Beyond Our Harmony

by Hyperspace Nomad

Rating: everyone
Tags: Adventure, Princess Celestia, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Dark, Alternate Universe, Other, Nightmare Moon, Princess Luna, Original Character
Length: 27929

This the story of Luna leading up to the Nightmare Moon incident. But something is not quite right..

This a story of Luna and Celestia leading up to the Nightmare Moon incident. But something is not quite right... The destinies supposedly written in stone by the most primordial of forces begin to shift. The Royal Pony Sisters soon find the world they thought they knew unraveling around them to reveal something no pony would have ever expected.

Luna fights against a destiny that would see her descend into darkness while Celestia soon comes to question what harmony really means.

What lies beyond harmony?

Disclaimer and Original characters:
The picture is a mash-up of
http://enframed.deviantart.com/art/Cracked-glass-texture-19247388
by enframed
and
http://spiritofthwwolf.deviantart.com/art/Elements-of-Harmony-Vector-258413792
by SpiritofthwWolf

My little Pony Friendship is magic and all characters from which that are featured in this story are the property of and credited to their rightful owners. (Hasbro/The Hub/ Studio B/Lauren Faust)

My first Pony related fiction, hope you all enjoy it.
I encourage comments and constructive criticism.

Published 2012-05-17 18:34:01 UTC
Last updated 2012-11-10 23:09:41 UTC

Prologue: A Little Mare and Jolt.

“…and so here we are again.”

“A place where true ambition was lost to time.”

“They believed that after all that had happened, it could now be the last haven from the troubles and trials that still face us all.”

“There would be no worries”

“Just follow the forged road”

“Trust in it”

“…and keep everyone else following you as if they where children in comparison to your own path of wisdom.”

“Though this time things may end up differently….”

Guardians of the Skies
An tale of two Alicorns named Luna and Celestia.

LOCATION: UNKNOWN
/COORDINATES/
S:???/???/???,
T:???/???/???
C:??/??/??
DOMINION: UNKNOWN
DATE: UNKNOWN
LOCAL TIME: 11:01 PM

For as long as she could remember, Luna had found solace in the night. It seemed like every corner of the sky told a new story. A script to an epic theater with the moon lighting the stage. But what was a story worth if nopony was willing to look and listen to it? She understood that most ponies needed to sleep during the night, that was a given. However, her work as co-ruler and her control over the night skies where never really given the same appreciation as her sister’s duties. Luna was a brilliant administrator. Her knack for the arts and sciences had saved Equestria from collapse due to a recent freak drought. She had always wished to prove herself to the people of Equestria, but she continued to have trouble communicating ideas and instructions between her and her subjects. Luna preferred at this point to work behind the public face of her sister. She had tried countless times to reach out to the people of Equestria directly but she never was as socially proficient or in tune with culture as her sister. While these faults often lead to problems, the real nail in Luna's social coffin was the increasing occurrences of ponies being attacked at night by dangerous nocturnal monsters. Ponies used to mostly ignore Luna's night but now they often feared and hated it. Some would even go as far as demand that the night should be removed from Equestria. Luna herself would not have minded as much, her sister had always said that a princess must face hardship and adversity with composer. However, she was beginning to grow bitter at the fact that the population were content on taking out all of their frustration on her alone while always hoping that celestia would make everything better in the end. The truth in Luna's mind was that Celestia one way or another had something to do with the freak drought that Luna' herself had put in so much effort to mitigate.

Celestia was the princess of the SUN and day after all. The two royal pony sisters, ever since they became rulers had a strange connection to the skies of day and night, almost like the skies where another leg or wing. Recently the skies or day had become brighter and the skies of night had grown darker. Did this have something to do with how Luna and her sister where feeling? She knew that Pegsi would flare their wings involuntarily in surprise or arousal and the same could be said for a Unicorns magic, but she never quiet understood now she was able to move the night sky. Whereas Unicorns of old would work together with their active magic to perform such a task, to Luna, it was like walking. The royal pony sisters possessed immense power in each of the abilities that they always had for as long as they remembered. Luna and her sister could fly as well as any pegasi, work the land as well as any earth pony and their magical abilities far surpassed any other unicorn. But even with what they could measure of their powers, moving the sun and moon with any normal magic would be an extremely exhausting task even for the two Alicorns. Celestia and Luna did make the task look strenuous to boost the drama of.....

A knock could be heard at the entrance to her chamber that snapped Luna back into focus after allowing her mind to drift into thought.

“Your majesty?”

Luna quickly composed herself and turned to face the source of the noise with her Royal Canterlot Voice.

“Speak now subject! What business do thou bring to us at this hour?”

“At the request of her majesty Celestia, we have brought for your consideration, a candidate for the position of ‘Scribe of the Night Court’.”

Luna took in a deep sigh. It just seemed that she would never get a real reprieve from her toils as Equestria's co-ruler.

“Very well, you may enter.” Luna replied slightly annoyed

Slowly the doors opened to reveal four ponies. Two where Luna's night guards and the third was a green Unicorn Stallion that went by the name of Laudan Clear. Following him was a smaller Unicorn mare... barely a mare by the looks of her. Her coat was a bright neon aqua while her somewhat shaggy mane was sky blue, maybe slightly green tinted. She wore glasses over her deep blue eyes, a sign that she may have been reading books for a long time. When Luna examined her closer, she could tell that she looked nervous and distant, not desiring to be here.

“Your majesty, may I have the pleasure of introducing you to my second daughter, and the finest scribe in the land, Crystal Clear! She has just now completed her studies of government and is now ready for your consideration to her service.” Laudan Clear announced with pride.

Luna at least wanted to know what was troubling the mare. “We shall consider thy request, but first we demand for time to speakth with thy daughter alone, without any other interference!”

“At once your highness.” Laudan Replied

Laudan and the two guards proceed out of the chamber leaving only Luna and Crystal Clear alone.

Crystal Clear retreated slightly, Luna narrowed her eyes. She had a feeling that maybe this young mare had gone through some exhausting work to get to this point, perhaps not of her own choice. Luna recalled how many Equestrian families of high esteem such as the Clear Family, took emphasis on its members contributions to the family image. She never particularly liked such attitudes, ruling Equestria sometimes made her wish that she could just leave. She often had to deal with all of the hard work while her sister, would get to meet diplomats, host dinners and go to celebrations. She had to keep yelling in this ridiculous pattern of we's, thee's, thy's and thou's because it was insisted that Equestria's leaders be able to project strength and their voices be instantly recognizable. She never understood why this was necessary; most ponies already feared the wrath of the princess of the ni.....

“ Princess....?” Crystal asked worryingly.

Luna had once again been caught lamenting over her current situation and quickly snapped to attention, rather annoyed this time.

“ VERY WELL, COME FORTH SUBJECT!!!”

Crystal was swept off her hooves from the full force of Luna's Royal Canterlot voice and slammed into the opposite wall. Crystal Clear was out cold. Luna, now realizing that she had once again exerted too much effort into the simple task of calling a subject forward, could only muster up one more word.

“ opps....”

ONE HOUR LATER

Luna had laid Crystal Clear on the large bed in her living chamber quickly after the incident. She did not feel like revealing this little slip up to Laudan Clear hence she spoil another chance of boosting her strained public reputation. Maybe some tea and muffins to save face? Being the princess of the night could be lonely at times, so Luna always wanted to make sure that she could treat any guests to the finest Tea and the most delicious muffins in Equestria. The culinary arts where something Luna could dive into to escape her troubles. As a side effect she became quite a good baker and her tea was not too bad either.

Luna lost herself in this little ritual once again, slowly but carefully measuring the ingredients. She became slightly memorized as she proceeded to stir the batter. Once the batter was prepared, she began work on her tea concoction. It was her own special blend, she called it "Sparkling Dreams". A teaspoon of morning dew, pedals of a moon lily, and a pinch of stardust were stirred together with Luna's own horn until the mixture began to resemble the night sky itself.
“ Ha! This should give my Sister's "Liquid Sunshine" punch a fine challenge!” Luna exclaimed with pride.
Luna then proceeded over to her fireplace, levitated three logs into it and set in ablaze with an ignition spell. She then placed the containers of batter and tea on an iron grate above the fire. It took a few minutes, but Luna was soon able to get the temperature just right.

MEANWHILE

At first, all Crystal Clear could perceive was blackness, but then a vision began to form in her mind as she lay unconscious. She could feel a strong jolt.

First she saw the two Royal Pony Sisters, it looked like…. they were in some kind of argument.

She saw Luna alone and Crying….

She saw Luna with hatred in her eyes approaching six colored stones. As she lifted the stone in the center, she was enveloped by a dark aura and emerged as a jet black mare with a helmet.

Crystal saw this mare confronted by Celestia which resulted in a battle of magic.

As Celestia lay defeated, five other ponies run in between the dark mare and Celestia.

The six stones lit up in a brilliant display and appear next to each of the five ponies with the center stone appearing next to Celestia. A plume of light erupted against the dark mare.

Crystal saw Luna once again crying, this time in a strange void of nothingness before her vision began to fade.

Crystal then felt another jolt, and a painful tug seemingly on her mind itself.

As the vision slowly faded it began to fizzle and distort violently briefly showing the six colored stones from earlier converging until they collided and merged together forming a tear shaped crystal of brilliant white. A crack formed on the crystal as her vision once again faded for the final time.

She thought the she possibly heard a voice speaking to her faintly.

“To break the grip of established destiny.”

“She needs you…..”

Crystal Clear slowly opened her eyes, still slightly dizzy from the wrath of the Royal Canterlot Voice. As her vision began to clear, she began to recall what had happened. Crystal then began to mutter to herself disgruntled. “ I guess I am back home, mother is weeping in the corner and Father will burst in any moment to scold me for my failure to the family name. “ Crystal let out a defeated sigh.

However, as she came to, she found that she was not in her room in Canterlot. The room she now found herself in was colored deep blue with periwinkle trim and the bed was much larger than her own. On the nightstand to her right were two pieces of regalia that matched the color of the room. Crystal then knew where she was but did not understand why. A pleasing aroma from the next room however, derailed her train of thought. She slowly got to her hooves and moved closer to the smell to investigate.

Luna at this time was almost finished with her little culinary project.

“Come here Miss Clear, please sit with me.” Luna said calmly, forgoing the usual royal protocol of speaking.

Crystal was a bit taken aback by this; Luna at least had a reputation of being cold and dark.

“Your majesty I am sorry to have dishonored you, if you wish I can leave now and I will never return.”

Crystal spoke in a disheartened tone.

“Wait! Would you like some Tea and muffins?” Luna blurted out with haste.

Crystal looked up, surprise on her face.

“Your highness, I cannot possible accept.....”

“Please... I was the one to have an outburst. My court has been... difficult recently, and I simply wish to make up for what happened earlier.” Luna put on a guilty smile

Crystal really could not think straight, after seemingly been dragged and smacked around by everypony she thought she could trust. Everything just had to fall apart once she finally got her cutie mark years ago. Her father essentially forced her into rigorous government studies in hopes that her refined talent could get her an important government position to boost the prestige of her family. Her friends that she had known since fillyhood seemed to be more interested in being friends with an important member of the court than Crystal’s feelings about the whole ordeal. Her one fleeting hope was that maybe the princesses’ could be the good company she had needed for so long. This hope however, faded as quickly as her consciousness after slamming into the wall. She was now faced with a princess trying to make amends in the most childish way possible, like she was being taunted or insulted. She just could not take it anymore.

“Make... up? Make....up?! I get shut in by my father for years to study to become a member of the royal court and then once I finally get dragged to the palace, I get wailed at and slammed against a wall! I heard that you princesses do this all the time! I had to give up my life for you at my father’s wishes! All I see now is me getting further trampled over while you royals and my parents can meet in fancy dinners and Galas!”

“ Please......” Luna muttered.

“ I do not need your pity! All you want is make sure the you stay a good princess by shutting me up!”

Luna finally snapped....“ You... yooou.. DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA WHAT I HAVE TO GO THROUGH EVERY NIGHT?!?!?! MAYBE WHAT YOU SAID COULD BE PINNED ON MY SISTER, BUT I HAVE HAD ENOUGH OF PONIES PILING ALL THE BLAME ON THE PRINCESS OF THE NIGHT FOR THEIR TROUBLES! I WORK AND WORK TO MANGE BOTH MY DUTIES AND THE PROBLEMS THAT MY SISTER IS TOO INCOMPETENT TO SOLVE! BUT DOES ANYONE THANK ME FOR WHAT I DO?!?!? NO!!!! THEY CONTINUE TO CUDDLE UP TO MY SISTER AND HER PRETTY WORDS!!! I TAKE MY TIME TO TRY BEING KIND TO YOU AFTER WHAT HAPPENED; I EVEN WAS GOING TO GIVE YOU THE POSITION OF SCRIBE. YOU SEEMED UNHAPPY AND I TRIED TO HELP BUT I CAN SEE NOW THAT YOU ARE SIMPLY AN UNGRATEFUL WHELP LIKE THE REST OF THEM!

As soon as Luna was finished unleashing the full wrath of her Royal Canterlot Voice, she then did something Crystal Clear had never thought she would see a Princess do: Begin to cry.

It took a moment for Crystal to notice this, being slammed against the wall yet again. She however then felt horrible for what she said to Luna and considered leaving this rather pathetic sight, but something in her mind beckoned her to stay.

Crystal soon realized her frustration fueled folly. She had been asking for a break for a while now and when somepony (A Princess for that matter) was finally giving it to her, she effectively spit in the face of her benefactor.

“Luna..... I.. I am so sorry!” Crystal said apologetically

“GO! Just... go. Leave me alone like everypony else! I have had enough of trying to care about all of you ponies! All I get in return is more hardship! Get out! Get out! GET OUT!”

Then Crystal remembered….

“She needs you…..”

Crystal Clear stood her ground. She could see the pain in Luna’s watering eyes. She had to stand up for herself for once and make things right, otherwise this night would end as it had always, returning home empty and alone.

“Princess I am not leaving. I cannot leave you after seeing you like this! I did not know things were this bad for you. I thought I was the only pony in Canterlot that did not want the life that was forced onto me. It felt like all my old filly friends began to drift away from me, becoming more interested in the social statuses of themselves and their precious families. Maybe they still invite me to places, and we still keep in touch when I am not being grinded by father but it just is not the same as before. Please Luna, I have nopony left to go to! I was hoping that maybe the royal pony sisters could help me. From what you just said I feel that you may be the only pony in years that could understand how I feel!” Crystal said all this with great conviction.

Crystal was now beginning to get Luna's attention into a more civil dialog. Luna wiped the current tears from her face but still visibly bitter.

“Well at least you still have friends that are willing to talk to you at all.” Luna replied.

“Perhaps, but they all just seem so... shallow. They never want to try anything new like I do and never want to deviate from what is currently popular.” Crystal said with some guilt.

Luna was now replacing some of her sorrow with curiosity. Perhaps there was hope for her yet in finding a true friend. “Well what have you wanted to try?”

“Well my talent seems to be communication and describing things, so I thought I could maybe become something like a theater director or to go on adventures to faraway lands to meet with all sorts of ponies. Everypony I have met in Canterlot seems so rigid to me. I however yearn for a life where every day is something new.” Crystal began to speak in a slightly dreamy flare

“So what is stopping you from seeking such a path?” Luna said perplexed, beginning to forget why she was just crying.

“It seems you not favor your job. What is stopping YOU from just quitting?” Crystal said rhetorically.

They both paused, knowing what the other would say. Walking away now would betray everypony that ever tried to do nice things for them. While Luna felt like Celestia never truly understood her, she was still a sister that loved her. For Crystal, any company to break up the monotony of her days was welcoming.

