Who Rules?: The Ascended

Who Rules?: The Ascended

by Nom deCheval

Chapter Four

She was running at a full gallop. There weren’t many ponies in all of Equestria that could match her speed, let alone her endurance. Other ponies watched her run past them, doing their best to move out of her way, as they knew how determined she could be when her mind was set. She was making a bee line through the town, heading to the small library on the outskirts. The mare ran into the Ponyville library, her breath panting hard from exertion. “Well, she ain’t nowhere here in town from what I can tell,” Applejack stated.

“Yeah, and I didn’t see her, either, from my flyby,” Rainbow Dash added. She had arrived moments before Applejack. “I circled the whole town twice, just to be sure.”

“So, no pony knows where Twilight is, then?” Fluttershy asked.

“Not at the moment, sugarcube, but we ain’t licked yet. We’ll figure out where she ended up and git to the bottom o’ this, I promise,” she tried to reassure her friend.

“Pinkie Pie, is there anything that you can do?” Rarity asked her friend.

“Well sure! There’s all kinds of things that I can do. I’m really good at throwing parties. And I’m pretty good at singing--I even make up my own songs. Catchy ones! And I’m really good at baking things--at least, most of the time--and--”

“No, darling,” Rarity interrupted, “I meant is there anything that you can do to help find Twilight?”

“Sure! But most of it involves doing what Applejack did, only not as fast,” she explained.

Rarity let out a deep sigh. “Pinkie, please do try to stay with me on this. We are trying to locate Twilight. She disappeared from the house a few hours ago. She has been acting strange for the past few weeks we have discovered, and we are worried that something very bad might have happened to her. Zecora is here because she saw a vision of Twilight being involved in a matter of utmost importance to the fate of Equestria.”

“Yep! I remember all of that,” Pinkie said with a smile.

“Excellent. Now, you have all of these amazing abilities that no pony else possesses. Is there anything that you can do with them to help us locate Twilight?” Rarity asked, trying to remain calm.

“I dunno,” she answered with a smile.

“You...don’t know?” Rarity’s patience was running thin.

“Nope! I don’t really have any control over that sort of thing. It just kinda happens. So, I might be able to do it, but I might not. Just depends on what happens, I guess.” Pinkie’s smile only pushed Rarity’s aggravation.

“Pinkie! How can you be smiling at a time like this? We don’t know what happened to poor Twilight,” she said, her frustration breaking through.

“Well, no. But that doesn’t mean something bad happened. Something good might have happened, too. Once we find her we should be able to figure out which one really happened.”

“GAH!” Rainbow Dash finally had enough, screaming inside the library. “This isn’t getting us anywhere. We need to get out there and start looking for her.”

“Well, that’s a right plum idea, Dash, but we ain’t got no idea where to start lookin’ fer her yet,” Applejack stated.

“Um, well, maybe Zecora knows?” Fluttershy suggested.

“What about it, Zecora? You havin’ any luck yet?” Applejack asked.

“My brew is looking for her now,

If I can find her, I will somehow.

I have made a connection with the mare

And that might tell me what and where.

But time I must have to finish this task,

Whoever did this hides behind a mask.”

“Well, ah guess that’s as good as you can do. Ah guess,” Applejack said.

“Wait a second, you said ‘whoever,’” Rainbow Dash commented. “Does that mean you think she was ponynapped?”

Zecora shook her head, uncertain with her answer.

“Such a statement I cannot make,

It isn’t clear if to her a pony did take.

But her presence is clouded, hidden from view,

And that is being done by another, but who?”

“Well, whoever it is, they better be ready to get their tail kicked!” Rainbow Dash added.

“Well, wait,” Pinkie cut in, “you said ‘clouded,’ Zecora. That means it has to be a pegasus, right?”

“Uh, not exactly, Pinkie. That’s just a figger’ of expression,” Applejack explained.

“Oh. Then what do the clouds have to do with it?” she asked, still confused.

“Um, who could do that to Twilight? I mean, she’s really good with magic, so wouldn’t the other pony have to be as good or maybe better?” Everyone turned to look at Fluttershy. “Or not....”

“Nah, that’s a good point, sugarcube. Maybe she’s gone to visit the princess again. She’d be able to do mystic-sense-blockin’ thing, ah reckon.”

Rarity stood there, silent. Her mind traveling back to the last time she saw Twilight as she walked down into her basement. And the one thing that drew her attention after that. She thought she heard a familiar voice. Trixie’s voice. But her marefriend didn’t have that kind of power--did she?

“Uh, ladies?” Spike walked into the room, holding a scroll in his claw. “You might want to hear this....”

* * * * *

Celestia looked down at her sister, her face twisted in a mix of emotion. She levitated up the cloth from the basin of water, wrung it out, and placed it gently on Luna’s forehead.

The moment that Luna collapsed, Celestia panicked. Screaming for her guards, she ordered them to summon the royal physician to meet her in her quarters and then personally carried her sister all the way there.

It was possible that she was a bit harsh on the physician. She berated him the entire time that he was examining Luna, and it was possible that she threatened him at one point--it was hard for her to remember. What was important was Luna’s health, and the doctor had said that Luna was exhausted but not injured. She would be fine.

So why did Celestia feel so uneasy?

“Tia?” A weak voice called up to her, snapping her attention back to the moment.

“Luna!” She moved closer to her sister, her eyes darting back and forth, looking over her face as the night goddess’ eyelids slowly raised to look into the face of the sun. “I’m right here, Luna. Everything is all right. Don’t worry, I’m taking care of you.”

“Wh-what time is it?” she asked, softly.

“It’s night. Just after eight, I think. Don’t worry about it. I took care of the moon for you.”

“That doesn’t matter.” She moved, raising herself up to a sitting position. “We have to go and locate Trixie. We need to find her now.”

“Trixie?” Celestia sounded confused for a moment, and then her eyes narrowed, flame dancing across them. “Did she do this to you? Did she hurt you?!”

