Of Radiance and Sacrifice

Of Radiance and Sacrifice

Present Day

City of Canterlot

     The cries of outrage could be heard from even this deep in the castle. Ponies questioning what’s right and what’s wrong. It was the same situation about two weeks ago and has now become routine.  The week starts, there’s another petty theft, another rally from the people, another public execution by the order of Princess Celestia; Equestria’s current and - as far as Celestia was concerned - only leader.

     Princess Luna looked out at Canterlot below through her balcony window. The once bustling city now a place of disharmony and uncertainty. A constant reminder that even the greatest of us can and eventually will fall.

What has happened to us?

     It was a question that Luna asked herself frequently after the Campaign against the Changelings. That dreaded campaign. If there was anything achieved, it had divided Equestria more than ever before. But a more pressing question sat in the back of Luna’s mind; what happened to Celestia? When did she become so….relentless? So cold? To execute somepony for petty theft was beyond extreme and here her sister was doing it. She needed to find out why. Turning away from the city view, Luna made her way for the door that led out of her bed chambers.

      It was late in the afternoon and the sun's rays were shining through the glass panes that overlooked the valley Canterlot sat on. The halls said glass panes sat in were devoid of life save for Luna. She walked on, paying no mind to the stoic guards that were stationed there. Had they not saluted when she walked passed, Luna wouldn’t have even known they existed.

     The closer she moved to the north wing of the castle, the more apparent the protests outside became. She picked up her pace as to not listen to the ramblings of those outside longer than she had to. The door leading into Celestia’s study was within sight. The guards opened the golden double doors and stepped aside without word. A moment later, when Luna had stepped inside, the doors were shut and with it the noise vanished from existence.

     Looking up, Luna saw her sister sitting at her desk down the opposite end of the room. She was levitating a quill, writing what seemed to be a letter of some sort. She sat there like a statue, the only movements made were quick blinks and the slow rising and falling of her chest. She looks as if she’s been-

     “Luna? Is there something you need?” Celestia’s voice piercing through Luna’s train of thought. Putting the quill down, she raised her head and gave her sister a questioning look. If Luna didn’t know any better, she’d say Tia was showing a hind of annoyance at her.

     Luna approached her sister who starred on. Nervously, she began “Yes sister, there is. I require answers. Answers for these public executions you are putting on in the city. It is causing quite the display, even beating reports in the paper such as DJ PON3 or Las Pegasus. I come seeking the truth as to why you are committing such dire acts.”

     Celestia continued to give Luna a lifeless expression as if she should have known the answer. When no reply came for a good ten seconds, Luna persisted “Why Tia? I require an answer.”

     “Because I have to.” The reply Celestia gave was swift and unexpected.

      Luna was somewhat shocked at her sister's blunt answer. “Because you have to? Sister, that means nothing and doesn’t help to clarify why you-”

     “I gave you an answer. Now please take leave sister.” Celestia cut Luna off and returned to her work. It was as if she was paranoid.

      “Excuse me, Tia? But your trifling response was hardly an answer and I won’t ‘take leave’ until I receive a literal one!” Luna wasn’t about to walk away.

     Puting the quill down again, Celestia rubbed her temples with her hooves, looked right into her sister's eyes and spoke four words “Because it is necessary.”

     “That isn’t an-”

     “DAMN IT LUNA!” Celestia was fed up of Luna’s insistency. “The things I do, I do to make sure Equestria doesn’t completely fall apart.” Using her magic she slid her desk aside and approached Luna “That was your problem from the beginning. You could never just accept things as they were. You just asked questions and never got shit done! That's why everypony preferred me over you. That's why you did nothing during the attacks and why you are just as useless now as you were then!”

     Through the insults Luna stood, a single tear running down her cheek from the barrage of insults her sister just threw at her. In an instant, hatred filled her mind towards her older sister. “Well how about you open up and fill other ponies in on why instead of being a complete bitch about it. You say that i'm useless? What were you doing when that city was under siege? NOTHING! I was out there fighting alongside my guards, saving ponies whilst you… you were in the castle enjoying cake!”

