(Original) Chapter 5: Luna

Chapter 5: Luna

Gliese 411 System

Planet Equis

Canterlot Palace, Canterlot

July 2nd, 2551

Midday

The Princess of the Night was pacing the floor of her bedchambers, her mind in deep thought.

Equestria has become an empire? Tia, an Empress. And now, we have an alien race as thine subjects? Have I truly been imprisoned that long? What does this mean for me, what role will I take now that I'm back?

It had been just over a week since Princess Luna had been freed from Nightmare Moon's demonic grip, and had been reunited with her dear sister, Celestia. Even now, she was still having difficulty adjusting to the changes.

And these Humans? What of them? Art thou truly the protectors they claim and appear to be? I must admit though, the way thou so kindly regard me and how devoted they seem to thine safety is quite flattering to say the least, especially considering their first encounter with me had been when I was under it's control.

A knock at her door cut Luna's thoughts short. "You may enter."

The door opened, admitting a human guard. "Your highness," The guard bowed, "Her Holiness has requested your presence in the throne room." Luna hesitated, then realized the Human was referring to Celestia. "Oh, very well. We shall go see her, then."

Some of these Humans in the Royal Guard seem more fanatical than thine brethren in the military. They almost seem to worship Tia. Princess Luna thought to herself. She wondered just how fiercely they would fight if an intruder were to attack the Palace.

To the death, she theorized.

She made her way to the throne room, passing stationary Guardsponies and humans, who all stood silent watch, their faces stoic masks. The human guards stood tall, grasping their energy halberds, their pony comrades grasping spears in a similar fashion. A few of the younger guards of both species, however, would occasionally break their statue like posture and nod respectfully at Luna.

"At your service, your majesty!"

Some saluted her. "Princess!"

A few even pounded the shafts of their spears into the marble floor as she passed, creating quiet thuds. "At your command, my Princess!" As she entered she saw her older sibling, busy writing on a scroll, holding the quill in her magic aura. The Monarch looked positively flustered.

"You look stressed, my sister! Have you been getting enough sleep? Are you well?" Luna inquired.

"Ah, Luna! It's good to see you little sister. I'm fine." The Empress smiled sweetly. "It's just that I got a report from Twilight recently. Apparently her friend Applejack has been directly and indirectly responsible for causing a horde of rabbits to descend on Ponyville, and poisoning half the town with tainted baked goods. And apparently that isn't all of it."

Celestia sighed. "This, combined with the preparations for the Gala, the planned meeting with UNSC leaders, and the whole war is really taking a bite out my energy. But I'll be fine. I appreciate your concern, Luna. Now, I think I owe you an explanation for everything, don't I?"

"Oh Tia, if your in such a state right now, don't wear yourself out on my account. I can wait for as long as need be, sister." Luna replied.

Celestia's smile became a serious frown.

"No Luna, you need to know this now. I should have told you about all of this our first morning together a week ago! Where to begin...ah, our Human subjects! They arrived here over 20 years ago when their ship crashed landed near the border of the Everfree." The Empress shifted in her throne.

"They had no way to return home or call for assistance, and without our help, they would have surely struggled to survive. When I met with their leaders, James Cutter and Ellen Anders, they informed me of the horrible war their people were being forced to fight. I allowed for them to live with us throughout Equestria. They were deeply grateful, and offered to share all their knowledge with us, without payment of any kind. That knowledge, has made Equestria into the empire she is becoming today, Luna."

"I see. But what of this war? Battles haves not occurred here on Equis, have they Tia?

"Thankfully, no sister. But it is all happening too close to our star system for comfort. The war is being fought between the human United Nations Space Command and an evil civilization of aliens that calls itself the Covenant.

The older alicorn sighed again, deeper this time. "It would seem for some unfortunate reason, that the Covenant have decided to eradicate the entire human species. For many years they have attacked and destroyed human planets, making no difference between military or citizens, extinguishing the lives of all, even the children." Celestia voice dropped, her muzzle pulled into a frown, and her ears flattened.

Luna reeled back, clearly appalled. Quickly, her digust morphed into righteous fury. "What kind of monsters would decide to just wipe out an entire intelligent species? That is a crime of the most unforgivable magnitude. Not even the wars of Discord's era were that violent, nor our overthrow of him!"

Celestia's frown only worsened. "Indeed, as much as I wish it was not so, I fear our Galaxy is far more cruel and harsh than we had originally imagined."

Much to Luna's relief, Celestia's face brightened up again as a new subject broached her mind. "I believe it was for that reason, our little Humans have vowed to defend and strengthen Equestria, or die trying. James Cutter told me on the first night of our meetings that Equis was the most beautiful, peaceful world his people had ever seen. He said that it was a unique, special place in the Galaxy like their homeworld, Earth, and that it deserved to be protected and kept strong."