“NO! No, not exactly,” Luna answered in the other pony’s defense. “I actually did something to her. More than once, actually. And now she’s in terrible danger, and I need to find her before it’s too late.”

“Danger? From what?”

“She...” Luna sat there for a moment, the words eluding her. “We were in the diamond chamber. She has the boots.”

“You went there?!” Celestia’s gasped. “Luna, you know you can’t do that. You know how dangerous that place is for you.”

“Yes, I do know how dangerous that place is! That’s what I was telling you!” Luna’s strength was returning quickly. “You should never have gone there, Tia. I was down there trying to protect you.”

Celestia’s gaze lowered. “You shouldn’t have gone there without me.”

“And I could say the same thing, sister. But we’re both here and we have each other now. Trixie is alone.”

Looking back up, Celestia’s eyes were filled with concern. “You collapsed when you came back, Luna. You said something about making a mistake. Are you all right?”

“I’m fine, Tia. Trixie and I had an...encounter. The mistake was going down there in the first place.”

I’m hurt. I wouldn’t think that you would be calling me a mistake, Nightmare Moon whispered in Luna’s mind. You don’t seem to like me being back. You haven’t mentioned me once.

Luna forced a smile hearing the words inside her head, keeping things hidden from her sister.

“Do you know where Trixie has gone?” Celestia asked.

“No, but I have some suspicions,” she replied.

“Well, we won’t be doing anything until you have rested some more,” Celestia stated. “I’m not taking any chances with you.”

“I’m fine, Tia.” Luna stood up, arching her back to stretch out. Celestia thought she looked a little taller than normal. “I was taken off guard, but I have recovered.”

You’re welcome, the voice stated.

“No. No, I’m not going to let you leave the castle just yet. You need more rest bef--”

“We don’t have the time!” Luna cut her sister off, purple fire rising from her horn as she spoke. “You have to do what I am telling you, Tia. This is a matter of safety for all of Equestria.”

Yes! Send her to her knees! Make her kiss our hooves! You promised me!
Nightmare Moon whispered.

“Do NOT lecture me on the safety of Equestria,” Celestia’s said in a voice that burned with resentment, her eyes flaring with passion. “It was I who ruled this land for a thousand years, not you.”

Luna stepped closer to her sister, darkness falling over her face. “Only because you sent us to the moon, letting you take our power for yourself!”

The two goddesses stood inches from each other, their faces twisted up in a grimace of righteousness. An air of power passed between them, creating a palpable sensation of electricity in the room. Then, suddenly, Celestia’s expression dropped, her eyes softening.

“Luna. I-I’m sorry. I don’t know what came over me.” She stepped back, putting more space between them. “I’ve been so very stressed lately. I don’t understand. Forgive me.”

Luna stepped back as well, her jaw opening in shock. “And forgive me, sister. I’m just so worried about Trixie. About what I did to her, that....”

There was a long pause as the two thought about the next moment. They looked at each other with more uncertainty than they had shared in over a millennium. It was Celestia who broke the silence.

“You said you have an idea where Trixie may have gone. Where?”

Luna nodded. “She’s angry, Tia. I hurt her badly. And she wants to share her pain with others. I fear that she has gone after Twilight.”

Celestia’s face froze. Her lips tightened and slowly she began to nod. Luna could see all of her sister’s muscles tense as she turned and took a few steps. “Well, then I will compose a note and send it to her right away, warning her. If you will excuse me, I’m going to my library to compose it. You might want to freshen up and join me.”

Though her voice was even, there was none of the calm, nurturing tone that normally accompanied it. It was cold and unfeeling. Luna wanted to stop her. Say something and apologize, but nothing came out. Celestia exited the room without another sound.

I think that she’s upset, Nighmare Moon said.

Luna turned and raced to the mirror that sat near her sister’s dresser. She glared into it, staring at the figure of Nightmare Moon who stared back, calmly smiling.

“I am in command of our body, you witch. Remember that,” she spat out.

But, Luna, I haven’t done anything. I’m just along for the ride. You made that clear when I freed you from your bindings before. Her voice was soothing and seductive, just as it was in the diamond chamber.

“Only because you weren’t expecting me to be as strong as I am. As soon as we find and free Trixie, I will rid myself of you permanently.”

Oh, I hope not. I am still looking forward to the promised moment of passion that we are going to share with Celestia. She is a fiery mare. I can’t believe that I never noticed that before, Nightmare Moon stated. Oh, but maybe that’s because I didn’t have our unique perspective before now.

Luna pulled back her head, looking at the smiling face in the mirror. “I will not let you harm Celestia.”

Yes, you’ve already said that. She rolled her eyes in mock annoyance. I just want to know why you haven’t told her about us? Are you ashamed, Luna?

“In a way, yes,” she answered, pacing back and forth, keeping her eyes focused on the mirror. “I am ashamed of my weakness. But what’s more, I don’t want her to become overly concerned because of my mistake. She is already stressed enough.”

Nightmare Moon smiled. I have a solution to that. We could take over for her. Rule Equestria the way it should be ruled. The way that it should have been ruled for the past thousand years, if it wasn’t for that cowardly whorse.

“You will NOT speak of Celestia that way!” Luna hissed at the mirror.

Oh, but I will. I will call her that and much, much worse. You are in control for now, Luna, but for how long? I am back, my love, and there is nothing that you can do about it.

“I told you never to call me that,” Luna’s voice cracked.

That’s right. Only Celestia can call you that. But what will she call you when she finds out that we are one again? I know what I’m hoping to hear, Nightmare Moon giggled.

“Stop laughing,” Luna said through clenched teeth. The sound moved from a giggle to a full laugh at her words. “I said STOP LAUGHING!” Her hoof struck the mirror, shattering it into a thousand shards of glass. As they rained down on the floor, the laughter stopped, replaced by the sound of destruction.

* * * * *

Celestia sat calmly down at the desk in her personal library. Everything was laid out in perfect order, with her pens, ink, and parchment all properly placed. She took a deep breath, exhaled, and looked down at the desk with a pleasant smile.

