'Chin up, Lulu.'
Despite her many years of public service, Luna still struggled with crowds. A thousand years of lunar isolation had taken its toll.
'Apologies. Should we greet them now?'
'In time. Let the festivities calm. Choosing the right moment is important. The Summer Solstice is one of the most important events in Equestrian tradition, so it's important to impress. Especially during these... trying times.'
'Your majesties?'
The Princesses turned and were met by a wizened old unicorn. Swift Spirit, their PR advisor. Luna recalled a time when ponies like him were not needed. When the authority of the Princesses was unquestioned. As it should be, she thought bitterly.
'I had rather hoped we could make some last-minute changes to the script I had prepared. On second thought, some of these comments seem a little heavy-hoofed...'
Luna snorted. 'Heavy-hoofed? Thou should expect us to moderate our words further?'
'Luna, please'. Celestia smiled at Swift Spirit. 'What is your concern?'
Swift, looking slightly taken aback at this outburst, composed himself and bowed. 'No disrespect, your Majesty, but these comments about the recent events in Fillydelphia... the, ah, the riots... well, frankly, you might do better to drop them entirely. Best not to stoke the fire.'
Celestia frowned. 'Are you suggesting we ignore this issue?'
'Not as such, just... tread carefully. This is a sensitive issue. Plenty of ponies support them. If you're too critical... things could get ugly fast. Remember when Shining Armour gave that press conference denouncing them? He only just got out of hospital.'
'So, we are to do nothing?' Luna cut in, her voice sweet yet dripping with venom. 'Thou suggest we kotow to these... these... thugs in Fillydelphia?'
Swift looked her straight in the eyes. 'If you value your personal safety, yes.'
Luna scoffed. 'MY personal safety? Do you doubt my guardsmen? Perhaps I should allow them to show you what they are capable-'
'Luna!' Celestia didn't raise her voice, but Luna shut up immediately. 'No more.'
Celestia turned to Swift. 'As you wish. We will cut any mention of these riots from the speech. Anything else?'
Swift coughed, and stared at the ground. 'Yes. Your Majesty, I... I quit. I'm sorry, but I can't do this anymore. I-I-I have a wife, and a son... and if anything happened to them... because of my job... I'm sorry.'
Celestia sighed. 'I understand. Would you like the Royal Guard to escort you out discretely?'
'That would be ideal, your Majesty. Thank you.'
Celestia nodded and signalled to two Royal guards. Approaching Swift, they quickly wrapped him up in a thick cloak, concealing his identity from onlookers, and began to walk him to a hidden exit.
Luna made no attempt to hide her disgust. 'Coward.'
Celestia sighed. 'You know so little, young one.'
'I know insubordination when I see it.'
'Well, get used to it. You're about to see a whole lot more.'
The main balcony of Canterlot Castle was nearly 100 feet off the ground, yet when the Princesses stepped out, their entire scope was packed with ponies anxiously waiting for their arrival.
As the two Sisters emerged onto the balcony, they were not met, as they were usually, with a wave of cheers and shrieks of excitement. Instead, the atmosphere was tense, almost as if they were being questioned. Luna grimaced, turning to Celestia for answers.
'I don't understand. Last year they loved us. How could things have changed so?'
Celestia didn't respond, too preoccupied scanning the crowd. 'Perhaps you should spend more time amongst the populace. Well, let's give them a show.'
Luna nodded, and closed her eyes. Summoning all her strength, she began to force the Moon into motion. As she did, she felt her sister tense up beside her, heard the roaring as the Sun moved to its new position.
Of course, Luna thought, it's not just about pretty lights. It's a show of force. Look what we can do, subjects. Look on and weep.
Ten minutes later, they were done. Applause from the crowd followed, but somehow colder, less inviting. Bracing herself, Celestia bravely smiled and stepped forwards to speak.
'Loyal citizens of Equestria!'
'It is with the greatest pleasure that I welcome you to the latest Summer Solstice celebration. As we all know, this is more than just a regular raising of the Sun and Moon. It is a display of solidarity between me and my sister. A show of strength. And a reaffirming of our legitimate rule over this sovereign land!'
'We look back on the past year as one of unprecedented success for Equestria. Our society is stronger, safer and happier than ever before. And despite some minor hiccups... We proceed stronger than ever!'
