Fall of the Solar Dogma

Luna stood on the balcony outside her room, gazing out into the boundless night, admiring the stars as they sparkled like gemstones in the sky.

“It's such a pity,” Luna thought to herself, “that so few are awake to admire our ever so graceful  night. Are we really so wrong in wishing for the same love and admiration that our sister receives? We never wanted more than her, we just asked to be treated as equals. To rule side by side after we defeated Discord, but no. Our sister would never share the one thing she loves the most. Power.” Luna sighed and continued to gaze out into the blackness when her thoughts were interrupted by a voice.

“You called for us, Princess?” the voice asked. Luna turned to see two stallions  One of the stallions was a gray pegasus, clad in blue armor and looked at Luna calmly with yellow, slit-pupiled eyes; he was one of her personal guards. The other one was a white unicorn, clad in the blue armor of the night shift and looking at the princess with a decidedly more nervous gaze.

“Indeed we did, Lieutenant Lining,” Luna said to the pegasus. Silver Lining was the only one of her personal guards that had been kept in the dark about the events that were about to commence.  Luna turned to the unicorn. “And what is your name?”

“Corporal W-White Ca-Carousel, your highness,” the unicorn stammered. It amazed her how most of Celestia’s guard still quaked whenever she as much as glanced at them.

“Very well,” Luna said. “We wish to ask you two questions, and we want you to reply with utmost honesty.” The white soldier glanced nervously towards his pegasus colleague, but Silver Lining kept his gaze focused on Luna with a face completely devoid of expressions.

“Of course, your highness,” the bat-winged pegasus replied, bowing his neck.

“Why do you serve us?” Luna asked. Corporal Carousel's jaw dropped in surprise.

“Wh-what do you mean?” the white stallion asked.

“What we asked,” Luna replied. “Why do you serve us?”

“You are Princess Luna, princess of Equestria and ruler of the night, and we are your subjects. If we do not serve our princesses, then who should we serve?” Silver answered calmly.

“Yes, of course you serve Celestia, that's the way it has been for a millennium,” Luna retorted, “but why do you serve me? After having been banished for a millennium for starting a revolution, why do you accept our rule?”

“I'm afraid my answer won't change, Princess,” Silver said, cocking an eyebrow. “Princess Celestia said you were returned from darkness, and decreed we accept you as her co-ruler.”

“So, you serve us only because our sister told you to?” Silver opened his mouth to say something but Luna interrupted him. “This is why we spent a millennium on the moon!” Luna almost roared, slamming a hoof into the ground. “Co-ruler? That is the biggest lie since she declared us evil so she could use the Elements against us. We never tried to make the night last forever, that was all Celestia's doing. We simply asked to rule beside our sister, as equals. Of course the power hungry madmare denied us that, and when we tried claim our rightful position she kept the sun down and claimed it was my doing!”

“If this is true, Princess, why haven't you told anypony until now?” Silver asked. “And the co-ruling can't be a lie. I've been by your side for almost two years now, and I've seen you decree plenty of things.”

“Really, Lieutenant Lining? Pray tell us, apart from asking for more tea and saying we want an ugly park bench moved, when have you seen us give orders that affect our subjects? When have you seen us ruling Equestria?“ The stallion remained silent. “Exactly. Just like all those years ago, our sister has refused to share her power. Celestia's dogma is deeply entrenched and her tyrannical reign is upheld with brutal methods. The sunshine and rainbows are but a mere curtain. The only reason we are still here is because she has yet to devise another plan to get rid of us. We are surprised that Princess Cadance and Prince Blueblood haven't disappeared yet either. But soon it will all change. We will once again rise against her, and we do so not for ourselves, but for Equestria. We won't dispose of one tyrant to replace her with another. No, we will bring her down and form the New Lunar Republic, and we will give the ponies of Equestria freedom and democracy!”

During her speech Luna had moved forward and was now but a few inches from Silver, his large frame putting their faces level.  The pegasus didn't move an inch. He had expected something like this. Perhaps not quite this, but it didn't take any greater perceptive abilities to understand that he was being kept in the dark, and that something was going on. This, a second revolution, was more than he had expected.  “If this is true, then why have you waited until now to tell anypony? And why tell me and Corporal Scared?”

