Chapter One: The Beginning
Celestia was sitting in the throne room waiting for Luna to raise the moon and come take her place on the throne for the night shift while she went to get some sleep. She started tapping her hoof when she started getting bored and soon she started to grow angry when her sister hadn't come to relieve her, that was when she noticed that the moon was not raised into the sky either. A growl escaped the large white mares lips as she stepped down off the throne and went to the balcony where she thought her sister would be standing, she wasn't there.
'If my damned sister is still playing video games I'm going to murder her. It was supposed to be night a whole hour ago.' she thought as she stormed through the halls of the castle towards her sister's 'playroom' she slammed open the doors with her magic the audible 'CRASH' being heard by even the guards outside.
Inside of the room, nopony sat, there wasn't even the sounds of video game music playing. The room was eerily silent. It was made more frightening with the sun in the sky but nothing was bright enough to see. Luna's room stood in complete and utter darkness.
Celestia looked around lighting her horn to see deeper into the darkness that was her sister's room. She saw that Luna was no where to be seen and quickly made her way further into the living room. The doors magically closing behind her. She paid no mind to them as she made her way into Luna's actually bedroom, “Luna, dear sister? Where are you?” She said softly her voice still carrying through the room even at its low pitch.
There was no noise as Celestia stopped in the very center of her sister's bedroom. The Princess of the Night was no where to be seen though Celestia was worried because her sister was usually never missing when it was time to raise the moon into the sky.
She slowly walked to her sisters open balcony doors and sighed softly as she stepped out into the light of her glorious sun and let it bathe her it its beautiful aura as she lowered it from the sky and tried lifting the moon into its place but the moon would not budge. She could feel it pulling back against her magic but she couldn't overpower this pull. It was too strong and it was quickly draining the Solar Princess.
When she could no longer hold her own against the pull of the moon she let out a scream and let it fall. She fell to her ass and whimpered softly. “Uhh...Nghh. I can't do it. Luna help me, please..” she whispered and fell to the floor her mane falling limp under her head and not blowing in the non-existent wind anymore.
The two solar guards that usually patrolled the hallway leading up to Luna's bedroom rushed to the doors when they heard the Solar Princess scream thinking it was the scream of the Princess of the Night. One of the guards knocked on the door, "Princess Luna are you alright? We heard screaming." They grew worried when they heard no sounds coming from within after several minutes. The guard closest to the door unlocked it with a quick spell before pushing the set of double doors open.
When the guards saw that Princess Luna was no where to be found in her living room they rushed to her bedroom just to find the unconscious Princess Celestia. They rushed up to the princess and tried waking her but it was of no use as she remained unconscious. Growing worried that there was something wrong with the princess they rushed her to the royal physician.
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Elsewhere on the palace grounds a group of Nightwing ponies were trapped in the underground barracks, their only home during the harsh light of the day. It was not yet dark enough for them to go out as even thought the sun was set it was still too bright for them to step into the open. while it was comfortable and well furnished in their barracks it was still cold, dark and eerie but usually they weren't forced to stay in this long. They were starting to get edgy and their leader, Lady Skylar was getting angry at how they started swarming the doors in the common room that led to the guard training grounds and the forest. Some were trying to crush each other against the large wooden doors in an effort to get out but she kept them back with a snarl. She was their leader and the head guard of the Nightwings and they would listen and follow her orders at all costs.
She snarled at them and slowly peaked out one of the few darkened windows of the barracks to see if the moon had yet to rise and darken the sky. But no it was still below the horizon and she was not going to let her 'family' or any of her ken go out. She didn't want to lose any of them to the harsh light that was the celestial being of the sky.
When Skylar got them all to stop forcing her against the door she flared her sharp wings as she stared her friends and family down. “You will go back to your rooms in barracks and wait or I will take a great pleasure in ripping all of you idiots..” She stared at some of the younger Nightwings down and bared her overly sharp teeth at them, “...new holes..” That was her last words as she stormed off through the crowd of ponies. A door was heard slamming as she left deeper into the barracks.
Slowly the crowd of Nightwings gathered in the common room dispersed back to their separate rooms in the barracks to hide from their ferocious leader and her overbearing temper.
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When Celestia had finally gotten back some of her strength, enough to fight the pull of the moon she woke in the infirmary. She was now able to sit up again and she slowly looked around at the royal physician and nurse, both ponies stared at her with nervous smiles. Curious to why they were staring at her strangely she looked around catching a glimpse of herself in the reflection of a glass cabinet. She gasped in shock, her body seemed to shrink with the lack of her flowing pastel mane blowing in its non-existent wind. Her mane and tail had gone back to their original color being a soft shimmery pink, her mane now hung limp around her face falling over one eye.
