I open my eyes to a less than desirable sight. I feel the rope around my hands and the pole behind me as I sit in an open area. The rag that was stuffed into my mouth tastes most foul. The sky above the twelve unicorns across the way is blue and clear. The unicorns are dressed in what I only assume is military attire and each wears a saber at their side.

Celestia in her golden armor takes notice that I have awakened. “Nox the Necromancer, you have been found guilty of multiple uses of forbidden dark magic. Nearly a thousand acts of necromancy alone. You have been found guilty of war crimes against the citizens of Equestria.” she pauses “You have been found guilty of multiple accounts of enslavement.” She pauses to glare at me, anger burning in her eyes. “Your sentence is death.”

She raises her right hoof and the unicorns take aim. Out of the frying pan and into the fire. This is gonna hurt. Is all I can think as the unicorns charge up their spells. I close my eyes and wait for their spells, but they never come.

“She dares.” I hear in a malice dripped whisper. Time stops and Death stands before me dressed in a grey shroud and scythe in hoof. His eyes burn with anger. In all the time I have known Death, no matter who he was dealing with or what they had done or said, had he ever shone anger. He took a deep breathe and his voice rang out “SOLARIS YOUR CHILD DARES TO STAND AGAINST ME! I give you this one chance to come bring sense to her mind.”

In that instance everything around us changed. The ground replaced with pure white marble, the sky filled with white clouds and an impossibly large tower stood before us. I voice from the top rang down. “Death, what transgression has my child brought on to you?” The voice asks. I realize it comes from the top of the tower.

“I gave her a warning not to interfere with my servant, yet she ignored it. She has attempted to slay my servant and I will not stand by this blatant disrespect.” Death answers, his shroud and scythe vanishing, being replaced by his normal black suit. “I demand reparation for her misguided actions.”

The voice rings out again. “Daughter is this true? Did you attempt to fight a god? Did you ignore his warning and pursue a childish path?” I realized that Celestia had come with us to this place, though none of her guard had.

“Father, I did not know he was a god! I thought she had merely enslaved some spirit to spread lies to avoid her sentence!” Celestia answers. I open my mouth to speak, but a glare from death promptly makes me decide to remain silent.

“Do not lie to me daughter.” the voice paused. “Now Daughter tell me truthfully: Did you or did you not pursue harming Death’s Servant, knowing who she was?”

Celestia held her head low to the ground. “I did Father.” She glares at me. “I decided to ignore his warning and destroy that monster. She has killed countless Father! She has made a mockery of life every chance she had. She took Mother from us Father! SHE KILLED MOTHER!” Celestia pleaded.

I didn’t kill Faust. Why would she think I killed Faust?! Were the only thoughts going through my head.

“You dare assume that your mother was killed? NAY! Your mother died of age daughter. No one slew your mother. And if they had do you think I would have sat idle?! Nay. I would have scoured the mortal plane and destroyed them.” The voice bellowed. “You have shamed me, Celestia. Worse, you have shamed the memory of your mother.” Celestia’s eyes widened in regret. “To blame another who was not involved, to forget your promise to be fair to all those you meet, I sentence you Celestia: You are to be stripped of your power, and cast away from this world.”

I gasped, this was too much, the ponies needed her. I decided it was best to speak up, even if it angered him or Death. “Lord Solaris, do you feel such drastic measure is warranted? Should you take her powers the void would consume her the instant you through her out! And what of the ponies? They look up to her, they see her as their guiding light, would you take that from them? Lord Solaris I beg of you: Please lessen her sentence, do not punish everyone with her absence, for a mistake that is only her’s to bear.” I am probably going to die now.

The world was silent until Solaris spoke once more. “Your concerns have merit. Yes, I agree with you elder one. A lesser sentence she shall be given! But a sentence of what?” he asked.

It was probably not my place to speak again, but I spoke anyway. “Lord Solaris, why not punish her by making her aid the one she has shown such hate? Allow her to provide housing for myself and those near me. A stipend of money, paid by her and not the royal treasury. And still one favor owed when asked. Does this punishment sound fair Lord Solaris?” I asked him.

He laughed, not a laugh you let out when one sees something stupid but one of genuine glee. “Your terms elder one, they bring such joy! Yes! That will be her punishment. A home to you and yours, pay so you may live, from what she earns of her own merit not given from the treasury and a favor owed. These are agreeable! Much merriment this will cause to the gods whom have grown bored!” He laughs some more. “Young One, Daughter of mine, you have heard you punishment and you make good to fulfill it. However there is one last thing I will add to it, not for your transgressions against Death, nay for lying to me in my court: You Celestia shall be stripped of your powers for one month!”

Celestia gulped. “Father what of running Equestria? What of the citizens? My sudden change will cause alarm!”

“Worry not daughter, for my sister and I shall find a suitable stand in for the duration of your change.” He paused, if I could see him I would bet he was grinning.

“Brother, I have already informed my daughter of what has transpired and she has already thought of a plan. Celestia will not suddenly vanish, nay she shall make a speech of how she is going on a vacation for one month. Leaving the nation in my Daughter’s hooves for the duration.” A soothing voice rang out.

“This is pleasing. Celestia you shall keep your power for the next five days. Prepare your speech and leave your sister in charge.” He chuckled. “Then as per your punishment you must get a job.”

With a bright flash we were standing in the throne room of the castle with a laughing Luna, a distraught Celestia and a grinning Death. I grinned and then my grin turned into a laugh. A favor owed! Now what humiliating thing can I do to her? I wondered. Then a wandering thought broke through the laugh: Why did Lord Solaris call me Elder One?

Author's Note

And only a bit late. Now before anyone gets confused about family trees in this fic let me explain: Celestia and Luna are first cousins and Step siblings.

Solaris X Faust = Celestia
Artemis X Maximilian Nebulous = Luna

Maximilian Nebulous and Faust were later married... basically. I'm not even sure is there was a ceremony.

Alright so this chapter should explain some things and cause you to have more questions; I'm evil, I know it.

One last bit of info: An Editor has been Acquired. Crescent Quill has kindly offered to be the editor for this story. With his help the plan is to go through and fix the old chapters and make them at least grammatically better. However this chapter hasn't been edited yet. I haven't been able to get a hold of him this week (albeit I didn't try to hard :I Damn I'm lazy) So until I do, I didn't want to make you lovely people wait. Hopefully this will be the last chapter you guys see unedited.

Side Note: (This should REALLY be the last one) Any new information that may or may not be added to past chapters WILL BE ADDED in later new chapters, so you all don't need to go reread anything. If you want to however, please do.

Now GO GET A JOB CELESTIA! Mwhahahahahahahahahaha!