Finally Luna spoke reluctantly...
“ How about we continue this dialog over tea and muffins?

A SHORT TIME LATER

“ Does Celestia really depend on you THAT much? “ Crystal said with more curiosity before taking a bite of her muffin.

“ My sister is good with ponies but always seems to fold when she cannot find a quick solution to problems. (Takes a sip of tea) Sometimes it helps being a little bit... stubborn.” Luna let out a weak chortle

Crystal Clear rolled her eyes, she had learned while preparing for tonight that Luna could be... hard to work with at times. However things were now going better that expected. Maybe she was wrong to judge Luna so quickly, Crystal could relate more to Luna than she had first thought.

“Now tell me... (sip) You said that you wish for a more interesting life that could involve your talent, correct? It still sounds like something your family and friends could be still proud of.” Luna asked.

Crystal let out a sigh....

“Maybe they should, but they just continue to nag at me why I would prefer to waste my ‘amazing potential’ in some lower class theater or far away village when I could be helping all of Equestria and making a grander name for myself as an important member of the court”. ”...and there is always that possibility that my friends and family fantasize that they could soon be related to royalty if I were to ‘get together’ with some prince during my time in court.” Crystal said somewhat sarcastically before rolling her eyes again at this thought.

Luna gave a small grin before biting into her muffin.“ I could introduce you to some fine princes you may find pleasing if you where to accept the position as my scribe.”

Crystal Clear instantly showed a combined pouting/blushing expression that gave Luna a friendly teasing smile.

“ But with all seriousness, I require all the help I can get, and to finally have somepony at my side whom I can speak with and relate to on a more... personal level.... Would you... Miss Crystal Clear, accept the prestigious position of ‘Night Court Scribe’?” Luna could not help but put a bit of formality into this sentence despite being sick of it due to her line of work

“ Of course your majesty....” Crystal Clear could only give a warm smile.

“ So then when would I be starting, Princess?”

Luna stood up from the chair she had been sitting on. “We will begin the next time that the Sun sets! But for now Miss Clear, I wish for you to get some rest. Please return now to you father with my endorsement.” Luna was showing much enthusiasm.

Crystal clear proceeded to open the door, still smiling. “ Good night your majesty....”

“ I prefer you continue to call me Luna.”

“Only if you call me Crystal.” Crystal replied, poking her head back through the door.

The door shut behind Crystal as Luna collapsed to the floor, somewhat bewildered. She could only mutter to herself. “What merciful fortune has come to me this night?”

She could feel something slightly out of place during her time with Crystal Clear. A small jolt felt in her mind. Perhaps it was only from the stress? She did not wish to give it more though at the moment.

ELSEWHERE

Celestia awoke abruptly in a cold sweat. Something had just given her a jolt to her core. She felt strange, like something in Equestria had been knocked out of place ever so slightly. While she could not shake this feeling, she was still tired and quickly drifted back to sleep.

End Prologue

Authors note: I decided to stop here in order to submit soon to get some earlier feedback on where the story was going so far. If all goes well, expect newer and larger chapters soon.

Chapter 1: Shifting Honesty

Authors note: Well the next Chapter is finally finished maybe later that I had hoped. Hopefully the story will get more interesting as it gets up to speed.

LOCATION: UNKNOWN
/COORDINATES/
S:???/???/???,
T:???/???/???
C:??/??/??
DOMINION: UNKNOWN
DATE: UNKNOWN
LOCAL TIME: UNKNOWN

There was a mare. Her name was Crystal Clear. She had just found herself waking up in Luna's living chambers after being knocked unconscious by the Royal Canterlot Voice. Upon facing Luna for the second time, the Princess of the Night attempted to apologize to the mare and welcomed her with confections. However, years of built up frustration in Crystal Clear was Finally released. Crystal Clear's now bitter reception hurt Luna on a personal level, driving her to enflame the conflict with her own frustrated shouting.

"You... yooou.. DO YOU HAVE ANY BUCKING IDEA WHAT I HAVE TO GO THROUGH EVERY NIGHT?!?!?! MAYBE WHAT YOU SAID COULD BE PINNED ON MY SISTER, BUT I HAVE HAD ENOUGH OF PONIES PILING ALL THE BLAME ON THE PRINCESS OF THE NIGHT FOR THEIR TROUBLES! I WORK AND WORK TO MANGE BOTH MY DUTIES AND THE PROBLEMS THAT MY SISTER IS TOO INCOMPETENT TO SOLVE! BUT DOES ANYONE THANK ME FOR WHAT I DO?!?!? NO!!!! THEY CONTINUE TO CUDDLE UP TO MY SISTER AND HER PRETTY WORDS!!! I TAKE MY TIME TO TRY BEING KIND TO YOU AFTER WHAT HAPPENED; I EVEN WAS GOING TO GIVE YOU THE POSITION OF SCRIBE. YOU SEEMED UNHAPPY AND I TRIED TO HELP BUT I CAN SEE NOW THAT YOU ARE SIMPLY AN UNGRATEFUL WHELP LIKE THE REST OF THEM! LEAVE MY CHAMBER AND NEVER RETURN TO ASK SOMETHING OF ME EVER AGAIN!!!"
Crystal Clear, having the last of her hopes torn away, slowly faced away from Luna, feeling a combination of frustration and sorrowful failure. She then briskly proceeded out of the Caste with her Father, never to be seen again by the Princess of the Night.
For Luna, it was just another ungrateful subject to be swept clear from her mind with a days rest. She looked back to the tea and muffins that she had so painstakingly created and quickly ejected them over the side of her balcony in anger.
"Its no use trying to come to terms with these ponies. All I have now is myself." Luna muttered to herself coldly
Luna gave herself a quick glance in her mirror as she returned to her court. Oh did her jet black coat look lovely at this hour.....

LOCATION: UNKNOWN
/COORDINATES/
S:???/???/???,
T:???/???/???
C:??/??/??
DOMINION: UNKNOWN
DATE: UNKNOWN:OFFSET+1
LOCAL TIME: 2:24 PM

Luna abruptly awoke from her daytime rest. She was confused. What had happened last night? Was she just now dreaming?

After not being able to return to sleep, she decided to perhaps prepare some tea. However, as she opened a cabinet to fetch a cup, she noticed that two cups out of her six cup set where missing. She paused, what did she do with the cups? It felt like her memories were conflicting each other. She seemed have two sets of memories of what appeared to be the same night. She remembered arguing with a Miss Crystal Clear but what happen afterward was now a blur.
"Forget it, I just need some tea" Luna thought dismissingly

She took the time to make another small batch of tea and began to approach the table on her balcony. What she found there rekindled her interest in the events of the previous night. There lay her two missing cups, maybe slightly stained with tea, sitting on either side of the table. Accompanying the cups were two glass plates with traces of muffin crumbs.

Wait.... did she not toss all those off the balcony? Luna prodded her mind with great intensity to understand this discrepancy and retraced her steps.

Returning to court....

Looking at the mirror....

The mirror....

Luna peered into the mirror to see a dark blue Alicorn mare staring back.

But she remembered her coat was a deep midnight black?

It was with that thought she realized that she had just recently woke from a dream. With this revelation, all of her true memories of the night before came flooding back.

She had met Crystal Clear. They had an arguement. However, it was then that Crystal stayed with her and in the end Luna found out how much they had in common over tea and muffins. As the memories came, Luna could not help but begin to feel a warm welcoming feeling enveloping her . Maybe she would no longer feel so alone....

She took her small batch of tea and sat at the table on the balcony to look out onto Canterlot .

Canterlot was the Equestrian capitol city located in the center of the Equestrian valley within the Everfree forrest. From this central position, the Capitol could serve as a major trading hub and crossroads for all of Equestria proper.

Luna could see cloudsdale over the treetops to the northeast and the outpost of Manehatten to the west. She could not help herself but to take in the view while thinking about the now very real possibility of finally improving her public outlook with the help of her new scribe.

"Well I should not try to let my hopes soar too far, but it has been far too long!" Luna thought to herself

"Oh the fun we could have! We could go for a picnic, research all sorts of interesting magic, or play pranks on my sister together.... No, wait, I cannot be thinking of such things now! Miss Clear is now my Royal assistant and I must utilize her assistance for the good of Equestria! But... that does not mean we cannot still be friends does it?" Luna finished her soft-spoken monologue

For the good of Equestria.... what had Equestria ever done for her? She felt like she had given up her life for a nation that only shunned her and her nights in return…..

Perhaps if she and her new assistant where expediant, she could go on a vacation in a week or two....

As she finished her tea on this thought, she felt prepared to return to bed.

As Luna laid down to rest again, she could only think inviting thoughts of meeting her new assistant again.

LOCATION: UNKNOWN
/COORDINATES/
S:???/???/???,
T:???/???/???
C:??/??/??
DOMINION: UNKNOWN
DATE: UNKNOWN:OFFSET+1
LOCAL TIME: 6:05 PM

Crystal Clear was not exactly sure what to think of it. She was now going to be the personal scribe and assisant of the Princess of the Night. Her friends and parents were ecstatic and she actually got a day to herself for the first time in years. Of course she did need to return to bed for a few hours at the will of her parents to be well rested for the long night, but it had been a good day for her nonetheless. Maybe even too good, she thought. She was able to attend a play at the West Canterlot Threater. She was able to spent time with some old friends even if they mostly wanted to talk about her new job. She was even able to take her time picking out a fine dress for her upcoming occasion.

It was one thing she had in common with the rest of Canterlot society. She always wanted to project a good appearance. At the same time however, she had always been a mare that wished to stand out from the crowd in some way.

"Oh deary, this one is fantastic!" said Crystal's mother, examining a rather pompous periwinke gown that would not look out of place at a Canterlot ball.

"It definitly looks telling of one’s importance, and it even matches your mane!" Proclaimed Crystals Father.

"Speaking of which, it is high time we remedied that ruffled mane of yours as well. Do you not agree dear Crystal?"

Perhaps her mane did need some attention, but Crystal dismissingly thought that the gown just did not define how she felt about her current state of being. While the dress was well made and regal, it still seemed to convey submission to establishment. Crystal was looking for a fashion statement that would not only make her feel empowered to make her own choices for once but to also convey to Luna that hopefully she would be different from the usual company of the Princess of the Night.

She could only only begin to slightly blush in glee as she contemplated what she would wear.

Something daring....

Something more commanding....

Something perhaps more masculine then what Mares would usually wear?

This thought at first was rather embarrassing to Crystal but as she thought about it seemed more and more alurring. Would she really consider something bordering cross-dressing? Maybe not that far, but something that was not a mares dress or gown would be interesting. When wearing cloths, Mares in Equestrian high society virtually always wore some type of feminine dress or gown. It felt almost scandalous and defiant to deviate from this trend; hopefully something Luna could maybe appreciate.

This was maybe the first opportunity for Crystal to leave the sheltered lifestyle set by her parents and try something new. Crystal quickly pushed her mind forward with her choice. Her idea made her feel as free as a Pegasus and everypony else be damned, she was going to do it!

While her parents were distracted, trying to find a different outfit, Crystal trotted over to the end of the shop that displayed various coats in all shapes and sizes. She remembered seeing some of the Guard officers sometimes wear coats to display their status, so a coat might do the Royal assistant some justice.

Crystal blushed slightly again, it felt like an adventure. She then shook her head lightly, no more need to daydream.

Crystal quickly snapped back into focus and begun to scan the coats on the rack.

There were light sporting coats, thick shaved fur coats, business wear, as well as feminine coats designed for mares in a rainbow of colors.

However one unique coat in particular caught her interest.

It was a silky and very dark green coat with ornate gold trim. The material would shine neon blue in the light, roughly matching Crystals mane. The coat looked like it would cover the entire length of her body and it had sleeves for all four of her legs. The gold trimming lined both the back edge of the coat and all of the sleeves with a pattern of pixelated diagonal squares.

Full body coverage was odd for normal pony fashion but it at the same time could be useful for long winter nights. Upon slipping on the coat with her telekinesis and looking in a mirror, Crystal noticed that this coat balanced the appearance of being a mare with being a unique individual fairly well.

"Interesting Choice madam, the pony that sold this coat to me was not quite satisfied with the design. She claimed that she might have had a rebellious flare in her at one time but quickly regretted it and asked me it I could get her any money for it. She was a good friend and patron so I could not truly refuse her wish. I have never seen it on anypony. I guess it does not look too bad but such a style is somewhat strange for canterlot. If what your parents say is true and you are preparing for an important position, would you possible consider these outfits over here?" The keeper of the clothing stop gestured over to a different batch of more conventional coats” The owner of the dress shop spoke with a hint of disapproval in him voice.
"I think I will keep this one sir" Crystal replied beginning to return to her parents who were still distracted by dresses.
....

"Oh I am sure she will appreciate this one dear" Said Crystal's mother

"Ahh yes even more fitting than the last" Laudan Clear replied confidently

"Oh sweetie you must see this dre..." Crystal's mother started to say as she turned around to face Crystal, now wearing the new coat.

As both parents examined Crystal's new clothing they could not help but begin to snicker. This snicker then became joking laughter

"Oh my dear Crystal, it warms my heart to know that you have such an interesting since of humor!" Laudan clear said once his laughter reseeded.

" Mother, father, I chose this coat as my new attire." Crystal said in a calm but stern manner

"Deary, you simply cannot be seen in court with THAT on. You look like some sort of gypspony or something, not a pony of dignified status!" Crystal's mother said with some disappointment

"Well I think it is something to help me distinguish myself from other ponies and Luna may like it. Mother, father, you both said I could pick out any outfit I desire, partially in celebration of my achievement. Please give me this one opportunity to act for myself like a 'pony of dignified status'.” At this point Crystal was beginning to strain to hold back her more rebellious attitude buried under years of toil for a goal that was not really her own.

Laudan let out a sigh : "If this is what you truly wish and you believe it will improve your appearance then so be it, we will get you this coat. But let it be known now that I will not tolerate you disgracing the family name if you should fail us!"

"Laudan... Dear... please reconsider I wish for Crystal succeed too but.." Crystal's mother interjected before being cut off.

"As much as I do not like that coat, Crystal has done well so far and she correct. She cannot be in such an important government position with us getting in her way. Maybe Luna will like the coat, strange and absurd as she may be at times." Crystal father replied somewhat reluctantly.

SOON....

"Come again and good luck!" The shopkeeper called out as the the family left from the counter.
The Clear family threesome proceeded to check out the coat and leave the shop. Crystal continued to put on a face of nervous anticipation. It was nearly time for her to make her way to the castle to meet with Luna on professional terms for the first time. Canterlot was in dimming twilight as the sun began to slide under the tree line. The view did not look too bad from Canterlots main street leading directly to the palace gates. Many ponies were returning to their homes at about this time, ready to retire to bed. For Crystal she would now need to alter her sleep cycle to raise at this time. Inconvenient, but hopefully worth it.

MEANWHILE.....

Luna sat in the castle's main dining hall after finishing the task of calling forth the night, it was now time for dinner... or breakfast in her case. It really did not matter what she called it, she was just hungry. Celestia's staff informed Luna that her sister would be slightly late to dinner tonight. Because of this, the dishes were on the dining table before the Princess of the Sun had Arrived. Just before Luna was able to begin eating, the main door to the dining hall opened to reveal Luna's older sister.

"Good evening Luna, have you slept well today?" Celestia asked in a caring and pleasant tone

"Yes sister, everything was fine today. Has your day been well?" Luna replied lacking some enthusiasm.