"Those words were enough to convince me that they held the key to our survival in the Galaxy. As the Covenant would likely have found our world eventually, and without humanity, we would have been completely helpless to defend ourselves, even with the unfathomable power of our magics."

Luna nodded at all of her sister's words, contemplating them in depth.

Celestia paused for a moment, then continued her explanation. "I've saved this last detail for now, because I was unsure as to how you would react."

The Empress hesitated. "You see Luna... in order to expand the Empire's military, we have to make as many starships as we can in the little time we have. And to make these warships, we need resources that aren't easily extracted here in Equestria, or for that matter, the whole of the planet. We're...we're building the ships on your Moon, and we are also mining it for the heavy metals to do so, sister!"

Celestia flinched slightly, expecting the massive shout of anger in the Royal Voice that was sure to come her way. To her surprise, it never came. She slowly looked back towards her sister.

Princess Luna merely gazed at her sister in exasperation. "That's all Tia? You were expecting that to enrage me!" She let out a girlish giggle. "It's not like they're going to blow up half of the Moon, sister! Now that, that would really bring out my dark side! Ha, get it, dark side?" Her giggling intensified.

Celestia sighed in relief, and tried to hold back a laugh of her own. "Puns, Luna? You shouldn't be a princess, you should be the Royal Jester!" She couldn't hold back the laugh any longer.

They spent the next few minutes cracking jokes, sharing funny memories, and giggling like maniacs. It was enough to cause the most stoic guards to glance at them with concern, and even amusement. After their sisterly moments concluded, they got back to their business.

"Well, I'll talk to you again later Tia! Good luck with the Galloping Gala, and with the UNSC dignitaries."

"Thank you Luna. And please, don't hesitate to get to know our modern day subjects, especially the humans, I think you'll find some of them quite nice company if you ever feel lonely. You could even tell the guards to go hunt a manticore for no reason, and they'd do it without hesitation." Celestia joked.

A human sentry near the Empress let out an involuntary chuckle. Celestia grinned at the soldier, who blushed a bright crimson in response, from his breach of traditional Royal Guard stoicism. Just before Princess Luna could leave the room, a Royal courier sprinted in. The Pegasus mare's mane and coat was an unruly mess, likely from wind, and she huffed for breath, as if she had been flying at top speed.

"Your Majesty, Empress Celestia!" The Pegasus gave an awkward bow, still trying to regain her breath.

"What is it my dear? Please, take a seat and rest first!" Celestia said with alarm. The courier nodded, resting on a chair, finally having enough breath to speak properly.

"Majesty! It's the Covenant, they're here in the system! They just attacked a surveying team on the neighboring planet Gliese 411-d!...Aurora."

The Empress instantly snapped to an alert posture. "I see. Is that all?" She asked quickly.

"No, your Highness! Just before we lost contact, the team reported that they had found something in the planet's ice, some kind of ancient facility or artifact."

"This is most dire news. You served your duty greatly by getting this to me. Well done my little soldier. Go get some rest and down time, you've earned it."

"Thank you, your majesty!" The courier disappeared as quickly as she had come.

"Captain Flash Sentry!" Celstia called out.

A male Pegasus with a bronze colored coat and royal blue mane appeared before the Empress, straightened up, and gave her one of the Imperial salutes: a hoof or fist to the heart.

"At your service, your Majesty!" Sentry replied.

"How much of the Second Fleet is combat ready Captain?"

"Last I checked with the Navy your Highness, they reported only 5% of the vessels in the fleet were outfitted and cleared for deployment. Currently only two Sovereign-class super heavy cruisers, one chariot-class light carrier, ten frigates: half Dusk-class, the other Dawn, and two Harmony-class heavy battlecruisers are ready for engagement. The carrier ship, Supernova, reports however that all of her Nightwing and Longsword fighters are accounted for and ready."

"And what of the Third Fleet, I understand they are focused around the largest vessel we have yet to construct. What's its status Captain?"

"Still under construction, my lady. Fortunately however, the super heavy carrier Divinity reports it is fully fitted, armed, and it's aircraft and fighter compliment is at full strength."

"Excellent. I want the Divinity to support the Supernova and the Second Fleet as it moves in to investigate. If the Covenant force is discovered to be of armada-size, I want all vessels to immediately retreat into defensive position above Equis, to support the orbital defense grid, and send word to the UNSC and the First Fleet at once for reinforcements!"

"It will be done, your highness!" Flash Sentry replied.

"I trust Commander Cutter, the Lord General Shining Armor, Air Commander Spitfire and the UNSC Admiralty Board has already been notified of this?" Celestia asked urgently.

"Indeed, your majesty. The Supreme Commander has stated that his fleet is on high alert and ready to return at a second's notice."

"You've done well, Sentry. That will be all."

"Yes your highness." Captain Sentry returned to his post near the Empress' throne.

