Battling The Times

Chapters

Chapter One: Miracle from the Stars [E]
Chapter Two: And You Shall be....
Chapter Three: Division
Chapter Four: Everfree

Chapter One: Miracle from the Stars [E]

I stood next to my sister the both of us were covered in small nicks, cuts, and bruises from fighting off the twisted forest that Discord had warped with is magic. He couldn’t destroy the tree of harmony like he wanted and was either too lazy, insane, or bored to stand watch over it hence the now transformed miles of forest and his vile creations inside it. Our foe sat upon his throne mocking us as he snacked on some black looking rocks? or pellets? They could have been hoof shavings for all I knew or cared for that matter.

My sister, Celestia, stepped forward her four golden shoes squeaking like jabbering squirrels as she proclaimed our victory. Despite the both of being equal in every way our stature, our power, wing spans, horn size and even when we got our cutie marks as twins should be, She however was more loved by our ponies before Discord appeared. I didn’t care though the lack of attention on me meant I could spend more time painting my lovely night sky during court. She was always considered to be superior to myself simple because of her calling me her little sister as a joke since I was born a full 3 minutes after her. I always rolled my eyes whenever she called me that.

Discord began laughing even harder as he snapped his figures making a strange…well I guess one would call it monocle appear. The large white part attached itself to the side of his already twisted head with a small piece of green stained glass covering one of his eyes. Our magic begun to flow and surge through the elements of harmony when he bolted up right. Pressing a talon of his eagle hand against the side and the monocle made a beeping noise as he looked up to his chaotic sky.

“Ooooooooooooooooooooohhhhh that should do very very nicely.” Discord said disgusting levels of pleasure in his voice as he snap his talons again making the monocle disappear. The elements fired at the God of chaos in a bright rainbow arch. He quickly adopted a pose akin to that of a minotaur opera singer and sang out at the top of his lungs. “CHA LA HEAD CHA LAAAAAAAAAA!” The lord of chaos held the note as his body slowly turned to stone.

My sister and I looked at each other, puzzlement on our faces, with raised eyebrows as the elements returned to our saddle bags. No words were exchange as we shrugged dismissing the soon-to-be garden decoration’s actions chalking it up to his chaotic nature. The world slowly began to return to the way it belonged all except the forest surrounding the scared tree. Thankfully we understood that the tree’s magic would slowly correct the damage in time. With exhausted sighs we teleported back to Cantorlot and begin the long process of rebuilding our city.

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It had been nearly a year since Discord’s defeat and all things had been returned to normal. Including the number of visitors I had during my night court which I could count on my legs for the past six months. I sat upon the throne my sister and I shared in deep concentration as I warded the dream realm. Many of our little ponies were still suffering nightmares as a result of Discord’s reign. There was a part of me that knew that these horrible dreams would likely last a generation or two. It was approaching the wee hours of the morning by the time I had finished with the last of the nightmares. I was extremely thankful that I had actually managed to get them all tonight. Despite the realm of dreams being my domain I had not been able to get to all of them till now. The numbers were simply too great.

As my concentration returned back to my physical body I became painfully aware of how stiff I had become. My muscles and joints protested as I slowly stood and stretched. The joints all throughout my body popped slightly. I wasn’t sure if this was a sign of my age or if it’d just been stress of the past year but at the moment I didn’t care. I had a wonderfully comfortable and warm bed in my room and it was calling my name loudly. It was only two hours till my sister was to raise the sun which sadly meant I couldn’t go to sleep just yet. I looked to my assistant Quick Quill a much older unicorn mare who was sleeping soundly on a large pillow just behind the throne. It was slightly frustrating that she didn’t have a good the courtesy to stay awake during the night court as she was my assistant. However, I could not honestly blame her. It was night when most ponies slept and the boredom was absolutely mind numbing. I pulled the blanket out from under the pillow gently and covered her with it making sure not to wake her.

I told the guards to close the night court as I was going to go for a walk until it was time to lower the moon. I slowly paced around the corridors of the castle stepping onto the marbled floors gently as not to accidentally wake a sleeping pony. The entire time I had wandered thinking if I was even needed beyond my dream warding. We had both proven capable of moving both of the heavenly bodies. The two of us had been charged with if it need be. We would both take part in the day to day workings of Equestria normally discussing issues over our own breakfasts and dinners respectively. More often than not Celestia would be getting proposals and delivering new decrees when they were made. I never had any objections she brought everything to me, asking for my input. To which point I would agree, disagree, or suggest a compromise of some kind. When we couldn’t reach an agreement which rarely happened, the matter would be put aside and addressed later if at all.

My musings were cut short however when I found myself on the garden balcony. The fresh night air filled my muzzle and instantly felt refreshed as I looked up at my sky. No pony else appreciated it, but that didn’t matter though as I had not yet finished it yet anyway. The movement of the moon itself was my talent painting the sky was just a hobby, one that I was slowly beginning to take pride in. So when I noticed something that I hadn’t put there myself I was perplexed.

“Just where did you come from?” I asked the small flickering light as it moved across the sky. My confusion and curiosity quickly changed to worry as the shooting star became a falling star. My eyes widened in fear as it streaked just past Canterlot Mountain to quickly for me to use my magic. The star impacted with a force that shook the city , the castle and the mountain itself. I had no more as spread my wings to investigate when Ceslestia Teleported next to me still in her baby blue bath robe.

“Luna what in the name or our mother Faust was that!?” She asked startled and on edge. Irritated at her choice of words I bopped her on the muzzle with my wing.

“Firstly, don’t take our mother’s name in vain. Secondly, it was a shooting star. One that I didn’t bring down. Thirdly, I was about to investigate. Now do you want to come along or get to your bubble bath?” I said as I thrust my wings down lifting myself into the air Celestia was quick to follow as I flew around the mountain.

“How could it be a star that you didn’t call down? Also how did you know I was going to take a bubble bath?”

