Before The Moon
In the days after Princess Celestia and Princess Luna defeated Discord, and freed Equestria from generations of his ruthless and chaotic reign, the ponies rejoiced. They rebuilt their once glorious capitol, with a palace for the royal sisters, and named it Canterlot. It seemed a bright future lay ahead for Equestria, with the Princesses taking responsibility for raising the sun and moon, and ruling the land with a kind and just hoof. If only things were so simple.
***
Windows high in the walls of the great audience chamber let in the rays of the setting sun as Princess Celestia waited out the last few minutes of the day. The alicorn princess had not long to wait, for only moments later, one of the rear doors to the audience chamber, the one marked with the crescent moon, opened, and the light in the room visibly dimmed. The chirping and wing-flaps of bats accompanied the sounds of hoof-clops as Princess Luna entered the room. Celestia smiled lovingly at the sight of her indigo-hued sister. Luna's expression was cute, but inscrutable.
"Good evening, Sister. I was just about to lower the sun for you," Celestia greeted Luna.
"That would be most proper, Sister, and most appreciated," Luna answered. Good to her word, Celestia tilted her head skyward, and her horn shone brilliantly. Soon, the sun sank beneath the horizon, covering the world in moonless darkness. However, the lack of the moon was only short-lived as Luna began to focus her own power. More bats rustled in the vaulted rafters as Luna's horn seemed to drink up all the light around it, bathing it in darkness as the moon peaked over the horizon, and rose into the night sky, which began to light up brilliantly with stars.
"Well, that's enough for me, then. Have a good night, Sister," Celestia said, accenting this with a yawn stifled by one of her great wings. Luna nodded as she responded.
"Rest well, Sister. I will see you in the morning."
That having been said, Celestia made her way to the rear door of the chamber marked by a vivid sun symbol, and slipped through. The light in the room seemed to grow only dimmer still. Throughout the castle, the guard changed. Celestia's golden-armored guards were replaced by Luna's dark-armored ones. Soon thereafter, Luna's retainer, a pegasus mare named Starlight, stepped into the audience chamber to take her place at her princess's side. Luna perked up, and stood ready near the throne.
"Starlight, let in the first of my subjects who wishes audience with me," Luna ordered. Starlight sighed, frowning.
"Your Highness... there are none," Starlight reported dismally. Luna blinked in surprise.
"Are you certain? Are things going so well? There are no grievances in the land? Nor any who wish to indulge in my royal presence? Check again, if you would please, Starlight. Surely, there must be someone." Obediently, Starlight, an indigo pegasus, with star markings as her cutie mark and a pale blue mane and tail, walked her way over to the double-doors that were the main entrance to the audience chamber. At first, she peaked out, then when her suspicions were confirmed, she threw the doors open wide, revealing the castle's entry hall to the princess's eyes, making it clear that no pony but the guards were there.
"I see... It must merely be a very quiet night, then." Luna hardened her resolve. "Still, I shall not shirk my royal duty! We shall await them patiently. Sooner or later, they shall come." she said confidently. Starlight's heart thrilled to see her mistress standing so proudly and nobly, her blue mane waving in the still air as if by an unfelt breeze. Her resolve lasted for all of half an hour as Luna watched the castle's main entrance with hopeful expectation. Still, no pony came. Luna sighed, her exuberance dwindling. Then, having an idea, she picked up her head again.
"Guards, inform any guests who arrive that they may have audience with me in the Royal study!" The guards stomped their hooves in salute and acknowledgement, and Luna departed the audience chamber for the study.
The study was a rather large room, and had more books than some libraries. Shelves filled with books lined the walls, and some freestanding bookshelves held yet more. Searching among them, Luna picked one that caught her eye, and settled onto a plush sofa to read it. Holding the book up and turning the pages with her magic, her eyes eagerly scanned each page, drinking in the words like a desert wanderer drinks water.
"Harken, Starlight! Attend to this!" she suddenly called to her retainer. As the pegasus came over, Luna levitated the book she’d been reading in front of Starlight’s face. On one of the open pages was a picture portraying an elderly unicorn. He had a long pointy beard, and was wearing deep blue robes decorated with stars. On his head was a wizardly hat festooned with bells, and similarly decorated with stars. "Behold the incomparable Starswirl the Bearded! His mastery over conjuration was said to be unmatched, before or since! With his obvious fondness for the night sky, and a name like 'Starswirl', we wouldst have been good friends, yes?" Starlight blinked, looking over the image, but then turned to look at her mistress.
"Of course, Your Highness. I couldn’t imagine anyone not becoming your friend after meeting you. You're wonderful," Starlight answered. Luna laughed melodically.
"You flatter me, Starlight. Surely, if I have so many friends, some of them must appear soon, yes?" the princess asked. Starlight sighed and made her way to the door.
