Mindjack

Fortunately it was time for me to raise the moon and the stars. I gathered my magical energies and took control of the celestial body, slamming it into the setting sun as revenge for this morning. Celestia simply chortled as her sun plummeted to the opposite pole. The twinkling stars blanketed the skies as she and I left the plaza. There were a few straggling paparazzi, but the guards took care of them.

I stood on my balcony, soaking in the moonlight, gazing at the stars. The night was my domain. Regardless, it was time for bed. Most nights I was awake, while the rest of Equestria slept. And so I brushed my teeth and gargled, tossing my crown and boots and flopping onto the bed. I blew out the candles and closed my eyes, shifting slightly so as not to hurt my wings. I descended into a peaceful slumber underneath the covers, resting my head on the pillow, snoring softly.

My dreams, or nightmares, were plagued with thoughts of sister and whatever horrific, outlandish act she would commit next. She couldn't avoid court forever. And what about negotiations with the nobles? I tossed and turned in my sleep, watching as things turned to chaos.

My eyes snapped open. I twisted my head this way and that. I craned my head to look at the door. Even the guards were asleep at this hour. It was probably nothing. I set my head down again on the pillow.

There was the sound of fabric rubbing.

I sat up again, using my night vision to scan my room. Everything was in its place...

At the far end of my bed, I saw something shift underneath the blankets. There was a shape underneath. My heart stopped and I froze, watching in horror as it approached me. Closer and closer it came as I tentatively peeked underneath and tore off the covers.

"Boo!"

"Eeeeeeek!"

This time Celestia was the one to silence me with her hoof. "You wanna wake up the entire castle, sis?"

"What are you doing here?" I hissed.

"I wanted to sleep with you."

I blinked. "You can't be serious."

"I even brought my own pillow! It'll be like a sleepover!"

She said it like it was the most amazing thing in the world. I thought about all the things I could say to her. All the ways I could refuse her.

I sighed. "Jump in."

She squealed and hugged me, draping her wing over my back. "Yay!"

"Don't do that."

'Tia grinned. "Hush now, quiet now, it's time to lay your sleepy head..."

"Shh!"

And so the night turned to day. I felt the sun's warmth and cracked an eye open, satisfied to see Celestia raising the sun again. Perhaps she was back to normal!

"That's how you do it!" She hoofpumped, doing a little jig. "That's how you do it!"

Not a chance.

"Good morning, sister! I take it you slept well?"

"Like you wouldn't believe, Luna! I feel awesome!" she screeched in my ear.

"Yes, well, congratulations on doing your job."

'Tia stopped celebrating and gave me a funny look. "Ya know, if I didn't know any better, I'd think you were being sarcastic."

"How could you tell?"

"C'mon, c'mon! We don't have all day, sleepyhead!"

"Sister, I must wash up!"

And that was her cue to drag me into my own bathroom and dunk me in.

"Ackpth! 'Tia!" I coughed, fuming.

"You said!" she sang.

I sank beneath the water. "I'm taking a bath. Go away!"

She frowned. "Aren't we always naked?"

"Yes, but this is...private," I blushed.

She rolled her eyes and sauntered away.

"And what shall you have for breakfast today, princess?" the chef asked, nose in the air.

"The usual," I said.

"I dunno." Celestia shrugged.

"In that case, Princess, may I recommend eggs and toast?"

"With bacon?"

And with those two words everypony in the kitchen froze.

"She was just kidding! She was making a joke! Go back to work, everypony!" I said, waving my hooves.

"Naw! I'm serious! Crispy, deep fat fried bacon!" 'Tia licked her lips.

Some fainted. Others ran off to the bathroom.

"Alright, alright. I'll have an apple."

"I dunno what's wrong with me, sis..."

"Neither do I."

"I'm pumped!" She ran circles around me. "I'm gonna tackle the day!"

"Mm, yes..."

"Gonna put it in a headlock and bam!"

"I'm sure."

'Tia reared up on her hind legs and began punching an invisible foe. "Right hook, right hook! Everypony likes the jab!"

"Sister, will you stop!"

"Aight, aight. All I'm sayin' sis, nopony's stopping me."

"I fear for the worst."

'Tia stopped. "Ya know what you need?"

"A drink."

"I'll be right back!"

"Wait, where are you - forget it."

Imagine my surprise as Twilight Sparkle and the Elements of Harmony suddenly burst onto the castle grounds. 'Tia had been exploring after going off to write a quick letter.

"Princess Celestia!" the purple mare gasped. "Are you alright? Is Discord back?"

Twilight was surprised as they were suddenly swept up in 'Tia's embrace and was jerked around.

"You're here! You're here! You're here!" Celestia screamed with delight.