At this point in their lives, the royal pony sisters were not on the best of terms. Celestia was concerned for her sister. To her , Luna seemed unhappy and uneasy despite Celestia's best efforts to try cheering Luna up. At first she felt confident that she could put Luna at ease and warm her heart again. She had always been able to do this for every other pony. All a pony needed was to experience the magic that a little bit of friendship could bring, but Luna ended up being different. Luna had within her an essence of thinking that worried Celestia greatly. Luna seemed to have a much stronger sense of personal desire burning within her than other ponies. Celestia believed that feelings of desire and ambition like Luna's were dangerous thinking for Equestria. Most ponies that had any true ambition ended up causing more harm than good. Some became defiant of society while others would attempt to advance an agenda at the expense of their peers. Because of this, many ponies that showed signs of this behavior had to be "suppressed”. Luna was beyond normal means of treatment but Celestia did not wish to take more intensive measures on her own sister. She had to save Luna from the disappointment and cold heartedness that could result from it. As Equestria's eldest living citizen, Celestia felt that she had a responsibility to maintain harmony in her land and this included her sister .

Luna on the other hand did not share her sisters views.

Celestia always tried to put on a appearence of wisdom and composure to everypony around her. Luna believed this was a way of instilling hope that Celestia, as a ruler that was now hundreds of years old, would have the knowledge and wisdom to overcome any challenge. While Celestia was a sharp pony by any standard, she was not infallible. Luna had observed that maybe her sister had let her seniority go to her head somewhat. Celestia would nag on her often about how to handle things better (mostly socializing with other ponies, something Luna was not the best at), while asking Luna to do things for her supposedly to help Luna "grow as a leader and a pony". Luna knew that could not be farther from the truth. Celestia would ask things of Luna of which she could not do herself. Luna always ended up with a lot more work because of this. Luna even wondered if Celestia was holding her back on purpose to prevent her from taking the spotlight. As irritating as her sister could be, Luna never liked seeing her sister's supposedly legendary composure break down and her confidence shattered by any task too difficult. Luna as the better problem solver still desired for more recognition even if it would tear into her sisters image of infallible wisdom and knowledge.

Both sisters for a few minutes after would eat in silence until Celestia finally spoke. "So how did you meeting go last night with the candidates for your assistant position?"

Luna looked up from her meal "It went well actually. I have found a suitable assistant for my duties. She will be arriving soon."

Celestia felt a mixture of hope and curiosity at the thought that Luna had found somepony to work with so quickly. Perhaps things where beginning to change for the better?

"That is wonderful news. Would it be acceptable with you to know the name of this pony? I would love to meet her." Celestia said calmly

Luna thought about her sister's request for a moment. On one hoof, letting her know some things about Crystal may keep her nosy sister at bay. However, Celestia did not need to be ruining any of her sister's potential plans now did she?

"She is the youngest daughter of the Clear Family, well read in all manners of Equestrian government I hear." Luna replied with a bit more confidence.

Celestia put on a soft smile. The Clear family was filled with many ponies with their hooves planted firmly on the ground. They had some ambitions to boost their image to the other families of Canterlot but nothing that was too far-fetched from their peers. It looked like Luna's new assistant would be a fine influence on her. Maybe they could even become friends.

"Oh Luna I believe you will not be disappointed."

Luna was beginning to slightly warm up to her sister at this point.

"So do I sister, so do I. However, I also believe the time has come to meet with Ms. Clear. I must go now Tia, but I will tell you how everything has worked out at dawn." Luna raised from her seat and began walking to the throne room.

"Good night sister. Thank you for bringing this mare to my attention." Luna said this with some conviction.

"Good night and good wishes to you Luna, I look forward to speaking with you tomorrow"

SHORTLY AFTER....

Luna was cantering down one of castle Canterlot's west wing hallways overlooking the edge of the small Everfree plateau. Luna could see her moon from here illuminated all of the lower Everfree forest. It was just a hallway, but it's scenic view made it one of Luna's favorite places in the Castle. It was also the fastest route to the throne room, passing through the hall of harmony. Luna wondered as she stayed in transit, if the Castle's designer intended for this route to be so interesting...
It was at about this time that Luna had reached the hall of Harmony, the large chamber which now housed the six Elements of Harmony upon an alter at the far end of the hall.

Despite being used by the princesses several times in their battle with the Spirit of Chaos, little was actually known about the six colored stones or how they worked.

They had existed long before the appearance of the Royal Pony Sisters, and, if some ancient texts were correct, predated Discord himself. Many times over, ponies and other beings would attempt to capture them for their immense power. However, most intentions good or bad never resulted in the Elements being activated. While they only would come to bear at the most trying times in recorded history, the elements always projected a warm, comfortable aura to anypony nearby.

Luna made one quick look to the elements standing on the altar. At one point it seemed like this aura was now gone for some reason. However, Luna had more pressing matters to attend to she thought, and continued across the hall to the next hallway.

pop....

crackle....

This sound made Luna perk up and rush back into the hall to identify the source of the new noise. Nothing, however, appeared out of the ordinary within the hall.

"Must be my imagination, perhaps I really do need a vacation...." Luna thought out loud

With this she once again began walking towards the throne room maybe now a bit late.

Once she finally came through the rear doors to the throne room she saw her night court guard ready for the night, one of which then approached her.

"Good evening your majesty, it appears we now have three ponies waiting outside for your audience. These ponies are requesting a pony under the name of Crystal Clear to be formally introduced to the court as you new assistant." The guard said

Luna took a moment to compose herself before speaking. "Yes, we wish to speakth with this group posthaste! Allow entry of these subjects right away!"

"At once your highness!"

It was then the two guards closest to either door began opening them to reveal Crystal Clear and her parents slowly moving forward. Luna could easily see Crystal's blue mane and neon coat, but what in the moons name was she wearing? It was some kind of coat, but nothing like Luna had seen before. Still it gave Crystal a unique appearance and the coloring was nice.

"It is good to speakth with thou again Miss Crystal Clear" Even though Luna was not fond of it, she kept up the Royal Canterlot Voice at least until Crystal and herself could speak in private later.

Laudan Crystal then spoke first. "The Clear Family is deeply honored to have its youngest daughter endeavor in this prestigious position of government you highness!"

Crystal's mother Clenin Clear then proceeded to speak "Oh you majesty! We know at heart that you will not be displeased with Crystal's abilities."

"Crystal Clear hath shown us the full extent of her merits as of yesterday. We did not relegate anything of thy daughter to speculation! But there can be time for pleasantries much thereafter. Miss Clear, are thou prepared to take the oath of Royal serivce and Loyalty?" Luna replied with energy

"Yes Princess Luna..." Crystal said with confidence

"Then thou willth now say as this guard speaks." Luna then motioned for a nearby night guard to come forth to begin speaking the oath for Crystal to recite.

I Crystal Clear...

As born to Equestria as my family and friends hath lived....

Do take thy oath of service to the great courts of the guardians of the skies....

To go about my days and trials upholding the virtues of honesty, loyalty, kindness, generosity, and laughter.....

At the side of my sovereign...

For the good of all ponies

Earth , pegasus and Unicorn....

Now and forever more....

Crystal said her oath with passion, maybe not necessarily for Equestria itself, but for the mare that listened to and understood her true desires.

.........

Crack

It was at this time, that a crack had formed of the orange stone found within the hall of Harmony

Chapter 2: A Different Kind of Oath

“Very well done Crystal Clear! Now that you have completed the initiation, we can begin to adjust thou to thy new living as Chief Royal Scribe!” Luna said in an approving tone.

“At your will Princess!” Crystal said with a slightly joking tone

“Very well then! Let no passing be in vain! Family of our new assistant, we appreciate thy acquaintance, but now we ask for the conclusion to this meeting! Thou are dismissed! May you travels under our moon be safe!”

“At once your highness!” Laudan Clear replied

“Make your family proud my dear Crystal!” Clenin Clear called out

With this, both of Crystal’s parents were escorted out of the throne room.

Luna tilted her head close to Crystal and whispered. “Come walk with me Crystal there is still much I wish to discuss.”

As she finished, she gestured to the night guards out of the throne room to wait outside. Soon, only Crystal and the Princess of the night remained.

“is something wrong?” Crystal muttered back

“No, I simply wish to take the time to show you around the castle and….. perhaps to get to know my new assistant better.” Luna replied sounding somewhat guilty as she gestured for Crystal to follow her.

Luna had just now remembered the risks she was now considering taking.

For a few moments there was silence until Crystal attempted to drum up conversation
“Princess, your speaking was very eloquent, do you enjoy it?”

“Are you referring to my voice as of now or my way with the Royal Canterlot Voice?”

“ The latter” Crystal answered

“Yes, the voice of Royalty is to always captivate with poetic prose and I do find it entertaining occasionally. However, I guess you could say that I am not very favorable to hiding behind a way of speaking. I cannot see how the shouting aspect of the voice would ever help me improve my image as a caring ruler. When I use the voice, subjects cower and dip to my presence, however when I try to speak as most ponies do, rumors of weakness in me would spread among the nobility.”

“Well why would you, the all powerful princess of the night, be afraid of some band of stuffy nobility?” Crystal inquired jokingly

“Those nobleponies still hold enough influence that they could compromise the legitimacy of my rule if motivated. I need ponies under me to comply if I should ever want to accomplish anything. I would not give a care if I did not feel afraid that my sister and her subjects would have difficulties filling the void I would create by simply walking away. I would just be throwing away any hope of ever being loved and accepted again.”

“I.. I guess that makes sense” Crystal said, warily.

“But with your assistance Crystal… “Luna began to smile weakly

Crystal looked up.

“Maybe then can my duties as Princess feel more worthwhile… but we can discuss such things… after we have attended to duties at hoof. So let me give you a look around Castle Canterlot to get you familiar with daily tasks.”

So they began their trot around the castle as Luna explained various protocols.

Luna’s tone began focused and dignified but became more guilty and apologetic near the end of her instructions. “Your role as my chief scribe and assistant will be managing the logistics of the actions and decrees I sent in motion. You will often relay instructions from me to whoever is tasked with running said operations. Many ponies in Equestria perform with more vigor if they can meet their supervisors in pony. It should go without saying that I myself have had ‘difficulties’ with this approach, not to mention that I now manage operations that originally fell under my sisters responsibilities. I will not deceive you Crystal, because of that, you maybe have to whether longer periods without sleeping like I have sometimes needed to do. But fear not, I will provide you with special potions to augment you in this undertaking. With all spoken, do you, Miss Clear, consider yourself up to this task?”

LATER….

For the next few hours, Luna continued to walk Crystal though various proceedings of running the night court. She got to witness a few ponies coming to make proposals and Luna carrying out various governmental operations. Many of the ponies she spoke with did not see too happy to work with her.

After some time, Crystal and Luna found themselves once again alone in a large hallway. It had been an interesting night so far but one cold fact still pricked at her mind.

The thought of lacking sleep greatly bothered Crystal. Even though she had been worked hard by her father in government studies, she had never once been pushed as far as to miss sleep. She almost regretted the decision to become the night court assistant. She had never expected a position touted as one of high status to possibly be so demanding on her. Up to this point she just wanted a break from the grind that she had be used to. However, Crystal noticed that Luna’s tone of voice in speaking to Crystal had continued to shift between a composed formal and a more sincere casual ever since they had began walking around the castle. Luna seemed to be quite edgy. Maybe on top of all of the negativity often thrown her way by common ponies, she truly was in fact, overworked.

Crystal remembered this feeling. It was years ago when she had just began one of her most intense education regiments at one of Canterlot’s most prestigious universities. It was at that point she felt like she could not take such things anymore. Her family had pushed her into these trials against her own wishes. She had always wanted to be an actress or creative director for some theater company. She enjoyed drama and quickly found government studies boring beyond belief. She, however, had no choice due to her parents deciding that the best application of Crystals talents in communication were in government operations or in the nobility. Her foalhood friends did not understand why she was so upset. She was going to trained to someday work for the princesses or maybe become a noble, what was not to like? Careers were heavily governed by Cutie Mark based special talents and Crystal’s talent opened up many opportunities. Unfortunately for Crystal, it was widely considered to be ungrateful to have a career that did not utilize a pony’s talent to its fullest influence. She felt caged by the culture she now lived in. Nopony in Canterlot seemed to care about her true feelings or desires. It once reached the point where she attempted to run away from her parents and Canterlot, only to be apprehended by royal guards after three days on the run in the countryside. Her parents would then keep her under strict watch for the next few years. Eventually, Crystal would come to accept her fate, but her bitterness about her future would not be too far from the surface in her consciousness.

Even if Crystal’s life was soon to become even busier, she for once in her life felt that she was in a better place. Maybe all of her hardship would pay off after all somehow. Before she continued however, she needed to truly get to know who her princess really was as a good friend, not an employer. She had gotten a glimpse of the true pony behind the face of royalty in their previous night. They could have much in common but Crystal needed to know more. Such a task just could not wait.

“I need to ask you something first Luna. If we will be working together then I need to know what is troubling you at this moment Luna. Please share your troubles with me. ” Crystal put a drive of deep sincerity

“ I….. um…. Er….. It is simply some recent frustrations with my operations and Canterlot politics in general. Nothing that you need to be concerned for me about…. Business as usual.” Luna’s response was followed by an awkward pause.

“ I say we get back to our look around of the castle, shall we?” Luna looked nervous
Crystal gave a smug glare of disapproval. “It did not seem like such a mundane issue judging by our first meeting last night.

You seemed ready to tear yourself apart. Please tell me!”

Luna said nothing with a look of melancholy on her face

Crystal began to feel desperate, emotions beginning to well up. She must not throw away such a chance to meet somepony like Luna.

“ I… I need to know if you can be a pony that I can express some personal troubles to. I so greatly need a pony that actually to converse with that could understand who I truly am and I believe you do too.” Crystal was on the verge of tears. Years of bitterness welling up needing release.

“Please Luna, you look so stressed. Is this not what you also have desired for? To have somepony to talk to who can relate?”

Luna looked look strained and conflicted. She had honestly never expected this to happen with this much intensity. She thought that her outburst the previous night would dispel Crystal. That it was almost a law of nature for her to be without a true companion ever since she and Celestia began to drift apart in recent years. She had been so shocked and so delighted at first to have company like Crystal. But then she remembered the dangers of Princesses having personal friendships.

“Crystal, as much as I desire the companionship of a pony like you, I…I still have worries about if this would be a wise idea. I feel torn by the risk I would be taking. The princesses are not supposed to have personal friends. I am not supposed to pick favorites. I have lived for hundreds of years now. If anypony where to find out, especial the nobility of Canterlot, ponies who serve under me may no longer be ‘willed’ to follow my instructions if I did not hold an image of intimidation. Worst yet, they may come for you Crystal. I have many enemies both in the nobility and common pony that are always looking for any weakness or liabilities on my part. The last thing I would allow for is for you to come of harm in light of my actions.” Luna spoke sincerely.

Crystal Clear gave off a look of defeat.

“Please, do not be disappointed…. It still touches me deeply to know the at least somepony can care and relate. If we are to work together under that sentiment, it will still have much good meaning in it.” Luna continued.
Crystal for a moment was silent, still taken aback by this realization. How had she been so naïve? Canterlot politics were a serious game and she may have been simply setting herself up for another incident like the one that happened years ago….. or….. worse.

No…..

She would not let anything stop her if she knew that Luna and herself had a chance to develop a bond, maybe almost as sisters. Any risk was better than spending the rest of her life as a pet of her parents and a prisoner of a restricting high society culture.

“Luna, I do not give any apples about what could happen to me. You are the only pony that has not attempted to make me their pet. It would be all worth it. Please, I do not want to return to the life I had before just with a new job. It once drove me so far as to attempt to run away from home when I was a filly! After almost dying in the countryside, I was caught by royal guards and dragged back to Canterlot only to be kept under tight watch ever since!”