"I shall check once again, Your Highness. Maybe they are lost."
***
Morning came, and Luna waited attentively in the audience chamber. She could hear activity in the entry hall. She tried to muster her energy, eyes lighting up with excitement briefly, only to lid again with fatigue.
"Starlight, show in the first of my supplicants," Luna said, before yawning. "I will see them." Starlight made her way to the door and talked to the ponies outside before pulling back into the audience chamber with a sigh.
"They say they'll wait for Celestia, Your Highness," she reported. Luna blinked in surprise.
"But I'm right-" her speech was broken by a long yawn, "here. They needn't wait." Just then, the sun-marked door opened, and Celestia walked in. The room seemed to grow just a bit brighter.
"Good morning, Sister. I hope your night went well," Celestia greeted Luna.
"It was eventful," Luna lied. "I solved many problems." Celestia smiled warmly upon hearing it.
"Wonderful to hear, and it seems I have my work cut out for me, as well. Shall we proceed?"
"Of course," Luna answered, and invoking her power, she lowered the moon below the horizon. Celestia raised her horn, and sunlight poured in through the high windows as the sun rose above the horizon.
"Sleep well, Sister," Celestia said. Luna nodded as she proceeded towards her door.
"Have a... good day, Sister," Luna said. The bats chirped and flapped as she departed, the room growing brighter still at her passing. Celestia watched her go with a loving smile, and then turned to face the crowd of morning supplicants.
***
At brunch that day, Celestia sat with a number of officials from around the capital, there to address a variety of local issues. Celestia listened patiently to issues involving land deeds, taxation, and future city planning, adding in her input as she would, until the constable spoke up.
Constable Wrought-Iron was a tall, strong earth pony. His fur was primarily gray with a much darker gray mane and tale. His flank was marked with the image of metal bars as they might appear in a jail cell. He enjoyed wearing a wide-brimmed hat with the badge of his position stitched into the front of the band. He was getting on in his years, but he was still a sturdy pony.
"I don't know if I should concern you with this or not, Your Highness, but there's been a rash of thefts around town recently, all taking place at night. We don't know if it's a pony, or some other clan, like the Dogs. With your guard, I would assume the castle is safe, but we might need some help catching the perpetrator," he told her.
"Well now," Celestia said, perking up a bit. "That sounds like the perfect sort of issue you should bring up to my sister. She would be glad to take care of it for you, I'm sure." At the mention of Luna, the guests began looking uncomfortable and uncertain. The Royal Treasurer leaned in to offer his advice to the Princess.
"Your Highness... about your sister... Well, she seems somewhat... unapproachable," he said.
"Creepy is more like it," one of the guests further down the table blurted out. Celestia blinked in surprise at the reaction.
"Why, that's nonsense," she said as gently as possible. "Luna loves you all every bit as much as I do. She led the charge against Discord. She would defend you all to her dying breath. What could possibly be creepy about that?" This did get some blushes from around the table.
"Still, Your Highness, I'm sure you could handle it just as well, if not better," the constable said, appealing to the older sister's vanity. Celestia would not be swayed.
"No, I insist," she replied curtly. "You shall take this matter to my sister. It is a nighttime matter, and her proper jurisdiction. I will hear no more of it, or this 'creepiness' business. Am I understood?" Heads nodded in reluctant agreement.
***
That evening, the constable came to bring his issue before the Princess of the Night. Inside the audience chamber, Starlight came up to Luna excitedly.
"Your Highness, we have a supplicant!" she announced excitedly. Luna all but leapt from the lounge-like throne to her hooves; her eyes alight with alertness and excitement. The room seemed to grow just a bit brighter, and the bats chirped and flapped excitedly in the rafters.
"Well, by all means, show them in!"
With this order given, the doors were thrown open, and the constable was greeted with the sight of Luna in her full glory. She was standing tall and proud. Her mane was dancing in the windless air and her eyes literally glowing with her power.
"Speak, Good Subject," she boomed, "That Your Princess May Hear Your Plea!" Her magically augmented voice was accented by a crack of lightning and thunder at the end of her command. Her voice seemed loud enough to fill a concert hall. Even having dealt with dog bandits, the occasional monster, and the last bit of Discord’s reign, the constable could have sworn he'd never felt dread such as that. His knees buckled. His eyes went wild.
"It... It can wait 'till morning," was the only weak excuse he could make before bolting back out the door and away from the castle. The glow faded immediately from Luna's eyes as a despairing expression came over her face.
"But... why?" she asked no pony, and of course, no pony answered. Starlight stood at attention.
"Your Highness, shall I retrieve him?" She looked tense, ready to do it. Luna shook her head, and Starlight relaxed.
"No, good Starlight. I do not abduct my subjects and drag them before me like criminals to court. If only I knew what the problem was... Did I say something wrong? Was I not regal enough?"
