her should she find herself in danger again. In part it was, but it was also part of Twilight’s education. Not to mention it was a chance for Nightmare to see the unicorn’s progress for herself.

The lavender mare’s horn glowed to show her preparation of a spell. She went to aim her horn at a practice dummy, but quickly stopped. Nightmare quirked a brow, something she noticed she seemed to be making a habit of, as Twilight kept her head held high. A fireball shot out of her horn, but instead of flying into the sky it went straight for the dummy. The ball, rather than igniting the dummy, exploded on contact, splintering it into smoldering embers. Nightmare had taught her how to alter the spell for that effect, but she had not taught her how to aim like that. The black alicorn grinned at her slave’s ingenuity. She had just learnt a new technique with no direction or instruction. While unicorns could, and often did, aim their spells physically they could also alter them by imagining the spells going a specific way. In other words, a spell’s path could be programmed into it if the caster wished. Ignorant of her master’s joy, Twilight began to excitedly experiment with her new technique by combining it with other spells.

As the unicorn cast a large arc of electricity in a loop-de-loop that arched away from a dummy before slamming into it, a voice spoke up beside Nightmare, “She’s quite talented.”

Nightmare cast a glance at the turquoise-armored pegasus by her side before looking back at her slave and replying, “Yes, she is, Prefect.”

“That why you took her in?” Daunting Hooves asked.

Nightmare scowled at the smirking pegasus. “You would do well to mind your own business, Prefect.” She replied.

Daunting’s attention returned to the unicorn practicing in the field, who was giving whoops of joy at her continued success with her new technique, and he frowned. Nightmare, likewise, began observing Twilight again as she noted the odd behavior in the pegasus. Usually, Daunting Hooves was, infuriatingly, only encouraged by such comments. “Is something bothering you, Prefect?” She asked.

“It’s been nearly two weeks since I was contacted by a party I sent off. Two of my own were in it.” He responded.

Nightmare frowned. Praetorians were fierce, and extremely difficult to defeat. Such was the result of their “training.” For two to have been defeated was odd. Even with the increasingly militant behavior of some of her subjects, which she sympathized with to a small degree, they shouldn’t have been capable of such a thing. So what had they been doing to have gone missing in action? “Why were they deployed?” Nightmare asked.

“You’d have to ask your sister, but, if you’ curious, they were sent to Stalliongrad.” Daunting replied.

Nightmare frowned at the response. It did not ease her mind. Did it have to do with whatever Celestia had been planning? “Master! Did you know I could do all that?” A voice excitedly called.

The black alicorn shook her head as she realized she had been staring off into space. Ignoring the Prefect’s snickering she answered Twilight, “Yes, though I had not intended to teach you that yet. I am proud,” what an odd word to use, “of you for discovering it on your own. That is enough for tonight, however. I wish to take a walk. Come.”

As she turned to walk away, Nightmare did not catch the unicorn’s excited bounce at the praise, nor did she bother to pay attention to the speed at which the little pony reached her side.

6th of May

Twilight Sparkle studied the book in front of her as astutely as her tired eyes would allow her. She lay on the floor of Nightmare Moon’s room with a small stack of tomes next to her. Nightmare herself was studying more books and scrolls behind the curtain that surrounded her bed. Twilight’s eyes turned to the balcony, and was unsurprised to see the sun through it, indicating that it was late in the afternoon. Her master and her had been studying the limited books on Stalliongrad, its ponies, and the surrounding area for most of the night until now. Twilight was uncertain as to why her master was suddenly interested in the area, but neither of them had yet to turn up anything out of the ordinary. The young unicorn turned her attention back to the last book she had to study. It was a book of genealogy, and Twilight had initially been excited at the prospect of finding out who her parents were, if nothing else. However, as she proceeded through it she had come to realize that even if her parents had been accounted for in the last census she likely wouldn’t be able to identify them. The only memories she had of them were blurry images, and being told, by name, to hide.

Frowning, Twilight Sparkle closed the book. There had been nothing of interest there. Looking towards the cloaked bed she stated, “I’m finished master. There was nothing unusual.”

“Are you certain?” Nightmare Moon asked from behind the black cloth.

“I could be more so if I had a better idea of what I was looking for.” Twilight responded.

“If I knew that, I would likely tell you, Twilight Sparkle.” Nightmare explained, a slight strain in her voice. Quietly, she added, “What are you up to, sister?”