“To the first I have no idea sister that’s why we are looking into it. As to you second question…” I pointed to the pink wooden duck bath toy in the pocket of her robe. “… You always take Commander Waddles when you need to destroy your bubbly adversaries.” I responded with a huge smirk on my face.

“You leave Commander Waddles out of this. He is a very capable Admiral of the royal navy.” Celestia pouted with a large amount of pink on her cheeks as she quickly cradled the toy in her fore hooves.

“Honestly, Tia. And you call me the little sister.” I let out exaggerated sigh as we started rounding the mountain.

“Oh? And just who is the one that still binge eats sugar cubes hmm?” Tia challenged a smirk of her own as she place her toy back in her robe.

“I could counter that with the cake you eat widening your flank.” I replied with a smile. It was so rare anymore that we were allowed to just be ourselves since when had started ruling 300 years ago. Oh how I had ached for moments like these. The two of us going back and forth at each other our mock fighting as just sisters. No court nobles watching, no guards “protecting” us, no expectations, no responsibilities, and no boring proposals. Just us as sisters as friends.

“I will have you know you, that the marriage proposals have doubled since my flank has gotten wider thank you very much.” Celestia said with a mix of mock and genuine pride.

I rolled my eyes and shook my head at her comment and was about to counter but the words got caught in my throat as I caught sight of a carter on the ground. The smiles on our faces fell into looks of determination as we descended to the new scar on the ground. I kept a ghost of a smile though seeing such a serious look of my sister’s face. Carrying a nearly three century old bath toy to a crisis had a small amount humor in it. When we touched down there was the small making of a grass fire but with a quick flex of our magic the flames were put out. In the center of the crater was something that I could only describe a mental sphere with a spot of red glass. We approached it cautiously our horns at the ready. We nearly jumped out of our hooves when it began to beep. We spread our wings out ready to take flight when the most curious sound entered our ears…. crying.

“Lulu do you hear a foal?” Tia looked over at me with confusion on her face. I was certain I looked the same.

“I was going to ask you that. Is it coming from inside that thing?” I asked her pointing at the sphere with a hoof.

“I think so..” We both began to approach again only to be stopped again as it began to hiss and crack along a prefect line. The sphere opened like a door and inside we saw the cutest little furless monkey setting on some sort of chair. Its eyes were closed as it cried loudly enough to make us both pinn our ears to our heads to drown it out. That didn’t stop us from letting out a coo at its cuteness much like one would a newborn foal. My sister was quick to approach the crying monkey.

“Awe..There there little one. There no need to cry.” She let out gently as she pushed her muzzle into its chest gently nuzzling it. The tiny creature opened its eyes and it became clear that this wasn’t an ordinary furless monkey even if it did have a tail like one. There was intelligence in its eyes and strangely I felt a tingle travel down my spine as something spoke to me. Predator was what echoed throughout my body and I was sure Celestia felt it to as I saw her flanks shiver. The monkey did stop crying though and its dark brown, nearly black eyes met my sister’s.

The little thing reached out with its tiny hand and punched my sister right in the eye. My cheeks bulged out as I quickly brought a hoof to my mouth to keep from laughing out loud. Celestia yanked her head backward and took a few stumbling steps away from the sphere and rubbed at her eye with a fetlock.

“Perhaps your *snort* not… as good with foals as our ponies believe sister.” I said barely able to keep in my laughter as the tiny fighter crawled out of the opened sphere which was still beeping now and then.

“Oh ha ha ha..” She replied dryly as she lowered her hoof back to the ground. My laughter nearly broke free as I could see the bruise already starting to form.

“The mighty Princess Celestia Banisher of Sombra, Imprisoner of Discord, and Raiser of the Sun bested by a furless monkey!” I proclaimed in a dramatic fashion with one foreleg raised in the air as if to proclaim to the havens above as if it was great tragic play. Then quickly fell on my back laughing so hard that my sides hurt as I held them with my forelegs.

Celestia glared down at me clearly unamused. “Well then why doesn't the Mighty Luna, Exiler of Tirek give it a try?”

“Why not? I cannot possibly do worse than you did.” I laughed as I struggled back to my hooves and made my way over to the tiny being. It was crawling away from us and as I nudged the tail that was raised up and I turned to look at me. For the briefest of moments I thought I saw a look of anger it its eyes, but when they met mine the young infant plopped on its flanks and just stared at me. The look of wonder in its features could not have been any clearer.

As it stared at me the first thing that became apparent was that it was female. Its skin was slightly tanned and the nipples on its chest meant that in all likelihood it was a bipedal creature like a minotaur. The mane on the top of its head covered most of it but was strange at how pointy it all was. The hair was short in the front and longer in the back, going just passed its shoulders. The pointed bits of hair in the front formed jagged looking bangs while the hair in the back was slightly reminiscent of a porcupine even with the tuffs of hair pointed down.

After I took in its appearance she crawled forward and wrapped her tiny arms around my muzzle, cooing happily as she kept staring into my eyes. A smile slowly formed on my face as I nuzzled into it playfully. She giggled as my fur tickled her skin and she nuzzled her cheek against me. That moment my heart melted and I lowered myself to the ground my legs tucked under me.

“It would seem that she likes you.” Tia stated as she lay down next to me her voice a mix of disappointment and wonder.

“Indeed. I like her too. She is just so cute.” I mused as I reached out with my fore hooves gently pulling her closer.

“Yes but I fear the how and why she is here to begin with.”

“You think it could be Discord’s work?” I asked a small amount of fear in my chest as I tickled the child with a hoof.

“That is the only thing that makes sense. But he is imprisoned and has been for a year.” Celestia lowered her glowing horn to the child taping it gently on the head. “There isn’t any chaotic magic…or any magic within the child to begin with.”

“No magic at all? How….How is that possible? Shouldn’t she have already died then?”

“I…I honestly don’t know sister..” She looked over to the strange sphere and enveloped it in her magic. “That thing doesn’t have any magic either. However I am picking up the very faint traces of a spell similar to that spell Star Swirl was working on.”