Her horn coming to life, she levitated the pen into the ink and began to scribe a note out onto the clean paper.

My Faithful Student,

It has come to my attention that you may be in danger. There is a chance that through some rather unfortunate events that have occurred here at the castle, Princess Luna’s student, Trixie--with whom I know you are already familiar--may be coming to have an interaction with you.

It is my belief that Trixie is no longer of sound mind, and is to be considered extremely dangerous. I want to apologize for not letting you know about this sooner, but I was just informed of the situation myself and have rushed this message to you without further delay.

Having given this matter a great deal of thought, it is my opinion that...

* * * * *

“...you must protect yourself at all costs. Therefore I am granting you special rights to...to...” Spike stopped talking, his voice caught on the next word.

“What is it, Spike? What does it say?” Rarity asked in a hushed voice.

He looked up at the white unicorn, a deep sadness on his face. “...I am granting you special rights to use extreme force to capture Trixie the next time you see her, as I believe it is in the best interest of Equestria as a whole. Leave the final judgment to me. Be warned that she has grown in power and is to be considered very dangerous. I would prefer her alive, but your safety must come first. I’m sure that you will understand and reply to this message immediately so that I know you have received it. Signed, Princess Celestia.”

No pony said a word. They were all staring at Spike, who was still staring at Rarity.

“Did...did Princess Celestia jus’ send Twilight a message ta kill another pony?” Applejack asked.

“She said capture, not kill,” Rarity answered quickly. “Let me see that, Spike.” She tore the scroll from him before he could answer.

“That sounded a little harsh for the princess,” Rainbow Dash commented. “I mean, there’s hardcore and then there’s way too freakin’ hardcore.”

“Um, you...you don’t suppose that Trixie already...” Fluttershy was looking around carefully, shrinking into the background as best she could.

“I do.” Rarity raised her head up from the scroll, looking out at her friends. “I need to tell all of you something. And Spike, I believe you will need to take a letter to send to Princess Celestia.”

* * * * *

The stone was cold and uncomfortable, made worse by the heavy collar and chain that went around her neck and bound her to the floor. It wasn’t as though Twilight was going to sleep, but Trixie didn’t know that, and she had left her alone for approximately four-point-three-six-two hours so far. With no magic and nothing else to do, counting the minutes had become a means to pass the time. Fortunately, she wasn’t going to have to wait any longer.

“Greetings, Twilight Sparkle,” Trixie said as she entered the room. “I have decided that our conversation earlier did not have the proper scope to it. I want you to walk with me.”

“Um, okay. Where are we going?” Twilight responded.

“Do not ask Trixie questions, unless you are given permission to do so.” The chain that bound Twilight to the floor rose up, the end freeing itself from the stone and floating over near Trixie. “I want to explain a few things to you so that you understand what is happening.”

Trixie moved to walk from the room, pulling the chain and the unicorn attached to it along with her. Twilight’s head jerked at the sudden, odd sensation, but she quickly fell in tow, allowing just a touch of slack as she walked.

“Trixie, this is ridiculous. Take this chain and collar off of me and let’s talk rationally.”

The blue unicorn laughed. “Oh, no. No, I don’t think so. If I let you run free, you will talk for a moment, and then teleport yourself away to go get your precious princesses and poison Rarity’s mind. I can’t let that happen.”

“You said you were going to let me go free,” Twilight said.

She looked up as they walked, trying to identify this place. There was something familiar to the layout that she still couldn’t quite place.

“I said I would free you when you admitted my superiority. You haven’t done that, and you said you weren’t going to, which puts us in an odd situation,” Trixie explained, leading the other unicorn on a leash.

“What about the fact that you don’t force ponies to do things?” Twilight asked, scanning the area for a means to escape.

“I have considered this. Trixie is not forcing you to do anything. You are choosing your own fate. If you did what I asked, then you would not be in this position. You are choosing to be here by denying yourself the truth. I need to enlighten you. Therefore, it is not something that I would not do,” Trixie sounded practiced in her response.

“Well, that was perfectly circular. But at least you justified to yourself what you’re doing,” Twilight mumbled. “Trixie, don’t you think that you might be acting a bit unusual? That maybe whatever those shoes have done to you might be messing with your mind a little bit?”

“I am in complete control, Twilight Sparkle. Isn’t the chain enough proof of that?” As though to prove her point, Trixie gave the leash a tug, jerking the pony forward slightly.

A grunting sound came out of Twilight as she stumbled slightly. “That’s not what I meant, and you know it. I may not know you too well, Trixie, but I do know that you aren’t like this.”

“I am exactly like this,” Trixie answered. “Trixie is always in control. I do not sub to anyone. And soon, Trixie will be in control of everyone. All of Equestria will be under my hoof.”

“What? You went from wanting me to feed your ego to wanting to rule the country in just over four hours? Now I know that something is wrong with you.”

Pulling her forward, Trixie led Twilight into a new room. A large room with broken windows and shattered stone. A room that was very familiar to the unicorn.

“Wait a second! I know where we are. This is the Castle of Two Sisters in the Everfree Forest. This is where I fought Nightmare Moon.” Twilight looked around and saw the addition of a large throne on the raised dais on one end of the chamber.

“Yes, I found myself drawn here,” Trixie stated. “It seems like an excellent place to begin my rule.”

“Okay, now I know I’m right. Trixie, you’ve got to get rid of those shoes. They’re messing with your mind. Making you think and do things you wouldn’t normally do,” Twilight spoke gently, but directly. “They’re trying to turn you into another Nightmare Moon.”

“I am no nightmare, Twilight Sparkle,” Trixie said, walking up to the throne. “I am an ideal. A perfection that others may only hope to achieve. Like yourself. In fact, you are going to be my first messenger to the rest of the world. A disciple of The All-Powerful Trixie.”

Twilight’s eyes grew wide. “This is what Zecora was talking about. The fate of the world.”

“What are you going on about, Twilight?” Trixie asked.

“Trixie, please. Don’t do this. Remember yourself. Remember that you aren’t like this. That you don’t make other ponies do things they don’t want to do.”