"I could scarcely imagine it, Your Highness! You are supremely regal!" Starlight protested. Luna turned around and settled back into the throne to stare dejectedly at the wall.
"You are far too kind, Starlight."
***
The next day at brunch, Celestia was eager to hear from the constable. To her dismay, he was fidgeting uneasily where he sat and avoiding her gaze. It wasn't a good sign.
"Tell me, Constable. How goes the problem with the nighttime robber? Was my sister able to resolve it for you?" she asked, hoping beyond hope that something else was making him uneasy.
"Well, yes, and no, Your Highness. As it so happens..." He wiped his brow, sweating a bit. "I ran, rather literally, into the robber last night, and caught the scoundrel red-hoofed. So, you see... I didn't need to get your Sister involved." Silently, he congratulated himself on his diplomatic answer. Celestia still seemed uncertain.
"So, you didn't see her about it?" she probed. The constable, who had looked briefly calm, now visibly trembled. She had hit some sort of nerve.
"I... did come... to the castle... She was busy... So, I left," he answered haltingly. Celestia noted wryly to herself that talent in lying was not a prerequisite for high positions in law enforcement, nor should it be. She masked her disappointment for the time being.
"Well, that's awfully unusual for her, I think... what was she busy doing?" the princess asked, inwardly wondering how deep the constable was willing to dig himself.
"Well... I don't know... they didn't tell me," the constable replied, still seeming rather uncomfortable. Celestia could see him trying to play it safe. She decided to cut to the chase.
"What's wrong, Constable?" she asked in her most understanding voice. Still, her tone made it clear that she wasn't buying the line the chief of law enforcement for the city was trying to sell. It did the trick. He all but broke into tears.
"I'm sorry, Your Highness! She frightens me! It was dark, and there was the thunder and lightning and bats, and her eyes were glowing, and she was shouting at me!" Pulling away from the table, the Constable prostrated himself before Celestia, literally begging for her mercy. "Please, forgive me! I'll accept any punishment!" He closed his eyes in preparation for a smiting. All he felt was a gentle wing on his head.
Celestia considered the constable’s words. Luna’s power often summoned bats and other such things unbidden, as well as thunder and lightning, but she was shouting? She couldn’t be using the Royal Canterlot voice to speak to just one subject. Certainly, Luna knew that was intended for addressing crowds, right? Obviously, she’d just been very exuberant. Luna could be that way when she’s excited. Celestia returned her focus to the matter at hoof.
"Stand up, please, Constable. It will be all right. My sister is... different, but honestly, she means no pony any harm. None of you have anything to be scared of, honestly. I give you my personal assurance that Luna will only do well by you, and care for you and Equestria as lovingly as I do. You will never find a more loving ruler or brave defender than my sister, Luna. Do you all understand?" Heads nodded around the table, even if slightly hesitantly. The constable did stand rather shakily. Celestia turned her attention back to him. "Seriously now, was she so frightening? You stood before me when I was disappointed in you, yet if I know my sister, she would have been very glad to see you. How could that be more frightening?" The constable struggled to calm himself down and regain control.
"I don't... I don't know... Your Highness. It's... it's cold in her presence... It grips your heart, like ice... I've never felt anything like it in my life," he answered. Celestia looked a bit surprised at that.
"Odd... I've been in her presence countless times... I've never felt any such thing. I think it might be in your head, good Constable. Just remember, she's your princess, too, and she's here to help. You may want to give her an apology. She's probably heartbroken over what's happened," Celestia told him. The constable stiffened reflexively, a tiny bit of the dread coming back. Still, he forced himself to nod.
"Of course, Your Highness. I will... prepare an apology," he replied.
"Very good," Celestia responded. "Now, I assume at least the part about you catching the robber was true?" The constable sighed and relaxed, settling back into comfortable territory.
"Yes, Your Highness. We caught the thief. We have them in custody."
***
It was a week before the Constable was able to scrounge up the courage to go to the castle at night and apologize. He passed through the castle's outer doors and proceeded down the entry hall like a pony sentenced to death, and walking his last mile. The guards perked up as he passed between them, but said nothing, looking otherwise completely impassive. He noticed the cute pegasus mare that peaked out in amazement from the audience chamber before closing the door again quickly. He waited for several moments behind the closed doors, ashamedly glad for the brief respite, before the doors were thrown open upon an audience chamber that he swore was completely unlike the one from the day.
Shadows danced in the moonlight, and the only other major sources of light were Luna's own glowing eyes. Bats chittered and chirped in the rafters, and the imposing, dark princess seemed to watch him with an intensity that laid bare his very soul. The pegasus mare broke the near-silence.
"Her Royal Highness, Luna, Princess of the Night!" Starlight announced for him before coming over to him. She sidled up next to him as he trembled faintly. "And you are?" she asked quietly.
