Forward Unto Dawn

by JXWheeler

Rating: mature
Tags: My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Dark, Adventure, Discord, Princess Celestia, Alternate Universe, Sad, Main 6, Princess Luna, Gore, Original Character
Length: 5531

"Betrayed... Betrayed by one we thought reformed and a friend. We were manipulated, but pawns in his scheme. He created the chasm between us. He divided us. Whatever his plans, they must be stopped."

(Got placed in "Popular Stories" side-bar: 03/21/2014)

(Trigger Warning: Death, Mutilation, War)

It started with just a small suggestion here, and a little nudge there. Nothing was thought of it, and all thought that he was only trying to help Equestria become a better place.

When one day a thief is caught and brought to trial, the truth of what has happened is brought into the light. The populace is suffering under towering taxes, and left with little to eat they do what they can to feed their families. However, justice is not to be found in the trials.

Upon witnessing her sister passing such unjust punishment, Luna confronts her sister but is exiled as a result. Celestia's but a puppet, a pawn. A pawn that Luna must get off the board to reach the king.

Song the story is based on: For the New Lunar Republic

Plot Assistants:

Rubyfire377

Collaborators and their characters:

Twilight Sparkle (Unicorn/Alicorn) - JXWheeler

Applejack - JXWheeler

Rarity (Little Miss Rarity) - JXWheeler

Rainbow Dash - JumpingShinyFrogs

Fluttershy - JXWheeler

Pinkie Pie (Pinkamena) -

Princess Celestia (Regular/Tyrant) -

Princess Luna - JumpingShinyFrogs

Discord - FenrisianBrony

Spike - JXWheeler

Published 2014-03-21 23:50:03 UTC
Last updated 2015-11-18 00:01:59 UTC

The Separation

“Somepony stop him! He robbed my store!” the shopkeep cried out, hoping somepony would either call the guards, or stop the thief themselves.

A brown unicorn, with a red mane and tail, was running away from the store he had robbed. A mischievous smile made its way onto the unicorn’s lips as he saw the train station that would take him away from Canterlot. All he had to do was hop on and he’d be home free. He did not, however, see the guard that managed to catch up and step in front of him, resulting in the thief barrelling into the guard.

“Hey, watch where…” The unicorn looked up at the guard and paled, “Uh-oh…”

“That’s far enough. You are under arrest for robbery,” the guard responded, an authoritative tone present in his voice.

The unicorn quickly stumbled back onto his hooves and sprinted away from the guard. The last thing he wanted was to be arrested.

“Stop!” The guard turned around, lifted a whistle to his lips and blew into it to call for backup.

It took only a few seconds for the guards at the train station to hear the call and be made aware of the unicorn running towards them. They both stood at the entrance to the station, blocking the unicorn from going through.

“Halt!” yelled one of the guards as the unicorn approached.

The unicorn skidded to a halt and looked at the guards with fear in his eyes. He turned around and was about to run back the way he came, only to be stopped by the guard from before.

“Aw horseapples!” It was taxing and something he didn't want to do, but he was caught between two patrols of guards with nowhere to run. His only chance was to teleport. Closing his eyes, his horn flared to life.

I made it!, he thought as he felt the spell near completion. Everything came crashing down, however, as he felt his magic forcibly dissipate. He opened his eyes and looked up, seeing a magic dampener on his horn. When he tore his gaze from what he could see of his horn, he saw the angry look of a guard just centimetres from him.

“You are under arrest for robbery and resisting arrest. You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in court,” said the guard whom had put the dampener on the thief. The same guard lit up his horn, trapped him inside a light blue bubble and started dragging him towards the castle.

Inside the throne room of Canterlot Castle, Princess Celestia was sitting in her throne with a tired look, Princess Luna sitting next to her. The unicorn did his best to avoid the gaze of the sun princess, with little luck.

“Trailblazer, you have committed a crime against Equestria and its ponies. How do you plead?” Princess Celestia asked, knowing full well what the response would be.

The unicorn, known as Trailblazer, simply scoffed at this. “Not guilty.”

