The Price

Blast! I’m late!

Princess Luna put a bookmark in the book she had open on the library table before she closed it up and put it on the top of the pile nearest to her. This was the third time that month that she had been late to bring in the night. Usually she was only five or so minutes late, but tonight the time was closer to a half hour.

Tia’s going to be pissed.

Her topic of study was alicorns throughout history and ancient magical theory. She had read Starswirl the Bearded’s Theory of Spellcastingso many times she could recite it cover to cover from rote memory alone!

The younger princess opened the library doors to find the corridor in a state of chaos. Guards were marching up and down the hallways in rigid conformity. Somepony had scrambled the soldiers for war.

She spotted one of her own personal guards in the crowd by a glimpse of his black, leathery wings. He was giving orders to soldiers as they passed. While pointing a pegasus towards which way to go, he spotted Luna and flew over.

“Princess!” he exclaimed, “What are you doing here? You should have left to bring in the night an hour ago!”

“I lost track of time in the library,” Luna told her guard, “What is going on around here?”

“Lost track of- of all nights-” the featherless pegasus started grumbling nonsense in frustration.

“SPEAK,” Luna ordered in her ancient Canterlot voice. Her words rang off the stone walls and caused a brief pause in the march. Her guard collected himself and gave a formal report.

“What happened to the remaining one?” Luna asked.

“We don’t know. Currently he is missing. We found his crossbow at his post, still loaded and aimed at the bridge. We are still trying to locate him, but in this chaos it is unlikely we will be able to.”

“I see... Go on.”

The pegasus nodded. “After the unicorn killed the snipers, he reportedly walked right through the gate-”

“Impossible! Do you have any idea how much energy that would take!?” exclaimed the princess. The pegasus shook his head.

“We have eyewitness accounts from those who were in the courtyard when this happened. Some of these eyewitnesses include some of the unicorns holding the gate.”

“Just who is this unicorn?” Luna asked. The bat-winged pegasus shifted nervously.

“Preliminary reports label him as King Sombra.”

“Where is he now!” the lunar princess demanded. Night time could wait.

“It appears that he is moving toward the throne room,” reported her guard.

“But that’s where- I need to get there, now!” Luna tried to take off, but the guard grabbed her leg, weighing her down.

“Let go of me, Dusk. That is an order.”

“Luna,” Dusk’s voice had lost all traces of formality, ”He has probably reached the throne room by now, and we are in a huge state of disorder here. I saw some of the bodies left out in the courtyard. King Sombra means business. He killed them instantly! I have already sent Star Dasher and Comet Tail out looking for you. Moon Gazer is rounding up a small army for evacuation. I say we let King Sombra challenge Celestia and fail, but we should also be ready for the possibility he succeeds. If the worst does come to pass, then we can easily launch an attack to reclaim Canterlot. You should come with us, Luna. We must preserve the monarchy,” the pegasus said. Luna closed her eyes.

“Tell me, Dusk, what if my sister is victorious? Then what?”

“Then we-”

“I will only say this once,” Luna interrupted, “I will not lead my own army so long as my sister is still alive. Not again. I wish our relationship was one where my sister trusts me with an army, but alas, it is not the case. Let go of my leg so I can fight by Celestia’s side, and continue with your evacuation plan. That is an order.”

“Luna?” Luna’s words had crushed the young pegasus, and the order had caught him off guard.

“You weren’t wrong about the possibility of failure,” she said encouragingly. Dusk let go of her leg, and Luna took off above the chaos in the hall. The sky had taken on a red tint from the lack of any light to fill it. The red non-light shone through the windows and gave life to the shadows within. Out of the corner of her eye, Luna thought she saw one of them dart across the hallway.

Keep it together, old girl. It’s just your imagination...

She flew through the archway that led to the garden. She ascended to fly over top of the grand hedges that made up the maze. As she flew over, she saw the maze was filled with castle guards. None of them seemed to know where they were going, and all of them were rather jumpy. Luna could not tell if they were lost, or hiding. She reached the other side of the maze, and as she reentered the castle, she swore she saw stars in the sky.

