Lavender Cloaked in Crimson

Chapters

Chapter One:Baltimare Massacre
Chapter 2: family time and the new help
Chapter 3: Biting Off More Than You Can Chew.
Chapter 4:how the other Equestria lives (unedited)
Chapter 4: What Really happened
Lavender Cloaked In Crimson Chapter 5: Crimson Dusk(unedited)
Chapter 6: A Glimpse Of Enemies To Come.

Chapter One:Baltimare Massacre

The year is 0200 ANMM, a being haunted the towns and villages of Equestria. People rarely ventured out into the night, except for those instances where it was absolutely necessary. Even with the extra guards present on the street it was no comfort to them.

No one understood what it was, some thought it some left over from Discord’s madness and chaos, or a creature born of the nightmare. Whatever it was, it drained people’s blood leaving them dessicated husks. For centuries the attacks have been getting worse and then horror of horrors even their magic was taken, it wouldn’t be until 0300 ANNM that the attacks peaked and then suddenly stopped.

“That is until now,” Luna sighed, the recent reported murders match it to a “T”. Her sister Celestia had her investigate dreading that the demon that had caused the first incident was back.

Luna closed the book and rubbed her eyes.

Witness reports at the time were sketchy, some claimed it was a giant bat, some claimed it was a giant wolf and still more a young woman with ample “assets”, and those that had survived were unable to divulge the identity of the creature because they were under a geas. Luna leant back stretching in her chair her wings flaring in response, getting up and magically replacing the records to their proper place.

Luna huffed as she left the archives, dusting off her black leather pants and Blue tank top and made her way back to the palace proper. As she made her way, people bowed and scraped at her passing… and as for her, she honestly felt it grating on her patience in a way few things did.

Stopping at the newsstand, Luna bought a paper before passing over at Donut Joe’s, where she ordered a coffee and donut to go.

‘Ahhh,’ Luna sighed as she sipped on her cup, that man has a way with coffee and donuts, that the palace chefs and their pretentious attitude to food could never hope to compare to.

As she walked in through the palace gates she was accosted by reporters and journalists, the words causing her to grimace. The art of proper journalism had died when corporate interests had taken them over.

She beat them off with, “No comment” or “That’s classified.”

After that Luna had almost came to blows with one of them, when a journalist woman insinuated to her, that no one would love her and that she was destined to be alone. Luckily for the fool, the guard had intervened before Luna could teach the slanderous woman a lesson in respect.

With a grunt she entered the palace and made her way to the dining room - where her sister was, in all likelihood, stuffing her face with cake. Making her entrance, she pulled out a chair on the opposite end to Celestia’s seat and sat down, leaning back while resting her legs on the table drinking her coffee and reading the paper.

“Nice of you to join us, dear sister,” Celestia addressed her with a smile. A grunt from Luna was all that was said in response.

“Hello Princess Luna,” came a younger voice, it belonging to Celestia’s student Sunset Shimmer. Luna lowered her paper to regard the young girl who was smiling at her.

“Greetings Sunset, we pray thee art well?” Luna asked with little actual interest, but since the girl had redeemed her, Luna decided it was best to be polite at least. She was grateful to her for her aid but she really couldn’t get along with a person who practically lived up her sister’s butt.

When she received the shy nod from her, Luna immediately went back to reading her paper… while her sister tried to be diplomatic, and apologised to Sunset on Luna’s behalf.

Sister, we used to be warriors. Not diplomats. Why did you fall to such banality.

Turning the page, she spotted a headline that made her grimace. “Foreign Noble Bought Ruins of The Castle of The Two Sisters, Renovations Planned.” The news headline caused Luna to frown, great another thing from her past stolen from her.

“Sister? Did thou knowest of the purchase of our old home, left in ruins by our spat?” Luna asked an edge in her voice.

“I am sorry dear sister, but they are just ruins. I would rather have someone who would restore them to their former glory, than to cling to the past.” Celestia responded, though with a hint of melancholy in her voice.

“Who bought it, I wouldst liketh to meet them?” Luna pressed somewhat eagerly.

“Oh some Trotsylvanian Lady, I believe her name was Crimson Dusk... strange name for a mare, I must admit - but I have heard stranger names from noble families”, Celestia dismissed with a shrug, “she is very charismatic, and the people under her seemed happy - If a bit scared - not surprising, what with the place being infested with wolves and all manner of nasty creatures.”

“She is currently staying in Ponyville, if what Sunset has told me is true.” Celestia added, looking towards her student who nodded.

Luna sighed, as she went back to her paper, no use in making a fool of myself by turning up unannounced.

Turning the page, she almost spit out her coffee as she read the headline, “Baltimare, massacre!”, with a hurry, Luna scanned the page for further information.

“The town of Baltimare was shaken this morning as the police turned up at the “Fat Roan”, a Roan eatery owned and frequented by the infamous Crimini crime family. Bodies were found scattered around the eatery, either bisected or crucified on the wall with metal stakes. On some of the corpses fang bite marks were found on their necks completely drained of blood and magic. Many were victims of a large bladed weapon, where others were felled by stake or bullets. This is the third such massacre, all victims belonging to criminal organisations. Is the government behind this or is this something or someone else entirely! We’ll keep you posted!”

Luna growled loudly as she incinerated the paper with black magic fire, causing Celestia to roll her eyes at her sister’s antic, before asking, “Whatever is the matter Lulu?”

Luna glared at her sister for her use of her nickname in front of company... but suppressed the retort that rested on her tongue, “I am just upset that another massacre occurred in Baltimare,” Celestia’s expression became solemn and hard.

“That is dire news indeed sister, whatever it is I cannot understand its motives this time. It keeps attacking criminals, yet in the past it was indiscriminate as to its targets.” Celestia muttered as she held her hand to her chin.

“Well, sister… while you think, I will make my way to Baltimare to find out what I can.” Luna retorted taking her coffee with her, as she opened an arched doorway of darkness, before stepping through.

“No offense, Princess… but your sister scares me,” Sunset added after the Night Princess had left.

A laugh like bells ringing met her ears.

“Do not worry my faithful student, my sister is just concerned with the safety of her subjects… and she didn’t have a thousand years of peace to soften her up. She is a bit rough round the edges, just give her time… and she’ll warm up to you.” Celestia answered before she stood up from her seat and pulled the girl into a hug.

“Now enough of this, let us see what the library has added since your last visit.” Celestia suggested causing Sunset to smile with joy.

By the time she had reached the crime scene, Luna had finished her coffee a long time ago… and was currently debriefing the police officers at the scene.

“Your Highness, we are still unable to find any evidence of what or who did this, it’s like what did this didn’t even exist. No fingerprints; no footprints; nothing under the victim’s fingernails… not even witnesses,” the officer scratched his head as they moved inside the crime scene.

Luna muttered a curse in a language lost to time, as she paced about thinking.

“Sergeant, get your men to clean up this scene, and then move on. Stake out the remaining crime families… shadow them and see if they are attacked. I’ll personally lead a squad, to shadow the Basilli family.”

Hours passed as day turned to night - they were waiting inside an unmarked van, the posted officers and Luna were watching the house of the Basilli’.

Luna grimaced at the foul concoction that had been procured for her, which they called “coffee”, but was just swill when compared to Joe’s. Getting restless, she left the van to dispose of the abomination that dared to call itself coffee, by means of banishment by sewer.

As she was about to enter the van again, gunshots rang out into the night… the source of them being inside the house they were watching.

Luna conjured her full plate armor, which left only her head uncovered. It was Colored midnight blue with black accents, there were moon motifs on the chest and shoulder pieces, the greaves had wedge heels, and flowing from her back was a cloak that looked like the night sky.

A hooded figure rushed out of the house, forcing the door the wrong way in the process - while Luna intercepted the hooded figure by drawing her claymore.

The figure paused… and straightened up, revealing an ethereal being with a skull mask covering his or her face.

Luna could’ve sworn that whoever was under that mask was smiling cheerfully, as a distorted but female voice cut through the still night with a happy tone. “Greetings, Night Mother… I am the Reaper,” she greeted with a mocking half bow without taking her eyes off Luna, “I am glad to make your acquaintance.”

Luna growled, as the other officers had made to surround the young woman.

“You are under arrest for the murders of the Crimini family, and the Basilli family, as well as possibly countless more innocents slain by your hand!” Luna shouted, ignoring the introduction.