“Oh no, our very favorite guard,” Luna replied with a broad smile. “For a thousand years we have been plotting a second revolution, and our plan was set into motion shortly after our return. We have complete control of Hoofington, and we have an army there standing by, ready to strike the first blow of the tyrant's fall. As soon as the last obstacle is cleared, Hoofington will declare its independence. Everypony we need, except for you, has been informed. But it is not because we don’t trust you. No, it is because we have very special plans for you, Lieutenant Lining, and we need to be absolutely sure of your loyalty. So, will you join us in what history shall remember as the Fall of the Solar Dogma?” Silver Lining looked down, processing what he'd just heard. He then looked up, straight into Luna's eyes.

“Of course,” he said, bowing down.

“Excell...” Luna began before she was interrupted by Corporal Carousel.

“Th-this is conspiracy! This is tr-treason!” he shouted, his voice almost in falsetto.

“We thought such a simple mind as yours wouldn't be able to understand,” Luna said, turning back to Silver. “Kill him.”

“What!?” Carousel backed away, eyes flared wide in shock as a green glow enveloped his horn, preparing a spell. Unfortunately for him, Lieutenant Lining didn't even blink at the order, and took to the air as he spun around and delivered a rock shattering buck to the unicorn's horn which broke off with a sickening crack. White Carousel opened his mouth to scream, but an ironclad hoof slammed into his throat, crushing his trachea and turning his last scream into a panicked wheeze. Silver then grabbed the unicorn's head between his hooves and with a sharp twist, he broke his neck and dropped the limp body on the floor. Luna's horn flashed and the body disappeared.

“We knew we weren't mistaken about you, Silver Lining.”

***

The sun had just risen in the east and begun to spread its warmth across the ponies of Equestria. The towers of  the Royal Palace cast long shadows over Canterlot, and servants and officials were scurrying across the courtyards and through the hallways to deal with their morning chores and duties. On most days, it was at this hour that the princess of the night retired back to her private quarters for sleep. However, this day was far too important to sleep away. This was the day she would show Twilight Sparkle the truth. This was the day she finally gained control over the Elements of Harmony.

“Tia!” Luna called out cheerfully to her sister as she entered the throne room. Large tapestries in vibrant colors, adorned with suns covered the walls. The red carpet that streched across the room was braided heavily with gold. The stained glass windows depicted epic battles both from Equestria's past and present. The first one depicted Celestia and Luna standing side by side, the Elements floating around them and a petrified Discord being turned to stone. The last one, having been finished just days ago, depicted a white stallion and a pink princess saving Canterlot from the changelings. Truly, no expenses had been spared on Celestia's throne room.

“Lulu!” Celestia replied affectionately as she stepped down from her throne and embraced Luna in a hug. “But why are you still awake? Is something bothering bothering you?”

“Not at all,” Luna said. “We simply came to inform you that we will make a trip to Ponyville. We had hoped catch up with Twilight Sparkle and her friends during the wedding, but unfortunately some unforeseen events got in the way of that.”

“Yes, it was most unfortunate that you missed out on the all pleasantries...” Celestia said, her tone growing dark for just a moment before she continued. “But this is an excellent idea. Twilight mentioned in on of her latest letters that she wished to catch up with you as well. She was thinking of starting a correspondence with you too.”

“We would very much enjoy that,” Luna said with a smile. “Perhaps we could take over the friendship reports. One less thing you need to worry about?”

“Thank you sister, but that won't be necessary, “ Celestia said as her eyes narrowed.

“Relax Tia!” Luna laughed and gave her sister nudge. “We were just joking with you, we know how much those letters mean to both of you. We are sure we will find other things to talk about. After all, this world is full of subjects to discuss.”

"Very true, but don't bother her for too long. You know how busy she usually is, and she gets so horribly distrought when her schedule doesn't hold together. And don't forget say hello for me and I hope you have fun!" Celestia replied.

"Don't worry, we will keep our visit brief," Luna said as she left the throne room.

***

Luna stepped out onto the landing platform and waited for her skywagon to arrive. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw a green maned earth pony walking up to her.

“Leaf Storm?” Luna called out to her.

“Yes, your highness?” the dark green earth pony called back as she came hurrying to the princess side.

“Tonight it begins. As soon as we have secured the Element's loyalty, Colonel Autumn will strike against Fillydelphia, General Nocte will lead the assault on Baltimare and Lieutenant Lining will help us make sure nopony in Ponyville gives us any trouble. Make sure everypony is out of Canterlot and in Hoofington by then."

“Of course, your highness.” Leaf Storm bowed before hurrying off as Luna entered her skywagon.