The Longest Day: Absolute Power
Written in collaboration with the author of TLD: Power Corrupts
Celestia paced the floor of her Canterlot study, her normally lofty brow furrowed with worry. Her gaze switched between the open window of the antechamber and the majestic clock that hung on the wall.
“Celestia,” a voice from behind her called. “What has thou worried so?”
The Princess turned to see Luna sitting behind a desk, reading and signing various documents. Her reading glasses were perched perfectly at the end of her muzzle, but her eyes looked over them, the concern for her sister shining brightly.
“We haven’t heard anything from Appleoosa for ten days,” the sun goddess said. “I’m worried something is wrong.”
“They lie on the outskirts of the kingdom, sister. We can hardly trust that their postal service is entirely reliable.”
Celestia shook her head. “I sent a letter out there five days ago. We should have heard back by now.”
Luna cleared her workload from the desk, revealing a map of Equestria. She set her glasses to one side and busied herself in locating the tiny settlement. Once she had marked it, the dark blue alicorn studied the surrounding area for a moment. “The closest town to Appleoosa is Ponyville,” she finally concluded. “And it is but two day’s journey by locomotive. Has there been any news of travelers arriving from the settlement?”
“We’ve had no news about them in the past week and a half,” the solar princess asserted. “I think we should send a letter to Ponyville; at least alert them to the possibility that something may have happened.”
“Thou think’st we should not send somepony to investigate?”
The white alicorn knew that Luna was referring to her prized pupil, Twilight Sparkle. She shook her head. “As you said, Ponyville is two days from Appleoosa. Sending a team to investigate would take four days minimum; longer if something has happened. No, I think it’s best to send word to Twilight to keep watch and report back if anypony hears anything. Hopefully, this’ll clear up in the next day or two.”
“And what if it does not?”
“Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that,” Celestia said, smiling weakly. “Will you take a letter, Luna?”
Luna set her glasses back on her face and took quill and parchment ready. “We are ready when thou art, dear sister.”
“My dearest, most faithful student Twilight,” the solar goddess began. “I hope this letter finds you well…”
_________________________________________________________________________________________
After the letter was sent, Celestia turned to her younger sister. “Luna…do you think I ask too much of Twilight?”
Luna stared blankly at her sister. “What dost thou mean?”
“It seems like I am constantly calling upon Twilight and her friends to save Equestria from some new evil.”
The lunar goddess pondered this for a moment, tapping a hoof on her chin. “Perhaps they are the most qualified for such a task. Thou speakest often of their mastery of the Elements of Harmony.”
Celestia gazed out the window. “So have we become unnecessary? Is our time as rulers finally drawing to a close?”
“We…are not sure.” Luna stepped over to her sister and nuzzled her affectionately. “But we have no plans of leaving our post so soon after returning to it.”
The solar goddess looked down at her sister and returned the gesture. “Thank you, Luna. I’m very happy to have you here with me.”
They lingered for a moment, lost in each other’s embrace. A knock at the door announced the presence of the castle guard. “Parliament awaits your presence, Princess.”
Celestia sighed. “Well, I suppose we have to go play nice with the royals.”
The two regal sisters walked through the halls of the castle side by side, smiling pleasantly at all of the castle staff as they walked by. “Dost thou think they still fear us?” Luna asked when no one was in earshot.
Celestia stretched one wing over her sister and pulled her close as they continued to walk. “You’ve been back for months, Luna. And you’ve made many friends in that time, resumed your royal duties, and even garnered a few fans,” she said. “It’s time to put the past behind you.”
They stood outside the door of the main hall. Celestia sighed, and hesitated for a moment, not wanting to enter.
“Why dost thou waver?”
“I grow tired of the court,” the deity said. “Nothing ever seems to be accomplished.”
“Tis a necessary evil, sister,” Luna replied.
“Indeed. After you, Luna.”
The royal court was held in a large hall with long, three-tiered polished wood stands on which the courtiers resided. They were split by a center aisle, carpeted with rich red velvet, at the end of which sat two stands of equal height for the royal sisters to preside over the proceedings. Idle chatter filled the hall as the ponies of the parliament prepared for their various debates.
Luna was the first to enter the grand hall, followed closely by Celestia. The two carried themselves in a regal manner as they made their way down the center aisle, and took their respective places at the head of the congress.