“So YOU were that filly that everyone was in panic about years ago? Your parents definetly seemed so worried for your safety when they begged me to….. Oh Crystal! I did not know that I played a part in your past troubles!” Luna was shocked at this new thought.

Luna began to worry deeply for Crystals well being even if she was kept at hooves length. She could be , as Celestia and her staff called, a “Maverick” pony. Mavericks were ponies that did not wish to accept their “Destined” place in Equestria or who’s personal desires in life directly conflicted with their cutie marks. These ways of thinking were considered dangerous to Equestrian society.

If she where to attempt anything unacceptable as a full growth mare independent of her parents….

Luna was never fond of what could happen next nor could she attempt to stop her sister from making her “corrections” hence she start a civil war. She had to keep Crystal from taking her rebellious tendencies too far in the society they both lived in. Luna figured that the most effective way to do this would be to provide Crystal with the very thing she needed most: somepony who would listen.”

Then Luna snapped to realization. What was she thinking just moments ago? Why did she just attempt to push Crystal away anyway? Somepony actually desiring above all else to be a true friend through life’s trials and she was now worried about what her sister or those snotty nobles though of her? She had dreamed and hoped that she would someday meet a pony like Crystal. One that Celestia had not “addressed” first. She had hoped since they parted last night that things would come to this. Another fiery soul filled with the desire to determine its own destiny. She had to protect who Crystal was from a world that was deathly afraid of strong personal identities and ambitions. She had to jump at this chance as it may never come again.

Luna continued to ponder the course she would now take….

With Crystal at her side she would not need to care anymore… not about her sisters opinion or what anypony besides Crystal thought of her. Luna felt a rush of new possibilities. She and her new assistant could take on the world. Maybe they could even change societies’ outlook on personal ambition for the better. It felt better to try than to spend what could be an eternity alone or give her sister times to attempt to “correct” any more self-seeking ponies.

Luna then transitioned from an expression of worry to one of pleasing anticipation with such thoughts. The next few weeks looked like they could be fun. Maybe she could go on that vacation after all, with Miss Clear present of course.

Luna could only beam a smile, “Well… if you feel so strongly about your desire to know me…. Then we could now make a different kind of oath.”

“What kind of oath?”

“ To always listen to each other. “

“Do you really mean it? Best friends and companions for life and beyond?” Crystal asked eagerly, now hopping briskly.

“We will see Crystal, we will see. Form now however, let us spit on it.” Luna said with somewhat reckless enthusiasm, firing various mouth liquids onto her waiting hoof.

This caught Crystal completely off guard to say the least.

“Wa..wa …WHAT?!?... T-That is completely disgusting!”Crystal quickly recoiled as Luna extended her hoof forward

“I…I got filthy enough back when I was crossing a bog while running away from home! Please not again!”

“Oh…. Erm… I would not mind you telling that story later. But you no longer need to worry Crystal. You are safe with me. Now please, let us shake on our new arrangement.”

But did you really find it necessary to spit on your hoof?” Crystal snapped

“I take it you always wanted to reject the society we now live in, yes? This is merely the first step my dear companion! Please, do it for me?” Luna began to flutter her eyelids playfully

“oh.. erm… very well then. Just this once. For your friendship” Crystal proceeded to spit on her hoof, clearly not liking it, and slamming the bottom of her hoof into Luna’s.”

Shake

Both ponies had a reckoning of what the consequences might be, but it was better than being alone….
“Now, how about that story of you running away..” Luna said

SOON…..

The Princess of the Night and company retired to Luna’s chamber for Tea and snacks. With this, they both began to elaborate on tales of what brought them to this point.

…..

“ I always loved Drama and have always wanted to build a career in theater but my parents decided that my talents would be better applied as a member of the Royal Court. I honestly believe that all they wanted was to exploit the fact that they had a daughter with a valuable talent for their own personal gain. It is the same thing with my old friends, if I can still call them that. Everyone wanted to know that mare with a talent for communication. They never wanted to know Crystal Clear.”

Luna pondered for a moment “ Well I am sure that they, deep inside, care about who you are. It is just too easy to lose sight in this world we live in. Much of who we are is cast in stone, fixed, to many degrees further than I am sure many would like. Some ponies enjoy it, others just accept it, while others make the best of it.”

“Well would if a pony ends up with a very niche talent or one that has little value? What if that talent is something that is virtually worthless?” Crystal responded

“Well most ponies are taught to take pride in whatever they can contribute no matter how small. These sentiments are reinforced due to most ponies always being willing to embrace others for who they are. Everypony is happy and everpony continues to pass that happiness on to the next pony. So they Equestrian continues to live in harmony now and forever. Or… at least that is we are supposed to say…”

“If everything is so perfect, then why do I feel otherwise? Why can I not chose the path I want? Why can I not be an actress or threater director?”

“That… is what I am at odds with at the moment. A pony has little real choice in the path their life will take, almost none at all. I honestly do not wish to be Co-ruling Princess of Equestria anymore. Nopony seems to give thanks for all the things I do for them. Everypony seems to hate the nights I bring forth. I could just walk away, but my sister would never be able to take care of Equestria alone. But, more importantly, I presume that Celestia would never stop attempting to drag me back to Canterlot. She always want to be the all-correct ‘wise’ pony who everypony could go to for answers. I ponder it is due to being chosen to bear the element of magic and the elements of harmony by extension. She has too much of a self righteous ego. ” Luna held a slightly defeated sigh.

All this reminded Luna of the previous night.

“Crystal, about last night….”

“If you are referring to own little ‘argument’, then I completely forgive you.” Crystal said cheerfully

“ I believe that I was about to lose my mind that night if You had not stayed with me after my outburst. I was truly thinking that all hope for me was lost. I was so envious of my sister. Fate worked out for her while nothing played out in my favor. It seemed like she now held all the cards. I started having dark thoughts. “Luna shivered with bitterness as she spoke

“I wanted to honestly strike out her, to make her suffer for once. I would give her colossal ego a fine thrashing. …..and the ‘people of Equestria?’ Well, maybe I could teach them to respect me, my accomplishments and my beautiful night skies. I wanted to take action to unleash my wrath upon them all.” Luna let out a sigh

“But now… I just would like to get away from it all. Maybe to sneak out of the castle unnoticed and find enjoyment. Perhaps we could both go on a vacation together.”

Crystal expressed feelings of bitter sweetness. “That does sound like a wonderful idea, better that… your previous…. thoughts, but… who will tend to our duties in our absence? Would you sister and the nobles be unfavorable of this idea?”

“Well.. I believe that I may have a plan in light of recent events. Honestly it never felt to be worth the effort until I met you Crystal Clear. “

“So want do you have in mind then?”

“I feel it is time to began phasing out my position as Co-ruler or perhaps find someone else to fill my shoes who would desire the duties.”

“But what about my position as your assistant? All those years of toil?” Crystal interjected

“Oh Miss Clear, I thought I heard you said that you wish to apply your talents elsewhere.”

“Oh…. Um … right. But what about all those years of arduous training? As much as I never asked for it, I simply do not like the thought of that work being all for not.” CrystaI dipped her head, somewhat defeated again.

“Fear not Crystal, we shall accomplish more in a few weeks time than both of us have separately in years of our lives. You career as my assistant will be fulfilled in full.”

Crystal brought her head back up. “Then what do we do now?”

Luna pondered for a moment, tapping her hoof to her chin. It was a couple hours until dawn at this point and despite the dramatic episode that unfolded tonight, Luna had still been able to fulfill virtually all of her orientations of Court protocols to Crystal as planned.

“I believe that you have been adequately introduced to all of the court procedures as I had originally planned so you may be dismissed as my assistant until the next nightfall. ”

“I assume that means we will need part ways for now? ” Crystal asked slightly saddened. She had for the first time in years had truly enjoyable free time with company. Why did it have to end so soon?
Luna gave a warm smile.

“I look forward to meeting with you again Crystal, enjoy the rest the night and please get the rest you will need. I however have something I must now attend to alone. Do not be sad, we will be in each other’s company again soon enough.”

As Crystal passed through the doors of Luna’s chamber, she poked her head in one last time.

“Thank you Luna…. For everything…..”

“Think nothing of it Crystal, It is a wonderful feeling to have somepony like you that I could possible consider a second sister….. Good night Crystal Clear…”

Crystal Clear then shut the door behind her and Proceeded to the Castle exit.

As soon as Crystal departed, Luna quickly gathered her thoughts on the idea she was about to execute. As much as she wished to leave the castle with Crystal, letting everypony possibly see her doing something that was not official business would do nothing but harm.

Until now she never felt like trying to sneak out of the castle and mingle with common ponies. There was, until now, nothing of value waiting for her outside should she succeed to be worth the risks. Many ponies were not fond of her, some simply because she symbolized the night. Regardless of the merits, she had enough interest in this idea to begin researching disguise spells and other illusions to aid in the task. Much of what she found so far came to be useful in executing various pranks on her sister and the nobles.

It was the least she could do to break up the monotony of her rule. Her spree of comedy soon came to an end once Celestia began to enhance the security of the castle. Even though Luna never actually got caught, attempting now to use any current spells for pranks would quickly end up with her actions being detected either by her sister or by one of the court mages entrusted with managing the new security enchantments. This predicament however, only strengthened Luna’s hobby of trying to outdo Celestia and her court when it came to magical research, even more so now that she really did want to make a covert escape from the castle without being tracked down.

Luna was now ready to make her way to the royal archives to search for a more powerful method of masking her presence. She could perhaps continue her readings of Starswirl the Bearded. His works predated the appearance of the Royal pony sisters and there was still much to be found within his more obscure tomes. It was still two or so hours before she would need to lower the moon. Luna felt a confident feeling that she could come up with something before then.
Thinking about getting back to her wild experiments had her reminis about days long ago were she did not have to worry about royal duties or anything of the sort. Of course her life was changed forever on the day she and her sister moved the skies for the first time. With her mind set on researching new magic, she decided to return to an age old question: How did she and her sister really come control the skies of day and night?

Chapter 3: Bridge of Memories

Luna drifted into memory…….

They had originally been relatively normal two ponies that had been found with horns, wings and showed signs of earth pony strength, full alicorns. This was an extremely rare but not entirely unheard of birth race. Celestia had a white coat and pink mane while Luna's coat was a deep blue with a periwinkle mane . What was strange was their lack of cutie marks with both sisters being in adolescence, Luna just beginning and Celestia closer to adulthood. The two sisters came into the fold during the height of Discord’s chaotic age and quickly made their impact by being the first ponies in an impossibly long time to activate the elements of harmony.

Every changed in the days immediately after they had defeated Discord. They began to grow in size, soon surpassing most average mares. To accompany this, their basic pony abilities became greatly enhanced, especially their unicorn magic. Both sister took these developments in a different manner. Celestia wished to see how much she come accomplish where as Luna preferred to experiment or have fun with her power.

With her great powers, Celestia often assisted the ponies of the small village of Whitetail of which she called home. In the eyes of the villagers, the current King of Equestria, Irregular Pearl always seemed to overlook the problems of common villages as he focused on grand projects such as roads and aqueducts. Celestia at the time was young, confident and very ambitious, Her exploits would soon get her into competition with Irregular Pearl, whom did not want to be outdone by a commoner, even if she was an extremely powerful commoner. Celestia had dreams to someday beating Pearl at his own game and leading Equestrian in a manner beneficial for all ponies and not just the “egos of nobility” as she would say.

Luna, being more easygoing then her sister, did not think pearl was such a bad ruler like many in the village. He could be somewhat egocentric, but many of his “Grand projects” had in fact brought work to many ponies who had recently begun to recover from Discords chaotic age. The Grand projects, when finished, would bring forth many benefits to the entire kingdom even if they were part of pearl proving himself to the nobility.

Everything changed one day five years after Discord's defeat when Irregular Pearl decreed that a few houses in Whitetail would need to be razed to make way for the current aqueduct project. The residents of said homes were not willing to leave and the King began to grow impatient. He had offered those effected new places to live that were in fact better furnished than the current houses. Despite this, the residents still refused to leave. If he did not clear a path, a town to the south would go without water. He was at this point too stubborn and frustrated to try finding other ways around. So he sent royal guards to enforce his eviction decree.

He did not wish to tarnish his image by folding to commoners.

It was that day Celestia would stand up for those villagers and prevent the guards from completing their evictions. This had made Irregular pearl furious. He dispatched a second wave of guards on the next day and personally accompanied them to the site. When Celestia once again refused to budge, Pearl briefly considered deploying his army to run everyone from the town and burn it to the ground. Before a fight could break out, Luna came forth to suggest that a challenge be held to decide the matter. Both her sister and King Pearl showed interest in the idea and Pearl quickly proclaimed that he would only back away if Celestia could do something that only the King could currently organize: Moving the heavenly bodies to cycle day and night.

At the time, the unicorn nobility of Equestria were responsible in organizing a large team of the most powerful unicorns to all join together in powering the day-night cycle. This was done by grasping either the sun or moon with a concentrated plume of Unicorn energy and forcing them to move. This task often required a few hundred full grown ponies to execute within ten minutes.

The challenge was simple. Celestia, along with a team of any Unicorns that were willing to join her, would need to raise the sun as well as or faster than the current Royal regiment could. However Celestia, despite her friends offering their help, chose to take on this challenge alone. She felt confident that as the most powerful pony ever known, she could leave the King with no excuses and smash his over-sized ego as much as possible. To this end Celestia honed her magical prowess for nearly two weeks until it was time.

Luna recalled the morning of pearl’s challenge clearly even though it was now over 300 years in the past and 4 years after the fall of discord. It began and ended much like some idealistic foals tale. Many ponies that had heard of the rapidly growing power of the two Alicorn sisters gathered in the courtyard of the old Canterlot Keep that preceded the current Canterlot castle. This included common ponies, nobility and the current teams of ponies tasked with cycling day and night. Celestia was exited and Luna was uneasy with all the attention.

LOCATION: UNKNOWN
/COORDINATES/
S:???/???/???,
T:???/???/???
C:??/??/??
DOMINION: UNKNOWN
DATE: UNKNOWN : OFFSET – 263 I.C.Y
LOCAL TIME: 5:00 AM

Upon the start of the event, Celestia with an aura of confidence trotted to the center. Many of her close friends and neighbors were their cheering her on. She began to focus a telekinetic field into a large plume and fired in toward the sun to beckon its rise. Her execution of the technique was flawless but try as she might, the sun refused to budge faster than a snail’s pace. This was far too slow and would take hours to bring the Sun into position. With all this happening Luna felt like something was stabbing into the back of her head but felt nothing strange when she rubbed her hoof over it. She figured she was just having a neck cramp from looking up so much and began to stretch some to loosen the pain.

Celestia strained as hard as she could. While many were impressed that one pony could move the sun at a fraction of the speed that the current unicorn regiment could, Irregular Pearl glanced around to ponies watching with an confident, maybe boastful, expression that said “I told you so”. He was about to declare that challenge over.

Luna could see that her sister’s confidence was beginning to fail. While Luna mostly stayed to herself, she did not like seeing ponies sad if she could help it, especially like how she now saw her sister. Luna went to her sister’s side as she finished her last attempt and dropped to her haunches in embarrassment. Conveniently enough, the pressure in the back of Luna’s head had vanished as she made her way over to Celestia.

“Luna… I thought I could do this.”

“Well I think you did quite well for a single pony. You did manage to move the sun…. slowly”

“May this be a reminder to all that it takes more than brute force to accomplish great things! Maybe more with see that I cannot be replaced so easily. I hope the villager will better appreciate the services devised under my leadership such as cycling the skies!” Proclaimed Pearl to the whole audience.