“Yet, we have strong reason to believe that thou hast committed the crime thou art accused of. We have testimonies from several guards and from the shopkeeper, stating thine involvement with the crime,” Luna said sternly.

Trailblazer scoffed at the statement once again. “Okay so I did, what of it? I blame the new tax laws for making me resort to stealing. The rent has gone up from the ridiculous taxes, and it's damn near impossible to live in Canterlot on only minimum wage these days! Not that you'd know anything about that, now would you?”

Princess Celestia sighed as she shook her head. “Be that as it may, the tax laws are required to help Equestria prosper.” She looked at the guards and nodded her head to them. “Take him to the dungeons. I will decide what his punishment shall be later.”

The guards nodded in response and led the unicorn out of the room, leaving Princess Celestia to brace herself against what was to come next.

“Sister…” Luna began, a frown creasing her face. “What tax laws did he speak of? Why were we not informed of this?”

Celestia looked at her sister and frowned as well. “It was something Discord brought to my attention.” She paused for a few seconds before speaking again. “If we ever hope for Equestria to prosper, we need to start making investments in the study of technology. The Griffin Kingdom has already made a few breakthroughs in that field, and we cannot fall behind lest we risk being invaded.”

“That is all well and good, dear sister, but is it really necessary to tax our subjects into poverty? And without consulting us first? It seems rather ignorant on your part,” said Luna.

Celestia thought about her words for a few moments before coming up with a response. “Some sacrifices have to be made if we ever hope for Equestria to evolve. I did not tell you because I knew you would have been possibly against such a thing.”

“That does not change the fact that we had a right to know, Sister. We have told you countless times not to trust a word that comes from that vile serpent’s mouth,” spat Luna, narrowing her eyes.

Celestia looked up and scowled at Luna. She tolerated a lot from her sister, but she would not stand idly by when a friend was insulted. Not even by her own sister. “That is enough!” She flared her wings as she stood up from her throne. “Discord is now reformed and will not be talked about in such a way!” Celestia turned around and walked towards the exit of the throne room. “You may return to your sleep, Sister. See you at nightfall.” She turned around and strode towards the door on the left side of the room, disappearing from sight as it shut with a 'click'.

“Sister, when will you open your eyes to the truth?” Luna asked the empty throne room. With a sigh, she exited the room via another set of doors. She might as well catch up on some sleep now that she had the chance.

Celestia groaned as she lay on her bed, not really wanting to go to the daytime assembly that would begin in a few hours. Hearing nobles do nothing but present her with numerous suggestions to fill their own pockets did not sound appealing at all.

“Oh my dear Celestia. Have the strenuous events of the day tired out the poor solar princess?” said a voice that echoed throughout the room.

"If you have nothing important to say, Discord, then please leave," Celestia said and buried her head in the pillows. She was in no mood to deal with the unpredictable draconequus at the moment. Especially not after the small ordeal with Luna.

It was then that Discord poofed into existence, sitting on the bed. “Everything I say is important, Celestia.” He pouted, feigning indignance. “And I was just coming to check on how you were planning to handle that nice little pony in your dungeons. What was his name again?”

Celestia groaned again and shifted so that she was leaning up against the head of the bed, facing Discord. “Yes, Trailblazer…” She sighed as she shook her head. “A month's imprisonment should be a good enough punishment.”

“Oh you think so? My poor deluded princess,” Discord said, shaking his head. “He steals and gets out in a month? What would stop him from regressing back to his ways?”

“The same thing that stopped you?” Celestia asked dryly.

“You should make an example of him, show your subjects that stealing is not okay by sending a message. Look what happened to the last one,” Discord explained slowly.

“Then what would you suggest? A turn in the stockades? A fine?” Celestia asked curiously.

“Banishment,” Discord said simply, a small smile creeping across his face.

Celestia went wide-eyed when she heard this, shocked that he’d suggest such a thing. “Banish him?! That’s ridiculous! He is just a thief, there is no cause for banishment!”