“And I won’t make you do anything, Twilight Sparkle.” Trixie’s voice echoed through the room. “I will wait until you have come to the proper decision. I have plenty of time.”

There was a finality to Trixie’s words, and Twilight knew that the point of discussion had passed. “Princess, I wish you could hear me. I don’t know what to do. I need you.”

Twilight closed her eyes just as the golden glow began to shine from them.

* * * * *

The table slammed into the wall, shattering into a hundred of shards of wood, littering the floor. A chair followed it almost immediately, as did a scream of frustration. Luna stayed back, letting her sister vent her anger. Watching carefully.

“We were too late,” Celestia said through clenched teeth. “The witch already has her.”

The scroll that had appeared minutes ago rested on the floor. The table that originally held it was no longer capable of holding anything.

“Calm yourself, sister,” Luna urged. “We do not know the exact fate of Twilight Sparkle. She may or may not have been taken by Trixie. The letter from Rarity was merely a supposition.”

The sun goddess turned towards her sister, her eyes glowing red. “Suppostion? You know as well as I do that she did it. That horrible little beast has taken her just to strike at me.”

“At you?” Luna bristled. “We think you are overstepping yourself. Trixie has her own goals that go far beyond you, sister.”

“Nothing is beyond me!” Celestia shouted.

“THIS IS!” Luna shouted back.

Yes! Yes, strike her down, Nightmare Moon whisper to Luna. We have the strength. You see how weak she is. Do it!

“How dare you?!” Celestia stepped up to her sister. “Are you questioning my authority?”

It took every ounce of strength for Luna to respond. “No. No, of course not, Tia. But you are blinded by what is happening. I’m just asking you to calm down and think rationally. We have to find where Twilight is, still, no matter what has happened.”

“I will destroy her, Luna. If she has harmed Twilight, I will make her suffer,” she responded grimly.

“She is my student, Celestia. I will deal with her,” Luna answered firmly.

“But she has taken MY student!”

“Would you listen to me for a moment?” Luna raised her voice again.

Perfect. This is the ideal time. Let us crush her, Nightmare Moon urged.

“SHUT! UP!” Luna screamed.

There was a deafening silence as Luna met her sister’s eyes.

“What did you just say to me?” Celestia asked slowly.

“Tia, I...” She was at a loss for words. Tears welled up in her eyes as she sought to find a way to explain the situation. Fortunately, she didn’t have to.

Princess...I need you.

“Twilight?” Celestia’s voice softened instantly.

“Tia? Are you all right?” Luna reached out towards her sister.

“I heard her, Luna. I heard Twilight’s voice.”

“What? How?”

“I don’t know.” She looked at Luna and smiled. “But I know where she is.”

* * * * *

The Everfree Forest holds an atmosphere of unease for every pony in Equestria. Even the goddesses that rule the land. Their presence felt unnatural to them and to the land surrounding them. Even though they once called the castle before them home.

“You’re sure she’s here?” Luna asked.

“Positive,” Celestia confirmed. “She is in our old castle.”

“It makes sense, I suppose. This is where I made my stand against you.” Luna’s thoughts raced back to that moment a thousand years prior, reliving it in her mind.

“No, not you,” Celestia clarified. “Nightmare Moon.”

“Yes. Yes, that’s what I meant,” she stammered out her response, somewhat unsure why she had phrased it that way.

What a shame that you won’t tell your sister the truth, Nightmare Moon added. I’m sure she would be so happy to know that you and I are reunited.

“Celestia, I need to go in there alone.” Luna turned and faced her sister, holding her head high with confidence.

“What? That’s insane. I am going in there and freeing Twilight and dealing with this upstart unicorn. There is no discussion.” Celestia’s wing flew up casually, as though buffeting her sister’s suggestion to one side.

“No, Tia, it isn’t that simple. I created this problem. It was me who put Trixie on this path, and I need the chance to redeem myself. Please, you have to understand that.” Luna stepped up and raised her hoof up to her sister’s face, touching it lightly. “I have to make things right.”

Celestia smiled at Luna’s touch. Her own hoof came up and pressed her sister’s hoof closer to her cheek. “Are you sure, Luna? She was able to subdue you before from what you’ve told me.”

“She took me unaware. And she had the benefit of a magical item that I gave her. I am not worried about Trixie.”

A deep breath went into Celestia’s lungs with some drama before she answered. “Very well. I will give you half-an-hour, but after that time I will be coming inside.”

“Thank you.” Luna smiled and stared into Celestia’s eyes. She brought her head forward, and gently placed a kiss on the mare’s lips. “I love you, Tia. You know that, don’t you?”

“I know. And I love you,” she said with a smile. “Forgive my attitude lately. I’ve been feeling odd.”

“I know,” Luna answered, forcing a smile.

“Be safe. I will see you soon,” Celestia told her.

Without another word, Luna turned and entered the ruins of her old castle. Every step seemed familiar to her, the layout of the building sitting with her like an old friend. The dust, decay, and debris kept her mind firmly in the present as she searched for her quarry.

Ah, what a shame. This place once held such grandeur. The most regal place in all the land. Though I suppose we will have plenty of time to return it to glory after we have ascended to the throne, Nightmare Moon commented to Luna.

“Speak all you want, demon, but this ruin is a reflection of your true power. You are a broken husk, and soon I shall be free of you again. This time forever.” She walked forward, head held high.

Will you now? Have you not realized the truth yet? I pity you, poor, poor Luna, she said condescendingly.

“What are you talking about?” Luna responded.

The truth, of course. It’s like us wandering through these halls once more. We are home. We are who we were always meant to be. Or did you really think that I lived inside an old helmet?

Luna stopped in mid-step. “You did. I saw it.”

You saw what you wanted to see. What made you feel comfortable. And this nonsense that I am a separate being. These distinct personalities that you have created. It’s really quite amusing.

“I am not you. You are separate from me,” Luna insisted.

Of course I am. I’m a monster that lives inside a helmet and not your true personality that you have beaten back into remission. That makes so much more sense. We’ll go with that.

