Of Goddesses and Failures

It was a simple task. So simple a task was it, that a dying monkey with a quarter of its brain could do it. But Blade would not do it. He had made the decision long ago. No one in the grand ballroom before him had the slightest idea about what was ahoof. It was the night of the Gala. The night of Blade's mission.

Wearing his traditional purple hood and cloak, he made his way to the marble staircase at the other end of the ballroom, darting between dancing couples and merry laughter to meet the one who had called him. Celestia waited for him by the staircase, taking time away from shaking hooves to pull him aside.

"I have very little time to talk. Luna is on night duty. You'll find her at her post on the fifth floor in the left wing balcony. If it takes you awhile, I understand. My sister wields powerful magic. I trust you'll do fine, though. Now, go."

Blade nodded. There wasn't much he had to say. He climbed the stairs, reaching the fifth floor after a good 3 minutes, considering the stairs are incredibly long and each floor quite extensive. Lo and behold, he found her where Celestia had told him he would. And she was as beautiful as he had always known her to be. Her mane like the space of a cold night and her body smooth and shimmering. It took him awhile to pull himself away and remember his duty. Luna heard his hoofsteps before he had traveled long.

"Who approaches?" Her voice was soft and comforting, rather than the commanding tone he was used to hearing.

"A friend of Celestia." Luna turned to face the one meant to kill her, although she was clueless to the scheme. For now.

"You? I have not seen you around my sister, much less in Canterlot. Am I to think you are truly from Celestia?" Blade smiled.

"Pardon, your highness, but one can exist without the knowledge of others, even one as powerful as yourself." Luna was satisfied. Whoever this was, she said to herself, he seems to know his way with words.

"Fair enough. Who are you, and what has she sent you for?" Blade sighed.

"For starters, I am Cobalt Blade. Blade preferably, but being a princess, I assume you'll call me whatever you want. What I'm about to tell you, Princess, is something I would think insane if I were to hear it myself. If you can promise me an intelligent discussion about this and not instantly burst out with laughter, I can tell you." Luna frowned.

"I've heard many things over the years, a lot of which I frown upon, but nothing I was not able to handle. Tell me, I can promise you a worthy talk of it." Here it goes.

"If you insist. Your sister is trying to kill you."

Silence.

"You can't be..." Blade raised a hoof.

"An intelligent discussion. It's hard to talk about, but we need to. For your sake." Luna looked shocked, but shook it off.

"If you insist. I don't believe what you're telling me." Blade nodded.

"As I expected. Hear me out though," he started as Luna turned to listen. "Over the years, the population of Equestria has begun increasing, and quite a bit, wouldn't you say?" The princess nodded. "Celestia had very little to fear. Being an alicorn, she was immortal and nationally respected. She raised the sun, dealt with trouble, and was a shining example for all to see. While I've always appreciated your contributions more," to which Luna blushed, "Celestia was just considered more important. But there was one thing she could not deal with. Democracy." Luna nodded.

"I can understand that. Celestia loves her subjects, but without her power, she is nothing." Blade smiled warmly.

"You're more intelligent than I had imagined. How would you go about preserving your power?"

"Mutual respect for everypony with less power. By giving power away, you gain it." Blade laughed a little.

"You understand much about the world, don't you? However, your sister does not see things similarly. To preserve her power, she's taken a much darker route. She sees powerful associates as threats to her own crown, and rather than follow your course of action, she thought about something else. But she could not execute this herself. She could not kill these ponies herself, no. She needed somepony with nothing to lose and willing to kill what Celestia wouldn't. This is where I came in. I was willing to. I really had nothing to lose. Tonight, you are my target, but I have no intention of harming you." Luna became deeply concerned.

"This is hard to take in, if not impossible. I have so many questions I could ask, but we'd never be able to-" Blade cut her off.

"I understand. If you would follow me, I can prove everything you doubt." Luna sighed.

"I wish to see your proof, yet I can already feel I know the answer. You are very world-wise yourself."

"Your wish is my command." For starters, Blade was actually pretty happy Luna had taken the information as lightly as she had. When you find out that a relative of yours is trying to have you murdered, it usually isn't fun. Luna had flown down the balcony onto the ground, landing gracefully, while Blade fancied a jump. She followed him to Celestia's private quarters, where Blade latched open the window.

"My sister's room? Why would we be here?"

"This is the only room that can't be accessed by anypony. The only pony who may even be allowed in is you. However, considering I was meant to be kept a secret, I have also been permitted. With such limited viewing, this is the best place to hide them."

"Hide what?"

"These." Blade opened the latch behind the bed and dropped into the dark hole as Luna followed. The metal was still the same, only a little rusty. The smell however, was much worse.

"Before you ask, that smells exactly like what it is."

"Rotten eggs?"

"Close enough. Decaying bodies." Luna just shook her head. The room was still piled high with the garbage bags. Blade split one open with his dagger and the skull of a noble rolled out of it.

"This," Blade started, "is everypony I've killed. If this isn't proof, then what is?" Luna fought back tears.

"You did not lie. Is this my sister's doing?"

"I'd say it's more of mine, but I only take orders from Celestia, so yeah, in a way. I wouldn't have murdered these guys if it wasn't for her. I don't like 'em, but not enough to kill 'em."

"So...so now what?"

"So now we run." He turned to face Luna. "I know a little city about 80 miles out of Canterlot. It isn't great, but it's good enough to lie low in. When your sister finds out that you're gone, she'll put out search warrants."

"Alright. Bear with me, this is just a lot to take in."

"I imagine. Now come, we have things to do." Hooves clacked on the metal floor as the duo left. Now, Blade thought. This is where I leave the past behind. He climbed out and helped Luna out afterwards. Blade shut the hatch for the final time, a farewell to the murderer inside.