“Wait you mean that one that involved going back in time to meet the founders of Equestria?”

“Yes he insisted on working on it despite my forbidding him.”

“He is still young Tia. He thinks he knows best and we all make mistakes. Or have you forgotten your “want it need it” or “clouds to cakes” spells?” I asked with the biggest of grins on my face.

“I was just a filly back then and we agreed to never speak of that again!” Celestia nearly shouted her cheeks red with embarrassment.

“A filly at the tender age of 45 and your only upset because those mare twins were licking cake off you. What were their names again? Glitter and Flitter? Or was it Sparkle and Shimmer? Or oofff..” I was cut off by her clamping my muzzle shut with her magic.

“Not. Another. word.” She said icily her tone leaving little room for argument but her deeply blushing cheeks made it hard to take it seriously.

“I’m only teasing you Tia” I smiled as I raised my head up to nuzzle her hot cheek tenderly and nipp at her ear. The little monkey cradled in my forelegs began to doze off.

“I know Lulu I know.” She murmured gently as she returned the nuzzle. To any pony else it would have looked rather scandalous but we knew how we felt about each other and we were not THAT close. We sometimes just need to reassure each other with such levels of affection. This was not that of lovers merely that of sisters that cared for one another very deeply and we rarely had time together because of our duties. That made moments like this all the more important when we could get them. Both of our internal clocks told us it was time for the sun to raise. We broke from the nuzzle and sighed as we charged our magic. Celestia’s bright, warm sun started rising over the horizon as my lovely moon that had just started to enter its waxing phases disappeared below it.

“So what do weeeeeee do now?” I yawned out my question then looked at the child in my hooves then the metal sphere it came out of.

“I’m not sure Luna but I know you need your rest. Why don’t you take the child with you for the time being? I’ll be sure to have a midwife or maid posted by your door should she need anything.”

“You’re not concerned sister?”

“No the poor little thing seems so tuckered out already. Besides it has no magic. What possible harm could it do?”

“I guess you're right.” I said as I cradled the child with magic. As I stood Celestia did as well.

“Don’t worry I’ll deal with things here once I take a shower.” She then pulled out Waddles and held him out in front of her pouting slightly. “Sorry commander. Destroying the bubble tyrants will have to wait for another day.”

“Are you sure? I can stay up if you need help I mean you already have a lot on your plate already.”

“If you mean a lot of nobles complaining at me for more bits all day long then yes I’m sure. This will keep me busy for several days so I won’t have to deal with the flank holes.” She said sounding rather gleeful at not having to deal with the nobles not that I could blame her.

I let out a little giggle as I charged my teleport spell. “Then you are most welcome for the extra work. I’ll see you at twilight sister.” With that I popped into my room and pulled a blanket and spare pillow from my closet as I climbed into bed. Flopping down on it I placed the pillow and blanket near my chest as I lay down on my side. Magicing away my regalia, i placed my tiny charge close to my chest. My heart warmed as she curled up closer to me.

“Hmm…we’ll have to see about getting you some clothes and a name….hmmm….”

I had to think about that for a moment. What would be a fitting name for now based on what I knew about her.

“Hmm…Monkey Star?..no that’s stupid…Semmy Simian?...no too on the muzzle hmmm…”

I thought about it for a moment more. She was very much like a monkey hands, feet, and cute tail included. But she was smarter that a monkey. That much was clear so I had to be clever. I thought about the different species of monkey and apes throughout Equus, but I couldn’t think of anything that made any kind of sense.

“Well I guess there is no real rush I can think of one tomorrow.”

Author's Note

You probably notice i don't have Luna or Tia speaking on ye oldie time speak. That crap is hard to write at least for me. Next up I'm not sure if that mature rating is going to stay there as I'm not sure if there is going to be clop or gore for that matter. I'm just not sure what i can get away with on that its just there as a precaution for now. Light bleeding from shallow cuts apply here? Then again i'm sure tossing a served...

Okay maybe it should stay there but i really only have one chapter that going to be excessively gory.Same goes for the clop. Should I lower it to teen for the occasional boob grope or flank smack? and have the cloppy and gory goodness in a separate story?

What are you guys thoughts?

Chapter Two: And You Shall be....

I awoke to the shrill cry of a foal in my ear making me nearly jump out of my fur. Blinking rapidly I looked around for its source. Once I did I stared at the crying furless monkey in confusion till I remembered what happened at dawn. I was unsure as to the time and glanced over to the clock to find it only a little passed noon. I knew that even if I could go back to sleep when I did wake up around 6pm I would likely be groggy and in a foul mood. Once I decided to stay up I gently cooed to the child as I pulled her closer.

“There there little one what’s wrong are you hungry?” I asked as I carefully placed my hoof near her mouth and she quickly bit down on it with her sharp teeth. It didn’t hurt but it was cute when she made a face spitting it out and resumed crying. Having placed her on my back I get up using my wings to steady her I walked over to my door and poked my head out to see a unicorn maid standing nearby. Her fur was a very pale but pretty green and her mane and tail was a soft yellow that went well with her coat. I couldn’t see her cutie mark because of the maid’s uniform she wore. Her eyes were closed and mouth was slightly open drool dripped from her mouth slowly. The sight made me giggle slightly and it seemed to have woken her. Once she saw me her eyes blotted open in fright which were a strikingly bright blue and quickly bowed.

“Your majesty is there anything I can get for you?” She asked quickly her face pointed to the floor and voice was filled with fright.

“Please raise my little pony and yes there are a few things I need.” I walked out with my wings still spread supporting the child. Once I passed the soundproofing barrier the child’s cries echoed throughout the hall.

“Forgive me princess but I didn’t even know you were with foal or in a herd at all princess.” She said as she rose from the bow still unable to see the child on my back.

“I would suspect not since I was with neither.” I said as I hovered the child in front of her she looked at the child with widened eyes. They slowly softened as she looked her over taking note of her tail, eyes and between her legs.