Discord just chuckled at the Princess’s reaction. “If you only give him a month, he’ll be out and stealing again before I could conjure up a glass of chocolate milk.” He put an arm around Celestia’s neck and pulled her cheek against his, using his paw to trail a finger under Celestia’s chin. “Make sure it doesn’t happen again and banish him to the Everfree Forest. You don’t even have to keep him there, just let him work his way out. If he is brave enough to steal then surely he is brave enough to escape the forest, hmm?”

“What are you getting out of this, Discord?” Celestia asked. She could not deny that she did slightly enjoy the touch of her former lover, but still pushed him away all the same.

“Is a safer Equestria too much to ask for?” Discord replied innocently. “I just want to know that my newfound friends can live in a world where criminals don’t get off too lightly to stop them from repeating their offense. Is that so much to ask?”

“I suppose not,” Celestia said slowly. “But don’t you think banishment is a bit much for such a small crime?”

“A small crime?” Discord spluttered, leaping off the bed and floating in mid-air, placing a hand to his forehead in exasperation. “Oh woe is me. To think that the great and mighty Celestia would trivialize crime in such a way. What has Equestria become?”

“I suppose so,” Celestia nodded slowly. “It would dissuade others from following Trailblazer’s example if the punishment was more severe.”

“How wonderful!” Discord smiled, clapping his hands in glee. “Equestria will be safer, your ponies happier, an altogether brighter future wouldn’t you agree Celestia?”

“Was it really so long ago we were enemies Discord?” Celestia sighed, smiling at the Draconequus.

“Before your darling little ponies helped me see the error of my ways.” Discord nodded with a slight pout. “I am ever so sorry for what I did before, you know that.”

“Of course I do. Everypony deserves a second chance, and you are no exception.” Celestia giggled a tiny bit after saying this.

“Thank you Celestia,” Discord beamed. “You always were my favourite of the Alicorns, even when your mother and father were around.”

“You never did give them cause to like you though, now did you?” Celestia pointed out.

“They never gave me a chance to show what an upstanding member of society I could be. Why, they treated me little better than an animal,” Discord replied indignantly.

“Animals cause less chaos than you do,” Celestia pointed out.

“Chaos is a wonderful thing Celestia, you really should try it again sometime. Not full on perhaps, but just a little, sprinkling, here and there.”

“No, Discord,” Celestia said firmly.

“But I’ve tried your way my dearest Celestia. Would it not be the harmonious thing to do to see how the other side lives?”

“I said no,” Celestia reaffirmed.

“Fine, I guess I’ll just have to live as the only avatar of reformed chaos in this land," Discord said with a slight pout. “And here I believed you cared about my happiness.”

“I do care Discord,” Celestia sighed. “You know I care what you think, you’ve been helping me with the laws for a while now, but there are some things that we cannot do. Spreading chaos is one of them.”

“Oh really now? You seemed to like pulling chaotic pranks when we were dating,” the draconequus replied, a mischievous smile spreading across his face as he ran his paw along Celestia’s back.

“We haven’t dated since before you were turned to stone,” Celestia pointed out. “Need I remind you that the last time we pulled a ‘chaotic prank’ together, you took it to far and forced Luna and I to use the Elements of Harmony to turn you to stone?”

“All minor details, Celestia,” Discord chuckled. “You can’t deny that they were fun when we did them together.”

Celestia looked away from Discord for a bit, a small fit of giggles escaping her mouth. “They were quite fun, especially that day all the nobles had their hair dyed pink. Oh the laughs we had on that day!”

“Well, I’m sure we could do something similar now,” Discord said with a sly smile. “What’s that nephew of yours called again?”

“Who? Blueblood?” Celestia asked.

“That’s the one,” Discord nodded. “I think he would look marvelous with a nice pink mane. He would look like you before your hair began blowing around all day.”

“I feel like I should be discouraging you from that,” Celestia giggled. “So whatever you do, don’t catch him between eleven and ten when he is asleep in the fifth room on the second floor.”

“I wouldn’t dream of it Celestia,” Discord smirked back, before disappearing in a puff of pink smoke.

