The Dawn of Darkness

THE DAWN OF DARKNESS

An original tale by diiscord

CHAPTER 1

Sun:

Crack! Bang!

The midsummer's eve festival was in two days and ponies everywhere were preparing for the celebration. Early fireworks sparkled in the dark morning sky. The moon was low in the sky and I began to slowly pull my sun to the horizon, breathing light upon the world. As set the sun on its journey across the sky, I watched as sisters’ moon dropped below the hills.

        I walked back into my room off my balcony and breathed in the fragrant smell of the fire roses all over the castle. Putting on my crown, I walked out into the hall outside my room and smiled to see the lavish decor across the walls.

        I set out to find Luna. I needed to make sure we got our weekly morning meeting with the Nobles. The meeting was set for 7:00, in 5 minutes, in the great hall.

        Trotting through the halls I bumped into a night guard heading to bed. He looked up and bowed, “Pardon me Miss Celestia. I am very tired and did not see where I was walking.”

        I smiled at him, “Oh no, it’s okay. By the way, do you know where my sister is? have you seen her in the past few minutes?”

        “No, Miss, sorry. Though she usually goes into her room around this hour, yes?”

        I nodded, “Thank you, get some rest.” I smiled and headed off to Luna’s room.

        ….

Hisssss

        I laughed, “Luna, you aren’t a snake. It’s only a little light, sis. I just came to tell you that the weekly meeting is in 2 minutes. We shouldn’t be late, it will reflect badly on us as rulers.”

        She groaned and rolled off her bed on to her hooves, “If thou isistith on me being there, even though I do nothing in that meeting... “

        “Oh c’mon Lulu, you are there as support for me at least. And don't talk like that.”

        She groaned at that as well. “Oh whatever. All I have to say is, your guards better get me a large cup of coffee.”

        I smiled, “Now that’s the Luna I like to hear. Be down in 2.” I nodded to her then trotted out, heading to the grand hall.

        I wonder what kind of junk I will be hearing about today. More complaints about food and other trivial things. These meetings were really a good way to put a dampener on a happy day.

        I trotted up to the large door separating me from the end of happiness. Two unicorn ponies walked up to me and touched up on any blemishes that might be on my snow white fur and pink mane. The princess of the sun must keep up a beautiful appearance for her court.

        My advisor, Starswirl walked up to me before I opened the doors, “Miss Celestia, the Nobles are particularly rustled about something today.”

        “What is it Starswirl?” I don’t quite know, but i’ll keep an eye on them, So we can find out what’s troubling them for the Midsummers Eve meeting and fix it.”

“Very well.” I pushed the doors open with my magic as Luna trotted up behind me, a cup of coffee floating beside her. “Good evening Starswirl.”

“Good morning Princess.” He nodded to her and she blinked.

We all walked into the room and took our seats at the end of a long conference table.

“Well, shall we begin? The time is 7 in the morning.”

Immediately a stallion with a white coat and silver mane spoke up, Trance Blueblood, “Relations with the Griffins are still horrible. We are continuing the war on the northern front. It also appears that they have made an alliance pact with the zebras. The Griffins are mercenaries, unable to fight without a leader. I wouldn’t worry about the Griffins for this purpose, instead, look at the zebras. There are millions of them, and they are all well versed in combat and all forms of sneak attacks. I believe that, in light of this event, we should heighten security measures for the Princess.”

        I thought for a moment, “Perhaps. But we will need to make sure our security does not appear to be looking for zebras or griffins. It will damage our chances of peace.”

        Starswirl spoke up, “That can be arranged.”

        A new pony spoke up, “I suggest we deploy spies into their nation as well, to find out if they have any plans for attack after the festival.”

“Spies..?”

“I concur with this plan. I see profit from it.” Luna spoke up and several of the Nobles smiled at this. I frowned, as princesses, Luna and I should not give the nobles every little thing they want. It will be seen as weakness.

        "Luna, I'm not sure that this is such a good idea.." I spoke to her quietly.

        "Anything to give our country the upper hand. We will need to go to full war with the zebras and Griffin's eventually, so why not prepare. Why not take all the measures needed to gain the upper hand in battle?" She looked around and some of the others nodded at this. I swiftly became worried. I did not want a war.

…..

After that, the meeting went on quite differently, it had rapidly turned into a war-strategy meeting, with Luna at the head. The nobles were happy to have a princess on their side.

I was rather disappointed at this. There was no reason that ponies should be in war. Even the griffin war was started over nothing. I wanted to keep our nation at peace. Though we were rapidly descending into a dangerous place.

I will keep Luna out of the Midsummers Eve meeting. If I don’t, I fear the Nobles will sense a weakness in my political strength. If that happens, we could have a full scale rebellion, will Luna and I be able to handle-

“Miss Celestia?” I blinked and noticed I was staring at a wall in the middle of a hallway. I blushed a deep red and turned to see Starswirl standing beside me.

He laughed, “Thinking politics again?” I nodded.

“Don’t worry, I’ll come up with a reason to get Luna out on midsummers’.” He smiled at me.

“Thank you Starswirl. Be gentle with it please. I don’t want Luna to get the feeling that I am keeping her out.”

“As you wish,” He bowed and walked off down the hallway.

I turned to a window and stared out at the red sun peering through the clouds.