“What…is she princess?” She asked confused but smiled as she tenderly nuzzled her belly trying to make the monkey stop crying thankfully not getting slapped like Tia had.

“I do not have the answer to that yet. However I believe she is hungry so please quickly retrieve milk, some fruits, vegetables, a foal bottle and some diapers if you would Miss…?” I paused waiting for her name.

“Oh Tender Care your highness but my friends call me TLC. I’ll return with your request shortly your majesty.” She said with a curt bow and turned to leave.

“Miss Tender Care if you would also bring some tea and a light snack for myself as well, I’ll defer to you judgment.”

“Of course princess.” She said with a smile and a bow before trotting off at a hurried pace to the kitchens.

“She seems friendly enough.” I said with a smile as I returned to my room with the child on my back again opening the thick curtains enough to let my sister’s sun light into my room. I looked around my room my muzzle twisting in thought as I looked at the star charts that littered my desk, walls, and even a few on the floor. Clearing the small area rug near the small long since used fire place of charts I laid down tucking my legs under myself and place my charge in front of me. When she looked up at me I smiled and her cry receded to sniffles. As I started to nuzzle her softly I focused on cleaning the room with my magic placing the old charts on my desk in a neat pile. I returned my books to their shelves and place while she grabbed hold of my face. I could hear her stomach growling as she clung to me with a surprising amount of strength for her size. Her fingers ran through my fur and I shuddered slightly at how amazingly good it felt. She wasn’t quite sniffling anymore but her eyes still said she wasn’t comfortable. Her tail gentle waved side to side slowly and I nuzzled her a little more. By the time Tender Care knocked on my door I had the room nice and tidy.

“Enter.” I stated clearly after pulling my head from the tiny child. My double doors were briefly encased with a soft green glow before they opened. Tender Care walked in shortly after pushing a service chart with to me at least seemed like far more than even I could eat if I was inclined to.

“I decided to bring extra for when she gets hungry later your highness.” She said while approaching levitating a diaper over. The child for her part was looking at the cart of food with hungry eyes and drooling with a smile on her face. Before she could make her way over Tender Care gently took hold her quickly but carefully put the diaper on her securing it with a safety pin. Afterward Tender Care quickly poured my tea and laid a tray of sliced cucumbers with olives and grated maremesan cheese one of my favorite snacks.

I thanked Tender and eyed the cart while Tender gave a bottle of milk to the baby. There were a large variety of fruits and vegetables apples, bananas, oranges, grapes, broccoli, carrots, and many other everyday fair. My attention was lost when I felt a hoof touch my shoulder. It was Tender and a look of amazement and horror was on her face as she pointed to the baby. My jaw dropped when I seen how quickly the milk was disappearing from the bottle while she held it on her own.

“Tender that bottle was only half full when you gave it to her yes?” I asked as the bottle was quickly finished off then dropped with a small clink.

“No your majesty it was completely full.” Tender said a tiny bit of fear in her voice as the hungry little one began to move toward my snack. We didn’t stop her as she grabbed one and smelled it making a slightly disgusted face before eating it in one bite and moved on to another. The entire plate was gone in mere seconds.

“Miss Tender please have word sent that I wish to see my sister here at once, make it sound urgent.” I instructed as I brought down five apples placing them in front of the bottomless pit that was a furless monkey.

“Yes your majesty right away.” She said quietly before galloping out the door quickly. I watched in fascination as the child ate all five apples core, seeds, and all. By the time she got back panting heavily the child had already eaten three peaches expect the pits and was working on the fourth.

“Word has been…where did the apples go?!” Tender nearly shouted breaking protocol not that I would ever care but I was far too shocked at what I was looking at.

“G-gone…core and all I think she even ate the stems.” I spoke barley above a whisper as I brought down carrots, broccoli, and a bundle of celery. I felt the familiar tingle of my sister’s teleportation spell as the child began on the veggies.

“Luna what is the matter are you alright!?!” She asked sounding on the verge of panic.

“Watch.” Tender and I said pointing a hoof each at the baby having not even turned to acknowledge Tia. In short order the child consumed what lay before her. I heard the loud thump of my sister’s flank hitting the marble floor. I glanced at her seeing her mouth open and close wordlessly her eyes wide in shock. Deciding to test the limits of the child’s belly I summoned a watermelon and quickly cut it into quarters and placed them down. She ate almost half of the first quarter before look of discomfort appeared on her face. When she began to cry Tender walked over patting the infant on the back a few times. When she did a sound came from the child that had no right coming from something so small. A loud echoing burly burp bounced off the walls of my chamber and a look of relief filled her features then finished off what she started. Much to our surprise, relief, and amazement the other three quarters were ignored as she began to crawl away.

“Tender please look after her while the two of us talk.”

“Yes your Majesty.” She said with a small bow. “I am not looking forward to changing this thing’s diaper.” She said with a visible shudder that was echoed by me and Tia which snapped her out of her shock.

“How much did she eat before I arrived?” Tia asked looking at me with worry.

“An entire foal’s bottle of milk, a plate of my cucumber snacks, 5 apples core, seeds, and stems, 4 peaches, and everything you just witnessed.” I brought over one of the uneaten quarters of melon over and before munching on it myself even though something inside me said I should have lost my appetite form the gluteness display.

“Luna please please tell me this is just a joke.” Tia asked while looking at me in disbelief.

After spitting out a melon seed I replied. “Sorry Celestia but you know how I feel about lying. I do hope that this will not be a regular thing hopefully she only ate that much because she was in that strange metal thing for you knows how long without eating.” I then watched tender care trying and nearly failing to keep the little one under control.

“I-I hope so too Luna.” Celestia said softly as she also watched the baby and Tender begin to play with a small alphabet block that she had pulled from under the cart. “If that was normal for her now what would she be like later in life?”