I didn’t put those there, unless Tia did... Naw.

She reached the throne room a few corners later. Celestia’s personal guards were standing so intensely with their weapons drawn at the door that they didn’t even notice Luna’s arrival. She cleared her throat, causing all of them to jump three feet into the air.

“How long has he been in there?” she asked.

“About ten minutes,” reported the guard.

Luna nodded. “Thanks Sunspot,” she said as the grand doors to the throne room opened before her. She stepped inside and the doors closed behind her with a mighty THUMP.

Luna examined the state of the throne room. Windows were smashed and chunks were missing from the floor and walls. Scattered on the floor were a mixture of white and black feathers.

Since when does King Sombra have feathers? Tia...

The ratio of white feathers to black grew the closer Luna walked to the throne.

“Tia!” Luna screamed. Sitting rigidly in the golden chair was Princess Celestia. Her feathers were ruffled, and her mane was cinged. A rainbow of bruises dotted her entire body. Celestia made eye contact with her younger sister and painfully spoke.

“L-Luna...get out...get out of here-”

“That’ll do Celestia,” a voice interrupted, and Celestia’s mouth forced itself shut. The voice sent shivers up Luna’s spine.

No, not him!

A black coated alicorn stepped out from behind the throne and faced Luna. He too had a rough appearance. His mane and tail were all tangled and had shards of what were once gemstones stuck in the knots. A few shards from his mane were lodged in his neck and forehead. Trails of half dried blood flowed across his face, neck and chest. There was a deep, unexplained cut across his left flank. His feathers were singed, and smoke was still rising from his left wing. Luna was speechless.

“Good to see you again, Nightmare Moon. My, how long has it been? three, four years? You look good; lost some weight, shorter mane, but you did keep the shine. Glad to see you did as I rather quite liked it. Let me see... what else is new... oh! You also seem to have let go of your hate. That is a shame. I thought it was kind of cute.”

“B-bu... wha-” What are you doing here?

“You know exactly why I am here,” said the alicorn as if he understood, ”You look tense, Nightmare. Have a glass of wine,” he turned to Celestia, “Celestia, pour your sister a glass of wine, please.”

“No” she spat. Celestia had regained use of her mouth.

“Oh dear,” said the alicorn, shaking his head, “Let’s try that again. Celestia, would you kindly pour your sister a glass of wine?”

An agonized expression painted itself across Celestia’s face. Her horn started to glow, and she lifted a bottle of wine from under the throne. They slowly levitated to Celestia’s hoof, and stiffly she caught them. Jerkily, she began to pour the crystal liquid into the glass.

“This may be a good time to threaten you all ominously and such. ‘Don’t do anything stupid. I have complete control over your sister, so if you don’t want her to get hurt blah blah blah.’ I think you get the jist of it, but we’ll have to skip the part where I monologue about my evil plan before I put you in an over-elaborate device meant to kill you, only for you to make a daring escape at the last second. We simply just don’t have time for that. We are behind schedule as is.”

A full glass of wine was levitated to Luna.

If he thinks I am going to drink that-

“The wine is your sister’s, not mine. I prefer a nice red.”

“Just drink it, Luna... it’s... my wine... I don’t... I can’t... Don’t make him mad, little sister,” Celestia begged.

“Didn’t know your sister also likes white. I guess she probably gave you your first glass, come to think of it. You were pretty happy four years ago when I brought white,” reminisced the black alicorn.

“Luna,” Celestia gasped painfully, “Who the hell is this, and why does he speak to you like an old friend?”

“He is no friend,” Luna spat angrily. The alicorn turned to Celestia.

“I guess I did miss out on an introduction. It must have slipped my mind while avoiding your spells aimed to kill. You’re a real wildfire, Celestia; let me tell you. I have not had so much trouble taming a mare since-”

“LUNA!” Celestia screamed.