Her claymore sword at the ready, she felt that the girl in front of her smirked at her… feeling enraged, she charged at the her - sword held high - bringing her blade down on the girl… who merely held her hands up, one clenched the other as she opened her palm above her head as if bracing something.

When Luna’s sword clashed with something held in the Reapers’ hands, sparks flew as something invisible stopped her claymore’s swing… and despite the crater formed under the Reaper by the strength of the impact, she kept her footing while appearing unharmed. Both started to struggle to break each others’ stance.

Luna jumped back and began slashing with her massive sword, but to her rising frustration her swings were being parried by the Reapers’ invisible weapon. More sparks flew as the two weapons collided, while the speed at which the two slashed and parried made it difficult for the officers watching their duel to find their chance to aid their princess.

As they were too focused on the duel, they didn’t notice the figure behind them cloaked in shadow, who pulled a blade silently and cut them down at a very fast - and brutal - rate.

“Tch, dammit, he got them,” was all Luna heard before she felt a blade scratch her cheek, while the Reaper pulled her out of the way and knocked her out with a hit on the head.

The Reaper laid the unconscious princess on a nearby bench in a rush, turning to attack the shadowed figure. While her sword sliced through him, she rose her hand and a long silver hand cannon split the night silence with gunshots that penetrated the figure…

A howling wail was heard from the creature, while black blood ejected violently from the wounds that trespassed its body. The creature scattered to the four winds as it fell, turning into shadow-dust as it dispersed into the obscurity of night.

The cut on the Princess' cheek was still bleeding by the time the Reaper turned her sights on her… as she saw this, she raised her mask slightly with one hand, and licked Luna’s blood away once she got her face close to her, the wound sealing after she caressed her wound with her tongue.

With a jolt, the Princess awoke from the licking right after the Reaper refixed her mask down… and faded away into the dark night.

Luna’s PoV

As she awoke blearily, Luna noticed a figure hanging over her - the figures’ breath very close to her face - as she felt a tongue slide across her injured cheek, blushing slightly at the feeling. Growing more awake, she noticed it was the Reaper who had done such a thing, leaving her on the bench as she disappeared into the night.

Sighing forlornly, she turned her attention to the corpses of the officers… before returning to the van, radioing in on the van’s cv radio to report what had happened.

It didn’t take long for the police to arrive on the scene, where Luna recounted again the events of the night.

She grimaced as the officer writing down her testimony looked at her skeptically when she mentioned that there was another perpetrator responsible for the officer's death, asking in disbelief, “and this Reaper just let you live?”

Luna glared at the officer, standing up as she flared her wings in anger, “I don’t appreciate being called a liar, officer!”

With a hurried apology, the officer backed away from Luna, his hands up in surrender, and ran away.

Grumbling, Luna sat on back down, and called a nearby hotel.

As she entered her room for the night, she went to her bathroom to get cleaned up, turning on the faucet she took a look in the mirror at the cheek that was cut… where she saw lavender lipstick lips printed on her cheek, and the message, “Stay alive, Luna XOXO~Reaper”.

The blush returned in full to her cheeks as she saw this.

“How in mother’s name did she manage this?” Luna muttered as she wiped the message off her cheek pausing to think, “Still, it makes me wonder… could it there be more to this whole affair than we know about?”

As she stepped out of the bathroom with her face clean, she conjured a set of her pajamas over the bed, making her way over to the sofa. Once she was sitting down, she turned on the tv news… and her eyes widened at the news.

“Princess Luna has made some headway into the case of the Baltimare massacre investigation - where “The Reaper”, a young female mage, skilled in both swordsmanship and gunmanship, is believed to be the culprit. However, before Princess Luna could apprehend the villain, an unknown assailant ambushed her…” and right as the newscaster said that line, Luna’s cellphone went off.

Rolling her eyes at this timing, she checked upon it, rolling them again as she saw the identity of the caller… which was her sister. Answering the phone she put it to her ear.

“Luna!? Are you okay!? I just saw the news! I was….”

“Sister, let me cut you off right there. ‘Tia, I am fine, though I am confused - the Reaper didn’t kill me, in fact she helped me and wasn’t responsible for the deaths of the cops.” Luna replied to her sisters’ anxiety.

“Oh. That’s certainly odd… anything else?” Celestia asked her sister, sounding as confused as Luna did.

“Err maybe….” Luna answered cautiously, biting her lower lip.

“Luna….” came Celestia’s voice in a warning tone, obviously asking for more information.

“Okay she kissed me! There! You happy!?” Luna huffed and puffed her cheeks burning.

There was a long pause, “... wow that is odd.”

“Hey!!!” Luna replied angrily.

“You misunderstand! I meant that she kissed you, no one has ever kissed me when I was apprehending them!” Celestia replied in a huffy tone, and something there that many wouldn’t be able to notice, but this was Luna’s sister.

“‘Tia… is that jealousy I hear in your voice?” Luna smirked as a flustered sputtering answer was all she got in response before she hung up.

Luna sat there wide eyed before she fell back on the couch and started laughing her head off.

Chapter 2: family time and the new help

Silence reigned in Luna’s room, darkened by quick-dirty spell work...

As a figure stood by the foot of her hotel bed, quietly watching the sleeping Princess. The figure reached out as if to touch her, but Luna stirred awake - causing the figure to freeze it’s hand, withdrawing slightly from the sleeping Princess.

By the time Luna summoned her Claymore and turned on the lights, she felt herself fully awakened… only to see nothing inside her room besides herself.

I could have sworn someone was here! she exclaimed inwardly, while rubbing the sleep from her eyes before groaning in her mind, am I losing my mind? Am I imagining something I want to see?

She slipped out of bed after dismissing her sword, and made her way to the bathroom, where she took a toothbrush, and proceeded to brush her teeth before washing her face. Unlike her sister, Luna had very little, if any makeup on her ever - spurning the stuff as nothing more than pleasant lies that someone would tell to themselves.

When she was cleaned up and ready to go, she changed out of her pajamas - banishing them to the royal washroom - after which Luna conjured a black t-shirt bra and a pair of cotton briefs, slipping them on with ease of practice - right before putting on her tank top and leather pants. Looking at the mirror before leaving, she brushed her hair and smiled at her reflection as she was done getting ready.

Luna’s cellphone rang, with a private number showing in its screen. Answering the call, Luna found out that it belonged to the Baltimare police sergeant.

“Princess you should come downstairs,” the sergeant’s manly voice said to her before hanging up - leaving Luna unable to inquire further as to what happened. Making her way downstairs and out of her hotel, she was greeted by the sight of a police cordon already placed around the building - including the alleys at either side.

Five corpses lay in one of the alleyways, as Luna found out before asking to the sergeant, “What happened here?” shaken to her core that the murderer had struck so close to her current living quarters.

“We found their orders written on a piece of paper - these guys where to assassinate you. It seems that the Colta Neighstra family thinks you are the one pulling the Reaper’s strings, and thus targeted you for a hit contract… unfortunately for them, The Reaper dealt with them… quite thoroughly,” the sergeant smirked mirthlessly as he noted, “it appears that you have an angel of death looking out for you Princess,” right after which he lit a cigarette, taking a drag from it eagerly as Luna struggled to keep her facade.

Failing at that, Luna leaned back against one wall, and groaned in exacerbation as the sergeant continued speaking, “the Colta Neighstra are the last crime family in Baltimare… and to be frank good riddance to bad trash. If I didn’t have to uphold the law I would have given that mare a medal for public services rendered.” He took another drag of his cigarette before puffing out some smoke, “tonight, is our last night to capture the Reaper. Before she moves on to a new hunting ground.”

Luna growled to herself as she straightened up from the wall she was leaning on - only for a young eager kid in uniform to offer her a cup of coffee to her, which she outright rejected.

“Sorry, kid… but that stuff tastes like sewage. Thank you for the thought though,” she replied to the young boy.

The boy wilted slightly but nodded dejectedly as he turned back… before Luna rolled her eyes, and said to him, “Look, if you want to help, look up about Donut Joe, in Canterlot. See if he’ll teach you how to make coffee and donuts like him. Perhaps open a store here - if you continue working as a cop, you’ll die someday - perhaps even a few days from retirement. Few officers make it to retirement, and fewer still avoid being pulled back into work because of some unfinished case.” Luna advised as she continued on her way.