“That is a good and potentially frightening question.” I said with a smile as I heard a cute giggle. “Though you make it sound like she’s going to be her for a while.”

Celestia then brought one of the uneaten pieces of melon over and joined me in eating. “In all honestly Luna the thing she came here in, while we have only just begun to study it we would have better luck understanding Discord’s mind than that device.” She said with a huff and spat out a few seeds herself onto the plate that once held my snack.

“Is it truly that far beyond us?” I brought over a few more pieces of fruit and veggies for us to nibble on if there was one thing we both shared in it was that we were stress eaters. Celestia a little more so than myself since she had to deal with the nobles more offend.

“Yes since it isn’t run by magic, or at least any that we are familiar with we could study it for decades and learn next to nothing.” She then poured herself a cup of tea and took a sip. “It’s strange though not long after you retired for the day it began making noises that might have been speech.”

“From the tone in your voice can I assume translation spells have been useless?” I Asked as I motioned for Tender to bring the child over.

“Mostly we were able to understand a single word but the experts believe even that one can’t be right. I am inclined to agree with them.” Celestia said as she rubbed the bridge of her muzzle with a hoof.

“What was this word?” I asked as I playfully poked the infant with a hoof and she pushed back against me.

“It sounded like fennel if it was spelled wrong “Fenn-le”.” Celestia had a hard time saying and after hearing it I understood why.

“What do you suppose it means?” I asked a playful smile on my muzzle as I rest my head down the little thing’s chest gently pinning her down tickling her with my fur.

“I don’t know perhaps it’s her name?” Tia offered questioningly. “Although it would be strange that she would have a name so similar to our ponies don’t you think?”

“Yes I agree with you on that sister. Perhaps we should give her one fitting her uniqueness?” I asked as she pushed up on my head lifting it which surprised me a little.

“What about Mony?”

“Mony as in short for monkey? Really Celestia is that the best you can do?”

“I’d like to see you do better “little” sister.”

“Alright I will.” I stated confidently as I looked around for inspiration when I saw bright yellow bananas still on the cart Tender had brought. “Inanna.” I said with a proud smile as I nuzzled the newly named child.

“Inanna?” Sister and Tender repeated with a twisted look of confusion on their muzzles.

“Care to explain how you came up with that your Majesty?” Tender asked as she sat down near Inanna using her tail to play with the baby.

“Well if that strange sounding fennel word was indeed her name why not use something similar but much easier to say that’s when I seen those.” I explained and pointed to the bananas.

“hmm…Inanna…” Celestia hummed softly rubbing her chin with a hoof. “I like it, simple yet different. What about for a last name?”

“That I haven’t come up with yet, any ideas?” I asked Tia as Inanna began crawling away. The three of us sat in thought for a moment forgetting about the baby. I continued munching on the melon Tender joining in on the last piece. While Tia was busy with her tea sipping thoughtfully. I looked over to Inanna to try and come up with something when she approached the large globe of Equus. She grabbed hold of one of the three legs and with a mighty yank threw the stand globe and all between myself and Tia. Our eyes bulged as we moved our heads to dodge it on reflex. The projectile hit the wall with a loud crunch the stand broke into pieces and the globe split in two along it’s seem. The two halves rolled slowly one half stopping in front of me the other Tia.

“Rather powerful for one so tiny…” Tia said in clear shock as she repaired the globe with her magic.

“Very true Sister and I think her should reflect that. What do you thick of Vis?” I asked as I pulled the child over and cradled her in my arms.

“Vis? As in the old Alicatin word for power? I think it is a very fitting name Luna.” She said with a soft smile as she looked at us.

With a happy smile I held the baby in front of me. “From now on you shall be called Inanna Vis.”

Author's Note

Sorry about the huge delay for such a small chapter been having trouble getting off my but to sit down and right. Fallout is continuing to be a distraction for me. Getting to work on Hunter right now.

Alicatin = Latin

Chapter Three: Division

The following month of taking care of little Vis proved to be a very energizing experience. Being more eager to tend to her needs I would admittedly cut a few corners during my dream warding. Nightmares of lesser dreads I would ignore; finance troubles, caught unprepared for a test they didn’t study for, or the embarrassment of getting caught with your tail raised, and the like. More urgent and frightful dreams however; monsters, Discord, Sombra, and the like still got my full attention though. I had asked Tender Care to switch to the night shift and be Inanna’s personal nurse maid with increased pay for the inconvenience and she happily accepted taking a liking to the little alien. A small variety of pajamas were made for her and strangely the blue that nearly matched my coat seemed to suit her quiet well plus made her look even cuter. The new crib that was built for her ended up being something of a wasted effort as she would frequently climb out of it and into bed with me snuggling into my chest warming my heart every time. Her appetite while still far too large for a creature so small wasn’t nearly as large as that first feeding and with the addition of meat to her diet helped even more. We also found out that flowers, hay and such were unsuited for her.

Sadly it wasn’t going perfectly rumors began spreading around the castle about me and little Inanna. Mostly how I was neglecting my duties to dote over a new pet or as a few called her monster. The first time I had heard that I very nearly tossed them into that nightmare of a forest Discord had created. Thankfully I controlled my temper long enough for Tia to pointedly explain that Vis was sentient being and it was in our best interest to look after Inanna. As she might very well be a royal to a new friendly species that could perhaps bring new prosperity to Equestria. I admitted I hadn’t thought of that and considering the sphere she came in it made some sense. I made it a point to ignore said noble’s nightmares for a week. Petty to be sure but I had grown very fond of her. Poor Tia for her part was doing her best to help and bond with the child as best she could her only reward for her efforts was a second black eye and a bald spot on her soft pink mane. She wasn’t the only one however as Vis simply refused to behave for anypony other than myself and Tender. Starswirl the unfortunate stallion had almost half of his beard ripped out when he had the foolish idea to study the tiny alien without mine or Tender’s help. The castle maids were beginning to earn their pay as Inanna would the instant she wasn’t being watched someway somehow break something. We quickly learned from this and would have somepony’s eyes on her at all times thankfully reducing the number of broken items in the palace.