Celestia sighed as she watched Discord vanish in front of her eyes, still smiling slightly at the memories he had stirred up. It had been fun when they had nothing to lose, when her mother and father had been in charge, but now she had responsibilities of her own to deal with. She couldn’t just drop everything for reminders of old times, no matter how gratifying they were.

Grabbing a roll of parchment and a quill with her magic, Celestia began to draw up a new decree pertaining to the new punishment for the act of petty larceny. Its first subject: Trailblazer.

A few days later, Celestia was in the throne room with her sister, Luna. The tension between them from their disagreement a few days prior was evident as neither of them looked at the other. Celestia looked at the unicorn in front of her, and at the guards on either side of him before speaking. “Trailblazer, you have been found guilty of the crime of petty larceny and resisting arrest. After much consideration, I have come to the decision that you will be banished to the Everfree Forest. This punishment will also extend to all similar crimes from this point onward.”

Trailblazer’s eyes went wide as he stared at the princess. He could not believe what she had just said, “What?! You can’t be serious!”

Luna too was incredulous. "Sister, do you not find this excessive? He merely stole a trinket from a store. In what way does this warrant banishment?"

Celestia turned to Luna with a look of annoyance on her face. “I cannot allow my subjects to believe that they can commit a crime and only get a slap on the fetlock. I must make an example of this pony to ensure that nopony does this again.” Celestia looked at the guards and nodded her head. “Bring him here.”
The guards looked at each other with slight confusion in their faces before they led Trailblazer over to the Princess.

Celestia looked down at Trailblazer with a hardened expression. “If you are brave enough to rob from a store, then you should have no trouble escaping the Everfree Forest.”

Luna's ears flattened as she narrowed her eyes at her sister. "You are banishing him to the Everfree Forest? Celestia, we'd like to think that you know better than that. Do you not recall the dangers we ourselves faced when we lived there? How is a single pony meant to survive and escape?"

Celestia turned her head to face Luna. “Yes, I remember the dangers, Luna, and if Fluttershy can navigate her way through the forest, then Trailblazer should have no problem getting out. He is a unicorn after all.”

"That has nothing to do with it, sister. If anything, his frailer bones are more susceptible to injury. Fluttershy has experience with the forest. She lives right next to it," said Luna reasonably.

“Twilight Sparkle managed to traverse it as well, and she lives far from it. Besides, Fluttershy is far frailer than he,” Celestia said as she gave Luna a questioning look.

"Twilight Sparkle also had access to five friends who live in close vicinity of the forest, as well as an unusual magical talent. Fluttershy can act with surprising strength when others are in danger, such as that group of fillies. She is strong, but she does not show it," pointed out Luna. "Your argument is flawed, Celestia, and you know it."

“Enough of this bickering, Luna. My word is law, and the punishment is final!” Celestia nearly shouted as she turned back to Trailblazer. “Good luck.” Lighting up her horn, she leaned forward and touched it with the terrified unicorn’s. A flash of light was all that could be seen for a few brief seconds before Trailblazer disappeared.

"Celestia!" Luna's voice was bordering on a screech as she stood up and flared her wings. "It is the snake who put these ideas in your head, isn't it? I am as much a part of this diarchy as you, sister, and I will not stand by and allow you to persecute our subjects for merely reacting to unfair treatment!"

Now it was Celestia’s turn to stand up and flare her wings in response. “I said to not talk about Discord in that way! He has so far proved to be the only one who wants to see this kingdom prosper, all you’ve done is argue with me!”

"Sister, thy words are a load of manure, and thou knowst it. Discord is manipulating thee. It is painfully obvious, to those whose eyes are open to the truth. Open thine eyes, Celestia. Open them!" roared Luna.

Celestia scowled at her sister, her hoof counting on the floor. “Discord has only the best intentions to help this kingdom prosper! You are starting to sound like you are against me and my ways!”