Catching the after comment, Twilight asked, “Is something wrong with Empress Celestia?”

She received no reply. Frowning once more, she continued, “Is she going to do something to Stalliongrad? Something bad?”

“Why would you ask that?” Nightmare Moon finally responded.

“Well, to be honest,” Twilight began, staring at her hooves, “she scares me. The way she’s always looking at me.”

“What are you trying to say about my sister?” Nightmare asked, her voice once again tense.

Twilight sighed, ignorant of her master’s agitation, before answering, “It’s just…She feels wrong. Untrustworthy.”

“You will watch what you say about Tia!” Nightmare ordered, her head flying out from behind the curtain.

Twilight paled at the fury etched on her master’s face. This was first time the alicorn had been angry at her. True, when she stole her book Nightmare Moon had been agitated, and rather short with her. Yet, she hadn’t been angry at her. “I’m sorry!” Twilight yelled, forelegs shielding her face.

“She has been with me most all of my life, and had every chance to hurt me! If she was truly untrustworthy I would have the scars to prove it!” Nightmare berated the lavender mare.

“So you t-trust her?” Twilight stammered out, peeking between her legs.

The night-empress paused, and retreated back behind her bed curtain fully. She did not answer the question. Instead, several books floated out wrapped in her magic. “Take these and your books back to the archive.” She coldly ordered.

Not wanting to test her patience, Twilight levitated all the books into the air, and replied, “Yes, master,” before leaving the room.

As Twilight proceeded down the tower to the main palace she noted how sensitive the subject of Celestia apparently was to her master. Maybe it was because they were sisters? She couldn’t be certain. She’d never had a family let alone a sibling. Was it a brother or sister’s job to look after one another? If so, the unicorn could see how her comments had upset her master. She’d like to apologize, but she knew better than to bring it up again. Besides, she meant what she said. The day-empress always felt dangerous to her, and she doubted she would ever feel different. Maybe it was just paranoia. If her master said so she should at least give the white alicorn a chance.

After a few minutes of travel Twilight arrived in a disused part of the castle. This was evidenced by the fact that it was entirely constructed of the white stone that made the outside, but the bricks were eroded and cracked. Truth was, hardly anypony came over here. There were only three things in this section of the palace. There was the vault located far into the most disused part of the area. Twilight had no idea what it contained, the royal treasury was located elsewhere, but her curiosity for it was limited. After all, she hadn’t even found it, only heard of it from Nightmare Moon. Second in the area was the archives. Sadly, Twilight had come to find out there was not a royal library. Books were a private possession in the castle, minus the ones in the archives, and were mostly found in personal quarters and offices. The archives were the closest thing to a library the castle had. However, there was little of interest in it. It was the place where all official information of Equestria and it’s population was stored. Maps, taxes, genealogy, and the like. While Twilight Sparkle could find interest in some of it, most of it was bland, even to her.

As the unicorn arrived at the archives’ door she stared down the hall in front of it at the third thing in this disused section of the castle. It was a double door with an iron padlock sealing it. Twilight had asked Nightmare what lay beyond it, but was told that it was unimportant. Any further queries had been ignored. The mare could not stop wondering about it, as if something compelled her to look inside, but she had a job to do. Turning quickly from the path, she entered the archives, and began the search for the books proper places. The archives were musty and large, but fortunately the documents inside were cycled every fifty years, making it easier to find what anyone was looking for than one might think. Lighting a candle with her magic, Twilight trotted quickly down the aisles to the spots she remembered Nightmare taking the books she had with her. When all the information was stored once more the unicorn left, closing the archive door behind her. Before she headed back toward her master, however, her eyes were drawn to the locked door down the hallway. She bit her lip. “Just a peak wouldn’t hurt.” She thought.

Of course, she still didn’t know any spells to open locks, but as she walked to the door she wasn’t bothered by this. Her curiosity was too high for little details to annoy her as they usually did. Stopping in front of the door, she sparked her horn, and attempted break the padlock off with her magic. However, the moment her magic touched it she felt a bolt of invisible energy slam into her skull through her horn. Yelping, Twilight fell on her flank, and raised a hoof to her head to try to ease her new headache. After a moment she glared at the door, realizing there must be a protection ward on it. Why though? Most everything in the castle only used locks. She hadn’t seen a ward here once until now. Whatever was in there must be important. Now more determined, and curious, Twilight stood up, and began probing the double door cautiously with her magic. There appeared to be an intricate spell woven into the woodwork itself. The unicorn couldn’t make out much without risking another shock, but she felt fairly certain that the ward wouldn’t work against anything physical. Dropping her concentration, Twilight stared at the padlock. It was old and rusted. She might not be that strong, but in its condition she could handle it. Turning around, she bucked the lock hard. It clinked in response, but did not break. She bucked again, but the lock still held. Gritting her teeth in determination, the lavender mare bucked one more time, and padlock shattered, falling to the ground. Grinning, Twilight approached the now unlocked double door smirking in triumph.