Now if the troubles had only been around Inanna it would have been great. However the griffons, yaks, and even the level headed zebras were for some reason starting to butt heads over land and import/export taxes with each other and Equestria. The reason being completely unknown to us as was the reasons for our ambassadors being very short and cross with us for having to deal with the “lesser” species as they decided to call them. That last little jab ended when my sister and I firmly “reminded” them who they were talking to. While effective in the short term it brought about a new round of nasty rumors that it was the “monster’s” fault. Tender, Tia, and myself truly couldn’t believe ponies were spreading such nonsense.

All of that lead to the current situation I found myself in, sitting side by side with my sister at the conference table with the foreign ambassadors. I was especially irritated by the timing of all this, my favorite time of my moon’s cycle the full moon. I had been planning a little night time picnic with Inanna all week only to have to cancel for this emergency meeting. While I trusted Tender to take care of her I still worried and that made me wondered if all mothers were like that. I had to pause for a moment to think on that. Did all mothers worry like this? More importantly did I think of myself as Inanna’s mother? I suppose I did at least partially I had been rather insistent in feeding, bathing, playing, and even changing her diapers much to the shock of many. I was also the one that was able to make the energetic baby giggle and laugh. That may have been the element of laughter’s influence as well as perhaps loyalty’s as well for my dedication to her though. The element honesty however was telling me different however, that all my feelings for the cute child were in fact mine and only mine. On the inside I smiled at the idea that viewed her as my daughter. On the outside however I had to maintain a look of attentiveness that came with the delicate negotiations I was currently involved in.

Celestia and I ended up breaking out even more formal regalia for the meeting. It wasn’t that much different than our standard finery other that the elements of harmony being embedded on the front of our chests in instead of our cutie marks. There were a few extra gems encrusted and plates that made it much closer to armor than anything regal. In fact it was the armor we had used in the first wave against Discord’s take over. It still served a purpose after his defeat though while Equestria had taken the brunt of his chaos the other nations weren’t untouched by it. Shortly after his defeat and our country still weakened the minotaurs decided to try their luck at taking us over. We sent them a very powerful message that we wasn’t going to put up with it, and ended up annexing much of their desert to the south of the chaos forest.

On the right of my sister and me was the zebra representatives Mehara and Nehara. Twins surprisingly enough both mares and they looked it too were it not for Mehara’s blue stripes and Nehara’s green ones you wouldn’t be able to tell them apart. They even wore the same traditional gold loops on their necks and legs. The two were pleasant enough if somewhat disturbing sometimes always speaking in rhyme and together seamlessly. In front of us was the Yak ambassador King Glouther and aside from the regalia the only thing noticeable about him, for a yak at least was how much larger he was than the average one. Finally was the griffons’ current acting king Gufer. I say acting because with how much infighting the griffins did he might not have been the king anymore by the time he arrived here to talk. Gufer was odd for one of his kind he had a tigers body with a black coat and white stripes and a falcons wings and head. Even odder at least for the moment was calmest one at the table. I knew this cause I could nearly feel Tia trembling with nervousness and anger with way her ears and wings twitched were clear indicators.

“YAKS WANT MORE FOOD FROM PONIES! PONIES CHEAT YAKS IN LAST TREATY FOR YAK’S TASTY HAY AND YAK CRYSTALS.” Glouther boomed his voice echoing off the walls making all cringe slightly.

“Quit your shouting yak, have you not heard of tact?” The twins responded nearly shouting themselves.

“Perhaps you could take your own advice.” Gufer stated simply and in the lowest tone but still plenty loud enough to be heard.

“YAKS WILL SMASH STRIPED PONIES AND BIRD CAT IF NO LET ME SPEAK!” Glouther threatened even louder than before. His rather speciesest comment made Gufer puff up and screech in a threatening fashion for the first time in the three days since all this began. Three long days of the same arguments over and over. Ponies used magic to trick one, griffons fly and steal from another, useless zebra potions and brews, yaks closing borders stopping trade, criminals fleeing from one nation into another etc etc. On and on it had been going like this and we had all just about had enough of each other.

“THAT IS ENOUGH!!” Celestia and I boomed in the royal canterlot voice before things could get worse thankfully the room silenced and the others looked at us.

“Clearly we are all more than a little stressed with the talks, perhaps we should all head to bed a little earlier than normal.” Celestia offered her tone calm but firm the zebras were the first to speak up and I had to force myself to keep from face hoofing.

“Perhaps that would be best, and with some rest, one of us might not be such a pest.” They both glared at the yak and this caused another hour of yelling before we had to nearly force them all to their own wings of the castle.

“Just what has gotten into everypony!” Celestia nearly shouted stomping her hooves as we dragged ourselves to our own private dining hall.

“You are asking the wrong mare sister this has gotten completely out of hoof were it not for the lacking numbers and casualties I’d say war would be the better option than this.” I huffed in aggravation as we sat down but quickly smiled when I seen Tender carrying Inanna over to us on her back. They both looked tired and a little cranky but still smiled.

“Luna please don’t suggest such things especially with what’s been going on.” Celestia chided me but I could tell a very small part of her agreed with me.

“Sister we both know Equestia has been more than fair to each of them. I’m beginning to think they are mistaking our generosity and kindness for weakness.” I argued back with a smile on my face for Inanna as I picked her up in my fore hooves nuzzling gently. “Although with what happened with the minotaurs I can’t understand how.”

“I’m starting agree with you on both counts.” Celestia rubbed her temple while Tender respectfully went off to the side of the door. “This entire thing has been completely pointless and now I’m even more behind on my paper work and….UGH!” She yelled nearly flinging her regal armor off her body leaving only the chest peace with the elements of kindness, generosity, and magic on. “And this stupid armor is starting to chafe my flanks!”

