The Son of Earth

Luna slowly snuck down the castle halls towards her massive balcony. She needed to be stealthy, otherwise every guard she passed would bother her from the task at hand. Eventually, she came to the balcony under the open sky, and prepared her wings for takeoff.

She soared through the upper cloud layer before finding a suitable cloud to begin her monthly interaction. She landed, folded her legs, and charged her horn, sending her signals out into the æther, waiting for a response. The familiar connection from the other side roughly met with hers, and instantly began speaking.

"I have been observing you. You have done well. Everything is proceeding exactly as I have foreseen."

"Thank you, Master. What else do you require of me?"

"You have not done as I have asked with the humans. You must make them face the fires of revolution, or the Nightmare may come back and consume you and all you love."

"Understood, my lord. Thank you."

"Your gratitude does not go unnoticed, but I have still more to ask of you. In the coming war, you must personally lead the charge of the humans. Lead them to victory over the changelings; when they destroy them all, turn on them. Make yourself the hero, and them the villains."

"I. . . Yes, master."

"Do not hesitate, lest the Nightmare also be watching."

"Understood, Master."

"How goes your sister?" the voice suddenly asked.

"Celestia? Why would you want to know? You said she was useless to our glorious task."

"Times have changed, pony. Things are not as they once were."

"Yes, master. She is as always, paying far more attention to her subjects' needs than to the crown's. She is, as you said, actively limiting her greatness."

"Good, good. Remember the training I have given you," it droned on.

"Yes, master."

"Let the chaos boost your power. Do not fight it; embrace it, for only then will you truly be able to defeat the Nightmare."

"Yes, master."

"And do not forget; who was it that freed you from your unjust lunar banishment?"

"You, master."

"Who freed you from the Nightmare's grasp?"

"You, master."

"Who protects you, your family, and your subjects?"

"You, master."

"Do not fail me, or betray me; elsewise, you will not live to see the 'morrow."

"Yes, master. I will do what you ask, and I will not fail you."

"Good. Now, I must leave."

"Goodbye, Mas--"

The connection forcibly closed, Luna stumbled backwards, nearly falling off the clouds. She blinked as she looked down upon the world below. Small points of light slowly moved down the few decently paved roads in Equestria, marking the few Human vehicles that had been sold to the wealthiest of ponies. In the distance, on the border of the Everfree, the orange glow of Human electric lighting shone brightly, illuminating the half-finished city.

They are just pawns, tools to be used in our fight against the Nightmare, she tried to remind herself. And yet, they seem so much smarter than simple tools, or animals. It seems as if they are the ones who could take control, not us. She instantly scolded herself; thinking like that was treason against her Master, who had done her nothing but good. Still, she couldn't help herself but to look out over the forests, plains, and hills of her nation. Would it really be that much worse if the Humans were allowed to prosper? She suddenly felt a wave of tiredness; it was normal after the intense magic that had to be performed in order to communicate over such long distances, but that didn't make it any less powerful. She felt sleep overcome her like a wave.