The doors creaked open as Twilight pushed inside, and was astounded by the sight. The room was massive, overly large considering it held only thing, and constructed entirely of stone. It lacked any decoration save for six stain-glass windows depicting individual images each. The window closest to the entrance on the right side was a picture of a black alicorn, which Twilight could only recognize as Nightmare Moon, speaking to several ponies who appeared to listen with interest. Next to it, the night-empress was shown again. This time she was giving food to a hungry pony, and, lastly, the window farthest from the door showed her smiling and laughing with other ponies. Twilight considered the last image odd. She had never seen her master smile before. There were a few smirks, but never a fully fledged smile. Not to mention the idea of Nightmare Moon laughing was laughable itself. Still, the left side windows distracted her from the thought. Closest to the door was the image of a white alicorn, presumably Celestia, standing by a few ponies against some odd mishmash of a creature. Twilight wanted to say it was a chimera, but there were no chimeras that were made of that many creatures. It seemed as if every part of the beast was different. Shaking her head, the unicorn looked to the next window. It showed Celestia shielding several ponies from the rain with her wings, and the last window showed the alicorn with the sun rising behind her, her horn ablaze with brilliant golden light. Then Twilight’s attention fell on the podium in the center of the room. It was raised higher than any pony could reach without magic or flight, even the empresses, and had five small platforms extending from it. On each platform was a large pure gold necklace with a different colored jewel forming an emblem in each. One had a black crescent. Another had a turquoise orb. A third had a purple blot. The fourth had white burst of light, and the fifth had a yellow flame. All these pieces of jewelry, however, paled compared to the one on top of the podium. It was golden tiara with nine large opals encrusted in it, and on top of it, connected by two decorative rails, was a large orange sun. All the jewelry seemed to pulse as if they had hearts, and Twilight instinctively knew they were magic. Powerful magic. Suddenly very afraid for herself, though in reflection she wouldn’t know why, the unicorn galloped out of the room, and towards her master’s.

Twilight slowed herself, and attempted to calm down as she came Nightmare’s tower. It wouldn’t do to burst in there, and have to explain herself. Soberly, she climbed the stairs, and knocked on the door to her master’s chambers. “Come in.” Came the night-empress’ voice.

As she did so she saw Nightmare Moon standing outside the alicorn’s bed and regarding her suspiciously. “Twilight Sparkle, while you were down there did see anyone else?” Her master asked.

The unicorn gulped before answering shakily, “N-no.”

Nightmare’s shining turquoise eyes seemed to dull and pierce through her as she asked, “Did you do anything else aside from the task I assigned you?”

“No!” Twilight answered a bit quickly, “I-I put the books up, and came right back here.”

Nightmare’s eyelids drooped as she said, “Speak truth.”

The young mare’s heart constricted painfully. She couldn’t lie to Nightmare. She shouldn’t. The alicorn had done so much for her, and she was betraying her master’s trust. Besides, she hadn’t been forbidden to go into the odd room. “I went into the room across the hall from the archives!” She confessed. “I broke the lock to get in, but I didn’t touch anything else.”

Nightmare Moon sighed harshly, as if in disappointment, and Twilight winced at the sound. She had, apparently, let her master down. “My sister will have likely felt the door into altar open as well, and have sent guards to investigate. Depending on their report you may face a great punishment, Twilight Sparkle.” The black alicorn explained in an empty voice, not the rewarding proud one Twilight had come to know. “For now, you are confined to your room with no food until tomorrow night for attempting to lie to me, and for breaking into the Altar of Harmony you are forbidden from any studies for the next two weeks. Understood?”

Twilight Sparkle’s face fell as she lowered her head in shame. She had let her curiosity get the better of her again, and, like last time, her master was not pleased. “Yes, your majesty.” She answered.

“Good. Now leave me.” Nightmare ordered emotionlessly.