“The royal court is now in session!” barked a guard at the door. “All nobles are to defer authority to their Royal Highnesses.”
The opening moments of court were as dull as Celestia had always remembered it. Complaints about this, money for that; it was a never ending cycle of blame. What will it take for this court to understand its shortcomings?
Roughly an hour after court began, it was interrupted when a green puff of smoke flew into the room, bearing a letter from Spike.
Celestia scanned the letter quickly. Then she read it again to be sure she understood its contents. Her eyes widened in surprise and shock. She called out to the court. “Members of the court! I have just received word from my student in Ponyville; the town is under attack!” A murmur ran through the gathered assembly ponies as Celestia began to read.
Dear Princess Celestia,
Ponyville is under attack. A huge and terrible force of unknown monsters emerged from the Everfree forest this morning and assailed the town. They are tall, muscular and have brightly colored fur like ponies, but resemble Ursas in physiology. Some use cloud-like vehicles to fly, but I cannot be specific on details. Applejack’s farm, Sweet Apple Acres, has already been overrun; one of her cousins is dead, and another is badly injured and currently under the care of Nurse Redheart. Zecora came to our aid and was able to hold the monsters at bay with a lingering vaporous potion, but I do not know how long it will last.
I believe that these creatures may be the reason for Appleoosa’s silence. For whatever reason, they are actively violent towards ponies, and may have conquered or otherwise destroyed the remote desert town.
For the time being, the mayor has gathered everypony outside town hall and is attempting to keep them calm. We urgently request any and all assistance you can spare, and I request your immediate counsel.
Expectantly, your faithful student,
Twilight Sparkle
Worried chatter broke out among the gathered parliament. There were cries of retaliation, and others of mediation. Celestia tried several times to calm the ponies of the meeting hall, but to no avail. Finally, she nodded at her sister.
“SILENCE!” Luna commanded, taking full advantage of the Royal Canterlot Voice.
The strangeness of the official syntax shocked the court into a stillness it had not seen all day. Luna nodded to her sister.
“Thank you, Luna,” she said absently. “Noblecolts of the assembly, it is imperative that we act. I move we send a contingent of the Royal Guard to Ponyville to help with the defenses.”
“I object!” called out Lord Hoofington, one of the nobles of the court. “Equestria has not seen open war for thousands of years; we do not even have a standing army. It is in our best interests to find a peaceful solution to this conflict.”
“I agree with the delegation from Manehattan,” Sir Trotsworthy announced. “Diplomacy and negotiations are our best weapons during this time.”
“I cast my lot with the Princess,” Duke Saddleworth chimed in. “We must send aid to the citizens of Ponyville.”
“This is hardly the time for such deliberations,” Luna announced. “Be the outcome peaceful or aggressive, we cannot linger long in our decision making.”
Celestia regretfully agreed. It was clear that action must be taken, but what was the appropriate response? If we cannot find some way to aid the citizens, they will all surely die.
“So you would have us throw out the due process of government in the face of a crisis?” the first pony spoke up. “We must show our authority now more than ever.”
“Yes, we must consider the implications of acting without solidarity,” another chimed in. “The ponies must not lose faith in their governing body as soon as calamity befalls them."
Assuming this is an isolated, limited attack, we could withhold the guard until it blows over, and avoid open conflict. But what if a fight is inevitable?
The court slowly lost any semblance of order as the delegates began to shout at each other, each with their own idea of how the situation should be handled. Luna looked helplessly at her sister, who was too lost in her own turmoil to act.
They could press forward after Ponyville, and carry on with their campaign, in which case, we will sacrifice lives needlessly.
“Sister…”
Augh! Sitting here uselessly is not getting me anywhere! I wish I could bypass all this…
“Sister!”
…but I can’t do that either. To split the loyalties of the court is worse than sitting here; all of Canterlot would seize up and we couldn’t…
“CELESTIA!”
Luna’s shouting shocked her sister out of her thoughts, and jarred her back to the present.
“My apologies, Luna,” she said over the din. “My mind is not my own.”
It took a few tries, but Celestia finally calmed the court’s bickering. “We must make a decision, councilors. What should our course of action be?”
“We should wait to see if the situation develops further…” one pony began.
