Celestial Twins: Friendship in the Midst of War

Princess Celestia paced, silently planning what she was about to do. Flare, how should I do this? She mentally asked. How am I supposed to get her to understand that she's inferior to me? Do I just ignore her when she walks in? No. A deeper voice replied. You need to distract her so she cannot, or will not, interfere. But how am I supposed to do that?!? Celestia asked, exasperated. The voice snarled. She's your sister, think of something!

The sound of approaching hoofsteps sent a shiver of excitement through Celestia as she took up her planned position behind her throne. The hoofsteps paused before the Throne Room doors gently eased open, revealing a dark blue alicorn, slightly shorter than Celestia. Princess Luna glanced around, looking for her elder sister, then shrugged and trotted up to the small set of steps leading to her throne. She made it halfway when Celestia stepped out of hiding.

"Not another step." The white alicorn's voice echoed throughout the room. "Oh Tia, there you are! I was wondering if you would be joining me tonight." Luna said with a smile. Her happiness was short-lived.

"Of course I would be here. Do you really expect me to sit idly by while they all rejoice in your precious night?" Luna's eyes grew wide. "Tia?" She whispered. Celestia kept going. "I am the eldest! ME! They should love *ME!"* Suddenly Celestia realized something. "There can only be one ruler of Equestria." She whispered. Her voice gained power as she continued, laughing as her eye pupils shrunk. "And I shall be the one! ME!" She burst into evil laughter and magically grabbed the sun, slowly but surely making it rise. Luna realized what her sister was trying to do and leaped into action. Her horn sparked as she charged at Celestia, trying to break her concentration.

"NO!" The white mare screamed. "YOU SHALL NOT INTERFERE!" The immense power behind her words gave the elder princess a sudden boost of magical energy, and the sun rose in the sky, covering the moon completely. Extreme waves of pure solar magic emanated from the fiery orb, and Celestia was engulfed in a ball of fire.

YES! YES! FREE AT LAST!" Solar Flare cackled as Celestia's mind shut down, receding to a small alcove of safety deep within her soul. Seizing an opportunity, Flare jumped into the weakened pony's body, taking control.

Within the magical orb, Celestia's mane and tail burst into flames.

As the magical fire died down, Luna backed away in horror. Solar Flare opened her new pony eyes, and they shrunk to reptilian slits, allowing her to see finer details. She blinked a few times to adjust to the sudden gloom, and when she opened them Princess Luna was standing before her, a glistening silver sword at Flare's throat. "What have you done with my sister?" The dark alicorn spat. Flare looked at Luna pleadingly, mimicking Celestia's voice perfectly. "Lulu, it's me! It's your big sister!" "Don't toy with me, monster." Luna growled. "I've seen your kind before in many a pony's nightmare. Disappear back to the shadows where you belong, and release my sister!" With that, Luna's horn shone brightly and the whole room lit up with a blindingly bright spell.

When the light cleared, Solar Flare was still there, a smug look on her face. Luna gasped. "No....how.....NO! My spell should have destroyed you!" The white mare laughed. "If I was a creature of the shadows, your spell might have worked. Although if I were attracted to darkness I would have chosen you as my host, Night Princess. I am no Nightmare. I. AM. SOLAR FLARE!" She screamed. Luna's magic faltered, and the blade dropped to the floor. A black shadow started creeping up her legs. "No......" She whispered. "No, sister.....TIA!" She charged up her horn, filling it with all her anger and sorrow, until she couldn't hold it anymore, and the room was plunged into darkness.