A Darker World

        “Can you believe them! Arrogant, annoying, idiots! ARGH! Why do they continue to insist that my theory is wrong!” The purple unicorn looked to be about to rip her mane out as she spoke. A necklace, made of strong twine and a green pendant, hung around her neck noting her as a research professor, though at this moment she was tempted to just rip it off and throw it into the nearest wall.

        “Just because we have assumed for centuries that the limit of magic a unicorn can pull is proportional to the amount of magical reserve they have doesn’t mean it is true!” Student also walking down the street with her were keen to give her a wide berth, although they knew she wouldn’t take any frustration that the research board caused again out on them they didn’t want to risk it, anyways it provided a great reason for them to hurry on to their classes.        “So what the experiments will push unicorns to their limits, and hopefully beyond, we can’t know more without taking some risk! That’s the nature of science! If we stay within what we know we will never get beyond it!” A few steps behind her and to her right the armored pony remained calm, his heavy metal armor covering all parts of him that could be seen and those that it didn’t cover were under a robe. Overall an impressive figure, and one that would give anypony pause before approaching and attacking his charge, though anypony likely to do that wouldn’t be able to for long, after all the hospital in Canterlot wasn’t known for releasing ponies that had been hit by a magical blast quickly, too many side effects.        “It’s like they don’t WANT us to make any more progress! The professors over in Trottingham are already working on new theories and experimenting!” The pair walked into the square the street emptied into. The bubbling of the fountain in the center and the conversations of nearby ponies had thankfully prevented anyone in the square from hearing the ranting from the unicorn. Sensing a lull in her ranting the armored pony spoke up.        “Twilight, not one of them actually shot down your theory, merely the experiment. If I remember right their concern was that you wanted yourself to be the in the experiment group and that you planned to have the group casting high level spells day and night until you had your results, doesn’t that seem a bit like overboard?” This wasn’t the first time the pair had been before the research board with this experiment. Twilight was determined to run this experiment and while she had tweaked it the board still wasn’t satisfied that it was safe, and personally her guard and servant was getting tired of listening to the same debate between Twilight and the research board.        Twilight paused in her walking to look back at the armored pony, a look somewhere between annoyed and disappointed on her face. “You know Spike, it almost sounds like you agree with them. I suppose though you are right, we’ll have to look back over the experiment again tonight after class. Speaking of which I do believe we have just enough time to grab something to eat before we have to be there, how does the sandwich shop sound to you?”        Just as Spike was about to respond another voice spoke up, one clearly both trained for speaking in a crowd and amplified by magic. “Come my fellow ponies, come with me. Come and hear the wondrous words of our long forgotten goddesses. They who….” The pony continued speaking, both Spike and Twilight knew what they pony was talking about, the Cult of the Two Sisters. An old religious group that maintains that there used to be ponies that moved the sun, moon, and stars. Most ponies merely ignored their existence, and normally Twilight did as well. However today hadn’t been without its bumps. For a brief moment Spike thought Twilight would just ignore it and they could keep going, but then Twilight ears went back and flat against her head. Ah damnit, here we go. Hopefully she’ll yell herself out and we can still grab some food while we run to her lecture.        Twilight whipped her head around towards the fountain in the middle of the square and started marching off, Spike hurrying along beside her. Sure enough there standing on the edge of the fountain was an pale green unicorn with a dark blue robe, an image of a bright sun and a moon dancing across the twilight sky depicted on the robe. Some lower member if the cult if I remember right, likely recently joined, this should go faster than I thought.         Twilight stopped shorted of the unicorn, glaring up at him and waited. Even though she wanted to just rip into their flawed rhetoric she was still a professor at the university and that meant she was bound by some rules about allowed people to publicly speak their opinion. However, once he finished she marched the last few steps forward and stopped holding back.        “So, you all believe that the sun, moon, and stars were once controlled by these super magical ponies? Have you listened to what you said? There’s no way they could be controlled by any piny, they follow, exactly, a predictable path through the sky! We have mapped out their passage for centuries now! We can predict, exactly, where any of them will be! No pony can be THAT accurate, no matter who it is! That belief is crazy! And then the whole ‘the sun used to fill the sky with light blocking out the lesser stars’! Have you LOOKED at a sky recently? Or any sky maps in the past centuries! All of them show the same thing! The Day Star, or ‘sun’ as you call it, barely gives off enough light to brighten up the lands! Much less enough to block out any other stars! You all have these beliefs that if you looked at the world around you, like the rest of ponykind has, you know are false! Now this is a scientific institute so unless you have some kind of proof to these claims that we can review go back into your little cult buildings and stay there!” Twilight ended her short diatribe by pounding her hoof in the ground. The cultist at first had seen taken aback by Twilight anger induced speech but had slowly gone from shocked to angered himself.        “Maybe if you all would be quiet for a moment a listen you’d actually care to hear what we have to say!” The pony’s voice, a soft deep bass, responded in much the same tone as Twilight, annoyed, frustrated and ready to prove something. “Our beliefs are based on more than just the rambling of an old fool! We have proof!”        "If you had any real proof you’d show it to the rest of ponykind! Whatever proof you have clearly doesn’t hold up to anyone if you aren’t willing to put it up for other ponies to see!” Twilight’s frustration with the research board was causing her to be more aggressive with this pony.        “Of course we’d show other! But it’s a matter of respect!” replied the cultist pony.        “Respect my tail! You don’t want others seeing it! If you have proof show me!” said Twilight.        “We respect those who-” countered the cultist pony.        “So you have nothing then? You have no proof, nothing to support what you say?” asked Twilight.        “FINE! I’ll show you your proof!” yelled the cultist pony.        At this both parties stopped, shocked at what the cultist pony had said. Twilight had been assured that this pony would never agree to showing anything close to proof to anypony not in their cult. The grin of a child that had just been presented with a bag of sweets spread across her face. For his part the cultist pony went wide eyed with shock at what he just agreed to, the reaction of this purple unicorn also seemed disturbing. For a moment he was silent then opened his mouth to speak but was cut off.        “Spike, go teach my class, you know the lecture, it’s the one on magic when attempted to manipulate a dampener. I’ll see you after class! I’m sure my father will want to speak to us. And now Sir Cultist, let us go, you can teleport us there I am sure, no time like the present let’s go!” Twilight was nearly jumping for joy at the idea of seeing this so called proof, more knowledge for her to file away, maybe it was a library of books, she’d be able to read them for days!        The cultist unicorn held up a hoof and opened his mouth to argue when Twilight turned to look at him, a determined look that wouldn’t allow him to back out of his agreement now. A sigh and the cultist wrapped a simple teleport spell around the two of them and vanished into the air leaving Spike standing there in his armor, a chill running up his spine as the two unicorns vanished.Ah crap. Her father is going to kill me. Maybe I can redirect it onto her this time. A sigh and the armored pony turned to head out of the square and down another street, lunch would have to wait there was a lecture to teach, hopefully he could get that brown unicorn to do the demonstrations for him, she did seem to always ask if he needed something.

        The spell faded away, the two unicorns appearing outside a cave much higher up the mountain. The snow under them crunched as they appeared into the space that was empty a moment before. The pale green unicorn tugged his robe closer around him as he headed into the cave, glancing back at Twilight who shivered for a moment and glanced around.        “Where are we? That teleport took a few moments to finish. We must have traveled a good distance from the city. And there’s snow, how jeez! I didn’t even bring anything I forgot to ask! Ah! a simple heat spell should do.” Even as her horn glowed with magic and wrapped her body in a heat spell to force off the worst of the cold weather she still was taking in her surroundings and processing them. “Higher too, we teleported high up a mountain? Only one near here that is within average teleport range for a unicorn is the Canterlot mountain, how high up are we? Above clouds it looks like.”        Before she could continue speaking her speculations out loud the green unicorn turned and spoke back at her. “We are high above Canterlot on its mountain, yes. Just a few dozen paces above cloud cover actually, now would you please come here, the faster you meet her and I get you back off the mountain the less likely someone else is to come up here. I would like to not get yelled at.”        Twilight broke out of her thoughts as the unicorn spoke and trotted over to join him at the mouth of the cave. As the pair headed in however she couldn’t resist one question. “You said meet her, your proof is another pony?”        “She will be able to answer your questions better, now do be polite to her at least. It may be hard for a pony like you to be anything other than rude it seems, but do respect your elders. She’ll answer what she can I am sure.” Ending the conversation with that the green unicorn led her further into the cave, light bounced around a corner, flickering and crackling as the fire that provided the light burned deeper in the cave. As the pair rounded the turn Twilight saw her, the fire, and the room. A simple room carved from the rocks, a bed to one side, a fireplace carved into the opposite wall, a writing desk placed next to the bed, a small collection of books against the wall next to the fireplace, basic kitchen tools and what seemed to be an enchanted cold box placed into the other wall. And to finish it all out, sitting next to the fire a large pony. The cloak covering the pony’s body prevented Twilight from seeing any body features but the pony was tall, the head and mane were uncovered, a deep gray blue coat and a mane that seemed to almost flow instead of falling to gravity, the gray hairs mixed in with the darker blues almost made it look like a faded night sky. The pony turned its face to them, showing a long slender horn, white glossed over eyes and wrinkles covering most of the face.This pony is old. Older than any I have ever known. How long has this pony been alive? Twilight thought to herself while she looked at the pony. The green unicorn stepped forward and bowed deep.        “I know you don’t like to be bother, but this unicorn was insistent to meet you, Luna.”Wait, Luna? That’s the name some of the old books give to the moon, isn’t it? Don’t these Cultists believe that Luna was one of these sister deities they worship? thought Twilight, her mind speeding ahead with questions to ask.        The pony turned to face them completely, a smile crossing its face. “It’s alright Green Tree.” A smooth voice came from the aged pony, it sounded like the voice of a mother used to calming children who got out of hand. “While she may seem to be insistent she is a good pony. Now then, why don’t the two of you come over here and sit with me by the fire? I’ll make us some tea.”        A nervous Green Tree stood up and waved Twilight forward into the room. Both moved up next to the fire as the aged Luna stood up and walked over to the kitchen supplies. A moment later Green Tree snapped rigid and looked over at Luna. “Ah, Luna, let me. You should rest, I’ll start the tea.” He started to move in her direction when Luna turned and stared at him, stopping him dead in his tracks.        “I have told you and your fellows, I have lived just fine on my own for centuries. Blind I might add. Just because you all managed to make your way up the mountain and found me does not mean I suddenly need your help. I appreciate what you all have done for me to make this space more homely but I am not some filly unable to prepare tea for my guests, now sit your flank down next to the fire and let me get the tea started.” Green Tea turned in place and moved a bit closer to the fire, trying to make up for what he felt was an error by obeying her just a little bit more. Twilight held a hoof up to her mouth to cover a smile at the interaction before finally lowering the heating spell from her body and sitting down and letting the fire warm her.        Luna quickly grabbed a few tea leaves and placed them into a teapot, the leaves floating along the water. Picking it up with her mouth she walked back over and placed the teapot over the fire, hanging it where it would heat quickly. Heading back Luna picked up three small mugs and brought them over before settling herself back next to the fire.        “If you don’t mind me asking Luna, how long have you been up here? You certainly seem to know this little cave quite well.” Twilight asked the question as calmly as she could get herself to sound, though the desire to know, and the many questions behind this one, clawed their way through her tone.        A small smile spread across Luna’s face at Twilight question. “I have been living in this cave for quite a while, young pony. Longer than any other pony will remember. Found it in a much smaller state at first but it wasn’t hard to set up a small home inside what it used to be. About half this size if I remember right. Only a hundred years or so ago this pony came up the mountain. First one I had seen in...oh ages. He was cold, nearly frozen, and near death. I brought him in a helped him recover his strength. Turned out he was a member of some cult and soon enough him and some others returned and insisted on turning this into a better living space for me. Well actually at first they insisted I leave the mountain with them but well, I rather enjoy my peace up on this mountain. After the many lifetimes I have lived I just want some peace. They finally let up and forced, forced mind you, me to let them improve my little home up here. Took some getting used to but I will admit, in private so they don’t know, it is better.”        As Luna spoke the water in the teapot start boiling, letting out a soft whistle. Once she finished Luna leaned in and carefully picked up the teapot by its handle, pouring the three fresh tea into the three mugs. Setting the teapot next to the fire to stay warm Luna picked the mug up with her hoof, Twilight and Green Tree wrapping their mugs in magic and lifting them up. Giving it a few moments to cool Twilight sipped the hot tea, letting the flavors hang around in her mouth for a moment.        “Before you start with another question young mare, might I ask your name? I am sure once you swallow your first sip you’ll be bombarding me with questions.” Once asked Luna also sipped at her tea, eyeing Twilight carefully.        Twilight went wide eyed, an embarrassed blush spreading across her face, and quickly swallowed the first sip and lowered her mug. “Oh no! Sorry, I completely forgot my manners! I am Twilight Sparkle, Research Professor at the Canterlot University, with a specialty in Magic.” As she repeated the formally introduction, maybe a bit too formal to cover up her embarrassment at her error, she calmed down.        “Well welcome Miss Sparkle to my small home. And now that I know your name we can continue this conversation in a slightly more relaxed nature. So ask away, young pony.” Luna raised the mug of tea to her lips as she listened for Twilight’s next question.        “Hmmmmm, well okay. There are so many I want to ask you. Oh!” The excited sound almost sounded like a squeak coming out of the pony. “The Cultists, like Green Tree over there, say you are the proof of their beliefs. Well more Green Tree said he would show me proof of what they believe. So what is these proof?”        “Ah. Well to be fair I never offered them any proof of anything. They also never asked, though I suppose what Renen saw may have been enough for them. I guess young Green Tree there was referring to me directly as the proof, would that be correct Green Tree?” Luna turned to face him, nothing in her expression showing anger or annoyance, only seeking an answer.        Though even with the soft expression Green Tree looked like a foal caught with his hoof in the candy drawer. “Um...Yes. Yes that would be correct.” Thankfully it was impossible to use magic to shrink yourself to be smaller, though if he could have Green Tree certainly looked like he would.        “Well then. I am what was once referred to as an Alicorn, Twilight. A pony that possessed the strengths of all three pony tribes. I can also move the celestial bodies around in the sky with my magic, though it requires much of my focus to move the sun, I believe you all call it the Day Star, around without my sister. Beyond that, well it has been a few centuries since I last interacted with ponies so I don’t know what else I could give you as proof.”        Twilight ran her hoof along the edge of the mug for a moment, looking into the tea as if it would help give her the next bit to say. After a few seconds Twilight looked up at Luna. “Wait, but I only see a horn, wouldn’t an Alicorn also share the wings of a Pegasus? And if you have magic why didn’t you handle the teapot with that instead of grabbing with your teeth? Those facts don’t add up. Sure, that’s a nice story but sounds like a crafted one to me. No offense to you, but it would make more sense that would were a changeling trying to feed off these Cultists. Would certainly be quite the feast if my understanding of changeling feed habits are correct.” Twilight had gone from looking at Luna to staring at the ceiling of the little cave, a hoof rubbing her chin. As such Twilight didn’t notice the expression on either Luna or Green Tree’s face.        Luna, for her part, mostly just seemed confused. She had placed the mug of tea down with Twilight’s questions so to respond but now was looking at the mare, and although she was blind, blinking her eyes in what amounted to her trying to ensure she had heard what Twilight just said correctly. Green Tree on the other hand was staring wide eyed at Twilight with his jaw hanging open, the sheer concept of what she had just said rattling around in his head, she had just basically insulting Luna! LUNA! And it didn’t seem like this crazed mare even knew it! Thankfully the thoughts running around in his head caused him to lose the magic holding the mug in the air and it crashed into the ground, causing three things at once. First was his reaction, going from stunned embarrassed in only a matter of moments took a lot of work, almost at once he was attempting to clean up the shattered mug and the tea that had split from it.        Second, Twilight was jerked out of her thoughts by the sound and a moment later realized what she had just thought hadn’t said in her thoughts, she quickly raised her hooves and waved them as if to ward off some charging beast, “I didn’t mean to imply that you were a changeling! It was merely a thought! Like that you could also be who you say you are! Or an old wise unicorn mare!”        And lastly Luna, with the sound breaking her out of attempting to confirm reality but proving that, yes, this was reality and, yes, Twilight had just said that, took a long drink from her mug of tea while Twilight panicked next to her. Placing her mug back on the ground as Twilight finished, Luna stood up and snapped her wings out from under the cloak, the feathers showing signs of age just like the rest of her, the older midnight blue feathers giving way to newer gray blue feathers. Sitting back down with her wing stretched out Luna rolled her head from side to side, stretching other muscle along her body as well. After giving Twilight a few moments to stare at the wings Luna spoke, “I do hope that these help your scientific mind come to terms with the fact that I am indeed an Alicorn, Twilight, not a changeling.”        Next to her Twilight silently nodded her head, still staring at the extended wings. “Now then Twilight, as for your other question, my magic. I…” Luna hesitated here, a small sigh escaping her lips, “I do not wish to talk about that. Many things have happened in my life and some I still struggle with today. It may not be the answers that you exactly sought when you came up here but I hope that what you have seen and heard today is enough to at least get you to trust me enough for me to request something. I will give you more proof but I can’t do it here. To the south of here there is a forest. A rather large one called the Everfree Forest. It is avoiding nowadays, ponies believe it is a dark place in which monsters live. Inside of the forest there are ruins of an old castle near the middle. Meet me there in three nights, I will be able to tell you more there. Will you do this Twilight Sparkle?”        Twilight stood still for a moment before responding. “Yes. Three nights time at the castle inside the Everfree Forest.”        “Good, meet me in the throne room there. It will be simplier. Now, you two have been up here for quite some time and should head back down. I will see you there Twilight. And Green Tree,” the stallion in question looked up at her, “thank you from bringing this young brilliant mind up here, and give your fellows my thanks.”        With that Green Tree and Twilight headed back out of the cave, a popping sound of the teleport spell taking them back away echoing back into the cave. Luna gathered her cloak back around her, wrapping her wings tightly to her body as she stepped around the turn of her cave, looking at the snow falling outside.        “Sister...Tia. I hope that I am doing the right thing. You said that a thousand years would pass before there was another major threat to our nation. But our Equestria...Oh Tia, I can feel it in her. That strength, the will to push through, the calling. She doesn’t know what she is looking for, but I can feel it in her. Tia, how would you convince her? You always had the gentler touch with our ponies. I can only do so much and the age has creeped its way into my bones as well. I just hope that whatever is coming she will listen to me.” Luna turned back into the cave, she need to rest, she had a long flight ahead of her and it was only a few hours until nightfall.