“Calm down sister.” I followed suit albeit more controlled setting it down gently next to me. “You’ll upset Inanna” I cooed gently as I smiled at Inanna making her giggle. Celestia looked like she was about to say something but sighed and smiled upon hearing her.

“Your right Luna…she might not like me but that giggle is heartwarming.”

“Indeed it is..” I trailed off caressing her chubby baby cheeks as I cradled her. Looking into her eyes I smiled brighter as she looked up into mine and for a brief moment all my stress melted away.

“Luna…you…you have bonded with her haven’t you!” Celestia loudly spoke her eyes wide and wings flared in shock.

“So what if I have sister.” I stated clearly as I looked to her not hiding my satisfaction with it. “I was thinking of officially adopting her after this mess has been cleared up.” From the door I could hear Tender squeal and dance in place hooves clopping on the marble floor.

“Luna I feel that is unwise the ponies already don’t like the fact that she is even here. The idea of her being royalty would cause an uproar and being a predator on top of that. I don’t even want to imagine what that will cause.”

“Are you only saying that because of what happened with Sombra and my moon ponies?” I raised an eyebrow at her.

That was a dark time for all ponies. Sombra had been my student and friend for years or so I had thought. He had used me to get secret and powerful magic to turn himself into a being smoke and dark power praying on the fears of ponies to get them to join him. My ponies were unlike Celestia’s day ponies nearly completely opposites of one another. While most day ponies were bright and colorful myself and my ponies were much darker in colors. While this had become a closely guarded secret I myself did eat meat from time to time just like my night children. They were far fewer in numbers but lived much longer lives nearly twice that of the day ponies. They were also feared by day ponies, with curved horns, leathery bat like wings, yellow nearly glowing eyes, and prominent fangs they did look intimidating at times. It was this fear that led to a spilt in Equestria many got refused services or price gouged. Sombra used this to get them to form an army and made a play to take over using the crystal empire and its ponies as slaves. After his defeat all of them even the ones not part of his army fled and even my dream magic could not find them. As a result many ponies believed that they were banished along with their “King”.

“Yes sister I don’t blame you for what happened but-” Celestia was intrupted when the door to the hall was knocked off its hinges by a very angry yak king.

“NO SLEEP WE FIX TREATY NOW OR YAKS GO TO WAR!” The king stomped forward cracking the floor each time and Inanna began crying. I tried cooing to stop her and Tender galloped past the ass of an ambassador ready to take the crying baby away. As I hoofed over Inanna Glouther snarled at the infant.

“LOUD CRYING HURT ME EARS!”

What happened next was forever burned into my memory. Snarling the yak raise a foreleg and slapped Tender along the side of her head sending flying cross the tiny room. It all happened so quickly but I might as well have seen in a slowed state. Tender and Inanna flew towards the wall the young unicorn was unable to hold onto the baby and they separated mid flight. The innocent maid hit the with a loud thud while Inanna impacted against a small pillar that was holding up a large flower vase. The vase and pillar teetered as my child fell to the floor silently eyes closed. We tried to use our magic to steady them both but nopony was fast enough. The vase fell onto Inanna’s head shattering and crushing her head the pillar fell next right onto Inanna’s tail severing it from her body.

High above Canterlot three figures circled the mountain quietly when a booming wrathful scream erupted from the pony castle followed by a bright orange flash from every window of the palace. The three smiled evilly as they circled the mountain a final time and went their separate ways a tune filling the quiet of the night.

Author's Note

Okay for those of you following this story sorry for the long wait and thank you. This chapter was...difficult for me to write. My original idea was for Inanna to transform into the Ōzaru and the sisters have to stop her wounding her greatly in the process. But a good friend of mine brought it to my attention that only one month to bond with a child enough to ignore the logical threat she would pose if kept around was a tad insane. Inanna was going to lose her tail at some point anyway so i decide not to make it a factor in the story. As for it maybe growing back only to lose it again? I dont think i'll do that seems a little to pointless. (In the Xenoverse game custom sayain charters dont have tails and cant transform in game) On the plus side i pretty much have everything already planned out in my head so chapters should come faster now. At least after i get the next chapter out for my other story.

Again thanks for the support! :pinkiehappy:

Chapter Four: Everfree

“LUNA WHAT HAVE YOU DONE!” Tia shouted at me while I glared in pure rage at the gold slag and ash pile that used to be the Yak king. The other diplomats stared at me with stunned horror from the doorway. I turn to them all of my fury on full display. I could feel tears pouring from my eyes and when I spoke my voice rumbled and shook the mountain.

“DOES ANYPONY ELSE WANT TO COMPLAIN!!!!” I roared at them the force of my voice threw them 40 meters back bouncing off the hallway walls. They all quickly vacated the castle fearing for their lives and wisely so. My rage quickly turned into grief as I fell to my floor and I wept openly, my hooves over my eyes. I could feel Tia’s eye’s on me and it wasn’t hard to tell she was conflicted. I too was conflicted; yes I have had to kill before. Sombra’s soldiers and Discord’s foul abominations had been in self defense or for some greater good. I didn’t know how to feel about this though. He had struck an innocent mare and an infant, AN INFANT! Yet I struck him down with no forethought what so ever. I felt justified but I also understood that it would lead to long term problems for Equestria. I was so caught up in my emotions I didn’t even feel my sister’s wing on me or hear Tender drag herself across the floor.

“PRINCESSES! SHE’S BREATHING!” Tender shouted at my sister and I. We whipped our heads around to see that Tender had cleared away the shattered vase and dirt. We both quickly got over to them and yes indeed little Inanna was still breathing albeit weakly. I didn’t even think before I teleported myself, Tender, and Inanna to the medical wing.