And with any luck the coffee in this town will become tolerable at least.”

Luna sighed she was back in the van, with fresh faces and the Sergeant - who was a few days from retirement - posted around the house of the Colta Neighstra crime family.

Well, looks like tonight is going to be a complete and utter massacre. Luna thought to herself as she looked at the conditions of the setting - no full moon, house without lights on, and the houses next to the Colta were at a distance.

Her thoughts were cut off by the sudden onset of screams, shouts and cries of pain as they echoed into the night.

sometimes I hate being right, Luna thought to herself grimly as she conjured her armor and sword while rushing out of the van with the Baltimare officers trailing behind her.

Charging at the door, Luna bashed it in - causing the door hinges to splinter the door frame. Making her entry, Luna entered the house, where in one room she was shocked to see that there were more shadow figures attacking the Colta Neighstra family.

Charging at them, Luna swung at the shadows, cutting through them as if they weren’t there - only for the cleaved shadows to reform - knocking her sword away with a fluid motion, and drawing its own sword to strike her… only for it to be surprised as a window smashed in - sharp glass showering upon it - as the Reaper leapt through the window, landing on top of the shadow and stabbing it through the head, causing its body to scatter into motes of shadow.

Luna stood there slack-jawed, while watching the Reaper making short work of the shadows invading the house… before continuing to slaughter the Colta, some of which were scattering into embers and ash - a different result from the shadow beasts’ remains.

The young officer that had offered her coffee earlier came sprinting into the room - while being followed by a shadow creature that looked suspiciously similar to the sergeant. Several bullets ran through, piercing the shadow and making it disappear into dark dust.

Panting from the strain, the kid looked up - only to see the Reaper with Luna on the floor - reacting at once, the brave fool raised his gun, aiming towards the Reaper… only for The Reaper to make an exaggerated movement of her head - that to Luna felt like an eyeroll - with a flick of the Reaper's hand her invisible blade sliced through the air causing his gun to be cut off in half, which he stared at dumbly… before the stench of urine filled the air close to him.

Luna just deadpanned at the young officer… but wasn’t able to do anything else, as shadows wrapped around her wrists and ankles, binding her to the floor.

Feeling the weight of the Reaper settle on her pelvis, with her breasts squishing on Lunas’ bust as she inclined towards her. Squirming, Luna tried in vain to fight the Reapers’ hold on her while laying on the floor, while the Reaper laid on top of her… until she lifted her mask - where her smile could be seen by Luna - and leaned down on her, locking lips with Luna.

Luna froze up at the intimate contact, eyes widening in shock - feeling deeply conflicted on whether to enjoy the sensation of another person’s touch or to violently bite the Reaper’s lips in retribution. In the end, she settled for blushing fiercely as the Reaper kept her hold on her… right before the criminal withdrew her face to place her mask on, and started to playfully fondle her breasts while looking at her eyes through the mask.

Once again, she had the feeling that the Reaper was smirking and enjoying herself while doing these things in front of a wet kid.

Luna snarled at her, causing the woman on top of her to giggle in amusement at her defiance.

“Wittle Woona, has forgotten me already?” The Reaper asked in mock sadness, Luna’s eyes widening in shock at the pet-name.

I haven’t heard that nickname in millennia, the last one to call me that was my mother!?

The woman booped her on the nose, causing Luna to wrinkle it in response. “Ahh… well, I suppose it can’t be helped after a millenia on the moon. Not to mention I am hiding my Identity,” the Reaper continued while holding her hands up and shrugging.

Luna struggled against the bindings once more, as the Reaper leaned in a kissed her cheek again… before fading into the darkness of the night again.

In the meantime, the young officer had snapped out of his shock and radioed in for backup, causing Luna to snort in derision.

A little late for that now, kid. she thought to herself… right before being driven back into reality as the police showed up… gawking at her as she was still bound to the floor.

Not one second passed by, before several flashes from camera phones lit up the room, making the shadows to fade from existence.

“If I find those in the news, the paper or the internet I will have you all gelded!” Luna growled as she got out of her undignified position.

“Don’t you mean castrated, Princess?” one of the cops asked.

“No! I meant gelded, with hot irons, like they use on stallions,” came Luna’s fierce retort, which to her delight, caused the flashes from the cameras to stop at once… while several male agents started guarding their privates instinctively as they crossed their legs and stepped back a couple of steps.

Oddly enough, some of the women did as well.

Luna wove her way through the gawking onlookers and left the house - feeling conflicted with what she had now seen… since now she was certain that there was more to this chain of murders than what appeared - after all, within her experience, after death people don’t just burst into ashes, neither do shadows attack people.

Or so I believed before tonight, Luna thought to herself with a grimace.

As she walked down the street, Luna felt the drops of water landing on her face, followed by the crackling of thunder in the distance above her, letting her know of the imminent downpour about to fall.

Sighing, she formed a large shield above her - glowing silver with her magic - as rain began to fall faster.

All I need now is a trench coat and a pair of sunglasses, and then I’d be perfect cliche Cyberpunk protagonist, Luna thought as she grumbled to herself. She took out her phone and called her sister, “Luna?” Celestia’s voice came from the speaker.

“‘Tia, I am coming home. I failed in my mission, but it’s not a total loss, since I found out more info. But my findings also left me with more questions than I had before.” Luna paused touching her lips, she sighed and before letting her hand drop she continued on saying, “‘Tia, prepare the good booze for when I return! I need a drink or fifty!”

Luna lounged on a sofa in the tea room, a place where important matters could be discussed while in comfort, all while drinking tea… or in this case getting hammered, while Celestia had opted for tea, and was wearing a beautiful white gown, along with her regalia. They largely just sat in silence, while enjoying each other's presence… until Luna broke the companionable silence with a moan and asked her sister “‘Tia, am I pretty?” after downing her twentieth bottle of whisky… and its buzz starting to finally affect her.

Celestia’s eyes trailed onto the drunken Princess’ figure and replied carefully, “sister, I am not touching that subject with a fifty foot pole,” Celestia said before complaining while rubbing the bridge of her nose, “besides, I already have to deal with certain unscrupulous newspapers spreading rumours about us being involved with each other in an incestuous relationship… all just because we have never had anyone brave enough to even ask us out.”

Celestia turned her attention back to her sister. “Why do you ask anyway?” she added wearily, as she leant back into her seat.

“It’s just… the Reaper has been getting very daring with me, having physically touched me, while also kissing, licking, groping me, overpowering me… to be honest, it’s making me feel like a young maiden again, vulnerable and weak instead of a literal goddess,” Luna blushed as she admitted what had happened earlier to her sister.

After a moment's’ thought, she added, “she also seems to know me, she even called me Woona. That embarrassing pet name mom gave me,” Luna complained sitting up slowly to avoid the head rush.

“Really? But that was such an adorable nickname, Lulu?” Celestia cooed as she playfully needled her sister. Luna responded in the only way appropriate to such a thing - she gave her sister the finger and glared at her. Though this had the opposite intended effect, as Celestia devolved into a fit of laughter.

“Oh, by the way Lulu… I noticed how stretched thin you were in these days, and decided to hire you an assistant… Twilight Sparkle,” Celestia changed the subject, “come in Miss Sparkle,” she called out loud.

The double doors that led to the room opened in… as a young woman wearing jeans, knee high flat heel boots, a lavender shirt and black leather vest combo that barely contained her D cup breasts that jiggled slightly as she moved came into the room.

Luna noticed, despite her alcohol-induced torpor, that the newcomer was seven foot in height - barely reaching above Luna’s bust - which meant that she would have to strain her neck, only to make certain that she wasn’t just talking to Luna’s breasts.

Her hair was long and styled wildly, with a couple of highlights striped through it, one purple the other magenta.

Luna - drunk as she was - smirked mischievously, as she levitated the woman off the floor… guiding her to Luna’s awaiting arms, for a closer look.

Twilight’s purple eyes sparkled with innocence and great intelligence, while her face was good looking… making Luna wish that this were still the old times, where Luna would have taken her for her harem immediately… but for now - though - she just settled for enjoying the blushing that currently covered the young girl’s cheeks.

“So Twilight, where dost thou liveth?” Luna asked, causing Celestia to roll her eyes at her slip into old Equestrian.