Luna could feel her blood boiling. Her sister was practically begging for their approval. Like a filly seeking her peer’s approval. Worse, like a political whore. The crowd had begun to jeer, shouting insults and other obscenities.
'The story behind the modern summer solstice tradition is one of legend, and yet still recent history. My student, Twilight-'
Before anypony could stop her, Luna stormed to the front of the stage and stood by her sister's side. Ignoring Celestia's pointed attempt to continue with her speech, Luna cut her off.
'Before we hear the rest of my sister's speech, I must address a pressing issue. I must address treason.'
Celestia considered grabbing her sister, dragging her off the platform, and calling off the speech, but quickly decided against it. Nothing could be worse than the illusion of solidarity being shattered. Best to play along for now and hope for the best.
'We all know, of course, of what I speak. The orgy of destruction in Fillydelphia enters its fourth day. The captain of the guard hospitalized. And for what? So anarchists, republicans and other political deviants may wreak havoc on our nation? I think not!'
The mood of the crowd had shifted. No longer was it merely tense. Now, quiet, with an undertone of angry mutterings. Luna, too, seemed to have sensed the change in mood, and to Celestia's mercy, she backed down.
Mutterings became shouts. Shouts became chants. Before Luna knew what was happening, Royal Guards were trooping onto the platform and ushering them back inside.
Luna stood, shell-shocked, in the foyer. She had never experienced anything but total obedience from her subjects. The scene outside was unlike anything in recorded Equestrian history.
It was Celestia who broke the silence, spitting out every word as if it dripped with poison. 'Well, great speech, Lulu. Brilliant..'
Flustered, Luna struggled to respond. 'I-I-What's that supposed to mean?'
'What do you think?' Celestia shot back. 'Try to think, for once in your life, why don't you? How do you think that little Princess tantrum went down with the ponies outside?'
Luna flushed, but shot right back. 'Little Princess Tantrum? I was merely enforcing a basic standard of respect, worthy of a Princess-'
'For Galaxia's Sake!' Celestia exploded. 'Those days are gone, Lulu, you must face reality! Equestria cries out for strong leaders, not pampered brats like you!'
Silence fell. The two sister's eyes met, and Celestia saw something in Luna's eyes she hadn't seen in nearly a thousand years. Betrayal.
'Lulu, I...'
'Save it.'
Luna drew herself up to her full height. 'Attend to today's functions by yourself. We wouldn't want a pampered brat getting in the way, would we?'
'Lulu, please, wait-'
Before Celestia could even finish, Luna took off and was gone.
'-I can't do it alone...'
Celestia swore loudly and smashed her hooves into the floor. 'Swift? Oh, right. Who's his replacement?'
A plump earth pony mare tentatively approached. 'Umm, that would be me, your highness. My name is-'
Celestia waved a dismissive hoof. 'I don't care. Tell them I have cancelled all of today's plans. I do not wish to be disturbed.'
'Your highness, you... you cannot miss the Summer Solstice. It's a millennia-old trad-'
'I KNOW HOW OLD IT IS!' Celestia roared. The plump mare jumped and dropped her clipboard. 'Tradition can go to Tartarus. I must find my sister. It would be meaningless putting in a solo appearance anyway.' With that, Celestia marched off.
The plump mare felt the blood drain from her face. No, nononono. Not good. If an Equestrian Princess failed to put in an appearance at the official functions of the Summer Solstice, the crown of Equestria would be a laughing stock. And with both Luna and Celestia occupied...
'So, you're a Griffon Prince, eh? I, uh, I think I read a book about you guys before, ha ha.'
Twilight choked down her fear and forced a grin. The burly Griffon ambassador looked at her with a mix of distaste and insult. 'I was under the impression I would have a chance to meet with an Equestrian Princess while I was here. I do hope my valuable time has not been wasted.'
'I'm, uh, I'm actually a princess.' Twilight unfurled her wings. 'See?'
The Griffon looked slightly taken aback, but his shock was quickly replaced with amusement. 'So, this is the standard for Equestrian royalty? No wonder your nation is going to the nest. Mind you, if you saw the crowd's response to the Princesses' speech, you'd wonder how this wretched nation is holding itself together in the first place.'
The Prince wandered off, chuckling to himself. Twilight suddenly realized that she did not care much for the party, nor the patrons. Where in Equestria were the Princesses? Twilight found herself wandering away from the hall where the party was being held, drawn to the seemingly endless corridors of Canterlot castle.