“I am terribly sorry, where are my manners?” apologized the alicorn. “Please allow me to introduce myself, for I am a stallion of both wealth and taste. I have been around for many a year, relishing in everypony’s fear and their hate. I was even around when your sister had her moment of anger and pain. I shouted with glee when you stepped up and sealed her away. Pleased to meet you, I’m sure you can guess my name.”

Celestia looked at the black alicorn blankly, “Umm... no actually,” she sheepishly replied.

Ugh! My god, Tia you’re slow!

“Beelzehoof!” Luna blurted, “The alicorn in front of you is Beelzehoof. Honestly, read a book once in awhile...”

“Thankyou, Nightmare,” Beelehoof calmly said. Luna flinched when he said her other name. Celestia looked at Beelzehoof, then at her sister, then back at Beelzehoof.

“Luna,” she said shakily, “Why is Beelzehoof in my throne room, and why is he calling you Nightmare?”

“Well...” Luna said, staring at the ground.

What do I tell her?

“...It is how I introduced myself...”

“We’ll be here all night at this rate!” Beelzehoof interrupted, rather annoyed, “Let me tell you how it is. Your sister and I made a pact four years ago where I would help her escape the moon in exchange for her promise that me and my minions can roam Equestria, without any interference from her or any other ruler. The longest day on the thousandth year rolled around; I’m pretty sure you know the rest.”

Celestia relaxed her tense muscles, and a calm expression fell upon her face. It appeared as though the white alicorn was at peace, but Luna knew otherwise. She had seen her sister like this once before, and it ended with one of the two sister’s banishment.

“Luna,” Celestia said in a calm, even tone, “I am disappointed in you.”

“Eep...” Luna squealed in fear. She feared Celestia’s wrath more than Beelzehoof. Celestia snapped.

“That’s all you have to say?! You make a deal with the devil and ‘eep’ is the only thing you have to say?! You insolent little foal! You knew I was preparing for another one of your coups when the devil was going to stroll into my throne room demanding payment! I really do wish this is all an over-elaborate attempt at a coup. That way I can deal with the problem permanently. Unfortunately, I doubt this is the case, but even so, if I wasn’t bound to this chair by your friend I’d-”

“No, no, go ahead. I insist,” Beelzehoof interrupted. Celestia stared at the black alicorn. He made a slight gesture toward Luna causing Celestia to fly out of the chair at her younger sister. Luna braced to deflect magical attacks, but instead she got tackled.

The two mares hit the ground with a THUD. Celestia had Luna pinned completely, and proceeded to brutally beat her younger sister. She kicked Luna three times in the face, then gored Luna’s flank with her horn.

“You... fool... I’ll... kill... never... should... allowed,” Celestia grunted during the savage beating.

“Ahh... Tia... stop it... I... I can...” Luna tried to say during blows. Her nose was broken and bleeding quite profusely. Celestia wound up for a devastating blow when her head snapped back and she let out an agonizing scream.

“Let’s not anypony do something she will regret tonight,” Beelzehoof called. He used magic to lift Celestia off her beaten bloody little sister. Luna rolled onto her stomach and coughed up some blood. She used her magic to suppress the nosebleed and stood up.

Celestia was bound in place five feet away from Luna. Her breathing was heavy, and her eyes radiated anger. Beelzehoof walked and stood between the two sisters.

“Now that we are all suddenly bruised and bloodied, I must really take my leave. May I do what has been promised?”

What! Luna screamed in her mind, Did he just ask my permission to spread chaos? Did the devil just ask me if it was okay with me it he does his evils? It is almost like... no, that can’t be right, can it?

“Well?” Beelzehoof asked impatiently.

Lets see if I am right. “No.”

Beelzehoof shifted his weight nervously, “Do you really think you have any say in the matter? Our dearest Celestia didn’t hit you too hard, did she?”

No, she didn’t hit me hard enough. “Why is it so important that you get my permission?”

