The Crown of Twilight: War of Night and Day

PROLOGUE

The pristine halls of the temple glimmered in the sunlight. Perhaps the old marble sensed the events of the day. The Steadfast of the Sun stood, a testament to the deal made back in The Era of Chaos, the deal that sealed the rise of the sun and the moon to the earth. That era was so long ago, no normal person remained from it. From her seat in the illuminated halls of reflective marble floors, Celestia saw all. She sat and waited.

Her hair was long, flowing at all times by compulsion of the illusionary wings that tugged on her mane of colors. At all times they glowed like the radiant sun. Her skin was fair, her eyes ablaze with a wise fire. Now, however, her face only seemed troubled. Her figure was womanly, well dressed with flowing white garments. A dress hung from her shoulders and around her legs. From her back arched out a pair of luxurious wings, her head blessed with a mighty horn. She sat in her throne, and she waited.

Anxiously, she peered over her guard. She steeled her face, hiding her fears behind a sturdy wall of a frown. Her soldiers were mostly men, volunteers of a wide variety of reasonings. The Royal Guard were requested to tend to the citizens, overseeing the escape of the innocent citizens. No one knew truly what to expect until the scouts returned, girls with eager wings and muscular, lithe forms. They flew faster than most, and hardly escaped arrows.

“She comes with a force of enormous proportions.” One of the scouts said to Celestia. “My sun, her army is staggering. They number at least two thousand. I’ve never seen such a large army moving towards Canterlot.” Celestia idly thought of that title. ‘My sun.’ They called her that, as she was the bringer of the sun. It was not her place to declare herself more than a queen, but the people of the realm called her sun.

“Have no fear, my loyal Pegasus.” She said, gesturing for the girl to rise. She did, her leather flying gear strapped to her thin frame. “I shall have Canterlot protected, no matter the cost.” The words tasted bitter. Words of war, a reluctant promise of bloodshed. The cost could be her sister, she thought. That may be the bid for everyone’s lives. “I will make sure this city is safe.” The Pegasus bowed and left her be, for had she had the weight of the world resting on her shoulders.

She rose from her throne, staring over the guard who waited by her. The best of them wore full helm, the lesser found that half helms were all that awaited them in the near empty armory. Reports had it that the incoming army was even more diverse. The greatest were clad in armor as black as midnight, thick enough to stop the heaviest axe. Magicians gathered with the opposing camp, young and talented. But at the end of their talents, the weakest were farmers. Fools captured and enslaved by the raving band. Or they were eager volunteers, with ears that never heard the tales of chaos, and hands without scars from the blades they tamed. Celestia’s tail waved unsteady.

The reports all agreed, they’d arrive by time for nightfall. If Celestia tried to raise the sun when Luna brought the moon high in the sky, an eclipse would fill the air, and there would be no one in all the world who did not know their struggle. Celestia would prefer for it be as quiet a conflict as possible, as without the commentary of the masses in villages down the mountains as can be. They should be able to rest easy without the terrors. But Celestia could not afford nighttime. Luna would be stronger, bathing in the light of the moon, her side of the sky, her creation, just as Celestia was with the sun. An eclipse would leave them both weak, without the buffering effects of their celestial bodies.

The sun was falling behind the hills. To those who haven’t seen or heard of Luna’s army, this was another night. The farmers would go to rest, as the gears of day willed them, and those who are productive by night would rise. The pubs, the dancers, the more suspicious prostitutes, the criminals, the assassins, and all the ilk and unfortunate men and women, and all the sinful folk who stained their souls black for their trade. Celestia was light, and whenever light peered into the shadows, the blanket of black vanished, swayed away like a candle poked into a shady corner. She had no adoration for the land of night, so she could imagine how Luna felt of day.

Her dear sister, how she must despise the morning. The plain folk, the straight fools who moved in the bitter sun to grow crops or fix fences. Though, Celestia deep down wished for both day and night, for she knew the time before day and night, before order. Luna must have heard wrong, surely, that Celestia had ever even planned for an endless day. Perhaps Celestia said so once, but only in jest. A prod at Luna, who had proudly said she wished for an eternal night. She saw nothing ill of a night that never ended, she was younger. Eternal as Celestia, but younger.

Luna marched. For her eternal night, to put her high and mighty sister in her place. Celestia shared all she could; her throne room, an even hours of the day, a home, her people, and anything else. She knew Luna not to be greedy, but Luna did not know Celestia half as well. In Luna’s mind, the night was flawless, a paradise, the morning a burning time of pointless boringness. And so she came.

Word came to Celestia from a pair of black wings. A dark Pegasus, a child of the night. “We’ve seen her army. They broke through the force field… Her magic was mighty. I’ve never seen a bolt of shadow…”

“Luna’s magic is equal to mine, now even mightier by the forces she has absorbed. The barrier was made by me, so it does not startle me she could break it.” Celestia said plainly. “Your bravery was tremendous to meet their army, and I thank you for your service.” The black Pegasus bowed humbly. Celestia knew her well. She was a worker at a casino, another person of the night. She attended the mass of night, and knew the oath of darkness. And here she stood, against Luna’s madness. “Has you family escaped?”