"I'm - glad to see you - too, Princess!" Twilight Sparkle gasped.

'Tia finally dropped her after crushing the air out her. "You got my letter!"

"Yes, Princess! And we brought the Elements of Harmony! Now uh, what was the 'super duper important' thing?"

"Oh, I just wanted to see if you wanted to go for a swim!" she chirped happily.

"Huh?"

"Now come on!"

'Tia dashed off around the corner.

"Is there something wrong with the Princess?" Twilight asked. "She wrote 'XOXOXO' at the end of her letter. She never does that."

"And it appears she has changed her mane," Rarity noted.

"I was having a great nap before Twilight woke me up!" Rainbow Dash harrumphed.

"And I was picking apples," Applejack drawled.

I sighed. "I fear she has lost her mind."

"Oh, I hope she's alright," the timid Fluttershy said.

"C'mon! I love the water!" Pinkie Pie squealed, already donning a pair of flippers and snorkel.

By the time we all caught up to her, she was already at the royal pool, which had been closed, staring at her reflection intensely in the water.

"Siste-"

She hushed me and went back to staring at her reflection, gesturing for me to come take a look. I plopped myself down right next to her.

"See?" she whispered, squinting.

I took a look for myself and saw nothing but the crystal clear waters of the pool. I looked at the Elements of Harmony, who shrugged.

"Look closer!"

I leaned in until my nose was practically touching the water. I felt two hooves on my backside and let out a scream as I was shoved in. When I resurfaced, Celestia was laughing her flank off, rolling around.

"Ha-ha! You fell for it! Oh, I can't believe you fell for it!"

I was convinced she was Discord.

"Princess Luna!" Twilight gasped, running over to the edge of the pool. "Are you alrig - WAH!" She went in with a splash.

'Tia snickered and pointed at us. I fumed.

"Sister..."

Using my magic, I grabbed Celestia and threw her in.

She broke the surface and gasped. Instead of being angry, she merely laughed again. "Everypony in the water!"

"Whoo-hoo!" the pink party pony cheered.

Rainbow Dash and Applejack shrugged and slipped into the water. Fluttershy and Rarity were a little more cautious. The fashionista dipped a hoof in, shuddering.

"I'll ruin my mane!" she whined. "EEP!"

Fluttershy squeaked as she, too, was carried in and dumped in the pool.

Celestia grinned, taking her crown off and placing it gently on Twilight's head.

"My faithful student!"

The unicorn glared at her mentor, cocking her head sideways. But it seemed that she, too, was unable to resist Celestia's charms. She giggled and splashed her gently. And soon, the others were laughing along with her.

We were doomed.

"Your mane looks amazing down," 'Tia gushed.

The dressmaker blushed, whipping her mane around. "I suppose it does look better." She yelped as 'Tia gave her a big hug, nuzzling her. Rarity nervously chuckled. "Oh my! Princess, uhm, why, thank you!"

Fluttershy squeaked as Celestia's eyes fell upon her next.

"You're so adorable, you!"

"Eep!"

The yellow pegasus went stiff as she hugged her. Her reaction was not unlike the time I thanked her on Nightmare Night.

'Tia took Applejack and Rainbow Dash up in her arms.

"Hey Dashie!"

The speedster blinked. "Yeah, Princess?"

"Twenty percent cooler," she paused, "in ten seconds flat."

Rainbow Dash stared and shrugged. "I don't get it."

She rolled her eyes. "Never mind."

Pinkie Pie received her hug with glee. The two giggled like fools as they splashed each other in the water. All the while, I floated, watching her, biting my lip.

Something had to be done.

"I'm really worried for her, Twilight Sparkle."

The fun eventually had to end. And now, everypony was in the locker rooms, toweling themselves off.

"Hmm?" The unicorn toweled herself off. "To be honest, I've never seen her like this. Playing tricks, laughing, singing, hugging..."

"You must admit, it is troubling."

"I suppose she is a bit...random."

"Does it not bother you?"

"I'm a little worried, but..."

"But..."

"I don't know, Princess Luna. I guess it's nice to see her like this."

My jaw dropped.

"I guess she's having fun for once."

"Twilight Sparkle, there is 'having fun' and then there is being irrational and erratic!"

I regaled her with other horror stories of when I first observed sister's sudden change in behavior.

"That sounds nothing like the Princess!"

"Yes, I know! And that is why I am afraid, Twilight Sparkle."

"Do you think she might be a changeling?"

I shook my head.

"Or maybe Discord has possessed her!"

"Possibly. But we have yet to see cotton candy clouds and chocolate milk rain. Please help me! We simply must find out what is wrong with her."

Twilight nodded. "I'll try my best, Princess."