"Perhaps we are! Perhaps we wish for Equestria to be peaceful, without unnecessary taxes or overly severe punishments. We appreciate thy sentiment, but thou art going about it in the wrong way. Contrary to what thou mayst believe, thou art not omniscient. Thou dost not know everything, and thou art neither perfect nor a god. Thou art but a pony, and that is why thou hast allowed thyself to become infected by the serpent's influence. We ask thee to reconsider thy stance. Should thou allow us to aid thee, we could improve Equestria in the right way. But thou art not willing to compromise, it would seem. Why must thou be so stubborn?" asked Luna, a fire lit in her eyes, her voice sharp.

“There is no such thing as compromising with criminals! If we give them any mercy then more are sure to pop up!” Celestia folded her wings and sighed, closing her eyes as she looked down. “If you are going to be against me then I have no choice but to title you a traitor to Equestria and her princess!” Celestia opened her eyes with a glare directed towards Luna.

The colour drained from Luna's face. The stars in her mane seemed to dim. "Sister, hast thou really allowed thyself to become so petty that a dissenting opinion would provoke thee to label somepony a traitor?" she asked quietly.

“My word is law, traitor. You would do well to remember that!” Celestia turned to her guards and pointed at Luna. “Seize her, and take her to the dungeon!”

The guards looked at each other, both worried and confused. Eventually they stared at Luna with a hardened expression and aimed their spears in her direction. “You have to come with us.”

"Sister, we ask thee to reconsider thy choices," said Luna, throwing up a simple barrier that stopped the guards in their tracks. "Art thou really going to allow innocent guards to be put in harm's way over an argument?"

“SILENCE!” Celestia flared her wings and lit up her horn, a menacing scowl ever present on her face. “You have only two options now. Go to the dungeons and await your traitor’s punishment, execution, or leave this kingdom and never return!”

"We want nothing to do with thy corrupted kingdom. We shall depart, but mark our words, Celestia, one day we shall return, and perhaps thou shalt see the error of thy ways," said Luna. Lighting her horn, she turned to the guards. "If you have any sense at all, you will follow me. Together, we can bring a brighter and more fair tomorrow to the world.” With that, Luna disappeared in a flash.

The guards looked over at Celestia once they were freed from the barrier, wondering what they should do.

Celestia closed her wings and sat on her throne, a sigh escaping her lips, “Gather the Night Guard and bring them here. They shall be informed of what happened to their employer, and banished to the Everfree Forest if they do not swear their loyalty to me only.”

The guards both nodded their heads as they walked out the throne room to do just that.

Author's Note

Thank you all for taking the time to read the first of many chapters in this story!

Society's Division

Twilight Sparkle took in a deep breath as she scanned the grassy plains of the park. She was expecting the arrival of the other Elements soon, since they had agreed on a picnic today, but naturally, Twilight had been the first to arrive.

"Spike, let's set up here by this tree," she said, pointing at the tree in question with a hoof.

"Okay, Twilight!" Spike called out as he placed the picnic basket on the grass.

Twilight used her levitation spell to spread the blanket below the tree, making sure each side was spread flat, with no wrinkles. Once this was done, she sat down and waited for her friends to arrive as Spike set up the plates and cutlery.

Applejack was the first pony that came up the hill, waving to Twilight in greeting. “Howdy Twilight! Ah brought some of Granny Smith’s apple pie fer us.”

Twilight smiled at the news, “That’s great, Applejack. I bet it's delicious!” Upon closer inspection, Twilight was able to make out a small carriage that was tethered to Applejack’s harness. “Need any help?”

Applejack only shook her head as she walked next to the picnic basket and unattached herself from the harness, “No thanks, Ah’ve got it.” To prove her point, she took the pies off of the carriage and placed them in a small pile in the middle of the picnic blanket.

Pinkie Pie was the next to arrive for the picnic. She was carrying a basket on her back. As she neared the top of the hill, a wonderful smell permeated the air.

"Hey Pinkie! What kind of cupcakes are those? They smell great," Twilight asked.

"I can't tell you, silly-filly. That would ruin the surprise. I wanted to try out a new flavor for today," Pinkie was bouncing up and down as she talked about the surprise.

A rainbow-coloured blur in the sky angled itself downwards with a cry of "Look out below!" The assembled ponies ducked as Rainbow Dash completely miscalculated her landing. She skidded for a moment on her hooves before her speed got the better of her and she fell face-first into the dirt.