“They have.” The Pegasus replied. The white armor of her service seemed odd on her body.

“Join them fast as you can. Combat is not for you, your oath was not to me.” Celestia smiled, bleakness in her eyes. “I thank you.”

“All I ask is night remain, sun goddess.” She replied. “I thank you for your charity.” And she was off, flying to meet her kin who traveled down the roads away from Canterlot. Celestia was thankful for her safety. Luna’s army would be upon them soon, she would not suffer a second of distraction from her goal. Her army would carve a path straight to Celestia, and attempt to kill her. The sooner the sun was out of the way, the sooner the eternal night may come. Celestia had as few guard lining the roads as possible. Luna’s brutes would loot and burn, but only on their path to the palace. Resisting them would be meaningless.

Bloodshed in Canterlot had never happened before. Celestia was proud to call it the pure city, the castles that knew no bloodshed. This would be its first battle, the first time that the shield was penetrated. Some have tried, the kingdom had its enemies for sure, but this was the first Battle of Canterlot. A curse it was to be the first to lay bloodshed on such a peaceful land.

Celestia dare not go to her observatory to try and spy Luna’s force. They would be here soon enough, and that second she hesitates may folly her plan. Celestia eyed over her guard. Clad in white armor and meager capes, they finally seemed as nervous as they should be. You are young, Celestia thought. You should be afraid.

The doors to the palace broke. A unicorn garbed in shadowy robes blasted the double doors aside. Celestia’s guard sprang into action. The first man had his spear tugged out from his grasp by a hand of sparkling shadow. The mage gestured, and the guard was gored on his own spear. The second guard swung at the magician, but a cloak of dark magic swung around. The hall resonated with the sound of steel bounding off from sturdy glass. The mage forced his shield against the guard, forcing his back against a column.

Attention to them was lost as more of Luna’s men emerged into the room. Farm boys, dressed in black regal armor. Their suits were expensive beyond recognition for the cocky peasants. They swung their silver swords as if they were nothing, as if swords of those caliber were not something earned with years. Celestia took satisfaction in seeing them pushed back by her own guard, experienced men with years of fighting. One of the farm boys was pushed back too harshly, his innards spilled from him. Even expensive armor breaks.

The numbers of the black clad men soon outnumbered the meager guard Celestia had posted. They dropped their weapons and surrendered as Celestia demanded. She wanted no more bloodshed. The black clad mage nodded and ran out from the building. He returned with a woman by his side.

She was dressed in tall armor, the most regal and sinister suit of armor. Black as midnight, sparkling like the stars above. Galaxies swirled with her breastplate, black holes swallowed glimmering stars across her pauldrons. She had a hellish visor, twisted like the maw of a dragon, with splintering eye slits across. She lifted her visor, and then took the horny helm from her. The girl below was pale, with purple hair the color of a moonlit lake. “Queen Celestia.” She said.

“Luna.” Celestia replied.

“It is Queen Nightmare Moon to you now, dear sister.” Nightmare corrected her. “Luna was the name of a girl who thought her sister the fairest queen in all the realm.”

“I mourn for Luna.” Celestia scowled. She rose from her seat, her dress flowing from her. “Now, what exactly do you think it is you are doing spreading blood in my city?”

“Exactly as I ought to have done so many years past. I’ve seen you make that face before, Celestia.” Nightmare pointed with a gauntlet covered in little rose spikes. “The scowl of queen who doth think she sees a tyrant. When you’ve dethroned false kings, emperors, dictators, lords, you always donned that mask.” Celestia stared with disdain, a stare that was always directed downward, her head tilted just so. “So, is that what it will be?” Luna asked. Her eyes were black pits, save for the blue that glowed within them. Her skin coursed with black blood beneath, at times tints her shades darker. “Are you going to put your sister on the chopping block?”

“You are not my sister, Nightmare Moon.” Celestia at last said. “I will give you one more chance. Turn your troop back. Take all your soldiers, no, your boys, and give them back to their homes. Disband, and never step foot in this holy place again. Do just that, and I’ll spare you.”

“Spare me?! You are the one who needs sparing. You always offer your mercy, and truly, it must feel fantastic to always take the moral high ground. I’m truly tired of you taking the role of benevolent. I shan’t live in the sun’s shadow another day.” Luna reached for her sheathe. She rose in her hands a mighty blade. Celestia recognized the runes inscribed in the black blade. The steel was dark as a cave, the runes glowed blue. The blade ended in a thick tip. It was a magic blade, one only unicorns could take full advantage of. An Alicorn would do just as well.

“I won’t let you plunge the world into darkness.” Celestia drew her own weapon from a mighty flash of light. She held her spear above her head. It was ornate, glowing with runes of its own. It ended in a star tip, with the head of the star mightier and larger than its siblings. “My spear’s name is Excaljorn. I’m sure you recall it, but I don’t recognize that unholy weapon. Another gift from your demons?”