Luna walked back towards her sister's throne. "It appears the war has now hit home, my sister." She said worryingly.

"Indeed. I cannot lie, this news has me in a state of...fear. But fear aside, I am actually slightly relieved as well."

"What?!" Luna said incredulously.

"Look at it from a military perspective, Luna. Our naval forces are completely untested against the enemy. This is the prime time to see just how effective we can truly be in this dreadful conflict. I just regret that it had to happen here, of all places, little sister."

Luna gave her sibling a look Celestia couldn't quite figure out. "What is on your mind, Luna?"

"Tia...I...I want to personally command the Divinity when they engage the Covenant."

It was Celestia's turn to be shocked. "ABSOLUTELY NOT LITTLE SISTER! You will leave all command to our naval officers!"

"But Tia, what of the time I commanded our armies when we overthrew Discord, does that not amount for anything?" Luna looked hurt.

"That was over a millennium ago! And that was on the ground and the seas! This battle will be in deep space!" Celestia was beginning to get frustrated with her younger sister.

"It's still the same principal, big sister. Ships fight in formation, do they not? And their weaponry, they are to be positioned like siege engines and archers, correct? And what about the star fighters, are they not the Pegasi who support the main army? And how, is it any different from when we deployed our fleets on the oceans to hunt down Discord's allies as well?"

"I swear to you, I can do this Celestia! I can think of no better way to regain our subjects' favor than by leading them personally into battle!"

"But Luna...I..." Celestia stopped. She wanted to argue with the younger Alicorn. To tell her it was too dangerous, that it was too risky, that she could get hurt. But what she didn't want to tell her was that she wasn't capable of it.

It was that kind of thing that had caused Nightmare Moon to be able to take her. Besides, she had a small but strong spark in her mind that told her that, somehow, someway, that Luna was capable of leading the Fleet.

That, and the realization that her sister wasn't going to budge at all, was enough to make the Monarch finally cave in.

"Alright...but you have to promise me, you will not get yourself nor anypony under your command killed if it can be avoided. Don't take any unnecessary risks. And once you are all victorious, I want you right back here! Do you understand me Luna? " Celestia said intensely.

"Yes, thank you Tia. I can't tell you how much this means to me!" The Princess immediately summoned Captain Flash Sentry. The Pegasus stallion saluted a second time and awaited instruction.

"Captain Sentry, I wish for aerial transport to the Moon. I must get aboard the vessel Divinity at once!"

"Yes, your highness! Allow me to lead you to the Canterlot Hangars, there should be a pelican available for your private usage."

As the duo rushed out of the throne room, Celestia summoned another guard.

"Please relay the data regarding the surveying team's findings to Minister Anders as soon as possible. After the Covenant are driven from the planet, I want a full Ministry team ready in place to study the archaeological findings."

The Pegasi guard saluted and stormed off to the Ministry of Technology's headquarters in the heart of the city, his armor clanking as he went.

Time to see just how strong these aliens truly are. I just hope Luna has what it takes. We couldn't afford to lose...no! She will pull through. We will all pull through. Reach, Equis, Earth, we shall all stand together in this war.

Calming down with a deep sigh, the Empress returned to idyllic, less stressful thoughts.

I suppose I still have a Gala to plan, don't I? Perhaps I can convince the UNSC Admirals to attend. I could get two birds with one stone, and I couldn't think of a better occasion then the Galloping Gala to invite our new-found allies. If anything, together with Twilight and her friends, they should all help to make the whole thing actually bearable.

That last thought brought a laugh, and then a smile on the Monarch's face as her thoughts shifted to her favorite pupil and her recent exploits.

I'm going to need Twilight and her friends in the times to come, somehow. I just feel it. They, especially Twilight, will serve a special role in all this. In what manner, I do not know. I just have an inkling, but it's a strong one.

At that, the Sun Goddess got back to planning the coming Gala. War and rumors of war slipped in and out of her consciousness as the day passed into the evening. Eventually, the Empress retired to her chambers, and stepped out onto the balcony.

As her Sun set, and Luna's Moon rose, her thoughts shifted a final time. To her dear sister. "Good luck, little Luna. Please, stay safe. Lead us to victory tonight. Everypony, everyone, is counting on you now!"

The night was perfectly clear, with not a cloud to block the stars that could shine through the electric lights of Canterlot. The alicorn let loose a single tear as she closed her eyes, basking in the Moon's silver glow.

On the far side of the Moon, other lights shined brightly. The engines, comm arrays, and shielding of over fifteen warships and hundreds of fighters gleamed as they moved into formation. The Equestrians were moving to confront their foe in person for the very first time.

If successful, Aurora and all her secrets would fall into Imperial hooves. If defeated, the loss of the attack force would alert the Covenant to the Gliese System, and it would spell the instant death knell of not just Equestria, but the whole of Planet Equis and its inhabitants.