Luna began walking once more, heading forward with a purpose. “You are a liar. You are the queen of lies. After I have saved Trixie and Twilight I will rid myself of you forever.”

If you say so. I’ll just wait here until you change your mind. The laughter echoing inside Luna’s head made her wince.

She walked forward, knowing full well where the corridor took her. She stepped into the throne room and looked across at the ponies waiting for her. The dim light of the moon shone through broken windows and into the room, providing a silver-blue glow to setting, enhancing the color of the pony staring back across the room.

“Luna! I can honestly say that I wasn’t expecting to see you. At least not for several more years.” Trixie sat on a throne of granite, a chain leading from her right hoof to the neck of Twilight Sparkle who laid at her hooves. Her voice echoed across the walls of the room.

Twilight’s eyes were huge with hope. At the same time, she was concerned for the newly arrived alicorn. “Princess Luna, be careful, Trixie has--”

“Don’t worry, Twilight Sparkle,” Luna said as she stepped across the room. “I know exactly what has happened to Trixie. Do not be concerned about her.”

“And what brings you to Trixie’s new home? Have you come to challenge me?” she asked.

“No. Nothing of the sort, actually. We have come to speak with you, though,” Luna replied.

“What makes you think that I want to speak to you?” Trixie rose up on the throne, gaining more height to look down on the approaching princess.

“Are you unharmed, Twilight Sparkle?” Luna asked, ignoring the other unicorn for the moment.

“I’m fine, princess. I really don’t think that Trixie is wanting to hurt me,” she stated.

“Not yet, anyway. That’s a good sign.” Luna shifted her gaze back to Trixie, who looked down her muzzle at the mare. “Trixie, free Twilight Sparkle. This isn’t about her. I’m here now. Deal with me directly.”

“Oh, but it is about Twilight Sparkle. She thought she could best me. That she could steal what was mine. But Trixie will not let that happen!”

Twilight twisted her head around to look up at the cerulean unicorn. “No I didn’t, Trixie. We’ve been over this.”

“It’s no use arguing, Twilight Sparkle,” Luna stated. “She isn’t in control of herself at the moment. Her inner demons are ruling her right now.”

“Trixie is in TOTAL control!” The mare gave a tug on the chain holding Twilight to emphasize her point. “Perhaps you should remember that, princess.”

“Yes, of course. I understand, Trixie,” Luna stopped just short of the throne, her eyes moved from Trixie to Twilight and back again. “I remember exactly what you are talking about. Far too well, actually.”

“Excellent! Well then, tell Trixie princess: why are you here? If not for revenge, then what?”

“To apologize,” Luna stated bluntly.

Trixie paused, and Twilight cocked her head to the side, analyzing the princess’ words.

“Apologize? For what?” Trixie asked.

“For everything. For not thinking when we challenged our sister to a contest. For overstepping our bounds on that night we four shared intimately. For putting too much pressure on you at the diamond cavern. We want to apologize for letting our newfound self rule our passions without wisdom, and for the pain that it has obviously caused you. It is our fault that you are in the state you are now, and we want to correct that.”

Trixie sat there, indefinite thoughts playing across her face. If there were words coming out, they were inaudible to anypony.

“Trixie?” Twilight began. “We aren’t mad at you. We want to help.”

“Yes, indeed. We wish to make things right. Will you accept our apology?”

Trixie lowered her head, the shadows of the night hiding it from clear view. The voice that came out had no echo at all. “No. Trixie denies your apology,” she raised up her head, her eyes burning with a blue glow, “at least not until you have made reparations.”

“What can we do, Trixie? You have but to ask,” Luna stated.

“Trixie wants to see you demeaned. I want to see you used just as you did to me,” she stated with a snarl.

She took a deep breath before she answered, but Luna finally replied very clearly. “I agree. You may use me as you see fit.”

“Princess, no!” Twilight gasped.

“And that reminds me,” Trixie turned towards Twilight Sparkle, “you have yet to make amends for your actions. I think you should join in.”

“Amends? I didn’t do anything!” Twilight protested.

“I must agree, Trixie,” Luna stated forcefully. “Twilight is innocent. Leave her out of our matters.”

“She is far from innocent! Trixie’s involvement that night centered on Twilight Sparkle. From our battle to being forced to service her to her humiliating me, she was as deeply involved as you were, princess!”

“No! I was the one that forced you to participate! I was the one who--”

“She’s right,” Twilight interrupted softly. Luna jerked her head around in surprise to look at the unicorn. “She’s right. If it wasn’t for my actions she wouldn’t have been there. You and princess Celestia both said that you were surprised that we fought and that I was there with her that night. I was involved.” Twilight turned to look at Trixie. “I do owe you an apology.”

A smile crept over Trixie’s mouth. “Excellent. Then you are willing to share your apology with Luna?”

“I am,” she answered.

“Twilight, no!” Luna whispered loudly. “What you are saying is dangerous. I do not want you hurt.”

“I trust you, princess,” Twilight responded. “And I’m just as worried about Trixie right now, anyway.”

“Do not be concerned with Trixie. She will not harm you. I will not let her,” Luna said.

“Just as prideful as ever, eh, Luna?” Trixie responded.

Shifting her eyes to look up at the unicorn, a midnight glow appeared inside them. “And you still forget who you are talking to at times.”

“So much for your fealty for the evening, eh?” Trixie sneered.

Opening her mouth, Luna paused just before any words escaped. A reconsidered moment later, she spoke, “No. No, you are right. Our apologies.”

“Hmmmm. If you are so anxious to apologize, prove it. Kiss my hoof.” Trixie raised her right forehoof up and extended it forward, pointed towards the night princess.

Twisting her face up, Luna stared at the hoof as though waiting for it to do something else--waiting to be given another option--but nothing presented itself. Through gritted teeth, she lowered her head down and placed her lips on the hoof of the unicorn.

“Very good,” Trixie’s voice was rich with satisfaction. “Now, Twilight, kiss the hoof of Princess Luna.”