May 12th

Artillerus sat in his office staring out the windows at the sunset. It had been an uneventful week. Except for when Nightmare’s slave had broken into the Altar of Harmony. He had been ordered by Celestia to personally lead a group of guards to it, and find out what had happened. Fortunately for Twilight Sparkle, nothing had been missing, and the door had a new, much stronger, lock placed on it. The whole castle knew about the incident by now. Most, however, did not know what was broken into, the Altar wasn’t common knowledge, and simply were aware that the unicorn had gone somewhere she wasn’t supposed to. This had caused a lot of gossip to spring up around the palace. The Legate did not care for the incident, though. As far as he cared it was simply a slave being too curious. She hadn’t caused any real trouble, but the empresses were upset, Celestia in particular.

The door to the office opened, and Artillerus turned to greet the very pony in question. “Your majesty, how can I be of aid?”

“I’d like an update on the misled rabble of ponies that wish me off my throne.” Celestia answered.

Straight to the point today. “Not much has changed in the last few weeks, your grace. The rebellion’s attacks on scouting groups have allowed us to narrow their location to somewhere near Stalliongrad, but where, exactly, we don’t know.” Artillerus explained. “I assume that’s why you sent those praetorians to the town. Trying to find more information on them.”

“Praetorians?” Celestia asked.

There was an unrecognizable face on the day-empress. One that, in all his decades of serving, Artillerus had never seen. “Yes.” He responded dutifully, “The two you sent to Stalliongrad with a squad of royal guards. We lost contact with them a few weeks ago.”

“I see.” Celestia replied, her face slipping into an unreadable mask.

A silence settled between the two, and they simply stared at one another. After a moment, the Legate opened a cabinet in his desk, and pulled out a bottle of wine and a glass. “Would you like some?” He asked, before pouring the alcohol with his mouth.

“No thank you, Artillerus.” Celestia answered. “I have plans for tonight.”

“Oh?” He replied before sealing the bottle of wine, and putting it away.

“Yes. Nightmare has punished her slave lightly in my opinion, and there is something I’ve wanted to do the unicorn for a while now. It will do for the rest of the punishment.” Celestia explained with a smirk.

“You do realize your sister is likely awake, your majesty. Her slave will be with her.” The Legate stated.

“No, she won’t. Nightmare appears to be distancing herself from the unicorn. I asked if I could borrow her for the night, and my sister agreed.” Celestia replied.

Artillerus downed his wine in one swallow before he spoke again, “Well then, I suppose you should go meet the slave then.”

“Indeed.” Celestia responded as she left the room.

Twilight Sparkle stared at the tile floors sadly as she made her way to the opposite side of the palace from where she lived. Her master must have been very disappointed with her. Yelling she could handle. Anger would probably make her feel better at this point, but this cold indifference Nightmare had shown towards her since her punishment began was heart wrenching. Over these months her master’s opinion had come to matter so much to her. To suddenly be ignored, only being addressed minimally, upset Twilight. It also terrified her. What if Nightmare Moon was unhappy with her services? What if her bond was released, and she was sent on her way? Life at the palace wasn’t perfect for her, but it was better than anything she could’ve hoped for back in Stalliongrad. Now, she was being sent to serve Celestia for the night instead of being allowed to stay by her master. Just another sign, to her, that she was being abandoned.

The young unicorn arrived at the day-empress’ door. Unlike Nightmare Moon, Celestia lived on the ground floor. The door was also far more grand Nightmare‘s. It was the size of the throne room doors, and made of white marble with a carving of the sun rising behind a tree covering most of it. Had Twilight not known better, she would’ve assumed it was part of the wall, but the directions she had been given, and the fact that most walls in the castle were wood on the inside, made it unmistakable. Swallowing her sorrow, the lavender mare put on a smile. Her master had told her Celestia wasn’t someone to be afraid. Maybe if she did well here Nightmare might warm up to her again. Yes. That might be it! The night-empress might be more upset about the argument they had nearly a week ago than her breaking into the, “What was it? Altar of Harmony?” She thought.

Now more encouraged, Twilight Sparkle knocked on the marble door, and waited a moment. The door was suddenly surrounded by a golden light, and it split right down the middle. It opened just enough for the mare to enter before a recognizable voice ordered, “Come in.”