     “Enjoying cake? I’ll have you know that-” Celestia was cut off

     “NO! I will not be shunned!” Luna yelled. “Not anymore. You always do this to me. Why can’t you just-”

     Luna was silenced when Celestia brought a hoof and drove it across her cheek, knocking her to the floor.

     “ENOUGH!” A long, golden war axe had appeared next to Celestia. Her eyes glowing as bright as the sun. “I WILL NOT ENDURE YOUR INSOLENCE ANY LONGER YOU…. you…” She froze, looking at her sister's prone position on the floor. The fire in Celestia’s eyes began to dissipate, as did the axe but not before she realised just what she’d done.

     She rushed to her fallen sister. “Luna! I'm terribly sorry. I didn’t mean to…” Celestia trotted to pick her up off the ground before Luna swatted her foreleg away with a hoof.

     “Don’t touch me!” Picking herself up, Luna stared into Celestia’s eyes. Hers were wet from tears but her face still had fury etched across her features. Not saying a word, she turned to walk away.

     Celestia watched as her sister gained distance and left. Just before she reached the door however, she called out to her, voice full concern “Where are you going?”

     Using her magic, Luna opened the study doors and without looking back, without stopping,  responded with “Somewhere that I can make a difference” her voice dripping with venom. And with that the doors were slammed shut behind her, leaving Celestia alone in her study, the bang making Tia jump.

     Unsure of how to continue her work, Celestia walked over to the window next to the overturned desk. It overlooked the back courtyard. And in it? A large gathering of ponies waiting for her to show. She stood at the window for quite some time in deep thought.

What does she mean ‘somewhere i can make a difference?’

     Celestia was so deep in thought that she didn’t realise that one of her guards had walked into the room and was calling her.

     “Your Majesty?”

    She attempted to regain some form of composure. “Hm? Oh. State your business” she commanded.

     “The execution is about to take place, Your Majesty. You requested that I notify you when the time came.” The Guard spoke without fail.

     Walking towards the door, Celestia motioned for the guard to take lead. “All the preparations have been taken care of?”

     “Of course, Your Majesty.” Bowing, the guard turned to lead Celestia.

     “Excellent.” The two walked walked the halls in silence. The thought of the execution bringing up thoughts of Luna.

     She shook her head. No no. She will be back. She always is Celestia reassured herself. They were fast approaching the Back Hall doors. Here we go Celestia thought. Taking a deep breath, she opened the doors.

     The back courtyard contained a massive gathering of noble looking ponies around the sides of the land, seats raised and available so everypony could see the event. There were distinct seats available for both Celestia and Luna however the latter’s would remain empty. In the middle of the expanse sat a ragged looking unicorn. His horn had been chiseled off and he’d been beaten badly. He wore a torn cloth and had chains on his fore hooves. Next to him was the executioner though he had no weapon but a whistle. Just as Celestia had arranged.

     When everypony had taken their seats, a posh looking pony began to read off a large scroll out aloud. The crowd fell silent “Courier Loop! You stand accused of the crime of theft and treason. Have you any evidence to counter this charge?”

     Not a word was said.

     “In the absence of any compelling evidence to the contrary, I am bound to pronounce guilty. You are hereby sentenced to death!” The crowd roared in amusement. The unicorn had raised his head and was looking straight towards Celestia. His eyes were narrowed and seemed to say ‘One day, you’ll face your own trial by fire’.

     The posh pony walked away as the executioner stood up. The crowd once again went silent in eager anticipation. Raising the whistle to his mouth, the executioner blew it. A loud, high pitched sound rang throughout the courtyard.

     In an instant a massive shadow was cast over the crowd for a split second. Some time later and a large figure landed on the ground opposite the prisoner, kicking up quite the amount of dust. When the dirt had settled, it gave way to a big, red, fire breathing dragon. It shot its fire into the open air and then lined it with the helpless unicorn. Fear was in his eyes as he faced his impending doom.

     The last thing Celestia heard were the screams of a pony being burned alive. When she opened her eyes, all that was left was a pile of ash left from the prisoner's body. She stared at the pile, wandering if what she’d ordered was right.

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No. It had to be done… It was necessary...