The blushing Twilight, who was currently on top of Luna… straddling the princess, was fidgeting adorably while failing to ignore the hungry looks that Luna was giving her, “I live in a recently renovated; gothic style; stone brick mansion off Palace avenue,” came her answer - her voice feeling like music to Luna.

“Luna, please don’t manhandle the help, also - you’re slipping into the old tongue again,”
Celestia chided Luna while trying to hide her amusement at the scene.

“Sorry,” Luna apologised as she put the woman back on her feet, though Twilight seemed a little disappointed - her feelings on the matter being quickly hidden behind a mask of professionalism.

Luna smirked, filing away that piece of information for later, before saying to her sister, “I like her, ‘Tia… when can you start?” Luna asked Twilight, while leaning back and admiring her new assistant.

“I can start anytime you need me to, Princess,” Twilight responded with an excited smile.

Luna couldn’t help it - she leant her head back and laughed mirthfully.

Luna’s face turned serious as she started saying, “good! Then you start immediately. I need you to research information on shadow beings that are impervious to normal swords, and that disperse into motes of shadow when they die. Also, research all about humans that turn to ash when they die,” Luna ordered to her new assistant.

Twilight bowed rapidly and went to perform her new tasks, while Luna leant forward watching the girls’ butt as she left the room… before it was obscured by doors closing in golden magic.

Luna leant back, sheepishly smiling at her sister, “‘Tia, do you think you can repeal that law…”

“No, Luna. I will not repeal the law forbidding harems, even if it might let us actually get some action… and maybe, even shake that false narrative that I am a vestal virgin,” Celestia groaned at her sister.

“Wait!? They have elevated you to the status of vestal virgin? Oh, my dearest sister,” Luna started as she went over to hug her pouting sister, “if they only knew… that out of the two of us, I was the least debaucherous,” Luna smirked playfully as she ribbed on her sister… while Celestia playfully punched Luna on her arm, with a wry grin plastered on her face.

“What about that Sunset girl, surely you could get her to service you with but a word, if you weren’t so obsessed with maintaining this false image of perfection,” Luna asked, while hanging on to her.

“I know I could Lulu, but if it’s her I’d rather we had a proper relationship rather than a meaningless booty call every so often. She deserves better than that,” Celestia grumbled, “now, if only I could get her to even think that’s a possibility, as she is the only person aside from you who is closest to me.”

“Well, she is certainly not going to make the first move, with how shy and introverted she is. So why not approach her with the option - and don’t be subtle about it ‘Tia, the girl only recently started learning about friendship of all things,” Luna replied, rolling her eyes at the girl who wasn’t there, before turning her attention towards her sister with intensity, making her fidget from the subject being talked of.

“But what if she rejects me Lulu?” Celestia asked with a worried tone in her voice.

Luna deadpanned at her sister, “Please, ‘Tia - the only reason she wouldn’t is some false sense, that she is unworthy to be with you - rather than you being yourself the reason… luckily enough, that can be chipped through easily over time.”

Luna got up, releasing Celestia so she could pull her up, “now enough of this self loathing, let us go to Donut Joe’s!” Luna exclaimed cheerfully.

“You really like that coffee don’t you?” Celestia asked incredulously.

“What can I say sister? It speaks to me! Also it helps me with my gaming, and is something that pedestrian swill never could match,” Luna wrapped her wing around Celestia, leading her out of the room.

Chapter 3: Biting Off More Than You Can Chew.

Luna stood on her balcony, her warm breath turning into wisps of vapor as she exhaled.

Normally, people would wrap up with clothing at the barest hint of cold, but Luna revelled in the cold night - as she often wore what others would classify as summer clothing during these times.

Of course, Luna’s choices regarding her apparel drew more often than not curious looks… and every now and then the occasional rhetoric question: ‘Are you insane?’

The memories of such people questioning her caused Luna to chuckle mirthlessly to herself, as she reflected, ‘If only they knew how close I came to actually being insane...’, before she shivered from that dark thought - a shiver that travelled down all over her spine and her wings, them twitching nervously as the feathers ruffled, right before settling back into place.

Sighing, she leaned on the balcony railing - relaxing as the feeling of dread passed away from her - pushing forward and leaning harder on the railing using her arms as a pillow, watching the lights, which were glittering like stars, in the night… Canterlot’s night life shining like a beacon in the dark, like a mirror to her real stars.

Luna’s nighttime musings were interrupted bluntly by the sound of a woman screaming, immediately followed by a howl splitting the night.

‘Wolves!? Within the walls of Canterlot!?’ Luna questioned with alarm, feeling her heart beating heavily in her chest - right as she dove off her balcony into the night, attempting to follow the source of the scream and howl.

Spreading her wings, Luna glided rapidly down - approaching the area where she had thought she heard the wail. Looking rapidly around while flying, she managed to spot with the corner of her eye what she was looking for.

She back-winged to slow her descent as she was gliding too quick - landing gracefully on the ground as fast as she could, with a grace borne of millennia of experience in flight. On the street, Luna noted - with a grim realization - that the women and men stood motionless all over the place, horror and fear etched on their faces…

As they continued looking at the blood covered streets and buildings, ignoring her completely, while they remained in place, too numb to even avert their eyes.

Luna tried to keep her composure - and failed badly - as she also took in the full sight of what had her subjects frozen in place.

It was a brutal carnage all over the street, where severed legs and arms littered the ground, as well as the walls painted with what was most certainly not red paint and dirt.

Several seconds passed after her arrival that the smell finally hit her nostrils, almost causing her to heave, while for several of the witnesses, they all proceeded to run to a corner - to throw up at the grisly sight.

Luna couldn’t blame them, as she fought the nausea off like a princess… only because of her experience from her past as a warrior, she was able to keep her stomach contents where they belonged.

Once she had full control of her stomach, Luna’s lips curled into a snarl before growling to herself, “the Reaper will have to wait, looks like we have more pressing matters to take care off.”

Taking out her cellphone, she pressed the speed dial for the Captain of the guard with a little too much force - and working against her frustration, she barely stopped herself from pressing the button too hard and splitting her phone while at it.

She gritted her teeth, as the memory of her sister came to mind, teasing her with a grin on her face ever since the last time it happened to her. ‘Last time was enough for her to never letting me live it down.’ she thought to herself grimly as she forced herself to relax.

Luna grumbled to herself - as the stress of the last several days finally started getting to her - before hearing the Captain’s voice… to which all her patience crumbled apart, as she started giving him a curse-filled set of orders on the phone.

Adding to her frustration, was the fact that everything seemed to be falling apart at the seams, and the other, more important fact that she wasn’t getting any further with this whole investigation aiming towards the Reaper… and today, she also had to deal with why all of a sudden, all these new monsters unknown to her kind started showing up from out of thin air.

The resulting rant from Luna’s side, and her string of expletives to the bewildered Captain seemed to work… and Luna chose to ignore the ‘not so quiet enough’ utterance of the Captain, who under his breath said that “She needs to get laid” on the other side of her phone.

After hanging up, Luna waited on the newly redecorated street thirty minutes… and in the waiting process saw the arrival of the guards - plenty enough to actually be almost crawling all over the place.

The guards were working with focus, deliberately ignoring Luna to avoid her ire, as they proceeded with the routine of collecting evidence and cataloguing it all for examination.

While Luna watched with a glare at the proceedings, she paced from one end of the crime scene to the other… her footsteps increasingly becoming heavier with each circuit she completed as her patience ran thin and as she stomped the cobbled street… all while waiting for answers and a lead, just so she could find the perpetrator and end them swiftly. Soon enough, she was starting to fracture the cobblestone street with her steps - and the noise of the stones breaking and her frown collaborated to clear her path from any guards, them giving her a wide berth.

Another scream echoed through the street close by, to which Luna’s head swiveled with a snap in its direction - the speed so quickly that the witnesses felt like they had gotten whiplash from just watching her - before moving, running as fast as she could towards the sound… kicking up dust and more than one cobblestone dislodged from the ground in her passing.

To those who saw her pass by at that time, felt as though she was gliding, as she rushed through the street she drew her sword hastily.

Heart pounding so fast that a normal person would have died from the stress she was putting her body through, she dove into an alleyway - where Luna heard clattering, the sounds of snarling and a whimpering woman emanating from it.

She spotted her target - a huge bipedal, digitigrade, grey furred wolf-like creature - which was hunched over a woman, who was trying desperately to crawl backwards away from it.