Celestia was at wits end trying to find a new path forward. “But it doesn’t matter now, I could not prove Pearl wrong and he will now have his way. Luna….. do you have any idea what I should now do? Maybe I should just tell King Pearl to shove his challenge up his….” Luna gently placed her hoof to her sister’s muzzle.

King Pearl continuing his speech to the assembled nobility, Celestia and Luna continued to pay no attention.

“I suppose all I could think to suggest is simply not to worry about it”

Celestia did a double take. “But Luna, some of our good friends will soon lose their homes! Do you even care?”

“Well Pearl did offer them new homes and other towns need the aqueduct, to me it appears that everything will end as well as it started if you do not try to make it worse.”

“That is not why I resist him Luna. If he is allowed to push ponies around then he will only get worse as time goes on. I want to make the most of my gifts to be sure that does not happen! I desire to make the most of who I am. I just do not see how you can be so carefree when we have such powerful gifts. Do you not feel any obligations?”

“I do not want my past to control my future, sister. There are so many things to explore and enjoy in this world besides making a name for one ’s self. Being such a powerful pony just happens to bring forth even more.”

Celestia, now calming down, began to ponder Luna’s point of view. “I envy you, sister. Does anything ever gnaw at your mind?

“I just to this day see nothing dear that is at risk. Discord is sealed away and no ponies are in true danger No matter what daily squabbles I may face I will still be an Alicorn with the power to make things right the next day. …..and I will still have you who I can fall back to no matter what happens.”

Luna’s words sunk in, Celestia felt that she could understand her sister’s point of view. Maybe she could finish her work in Whitetail and then just take a break from the fast-paced, high-productivity life she once felt she had to live to be worthy of her magical gifts. To be honest, she was quite tired of worry. Perhaps the citizens of Whitetail and Equestria proper could handle themselves. Perhaps the King of Equestrian really did have positive intentions. Maybe she could spend more time with Luna and explore the world with her. Just to let everypony do their jobs and not get so worked up over matters that did not really require her interference.

Celestia for the first time in her life was in a state of mind free of all doubt, of all hindering feelings. Luna now felt the same upon sensing the connection in understanding she now had with her sister. Both felt from now being in each other company a happiness that was absolute. All of the commotion from the ponies around them was shut out as the two sisters gazed at the sun peeking over the horizon. They could see where the skies of day met the stars of night. It was a beautiful sight.

“Tia?”

“What is it sister?”

“Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could fly over there to where the day meets the stars, and then just fly with it as circles the world? Not a care in the world. We could get to see so many things. We could even find where morning dew comes from!” Luna let out a giggle

“That could be fun. We could give it a try considering our gifts.” Celestia replied with new found enthusiasm. “
“Then we should get over there before the Royal Sky teams move it again! Onward sister!” Luna took to the air grabbing Celestia’s hoof.

Luna darted for the horizon and Celestia, not to be outdone chased after her as fast as possible.

The two Alicorns continued to fly….

Faster…..

And faster…. And faster and faster…..

Faster than any known Pegasus could muster….

Faster……

Faster……

Faster……

To the point that all they could focus on was the Horizon and the line between the skies of day and night

So faster that everything around them was nothing but a blur.

….and in no time at all that had apparently traversed a few thousand miles in a little over a minute’s time. However, the two sisters were too lost in their trance of enjoyment to comprehend what they had just done.

“Sister, Look!” Luna pointed to the point in from of then where the darkness met the light.

The border of day and night appeared as an ocean of sunlight with the winds whipping up waves. Luna absent mindedly landed on a morning star now positioned as a small island in this sea of sky. Her sister soon joined her.

They could see the sun submerged in this strange ocean. They could taste the ocean spray, it tasted like the perfect blend of liquid sugar: not too sweet and not too dull.

“I was not expecting to find what looks like at ocean?, What could this all be, Luna?”

“I would not know Tia, maybe you should go jump into it and find out.” Luna gave a tone of playful curiosity.

“I am not sure that if that would be a safe idea.”

Her mind was telling her that jumping into this strange ocean, somehow suspended in the sky could possibly be dangerous. Logic told her that she had no idea what this place was or what it could do it her.

Luna looked around, contemplating her sister’s realization. She could see stars, near or far, above her and an endless ocean of daylight below her. To her right was an boundless expanse of stars and daylight meeting at this ocean he now found herself on. To her left was a curved rolling landmass that she knew was the world she called home. When she looked closer, she could faintly make out the villages of Equestria in the distance. But those were so far away, how did Celestia and herself even get here?

Maybe it was all a dream. Stars did not taste like sugar, or at least that is what a scholar once told her. Nothing was real and nothing could harm her, she figured. That seemed like a good enough excuse.

With her doubts mercilessly cast out, Luna made a graceful leap before plunging into the strange ocean below. Celestia, who had watched, briefly panicked until Luna had surfaced.

“Luna!” Celestia called out with a disapproving tone.

“No worries sister, I believe we happen to be within some sort of dream! Please feel free to join me!”

It seemed like a too quick dismissal at first to Celestia, but Luna’s quick theory made some sense. Only a little sense is what Celestia required to leap into the ocean after her sister.

Both ponies swam and dived through the ocean of sunlight for an indeterminable amount of time. Neither sister seemed to be in a state of mind to really care where they were or what was happening to them but they did eventually grow bored of swimming. They soon moved on to manipulating their surroundings as their playthings. It WAS a dream after all. Was it not? They started by forming artwork out of stars. Then they were able to collect plumes of liquid daylight and warp then into all sorts of shapes such as statues of ponies or various woodland creatures. While such activities yielded a few more indeterminable spans of entertainment, boredom soon returned until Luna had one last really farfetched idea…

“Luna, what should we do now? We already made a castle out of stars and that ocean liquid. We even found that spot where the ocean falls to the ground as morning dew. I cannot conceive of anything else to do. Do you think we will ever wake up?” Celestia said while lying on her back.

“Why don’t we try moving the sun and moon around” Luna said matter-of-factually.

With Luna’s new suggestion, Celestia was quickly reminded of her previous failure to move the Sun as a part of the Kings challenge. These thoughts made her heart sink as if were tied to an anchor. At least she could dream about succeeding…..

“You should try to move the sun while I will go to move the moon. They seem so lonely being so far away from each other. I say we bring them together!” Luna suggested as he headed off to find the Moon.

Luna, after a few minutes of flying across the horizon, was able to find the Moon resting among the stars. She approached the ivory sphere anticipation growing with every inch forward. Luna still felt like she could accomplish anything she desired and quickly dove in to give the moon a big push.

As she sped towards the moon however, she began to feel a strange force push back at her. When she finally got to push on the moon, it budged at first only to soon push itself back to its starting location. It was as if the moon was being tied down by ropes. Luna began puzzled by this new sensation she felt. She continued to deepen her focus on this strange feeling as he pushed until most of her vision began to go dark and any sounds began to become muffled. It was like the world was disappearing around her, gravity giving up its tug on her and all air particles no longer pressing against her body. The only things Luna could now feel were a sensation within herself and another sensation noticeably originating near her sister’s location. Her own sensation felt somewhat like an upwelling of sorts, like steam expanding from a kettle. The other, external feeling felt like she was completely wrapped in excessively tight clothing. When she first noticed these strange sensations, Luna quickly panicked, not sure what was happening to her. Spooked from her strange trance, the surrounding reality quickly returned.

Luna hovered in place for a long moment not sure what had just happened. These feelings were unlike anything she had previously experienced. They did not touch her skin, prick her ears or strike her eyes. Or at least that is what it she though she felt. She only entered that strange state of consciousness for a second or two. If only she could have had more time to assess it more completely. Her curiosity was now once again building.

Without any further hesitation, Luna once again began to search for that “tug” she had felt before while pushing on the moon. Upon moving closer to the moon’s surface, she could begin to feel the familiar resistive force push on her once again and quickly tried to focus on it.

Luna dived deeper and deeper, barely catching notice of her surroundings once again disappearing into nothingness. The strange feelings within and around her returned and this time Luna was prepared to dive even deeper to inspect them.
She first noticed her body, while still shaped like a slightly over-sized alicorn mare, now had a volume taken up by a rapidly flowing red-orange aura. The way it moved outward from her core resembled a powerful geyser. Luna then moved her attention to her surroundings that were now an interlocking mesh of deep blue, bubble-like particles. When Luna reached out her ethereal hoof to stir them, they pushed back somewhat and left a rippling wave of brown-yellow aura to spread out from the point of contact. Luna could feel the slight pressure of this rippling disturbance as it impacted other parts of her body. It must be the same forces that are holding the moon in place! Maybe if she were to….

Luna lost her train of thought as another of force or aura once again tugged on her sharply. It felt like a combination of the welling red force from within her and a more unfamiliar sensation that pulled rather than pressured.

Luna quickly turned around to location the source of this new disturbance. She could see a mixture of blue, green, and red auras emanating from a bright point on the other side of the horizon. The blue aura radiated outward steadily while the red and green auras would appear in erratic bursts.

The combination of auras somehow projected a feeling not unlike sorrow, anxiety or yearning. It felt like somepony was sad and Luna deepened her focus on the point in the distance even further.

Luna wanted a closer look…..

She wanted to move closer….

Closer…..

The point began to grow larger to Luna’s vision…..

Closer….

The point began to take shape into…..

A pony?.....

As the figure became clearer, she could see that the pony had wings….. and a horn? She could also notice that the figure was in a sitting position with its head drooping somewhat.

The pony looked quite familiar and Luna could hear a voice accompanying the pulses of energy released from it.

“What kind of pony am I supposed to be!”

The it dawned on Luna that the pony in front of her was her sister. With this, the blue alicorn called out to her.

“Sister!” The surrounding world faded into Luna’s view once again as she was lifted from her trance.

“Luna?” Celestia Looked up at her sister

“Tia, are you all right?”Luna looked concerned

“I am well enough, but I was unable to move the sun in the slightest.” Celestia let out a sigh.

“I had some success with the moon. It seems some other force is at work in this strange place however, one that has a hold on the moon and perhaps the sun as well.” Luna put her hoof to her chin.

“Sister, what do you think is our purpose for being the kind of ponies we are?” Celestia finally asked her sister.

“What makes you ask that Tia?”

Celestia proceeded to release her frustration “We were gifted with so much. We can wield the elements of Harmony. We have the strength and grace others could only dream of. So why does it not feel like enough to make a difference? I always felt that you and I were destined for something spectacular and that is why I did everything I could to help ponies. But I was not able to help anypony today, no matter how much of my strength I brought to bear. After so much hard work and training for this day! I could not even make the Sun move in this…. dream world or where ever we are. It continues to mock me Luna, like I am sure King Irregular Pearl will whenever we decide to wake up. IS MY LIFE SOME SORT OF CRUEL JOKE!?!” Celestia huffed a few times after violently stomping her hoof.

Luna took in her the true extent of her sister’s feelings. The only thing she could think of was to give her sister a warm hug. “ I would not think so. You are not the only powerful alicorn here. To be honest, I would like it if more ponies we know did not try to take advantage of my power. But you have always been there to understand what a pony like me has to go through, even if you tend to like such attention more than I. You are not some joke to me, you simply may not have explored what else you could do with you power. We could use own “gifts” to have fun together!” Luna said calmly with a pleasant tone.

“I truly am fortunate that I am not nearly one-of-a-kind, otherwise I would have gone insane” Celestia said with a small smile.

“I could easily say the same for myself.” Luna replied

Both ponies paused for a few short moments, unsure of what would could next.

….

“So Luna, what did you have in mind for this ‘fun’ you spoke of?”

Luna began to think for a few more moments, taking in all that had happened so far.

….

“I think I know how we could move the sun and moon around. “

“But Luna, we already attempted that and they do not budge much at all.” Celestia’s expression sunk somewhat.

“We may have looked at how the sun and moon move in the wrong way. I recall that the moon seemed to be bound in place by some elastic field. Perhaps that such field is actually the night sky itself; perhaps the spheres are directly attached to the skies they reside in. Suppose we both attempt to push on both spheres in the same direction at the same time. We could consider the sun and moon like handles on a wooden crank. Maybe that is how the cycling of the sky actually happens.” Luna was showing growing excitement at the thought.

“That… actually seems like a very plausible theory Luna! You should join me in my magical studies more often!” Celestia rubbed her forehoof on Luna’s forehead playfully.

“Shall we give it an effort sister? I say we should try to end this…… weird daydream with some excitement. Let’s see how fast we can get the skies to cycle!” Luna asked with some confidence

“It could end up being humorous, so why not?” Celestia joined in.
“Right then, Tia, you prepare to push on the Sun while I push on the moon. Push the sun towards the surface of the ocean we found in the sky. That may be the border between day and night. When you are in position, cast a magical signal and then start pushing with all your strength once I cast my signal! Do not stop until we end up waking.” Luna rubbed her hoofs together repeatedly, only able to think that…….. this was going to be fun.

“Oh, and Celestia?”

“Yes, sister?”

“We. Will. Do. This. Attempt to enjoy yourself!”

Celestia gave a brightened expression.

Without any second thoughts, the two sisters diverged to their planned positions next to the heavenly bodies, Celestia behind the sun and Luna by the moon.

The skies around Luna darkened as she flew quickly back to the part of the sky farthest away from the sun. It only took a few minutes approach the position. Celestia had to dive into the depths of the daylight ocean once again to find the sun waiting in an upside-down sky The moon was as cold as the sun was hot, but neither seemed to effect the two sisters at all as they approached their respective spheres.

Celestia with her powerful unicorn abilities was then able to fire a large bright flare far enough across the horizon that a watchful Luna was just barely able to spot it. With this Luna fired her own flare spell as far as possible towards her sisters estimated position and quickly began to push at the Moon with all her might.

At first, the moon refused to move at all. However Luna then began to feel herself accelerate. It must be working , Celestia must have now started to push the sun in the same direction!

They were soon able to move the spheres faster and faster. Both sisters took notice as they redoubled their efforts at accelerating the heavenly bodies.

Faster and faster, round and round the world they flew.

They continued accelerating until the skies were nothing but a blur of lights and streaks. Clouds dispersed, the winds below started to chase after the vacuum trails left in the wake of the rapidly moving spheres. The whole land below began to be pulled into the rapid orbiting of the sun and moon. But with all this happening the two alicorns never took notice for they had be now pushing so hard on the heavenly spheres that they began to sink into them.

Both sisters soon found themselves pushing INTO the sun and moon respectively. It started with their forehooves and ended with their tails until then where now completely absorbed. Even with this, Luna and Celestia continued to push.They were entranced by the strange feelings welling though their bodies. They eventually pushed their ways though the spheres until they finally broke through the front facing sides.

Caught off guard by the disappearance of resistance, the two mares shot forth at incredible speeds, streaking away from the landmass they called home until their vision began to white-out and their heads filled with overwhelming pain.

...........

Both sisters winched violently and found themselves sitting next to each other back in the courtyard of Canterlot Keep.
Every pony there was now staring directly at them with an expression of pure aw. Both sisters, still coming back to their senses, looked around first at their surrounding then at their bodies to locate the source of the crowd’s attention.
The first thing that they noticed was that the sky was now a blur of light, as if the sun and stars had been rapidly mixed into a fine soup. The two sisters simply sat there for a few moments watching the sky. What had happened while they were “dreaming”?

Finally both sisters stared back at each other to find something else amiss.

“Luna…. Your…. Your…” Celestia trailed off

“You mane is glowing Tia!” Luna finally spat out in astonishment.