The once proud looking alicorn now looked like she was sick due to the magical drain that she had put her body through while trying to fight the powerful pull of the moon, when her magic was mainly used to lift the sun. With the amount of magic she lost it would be a few hours before she had the strength to raise or lower the sun. The once mighty and proud Celestia was now reduced to the magic strength of a unicorn. Probably more powerful than Twilight but still a unicorn in magical strength.
She turned her head to see if anything else had changed and thankfully her wings were still there. She raised a hoof to her forehead to make sure she still had her horn and sighed when she felt the hard surface of the keratin appendage.
“Princess, are you alright?” The doctor said and moved back into the alicorn's sights, “You've been out for a couple hours now.”
The nurse walked back up to the bedside and held a glass of water within her magic for the princess, “Do you remember what happened Princess?” She asked as the alicorn drank deeply from the glass of water
“Well to tell you the truth I went looking for Luna as she hadn't raised the moon yet. When I didn't find her in her room I tried to raise the moon myself. Unfortunately since Luna's return the moon now rejects my magic and drained some of it away.” Celestia bowed her head in embarrassment at admitting that she was too weak to fight the draw of the moon's power.
Both the doctor and nurse were shocked to hear that their princess was not strong enough to fight the moon and had gotten drained of some of her power by the celestial being.
“I'll be alright in a few hours my little ponies, there is no need to worry about me. It is Luna we need to find. I'm sure the Nightwing ponies are growing restless in their underground barracks.” Celestia said as she slipped off the bed and stood tall, though her mane not flowing still looked just as regal as before.
“Of course Princess though I request that you take it easy for awhile. You did lose quite the amount of magic tonight.” The doctor said with a look of worry in his eyes. “I would suggest resting sometime tonight as it might speed up the process of you regaining your magical energy.”
“I'll get some rest as soon as I put together a search party and find Princess Luna. Right now getting the moon raised is priority.” Celestia then slowly made her way out of the infirmary with her head held high and her wings slightly spread.
Celestia was now slowly making her way back to the throne room to call a royal court and guards to organize a search party to look for her sister. She needed to tell her few trusted advisers that she would not be able to raise the moon. She knew they would fight her about this because she had raised the moon for the longest time after the Nightmare Moon incident and hadn't had any trouble. It was now time to tell them that she could no longer move both of the celestial bodies across the sky as she was growing weak in her old age.
To be Continued...
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Chapter Two: Celestia's Lament and Twilight's Beginning
The Missing Moon: Chapter Two
Two 'Nights' later.
Celestia had just finished talking to her advisers about 'the issue,' which she was now calling her inability to raise the moon. She was more than embarrassed about being weak in any way. The fact that she had lost her flowing pastel mane and tail just made it worse. Everywhere she went, ponies couldn't keep themselves from gawking in shock at her appearance. They tried to spare her feelings and pretend that there was nothing wrong, but Celestia knew that there was something wrong and so did they. She couldn't blame them for their reactions to her weakness, after all she had been all powerful for generations and everypony thought she would remain that way for time everlasting. To see her weakened and flawed like everypony else was well, shocking to say the least.
Worse still was that the Lunar and Solar courts had also been put on hold by Luna's disappearance, and the nobles were getting restless. Something would have to been done soon to alleviate their fears otherwise they would be talking about another coup d'etat. The last thing Celestia needed now was the nobility to get any ideas of rising up and going on about replacing her as ruler, again.
She just wanted to go to her bed and sleep. She hadn't truly been able to rest since she woke up in the infirmary, her mane wild and fluffy around her face, which had been so irritating that she couldn't help putting it up in a braid, garnering even more stares and unreadable looks from ponies every where, both noble and castle staff alike.
The guards, on the other hoof, were working their wings and horns to exhaustion in search of the Lunar Princess, yet had not caught hide nor hoof of her since they started. Every one of them had been shaken by Celestia's briefing on the disappearance. In all of their time guarding the Diarchs, they had never thought about what they would do, if one of their Princesses were to simply vanish. Even though there was a plan just in case one of the Princesses went missing, they never thought they would be forced to implement 'The Missing Crown' protocol.
'The Missing Crown' protocol was a plan set up before even Celestia and Luna's time when Lady Sunflare, the Princess' mother and Lord Nightfall, the Princess' father had still ruled Equestria.
'The Missing Crown' Protocol was in three parts:
First, establish all known information pertaining to the disappearance of all rulers. Establish a chain of command within the chain of command. Since it was just Luna that was missing Celestia was still in command of the Equestrian forces. Luna's room and the surrounding sections of the castle had been locked down and were being guarded while one of the search teams was looking over her room for clues.
Two, all appropriate cabinets within the government were to be notified and a full media blackout would be set into place until information was available. All media outlets would be notified on a need to know basis of the situation. All of the media outlets were notified of Princess Luna's inability to raise the moon. They were told that steps were being taken to rectify the situation and that Princess Celestia was unavailable for comment. All cabinets of the government were notified and taking steps to find Princess Luna.
