Of Radiance and Sacrifice

Of Radiance and Sacrifice

Present Day

Center of Manehattan

     The fire crackled throughout the empty building. Two ponies huddled around it, basking in its warmth, enjoying the moment they were spending together. It wasn’t everyday that you’d come across somepony you hadn't seen in three years.

     Luna and Frost shared tales of their ventures over the years. Luna spoke of her ongoing issues towards Celestia and how she wanted to do something about them but couldn’t find any viable solution. Frost spoke of how he’d ‘lost his way’ after the invasion and traveled here to Manehattan to find a purpose but ultimately didn't find one.

     Exchanges went back and forth about their pasts, eventually going even further. The two reminisced in the times they spent together. Their first meeting atop Canterlot Mountain. Their first battle, The Battle of Burj. Fighting along side Saddle Arabia’s delegates Amira and Haakim. Even just days that were spent doing routine work within Canterlot Castle. Every moment was one they remembered clear as day.

     Frost chuckled “Yup. Those were the days. I still remember the face Haakim had when we told him we went against Celestia’s orders to recede from the city. As if we’d just leave them to die.”

     Luna nodded in agreement “Yeah” She gave a sigh of content resting her head against Frost’s, enjoying the warmth of the fire and her long lost friend. They lay there in silence, watching as the fire danced in the darkness. Faint music could still be heard in the distance when it faded and gave way to a voice speaking through what sounded like a microphone.

     “This is MC W1SH signing out!”

     Though somewhat muffled from the distance, cheers and screams erupted upon the name being said out aloud.

     Frost turned his head towards Luna. Her eyes were closed and her head still against his neck. Her breathing was light, chest rising and falling with each breath. And he was about ninety percent sure she was asleep. Upon taking in her form he’d realized that she was about the same height as him.

Probably some height reduction spell or something… he thought to himself. She looks so cute when she's fallen asleep.

     Attempting to wake Luna up in a peaceful manner, he wrapped a foreleg around her, leaned in next to her ear and whispered “Luna? Time to lower the moon. Cmon.” Frost gave her a little shake, her eyes began to flutter open slowly at the action.

     “Huh? Already?” She really didn’t want to leave her current position, nuzzling her head against Frost’s neck.

     “Yes. Or we’ll miss the show.” He stood up and held a hoof out for Luna who just groaned.

     “If you insist” She took Frost’s hoof and got on all fours. “What kind of show?” she inquired as they made way for the stairwell.

     “One that I know you’ll like, Princess.” He brought a hoof up and gently prodded Luna on her nose to which she responded with a light punch to Frost’s shoulder.

     “Ouch” he rubbed the spot

     “Wimp”

     “You know you liked it”

     At those words, Luna gave Frost a ‘yeah shut up’ look.

     They ascended the stairs and eventually reached the floor Frost had wanted, walking through yet another empty, broken room. Without the warmth of the fire, Luna began to feel the cold of a midnight Manehattan night and started to shiver lightly. Frost took notice and slowly wrapped a wing around his companion.

     “There ya go. Don’t want my favorite princess catching a cold on me now would I?”

     A deep crimson began to develop on Luna’s cheeks, both from her friends gesture and his words. She tried to form a sentence but just couldn’t make one, eventually settling with “Th.. Thank you Frost…” Luna loved it when he treated her like a normal mare instead of a princess. It gave her a sense of normalcy.

     As they continued their walk through the lifeless building, Frost hit Luna with a question “So… How do you plan on dealing with your sister?”

     The question was so sudden

     “Pardon?”

     “I mean like, what are you gonna do? Quite a few ponies are starting to hate Celestia because of her ridiculous rules and regulations, some even calling for her to be dethroned. So I say do exactly that. Take her place.”

     “You ask me to try and overthrow my own sister? Again?”

     “Well it's that or Equestria continues on its downward spiral. Like look at Manehattan. Before all the shit Celestia put in place, all was fine and dandy. But once she stepped forward, crime spiked, gangs and mafia families were formed. If not for ponies like me, this place would be a whole lot worse.”

     “True… But still.”

     “But nothing. You have a chance to restore at the very least some form of order throughout the land. To do what your sister did not.”

     “We shall see Frost… We shall see.”

     As they walked on, the sounds of a crowd became louder and louder. Eventually they reached the edge of the floor which overlooked what appeared to be a park with quite the amount of ponies in it. Lots of ponies. All gathering in front of a stage of sorts and waiting as idle music played slowly.

     They both sat next to each other, on the edge of the ground waiting.

     “Whats going on?” Luna questioned

     “It’ll start right… about… now!”

     A low bass line began to growl from the speakers, eliciting a roar from the assembled ponies. Fog appeared from out of nowhere and obscured the stage from any ponies eyes, lights of all colors making quite the display. Amidst all the fog, a silhouette could be seen approaching the stage and the setup upon it. Whoever they were, they were taking their sweet time. An instrument which sounded like a flute began to play alongside the low bass line. Despite it being an odd mix, it sounded amazing. Eventually they had made their way to the setup in front of the crowd, their identity still masked from the cloud of fog.

     The music began to pick up a bit and as it did, the pony behind the table raised both their hooves. Slamming them down on the board, kicking up the music a notch. Lights going off left and right. The flute and baseline played alongside chopped, feminine vocals and yet continued to build up.