"C-constable Wrought-Iron," he told her hesitantly. Somehow it seemed to him even worse that this demon princess might learn his name, but he tried to remember what Celestia had told him, that she was a brave and loving ruler, and that he had nothing to fear. He could hardly believe the wise and caring Celestia could be referring to, and even worse, related to, this apparition of terror.
"Constable Wrought-Iron, of Canterlot!" Starlight announced. The sound of his own name being called out next to him nearly made the Constable jump out of his hide. The Princess nodded her head in acknowledgement.
"Well Met, Good Constable! Speak To Us, And Tell Us Of Thine Woes! We Shall Allay Them!" Luna boomed in her magically enhanced royal-address voice. The constable's ears felt blown back and he could feel the cold grip sealing around his heart once again. He tried to speak, but his words caught in this throat as if they were made of ice. Luna waited for a few seconds, but Wrought Iron could do nothing but tremble. "Well? Don’t Keep Your Princess Waiting! Tell Us Of Thine Woes!" Lightning flashed; thunder boomed, and the room was briefly lit by the brilliance. Luna's hair seemed to dance in tendrils as she slowly advanced upon the constable to address him more closely.
Every step the princess took forward made the constable want to take a step back. The dark goddess of the night seemed to loom ever larger with every passing moment. It seemed without effort, she filled his vision, as if nothing else existed in the room but her glowing eyes and glistening teeth. He found himself backing into a corner, and finally, he found words he could speak.
"Don't.... don't hurt me!" he pleaded. Luna stopped short, taken aback.
"Of What Dost Thou Speak?" More lightning, and thunder followed. "We Do Not Wish To Harm Thee! Hast Thou Not Heeded A Word We’ve Spoken? We Are Here To Aid Thee!" She told him, still in her magically booming voice. Briefly, the bats descended from the rafters to fly loops and circles around Luna, which she didn't seem to mind at all. By now, the Constable was collapsed in the corner, laying prostrate, his forelegs covering his eyes, chanting his previous plea over and over again. The glow faded from Luna's eyes as she gazed in horror and pity down at the sobbing, trembling constable. "What is the matter with you?" she said in a more normal tone of voice before sighing, and starting to retreat back to her throne. "Starlight, see our guest out... try to see if you can find him some aid," she ordered.
"Yes, Your Highness," Starlight replied, looking upon her mistress with deep sympathy and some heartbreak of her own. Dutifully, she went to the constable and nudged him with her muzzle. "Oopsie-daisy, you. "Time to go." With some effort, she managed to get the constable back to his hooves and out of the castle, leaving Luna to her thoughts. When Starlight returned, she found Luna once again staring at the wall despondently. She remained this way for a while before shaking herself out of her lonely reverie, and looking to her loyal retainer.
"Starlight, is there anything new around the castle? Has anything changed while I was asleep?" she asked. Starlight pondered briefly.
"I thought I'd heard that we've added more works to the art gallery, Your Highness," she answered. Luna got to her hooves.
"Let us inspect them, then! Inform the guards that other supplicants may find me in the art gallery." Luna said commandingly. She made her way to the castle's gallery, a place she rarely visited, and began to peruse the various works of art. She found that many of them depicted a world she was unfamiliar with, the world as it was, illuminated by the sun. It seemed so glaring and garish to her eyes. Finally, her gaze locked upon an incredibly simplistic bit of artwork, which didn't seem to fit at all with the rich paintings that surrounded it.
"Starlight, what is this? Why is it here?" she asked. Starlight looked it over.
"It appears to be artwork from a foal, Your Highness. Perhaps the well-meaning youngster gave it to the castle, and the staff chose to honor the little one's generosity by putting it up," she offered as an explanation. The princess nodded, looking the simple work over. She could make out a tree, a sun, a pony, and something she didn't recognize.
"Starlight… what is this? These colored lines... all across what I'm guessing should be the sky? What is that? Why is it there? Is it a real thing?" Starlight grimaced in slight embarrassment at her princess's ignorance on a subject most ponies would find obvious, but easily forgave her nocturnal mistress.
"That is called a 'rainbow', Your Highness. The weather ponies make them for special occasions and celebrations during the day," Starlight informed her. Luna looked thoughtful.
"So, ponies like these 'rainbows', then?" Luna asked.
"Yes, Your Highness, very much. They are considered to be very beautiful and inspiring," Starlight answered. Luna nodded her head in determination.
"Well, I do not require weather ponies to decorate my night sky. I will show them ribbons of color and light the likes of which they have never seen! Come!" With that, she departed from the gallery and proceeded towards the grand balcony. Starlight followed Luna at a brisk pace, very curious to see what her mistress had in mind, and thrilled to see her so excited. Upon arriving at the balcony's antechamber, the princess addressed the guards there. "Sound the fanfare! I shall address my public!"