Luna wasted no time charging in at the abomination - her armor appearing in a flash of her magic - as she slashed at its back, feeling the resistance of its tough hide as a dull pain in her arms from the resistance.

As her blade cut through its tough hide - and dug into its soft flesh - it let out a roar of pain. As the beast roared, it turned swiftly and back-handed Luna away - the fist of the beast winding her - as it connected with her abdomen, sending her flying onto a nearby wall, fracturing it.

Luna fell to the ground as she unstuck herself from the wall due to her rebound, grunting with gritted teeth as she felt the results of her back and head’s intimate acquaintance with the wall.

Luna returned to her feet, feeling queasy… and unsteadily she readied her sword, wobbling as her vision blurred and began to affect her equilibrium. The pain on the back of her head and back caused Luna to wince, as the pain grew more acute - along with the feeling of blood running down her back and from her head - causing her to deeply worry as she faced the beast.

The creature charged at her, swiping with huge claws at Luna - to which she danced around to dodge and weave around the beast’s attacks, despite her failing sense of balance - barely escaping with minor scrapes and nicks.

Luna, as she dodged its last attack, sliced in anger cutting its right arm off in retaliation as she growled at her opponent, who did the same to her.

The beast roared loudly in pain, as half the creature’s right arm parted company from the rest of its arm, leaving a blood-gushing wound where the two parts had once met.

Luna panted loudly, before blinking and shaking her head, to clear the dizziness that was growing with each passing moment.

In rage, the armless beast charged again - its jaw open wide - as it snapped at Luna trying to bite her. Acting quickly thanks to past experiences, she intercepted the beast’s mouth with her sword and cleaved through its head.

Luna continued panting, with her whole body shaking from the strain of staying on her feet, she huffed even as her heart threatened to jump out of her chest from the stress…

And she knew that would be the least of her problems, if she didn’t get medical attention soon.

Luna fell to her right knee using her sword to hold herself up, roaring in defiance “no beast shall fell me!”

Three more of the giant creatures lazily louped into the moonlight, whose sight caused Luna to curse loudly as she tried to regain her breath.

Turning her sights to where the victim once was, she realized that the woman they had been targeting apparently ran away during the chaos… to which Luna was silently grateful for, as she was struggling to fight even at this point.

Growling, Luna stood up again under the strain, gritting her teeth even as more blood spilled from her wounds… all while the creatures watched her, then turned their heads to the direction the fleeing prey went - which was all that Luna needed.

Flaring her wings, Luna flew towards them, decapitating one of them cleanly in her passing as the others growled at her - now fully focused on her, as they realized that she still presented a threat to them.

“I told you I will not fall!” Luna roared at them as she readied herself. “You will not leave here alive!” She shouted again in rage, as she charged the remaining beasts - them leaping in opposite directions in order to confuse her and leave her open to a counterstrike. Still, Luna hamstrung the one retreating left - eliciting a yelp from it - and stabbed it through the head as it fell to the ground.

Luna was struck into another wall again, this time letting out a hiss as she heard a sickening crunch and felt a lance of pain shoot down her wings and into her back, before crying out loudly in pain, “gaah!” before collapsing to the ground… where she felt herself being picked up around the neck, only for the creature to began slamming her around on the ground like a rag doll at first, then slamming her into a wall repeatedly for good measure.

Luna, in pain from the fractures and internal bleeding, while bleeding profusely from her outer wounds, glared defiantly at the beast as it had her in it’s grip…

The beast’s rancid breath wafted over her face, only for the creature to roar in her face - spit and other unpleasant things flying out - causing her to wince in disgust. It lunged forward to bite her neck off… but was cut off as a bolt penetrated its temple.

Luna was shocked as it dropped her… grabbing its head in shock, the beast pulled the bolt from its head - where through her hazing sight Luna realized that the bolt contained a needle instead of a bolt head, and had a empty glass container along the shaft with an inertia-sensitive plunger.

The beast fell to it’s knees, dropping the syringe bolt, roaring and whimpering as it clutched its head… falling on its back, rolling left and right as it clutched its head with both claws.

Luna, too shocked from the sight, managed to observe how its veins bulged and dilated quickly - showing silver lines following its blood vessels and veins…

‘So the content was liquid silver…’ Luna thought drowsily as she saw the liquid metal seeping from the head wound of the felled beast as it struggled to live through the damage done to it. The beast’s heavy ragged breath filled the air as it suffered from spasms before letting out a final death rasp, its body stilling completely.

Luna, in the meantime, sucked in air greedily, while looking as quickly as she could under her circumstance with her eyes for the one who felled the beast… if not to thank them, at least find out about these creatures, and what they were doing in her nation.

“You’re a trouble magnet, aren’t you Lulu?” came a familiar voice… one to which Luna groaned in pain and exasperation, as she turned her sight towards the area the voice had came from.

Up, on top of a roof, stood a familiar figure holding a crossbow in her hand… and Luna watched how the Reaper jumped down from the top of the nearby two story building, as if it was a step ladder. Luna used all her strength to glare at her while on the ground.

“Worry not, mein Fraulein! I won’t bite!” the Reaper said to her humorously, chuckling at her own joke.

“Why do you keep helping me!?” Luna demanded petulantly after gathering some strength to speak out loud.

“Well that’s simple, I...” The Reaper started before being cut off by a stern masculine voice.

The owner of that voice ordered the Reaper, “Halt, criminal scum!” to which Luna rolled her eyes at what the guard had said - while it seemed to her that the Reaper found it humorous, as she started chuckling, she stood up but not before planting another kiss on Luna’s lips.

The guard immediately started shooting the Reaper - all his shots hitting their target, while gaping holes appeared in her body from the impacts as it faded into shadow…

The Reaper dissolved into giggling darkness, as her features almost disappeared… only for her to turn around to face the guard, two red slit pupil eyes and a large inhuman grin on her otherwise black featureless face… only for The Reaper to condescendingly wave at them, as she flowed into the shadows on the floor.

The guard stood there gaping at the scene he just witnessed… to which Luna rolled her eyes again, as she felt herself come down off the adrenalin high.

“Don’t just stand there gaping like a fool! Help me up!” Luna ordered the guard, snapping him out of it, picking Luna up and grunting under her weight.

“If I hear any weight jokes or you drop me, I’ll drop you! Understand?” Luna demanded before grumbling in a subdued tone about her last few nights.

Hours had passed since her late night’s foray into what’s outside that placid isle of ignorance… and Luna was annoyed grievously, as she currently laid in a hospital bed - with her whole body aching, and to make matters more annoying, she was now under watch from the Guard to stop her from leaving the hospital room before her appointed time.

She had found that out after prodding the nearest guard for information, who nervously answered her as to who was the one who ordered it…

Apparently, her sister - bless her heart, the worry wart - had almost issued a royal decree forbidding her from leaving the palace and the royal infirmary, but Twilight had managed to talk her out of it.

‘I can’t believe she almost issued a royal decree to keep me in this blasted hospital room! And had put me under house arrest so I wouldn’t be in danger!’ Luna grumbled internally, shifting on her bed as she tried to get comfortable. “I am not a fragile flower!” Luna burst out loud after her irritation had built up from being unable to find a comfortable way to rest.

A passing nurse shushed her sternly with a finger over her lips. Luna leaned back sheepishly smiling as the guard next to her said,

“If you’re not, how come you’re in here?” The guard snarked back to her outburst… and Luna immediately decided that this guy was an idiot of the highest order. With her mind set, Luna turned to glare at the offending guard… who immediately realized by the look that got plastered on his face, that it was at this moment that he knew he’d fucked up.

Luckily for him, and before Luna could say her part, he was saved on the nick of time by Twilight Sparkle, who brought refreshments into the room in the middle of the exchange. The guard visibly relaxed, sighing in relief, as Twilight said to her boss, “Luna, I am glad you’re okay,” before laying her tray down in front of Luna and helping her sit up.

Luna smiled at Twilight, before she surprised Twilight with how agile she still was despite her injuries as she brought the girl into a deep hug, “You’re the best, Twi!” Luna exclaimed with great glee as she shook the girl in her arms gently from side to side, before letting her rearrange the bedsheets from Luna’s bedding that had gone out of place from Luna’s outburst… While Luna kept watching her slender figure work at it.

Once ready, and with a hum of satisfaction, Twilight placed the tray back in front of Luna with her magic, upon which was a bowl of steaming hot oatmeal porridge and a glass of mango juice.