“We don’t have time!” Celestia snapped. “One pony has already been needlessly slain; how many more do you wish to die today?”
“It is clear we cannot send any kind of military aid,” Sir Trotsworthy stated.
“What about a civilian?” Saddleworth suggested.
“What dost thou mean?” Luna asked.
“Perhaps we send a civilian to aid in the organization of the defense,” he continued. “An armed force might provoke the attackers more; why not a person knowledgeable in strategic defense?”
A murmur of approval ran through the gathering hall. “And what of the Ponyvillians who are unable to aid in the effort?” a delegate asked. “The old, the young, the sick?”
Arguments broke out throughout the assembly. Celestia looked to her sister, a confusing mix of fear and aggravation spread on her face.
Luna’s eyes lit up, and she spoke into Celestia’s ear; the demigod pondered this for a moment, then nodded to her sister.
“SILENCE!” called the lunar princess once more. And once again, the hall gradually quieted.
“This is what I propose,” Celestia announced to the court. “In the Royal Library of Canterlot, we have a historian who studies, among other things, the ancient battles of Commander Hurricane’s army from the Windigo Era. We send him, and a collection of the great battles of the time, on the train that runs from here to Ponyville. And as he assists with the defense of the town, we have the old and the sick loaded aboard the train and spirited to Canterlot.”
A realization suddenly clicked in Celestia’s mind. Bears…no…it couldn’t be…
The council seemed to agree with the proposal. “We shall put it to a vote,” Luna announced. “Those in favor of the proposal?” A crowd of ponies raised their hooves. “Those opposed?” A significantly fewer number of delegates raised their hooves. “Those abstaining?” This time only a few ponies raised their hooves.
“Motion carried!” said Luna, rather happily. “Princess Celestia shall make the arrangements.” The alicorn paused for a moment as her sister whispered into her ear, who nodded in reply. “This court is recessed!” she announced. “We shall reconvene in two hour’s time. Representatives are encouraged to contact their constituents to learn their thoughts on the current issue.”
The clopping of hundreds of hooves filled the hall as the court dismissed. Celestia turned to her sister. “I have a letter to write,” she said, solemnly. “Will you fetch Dusty Books from the library? I feel he will be more than adequate.”
She paused for a moment, pondering an obviously heavy decision. “Also, give him the…ancient scroll. Ponyville should not be without offensive capabilities of its own.” Her voice was laden with guilt.
Luna stopped suddenly. “Celestia! Surely thou dost not intend to…”
“I intend to do what is necessary!” Celestia yelled. “Without the permission of the court if I must, but I will protect the ponies of Equestria.
“This is not a decision I make lightly, Luna,” she continued, more calmly. “It breaks my heart more than anything to reintroduce an evil such as this to the world, but we have done no wrong. They drew first blood, not we.”
Luna nodded in response. “We understand your pain,” she said softly.
“Will you come get me before the court reconvenes?” the white alicorn asked her sister. “I need some time alone.”
“Of course,” Luna nodded once more. The sisters turned to go about their separate tasks, but Luna hesitated. “Sister?” she called after Celestia.
The older Princess turned. “Yes?”
“It would seem that we will still be needed for some time to come.” With that, she walked off towards the library.
Celestia sighed, and walked up to her study, anxious to share the news with Twilight.
_________________________________________________________________________________________
The news from Ponyville was grim when Twilight’s letter came. Celestia struggled not to cry as she read the letter.
Dear Princess Celestia,
Fluttershy has led the refugees onto the train. Please make provisions for them in Canterlot.
I must urge you to expedite your political negotiations, Princess, we are not soldiers, and we cannot hold back this attack on our own…I can hear the bears approaching. Hurry.
Twilight Sparkle
She had only a few minutes before the court was due to meet once more, and forced herself to calm her breathing so that she could regain her composure. Her thought process was interrupted by a knock at the door. “Yes?” she called, her voice shakier than she liked. A flowing starfield entered the room before anything else, and Celestia was relieved to see the pony attached to it.
The room was in complete disarray. Books were scattered about the floor at Celestia’s hooves; sheets of paper, yellowed with age, were pinned hastily to the wall, while fresh reams of parchment held frantically scribbled notes.
Luna looked over the scene with a pained expression on her face. “Tis almost time for the court to reconvene. Art thou ready?”