Obediently, the guards stepped onto the balcony, and played a fanfare for their princess. Loud and clear the sound of the trumpets echoed through the empty city streets of Canterlot, rousing some residents from their slumber. Luna stepped forth onto the balcony, resplendent in her regalia, only to find that the courtyard was empty, and no one seemed to be coming. She frowned at first, but then hardened her resolve.
"No Matter! You Do Not Need To Be Here To Witness This! All Of Equestria Will Behold The Splendor Of My Work!" she told her absent public in the Royal Canterlot voice. Then she raised her head to the sky, and drew upon her most potent magic. Starlight and the guards gazed on in wonder as ribbons of light and color began to weave across the night sky, creating curtains of glowing iridescence that were a true wonder to behold. Despite their training, even the guards could not contain their awe, and Starlight stared wide-eyed at her princess's glorious work.
"Your Highness, it's beautiful!" she exclaimed.
"It's amazing!" one of the guards exclaimed. The other wiped a tear from his eye.
"So beautiful!" was all he could manage.
"It is called the 'Aurora'. Let it be written!" Luna proclaimed. Her eyes took on their magical glow, and her voice began to boom out across the courtyard and the town. "BEHOLD MY WORK, GOOD PONIES OF EQUESTRIA! WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR PRINCESS NOW?" The words echoed through the streets, more ponies hearing them, and looking out at the luminescence lighting up their skies. Though many beheld the wonder from the warm interiors of their homes, and in some parts of the city, some even stepped outside into the chill of night to get a better look, none went to the castle courtyard to thank Luna for the wonder they beheld. Minutes ticked by, and it was half an hour before the still-lonely Luna spoke again.
"Do you think they see it, Starlight? Do you think they like it?"
"I certainly hope they see it, Your Highness, for their own sakes. It is so wondrous! Any pony who sees it must surely think it is grand and easily the most beautiful thing they've ever seen!" Starlight replied.
"Will they come and thank me for this, do you think?"
"I certainly hope so, Your Highness. Perhaps not tonight... it's rather late... but perhaps tomorrow."
***
Luna went to bed without a word of praise or thanks outside of her own guards and staff, but in her wake, the castle was abuzz with talk of the grand display. Celestia watched as visitors whispered excitedly with castle staff and one another and wondered what the fuss was about. At brunch, she finally got her answer.
"Your Highness, did you see it?" one of her courtiers asked excitedly.
"See what?" Celestia asked, genuinely curious. The courtier continued.
"Last night, the sky lit up with ribbons... waves-"
"No, it was more like curtains!" another interjected.
"Of light and color as far as the eye could see! All the way across the sky! It was splendid!" he told her excitedly. Celestia looked confused.
"Well, that sounds delightful... I'm sorry I missed it, but I didn't know the weather ponies could do that."
"We can't," replied her chief weather pony, a gruff old pegasus stallion. "And I knew nothing of it. I can say with great confidence it wasn't our doing, but early reports from Cloudsdale indicate that it was visible there, too. It may well have been an Equestria-wide phenomenon."
"Astounding," Celestia mused. "It is more than any unicorn alone could do, if it were Equestria-wide... For certain, it could only have been my sister, then, surely."
"Did she tell you anything about it, Your Highness?" another random courtier asked. Celestia shook her head.
"We don't get much chance to talk, with our schedules conflicting so much, so we did not speak of it,” she answered. Her own retainer, a lovely white and blonde unicorn mare named Sunshine stepped forward.
"Your Highness, I received a note from Starlight, saying that indeed, the lights were the work of Princess Luna, that they were inspired by the rainbow, and they have been dubbed the 'aurora'," she informed her mistress.
"Well, there you have it, fillies and gentlecolts. See? My sister isn't all that scary. Look at what beauty and wonder she can create. Inspired by the rainbow, hmm? Luna must have been very happy about something." Celestia smiled happily and was glad that her sister was in good spirits.
***
Days passed, and Luna's depression only deepened. She hadn't heard a word about her latest work of night-sky art. Her sister seemed more cheerful and more mirthful, and Luna could hardly fathom why. It seemed as if Celestia could either not perceive Luna's dour mood, or perversely rejoiced in it. At first, Luna rejected those latter thoughts, but day-by-day, the sight of her sister's smiling face, and the melodic sound of her cheerful voice irked Luna more and more.
"She mocks me," she told herself. "She tells them to be frightened of me... to stay away, to shun the night, and fear their princess. She hoards their affections for herself, and shares naught with her younger sister. What a terrible, jealous pony she has become."