“Twilight, how did you know I like mango juice as opposed to orange juice?” Luna asked, narrowing her eyes at the now blushing girl fidgeting at her place.

“Oh? Humm… I asked your sister what drinks you liked - and aside from alcohol and coffee, this was the only healthy drink you liked.” Twilight responded with a small smile after a brief pause.

Luna watched her carefully for any signs of deceit as she gave her answer, but she found none. So, Luna relaxed in her place, and began to dig into the food presented to her… only to realize that it was still steaming hot, and so as the spoon entered her mouth, she remembered one pertinent piece of information…

While she laughed at the freezing cold blizzards of the north while others froze to death… she was utterly, absolutely rubbish with heat. To which the palace finances attested to during the summertime. And so, the hot porridge scalded her mouth, causing her to flinch and drop her spoon from the surprise - the spoon which Twilight caught in her magic, her face split in an amused smile.

Luna crossed her arms and pouted like a petulant filly, to which Twilight giggled at and said playfully to her in a sing-song voice while gently chiding her, “Remember Luna... you have to blow on hot food first,” as Twilight proceeded to blow on the spoonful of oatmeal porridge. “Ahn!” Twilight said to Luna playfully as she brought the spoon to Luna’s mouth, as Luna’s cheeks heated up while giving the girl a half-hearted glare, who seemed to be clearly enjoying some sort of revenge from her ‘Interview.’

Luna turned her head to the side and up, continuing her petulant behaviour… and Twilight frowned, deep in thought about how to deal with Luna’s behaviour… until a metaphorical lightbulb went off in her mind, as she took the spoon with the porridge - making sure Luna was watching - which she was out the corner of her eye.

‘What is that woman up to?’ Luna groused internally while observing Twilight’s actions.

Twilight took the spoonful of food into her mouth, and stalked towards Luna with an evil smirk on her lips. Luna, unaware of her assistant’s plans, immediately turned around to accuse her of taking her food - only for Twilight to capture her open mouth with her own - kissing the lunar diarch. Luna’s eyes shot open wide at the forward gesture, but noted with increasing embarrassment that Twilight was using her tongue to feed her with the spoonful of porridge she had taken, any thoughts she had previously screeched to a halt due to this fact.

Luna was speechless as she swallowed the food in her mouth, her blushing face mirroring Twilight’s… Until Twilight noted that she had just in fact kissed her boss and Princess, that her face became even redder as she dove into a prostrating bow, begging for forgiveness for her forward actions.

Luna stared at the woman incredulously as she rattled off insane punishments and apologies, only to let out a boisterous laugh at the woman prostrating herself before her.

“I am not going to ‘punish’ you Twilight, not for you treating me like any other person,” Luna reassured her as she playfully flicked the girl’s nose as she rose to meet her eyes. Luna noted that Twilight’s head was bowed down, and even her ears where crimson red as she clutched the hem of her skirt with force.

‘She’s quite adorable, but those lips felt familiar, I must have another taste, without food this time,’ Luna thought to herself before leaning forward, cradling the blushing Twilight’s chin in her right hand as she lifted it slightly, leaning slowly as she closed her eyes…

Unfortunately, just as their lips connected, the guard in the room collapsed in a puddle of his own blood, breaking the spell and causing Twilight to back off from Luna while blushing profusely.

“I’ll go inform your Sister that you are okay!” Twilight said flustered as she ran out the room, Luna turning to glare at the unconscious guard in the corner for ruining her fun.

Author's Note

for those worried about the fics I promised do not worry, Even goddesses need love is about three quarters done. Guided by the light is waiting for several edits for the latest chapters.
as for Love thicker than blood I am currently suffering writers block for that story, but fear not as soon as I get past it I will get it done asap.

Chapter 4:how the other Equestria lives (unedited)

Author's Note

This is still a work in progress and subject to changes constructive feedback is appreciated.

Once you have read this story please take a moment of your time to answer this short poll
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Chapter 4:how the other Equestria lives (unedited)

It was the next night and Luna sighed as she left the infirmary. She had her wings in a cast and had been given mandatory leave, doctor’s orders. She scowled as she traipsed through the palace. Luna then looked to the sky, thousands of shooting stars filled the night sky four of them streaked across the sky and landing, one landed in near Ponyville.

It was then that Celestia stomped up to Luna with a foul look on her face, “Luna I know you are angry that you are stuck here but taking it out on our subjects by showering the world with meteors isn’t going to help!”

“Celestia, I did nothing of the sort. I am just as perplexed about this.” Luna said frowning up at the sky. Celestia’s expression softened but looked no less worried.

“I shall investigate,” Luna said absently missing her Sisters new expression of worry.

“Luna! No you heard the doctor,” Celestia pleaded with her which caused Luna to turn to her sister.

“‘Tia I am not going to fly there or participate in combat. It’s just a meteor.” Luna dismissed her worries and was about to walk off, when she felt something or rather someone clinging to her.

“Atleast let me come as well!” Celestia cried in desperation, Luna sighed in exasperation.

“Fine! Come then we leave,” Luna demanded as she left with Celestia in tow

Once the two sisters had arrived in Ponyville via train, they disembarked to find that Mare Mayor was standing there anxiously, she had a light brown coat, a curled silver mane. She wore a black mare’s suit with a tie from the collar of her white frilled shirt and the look was completed with a pencil skirt, for her shoes she wore simple black high heels.

“Your highnesses, there was a huge explosion and rumbling outside Ponyville, waking the town’s folk. They refuse to leave their homes lest what ever made that horrid noise is gone! The local guard has cordoned off the impact site. If you would please follow me to the place it fell.”

The two sisters nodded their assent and followed the frazzled mare.

After a brisk twenty minute walk, Luna and Celestia final reached the impact site and what they saw confused them immensely. A small dodecahedral crystal laid at the center of the impact glowing, they moved to the edge of the crater and gaped at it.

Suddenly glowing white roots shot out of the crystal and dug into the sides of the crater, lifting up the pulsing crystal.

“Get back from the crater everyone!” Celestia ordered as soon as she registered the change.

The pulsing was steady like a heartbeat, Luna stood in awe as a sapling like cluster began branching out like a tree, with one key difference. This one was conforming to a structure, it grew fifty feet in height as the whole thing grew it started to look like an organic tower, with a large square base surrounded by statues of another alicorn. The tower was white with gold and royal purple accents all over it.

On top of the temple tower sat a huge glowing orb, with the rings of the magic circles moving around it, one ring was horizontal, another was vertical, the last was diagonal turning the rings were flipping and turning, like that ring amusement park that spun you between a set of rings. The tower itself was cylindrical with windows at the four cardinal directions, two balconies midway up on the sides as you view the temple from the front and a single large balcony near the top front of the tower.

A drawbridge lowered and water began to leave the statues around it’s base and into the crater. Warily Luna and Celestia stepped forth as they entered through a portcullised doorway.

Once inside warmth washed over them surprising them as they entered the atrium, they were greeted by another statue with a shrine torch, and an offering plate with steps leading up to it. The marble flooring caused their steps to echo throughout the atrium.

The shrine was flanked on either side by stairs that curved up and around the statue to a landing taller than it, which had two large oak doors with iron hinges and door rings.

The two sisters looked at each and shrugged before climbing the left staircase, and pulled open the double doors. On the other side they were greeted by the unexpected throne room, with seating and a gallery off to each side of the room. At the end of the room was a single throne, with doorless doorframes, one that seemed to have stairs going down on the right and on the left going up.

As Celestia and Luna approached the throne, a blue hologram featuring a fluffier Celestia fiddling with her suit’s tie. The real Luna raised a eyebrow curiously towards her sister who was now gaping at the image shown.

“Okay, it’s on and recording!” Came a cheerful female voice, as she came into view of the anthropomorphic Celestia, she swatted her hands from fiddling.

“Stop fiddling with it!” The woman, who had swatted her hissed at her. The image showed the other Celestia’s ears fold back like a scolded child.

“But it’s uncomfortable!” Anthro Celestia complained, “well if you had wanted to be the mare in our relationship you should have thought of that before you nearly split me in half with your.. Oh sorry about this, “Hello and greetings my name is Palutena, and this is my wife Celestia,” The figure pointed to the fidgeting woman,

“Wife!?” Celestia exclaimed in shock, while Luna was busy laughing her ass off.