“S-s-s-so is yours Luna! Stars! Your mane is filled with tiny sparkling stars!”
Celestia’s once bright-pink mane was now flowing with a shimmer of blues greens and pinks. Luna’s light blue mane was now a deep transparent blue and was dotted with sparkling stars. The manes of both sisters would now flow and wave as if they were in high winds even though the air was still within the Canterlot Keep Courtyard.

Soon enough, a good friend of the Alicorn sisters by the name of Bubble Blossom pushed her way through the crowd.

“Celestia! Luna ! Are you both feeling well?!” Blossom called out with great concern.

“I… think so. I believe Luna and I may have dosed off. What happened while we were sleeping? How long WERE we sleeping?”

“Well it looked like you two were simply sitting there. We tried to stir you both but nothing was effective. Not too long afterward, the skies began to move around wildly on their own. The King’s day and night regiments combined could do nothing to correct the problem. You both started to squirm as if you were being tortured and then started to glow with the brightest light I had ever seen! When that light faded, both of your manes and tails changed to what they are now. Within a minute later, you both awoke from your trance.”

Both sisters were shocked and puzzled at this development. Especially Celestia, who had studied many works on the theories of the magic found in ponies and other creatures. Nothing like this had ever been documented. Then again, she and her sister were by a huge margin the most powerful and strangest ponies in recorded history. Did this possibly have something to do with Discord? The Elements of Harmony?

“Tia, we may have not been dreaming after all. Perhaps we actually did this to the skies while we were in a trance! I wonder if we could possibly correct this… problem.” Luna whispered to her sister with a sense of amazement.

“ I had fun when I could think of it as a dream, but this could not possibly be our doing, could it? The amount of power such a feat would require! We have nowhere near the magical strength necessary to do something like THIS, Every with us possessing the power of a hundred ponies. This seems like something Discord could possibly do, he may have somehow escaped!.” Celestia responded, still in shock.

Luna glanced back at her sister with reluctant sincerity and pointed to her flank. When Celestia examined it, she found a cutie mark in the form of the sun. Luna now had a cutie mark as well in the form of a moon-lit night sky.Luna could see that her sister was actually beginning to panic at what these new cutie marks were implying.

“Luna! I relished our gifts for magic but what would everypony think of us now?! When I desired to be strong enough to make a difference I never once wished for something like this! What if ponies begin to look at you and I as monsters!? We may have just done something that discord would have done. What if we are going to change into draconiuses!? ” Celestia frantically whispered to her sister.

Celestia did make sense and Luna began to worry if they really would become monsters.

“We need to somehow correct out mistake Luna, I do not wish to be a monster! Quickly Luna, latch onto the moon with you magic!”

Celestia began to charge another spell to grasp the sun. At first she had difficulty grabbing hold with the Sun whirling around the sky so fast but soon she was able to hit her mark. She recoiled for a moment when her magical grasp hit the fast and massive sphere but soon began to push back with all her might. Luna quickly followed, and after some initial misses, was able to get a magical hold on the moon.

Both sisters poured every bit of their magical energy reserves into slowing the two heavenly spheres. Their eyes were glowing and huge plumes of magical energy two time their height erupted from their foreheads. Their horns were quickly burning from the strain. Even after noticing that their magical output had seemed to double after their new-found transformation, the two alicorns were only making slow progress. Finally after ten minutes or so at full power, the sisters were successful in returning the skies to a steady daylight. With their task now complete, the two sisters willingly blacked out from exhaustion.

…..

The crowd was utterly amazed at the demonstration of the true abilities of the two Alicorn sisters. Celestia and Luna would soon master the process of moving the skies and take full duty of this task from the King's unicorn regiments at the request of the nobility. Many of the nobility began to wonder if these powerful ponies would be more fit to project leadership over Equestria than its current ruler. Pearl, who did not take long to catch wind of these speculations, began to slowly become more neurotic as the fame of these alicorns and his own jealousy increased. Despite anything he then tried to accomplish, most ponies never seemed to take much notice anymore.

It was about two years later that Pearl was pushed as far as to plot an elaborate assassination of Luna and Celestia involving poisoning followed by hired assassins. This plan would ultimately fail when Luna miraculously resisted the poison and was able to apprehend the assassins before they could harm her or an incapacitated Celestia. The plan up to that point was executed perfectly with no one taking much notice of Irregular Pearl but no pony could ever explain how Luna was resistant to the special poison of which its killing power was fueled by a targets magical strength. Thanks to this, Celestia was able to be treated before the poison reached its full effects and somehow fully recovered.

Pearl however, was not so fortunate. His plan was quickly revealed from the captured assassins and a mob of angry ponies supported by about a third of the nobility stormed Canterlot keep and ousted Pearl from power. He was given one final grace when Celestia intervened before he could be executed and instead suggested he be exiled from the Kingdom of Equestria.

Within a day later, Celestia and reluctantly, Luna, were crowned Co-ruling Princesses of Equestria. In the decades to come, the two sisters noticed that they would not physically age at all since they were crowned. For the next 200 years, Equestria would experience a period of prosperity mainly due to the skillful rule of the sisters and the confidence ponies would feel knowing that two impossibly powerful Alicorns were watching over them. Even Irregular Pearl shortly before his death was able to reconcile with the Princesses which in the end put his mind at peace. Everything in the end turned out better than anyone expected….

For a while anyway…..

Chapter 5: Mysterious Loyalty

Luna, now finished reminiscing, returned focus to her original question. What REALLY happened that day? What was that strange dream-like trance of which she and her sister succumbed to after Celestia tried to move the Sun? What caused their transformation and how did they end up moving the skies to such an extreme degree? Luna had so many questions and the thought of finally trying to solve these mysteries rekindled her youthful fire that for so long had be buried under the facade of a ruling princess.

Could she possess some vast and untapped magical power that dwarfed her known abilities??

Such an idea seemed worst investigating.

After cooling down some from her own excitement, Luna began to carefully reexamine her memories of her strange experience that day. What puzzled her was trying to find where in her memories that her normal mental state ended and where the “dream” began. Nothing seemed unusual that day, she talked with her sister, they had a caring moment together and then they somehow transitioned into that dreamlike trance.

She ran through that chain of memory a few more times, trying to find anything amiss. She did recall that the head pain she had felt during Celestia’s challenge was slightly similar in nature to later pulses of sensation during her dream state. This however did not explain anything significant and could be dismissed as a neck cramp.

Luna felt discouraged for a moment not having any solid indication was what caused her dream state or the transformation. Everything that day seemed to happen in a perfectly seamless transition up to the point of being abruptly jolted from her trance. Everything seemed to happen as if it was part of a book that described exactly how the lives of the two alicorn sisters would play out.

This thought made Luna pause for a moment. What if her life or maybe the lives of all ponies were predetermined and rigid? It would somewhat explain cutie marks and why cultural dissidents know as “maverick ponies” were somehow suppressed. It also seemed like a plausible theory for why her sister seemed to wish to keep her stuck in place with her duties as co-ruler. Could it mean that Celestia was attempting fulfill some sort of prophecy or idealization with the aid of the Elements of Harmony?

Celestia was not afraid to share with her the method of correcting minds of dissidents. Luna knew that Celestia would use the Elements to wipe all thoughts from the mind of a pony that rejected the current order. This was apparently the main function of these artifacts. They would often to Luna’s disturbance drastically change the personality of the pony affected. It was like that the original pony simply ceased to exist. Still, no pony else seemed to mind, ponies effected would often go on to live happy lives. Luna still was, at least internally, completely opposed to such a forceful way of changing a mind but she never attempted to stop the practice due to possibly getting into a conflict with Celestia that she would most likely not win. Luna in her discontent of recent years simply tried to ignore all of this.

But now that was not an option if she wished to preserve a friendship with miss Crystal Clear…

To have a friend again would hopefully allow Luna to be more of the easygoing mare she had once been before she became swept up in her sister’s ambitions of royalty. She would have no more reason to live by her sisters rules anymore. The only reason she ever did was the chance that she could reconcile with her sister. But now she no longer needed to worry about her so-called sister. She would no longer have to be alone in that pursuit of her own life.
Because of this, she just could not give up on finding the solution. Perhaps research in the castle archives could yield some insight…..

SOON….

A short trek from Luna’s chamber was the Royal Canterlot archives. This large repository of scrolls and tomes was put together shortly after the new castle was built 100 years ago. The project was indorsed by both sisters for the purpose of building a foundation of knowledge and information that would allow for optimum advancement of equestrian civilization. It short, it was a place where anypony was allowed to go find recorded information. Over twenty thousand Scrolls and tomes from far and wide were deposited into a huge chamber in the heart of the Castle. However, future benefits were hampered by the sluggish literacy rates and a recent lack of interest in producing new entries.

Due to this lack of interest and the large scale of the archives, many entries had never been read since they were acquired. Some of these tomes, such as magical research by Starswirl and other mages, even predated Discord’s rule. Luna though that the secrets of such old and untouched entries could hold insight to exactly what kind of pony Luna really was.
Upon pushing through large wooden doors, Luna entered a vast chamber filled with bookshelves two stories high. The room was not very wide but stretched far into the mid section of the castle from it’s main entrance at the main lateral corridor of the castle. The floor covered in fine red carpet and the various hanging tapestries on the walls were to project a ‘warmer’ atmosphere for readers.

The pony tasked with its nightly upkeep, Indexter, perked up when he heard somepony enter his domain. Unlike most ponies, Indexter was on fair terms, if a bit distant with Luna. He made it his duty to help anypony when he could but preferred to not snoop in on their personal lives. He still appreciated a pony who wished to take interest in the books found in the archives and Luna happened to be a frequent enough visitor.

“Good evening your highness. What can I assist you with tonight?”

Indexter, besides Crystal Clear and Celestia, was the only pony Luna could feel comfortable speaking to without the Royal

Canterlot Voice. This was mostly because he did not care and due to the current privacy of the conversation.

“Greetings again Indexter, I am looking to do more reading into obscure magical research.”

“Are you searching for anything specific?”

“I suppose I could say that I wish to take another look into the circumstances of how my sister and I came to be.”

“Are you referring to finding your place of birth or the time of when you became the princess of the night?”

“I would prefer to seek the insight into both if you please.”

“Ah, Perhaps we could start with ‘Studies into the occurrence of Alicorns’.”

With this, Luna found a place to begin her reading in a lounge mid way though the long chamber as Indexter began to fetch her various books.

‘Studies into the occurrence of Alicorns’ contained information on pony genetics and theories of internal magic workings but nothing on ethereal manes or abnormal growth rates.

‘History of the elements of Harmony’ mostly had first hoof accounts of various times were the Elements were activated but little in the way of how they worked.

Luna browsed though several studies of the workings of pony magic. Most of the studies helped establish a basic theory that ponies, mostly Unicorns, had the natural capability to manipulate their environment on a completely different level than most other creatures. Magic was believed to be composed of various interlocked ‘particles’ that all had different properties. Unicorns apparently had the ability to absorb and channel these particles with their horns. The particles themselves are completely invisible to eyesight but tend to emit light when compressed enough to be used by Unicorns. Different spells were created by arranging and compressing these particles into matrix patterns.

Despite being able to harness them, no unicorn could ever determine how these particles actually worked or how many different types there were. Spells were recognized and formed by the specific way a Unicorn would ‘feel’ them. Most spells outside of basic levitation were passed down from generation to generation within different unicorn families until Starswirl the Bearded invented a far easier way to learn spells. He was able to find a way to ‘touch’ the different magic particle formations that existed within many things such as objects, living thing, and different phenomenon such as fire. New spells were learned first by having a unicorn become familiar with the ‘feel’ of a particular formation of particles followed with experimentation by replicating the familiar formation and altering it until achieving a desired effect.

Luna paused for a moment. She recalled seeing similar particles during her little ‘incident’. Could those blue bubble-like particles she saw actually be what drive pony magic? Perhaps she had just found a clue to her original question.

Still, none of the books Luna looked through ever mentioned anything about strange colored auras. Those auras she saw that day looked different from any type of aura that unicorns would emit from their horns. Whereas a unicorn’s auras were turbulent sparkling mist, the auras that Luna saw emanating from her sister were much more laminar in nature.
After about an hour of diving through various tomes and scrolls, Luna still left pondering what it all meant.

Her trance?

Those strange auras coming from Celestia and herself?

Her mane and cutie mark?

Being at first, able to move the skies to such an extreme degree so easily but then having much more difficulty after leaving the trance?

What did it all mean?

Did she and her sister really possess some amazing hidden power or was it all really just a dream?

How could she actually answer that question?

Luna let out a mild groan as she rested her head on the table she had been reading from.

Indexter noticed her plight as he returned. “Have you been able to find anything of interest you highness?”

Luna raised her head somewhat with a mild look of defeat. “ No, there does not seem to be any book that I could refer to.”

“Well, perhaps I could be of more assistance if I knew more about what you are trying to find. May I ask you more about what motivated you to do such research?” Indexter replied calmly.

Luna felt too protective to let Indexter know about Crystal Clear but maybe he could know about Luna’s bizarre experience in getting her cutie mark.

“It is something very personal to me Indexter. I cannot tell you my motivation but I believe that I and possibly my sister have some sort of immense power hidden within us. It could very well be something that puts our current ability to move the skies to shame. It was a power that I may have once brought to bear unwittingly on the skies of Equestria. When my sister had thought about such a concept on that day so long ago, she was afraid that we would both transform into the likes of Discord.”

Indexter rubbed his chin “It is indeed strange, and I believe you have my full interest with such an idea. However, the records and tomes that may have answers are by forbidden to pony eyes. They were all burned by royal decree many years ago.”

“Which of those entries are you referring to indexter? Those entries were disposed of because of the damage they could do to Equestrian society. I recall most of them held the most contemptible spell research or called for ponies to over throw my sister and I.”

“Did you know that Star Swirl had authored one of those forbidden entries? It was his very last, written only a few years before Discord took control of Equestria”

“ I do not recall hearing of such an entry. What would Starswirl put in record that Celestia or myself would not approve of?”
Indexter paused for a moment to take a deep breath

“There supposedly was a time were StarSwirl, before his death, was able to have direct conversation with Discord. In his exploration of magic, Starswirl asked the draconis many questions regarding his chaotic powers. Apparently, legend has it that Discord actually cooperated in full and Starswirl was able to learn untold secrets of how magic works. He supposedly had learned of a much deeper kind of magic or energy that gave Discord his god-like abilities. Whatever he had learned was then inscribed in a tome that was lost to time until it was again found during the construction of the Canterlot archives. Due to the fact that it was specifically about Discord, nobody actually read it and Celestia had it burned in hopes that she could erase all memory of Discord’s time.”

Untold magical secrets?

For a moment, Luna felt a sense of regret that she had not known about this book before it was destroyed. It could have held so many clues to the powers of the Royal Pony Sisters.

Luna brought her hoof down onto the table briskly in frustration. “I now regret not paying more attention to what my sister wanted thrown away. At this point I would pay no mind to delve into such forbidden texts! The answers I seek could have been within one of them, especially that tome you have just spoken of!”

Luna quickly covered her mouth in embarrassment after her small outburst.

….

“I…. suppose that I have done enough searching for tonight, I bid you farewell and thank you Indexter.” Luna began to head for the entrance to the Archives.

As he watched Luna turn away, Indexter felt a pang of guilt. He was not successful in helping the only pony that had any sort of appreciation for his line of work. He was also curious to what Luna could do with the knowledge she was seeking. There was a good chance he did have the true means to answer Luna’s questions but bringing them forth could result in dire punishment.

“Princess Luna, wait….”

Luna stopped and slowly turned. “Yes, Indexter?”

“I have one more question if you will.”

“Very well then, if you have any other ideas.” Luna replied mildly.