Celestia didn’t reply. She levitated the letter to her sister, who scanned the page, frowning more and more at each word.
“We understand now,” the younger princess said. “Thou thinkest thou art responsible for everything.”
“Bears…” Celestia said. “I knew. I knew all along. I should have stopped this long ago.”
“What dost thou mean?”
She motioned to the aged parchment on the walls of the study. “Roughly five hundred years ago, I sent a survey team that came back with reports of another sentient race of beings, far east of Equestria’s boundaries. The reports we received indicated they were benign and non-threatening. I suppose those reports were wrong.
“We are…not sure that this is information thou should share.” Luna was upset that Celestia ever kept such information from her, but buried her feelings to deal with later. Now was not the time for the sisters to be divisive. “Tia…we must go. The court will not wait patiently for us.”
“You’re right,” Celestia said. “Let’s go.”
The sisters walked down the hall once again, at a much slower pace than before. The conference room was already a buzz of voices as the ponies deliberated about the events in Ponyville. The Princesses didn’t even try to quiet the racket as they made their way to the front of the room.
“Celestia!” a delegate named High Class called out. “May I have the floor?”
She nodded, motioning for him to continue. The cacophony of voices slowly quieted as they recognized Celestia’s authority.
“I have just received word from the mayor of Cloudsdale that they have sent an entire squadron of pegasi to alleviate the beleaguered Ponyvillians…” The representative was cut off as the shouting began again.
Luna turned to her sister, unsure of what response was appropriate in this situation. Celestia felt relieved at the news, but was saddened by the prospect of open fighting.
“Courtiers!” Celestia yelled. “This is no time for arguing! What is done is done, we cannot change it. If the attacking force proceeds in the same manner as it has been, it will hit Cloudsdale next; it would seem they intend to defend themselves by means of a preemptive strike.”
“We had hoped to avoid all kinds of aggression!” another councilor, Old Money, yelled at the Princess. “And if you do not issue a formal declaration now, ponies will begin arming themselves!”
“We cannot allow the citizens will retaliate of their own accord,” Distinguished Heritage agreed. “There is too much danger.”
“There are already citizens fighting, councilor. We cannot afford to lie around and allow this aggression to continue unchecked,” Saddleworth said.
“And we have not,” Celestia said. “Books concerning the campaigns of Commander Hurricane were not the only literature I sent along with Dusty.”
An uneasy murmur penetrated the assembly. “Sister…” Luna said quietly. “Dost thou think it wise to inform the court of the contents of that scroll?”
“It is a necessary evil, Luna,” Celestia replied. “They will find out the truth soon enough, anyway.” She turned to address the gathered court once more. “I have given my student in Ponyville access to an ancient scroll which contains, among other things, spells for… aggressive action against others.”
“How very bucking diplomatic!” Lord Hoofington cried. “What you mean is that you armed the unicorns with killing spells!”
“Well…yes.”
The court’s anger boiled over. Shouts and accusations flew across the hall towards the sibling monarchs. They bore it all. The full anger of the court burned against them, and they stood there and bore the guilt, the responsibility, and the shame.
The crowd’s anger had reached a crescendo when they were silenced by another letter.
“SILENCE,” Luna roared for the third time that day.
Celestia looked at the letter; it was covered in tears stains and blood spots, and the writing was shaky.
The situation is grim. Our defenses are nearly overrun. Dusty Books has done all he can, but it will not be long before we are completely overwhelmed. Ponies are dying, Princess. If we do not get help soon, Ponyville will be lost. For Faust’s sake, help us.
-Twilight
The court was shocked by the brevity and tones with which both the letter was written, and the way the princess delivered it. A stunned silence hung painfully in the air while the court considered the implications of its own actions.
Despite the heaviness of the moment, Celestia bore a smug, if grim, look on her face. “What says the court?”
“We have been…naïve,” Trotsworthy said mournfully. “It would appear that there can be no peaceful end to this conflict.”
“We ask that the court give us temporary authority to intervene,” Luna said. “We will not act without informing the court of our decision, but until this conflict is resolved, our power must be resolute.”
“And can how can we be sure you will give us that authority back?” Lord Hoofington inquired. “We will not simply hand power over for an unspecified amount of time.”