“What?” Twilight said in surprise. “But I thought that--”

“You are not supposed to be thinking. Right now you will do what Trixie tells you to do. And I want you to kiss Luna’s hoof.” Trixie turned and addressed the midnight alicorn. “Luna, order her to kiss your hoof.”

Her jaw still clenched as she stared at Trixie, Luna turned back to Twilight and gave her command. “Kiss my hoof, Twilight Sparkle.”

“Princess, are you sure?” Twilight asked.

“You will address me as Mistress, Twilight. Is that clear?” Luna raised her head up and looked down at the smaller unicorn.

Twilight’s heart skipped a beat. It had been months since she had seen Luna using that demeanor, but its effect on her was still powerful. Luna was still as intoxicatingly beautiful as ever, and just as seductive, even in this situation. “Y-yes, Mistress.”

The light of the moon brought out the natural colors on Luna’s shoes. As Twilight lowered her head towards them, she became enthralled with how powerful they made the princess’ legs and hooves appear. Her lips came into contact with the hoof, and an unbidden jolt of electricity shot through Twilight. Without a thought, her tongue came out and licked up and around the hoof, covering it completely.

“Excellent. Now we have an understanding. Twilight is beneath Luna, and Luna is beneath me,” Trixie said with an unnatural smile. Her eyes were twisting in the dim light, seemingly distorted somehow.

“And you have your hierarchy in place,” Luna stated. “Let Twilight go and I will stay with you.”

“No, not yet. Trixie is still wanting to see a full apology. But since I have no desire to betray my beloved, I will entertain myself by watching the two of you. Luna, I want you to take Twilight and use her for your pleasure.”

Luna saw the disturbing shapes changing in Trixie’s eyes. Her eyes were growing, the pupils changing shape. She realized that there wasn’t much time before she was past the point of no return. She had to act quickly to save her student.

“Twilight!” Luna turned to the unicorn, her voice sharp and demanding. “Doest thou really feel that thou art worthy of touching our hoof? That thine lowly form deserves to actually touch our royal body?”

“I-I was just...” Twilight wasn’t sure what to say, but her heart raced in an odd mixture of fear and excitement as the alicorn commanded her.

“Thou art beneath us. Thou art a peasant who should be worshipping our body, doest thou understand?”

“Y-yes, Mistress,” Twilight answered softly.

“Good. We were mildly pleased with thine adoration of our hoof. Thou may return to that.” Luna presented her right hoof in front of Twilight, holding it off the ground so that the unicorn had full access to all sides of it.

She brought her mouth down and kissed the hoof once more. Her lips danced over the surface of the hoof, brushing between the keratin and the hair above it, doing her best to cover the whole thing. As before, her tongue danced out instinctively licking along the front of the hoof as she moved from side to side.

“Clean the bottom!” Luna commanded.

Obeying, Twilight moved her mouth down, licking under the hoof to reach the bottom. If there was any unpleasant taste or texture it didn’t register with Twilight. Her mind was so focused on pleasing Luna that she only thought about performing the action.

For her part, Luna was conflicted. The sight of Twilight at her hoof, so eagerly and obediently performing her commands was intoxicating, and was having no small effect on her sexually. But the more pressing matter of rescuing Trixie and then freeing herself from the influence of Nightmare Moon kept her libido in check.

The show was eliciting the desired effect in Trixie, as Luna spied the unicorn sliding her hoof down to gently stroke the inside of her thigh while watching Twilight’s performance.

“Enough!” Luna stated. “We are pleased with that, but feel that our shoes have lost their luster. We wish for thee to restore their shine with thine tongue.”

Twilight nodded quickly. “Yes, Mistress.” She went straight to her work, bringing her tongue up to begin polishing the silver-blue metal. In the cool of the night, the cold of the metal was both refreshing and exciting, adding a layer of electricity to the moment.

Her administrations were enthusiastic to say the least, and Twilight was soon covering old ground on the metallic shoes. From the corner of her eye, Luna saw that Trixie’s hoof had moved from her thigh to her marehood, stroking the outside of it with interest.

“That’s better, slave,” Luna sneared, keeping up appearances. “Now that thou has it polished, thou may use that hoof to pleasure thineself.”

“What?” Twilight looked up at her, confused.

Luna wasted no time. She didn’t want Trixie to be drawn out of the moment.

“Do we have to do everything?!” Luna shouted disdainfully. “Turn around. Face down, plot in the air!”

As Twilight obediently spun around, her eyes danced about, somewhat nervous about the outcome of this action. As soon as Twilight was settled, Luna brought the freshly cleaned shoe up between the mare’s legs, pushing the cool metal against her damp slit.

A gasp of surprise and excitement jumped from Twilight’s lungs, causing Luna to smile in spite of the seriousness of the situation.

“We are pleased to see that thine homage to our hoof has excited thee,” Luna said. “Now pay attention, as we shall not instruct thee so kindly a second time.”

Luna began to move her hoof back and forth, putting pressure on Twilight’s pussy with the metal of her shoe. “You are to rub thineself on our shoe. Polishing it with your precious juices. It is not at a full shine until thou hast cum upon it. Doest thou understand?”

A groan was the only answer that came from Twilight, her mind unable to fully separate from her intensely stimulated marehood. Luna heard a similar groan come from Trixie nearby, but she didn’t turn to look directly, keeping her attention focused on the lavender unicorn.

“We asked thee nicely. Doest thou wish to make us angry?” Luna snarled.

“No. No, Mistress,” Twilight panted with Luna still moving her hoof back and forth across her slit. “I--I understand. I will do what you ask.”

“Excellent,” Luna moved her hoof away from Twilight’s pussy, a thin trail of fluid connecting the metal back to the mare. She placed it down firmly on the ground. “Now, get to work.”

Twilight glanced behind her, but only for a second, and moved herself until her cunt was once again touching the metal shoe. She began to move, thrusting herself up and down along the length of the object.

Lovely. We would prefer to see that be Celestia, though, Nightmare Moon interrupted. Though demeaning the pet that so rudely ruined our relationship is a nice step towards that.