“Your highness, I guess you could say that I am concerned. If a pony approached you in possession of such a forbidden text that could hold answers, would you punish him or her?”

“I would say that I am not as ‘stringent’ as my sister on such matters but I would use my own judgment. Do you know of anypony that would have such texts?” Luna pressed her eyes at Indexter solemnly.
Indexter stood there awkwardly for a moment.
….

“Please forgive me for this you majesty. I suppose I should be honest to you in answering that I do, but it is not a type of text that I feel would hold any sort of knowledge anypony could actually make use of, let alone for evil. It is the very same book I spoke of before and I have read it. I admit it now, It was never actually destroyed and I have it hidden in my possession! I guess my family as well as I just could not let such a strange and fascinating tome be destroyed before somepony like yourself could possibly make any sense of its contents.”

It took a short moment for Indexter’s words to sink in. When they did, Luna could feel both suspicion at Indexter for carrying a book that was officially considered forbidden and excitement at the possibility of what insight the tome could hold. While Luna firmly believed that not reporting dangerous entries was a grave offense, she had significantly different opinions from her sister on what kinds of entries should be considered a liability.

“I will not immediately pass judgment, but I demand you show me all of the texts you and your family have been hiding!” Luna commanded.

Indexter could only hope that the princess of the night would share a similar opinion about the texts that his family had saved from destruction. “Follow me your highness.“

….

Indexter guided Luna to the spiraling stairs in the very back of the archives that would lead to a locked storage room directly below for storing pending entries. Compared to the furnishing of the archives proper, the storage room was rather drab with its bear stone walls and its weathered wooden storage racks.

The two ponies made their way to the far right corner of the room. Indexter then turned his attention to the nearest wooden storage rack and began to push on the end opposite from the wall. Luna watched in amazement as the rack slowly began to slide into the wall revealing an opening in the floor where it had just been. Within the opening and below the floor level was a compartment that held 8 different texts.

Indexter then made a gesture for Luna to begin her inspection of these new hidden texts.

“A Cutie Mark Conundrum”

Luna briefly flipped through some of its contents. It apparently was a collection of research about cutie marks.

“In the Trappings of Culture”

This appeared to be a book of criticisms regarding Equestrian culture Authored by a Donkey.

“A silent Desert”

A book detailing an old expedition into set of ruins located in a desert on a continent to the south.

Luna paused for a moment. None of these books seemed all that dangerous. She did not get the impression that such entries contained condemnable things such as dark magic.

She looked up at Indexter with some curiosity. “How many of these books have you read through?”

“All of them completely your highness. I give you my truest word that they do not contain the slight trace of knowledge that could easily bring harm upon ponies, please tell me if you feel otherwise.”

“I may agree with you Indexter, so why have you chosen to hide such topics?” Luna asked

“I have heard rumors about her majesty Celestia… about what topics she would rather not have discussed and what happens to ponies that do not wish to comply.” Indexter said nervously.

Luna had a good idea what Indexter was referring to as she continued inspecting the remaining texts.

“With a Fiery Spirit”

“The Chaotic Age of Equestria”

It was decided long ago that the memories of Discords reign be erased from the minds of ponies.

“At Life’s Time Made Short”

A text telling tales of the pony wars that had happened well before equestrian was founded.

“A Record of Equestria’s Mind Suppressions”

This entry had to be much more recent. Ponies rejecting their cutie marks or simply behaving as renegades to Equestria’s social order had not started to become an issue to Celestia until perhaps three decades ago. Luna decided that she could worry about this subject later if she was able to find anything of interest.

…..

“Seven Days with Discord”

….

This must be the tome Indexter was referring to! It had the same style of binding as the other entries Starswirl had authored. Luna's pulse quickened. She really wanted to believe that this tome before her held the answers to the events of her past and in turn, the solutions to endeavors to come.

“Thank you for your honesty Indexter, I will read through all these before deciding my course of action on the matter of their legality.” Luna felt that she could trust Indexter. He was helpful to her and genuinely seemed to be devoted to the cause of knowledge. She never truly though of bringing punishment upon him.

On the other hoof, nopony else needed to know about these books. She quickly began scooping them up one by one with her magic and loading them into a saddle bag nearby. The first seven books were loaded without incident, but on the moment Luna touched “Seven Days with Discord” with her telekinesis, she felt a searing pain in the back of her head as if it was being split apart. It only lasted for about a second or two but it was enough to make her lose any composer by collapsing to the floor and letting out an audible groan.

……………

Elsewhere, A crack had now formed on the red stone……

…………..

“Princess!? What is wrong?!” Indexter let out in panic.

“I… I do not know. For a short moment I felt great pain. It seems to have subsided now though.”

“Do you require aid?”

“No… I…. I will fare well enough”

Luna once again reached out with her magic to collect the last tome. She flinched slightly, half-expecting another burst of pain that never came. With this, she quickly loaded the tome into her saddlebag and placed it on her back. With everything in her possession she quickly began to make her way to the exit of the archives, only stopping once to address Indexter one last time.

“Have a good morning indexter and thank you for your assistance in my search. If I do not hear from you any time soon, please know that I am grateful and have no intention to convict you for holding these … interesting entries.”

“It was an honor you highness please fare well.”

With all this said, Luna stepped out into the Corridor and began making her way back to her chambers. It would very soon be time for her and her sister to once again move the skies to bring forth the dawn and she wished to have time to place the tomes she had just collected in a secure location. So without any hesitation Luna briskly trotted back to her Chambers stuffed the bag of tomes under her bed.

Within a minute of her finishing this task, she heard a knock at her door.

“Luna, are you prepared to bring forth the dawn with me?” It was Celestia. Luna would simply have to begin her readings once it was usually time for her to sleep.

Luna opened the door for her sister. “Good morning sister, I am prepared. Did you sleep well?”

Both sisters began to walk to the meeting point in the front courtyard

“For the most part yes. Something seemed to vigorously jolt me awake and my head felt… sore, but other than that, I am well.” Celestia answered still appearing slightly dazed.

Jolted her awake? Could she be have also….

“So how did your new assistant fare tonight? Her name is Crystal Clear, correct? I would dearly desire to hear about how you handled her first day.” Celestia asked somewhat abruptly, give a caring expression.

Luna quickly composed herself beside her sister. “I had her for the first day observe nightly proceedings and explained to her the different tasks she would be undertaking soon. She seemed quite astute to everything demonstrated. I believe she will be able to perform her duties effectively.”

“Do you think you two will be able to get along? I know that is not one of your best talents.” Celestia said as she craned her neck to nuzzle her sister on the cheek.

“There will be no issues with that.” Luna said flatly as she recoiled from her sister’s gesture.
Celestia raised an eyebrow.

“That is wonderful to hear Luna. I would love to meet her some time and see how much she has matured ever since I heard she ran away from home at a young age.” Celestia implored in a stern and slightly concerned manner.

Luna put all her effort into maintaining an unfazed composer. Crystal would surely know how to behave wisely in Celestia’s company, would she not?

Would she……?

……

The two ponies continued their trot to the courtyard in silence. Finally they arrived to find the members of Celestia’s day court waiting in front of the main castle doors. Some of the ponies present gave Luna looks of contempt when she made eye contact. Others simply looked away.

Without anypony saying anything, the two Alicorn sisters began their ritual. Both concentrated on their respective heavenly bodies, with their respective special talents allowing for more efficiency in both locating and moving said spheres. The two sisters fired their concentrated telekinetic plumes and arced them towards their targets. The moon was an easy shot for Luna, being visible in the sky whereas Celestia had to reach beyond the horizon to grab hold of the Sun. Within less than twenty seconds it was all completed. Celestia and Luna were able to once again set the skies on their course for another day.

With this the two sisters began to head back inside the Castle with the members of day court quickly falling in line. They gathered around Celestia, ignoring Luna’s presence, and began to brief her on the plans for the day as they all walked to the dining hall for breakfast. All the ponies crossed the castle foyer to the main corridor and proceeded right until reaching the dining hall located at the very end.

As the all sat down in the hall, meals were served. Luna finished her dish very quickly, even faster than she would usually, given the cold reception she was used to from the members of Celestia’s court. She then quickly rose from her seat next to Celestia and walked out of the room to make her way back to her chamber. The only thing she could think of was reading that tome.

Within a few minutes she was able to make a brisk canter back to her chamber on the far side of the main corridor. She drew the curtains, locked her door, pulled out the tome, and was ready to shut the rest of the world out until perhaps it was time to meet with Crystal Clear again or she finished reading the tome, whatever came first.

However, at the moment Luna was able to grasp “Seven Days with Discord” to open to the first page, she was interrupted by a knock at her door.

“Luna?” It was Celestia calling out from the other side of the door.

“What do you desire of me sister, I am about to retire for the day.” Luna said in an annoyed tone.

“ You seemed so distressed at breakfast and I wish to have one more attempt to reach out to you.” Celestia spoke out.

“I have told you many times before, I do not like being the co-ruler of a land casts so much contempt at me!” Luna replied coldly.

“…and I have suggested that you simply must try to connect with your subjects and not lose your temper. It seems that because that sort of guidance is not working, something else must be amiss. Now please open up.” Celestia spoke in a tone of a concerned mother.

Luna gave a sigh, and opened the door for her sister.

“Sister, you never understand how I feel. Can you please just let me sleep?” Luna said in annoyance

“Could we not once again be able to share things with each other like when we were young?”

“Not ever since you became so obsessed with ‘watching over’ Equestia and dragged me into it.”

“We allowed ponies to live happy and productive lives more so than ever before. I thought you enjoyed helping ponies in need.” Celestia spoke with upset rhetoric.

“Not like this sister!” Luna snapped.

“Luna, there is no need to raise your voice.” Celestia mildly scolded.

“I cannot please anypony no matter what I do as a princess! ” Luna felt her frustration at her sister build.

“I am hated simply because I bring forth the night that everypony fears, because I simply exist. Nothing can be done about that. ” Continued Luna

“Such things will improve if you give them more time, but only if you try to treat your subjects with more care! I understand your plight but you must be patient!”

“Treat them with care? I have always followed your example of shouting the Royal Canterlot Voice and attempting to project strength to everypony. In fact that is the only way I can present myself to actually have anypony comply with me!”

“Luna, I still love you as my sister as much as I ever did. We can get through this together! Please do not push me away!”

“You just do not understand me sister! If you love me so much then why can you not just let me have my own life back! Find someone else to be the ‘princess of the night’ and let me be so I can sleep!” Luna’s tone sent a message of ‘I really do not care’.

Celestia was struck speechless.

…..

“Fine then, sister. I will leave you to your sleep. You must be quite tired if you would claim to be willing to just throw away your special place in life. I will return this evening so that we can have a more civil conversation when hopefully you have ceased in acting like a foal . “ Celestia spoke in a tone of contempt at her sister’s rude statement.

Celestia then marched out of the room and quickly closed the door.

The only thing that Luna could feel was relief that her sister was finally gone. How could Celestia ever understand how it feels to have nearly everypony hate her for something she cannot change? Luna had a cutie mark of the night sky and a talent for controlling it with magic. Because of this, she represented the very thing that was bringing such fear and pain to many ponies in Equestria. Even for ponies such as nobles who could care less, Luna was the perfect scapegoat for just about anything due to not having much public exposure during the day.

Celestia never had to worry about public opinion. She was the symbol of pony idealism on top of controlling the day and in turn, all of the life giving that came with it. All the unrequited love and sometime worship she would get from ponies everywhere had to have gone to her head by now. Either that or she was trying to live up to a ridiculous standard.

Luna hoped that soon it would all cease to matter.

Luna quickly opened ‘Seven Days with Discord’ once again and began to delve into its secrets.

Chapter ???:

…
….
…..

<>
….

…..
…..
……

………………….

Celestia’s whole world went dark.

Her head was pulsing with a sharp pain.

Everything was dead silent.

At first, the Sun Princess felt panic race through her. She had just suddenly seemed to ‘black-out’. Was she being assaulted by some sort of magic? She quickly tried to calm herself and locate the source of the attacker to cast a counter-spell.

Nothing.

There was nothing there.

It was like she was in an empty void.

It was immediately after this thought that strange sensations and thoughts being to read themselves in her mind. They were completely alien to her and at the same time completely familiar. A sort of mental message rang through her mind. It was like information was being directly injected into her head.

She did not hear or see this message; the message was in her mind and thoughts, yet still somewhat separate from her. It rang in a format and language that Celestia had no knowledge of yet could understand it completely.

“What?...... Hello?.......... Hello?! What is the meaning of this?..... Who is there?”

At first there was no response, but quickly her mind became a torrent of information as countless visions flashed through her mind. Her panic only made these actions more chaotic. It was not until she caught a glimpse of a familiar Blue pony that Celestia’s mind snapped back into focus.

“Luna!” Celestia yelped.

With this thought, the cycling of information ceased and returned to the vision that sparked Celestia’s curiosity.

Celestia found herself in the hall of harmony. It seemed to be late at night judging by the darkness outside.

No, that could not be right. Celestia recalled that It was around mid morning.

As she looked around, she saw Luna further down the hall, with her back to the elements of Harmony resting on the pedestal.

“Luna!” Celestia called out but Luna did not respond.

The Princes of the night showed a look of intense bitterness.

“Luna please!” A voice rang out from behind Celestia, it was the same as her own but strangely not of her own. Celestia quickly spun around to find an almost mirror image of herself standing near the doorway to the hall with a look of intense worry and sorrow.

“Luna, please do not go down this path!” The new Celestia cried out.

“What ever happened to the all high-and-mighty princess of the sun? Why could you not just stop taking all the love and glory and never once considered how I ever felt! I am only doing this for myself because you would not!” Luna shot back

“Luna, using dark magic will never bring you anything other than suffering!”

“It seems clear to me now that nopony will ever like me. If I cannot find fulfillment in their love, then I will simply become what they want me to be and find enjoyment in their FEAR!”

“Ponies need both the night and day Luna! Let me show you just how much they do like you!”

“You lie sister and your time for any sort of redemption has long since passed!” Luna spun around with her horn and hooves covered in a black haze. She plunged her hooves down onto the six stones and begun to extract energy. The powers of harmony she absorbed became tainted and twisted as they fused with her. The night princess was quickly engulfed in a dark aura as her form began to shift.

Both Celestias began to charge at the mist, disregarding any safety on their own part. The first Celestia made impact, tossing the jet black mare off her feet. However, as she ceased direct contact, the mare simply snapped back into position as if time had just undone her action.

Finally, the second Celestia tackled Luna and disrupted the transformation. Both mares were flung in opposite directs has the first Celestia could only barely watch from a paralyzing state of shock.

As both of the other mares raised to their feet, both Celestia’s looked on in terror at what had become of Luna.
The dark mare before them was tall and clad in silvery pieces of armor. Her mane was now a dark mist and her eyelids opened to reveal two almost cat-like eyes.

“Now then ‘Celestia’……” The dark mare began to speak.

“Luna, NO!” Both Celestia’s almost cried in unison.

“That sad mare is no longer with us. She was for you only a silly little dream. For everypony else, she was a nightmare. Now it is time you share such a nightmare and now I will see to it that the sun will never come to wake you EVER AGAIN! HAHAHA.”

The first Celestia simply started to wish strongly for it all to just go away, tuning out the rest of what was unfolding. Finally after some time, she noticed that everything had gone silent again. She was once again resting within a sea of nothingness.

Now she really wanted answers. What in the name of equestria was going on here? She was so afraid and confused. Why did she see a clone of herself? Why did Luna transform? Why did her actions do nothing to affect that fate? What had Luna become?

Celestia perked up in fear as another message pierced her mind.