Applejack chuckled. "Good job, Dash. Ah hope whatever ya brought didn't suffer fer that."

"I was supposed to bring something?" Asked Rainbow Dash, picking herself up and shaking dirt out of her mane.

"Yep!" said Pinkie, hopping over and displaying her cupcakes.

"Oh. Well, I forgot." She shrugged. "Hey, where are Fluttershy and Rarity? I'm so hungry I could eat a whole hay bale on my own!" said Rainbow Dash, glancing around for the ponies in question.

As if on cue, Rarity and Fluttershy made their appearance, walking towards the group.

"Sorry for being late, girls. Fluttershy and I lost track of time when making sandwiches," said Rarity, levitating a small basket off of Fluttershy's back.

"It's alright Rarity," Twilight replied. "Where's Duo?"

"Your pupil? He went with Sweetie Belle to Canterlot to shop for supplies," Rarity said before sitting on the blanket. "They wanted to be prepared for when their foal is born."

"Well if that's the case, let's start the picnic," Twilight replied as she too sat down.

"So Twilight," Applejack said as she started munching on a daisy sandwich. "How have Duo's studies been comin' along?"

Twilight levitated a sandwich of her own out of the basket before responding, "So far he has been reaching my expectations of him." She took a bite of her sandwich, and waited until she finished chewing before continuing. "He's progressing almost as fast as I did, which is very impressive."

"Is he going to become really good at magic, have no friends, and be forced to move away from everypony that they've ever known?" Pinkie asked.

Twilight opened her mouth to respond, but nothing came out. She did not know how to respond to such an accurate retelling of how she came to Ponyville. "I highly doubt that will happen, Pinkie Pie." She finally managed to say.

It was at that point Spike started coughing non-stop. After a few seconds of Spike's coughing fit, a scroll got spat out. Clearing his throat, Spike opened up the scroll and began reading.

"To my most faithful student, Twilight Sparkle

You, Fluttershy, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Pinkie Pie, and Spike are to come to Canterlot as soon as possible. I will explain everything when you get here.

Sincerely, Princess Celestia"

Once Spike finished reading, Twilight levitated the scroll out of his hands. After reading it to herself a second time, she rolled It up and put it in her basket, "Well you heard what the letter said girls, it looks like we have to cut this picnic short."

"Oh dear, I hope it's nothing too bad," Fluttershy said worriedly.

Rainbow Dash walked up to Fluttershy and flashed a grin, "Don't worry about it Fluttershy, I'm sure it's nothing serious."

Spike started to cough once again, getting the attention of the girls. After a few seconds, he coughed up another scroll and began reading it.

"P.S. Pack up as much as you can, you will be staying in Canterlot for awhile. I already have your sleeping quarters prepared."

Twilight levitated the scroll out of Spike's hands once again and read it to herself. "Okay, this might be more serious than we thought," she said, obviously worried.

Princess Luna walked through the Everfree Forest, her eyes a mix of sadness and anger as she thought about the reason she was here in the first place. "Celestia has gone too far this time. Her love for that wretched serpent has clouded her judgement beyond saving." She sighed as he looked down, kicking a pebble with her forehoof before continuing her walk.

An hour passed before she finally came upon the old castle she used to live in. She looked up at it with a frown and a sigh. "My sister... no... that tyrant has to be stopped." She stamped a hoof on the dirt angrily before looking down sadly shortly after. "I can't do it on my own... but I have no choice."

“You don’t have to do this alone, my Princess," A voice had said from behind the trees. A stallion came into view, with a silver coat, bright silver eyes, and a mane as black as night that almost covered his right eye. On his flank, the image of a halberd was proudly displayed as his cutie mark.

"We are all here for you, Princess Luna." The entirety of Luna's bat pony night guard stepped out from the shadows, bowing their heads shortly after.

Princess Luna could not help but smile at her loyal troops. Now they stood a fighting chance at dethroning Princess Celestia. "Night Wish, and my night guard, I am glad you chose to side with me. Now come my loyal subjects, we have much work to do on this castle if we want it to be our base. Celestia needs to be stopped, so we need to have this place fully functional as quickly as possible." She turned around and started walking towards the old castle, her army following close behind.