The unicorn trotted through, the door sealing behind her, and looked around the new room. It was Celestia’s room, and everything about it seemed to contrast Nightmare’s. Where the night-empress’ room was round and, relatively, small, Celestia’s was rectangular and very large. Where Nightmare’s was sparing in decoration, Celestia’s was filled with various furnishings and knickknacks. On the walls there were swords and beautiful paintings. All around were statues, small and large, and furniture, grand and gaudy. Where Nightmare’s room was blue and mostly covered by a large rug, Celestia’s walls were all rosewood, making things look very red in the candlelight, and the only rug was a small one just in front of the bed on the wall to the right of the door. Directly in the middle of the room, staring at an empty fireplace, was Celestia.

The golden glow of her horn dissipated as she let go of the doors, and turned to meet Twilight with that cold distant gaze. Her smile faltering only momentarily, the young unicorn bowed saying, “How may I serve you, your majesty?”

Something sparked in Celestia’s eyes as a grin grew on her face. “Rise, slave.” She ordered softly.

Twilight did not like being called slave. Although she knew it was what she was, her master had the decency to call her by name. Still, she offered no complaint as she rose to her hooves, and only continued to smile. “You are a very lucky mare. You know that?’ Celestia asked.

“I…am?” Twilight returned quizzically as a pit began to grow in her stomach.

“Oh yes.” Celestia answered, and rose to walk slowly toward the young unicorn, “You were taken off the streets to live in the palace. Your magical abilities have developed faster than any pony in recorded history, and you are quite beautiful.”

The white alicorn ran a hoof over Twilight’s cheek as she finished, and the lavender mare felt the pit grow deeper. She had seen a lot in Stalliongrad, and she didn’t like where this was going. Still, Nightmare had vouched for Celestia. She shouldn’t jump to conclusions. Instead, she merely replied meekly, “Thank you.”

Celestia’s smirk stayed in place as she ran her hoof slowly down Twilight’s spine. “Can you guess how long it’s been?” She asked.

“Sssince what?” Twilight responded nervously.

“Since I’ve had any.” Celestia answered, her hoof running over the unicorn’s thigh.

Twilight jerked back in surprise, and retreated until her flank hit the sealed marble door. “Please, empress. You’re scaring me.” She pleaded.

“What if I don’t care?” Celestia asked slyly, her smirk growing bigger.

Twilight thought hurriedly before she answered, “M-my master wouldn’t approve!”

“Possibly.” Celestia began to reason as she casually stepped closer to the smaller cowering pony. “But she likely wouldn’t believe you either. Besides, what if she did? I know I wouldn’t care if a toy of mine was used. So long as it wasn’t in bad condition when it was returned.”

“T-toy?” Twilight asked, her mind grinding to a halt at the word.

“Yes.” Celestia answered, and lowered her head to gaze into the young mare’s eyes.

“I’m a…toy?” Twilight asked again in desperation.

“What did you think you were? She owns you. She plays teacher with you. She keeps you all to herself most of the time. You’re a toy and nothing more. Now, toy, present yourself.” Celestia ordered.

“A toy?” Twilight thought. “I’m just a toy? No…No it can’t be! My master cares for me! She treats me like a pony! Not a…possession.”

All of a sudden the lavender unicorn realized that even she’d come to think of herself as Nightmare Moon’s property. Was she really nothing more than a toy? In a rush of anger Twilight released a massive gust of wind out of her horn. The spell knocked over furniture and decorations in the room, but Celestia stood unmoved. “You’re lucky nothing you can do can harm me.” The alicorn grinned. “Now, I’ve waited long enough.”

She threw Twilight to ground, and stood on the young mare’s thighs, her full weight coming to rest there, as she lowered her horn to the unicorn’s flank.

Author's Note: Yes. For any who are uncertain, Celestia rapes Twilight, and, no, I'm not going to write that scene. That's why I ended it just before the act took place. I do have a question involving this, though. Since the rape is only implied, if heavily, do you think I should turn the story's rating up to mature or not? I'd really like ya'll's opinion on this since I know rape is a touchy subject, and I don't want to get in trouble for rating this story wrong.

In other news, I now have a new project I'm working on. Starting now I'm going to be writing a second story to be called Shoot for the Stars. Don't worry, True Colors is still my primary focus, and will be updated more often than my second story, most likely. Still, it's something to look out for if you're interested, and, if you're not, then it'll explain why some chapters for True Colors might arrive slower.

At any rate, I'm eager to hear what ya'll think of the latest chapter.