The hall of harmony quickly materialized once again to Celestia’s chagrin. However, this time it felt somewhat different. Her head was once again hit by a piercing pain as she looked upon her clone and the dark mare in front of her.

“What trickery is this?!” shouted the Dark mare as she now focused her gaze at what appeared to be a second Celestia appearing in front of her and behind the other. The other Celestia at first did not understand what the Dark mare was staring at but then was shocked as she turned around to find an exacted copy of herself sharing the same expression.

“W-why is this happening to me! Who are you ponies? Stop this!” Celestia shouted, beginning to break down from the terrifying and unreal situation she was now in. It was not so much the Dark mare before her as it was the whole world that she had be thrust into and the mysterious power that had caused it all.

“It does not matter how many Celestia’s there are! Nothing will end the night ever again! You both shall taste my power!” The dark mare shouted as she began to unleash a blast of dark lightning at her foes.

Both Celestia’s were hit hard with pain and screamed as the lightning made contact.

Celestia, the original Celestia, that now seemingly found herself trapped and tormented in some demented prison, was close to losing her mind as this point. She just wanted it all to stop. She wanted Luna and the other Celestia to just go away.

She felt frustrated, terrified and confused all at once. Why could somepony not help her?

Before Celestia could think of letting out another scream, a new form had just appeared beside her.
Celestia had never seen anything so bizarre in all of her time and adventures. It was a bipedal creature of about her height made of strange metallic materials. It’s large forelimbs and sloped torso were colored ivory while other sectors were of a silvery shade of grey. It had a strange red light emanating from a source on its torso and from its single large “eye” on its head. The head and back had different types of thick spikes jutting out backwards . The overall contours were sharp, simple and angular. It lacked any hands but instead had large cylindrical holes bored into hands would usually be.

“What is the meaning of….” The dark mare’s shouting was quickly cut off as the strange metallic being drew both its arms forward with incredible speed and fired beams of red-orange energy at both the other Celestia and the dark mare. The last thing the remaining Celestia could see of the dark mare was a quick look of excruciating pain and surprise as her body quickly vaporized out of existence from where the beam had struck.

Celestia herself had little time to process what had just happened before the being then quickly spun around and fired another beam at her. At the beam hit, the world around her once again faded out of existence back into a void of nothingness.

She just wanted it all to end. This all had to be some sort of twisted nightmare that she would wake from, right? The white alicorn tried to keep calm by thinking that but the dream would just not seem to end fast enough for her.

She however, just had to vent her agitation one last time.

“ENOUGH!!! NO MORE!!!!!” the princess screamed as hard as she could, trying will every bit of effort to wake up, break free, or shut all of it out; whatever it took to end it all.

……………….
As the Princess of the sun finished her screaming, she opened her eyes to find herself back in her court in front of several dozen staring ponies.

Celestia, now noticing this, quickly tried to compose herself as she took a deep sign.

“COURT IS NOW CLOSED!” Is all she could say to the surprise of everypony present.

Chapter 6: Repose Shift

“Ugh, what is wrong with this accursed tome!?” Luna vented in frustration.

She had just opened “Seven days with Discord” with all excitement and yet the text quickly disappeared as she began to read it. The princess of the night continued to quickly flip through the countless blank pages in a fleeting hope that something would be still hidden within. After perhaps several dozen blank pages, she had stumbled upon a small bit of text.
It read:

“You see yourself absolute. To do so is to see farther and touch deeper. True belief becomes your true world. Such is your greatest power and greatest restraint. You just are.”

Luna stared at this message for some time after flipping through the whole book. What did it mean?
‘You just are’? Why did that phrase seem so strangely familiar although it never before had any important meaning in her life?

Luna continued to reread the message over and over for a few more minutes. Her concentration was building to a fever pitch. She just had to figure out what it meant, being on this page of the book made her fell uneasy.

“You… just …. Are…… what?” Luna thought out loud as she stared at the page.

Without any warning, everything around her briefly disappeared in a flash of white that lasted about one second. As everything quickly reappeared, Luna frantically looked around for any source to this disturbance. Was seen just hallucinating? Was she under attack?

She felt unharmed, but something about her still felt different from moments before.

She then tried to calm down and focus her mind on the feeling in her head. She raised her hoof and tapped the back of her upper neck, sensing for anything amiss.

She once again looked around the room, trying to figure out what had just happened.

Luna felt the message appear in her thoughts from out of nowhere. The ‘voice’ in her mind was speaking in a language unlike any she had heard but somehow she could interpret it in Equestrian. However, even if her mind apparently knew the language, the meaning of the message as a whole was unknown to her.

Perhaps she was just in need of some sleep after a hard nights work. Her research, and Crystal Clear could resume in the evening.

She placed ‘Seven Days with Discord' on her nightstand, removed her regalia and retired to her bed after a great night and strange morning.

Within a few minutes she was able to dive into a deep sleep.

………..
< EXODUS-TYPEMULTI-CLASS-2-ORDER-5983563 –SUBNODE-PHSYRUNEAE-FAMILIAR-PERONAFERYCIA: STATUS-TIER5-DORMANT-CONNECTION>

Luna found herself staring up at the ceiling. Had she not just fallen asleep? She tried to turn her body on its side to find a more comfortable position but she never ended up feeling the bed beneath her. When she contained her attempts to gain her bearings on the situation, she found that she could not feel her body either. With this thought, Luna briefly felt a wave of panic and willed herself to rise from the bed.

At first it seemed that all was somewhat normal. Luna was able to bring her stance level with the bed but something was appeared very wrong. None of her bed sheets had moved and she heard nothing . She looked down and saw her body still under the sheets as if she had never moved. She quickly spun her view around to find ‘herself’ still lying asleep with her head on the pillow.

Seeing this, Luna attempted to reach out a hoof to touch the likeness that was now before her but she soon found that she had no hooves.

Was she dead? No, It had to simply be some sort of dream. It always was just a dream right?

Luna, still feeling curious from her night of research, decided to explore her situation. She willed herself around her room, looking at various things from angles she was never able to before. She also noticed that she was able to ‘phase’ through walls and matter, the same of which were protected by powerful enchantments no less. She willed herself over to the doors to her chambers and peeked through them to look out into the main corridor of the castle. With this she spotted a lone maidservant running frantically down the corridor and decided to follow.

They maidservant eventually came to a halt outside of Celestia’s Chambers, joining a large crowd of other ponies that would include other servants, nobles and Celestia’s personal guards who stood in the way of the door.

As the disembodied Luna drew closer, she could hear the frantic, random conversing of the various ponies.

“So she just let out a loud scream during Court?”

“I must say that this is quiet saddening for Pony of her refinement.”

“Was she under attack by some sort of spell?”

Luna, after briefly piecing together a rough idea of what had happened, quickly phased her way through the doorway. She found her sister sulking briskly on the side of her bed.

“Sister?” Luna attempted to call out.

Celestia did not respond.

“SISTER!” Luna put more energy into her call, feeling slightly more annoyed that concerned. She would have prodded her sister briskly if she still had hooves

Finally, the Sun Princess began to rise and Luna locked all of her focus onto watching her sister.

Once again, Luna was having subjective thoughts and messages appear in her mind. This time however, the messages were of a more familiar Equestrian format.

As Luna was thinking about this, her sister had quickly risen to her hooves and began briskly trotting out of her chambers. Luna, snapped back into focus and followed as Celestia almost plowed though the crowd of ponies as she made way through the Corridor.

Within very little time, Celestia was at her sister’s door and let out a sharp knock. This knocking actually felt like it echoed within Luna’s mind as she watched.

“Luna!” Celestia cried softly

This once again appeared to echo as Luna watched from her disembodied vantage point behind and above her sister.

“Luna!” Celestia called out again.

Luna could actually feel herself waking up, but at the same time, this out-of-body perspective was not fading away.
She found herself awake in her bed and yet still floating behind Celestia at the same time! It had to be the strangest thing she had ever experienced. Visuals from her view in the corridor were still coming into her mind with perfect clarity. She was able to move her alicorn body around just as she always had, but now she had some sort of other appendage that nopony else could see.

The first thing she did was phase her new ‘view’ back into her chamber to get a better look. Her ‘scrying’ view allowed for her so see herself in the third person, but from her body, Luna saw nothing in front of her.

“Luna? Are you Awake?” Then Luna remembered Celestia was still at her door and was still curious to what had broken down her once regal sister so badly. If Luna’s new ‘ability’ could hopefully wait.

Luna proceeded to open her door for her distraught sister just as a concerned crowd of random ponies converged on the scene. Seeing this, Luna quickly pushed her sister inside and locked her door.

“So what seems to be troubling you sister?” Luna said rather indifferently.

“Luna, everything turned to darkness during court! I could not feel any sort of spell. I could not feel anything! No matter how I willed myself…. I was powerless. I was in a dark void with no way out! I could feel strange thoughts and voices of nonsense enter my mind!” Celestia wasted no time bringing her sister into a tight embrace.

Luna raised an eyebrow in interest at her sister’s last sentence. This sounded somewhat similar to her own happenings.
“And what sort of… voices did you hear?”

“It do not know if I could begin to explain it. It was as if knowledge was being written into my mind. It was a language or format alien to me but I could still somehow extract meaning from it.”

“Well what was it speaking of sister?” Luna pressed.

“I heard something speaking of colors….. and…. executing…. none of it made any sense! Then I saw you.. . or perhaps a vision of you and I in some sort of conflict over the elements of harmony! You were transformed into some sort of black monstrosity. Before I could think of anything else, I found myself back in a void. After some time, I was thrust back into the vision but this time, our likenesses knew I was there. I found myself attacked by your new form and the pain was real.” At this point Luna’s sister was breaking into tears as her quickly exampled her situation.

Luna took a moment to ponder what Celestia had just told her, would she ever have the conflict with her sister escalate to the extremes described? Luna was still bitter with her sister but she genuinely did not want to see her like this. Perhaps some time ago she would have felt otherwise, but being able to talk to somepony like Crystal Clear had set her more at ease. Her stress had found a more peaceful release.

“So… what happened next?” Luna spoke in a much more sincere tone this time, hoping that perhaps Celestia would be more receptive to her own point of view given that she appear to have her high-and-mighty stance shattered.

This and that Luna felt she may be close to discovering something…..

“After being tortured for a short while, I was going mad, screaming for it to end….” Celestia accompanied her sentence by taking a deep breath.

“I heard more of those ‘voices’ begin to ramble… it all happened so quickly…. I found some sort of strange creature appear in front of me. It looking somewhat similar to a diamond dog but it had a more upright stance…..” Celestia paused again to breathe and regain composure.

Through all of her years she had never been traumatized to this degree. Despite a few minor skirmishes with various creatures and the occasional assassin, the rule of the two sisters had been a peaceful one.

“Could you describe this creature further?” Luna asked.

“It was silvery grey in color. It had spikes protruding from the back of its head and body. Its forarms were large and had holes where one would usually expect claws. It had light shining from its chest and head, perhaps eyes of some sort?” Celestia was beginning to calm down.

“ The vision ended with… that thing… first lashing out on our likenesses. It raised it’s arms with unheard of speed and cast bright beams of…. magic? Our two likenesses were the first to fall, nothing being left of them…”
Celestia paused once more to take a breath.

“Then it whipped around and cast a beam at me. It happened too fast for I to react. I found myself once again in a void.”
“I screamed… Despite all of my efforts prior…. I felt that I could very well be trapped forever…. I cannot speak of how happy I am to be here with you Luna.” Celestia hugged her sister tighter.

“Please Luna, do not ever turn your back on me….. Even if it does not appear so, I need you more than anypony else. I know you are not the type to be very social but you have more inner strength than I could ever hope to attain. ”

“Then why do you enjoy in belittling me sister? You keep pressuring me with not only handling the things that you cannot do yourself but also that my social problems are my fault alone.”

“I was never belittling you!”

“Could YOU by honest with me for once? What. Is. Wrong?.”

“I….I…fine…. I just want to help ponies. I have always wanted to give everypony hope. It has always been what I have dreamed for myself.... to be a beacon and a mother to the land that welcomed us with open arms." Celestia paused

"...and now I very much am the embodiment of everyponies' hopes. Everypony looks up to me... They would be crushed... I would be crushed if I could not at least appear to be able to help them somehow. " Luna could see her sister begin to tear up.

"All of their smiling face... All of their happiness... It just feels so... right to me, ever since we found this place. I wish for it to never change.... I want to always be able to care for them.. to comfort them,,, to glow with hope."

" I do not wish for them to go away. I never wanted anything to change. But it seems that I can no longer hold together such a living fantasy on my own... and that very thought.... I cannot stand it."

"As much as the truth hurts to me,as much as I wish I could tend to equestria on my own, I need you. Luna... there are things I need now that you can do much better than I. You give me the hope I need to keep going. " More tears welling up.

Celestia in her melocoly, hugs tighter. "Please do not go Luna! You are the only pony that I can look to. You face adversity that would drive me mad!"

“I am trapped sister….. I have truly in my heart wanted to see life from your eyes....But I just cannot just leave. I would not know where else to go...” Celestia continued.

....

“Tia! Stop this nonsense! If you had told me sooner you would never have to worry about some ponies ridiculous expectations of you!” Luna replied.

“It hurts Luna…. If I try to run away from what has become my destiny…. It is not my feelings. I actually feel real pain, enormous pain, within my body and mind if I try too hard to escape it.” Celestia continued.

“What exactly are you speaking of sister?”

“Every time I would try to act for my own sake…. I would feel a terrible pain rising from my neck or head.”
It took a moment of pause, but Luna was able to recall her recent episodes of pain similar to her sister.

“Tia, how long has this been happening? Why did you only tell me now?”

“Even thinking about such things would trigger it. But I do not care about the pain right now… I just wanted to be with you. I wanted to understand .”

“Oh sister! Are you in pain now?”

“N-no…. I…. do not seem to be.” Celestia seemed zoned out at this point.

There was then a knock at the doors to the hallway.

“Your majesty Celestia? Are you well?” It the voice of one of Celestia’s stewards

“Yes… Yes I…We are well..” Celestia called back.

“With all due respect your majesty, we need a princess present to compete our proceeding for today and to quell the panic from todays’….. episode. If you are…. Ahem…. Finished addressing your sister, may we please return to court?” The steward continued

“ You should just depart with your royal duties for a day.” Luna suggested in a low tone.

“But what if the pain returns? Who would preside over Equestria in my stead?”

“Your little crowd of ponies can wait a day or two, sister! You should rest!”
Celestia pondered her sisters suggestion for a moment. It would be nice to have some additional time to rest from her demanding duties.

However, Celestia had never did something for herself in a long time, the thought was now alien to her. Nothing could come to her mind. The only thing she was able to live for now was presiding over her ponies.

“ I cannot begin to think of anything worthwhile to do with my time. I.. I…. um…..suppose I will simply return to court now. ”

Celestia slowly walked back toward the waiting crowd of servants and nobles.

This could be her only chance to take back her sister. Luna’s thoughts stumbled for a moment she needed something, anything to distract her sister from royalty. She quickly looked around for ideas and noticed ‘Seven Days with Discord’ was still lying on her nightstand.

Why did she want to read that book again? She began to retrace her steps as Celestia opened the door of her chambers.

That book was said to have forbidden knowledge

She was looking for clues to the strange incidents of her past….

She wanted to sneak out of the Castle unnoticed….. Everything clicked together in her mind.

“Wait Tia!” Luna’s voice rang with a hint of genuine emotion.

Celestia noticed this and quickly spun around.

“Luna?”

“Perhaps we could take the day for me to introduce you to my new assistant.”

Author's Note

Edited some of Celestia's Dialog to hopefully make her less OOC,