     Then it stopped. And with it the lights went dark, plunging the whole park into a black abyss.

     A machine with individual buttons lit up next to the pony who began pressing each one. As they did, lights behind them flashed on and off in unison with the button presses. The notes being played started to get faster. And faster. And faster, building up even more.

     Just before the bass dropped, the fog was blown away revealing the pony that stood on the stage. Her electric blue mane was unmistakable. Her glasses were known Equestria wide. She was DJ PON-3.

     The crowd erupted, screams of amazement and shouts of joy rang throughout the park. Luna didn’t even have the time to process what had just happened because the bass dropped immediately after, blowing the crowd and even Luna away.

     The music continued to blast from the speakers as Luna smiled at the show below. She absolutely adored the DJ and her music. Eventually the song came to an end.

     “WHATS UP MANEHATTAN!” the DJ screamed out at the crowd. “Sorry to keep you all waiting. I hope MC W1SH was able to satisfy whilst you waited for the main course.” Reaching under her setup she pulled a record and placed it on the spinner. “Enough talk. LET'S DO THIS!”

     The sound of a scratch was used to transition the background music into a fresh song. The crowd immediately cheered again as the new song built up.

     Back in the tower, Luna was fangirling, nearly up and dancing to the new song. Frost just sat back and watched both the show below and Luna’s ‘moves’. Upon noticing his amused stare, Luna sat back down in a royal posture, blushing profoundly.

     “Ahem… It’s uh.. Quite nice…” Luna tried to salvage some integrity.

     “Have you forgotten who you are with right now?” Frost asked. “Bah. Whatever.  There is a reason as to why I've brought you here, other than to have a good time, Luna.

     The song continued to play. “Oh? And just what might that be?” she inquired

     “If we are to overthrow Celestia, which I know you’re considering, then you’ll need a team to do it. And Miss Vinyl Scratch down there would make quite an asset in such a campaign.”

     Confusion etched across Luna's mind “Frost, I don’t mean to sound like you are delusional but she is a DJ. How would she be of use in such ways?”

     “What if I told you that, even though money is quite the issue for all ponies including Vinyl, she’s doing this concert for free. To lift the spirits of those affected by the war and such. She’s… lets say… a mare of the people. After all, our goal would be to restore rights to the people.”

     “I see your points as they are quite valid but I still don’t see what role she would play in all this.”

     “She’d be like a community manager. Connecting with the people. Arranging social events. Things that’ll get the ponies on our side and not see you as another Celestia type. She can help us Luna. Just arrange a little meet with her, see if she's interested. Do it tonight, tomorrow, whenever. As long as you speak to her.”

     Frost got up from his position and stood next to the edge of the building, spreading his wings “Leaving so soon?” Luna questioned, already knowing the answer.

“Yeah. Unfortunately I've got some ponies I must have a few words with myself, so i’ll see you around.”

     “Can’t you stay a little longer?” Luna whined. She tried to keep a sad look on but she ended up smiling at her attempt. “Just until the end of the song?” she pouted

     “I'm afraid not.” Frost said solemnly

     “Well, if you must.” She stepped forward and gave Frost a hug. After holding the embrace for a good amount of time, she stepped back reluctantly. “Stay safe…” she whispered. Frost got up on his hind legs, gave a small salute to Luna, vaulted some railing on the edge of the building and disappeared into the night.

     Luna turned her attention back to the light show below, letting it fill her with wonder and amazement.

     Luna stood backstage of the set, waiting for Vinyl to finish her performance for the night. Of course, Luna had to get through security and at this time of the night it was tight. To make things easy, she revealed herself as the Princess of the Night and was granted immediate access to backstage. Originally, Luna had hoped to catch MC W1SH but turns out he’d already left so now she sat and waited.

     Sometime later, Vinyl wrapped things up after performing her encore of her encore and made her way backstage. What she didn’t expect to see was Princess Luna sitting there, waiting for her.

     “An incredible performance Miss Scratch. As always, you never disappoint.” Luna complemented Vinyl.

     “Princess Luna? I… uh… thanks?” Vinyl was dumbstruck. She needed a drink after her tiresome gig so she made way for a little mini fridge in the corner of the room “Want one?” she asked levitating two cans of soda out.

     “Please”

     Shutting the fridge with her hind leg, she made way for the seats in the middle of the room, opening both cans and setting Luna’s down on the table in between the chairs. Luna levitated the can up to her muzzle and took a sip of the fizzy drink as Vinyl took her seat.

     “So what brings you to Manehattan? Other than the music of course.” Vinyl was always charismatic when speaking to anypony.

     “Personal matters”

     “Oh…”

     Silence filled the air. Attempting to change the subject, Vinyl raised her glasses and spoke “Haven’t seen ya is three years Princess, how you holdin up?”

     “I’ve been better. And please, just Luna is fine. And what of you Vinyl?”

     “Don’t know what to tell you, Luna - ” She gave a lopsided smile “ - I guess the same could be said about me as well. But i'm getting by.”

     Again silence.

     Deciding to cut to the chase, Luna broke the silence. “I’ll be forward with you Vinyl. I’ve recently spoken to a mutual acquaintance of ours and I have a proposition for you.”

     “I'm all ears Luna.”

     “No. Not here” They got up, both grinning

     Lowering her glasses, Vinyl gestured to the door “Then away we go”

     "Into the night."