Unleash The Truth

Luna couldn't believe that her sister would do something like this. After all, Celestia was the good sister. Surely, this was a lie... right?

"Sister... surely you didn't...,"Luna said.

Celestia looked at her.

"'Tis but a lie,"said Celestia.

Luna heard a sharp intake of breath from Twilight... or whatever it was that had replaced her.

But Luna is was not focusing on the new Twilight. Because, despite what Celestia said, Luna was not convinced.

"Sister, in the four years since I have returned, I have not once heard you speak Old Equish unless you were hiding something.

"I am not sure, Celestia, whether I am more disgusted at your actions or the fact that you think me so gullible as to fall for your untruths is a matter that should be left to the palace scribes. What does matter, though, is the fact that I realize that, perchance, it is time for a new leader. One that, has been the only one willing to attend to the infection that you have brought to Equestria,"Luna announced, turning to Twilight.

"Princess Twilight Sparkle, you have my eternal loyalty, unless you do something to change that, as my si- has done,"she said, bowing.

"Thank you, Luna,"said Twilight,"Now, how about the rest of you?"

Luna gazed at the others in the room, trying to calculate the chances of them standing with Twilight. Pinkie Pie was a toss up. Rainbow perhaps with Twilight. Applejack and Fluttershy seemed likely to choose Twilight. Spike would stay with Twilight. Cadence was another toss up. Shining Armor would be more likely to stay with Twilight. Rarity was perhaps more on the side of Celestia. After all, the fashionista type had always preferred her sister.

"Damn foals,"thought Luna, remembering the fashionistas of her time.

Throughout her reasoning, she kept score of the reactions on all their faces.

Then, Applejack stepped up, staring right into Twilight's eyes.

"My parents died, when I was just 18. When Applebloom was born, I promised to keep her safe and sound. This right here? This will keep her safe and sound. I know that there ain't a perfect government in the world, but this is damn near close to it. So I will stand by you, Princess Twilight Sparkle, I promise 'pon my life, my sister, my family, and my parents, Elysium willing."

"Thank you, Applejack...,"Twilight murmured, her eyes still locked with Applejack's ,"And I swear, never to hurt your family, without a justifiable reason, or without ample compensation for you and your family."

"We'll see 'bout that," Applejack grunted. She stiffly walked to Twilight's right and stood, with her head held high. Still, Luna could see her trembling just the slightest bit.

Luna looked away from Applejack, to see Twilight scrutinizing her. When Luna met her gaze, Twilight's eyebrow raised, just the slightest bit. Luna frowned for a second, wondering if she had committed some modern faúx pás. Twilight's left wing twitched. Luna's eyes widened as she realized her mistake. She walked over to Twilight and stood to her left.

Luna watched Twilight's gaze interlock with her sister-in-law's. Cadence shivered. Luna was still unsure as to whether or not the pink princess would side with Twilight. Cadence's eyes switched between Celestia and Twilight, shaking her head as she backed away.

"I can't! You... you... can't make me choose between my family!"she cried out.

"She ain't anyone's family. If Luna could say that,"Applejack announced, glancing at Luna," so can you. She's a gosh-darned tyrant and a damned idiot!"

"My little pony, I'll have you know-,"began Celestia.

"SILENCE!"Twilight yelled. The room quieted at once. Everyone, even Applejack and Luna, stared in fear at her.

Luna gulped in fear and awe. She had never heard Twilight use the Royal Canterlot Voice before, but for a first-timer, she was good.

"This,"Twilight said,"is nopony's choice but Cadence. Not yours, Applejack, or Celestia's. So, sister, choose. Who will you side with? Her? Or me?"

Cadence mumbled something under her breath.

Luna saw Twilight raise one eyebrow.

"What was that?"

"Ce- Celestia..."

"So, you choose Celestia, is that correct?"

"Yes."

"Very well." To Luna's surprise, Twilight nodded, before continuing. "Who next? How about you, Rainbow Dash?"

"Me?" Dash asked, confused.

"Yes, you,"Twilight answered.

Luna saw Dash hesitate for a moment, her eyes flicking between Celestia and Twilight. Then, she puffed out her chest out and marched towards Celestia.

"I... I choose Celestia,"she answered.

"Why?"

Luna stared in disbelief at her new ruler. Why was she asking this to the enemy?

"Why?"Dash echoed.

"Yes, why? Why do you choose Celestia?"

"'Cause... I've heard what you guys have to say. And honestly? I can't believe it,"announced Dash.

A gasp went up around the room. Everypony's eyes were fixed upon the prismatic pegasus. Luna stared in shock. Was this the fate of the Element of Loyalty?

Applejack stepped in front of Luna and Twilight menacingly.

"Are you saying, Rainbow Dash, that I'm lying?"she asked.

"No! I'm just saying, what if what happened and what you think happened are two different things? You may have thought that she was taking that land away to punish your family, but it was actually for some other reason! What if she didn't know how much it would snow in Ponyville? And-"

"They didn't die in Ponyville! They died in the forest between Canterlot and Ponyville! The weather there is controlled by Canterlot! Not to mention, Celestia signs off on the weather schedule every week!"

"How do you even know that?"Dash asked.

"My parents died. I needed to find out how and why. Wouldn't you do the same if something happened to your parents?"Applejack returned.

Dash stood still. Then, after a minute of thinking, she said, "Still! I'm a part of the Wonderbolt Reserves! I have to be loyal to Celestia!"

"Your loyalty is to Equestria,"said Twilight,"not this tyrant."

"She raises the sun! How are you going to replace her?"Dash challenged.

Luna scowled at the statement. She was tired of them forgetting about her.

"While I was away, Celestia raised the moon. She was able to do so because when she banished me to the moon, she stole most of my magic. That is why she was able to form a bond with the moon. Since she has now given her magic to Twilight with her own free will, Twilight will be able to raise the sun."

"No, Luna, you will raise the sun and the moon," said Twilight, before charging her horn.