“Oh dear sister, thine doppelganger looks to be quite whipped!” Luna added between breathless laughter.

“this temple has found that your world lacks a god or goddess, or absent god and as such we will be filling in that void. Well by we I mean just me,” Palutena smiled warmly before continuing, “this temple is a living being and it is sapient. It will only allow select beings further up the tower. Any attempt to enter further by unauthorised persons will be met with force. Whoever is watching this know that currently only Celestia and Luna of this world may enter the upper floors.” Once Palutena was done, the hologram cut out leaving the two sisters to contemplate their revelations.

“Well… That was…. Interesting…” Celestia said carefully, to Luna.

“Yes very interesting,” Luna replied with a smirk as Celestia looked at her and groaned.

“Come on! We were invited it would be rude to decline.” Celestia said absently as they made their way upstairs.

Once they had reached the first floor they saw a doorway that was blocked by a barrier and a brand new hologram featuring only Palutena appeared again.

“So Celestia and Luna,welcome to my temple, before you enter this room I must stress, that no one besides those who are allowed in make use of this room. You two are such individuals. This is a portal nexus room, it is linked to everyone of my temples in the multiverse. Once sufficiently staffed and secure my worshippers from other worlds will make there way to your world, from Other Equestrias. To trade and allow your Equestria and others to prosper. Once you are ready, you may enter the only door that is currently active in this temple.” Holo Palutena explained before disappearing again. The barrier dropped and revealed a singular open portal.

Shaking their heads, they both said “Nope not today!”

Making their way hastily up the stairs, they saw a map room, filled with a holographic representation of Earth.

Continuing up to the third floor they saw a room filled with workbenches a forge and several tools.

Not too interested in crafting, they continued upwards, Celestia made it first as Luna panted in exhaustion, “Fuck stairs hasn’t this Palutena heard of an elevator!?” Luna complained

Celestia fell to her knees her eyes tearing up in awe at what she was seeing. A library filled to the brim with books old and new right up to the ceiling and in a room that seemed to be several miles cubed.

As Luna reached her sister she was caught off guard by a musky scent, “Sister did you just have an orgasm over this library?” Luna asked with a large smirk on her face. It was then that they were greeted by Palutena this time she was joined by four Twilight’s.

Luna was ashamed to admit that she was now having a similar issue to her sister, “hello, these are the revive Twilight's, Twilights that have been revived after their world has met the right criteria. When it is met they go to a world I know of. I was given these girls to help them settle down and so they work as my librarians. If you see a Twilight in here do not be alarmed they are merely Twilight’s from other worlds. Another Twilight popped her head in shot and called.

“Mom~ have you seen Celestia?” The new Twilight asked, Palutena turned around, “No sweetie, I haven’t seen your father, why do you want to talk to her?” Palutena asked her.

“Well I wanted to know how to deal with my pregnancy mood swings, I figured that if anybody knew how to deal with it would be you or her but you are busy, and Luna isn't helping! She's the reason I'm pregnant to begin with!” Luna paled as Celestia turned to her and smirked victoriously.

“What’s wrong is Luna ignoring you?” Palutena asked a dangerous tone in her voice, obviously forgetting the camera was on.

“No, it’s just she keeps fussing over me, like i'm going to break if she isn't careful.” Twilight sighed exasperatedly.

“Don’t worry dear It’s just a phase all fathers go through, Celestia was the same while I was pregnant. That being said hang on.” Palutena closed her eyes then smiled. “She’s currently upstairs in our room.”

“Thanks mom!” Twilight responded happily.

“Oh! this was still recording?” Palutena looked sheepishly at the camera the other Twilights were snickering.

“Now where was I? Oh right the library, do not let your Twilight in until she has ascended or at least is aware of other worlds.” Palutena flickered out again.

Celestia jerked her head back to the hologram was wide eyed.

“‘Tia what is she on about?” Luna asked, “and why wasn't I told?”

Celestia sighed in defeat, “I was planning on ascending my student to alicorn status once she understood friendship. I didn't want to tell you as it was a surprise for you.” Celestia explained and pouted, “Forgive me”

“No! not that face bad ‘Tia!” Celestia’s lower lip quivered as her ears folded back her eyes wide.

“Fine I forgive you just stop that face!” Luna demanded in discomfort.

“You are way too old to still be able to do it!” She added as Celestia grinned in her victory.

Once they had finished Celestia had looked back in the room hungrily.

Celestia rushed inside and Luna sighed as she followed her sister hoping that she wouldn’t be here for hours.

Chapter 4: What Really happened

Something has gone wrong. We don't seem to have an archived copy of that chapter.

Lavender Cloaked In Crimson Chapter 5: Crimson Dusk(unedited)

Seven days prior

Sunset Shimmer busied herself with organizing the Golden Oaks library’s bookshelves,
Spike, her baby dragon aiding her in the task. When they heard a knock at the door,

“Spike could you get that for me?” Sunset asked, with a smile,

“Of course Sunset, I am your number one assistant. I’m coming! Hang on for a second,” Spike called out as his legs carried him to the door, opening it revealed a short mare standing in the doorway, she wore a black hooded cloak in such a way that it was near impossible to make out any facial features, and then she spoke, “I am Crimson Dusk, I recently purchased the local castle, as I research the contents of the place I have come up against a dead end might you have a book on cryptology, cryptids and old Equestrian?”

Spike scratched his head, cradling his chin in that way people do when they think, “We have a couple of cryptology books, for Cryptids and Old Equestrian, we would have to put in an order from the grand library in Canterlot. Spike replied as he dug out the books in question.” The mare started shifting her head from side to side agitatedly as if paranoid somepony would get her or spot her.

“How long will it take to order these tomes?” the mare asked hesitantly, “at the very least by the end of the week, but it could take two weeks, come back this Friday to check,” Spike explained,

“Very well order them,” Crimson replied before whispering, “I hope I’m not too late by then,” Spike rose an eyebrow at her mutterings but then proceeded to create a Library card for her and put her library card details in the log,

“you can keep the books for a total of three weeks after that you must return it to either renew it or return the book.” Spike continued before handing her the card and the books.

“Thank you,” Crimson Dusk replied the items disappearing under her cloak before she left the library.

“Spike! Who was that!?” Sunset shouted downstairs.

“That was Crimson Dusk she wanted to borrow a few books, she ordered some books from Canterlot, somethings on Cryptids and Old Equestrian,” Spike answered, sending off the order form.

“Strange topics,” Sunset said as she descended the stairs, “Although I am not one to talk,” She added with a shrug,

“Yeah Like that time you wanted a copy of “Quesadilla eradication spells and other anti-cheese evocations,” Spike giggled, “who knew there were so many ways to rid yourself of cheese, Sunset do you think its just a wizard thing?” Spike’s question was answered by a pillow wrapped in magic to the face, causing Spike to laugh harder as Sunset chased him with the pillow hitting the cheeky drake.

On Friday, a harried and disheveled Crimson Dusk reached the library retrieving the books she had ordered and just as quickly and frantically disappeared back towards her castle home, Spike watched as the mare retreated Spike wandered just what in Celestia’s name caused this mare’s distressed demeanor. Shrugging at the strange mare’s departure.

A few days later, an Ursa Major was rampaged, throughout the forest, roars echoed as ponies ran for shelter just as the huge Star bear trampled into the village proper, Sunset was doing her best to save ponies and coordinate defenses with the other Bearers.

Spike had sent Celestia a letter, about the beast’s rampage a while ago hoping the sisters could help. While Sunset wasn’t looking she didn’t notice the giant bear about to crush her under paw. At the last second Celestia dove for her student and saved her. While Luna had flown directly at the beast’s face and using her momentum slugged the creature in the face knocking it out, it let out a groan as it fell. Behind Sunset and Celestia a squad of royal guards ran up in a hurry,

Celestia turned to the new arrivals, “Two of you follow my sister and investigate the Ursa's cave, the rest of you aid the populous and start the rebuilding process.”

The guards saluted and went to do as they were told, the two who were sent with Luna froze as they watched her lift the giant bear in her arms above her head.

“I knew the princess was strong but that’s ridiculous!?” one of the guards gaped pointing a finger at Luna.

I don’t like it but that guard is right, there is no way I could have lifted an Ursa Major by myself, I could have done so with a Minor but never a Major. What in Tartarus is happening to me!