Slowly, she found herself becoming a pony of two minds, one firmly believing Celestia had betrayed her, and was conspiring against her, and one who would never believe such a thing of her loving older sister. Starlight tried to help her, but she was inconsolable. As another lonely night wore on, she decided one last time to wrest herself from her own melancholy with one last artistic endeavor.
Without bothering to inform the guards as to where she was headed off to, Luna proceeded to the castle's concert hall. There, as she had requested when the castle was commissioned, sat a grand pipe organ. Starlight looked on in wonder. She was not even sure if her mistress knew how to play it.
Soon, the loyal retainer discovered that indeed, Luna did know how to play it, and quite well. With her hooves, the princess worked the many pedals, and with her magic, she worked the keys. What came forth from the mighty instrument was a dark, powerful, and strident melody, which could stir the heart and the imagination, and take the listener's breath away with its complexity and beauty. Starlight was stunned and left utterly speechless at her mistress's talent.
The music echoed throughout the castle, and even made it into the ears of Princess Celestia as she slept. After a few moments, her eyes fluttered open, and her ears scoped, tuning in on the sounds coming from the concert hall. She recognized the style and beloved song of her sister. It brought a smile to her face.
"Is that for me, Luna?" she asked her empty bedchamber. She laid there, unmoving and listened to the haunting melody. She thought of how happy her sister was to be playing it, and let it slowly lull her back to sleep.
Finally, the piece was over, and Luna stepped back from the organ. Starlight and a few guards that had abandoned their posts to watch and hear the princess play stomped their hooves on the floor in applause. Luna was pleased to hear it, but the fact that there were so few, and it was only her loyal staff dampened her excitement.
"Now, now," she called, "you need not flatter your princess needlessly. I know you all simply want to appease me."
"No, Your Highness!" Starlight cried. "It's not like that at all! Your music is astounding! Breath taking, even! I didn't know you could play like that!" Luna sighed.
"Well, you all said similar things about my aurora, but the ponies had no love for that, either. I'm sure whatever my sister pleases them with; it is far greater than this. Perhaps she sings for them... Her voice is without compare," the dark princess mused. Starlight's heart sank.
"Oh, Princess..."
***
Celestia had an uncharacteristically determined look in her eye the next day at brunch. She sat commandingly above her servants, courtiers, ministers and guests, and they could tell she had some grand announcement to make.
"My little ponies, I'm going to put this silly 'scary Princess Luna business to rest once and for all. Tomorrow night, I would like you all to join me here. I will be staying up late, into my sister's beautiful night, and want you all to join me. In fact, bring a guest. I shall be asking her to perform a concert for us. I was reminded last night of my sister's incredible talents with the pipe organ, and I would like for all of you to experience it. I'm sure, once you get to hear her play, your fears of her will melt away. I assume I can expect you all to attend?" Celestia announced. There was some slight hesitation, but eventually, all the ponies around the table nodded their assent, even the constable. "Good, then it is settled. Tomorrow, at sunset, I urge you all to be there."
***
As the sun was setting, and the sisters came together to change shifts, Luna was determined to reconcile things with her sister. As usual, Celestia showed her good cheer as she wished Luna good night, and made her way towards her quarters. As she was about to slip through the door, Luna gathered the courage to speak up.
"Um... Sister..." she began, ashamed a bit at her own hesitation. Celestia perked up, and turned her head back to return her sister's gaze.
"Yes?" she answered. There was a cheerful mischievousness to her tone, and Luna could see the mirth reflected in her eyes, and even a bit in her posture. With a rush, all of Luna's doubts came flooding back, all of her mistrust and all of her suspicions were confirmed in that one simple look.
"Nothing. It's nothing," Luna answered. Celestia looked briefly confused, but shrugged it off.
"Very well, then," she answered and proceeded through her door.
The night was long for Luna, but not the same. Everything seemed cast into a new darkness. Suddenly, it was obvious why everypony was frightened of her, why they shunned her, and the night, why they would not show their love for her works, or have her help them with their needs. It was all the work of Celestia. The radiant princess of the sun conspired against her while she slept, and advised the ponies to fear her. Though a small, dwindling part of her protested, it was crushed under a swelling tide of darkness that was consuming Luna's soul.
Starlight watched from the edge of the audience chamber as Luna stood near the throne. The princess did not lounge upon it, nor did she stare at the wall and sigh. She did not seem to be waiting for her subjects to come pay her a visit. She was lost in her own thoughts, and Starlight could virtually feel the darkness of those thoughts from where she stood.
"She thinks me but a foal; that I cannot see what she is doing! She hoards their love, has them worship her, and shun me. I shall not allow it! I will free them from her tyranny, from the glaring, all-penetrating light of the sun, and they will give their love to me, and worship me as their true princess!" Luna fumed. Starlight quivered in dismay at her mistress's chilling words, but what she found more disturbing were the changes coming over the princess.