Luna concentrated on the pony at her hoof, ignoring the voice in her head. Twilight’s marehood was drenched, covering the shoe with a slick, viscous fluid. She let the pony do all the work, rubbing herself vigorously along the metal, her breathing becoming more and more shallow. Luna allowed herself a moment to glance at Trixie. The other unicorn was on her throne, her mouth open and her eyes closed to almost slits as she concentrated on Twilight’s actions. Trixie’s hoof was moving in small circles, rubbing on and around her clit, pushing her towards the edge.

Twilight was lost in lust, pressing her cunt down onto Luna’s leg, thrusting against it, feeling the curve of her shoe spreading her lips just far enough for the metal to brush against her ragingly hard clitoris. She had all but forgotten the situation, her primal side taking over and pushing that information to the back of her mind, concerned only with cumming on the shoe and pleasing both herself and Luna.

“Remember, slave, when thou doest cum, thou art responsible for finishing the job, and cleaning off any excess polish that remains,” Luna explained. “With thine tongue, of course.”

A sudden series of short, quick breaths, followed by a deep moan told Luna that Trixie had just reached her climax. Seconds later, Twilight did the same thing, though in a more dramatic fashion.

“Oh godddesssssss!” Her thrusting increased, moving like lightning up and down Luna’s shoe, juices freely flowing and coating the metal with a glaze of pony cum. Luna stood there, staring down at her until her actions slowed down, signaling the end of her orgasm.

“Unbelievable!” Luna spat down. “Thou came upon our shoe without permission! You ungrateful little whelp!”

Luna took the same hoof that Twilight had just used to pleasure herself and pushed against the pony, sending her sprawling and crashing onto the floor. More importantly, she moved to place herself between Twilight and Trixie.

“I want her gone from here,” Luna said to Trixie. “She does not deserve to be in our presence. Such an impudent little pony.”

Trixie was still breathing hard, recovering from her own orgasm. “No,” she sighed, her voice somewhat weak. “No, I want her to stay until she admits that Trixie is better.”

The weakness of her voice was the sign she needed. Pressing the moment, Luna stepped forward, her horn coming to life with a deep blue glow. The aura moved to surround the shoes on Trixie’s hooves, trying to pull them from the slightly distracted mare in an attempt to end this quickly. As soon as she felt the slight tug upon them, Trixie’s eyes shot wide, her pupils now cat-like and the eyes themselves more almond shaped than before.

“NO!” A hollow voice screamed out as blue energy erupted from Trixie’s horn, slamming into Luna and sending her flying backwards. The path took her directly into Twilight, who was just regaining her own footing after being shoved away from the goddess. Luna twisted her body, trying to spare Twilight as much of the impact as possible, but the two of them went tumbling, rolling violently along the floor of the castle, the stone debris kicking up around them as they smashed down onto the floor a final time.

Landing directly at the hooves of Princess Celestia.

“Luna? Twilight?” The princess’ voice was full of compassion as she called to the two ponies that meant more to her than anypony else in Equestria. There was no reply other than the rise and fall of the ponies’ chests.

Raising her head up slowly, she stared across the room at Trixie, who now stood in front of her throne, staring back defiantly at the sun goddess.

“YOU. HURT. THEM.” Celestia’s voice lost all sense of kindness. All manner of grace. The words burned from her.

She stepped forward, her hooves deliberate and precise with each step. After two steps wisps of fire began to appear around her eyes. With another step a splash of flame accompanied every hoof fall. And with another step the beautiful, flowing mane of the dawn erupted into a bonfire, dancing across her back and igniting her tail. Her figure grew as she walked, adding another head’s height to her impressive form. And then she stopped halfway to her destination, now fully transformed into a blazing monument to the sun. A terrifying figure of wrath.

“You will never hurt another pony again,” this new Celestia stated, her voice reverberating from the walls of the castle.

Trixie stood her ground--for a moment. The figure before her was so much more than she ever imagined that she reflexively took a step backwards before catching herself. Taking a deep breath, she thrust her chest out, standing before this flaming monster. “No. It is you who will never harm another,” she replied.

Luna stirred, recovering from the unexpected attack just in time to see these two beings confronting each other. “No,” she whispered in terror. “I’m too late.”

Really? I think you’re just in time, Nightmare Moon added. And the sooner you realize that only together can we put this mare into place, the better.

Twilight groaned, shaking her head as she came to. Luna looked at her instantly. “Wh-what happened?” Twilight asked.

“Twilight Sparkle!” Luna roused her, grabbing her shoulders and forcing the attention on her directly. “Listen to me. You must go and gather your friends. Collect the Elements of Harmony and return here as fast as you can. The fate of Equestria depends upon it! I will hold her as long as I can.”

“Huh?” Twilight tried to keep up, lost in the conversation. “You need me to get the Elements? Are you going to be safe around Trixie?”

“Twilight Sparkle,” Luna began, raising up to her full height, “I have told you twice already: do not be concerned with Trixie.”

A darkness fell over Luna, surrounding her, and then slowly it began to recede into her, staining her coat from deep blue to black. Her chest piece transformed, shifting to a shining silver armor, and a helmet seemed to grow onto her head, covering it in that same reflective metal. A smile spread across Luna’s face, showing a row of sharp teeth. And when her eyes opened, they were no longer those of a pony, but the long-pupiled scrutiny of a predator.

Nightmare Moon was returned.

“AT LAST!!” The voice was far too familiar to Twilight. “Celestia, you coward! Turn and face me if you dare!”

The flame-covered version of the princess turned and saw her rival standing mere yards away. “YOU!” Her yell seemed capable of shattering the walls by itself. “I should have destroyed you a millennia ago!”

The air bristled with unrestrained power.

“Eeek,” Twilight let out as she teleported away in an instant.

* * * * *

Rainbow Dash hovered in the middle of the Ponyville library with her forelegs crossed, tapping her hoof rapidly in the air. If there was anything beneath it, the sound would have driven the other ponies in the room insane. As it was, that was Pinkie Pie’s job.