The atmosphere on the train could only be described with one word, silence. Not even Pinkie Pie, whom was usually cheerful about everything, was talking. The mane six just took turns looking at each other with worry, then staring out the window in the same manner.

Eventually, Spike was the one who broke the silence. “So, what do you girls think happened that got Princess Celestia so worried?” When he got no response from them, he just sighed and went back to looking out the window. “Nice chat…”

At that point Pinkie Pie decided to try and lighten the mood. “Maybe she decided to send us off on a vacation? You know, as a thank you for saving Equestria!”

“Pinkie, ah highly doubt that is what the letter meant.” Applejack said with a frown.

Pinkie opened her mouth to reply, but was cut off by the train whistle.

Twilight took a deep breath and hopped off the chair, watching as the other did the same. “I am sure everything will be fine girls, what’s the worst that could have happened?”

“I don’t know, maybe that?” Rainbow Dash said as she pointed a hoof towards the two groups of ponies on either side of the road, each group being held back by Celestia’s Royal Guards.

Twilight’s jaw dropped when she saw the display. “Okay, that’s new. Then again, there have always been protests.” She replied nervously. “Only this one is bigger… and has two opposing sides.”

“Bring back Princess Luna! Take down the Tyrant known as Celestia!” One of the sides shouted. Upon closer inspection, Twilight saw a few holding a banner with Princess Luna’s cutie mark on it.

“Long live Princess Celestia! Down with Princess Luna’s traitorous ways!” The other side shouted with added aggression. Twilight noticed that they too had a banner, only this one had Princess Celestia’s cutie mark emblazoned on it.

The six girls huddled close together when they saw two of the royal guards approach them.

“We are here to escort you to the castle.” One of the guards said as he stood to the left of the group, the other guard taking the right side.

Twilight lifted Spike onto her back as she led the group down the road. “What is going on here?” She asked one of the guards. Unfortunately, the guard’s response was just silence.

The rest of the walk went on as such, despite the shouting from the groups on either side.

Canterlot Castle, the home of the Royal Sisters and capital of Equestria. It’s halls were a pristine white lined with gold trim, and it’s doors within said halls were a lovely shade of gold and copper. As the group walked on, Twilight took notice of a few hallways being blocked off by Royal Guards.

“Why are the halls leading to the Night Court sealed off?” Twilight asked one of the guards escorting them, only to get silence once again. “Right…”

“Relax darling,” Rarity began. “Surely there is a good reason for this, and i am sure the Princess will tell us.”

Applejack said nothing as she thought about what was going on, an uneasy feeling settling in her stomach.

It did not take long for the group to reach the throne room, noticing that the throne for Princess Luna was gone.

“Princess Celestia, what happened to Princess Luna’s throne? Also, why is he here?” Twilight asked curiously.

Princess Celestia looked upon the Mane Six with caring eyes, which hid a deeper meaning behind them that nopony could see. “His name is Discord and he shall be treated with respect.” She scolded before clearing her throat. “Twilight Sparkle, i wish we could have met under better circumstances. However, something terrible has happened.” She said with a hint of sadness to her tone.

The Mane Six were taken back from the sudden outburst, none of them seeing her defend Discord in such a way before. Safe to say, Applejack and Rainbow Dash both now had the same uneasy feeling that the former felt earlier. However, the Mane Six leaned in the hear what the Princess had to say, their eyes wide with anticipation.

Princess Celestia took a deep breath before continuing. “It is with deep sadness, and regret to inform you that Princess Luna has turned against us, she has become a traitor to Equestria.”

Author's Note

Hey everypony, I am terribly sorry for the long wait. My writer's block has been relentless and my old crew has abandoned the project it seems like. So I am re-opening positions for people to take on a character to write as. If any of the old crew see this, they are more than welcomed to rejoin me on this project. Even if nopony wants to join, I will still do this story on my own. Send me a Private Message if you are interested!