It began at her four hooves, as if they had caught on fire, but the flames were a deep purple, and they crept up her legs as she spoke. In the wake of the flames, the princess's hooves seemed larger, as if suited for a larger pony, and her legs seemed thicker likewise. The fur left behind had been turned from its usual indigo to pure black. Luna did not flinch or cry out in pain, but seemed to relish in the change, even as the dark flames consumed the majority of her body, only to finally blow away like a candle in the wind, leaving behind an alicorn every bit as grand as Celestia, with light indigo armor, and a mane and tail seemingly composed of starry, purple mist. Her horn was now larger and more of a black blade as if the dark shadow of Celestia’s own. Her wings grew to be large majestic blankets of pitch-black feathers that seemed to swallow all light about them. The new creature let out a chilling laugh as she surveyed her surroundings.
Starlight shied away from the creature her mistress had become and nervously looked around. Her eyes found the door marked with the sun and she considered making a run for it. Before she could, however, the transformed princess spotted her.
"Starlight, why do you cower in the corner? My retainer should be at my side, should she not? Retake your post," the creature demanded. Her voice was deeper, more self-assured than Luna's had been. Starlight just couldn't believe they were the same. In a moment of near insanity, she rebelled.
"Who are you, and what have you done with Princess Luna?" Starlight demanded. The creature looked shocked.
"Starlight, what insolence! Get a hold of yourself. I am your princess... no, your queen! Surely, a minor change in appearance is not enough to earn your disloyalty? Stars forbid I ever get my mane trimmed! Now, be a good filly, and retake your post!" the transformed Luna demanded. Sadly, Starlight's will to rebel was only so strong, and hesitantly, she moved back to her proper position near the throne. "Excellent. But, as you've clearly observed, I have changed. I have shed my weaknesses, and I'm ready to claim what is rightfully mine. I suppose this does call for a bit of re-branding. Henceforth, I shall be referred to as Moon, Queen of the Night. That should be easier for the ponies to remember, and to chant in my honor. Do you not agree, Starlight?"
"Yes, Your... Majesty," Starlight replied, somewhat dejectedly, her head hanging low. Moon scoffed.
"Stand proud, Starlight! Things are finally looking up! You should be proud to be the retainer to the new Queen!" Moon told her. Starlight tried hard to think of this change as a good thing, but deep in her heart, she couldn't help but feel that something precious had been lost.
"Yes, Your Majesty," she replied. This was acceptable to Moon, and she began pacing thoughtfully.
"Good. Now... My sister will be awakening in several hours, and I must prepare a proper reception," Moon mused to herself.
***
Celestia was in no way prepared for the events of the next morning. Stepping into the audience chamber, she was confused to see her sister apparently absent. That slight surprise was cut short, however, by a greater surprise, as black magical bonds grasped her legs and wings, nearly toppling her over. Only then did Nightmare Moon step from the shadows and reveal herself to her sister. Celestia's eyes widened in shock.
"Sister, what has become of you? What is the meaning of this?" she demanded. Nightmare Moon sneered. She paced around Celestia in a circle as she spoke.
"What has become of me, Sister? I've grown wise to your treachery. I know now why the ponies shun me. I know not just what you have told them, but I'm certain it is your doing. Don't try giving me that hurt look, or those sweet innocent eyes. I know what sort of mischief-maker you are. There's a reason why Honesty chose me, and Laughter chose you. You love making a mockery of others, and so you've decided to make a mockery of me, and I won't stand for it anymore," Nightmare Moon accused.
"You can't really believe that!" Celestia pleaded. "I would never do such a thing!"
"Silence!" Nightmare Moon raged. "I won't stand for your lies any longer. Too long have I waited in the glare of your light to be seen and loved by my subjects, but no, you won't allow it. Well, I shall free them from your all-consuming grasp, and enfold them in my loving night. They need not the sun anymore. They will enjoy my night, whether you like it or not."
"But I have to raise the sun! The crops depend on it!" Celestia protested.
"Lies! Or even if it is so, I will make new crops for them to grow. The Kingdom of the Night shall flourish! But don't worry, sister. You'll get to see it all from your quarters, where you shall remain, indefinitely." Celestia was panicked and heartbroken all at once. Her eyes searched for a way out. They fell upon the five crystal orbs the sisters had found before, whose awesome power they'd harnessed to defeat Discord. A hope sprung up in Celestia's heart. As she concentrated, her crown began to glow.
"Loyalty, Laughter, heed my call!" She cried. Nightmare Moon's eyes went wide as two of the orbs began to glow. She rounded on her sister angrily.
"What are you going to do, turn me to stone?! You can't use all of them anyway! Three of them belong to me!" she ranted.
"Please, all of you! Help me! Help my sister!" Celestia called. To Nightmare Moon's dismay, all five of the orbs began to glow. Nightmare Moon was furious.
"Generosity, Kindness, Honesty, you all belong to me! You cannot listen to her! Obey me!" she commanded.
"Help her, please! Free her from this darkness!" Celestia cried. Up from their stands the orbs rose, apparently of their own volition, and they began to orbit around Nightmare Moon. She looked at them with wide eyes.
"What is happening?! I don't want to be a statue! Is this how you treat your sister?!" she demanded. Ribbons of light began to seep from the orbs, a different color for each, and yet another from Celestia's own crown, and they began to wrap around Nightmare Moon, covering, binding, and cocooning her. "No You can't do this to me! Equestria is mine to rule!"
Those were the last words she spoke, and as the cocoon of light and color was complete, there was a vivid flash of light, and Nightmare Moon was gone. The orbs returned to their stands and the magical bonds holding Celestia were released. She looked around frantically.
"Luna! LUNA! Where are you?!" Frantically, she began dashing through the castle, journeying through the moon-marked door to search her sister's side of the palace. Finally, she reached her sister's suite, and was suddenly stopped by the view outside the window. It was the moon, bright and full, and upon it there rested a new, large, prominent shadow, all too clearly showing the profile of a mare's head. Celestia was stunned, frozen in place. "No! " she whispered. "What have I done?"
***
Morning came late that day, but it came, and a teary-eyed and heartbroken Celestia did her best to perform her royal duties. Word quickly spread among the staff of Luna's betrayal and fate, and they were all in mourning for her loss. Still, there was a nation to run, and they followed Celestia's example in rising to the challenge.
When an artist arrived to present his new painting to the court, the staff thought it would be a nice way to cheer up their remaining princess, and so he was allowed into the audience chamber. So, the famous unicorn artist, Brushstroke, was permitted inside, along with his covered masterpiece. He was oblivious to the events that had taken place only hours before.
"Your Highness, I come here today to present my greatest masterpiece to the court!" he proclaimed. Celestia looked up, hoping this could take her mind off of previous events. "I needed an entirely different kind of canvas, rare and different paints, and I even needed to invent a new kind of brush to make it! I needed weeks of work, and several failed attempts, and even then, I could only capture a small fraction of the magnificence of my inspiration!" As the excited artist spoke, he paced before his covered painting. It was a rather large panoramic work of some sort that was obscured by a white sheet.
"Well, by all means, let's see it," Celestia said. The artist raised his head proudly, and stepped aside and gestured for the veil to be removed.
"I present to you: The Aurora!" he proclaimed as the veil was drawn back to reveal an incredible painting of the night sky, with vivid stars, a bright moon in the corner, and spanning the broad width of the painting, the rippling colors of the aurora. Celestia's heart caught in her throat, and her eyes grew wet with tears. It was all she could do to keep from openly sobbing. "I know," said Brushstroke sagely. "It is that beautiful!”
Celestia could not speak. She felt as if her throat was sealing up. Her horn glowed, and a scroll appeared. Words formed on it, and it floated over to Sunshine, who read it silently before speaking on Celestia's behalf.
"The painting shall be displayed prominently in the castle's art gallery. Room shall be made such that this painting shall be first and foremost in the sight of every visitor. Furthermore, a plaque shall be posted beneath the picture, to read 'In honor of Princess Luna'." she said. Brushstroke stood proudly for most of the proclamation, but looked confused at the last part.
" 'In honor of...'? Has something happened?" the artist asked. Sunshine escorted him out quickly, as other castle staff carried away the painting.
"You'll hear about it soon enough, I'm sure," Celestia's retainer assured the confused artist.
"I do hope Princess Luna gets to see my painting," Brushstroke protested.
"We hope so, too," Sunshine replied sadly.
***
Months had passed, but Celestia was determined to bring her sister back. Begging and pleading with the Elements of Harmony did her no good, and she felt her connection to them slip away. Still, the radiant princess would not give up. Her quest brought her to a temple upon a hilltop outside of the capitol, a place she'd visited only a couple times before. There resided an older unicorn mare, which Celestia had come to see.
"Oracle, what can you tell me? My connection to the Elements of Harmony has faded, but I'm fairly certain, if I look hard enough, I can find ponies that can bond with them. How soon can we get my sister back?" the princess asked. The unicorn mare, Oracle, began to shake and tremble. Celestia knew it as one of her prophetic fits, as Oracle's eyes and horn began to glow, and when she spoke, her voice carried with it an odd deep reverberance.
"On the longest day of the thousandth year, the stars will aid her escape, and she will return to Equestria to bring about night eternal!" Oracle proclaimed. A young stallion nearby quickly wrote it down, even as Celestia collapsed to the cold stone floor.
"A thousand years...?! No!" she whispered.
It was said it rained all across Equestria that day, despite the best efforts of the pegasi.