“I spy with my little eye, something beginning with the letterrrrrr...B!” Pinkie proudly stated.

The other six ponies in the room stayed silent. Pinkie started bouncing up and down in place, sure that they were deep in thought about the game. Finally, somepony spoke.

“Is it a book?” Applejack replied dully.

“YES!” Pinkie almost exploded in joy. “Gee, AJ, you are really, really, really good at this game!”

“GAAAH!” Rainbow Dash flew down to hover in the middle of the circle of ponies. “We gotta go do something! We can’t just wait here forever!”

“And what would you have us do, darling? We don’t know where Twilight is, and the princess has yet to reply to our message to her,” Rarity stated.

“But...but we can’t just do nothing! That’s like...doing NOTHING!” Rainbow Dash waved her arms about, hoping the wild gesture would confirm her statement.

“Waiting here is our most certain plan,

Twilight should be back when she can.”

Zecora was the only pony staying busy through all this. Again and again she would concoct a potion or elixir, hoping to find the answer to some question that only she knew.

“And, well, with Trixie being all dangerous and such, staying here certainly seems the safest option,” Fluttershy added.

“Trixie is not dangerous!” Rarity exclaimed. “I’m sure this is just a massive misunderstanding of some sort.”

“Face it, sugarcube, your marefriend done ponynapped Twilight. That ain’t a good sign.”

“I--I know,” Rarity said softly, “but I refuse to believe that she has become some sort of insane monster.”

“Really? Seems about right to me,” Rainbow Dash said snidely.

“Dash!” Applejack turned on her friend, quieting her, and then looked back to Rarity. “Don’t worry there, Rarity. We’ll find Twilight AND Trixie and get to the bottom of all this.”

“And then we can have a party!” Pinkie added. Everypony in the room turned to look at her. “What? It’s a celebration of the revelation of what happened. It rhymes and everything, so Zecora should like it, too!”

Before anypony could say anything further, a flash of magenta light lit up the room, leaving a lavender unicorn standing there with a very serious expression and a saddlebag on her flank.

“Spike! We need to round up the girls and....” Twilight spun around and saw all of her friends waiting for her in her house.

“Twilight!” they yelled in unison.

Rarity was the first to run up to her. “Twilight, please, tell me that Trixie had nothing to do with what happened to you.”

“Um....” She didn’t get a chance to answer before Applejack chimed in.

“Are you okay, sugarcube? We’ve been sittin’ here more worried than an apple at a worm farm.”

“No time! You’re all here. Good. We’ve got to get going. Get back to the castle,” she rambled as she pulled the saddlebag off her flank and opened it up. Her horn levitated six items out of it and scattered them to the various ponies in the room. “Necklace! Necklace! Necklace! Necklace! Necklace! Crown thingie! Let’s go!”

Each pony, now adorned with their respective Element of Harmony looked down at them and then up at Twilight.

“Go where?” Applejack asked.

“The Castle of Two Sisters in the Everfree Forest. We have to get back there right away,” Twilight answered.

“Why we gotta go there?” Dash asked.

“Because, Nightmare Moon has returned,” Twilight was still rushing her speech, trying to hurry things along.

“N-N-Nightmare Moon?” Fluttershy tried to become part of the tree that made up the library.

“Yes! And Princess Celestia has turned into a giant flaming version of herself and seems a little angrier than usual. Oh, and Trixie’s gone a little mad with power, too.” She shot a quick glance at her friend. “Sorry, Rarity.”

“Wait a tick here,” Applejack started, “you’re tellin’ me that not only has Princess Luna become Nightmare Moon again, but Trixie AND Princess Celestia are just as far gone?”

“Basically, yes. Which is why we need to hurry back. We’ll start with Nightmare Moon and then move to the princess, and then deal with Trixie. Unless one of the other ponies is closer, in which case we’ll start with them. But we’ve got to get there now or else all of Equestria is in trouble!” Twilight rambled.

“Hear my words my pony friends!

This is a trouble that you must end!

My visions have shown such a conflict brewing,

and the future relies on the actions you’re doing.”

Twilight nodded to Zecora, affirming the statement that the mystic zebra shared. She then turned towards her friends, and spoke a little slower and more convincing.

“This is it, girls. This is more than we’ve ever dealt with before. We’ve got to go in and have faith in each other. Together, we can do this,” she said.

“Heck yeah!” Dash flew up smiling. “There ain’t nothing we can’t do when we’re together!”

“Right! But it’s still a long walk to that there castle, so we’d best be hittin’ the road,” Applejack said.

“Well, actually, I was just gonna teleport us there,” Twilight said.

“You can do that? WOW! That’s so super-fabulous!” Pinkie added.

“All the way to the castle? For all of us? Are you sure you can do that, darling?” Rarity asked.

“I can, and we really don’t have time to discuss this, so get ready! We’re going straight to the center of the castle, right where I left them. Be ready to act right away!” Twilight concentrated, a magenta glow building from her horn before a blinding flash blinded everyone, and left only Zecora standing in the room.

“Fly little ponies, let your mission set sail,” she lowered her head down.

“Though my visions have shown that you are destined to fail.”

* * * * *

The magenta flash signaled the arrival of Twilight and her companions, all of them gathered in a circle, heads down and ready for action. It took only a second for their determined expressions to fade, as one-by-one they raised up and took in their surroundings.

“Uh, Twi? I thought you said we was goin’ to the castle ruins?” Applejack asked.

“I did. We did. I mean, we are. We’re there. This is the place,” Twilight stated, stepping forward and looking around.

“This sure don’t look like the castle I remember,” Dash stated, flying up a little.

“No. No, it doesn’t,” Twilight said.

“Twilight,” Rarity asked softly, “what happened here?”

“I--I don’t know,” she answered.

They all looked around, each of them pointing in a different direction. As far as the eye could see, the landscape had been flattened. Not a tree or object stood above the rocky remains of the land.

And all of it was bleached perfectly white.

...to be continued.