“Perhaps I want the satisfaction,” Beelzehoof bluffed.

Sweet stardust! He needs my permission to get his part of the deal! Lets see, what does it say about this kind of pact in Theory of Spellcasting?

‘This type of pact is made when there are many variable outcomes to the initial action. It is possible for the one who gets the initial gain to add conditions to what was promised come time to give payment.’

I can add conditions! I have you in check, Beelzehoof. “I will grant you permission, but under three conditions.”

Conditions?! Don’t be preposterous,” Beelzehoof nervously laughed.

“First,” Luna said, ignoring his remark, “since I know your goal is to destroy harmony-”

“What makes you think I am going to do that?” Beelzehoof interrupted.

“You are a creature of chaos,” Luna answered, “what else would you try to do?”

“Touche.”

“Second,” she went on, “You are not allowed to kill anypony. Your hooves must be clean.” Beelzehoof gave a mocking grin. He was amused. “Third, and this goes for you, sister-”

“What does she have to do with me?” asked Beelzehoof, puzzled.

“You have been manipulating my sister ever since you walked through the throne room doors. I figure I’ll try my luck that the magic will extend from the puppetmaster to his puppets.

Beelzehoof was silent. Tension grew to the the point where the silence roared in Luna’s ears. A pale light shone in through the window.

The moon? Luna tried to face the window, but she was frozen. What the-

Beelzehoof cleared his throat. “I must say, Nightmare Moon, I am impressed. You are right, I do need your permission and I must adhere to the conditions you gave me. To celebrate your victory, I brought in the night for you tonight.” Beelzehoof floated Luna next to her sister, “Celestia really showed her true colours tonight, didn’t she? Let’s fix her appearance a little...”

Celestia was consumed by a magical glow. Luna tried to call out, but no sound escaped her lips.

“What’s that?” said Beelzehoof, “You want to be like big sister? Sure, why not?”

A glow consumed Luna and every inch of her body began to tingle. She felt her wounds heal and her strength return.

“I wouldn’t rely on the mail too much,” she heard Beelzehoof say, then darkness...

Luna awoke to the sound of uneasy hoofsteps on the stone floor. She opened her eyes and saw a brilliant white figure stumble toward an open window. Both Luna’s vision and mind were cloudy.

“Must... warn... Twilight...” the figure mumbled.

Warn Twilight? Who’s Twilight, and why does she need to be warned? Where am I?

The figure stepped outside then fell to the ground writhing in pain. Her cries cleared Luna’s mind in an instant.

“TIA!” She raced outside (stumbling a little herself) and picked up her sister onto her back with surprising ease. She brought Celestia inside and gently placed her on the ground.

“Tia, are you okay?” she franticly repeated. Luna was about to put her hoof on Celestia’s shoulder when it was slapped away.

“Don’t you touch me, Nightmare Moon,” Celestia spat. Luna’s vision cleared, and she saw that her sister had changed. Her multi-coloured mane was replaced with with a soft burning flame that was cool to the touch. Her face was sharper and gave Celestia a more threatening appearance.

“I may have added a few things,” the shadows called. Celestia got up and started pacing.

“Great, just great. A crisis arises, and I can’t even warn my student about it since Beelzehoof has hinted that he is going to disrupt any message I try to send. I can’t even tell Twilight to disregard any messages she receives. I cannot warn her myself, because I am now apparently allergic to moonlight. My sister is once again Nightmare Moon, with me being something similar. We very well could be doomed. Where’s that bottle of wine?” Celestia sat in the throne and poured herself a glass.

“I’ll go,” Luna declared, “I went outside and I was fine. I can warn Twilight for you.”

Celestia thought this over in her head for a few moments, “Fine, but tell her I want to see her first thing tomorrow morning. Luna, I am still mad, but for the time being I will look past that.”

Luna nodded slowly, then took off into the night.

Celestia finished the bottle not long after her younger sister took off for Ponyville.

Why am I so bloody hungry all of a sudden? she wondered.