“You two come with me we need to ascertain why this beast rampaged!” Luna ordered before flying off with her fallen foe.

Luna tried to ignore the guards fearful and confused looks as well as their conversation.
It hadn’t taken long to reach the Ursa’s cave even at the guard’s pace, as Luna got closer and closer, she began smelling the familiar scent that tang of copper only found in blood.

Lighting her horn as she entered the cave, “Empty Night!” Luna swore as she found the corpse of the Ursa’s cub an Ursa minor, the beast’s blood and guts decorating the walls of the cavern, the guards took one look at the scene and ran out of the cave, Luna’s ears picked up the sound of retching and groans. We can’t leave you here, not to see this, I shall take you someplace else so that you may grieve your loss in peace.

Luna turned and left the grisly scene at the cave, the Ursa Major in tow, “Go tell my sister what has happened after you have finished emptying your bowls. And tell Twilight that I shall be late for supper, you may explain what has transpired here.”

Hours later Luna had made her way back to her room, the weight of melancholy clinging to her as she traipsed to her bed, on the edge of the bed Twilight was sitting, Luna’s sullen eye’s met her’s and she saw a look of empathy, compassion on Twilight’s face. Twilight opened her arms, beckoned Luna towards her. Luna stood there tears forming in her eyes for a moment unthinking before she rushed into Twilight’s arms, Twilight embraced her pulling Luna into a tight hug as she laid her face into the nape of Twilight’s neck sobbing. Twilight began rocking her gently, “It’s okay. I am here for you. Shh. Shh. Shh. it’ll be alright, you did all you could,” Twilight continued to whisper gentle and comforting words to the mare in her arms.

Eventually, Luna cried herself to sleep in Twilight’s embrace, Twilight cradled her princess in her arms, lifting the covers of her bed and then laying her down to sleep. Twilight then pulled the covers over Luna and placed a kiss on her forehead, and began to walk off and out of the room, an arm shot out and pulled Twilight under the covers, briefly Twilight struggled under the hug of the Lunar diarch, but stopped as soon she saw the fearful expression on Luna’s sleeping face how her body shivered, Twilight sighed shaking her head. She pulled the covers back over the two of them, getting comfortable and held Luna. Luna’s body relaxed and a small smile played over her lips snuggling deeper into the younger mare’s embrace.

Twilight soon joined Luna, sleeping with her body wrapped around Luna’s.

Author's Note

uagh this is the most i have updated at one time, gaah.

Chapter 6: A Glimpse Of Enemies To Come.

The following night came with hushed whispers as two equally disheveled mares were walking down the hall,

“Twilight, this must not get out or it’ll be a pr and hr nightmare, there will be misunderstandings and rumors that I am bedding my employees, worst of all, I don’t want to get the other employee’s hopes up.” Luna whispered tersely as she fixed their appearance with her horn alight muttering a few words to cast a spell.

“No, no I understand. I get the distinct impression that you're embarrassed of me, and what was that spell,” Twilight huffed nose pointed in the air

“Not so loud, Twilight and it's a small spell called neat and tidy, that uses your mental image of your clean and neat self, it's not taught often due to the possibility of the user making a mistake in their self image and scaring themselves or changing their coat or their mane colors,” Luna hissed and tried to look nonchalant as castle staff walked passed before leaning back over Twilight, “and no I am not embarrassed by you. I am just worried about your reputation and the fact that even if the papers don’t find out, my sister will and if she does you can say goodbye to any autonomy as she tries to “Ship us””

“Ship us?” Twilight inquired in confusion

“Make you my suitor,” Luna added looking around making sure she hadn’t been heard.

“Would that be a bad thing,” Twilight squeaked

“Well not for me, but it would for you, you’d be bound to me until you die.” Luna explained turning away and missing the blush on Twilight’s cheeks, then Twilight blinked as she fully processed what Luna had said,

“Wait till I die?”

“Twilight I am immortal, I have it on good authority that should i not be murdered I will last till time itself dies and possibly after that as well.”

“Sounds lonely,” Twilight muttered and leaned into Luna’s side

Luna let out a sigh, “it’s very lonely, Twilight,” Luna wrapped her right arm around Twilight,

“So what's on the schedule today?” Luna asked looking down at her,

“oh nothing major, just visiting Crimson Dusk, she is expecting us,”Twilight replied,

“that was today?” Luna asked incredulously

“yes,” Twilight answered with a smile

“well this should be a pleasant evening,” Luna deadpanned with a grimace forming on her lips.

After travelling to the castle of the two Sisters, Luna and Twilight knocked on the door it glowed and suddenly swung open, to reveal a massive portal was angled down and coming out of a macabre looking book. Writhing tentacles swung at a unicorn mare using a broom to shove the tentacles back into the portal, a loud distorted rumbling voice rocked the three mares, causing them to grab their heads, “ph'nglui mglw'nafh Cthulhu R'lyeh wgah'nagl fhtagn!”

Luna donned her armor, however instead of her regular armor, it was now a bustier style breastplate and a metal thong with her normal folds, “and now I look like I belong in a Falcon Framehitter painting,” Luna muttered her cheeks burning red, looking over the change, she then shrugged. Unbeknownst to Luna Twilight was dealing with her own problems, namely the nosebleed she was now suffering. Curse my neighponese constitution! Where's the tissue!?

Meanwhile Luna charged, roaring at the abomination and slicing tentacles off, including the one that had picked up Crimson Dusk,

Up close Luna noted the mare, who she assumed was Crimson Dusk. She shorter than Twilight, her skin was pale and her mane was long and tied into a ponytail, it was burnt orange and crimson red.

Twilight noticed a tentacle was preparing to lunged for Luna while she was distracted, Twilight’s eyes narrowed and conjured her nihonto(japanese sword) her daito(longsword) she held the sheath and the grip and rushed into the way of the attack, drawing Luna’s attention, Twilight quickly drew her sword and launched into a flurry of slashes over the tentacle that was now frozen in place. Returning it to its sheath after her attack, as soon as the tsuba(round hand guard) clacked against the sheath, the tentacle and those near it broke apart into cubes of diced meat. As they hit the floor they dissolved into a disgusting miasma of greens blacks purples and browns undulating and shifting.

Twilight drew three ofuda charms from her cleavage and threw them at the portal, she closed her eyes and put her index and middle finger up on her left hand and her ring and pinkie down leaving her thumb pointed towards her and mirrored the hand gesture with her right hand clamping them together like with the right index and middle fingers under the left handed ones. Her horn glowed and the charms glowed, the creature. If it indeed can be called that, shrieked and withdrew into the portal closed behind it. The macabre book fell to the work table below it, Crimson Dusk rushed to gather the book and cradling it in her arms.

“Crimson Dusk, We presume?” asked with her left eyebrow raised, Crimson hid the book under her body as she turned around,

“Yes, I am Crimson Dusk, I thank you for your assistance. We don’t have much time so I’ll be blunt, unfathomable creatures have risen again, drawn out to revel in the coming of an even greater group of creatures, one that only this book can stop!”

"Wait there are more of those things!?" Twilight cried out in surprise.

"yes, in his house at R'lyeh dead cthulhu waits dreaming, the being they seek to restore."

"but for now, they are contained by experts." Crimson added as she guided them to a tea room.

"so tell us about yourself," Twilight asked

"what's there to tell? I lived in Trotsylvania, as its count and looked after my subjects as befitting a mare of my station," Crimson explained with a shrug.

After a few hours of rather mundane conversation, mainly gossip and information sharing. Twilight and Luna left bellies full of tea.

There was a creak from the rooms door, "you know you're going to have to tell her you know?" Crimson said in response

The figure scoffed, "and tell them what?"

"you can start with who you are," Crimson turned to face the shadowed figure

"I am the Reaper until Lulu can remember me,"

"and how can she do that when that remnant of Discord managed to seal her memories away and made every pony like you." Crimson Retorted

"it's better if she discovers it by herself,"

"Stop being coy, you know full well you're stalling doing it because you're scared she won't remember you, Rin. And what of your and Clover's descendant, Twilight. "

"okay, geez! I'll tell them!" the figure stepped into the light, revealing a tall silver white haired woman with twin tails in her hair and really dark skin a red half coat hung from her belt like a skirt.

“The Reaper can’t protect Equestria on her own,” Crimson added finally before taking her tea and leaving the room.