Third, with the information at hoof the military forces would be divided into defense and search parties. If the current military power is weakened stallions and mares would be drafted from the surrounding towns and cities for country defense and search efforts. With the Lunar Guard still trapped beneath the castle the military force in Canterlot was cut in half. General Star Nova had divided the Solar Guard in half to protect the castle and begin the search for Princess Luna. He also recalled the Wonderbolts from their stations around Equestria to the castle to begin and aerial search of the surrounding areas. He had also summoned the Elements of Harmony to the castle at the Princess' request to help with the search efforts.
This was 'T.M.C.' protocol in effect, it had yet to produce any results.
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The Mane Six had just arrived at Canterlot castle to be greeted by a compliment of Solar Guards.
General Nova was standing in the very center of the guards waiting to greet the prestigious Elements of Harmony with his cap held to his chest and a firm look on his face. “Welcome Elements of Harmony to Canterlot. Thank you for joining us in our most depressing hour. And thank you for coming so quickly, please do follow me.” With that he turned on his hoof leading the Elements into the castle to see Celestia.
Twilight looked at her friends and shook her head. None of them moved an inch and when the general looked back with a stern face she huffed. “We're not going anywhere until you explain this whole debacle General Nova..” She said in a frustrated tone before she stomped her hoof in defiance with her friends all standing in line behind her the same stern looks on their faces and the true spirit in their eyes.
The general just stared at the defiant unicorn with a very frustrated look before he sat his hat back atop his head and looked her directly in the eyes. “I'm sorry that I can't tell you anything Ms. Sparkle but unfortunately I am under a gag order. My orders are to bring you to Princess Celestia as soon as you arrive. Nothing more nothing less. Now if you are done please do follow me.” With that he once again turned and lead them through the entry hall into the grand foyer.
They followed and Twilight was silent. She couldn't fathom why Celestia would be keeping so quiet even to her most faithful student. The only sound were the robotic hoofsteps of the general's men and the mane six as they walked through the halls of the castle to a part of it that Twilight remembered very fondly from when she was a student under Celestia. They were heading to Celestia's bedchambers.
Other than Twilight the rest of the mane six were very much awed by the beauty of the castle interior. Rarity if she could have would have been taking pictures. Fluttershy was having a bit of an internal freak out. Rainbow Dash was in awe of all the paintings hanging on the walls. From famous Wonderbolts to unknown ponies she saw history before her eyes. Applejack was seriously trying to keep as far away from anything that looked breakable as everything looked more expensive than anything the Apple family could replace even given a ten year period. Pinkie Pie was unfazed by all of the glamour of the castle interior and just continued to bounce along behind her friends.
They arrived at Celestia's bedchambers, Twilight knew it because of the many times she had journeyed to this room. The General said nothing as he opened the double doors in front of the group. He ushered all six of the Elements into the room quickly.
“The Princess is waiting for you and she will explain everything.” General Nova said flatly before turning to his soldiers. “Bar the door let no pony in or out as per the Princess' orders.”
The doors slammed shut before a loud click was heard. There was a faint blue glow of a spell which Twilight knew as a barrier spell. It wasn't one she couldn't undo as that type of spell was foal's play to her now. The really question was why were they being locked in?
Before the others could protest Twilight quieted them. They needed answers first and would complain about their poor treatment later. The six mares walked deeper in to the dim room to find Celestia. They found her laying on her bed back to them with her head buried in a cloud pillow. She looked nothing like the Celestia Twilight remembered. She seemed smaller, more frail then the Princess that commanded the Sun everyday. Twilight knew that whatever happened to her had to do with the Moon not raising in the sky and Luna not returning any of Twilight's letters.
When they approached the Sun Goddess slowly lifted her head not yet looking at them. “Come closer and sit with me. What I am about to tell you is quite shocking and what you will see might shock you.” she turned her entire body to face them her hair slowly falling and catching the light as the six ponies gathered around her on the bed.
Gasps were heard as they got a good look at her and Twilight was the first to react mouth hanging agape like a fish out of water. When it came to Rarity she fell over a hoof going across her face as she fainted. Applejack slipped her hat over her face to keep from laughing knowing that it would be a mite bit rude of her. Fluttershy just hid behind her mane with a small blush on her cheeks. Rainbow Dash looked away from the entire scene trying to keep from bringing attention to the fact that Celestia's mane was pink and no longer flowing but flat against her skull.
“Wowie Zowie, you sure look different?” Pinkie said with her usual Pinkie keen smile.
Rainbow Dash was the one to stuff a hoof into Pinkie's mouth. She looked sheepish for a moment before turning to the Princess. “Sorry Princess but Pinkie doesn't know when to not say something.”