“The shift of power will only have effect while the fighting in Ponyville continues,” Celestia said. “As soon as we can be reasonably sure that the ponies in Ponyville are no longer in danger, Luna and I will return authority to the court.”
“A vote!” Luna called out.
The results of the vote favored the princesses’ decision once more, and a law was quickly written and passed.
“And what if the conflict should continue, dear sister?” Luna asked Celestia quietly after they had both signed it.
“Then we will have to do our best to keep deliberations shorter,” the older alicorn replied. She then turned to address the court. “We will reconvene in two hours to inform the court of our decisions. Until then, this court is excused.”
The assembly dispersed, hoofsteps echoing off the walls. Then, all was silent. Celestia and Luna stood at their respective podiums, lost in thought.
“Have we made a grave error, Sister?” Luna asked.
Celestia couldn’t bring herself to meet her sister’s gaze. She looked out over the vacant gathering hall. “Only to prevent a greater one, Luna.” She stepped off her stand, and motioned for Luna to follow. “Let’s discuss our options in the study. I only hope we are not too late.”
_________________________________________________________________________________________
Two hours passed slowly as the sisters conferred, but eventually they were able to reach a swift and decisive course of action. They stood at the head of the grand hall once more, ready to address the parliament. While the court was keen on debating the issue further, Luna was able to silence the chatter with only a look.
“Thank you,” Celestia said. “I believe that Luna and I have the solution to our problems.” She motioned for her sister to give her account.
“We shall take a contingent of our personal guards to Ponyville and aid in the retaliation,” Luna said. “Combining our magic with the strength of our escort, we believe we alone can end the battle.”
“And what of the-“
“We have made our decision!” Luna interrupted. “We must consider the lives of Equestrians above the due process of the congress. Too long we have deliberated already; it is time to end it once and for all.”
Celestia spoke up with her sister. “Any complaints may be filed and will be addressed after due process,” she said, all too happy to take advantage of their bureaucracy.
“Is there anything further, sister?” Luna asked.
“That will be all, Luna, thank you. Good luck; both you and your guard will need it.”
“Thank thee,” the lunar princess said, and walked briskly out of the hall, anxious about starting her mission.
After she had exited, Lord Hoofington spoke up once more. “Are you sure this is the wisest action to take, your Highness?”
“No, I’m not,” Celestia replied. “But it is the best we can do for now.”
_________________________________________________________________________________________
“Final reports coming in from Ponyville, Princess. It would appear that the Carebears are in full retreat and the town still stands. It was a good decision to send Luna when you did.”
The goddess ruler looked out the window. The sun sat bloated on the horizon, waiting to be nudged down for the evening, as it had been for hours before. The entire affair with Ponyville had drained the princess mentally, and she had no desire to carry out her normal duties.
“Thank you, Lieutenant,” Celestia told the guard. “Walk with me.”
The two solemn ponies climbed the staircase up to the balcony where the royal sisters performed their duties every night. She struggled to call on her magic, and it took more effort than normal to nudge the sun down. “Four hours late…” the demigod said.
“Given today’s circumstances, I’d say that’s not too bad, Princess,” the white pegasus said.
Celestia turned to look her guard in his face. “Not the sunset,” she said sadly. “The battle. By the time Luna and her guard finally got to Ponyville to help, the battle had been going on for four hours. How many lives could have been spared, just by a quicker response?”
The lieutenant shuffled nervously. “I…I don’t have an answer for you, Princess.”
“I don’t think anypony ever will,” she said sadly.
“Any final orders for the day, Highness?”
“Take word to the court to start an enlistment and a draft service. Set up a modified version of guard training that civilians can master quickly, and still give them the time to train. I want copies of any and all books about the pegasus clan from the Windigo Era on my desk by sunrise; maybe we can learn something from their example.”
“Yes, Princess.”
Out in the distance just beyond Ponyville, small dots of light flared to life, announcing the presence of the Carebears’ new encampment. Over the Everfree forest, a storm flared to life with a crackle of thunder and lightning. And in the town of Ponyville, cries of loss and despair just barely reached the sensitive ears of the monarch.
“What does it mean, Princess?” the guard asked, seeing the events unfold.
“It means, Lieutenant, that we are at war,” Celestia said. “Faust help us.”
FIN