“Ah, yes, the very same.” Lune caressed her hand across the front of the blade. “I made her personally with the help of the demons who have gifted me the power to end you. I have named her Sun Slayer.” Luna lifted it and swiped at the air. The pillars of stone creaked, stain glass shattered onto the floor. The moon rose and filled the sky. Luna grinned. “You are going to raise you damned sun, aren’t you? Or are you so proud of your peace you wouldn’t dare let there be an eclipse. You’d rather die than admit to the world you have quarrel with your sister, wouldn’t you?!”

Celestia did not answer. Her wings stretched, and she flew forward towards Luna. Lune stopped the spear with her sword. Escaljorn ceased sliding soon as it contacted the blade. The blade’s magic held it in place. Celestia tugged her spear from the magnetic grasp. Nightmare waved her sword in response, nearly striking Celestia. The eldest sister was faster to move, flying backwards with a gust of her wings. Nightmare stretched her black wings out behind her and flew after Celstia in the spacious room. Nightmare’s men poured into the room and battled with Celestia’s.

In her imagination, there were conditions less dire. Celestia could solve her duel with ease, and Luna would allow for her to expel the demons from her soul. But Celestia learned she couldn’t win this duel. Luna was faster than she remembered. Her wings were more massive, and her magic more impressive. In a battle between two magical forces, one could constantly feel the weight of the other’s spells. If you faced someone whose magic outweighed yours, you couldn’t even stand from the weight. Celestia was having difficulty standing. It wasn’t since the days of chaos there was anyone stronger than her, back when everyone was weak.

“We always said we’d be equal!” Nightmare screamed as she aimed every cut for Celestia’s neck. Any place would do, though, Celestia wore no armor. “Sister and sister, we’d share the day! And yet you’ve made a world of morning, where plants grow by sun, people rise by the sun, and the sun rules all! And now you want to swallow the night too?!”

“Luna, I never said I wanted to take away night!”

“My name is Nightmare Moon!” She swung and the blade met flesh. A scrape across Celestia’s stomach, but she recognized the pain. It was a god slayer, indeed. Her flesh didn’t instantly healed. If it ever did, it would leave a scar. “I’ve heard talk of your twenty four hour morning! Pitiful! The people of the night struggle to get by, a morning that never ends would snuff them out! Every gambler, every spy, every author by candle light, every man who leaves his secrets with the moon. The moon is not so harsh to judge as the sun! The fat old sun!”

“Urgh…” Celestia was reeling in pain. Her stomach was just cut, and yet the pain inched across her like a venom. Her wings fluttered slower. Nightmare swung her sword, though Celestia deflected that blow with her sword. “Whoever fed you lies were fools. I would never take from the night.”

“But you have! Every winter, the once long nights were made shorter and shorter, and that was only after you made summer noons so long! Moon crops went extinct that summer!” Nightmare swung her sword, the resonating of steel against steel made her words ring all the truer.

“I feel the guilt of that summer!” Celestia assured her. “Every day, I strive to avoid a repeat of that!”

“Then why word of an endless day?! Why do I hear that soon the sun shan’t even fall again?!”

“Requests of villagers fool hearty. You’ve heard requests for an endless night, and in fact you’re the one acting now.”

“The moon must retake what was lost. I do not hide my envy, my greed. But only because I am so poor.” Luna swung once more when Celestia caught her blade. Celestia was different. That was when Luna noticed the necklace that swung from Celestia’s neck. “W-what is that?”

“The Elements of Harmony.” Celestia answered surely. Luna started to raise beyond what her wings commanded, hovering in a ball of energy.

“W-what are you doing?! You’re tapping into The Elements?! You fool, you’ll kill yourself! They reject those who are not meant for them!” She was true. The Elements could not be wielded by Celestia. Each one waited for the day the one who was true to their meaning arrived. To try and tap into one was threatening, let alone them all.

“If it is the price I must pay, Nightmare!” Celestia flew high, yellow energies fluttering from her body. They flew through the roof, past the grounds of Canterlot, hovering in the sky.

“What do you intend to do? Kill me, and all my men will seek my vengeance. Some hopeful will scramble for my essence and find the way to control the moon himself.”

“I do not have it in me to kill my sister, unlike you,” Celestia said. Suddenly, the magic from Luna was drained. Nightmare Moon hung in her holy snare limply.

“You now… even draw the demon’s magic from me. You take such risks…”

“All for you, dear sister.” Celestia said, her words as venomous as they will ever be. “For betraying the kingdom, its people, and all its needs, I banish you!” Nightmare rose higher up by the second. “If you enjoy your eternal nights, you shall have them!” Celestia shook for but a moment, a mere second that showed the toll she paid to use her magic. She flinched over and over, a constant stutter until her ailing body regained control. Her white dress was stained with blood. “You shall spend the rest of your eternal days, a god of nothing! You want your moon, you shall have it! Be gone!!!”

She was launched like a comet. Nightmare went far into the heavens. When at last she landed, she was chained. She knew at once where she was, for it was a surface she often stared at, up in the sky. The moon was her home now. The dark side of the moon.