When she had been a filly, an apprentice of Princess Celestia, these hallways had seemed to go on forever. Yet now, not just as a fully grown mare, but also as a Princess of the realm, this did not seem any less true... A labyrinth of marble and glass, spun like a spider's web...
WHUMP
At first, Twilight thought a three had fallen over outside. Then she heard the screams. Smelt the smoke.
Twilight was amongst the first to arrive at the bombsite. Everything seemed to be spinning. Bodies. Noise. Screaming. Ponies looking at her, expecting leadership. Of course. She was a Princess. And leading other ponies was what Princesses did.
To this day, she could not recall much of what happened that day. Ponies told her she had acted like a hero. But heroes fixed the problem, saved the day. All she did was damage control.
Her earliest clear memory was being back in the throne room. Guards everywhere. Shining Armour hugging her. Old, official-looking ponies talking to her, then to Celestia and Luna.
'Your majesties, it is a matter of luck that you were saved from being caught in the blast. Whoever did this is clearly a very large, very well financed and connected organization.'
Luna said nothing. It was Celestia who did the talking. 'Do we have any suspects?'
'We have more than that. We have a confession. And... a manifesto. This was mailed to Royal Guard Central Barracks ten minutes before the bomb went off.'
A sheet of paper was shoved under their noses.
A DECLARATION OF WAR
To the corrupt and backwards regime of this nation.
We, the ponies of Equestria, will no longer tolerate your oppression. We will no longer tolerate your authoritarian demands.
We will no longer bow to you because you are royal.
If you are receiving this letter, it is because our attempt to wipe out the miserable excuse for a leadership this nation has was a failure. As of now, a new campaign begins.
We realize the pampered Princesses will ensure they are safe and sound in their castles. However, we doubt they will afford the same luxury to their citizens. To prove this point, we will begin a bombing campaign against Equestrian institutions, military and civilian. Once a week, we will pick a random target and unleash terror upon it.
You will not catch us. You will not outsmart us. We are Terror, and we are here, in the heart of Equestria.
If you wish to spare your citizens, you will abdicate and turn power over to the ponies. If you are happy for them to die in your stead, by all means cling to power while you can. The ponies will soon realize how little you truly care for them, and violent uprising will be inevitable.
Rot In Tartarus
- Terror
Celestia read the letter over three times, before finally laying it down, ashen-faced. 'As of now, the contents of this letter are not to leave this room. Are we understood?'
Shining Armour coughed. 'I'm afraid that will be quite impossible. This message is already widespread. Word travels fast amongst soldiers.'
'Well, no matter. I will not abdicate. Neither will Luna, Twilight, Cadence or anypony else-'
Again, Shining Armour spoke up. 'Princess Cadence has already abdicated. She did so earlier this morning.'
'What!?' Celestia jumped up. 'She is giving into the demands of these... terrorists? Before they have made even one move?'
'She said she didn't doubt them after the Canterlot bombing.'
Celestia sunk into her throne. 'That is her wish. I refuse to surrender the sovereignty of my nation under threat of violence. I will find those responsible and administer punishment under the law, as I am sworn to do as Princess.'
Luna nodded. 'As will I.'
Shining Armour nodded. 'I never doubted you for a moment, Princesses.'
Celestia seemed slightly more relieved. 'Very well. Shining Armour, I wish for you to set up a specialized detective team of the Royal Guard to investigate these attacks and bring the ponies responsible to justice.'
'As you wish, your highness. Would you wish to lead the team yourself?'
Celestia shook her head. 'Me and Luna must raise the moon and sun and run Equestria. We cannot oversee this operation.'
'Then...' Shining Armour's eyes ran over Twilight and narrowed.
Luna smiled. 'Shining, we understand that you would not wish to place your sister in danger-'
'No. Actually, I think it's a good idea. If Twilight's on the move, she won't be an easy target. What do you say, Twilight?'
Twilight scanned the manifesto one more time.
...civilian...
...target...
...once a week...
'I'm in.'
Author's Note
Disclaimer: This story was partially inspired by the Unabomber, particularly the book 'UNABOMBER: How the FBI Broke Its Own Rules to Capture the Terrorist Ted Kaczynski'
While I feel this goes without saying, I do not endorse the actions of views of the Unabomber, and this story was written purely for fun.