Twilight was frantic as she was hopping from hoof to hoof staring at Celestia. She couldn't understand this and it was making her frantic and her mane was already starting to frizz a bit.
“What Happened? Why are you locked away? How'd your mane revert to it's old state? Why were we locked in here? What do you need us to do?” She said this all so quick and her eyes had gone wide with fear. She would have continued if AJ hadn't stuffed a hoof into her mouth to quiet the frantic unicorn.
“Twilight, ya need ta calm down, sugarcube. It's okay we all just need ta relax and figure this out.” Applejack told Twilight softly as she held the frantic unicorn to her until she calmed down.
Once Twilight stopped hyperventilating Applejack let her go and turned to Princess Celestia. “Princess Ah don't want ta sound out of place or nothin' but could ya'll explain what's goin' on, please?” Applejack asked before giving Celestia a short bow.
“Its quite alright Applejack no offense is taken and under these circumstances I think its best we dispense with royal decorum.” Celestia said with a bit of a depressed tone.
“Well my little ponies to be frank about the situation Luna has gone missing. We have not been able to find any trace of her for the last two days. When she initially went missing I tried to raise the moon but because of Luna's return I have fallen out of harmony with the moon and it rejected me. Because of that rejection I have lost a great deal of magic. We hope that with a few more days of rest it will return but until it does I'm about as strong as a unicorn in magical strength, that's the reason why my mane has returned to its original state. I'm rather embarrassed to be seen in such a weak and fragile condition. Hence the reason why I am hiding in my room.” A blush rose to the alicorn mares cheeks as she bowed her head.
When Celestia finished speaking Twilight had finally come to terms with the situation, she had relaxed in Applejack's grip her breathing becoming even and calm. Now was not the time for panic with Celestia weakened and Luna missing Equestria needed the Elements of Harmony to calm and collected.
Applejack released the unicorn mare once she was calm and stepped back to give her some space. Twilight stood there for a moment collecting her thoughts as she thought of the best way to solve the problem at hoof. After thinking for a moment she could see that Celestia was truly disheartened by the loss of both her magic and her sister. Without thinking Twilight walked over to her and threw her arms around the mare that had acted as teacher and mother to her for so many years.
“Its going to be okay. I'll find a way to fix this, to get your magic back. The girls and I will find Luna as soon as possible, you have my word as the Element of Magic.” Twilight said into her mentors mane before she pulled back and smiled.
“I'm not worried about myself Twilight as this was bound to happen sooner or later. I am several thousand years old after all. No my little pony I'm worried about Luna's Nightwings locked in the underground barracks. Until we can raise the moon I'm afraid they're trapped. Let General Nova worry about finding Luna for now, you and your friends need to worry about finding a way to get the Nightwings out of the underground barracks. I'm afraid if they don't get out soon they may just do something to hurt themselves or go stir crazy in the process of us finding a way to release them.” Celestia said with worry in her tone.
“Do the Nightwings know about Luna's disappearance? Have you sent somepony to tell them or are they in the dark like the rest of Equestria?” Twilight said with a serious tone before scowling back at her snickering pink friend and the rainbow maned mare holding her.
“Sorry about that Twilight I'm trying to keep her quiet she just won't stop fidgeting.” Rainbow Dash said before she jumped. “Ewe Pinkie don't lick my hoof! That's so gross!”
Twilight went from scowling at her friends to staring at her laughing mentor. “Oh I'm sorry Twilight but I've not laughed like this since the last time I visited you and your friends in Ponyville.” Celestia said as she finally stopped laughing.
“Princess please be serious. Do the Nightwings know?” Twilight asked with a serious no nonsense look, which failed miserably as the alicorn Princess just burst out laughing again. “Oh Twilight you should know that I get that same look many times a day from dignitaries and nobles alike. But from you its... just... so... funny!” Celestia cried not able to control her laughter anymore.
Twilight was getting frustrated and simple let out a huff of annoyance. “This is important and your acting like a school aged filly!” By now her mane was frizzed and she was hopping from hoof to hoof unable to keep her cool now. She spun around on her laughing friends and sent them a disappointed look which just made them laugh harder.
“Enough is enough my little ponies. We must be serious now but truly I do appreciate your good humor..” She said with a slight giggle in her tone before she turned back to Twilight and placed a hoof on the unicorn's should. “Yes Twilight I have sent word to the Nightwings they or rather their general knows about Luna's disappearance. It would be best if you could go and talk to her directly, see what you can do for them until we fix this issue with the moon or find Luna.”
“I'll see what I can do Princess.” she said after smoothing her mane a bit and hugging her mentor one last time. With that Twilight gathered up her still giggling friends. “C'mon girls lets leave the princess to rest.” She said once they had calmed.