“HEALER WE NEED A HEALER!” I shouted not loud enough to shake the earth this time. Tender looked slightly queasy from the teleport. Under different circumstances I would have been assumed. In no time the healers surrounded us and I instructed them to look after Tender and Inanna. They were taken to different beds to be cared for but when they washed away the dirt from Inanna all but one of the healers assigned to Tender moved to Inanna. I had stayed close and when I seen that she was bleeding from such a horrible head wound my heart sank again all hope I might have had disappeared. I didn’t need to be healer to understand that her chances of survival were very slim. I sat close but out of the way my face firm even as my tears rolled down my cheeks. I wasn’t sure how long I had sat there and just watched as the healers pooled all their magic to try and save her. At some point however Tender had limped over to me and nuzzled into my side crying softly. When I looked down she had bandages around her barrel from a few ribs that yak had broke. This was the first time I had seen her without the maid’s uniform on and thus the first time I seen her cutie mark. It was a small pink heart in a cradle and my heart ached even more as I saw the tears in her eyes. It was apparent and understandable that Tender had viewed Inanna as her daughter as well. I warped my wing around her smaller form and nuzzled affectionately our tears flowing even more. I didn’t know it at the time but Tia had watched us crying gently as well. After an hour the healers had used up all their magic. They told us they had done everything they could and it was in the hooves of density now.

We moved closer to Inanna and were left alone. We looked down on her tiny broken body, bandages around her skull. Were it not for the ever-so-slight raising and falling of her chest one would have thought she was dead. Hours had pasted and at some point I had either raised the moon without realizing it or Celestia had done it for me I wasn’t sure which. All the while Inanna’s breathing got weaker and weaker till I was forced to make a decision.

“Tender hold onto me.” I said and very carefully picked up Inanna and cradled her in my hooves. I charged my magic and teleported us to the one place that might be able to save her. The scared crystal tree stood before us, tall and radiant as ever bearing my sister’s and my own cutie marks with a large six pointed star above them. I slowly walked to the Tree of Harmony with Inanna carefully cradled in one foreleg. Tender followed closely behind staring at the tree in wonder. I carefully tucked my legs under me and lay down at the base of the tree. I placed Inanna up against the crystalline surface and touched my horn to the tree on my cutie mark. I closed my eyes and poured my magic into the tree with one simple request.

“Please save my…our daughter.” I pleaded with the tree and place my wing around Tender who had copied my action and request. While I couldn’t see what happened, I could feel it. A small part of my very life force was pulled from me and was given to Inanna. It only seemed like mere moments but it had in fact been many hours. The sun had begun to rise when I opened my eyes again. Little Inanna was breathing at a steady but strong rhythm. Tender was sleeping soundly next to me using the tree as something of pillow. It was strange she and Inanna both seemed bigger that before. I nuzzled our daughter and called her name softly. That’s when I noticed then they were not larger instead, I had instead shrunk the life force I had given up being the cause but I didn’t care.

Inanna opened her eyes slowly and started to cry waking Tender. The small unicorn’s head jerked up looking around then spotting Vis a smile burst onto her face as she wept with joy. The both of us cried as we nuzzled our child and slowly all three of us stopped crying. When we pulled back Inanna was looking back at us smiling and lightly cooing. She had changed her eyes were now teal like my own then gradually turned the same blue as Tender near the edges. We looked to each other seemingly sharing the same thought smiling and blushing very slightly as we giggled.

“W-what happens now your majesty?” Tender asked the joy we briefly had fading into a grim understand of the situation.

“I…do not know…” Placing Vis on my back I slowly rose back to my hooves groaning from the stiffness I felt in my legs. “I…will send a message to Tia and find out what is going on at the castle. Oh…Tender please just call me Luna from now on.” I leaned down and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek, her blushing face made me laugh.

We left the relative safety around the crystal tree and looked for some place to wait. A cave was found a few hours later and after cutting up a tree with my magic we had a small campfire going. I used my magic to carve out a number of planks so I could write out my message. I detailed our status and sent the planks via magic fire, with nothing to do but wait I curled up with Tender and Vis. An hour later I got a response from her. My actions had cause an uproar the yanks and griffons had closed their borders and were preparing for war. The zebras had thankfully taken a position of neutrality then there was the nobles calling out for action to be taken against me. I expected as much since I had time to consider everything that had happened. I came to the conclusion that indeed something had to be done. My suggestion was a self imposed exile and state that I had been banished. A bit of a deception to be sure, however I didn’t see any other solution. Celestia reluctantly agreed and would secretly send me supplies while still seeking impute on affairs of state. Should Equestria go to war I would return to offer aid rearguard-less. She also offered Tender a place back at the palace should she desired, it was respectfully declined something that made Celestia and me smile.

By the time the agreement had been reached the three of us had become rather hungry, little Vis more so. We carefully began to explore the forest when a loud roar stopped us in our tracks. The roar was quickly followed by shouting, Tender and I looked to each other wondering who besides us would be here. I tossed Tender on my back with Inanna and took to the air heading in the direction of the shouting. I couldn’t believe what I was seeing when we got there. My moon ponies my beloved nocturnas had corralled a manticore and were having trouble landing the killing blow. I swooped down and with a single precise blot of magic slain the creature. The nocturnas looked to me as I landed, each of them immediately dropped to one knee bowing.

“My ponies is this where you have been hiding?” I spoke loud enough to be heard by the group. They didn’t respond to me and appeared to be shaking. “My little ponies, why do you tremble before me?” I asked softly and I approached.

The unicorn before me chanced looking up at me before speaking. “W-we are unworthy to be in your presence your majesty….we fled in shame and weakness because of Sombra.”

“Please none of that my ponies, raise.” I gave a sad smile and spoke gently looking to the group. They did raise slowly but kept their heads bowed in shame. “My ponies I am in need of your help…I ask that you would allow me and family to live among you.” I was met with shocked faces and murmurs of disbelief, then they quickly huddled together to discuss the matter. A unicorn from the group addressed me once more.

“Princess Luna welcome to the Everfree Forest.”

Author's Note

Surprise! I'M ALIVE! :pinkiehappy:

I'm really sorry about the long wait but I've been feeling VERY lazy the last few months, please forgive me. :fluttercry: