Sent to the Moon

The Truth of Crimes Past

October 12, Celestial Year 1008
Five Days after Twilight's Banishment

Luna paced back and forth in her private study as she thought over what had happened with Twilight. The bearer of the Element of Magic was gone, her connection to her friends and The Elements were gone. Equestria was without its greatest defense and there had been no word of the other Element bearers for the last five days. Luna had sent her own personal guards to find them but no word had reached her yet of their safety or if they even knew what was going on. Even Discord had not been seen since Twilight's banishment. It seemed that his words of retirement were true. He had in fact unleashed a chaos so great it would ripple throughout time and cause an untold amount of horrible chaos a thousand years later.

Luna let out a groan of frustration and was about to lash out at the furniture in her study when a knock came to the door. The alicorn of the night paused to let out a few calming breaths and centered her thoughts. She adjusted her slightly askew regalia before she opened the door with her magic letting two Nightwing guards enter. The two guards saluted her before delivering their report.

"Princess we have finally located the other five Element bearers." The first guard, Captain Night Flyer said.

"Tis' good news my Captain. I was right in my decision in sending my personal guard to find Twilight Sparkle's friends. Tell me, are the Element bearers in good health? Are they aware of what has transpired in the last five days?"

The Captain stiffened as Lieutenant Moon Dancer winced at the question of the Elements health before regaining their composure. Luna saw this and her expression grew grim. "Captain, Lieutenant, what has happened? I order you to tell me, now!" Luna nearly shouted.

"Princess Luna we found them at the Canterlot home of the Sparkle family. They have informed the Sparkle Family of what has happened. Captain Shining Armor and Princess Cadence were there as well and as a result of that they also know what has happened." Captain Night Flyer said after a short pause.

Luna's grim look deepened as she stared at her loyal guards. "There is something else that you're not telling me. What is it?"

"Princess, it's bad. While the mares are alive they are all in bad shape. It looks like that were severely beaten in the last five days that they have been missing. You will have to ask Lieutenant Moon Dancer for the details of their condition both mentally and physically. I only spoke with Captain Armor, Princess Cadence, and Twilight Sparkle's parents, Night Light, and Twilight Velvet." Captain Night Flyer said flatly.

"Very well Captain. What is the condition of the good Captain of the Royal Guard and his parents?" Luna asked.

"Captain Shining was a wreck and was in tears when we found them. He hasn't reported back to the castle since his parents summoned him the night that the Elements bearers showed up. Princess Cadence has been with the Sparkle family since then as well trying to keep them from storming the castle to demand answers to this tragic event. When we showed up to find what the family knew and how the Element bearers were Captain Armor become very irate and wanted to know why you had not contacted him or his family personally about this. He is very upset and blaming you as well as Princess Celestia for the loss of his sister. The parents want to get answers as well but didn't really want to talk with me. They want to hear from you and Princess Celestia directly and soon. Otherwise, there may be another incident that will amount to crimes against the crown from the Sparkle family." Captain Night Flyer told Princess Luna with a forlorn look on his face. "I fear this may not end well if something is not done soon Princess, that is the end of my report."

"I see this is a far greater crisis than I thought originally. Captain Flyer please take a squad of Night Guards to put the Sparkle Family and the Elements bearers under house arrest. This includes Captain Armor. Make sure a squad of Royal Guards are there to watch them during the day. This a royal order, tell them I will be there to speak with them after I have spoken with my sister directly on this matter. Go swiftly and may the Moon guide you." Luna ordered and Captain Night Flyer saluted then left the room quickly.

"Now, Lieutenant Moon Dancer give me your report," Luna commanded.

"Yes, Princess. I spoke with the Element bearers and all of them were bandaged up in similar places to the injuries sustained by Twilight Sparkle. It seems that when Princess Celestia confronted Twilight Sparkle she was using some type of mind linking magic with other five Elements. She was in telepathic contact with her five friends planning a surprise party when she was assaulted by Princess Celestia on the grounds of treason. The other five mares all suffered injuries too as well as heard and saw everything that transpired during the fight from Twilight Sparkle's point of view. As a result of Twilight Sparkle's punishment, none of the mares have a connection to the Elements of Harmony anymore. According to Miss Rarity, there was a large feedback effect due to their connection to Twilight through the telepathic spell and their connection to the Elements of Harmony. All of those magical bonds were destroyed when Twilight was rendered unconscious from her injuries and Princess Celestia's sleep spell." Lieutenant Moon Dancer said with a large amount of sadness in her voice.

“What are their feelings on this matter? How do they wish to have this matter resolved?"

"Well miss Rarity was the spokes-pony for the five mares and she said that they would wait for you to contact them in the next day or two. Ultimately they want answers and restitution for Princess Celestia's cruelty toward Twilight and the pain they have suffered. I feel that they may take violent action against Princess Celestia even if you do speak with them soon." Lieutenant Moon Dancer said before shaking her head.

"Princess please do something for them soon. I feel that if we don't take action those five mares will be executed for treason and a failed coup d'etat. I do not wish to see them all die but if the Princess is attacked by national heroes the Nobles will demand blood for their crimes." Lieutenant Moon Dancer replied, her voice thick with emotion and fear.

"I don't wish for any more ponies to suffer more than those that have already. I hope that we can resolve this without further bloodshed. I fear that Discord has done more damage than that which can be fixed with simple words. In the end, this crime will be paid for in blood one way or another." Luna said ominously before she walked over to her desk.

At the desk, Luna picked up a quill quickly in her magic and began to write out the royal orders placing the Elements of Harmony and the Sparkle Family members under house arrest. She also wrote out instructions for Princess Cadence to be taken into protective custody until the matter with the assumed traitor Twilight Sparkle was resolved. Once the orders were written she passed them on to Lieutenant Moon Dancer to deliver to the proper clerks in the castle. All thought Luna had already issued emergency orders there was still the matter of due process and the clerical red tape that had to be followed.

Once Lieutenant Moon Dancer had the paper tucked neatly under her bat wing she saluted then left swiftly. Luna quickly left her study moments later on her way to her sister to discuss that anger of the Sparkle Family and the Elements of Harmony before there were eight more traitors to the crown to be punished.

Throne Room

In the throne room, which was now under steady reconstruction to return it to its former glory, sat the mighty Princess of the Sun, gone were her golden regalia and the poise of a regal ruler of a nation. The white alicorn of the sun sat on her throne head bowed in the dim light, crying. She was replaying everything that had happened in the last month over in her head. She was searching her memory for any little thing that would justify her actions with Twilight. Discord had to be lying, there was no way she had been fooled by him into attacking and sending Twilight to the moon falsely. As Celestia replayed all of her nightmares. Went over all of her decisions and ultimately decided to put a stop to the darkness growing in Twilight she came to one conclusion. She had indeed been used by Discord and had freed him from his eternal imprisonment by harming the one pony that loved and believed in her more than anypony else.

"No, what have I done? What have I done to you, my dear Twilight? What have done to all of Equestria in my hubris?" Celestia asked herself as tears ran down her cheeks.

Celestia was still crying when Luna entered the throne room to speak with her. Luna found the throne room dimly lit and could just barely make out her sister's form in the shadows. The thing caught that her attention right away was the sound of crying. Luna quickly crossed the room to Celestia's side to find her sister crying into her own hooves. Luna wrapped her forelegs around her weeping sister and held her tightly. The heartbroken mare held onto her younger sister and cried until no more tears would come.

"Luna I have failed them, I have failed our little ponies. I have done such a terrible thing and now I can not undo it. Worst of all I have hurt and doomed my most faithful student and friend to a lifetime of insanity because I lacked the foresight to consulate you about my horrible dreams and growing paranoia." Celestia said and she sniffled and whimpered.

"You are right about one thing, what is done can not be undone. You must not punish yourself for it now there are still those suffering right here in Canterlot that need you to answer questions. The Sparkle family wants answers, the Element bearers want answers and you are the only one that can give them closure to this tragedy." Luna told Celestia as she stroked her mane gently.

Never before had Luna seen her mighty sister laid so low by a decision. Even when Luna had become Nightmare Moon and Celestia had to banish her that decision had never had a price to be paid that was this high. If anything Celestia's sanity would be destroyed by this decision long before Twilight's. In the end, Luna would lose her sister but Celestia would lose so much more.

Luna was going to comfort her sister more when she heard the guard outside yelling and rushing forward to stop some pony from entering the room. Luna was just getting Celestia calmed down when the throne room doors were flung open. Moments later thunderous sound of a guard being kicked in the chest was heard, a second after that the very guard come flying across the room. The poor stallion tumbled in over end through the air in a wide arc before smashing into the throne back first. The force of the guards impacting the back of the stone chair smashed off the top of it. And the poor unicorn lay behind it in a pile of rubble, dazed but otherwise unharmed.

"Who dares enter this castle in such a brazen matter to defy the rulers of Equestria!?" Luna shouted as she turned toward the open throne room doors. The Alicorn of the Night gasped in surprise and horror to find it was Applejack that had kicked the guard across the throne room. The orange farm mare was flanked by Rarity, Fluttershy, and Pinkie Pie. Rainbow Dash was few feet behind them dealing with another guard trying to stop their advance.

"Friend Applejack why dost thou make such a scene? I was to be given a day or so to make ready an audience for thou and thine friends. Why does thou perpetrate this unseemly display?" Luna asked perplexed as to why the former Element bearers have come to the castle now.

"Beggin your pardon Princess Luna but we took a vote and decided to get this over with now. Princess Celestia, we got some questions ya need ta be answerin’ right now!" Applejack told Princess Luna as she and the others advance on the throne, seconds later Rainbow Dash zipping in to join them.

"Took care of the guard. He's alive just really dizzy. He should be puking for the next hour after the ride I gave him. The others should be along in a second." Rainbow said to the other Elements with a laugh before turning to stare at the Princesses.

Luna took in the sight of the five mares she called friends. All of them were in sorry states and looked ready to do battle should either Celestia or herself deem them, enemies. All of them were bandaged up in some form and looked like they hadn't slept in days. Rainbow Dash's right eye was swollen to the point it was practically closed, her forelegs were bandaged and her face had several cuts that had started to heal. Applejack's barrel was wrapped in bandages, she had several gashes that had been stitched closed on her hindquarter, and her right eye was black. Pinkie Pie had bandages around all four legs there were several spots on her back with no fur as if it had been burnt off and her left ear looked like a cat had tried to tear it off. Fluttershy's head was wrapped, both her forelegs were bandaged up and her face was bruised in several places. Rarity was the worst to look at, her head was wrapped up just like Fluttershy's but part of her mane had been shaved to take care of the head wound, her barrel bore so many black, purple, and yellowing bruises. The worst part was her horn, half of it was gone and it had been filed down to allow it to grow back properly. Around her neck on a silver chain was the broken part of her horn. The horn had been stained a lavender color, it was most likely done that way to represent Twilight.

All five mares looked ready to kill but were waiting for the right moment to unleash that bloodthirsty desire on Celestia. Luna was at a loss for words as was Celestia whom just stared at them knowing full well that she deserved whatever hell Twilight's friends would send her to.

Before Luna or Celestia could say anything Princess Cadence appeared with Night Light. Both of them were holding up Twilight Velvet, who looks like she had been crying for days. The room fell silent as the three newcomers crossed the room to stand before the Princesses of Night and Day.

"Why? Tell us why and there sure as buck better be a really good reason!" Rainbow Dash yelled a moment after the Sparkle parents and Cadence made their way to join the group by the throne.

"I have no good reason save for I believed that Twilight had fallen to the darkness and was going to enslave all of Equestria for her own selfish gain. I was... I was wrong and now she is gone and there is nothing that can be done to return her to this world save for the end of the spell. I'm truly sorry for what I have done to all of you." Celestia said in a small voice with her head bowed.

All of the former Elements growled in rage at Celestia's answer to their pain and loss. It was horseshit that she thought Twilight was anything thing but loyal to Equestria and Celestia herself. There must have been another way to find the truth but Celestia was too arrogant, to self-righteous in her longtime spent ruling to see that what she had done was beyond wrong. All of the girls yelled in fury as tears rolled down their cheeks. They had come here for answers or revenge and now there was only one path left open to them. They were ready to join Twilight in exile and were about to give Luna a reason to do just that. But, before they could do anything the whole group was surrounded by guards with spears and spells ready. The five former Elements got ready to fight their way through the sea of guards for they would not be denied what was owed to them. One way or another they would be reunited with Twilight in life or death.

"Everypony, stand down!" Shining armor shouted as he entered the throne in full battle armor. All of the guards froze in place at the sight of their Commanding Officer, completely unsure of what to do.

“But Captain Armor it is our duty to protect the princesses from any who wish them harm be they family, friend or foe..”

“Then prepare to protect your rulers from me...” He said as his horn lit with magic and brought his sword to levitate in front of him ready to be used at a moment's notice.

“THAT IS ENOUGH, THERE WILL BE NO BLOODSHED ON THIS NIGHT!!! ENOUGH INNOCENT BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED ALREADY!”

The entirety of the throne room save for Luna herself froze unsure of what to do or even if they should speak. For several long moments, nopony dared move as they all waited for Luna to issue an order or voice her thoughts. It was during this silence the Twilight Velvet moved from between her daughter-in-law and her husband to stand before Luna in front of her daughter's friends. None of the guards moved to stop her nor did they say a word as she moved past them, they all just moved aside to let her pass by.

“I am Twilight Velvet, Matriarch of the Sparkle Family, I am a loyal citizen of the nation of Equestria, I humbly request an audience with the rulers of this proud and peaceful nation.” Twilight Velvet said softly before she bowed to Luna.

“The Crown recognize you Twilight Velvet of the Sparkle Family. Speak your mind before us. Ask us whatever you wish to know.” Luna replied before looking to the others in the throne room. “Take heed my little ponies only Twilight Velvet has permission to speak, any and all outbursts will be dealt with by me directly no matter whom they come from.”

“Thank you, Princess Luna. I only have a few questions and Princess Celestia is the only one who can give answers to me.” Velvet said in a respectful but angry voice, “Princess Celestia will you answer my questions one mare to another?”

“Twilight Velvet I already know what answers you want. I can only say that I have failed you and your family. I have taken from you that which is most precious to a mare, her child. For that alone, I should be put to death but my sins go much deeper than that. I was like a second Mother to Twilight and I have not only hurt her but you, your husband, Shining Armor, Cadence, and her friends. I have misused my powers, my station, and failed in my duty as protector of Equestria and the ponies who live here. But all of that is nothing compared to the pain I have put you through. As penance for the crimes, I have committed I place my punishment in your hooves. You may pass any sentence you deem fit for the crimes I freely admit my guilt too.”

“Dear Sister, you can't be serious! Throwing away your life is a poor substitute to ease your conscience. Please get a hold of yourself.” Luna exclaimed as she looked back at Celestia.

“No, Luna I owe Twilight Velvet this. As ruler of Equestria, I hereby issue the decree that I am guilty of falsely and unjustly punishing Twilight Sparkle as a traitor and usurper of the crown. I also decree there will be no trial as I freely admit to my crimes and it will be Twilight Velvet that decides my punishment. No pony may undo either of these decrees and they will be enforced to the full extent of the law.” Celestia proclaimed as she stood up to her full height.

There was silence in the throne room for several minutes before the room was filled the murmurs of all the guards speaking of their shock and awe at the two royal decrees. The former Elements said nothing as they watched Twilight Velvet waiting to see what she would say or do next. Night Light moved from his place next to Cadence to stand next to his wife. He pulled her into a hug and they stared into each other's eyes. It was as if the were speaking but no words were heard. After a few more minutes passed Night Light let go of Velvet and kissed her on the forehead just under her horn.

“Whatever you decide to do know that I'm with you no matter what. In the end, we may have to leave Equestria for good but do what you feel is right to bring our family closure. Go, get justice for our little Twilight and come back to me.” Night Light said softly to his wife before he walked over to Shining and got him to put his sword away.

Velvet turned to the Royal Sisters with her shoulders squared, her jaw set in anger, but her expression was extremely passive. Soon she would deliver her judgment on Celestia and forever change the world. Even as Velvet thought on that, none of what would happen to Equestria would matter to her. Not after losing Twilight the way she did. Velvet could care less of what the ponies of Equestria would do if they lost one of their three rulers, it all paled in comparison to the loss she felt right now. The child she had carried for eleven months, nursed, cared for when she was sick, and raised to be a bright ray of hope and love in this world was now gone. That child was doomed to lose everything precious to her while being forced to be sad, alone and slipping into the growing insanity from that loneliness and sadness. There was only one choice in punishment for the mare that had taken her child. Velvet had decided to give Celestia the worst punishment she could think of.

Luna set a worried gaze upon the light gray mare afraid that Velvet would demand blood for the loss of her daughter. Worse still the heartbroken mare would want the five ex-Elements to be the ones to put Celestia in the grave. Luna had to find a way to fix this otherwise she was going to lose Celestia then control of Equestria soon after into the madness of endless bloodshed.

Celestia on the other hoof watched Velvet with baited breath and a grim mournful expression, The white mare was hoping that Twilight Velvet would choose to end her life. This was what Celestia's conscience deemed to the best solution to the overwhelming guilt she felt at the betrayal of her faithful student Twilight. Death was the only reward Celestia felt should be hers after dooming Twilight to a 1000 year slow fall into the depths of insanity and a quest for revenge that would ultimately never be fulfilled. That is if an enough of Twilight's mind, body, and soul survived the 1000 year banishment intact. The most likely outcome would be that Twilight would end up as a pony of advanced aged with a shrunken malnourished mass of skin and bones for a body and the barest semblance of a working mind. Upon her return, if she even survived the displacement and magical reintegration back to Equus Twilight would have no understanding of the time, place, and era she was in. If Twilight made it back safely she would need round the clock care but ultimately would die sometime soon after. These thoughts and considerations alone made Celestia pray for death at the hooves of Twilight Velvet.

“Princess Celestia I have finally come up with the sentence for your crimes. Please stand before me so that all may hear that sentence.”Velvet said after several minutes of thinking it over.

Celestia slowly walked down the stairs from her throne to stand before Twilight Velvet in all of her regal grace. The Alicorn of the Sun stood firm, unmoving as she readied herself for the sentence of death that her guilt-ridden mind and soul yearned for. Yes, Celestia wished to be rid of her life to pay for her crimes against Twilight, it was the only true way for her to atone for her sins, or so she thought.

“Princess Celestia, I Twilight Velvet as your appointed judge, jury, and executioner, for the crime of assaulting a defenseless mare, for the crime of bringing suffering to the former Elements of Harmony, for the crime of failing your duty to the ponies of Equestria, for the crime of banishing an innocent mare for treason for a 1000 years, and for the crime of stealing my daughter the light of the Sparkle family, I hereby sentence you … TO LIVE!”

“What? Why would you...? Why do you spare me Twilight Velvet? Do you not want justice for your daughter? Does my station and status scare you? I beg you to give me death. I want you to truly punish me for my crimes!” Celestia wailed as tears ran down her cheeks.

“I am not sparing you, no, far from it. I'm giving you the worse punishment I could think of. I want you to live on and continue protecting Equestria and its citizens. I want you to live with what you have done to me and my family. I want you to live with what you have done to Applejack, Rarity, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, and Rainbow Dash.” Velvet told Celestia as she pointed to her family and the former Elements. “I want you to live with the uncertainty that you have brought on Equestria with lost of the Elements of Harmony. And most of all I want you to live with the fact that Twilight Sparkle, your faithful student, and my beloved daughter will survive her banishment and when she comes back she will come for you. I want you to live with the fact that in 1000 years your sins will come back to haunt you. When that day comes you will have to tell Twilight about this day and what you have lived through getting ready for the day she would return. I want you to live with your guilt, your remorse, and your own weakness because in the end killing you would be letting you off easy. I can't allow you to escape your suffering and never shall you, now that your sentence is to live a long life as Protector and Ruler of Equestria.”

After telling Celestia her sentence of a long life Velvet turned her back on the crying princess and walked over to her family. She had done what she had come to do, she had gotten closure for her family and damned the mare that had broken it. Now there was the matter of finding a new home since Equestria would not accept what she had done this night. Nor would they accept what Shining Armor and the five girls that were Twilight's friends would do in the future to appease their sense of justice.

“Princess Luna now that I have given your sister closure on this matter I ask for a boon of the crown.” Velvet said with her back still turned to the Royal Sisters.

“Speak of it, it shall be done,” Luna replied.

“I wish to leave this country with my family as we will no longer be citizens of Equestria. There is no way we can live here with your Sister as ruler. Also, the former Elements and their families will be coming with us. There is no way any of them or their families will stand for what has happened and I will not allow Celestia to find a way out of her punishment. Death will not find Celestia for another 1000 years and when that day comes she will know my suffering a 1000 fold.” Velvet told Luna in a flat tone.

“It shall be done. In a few days, time supplies will be ready for all of you and your families to leave Equestria for the lands to the southwest beyond the borders of Appaloosa. Until your departure, you all will be under house arrest and the protection of my guards. Is that fair to you?” Luna asked Velvet.

“Yes, that is fair. I don't want any more bloodshed. I just want to move on and start a new life as we wait for Twilight to return to us. Come on girls we are leaving. Until it's time to leave Equestria for good you all will stay with us at the Sparkle house.” Velvet said in a soft whisper to the main five. They all just nodded in response before following Velvet and Nightlight out. The last to leave was Shining Armor.

Shining Armor stood before Cadence and took her hooves in his own before he looked deeply into her sad eyes. “Cady I love you and will always love you but this is goodbye. I can't stay here anymore and my mother is right to make us all leave. If given the chance I will kill Celestia for what she has done to us.” Shining Armor said in a somber voice as he lit his horn and pulled out his wedding ring. “ I have to give this back. I want you to remember me as I was and not as I am now. Promise that you will find love again someday.”

“Shining please don't do this to me. There must be another way to save Twilight, to save us. I don't want to lose you. Please don’t leave me.” Cadence begged but it was all for not. Shining Armor's path was set and he would not turn away from it.

“Goodbye Cadence. I will always love you.” With that said Shining dropped the wedding ring, slipped from Cadence’s grip and vanished out the throne room doors at a sprint. In his wake, he left a crying Cadence, a bewildered and broken Celestia and a mournful Princess Luna. In the end, Discord was the only one smiling at this point, but in a thousand years, he too would have to pay a heavy price for his grand Chaos.

To Live is now her Punishment...