Destiny Reforged

Chapters

The End and The Begining
Curiosity and Conciliation
The Desperation Of The Damned
Donning The Black
Dusk and Dawn

The End and The Begining

I don't know what it was about Sunday afternoons, but they seemed inevitably boring. Sure, there was the odd time where I was forced to work, or I was too hungover to even be bored, but not today. Today my office was a tiny room that served as the capital of Boring, Canada. God, even my best jokes were barely worthy of a chuckle.

I was, at this very moment, leaning back in my chair, staring at the ceiling. The screen before me displayed my steam page and a plethora of unplayed games, yet I had no desire to play any of them. I looked over to a shelf of books next to me, only to immediately frown at the sight I beheld. I had either read everything or simply didn't want to read the few books I hadn’t, most of which were well-intentioned gifts.

I groaned, stretching out my arms to the heavens.

I was so very, very bored and I had no excuse to feel that way.

The sun was shining, I had games to play, books to read and the internet at my fingertips, yet I was still bored to thankfully non-literal tears.

As I leaned back I glanced at the Celestia plush standing tall over my bookcase. I chuckled at the sight of her, the image bringing up memories of a rather chaotic night of two bars, a party and finally a five AM drunk eBay purchase.

It could have been much worse as far as drunk purchases go, the doll was tall, standing a few inches above the officially licenced plushies and sporting a much more intricate mane compared to most I had seen online. Despite the crazy one hundred and ninety dollar price tag, in the end I had decided to keep her even if refunding it was probably the better financial decision. Ultimately I had chosen to let her serve as a reminder of the show that had brought me so much joy all those years ago.

I sighed, continuing to stretch out as I looked at the Celestia plush, old memories bubbling to the surface of my mind. I remembered when I first started watching the show in an attempt to understand the memes surrounding it, then by the end of season one I had been hooked.

It may have been awhile since I stopped watching it, but whenever I looked at her, the memory of all those good times came flowing back and even now, I couldn't help but smile. My smile quickly slipped into a frown when I noticed the stitching around her neck had somehow come loose again. I don't know how or why this was even possible, as I’ve never moved it, but once every eight months the stitching around the neck always came loose and threatened to make her head fall off. I couldn't for the life of me understand as to why it was stitched in such a manner. but it was not like I knew anything about the subject.

I reached up from my chair, intent on grabbing the doll, but found that she was just barely out of even my impressive reach. Too lazy to stand I stretched out a little further and was almost able to grab her, my fingers brushing past her fake fur. I groaned and rolled my eyes, reaching out to her one last time, still too lazy to get out of my chair even though I was leaning pretty far at this point.

This time I leaned a little further back, not noticing as the wheels of my chair cracked due to the fact that I was simply too bent on grabbing the plushie just outside my reach. Sure enough, my fingers wrapped around her leg and pulled her closer, only for the wheels to finally give out and snap under my weight.

Suddenly I was in free fall, my chair having toppled completely backward and my mind hardly having time to catch up before the back of my head ricocheted off an end table and bounced off the ground with a wet and sickening crunch.

Elsewhere in the multiverse a changeling queen stood triumphant, gazing out over the terrified faces of the ponies in attendance. She stood tall on two hooved legs, her hands raised triumphantly, the wedding dress she wore having been stretched and torn when she had returned to her natural form.

“Soon my changeling army will break through your pitiful wards and the true conquest will begin. First we will take Canterlot, and then-” She leaped into the air, her buzzing wings catching her in mid-leap, allowing her to hover over the gathered ponies as she waved a dramatic hand out over the horizon. “All of Equestria!”

“No.” Celestia declared, eyes narrowing. “I won't let you.” The queen recoiled, landing once more. “You may have made it impossible for Shining Armor to perform his spell, but now that you have so foolishly revealed your true self.” The alicorn surged forward, her tattered dress still stubbornly clinging to her long shapely legs. The pair met in the center of the room, both beings grappling one another, Celestia’s pristine white horn interlocking with the queen’s twisted, black one. “I can protect my subjects, from you!”

With a surge of earth pony magic the alicorn’s muscles bulged and she shoved the queen back before leaping into the air, her powerful wings carrying her above the queen. Chrysalis shook her head, readying a spell only to see Celestia was one step ahead of her. Thinking quickly, the changeling threw nearly all the love she had into her own spell and launched it just in time to impact Celestia’s own.

Above the terrified populace two titans of immeasurable power dueled, their twin beams of magic connecting with the force of two two fully loaded speeding trains. The impact of which blew back the ponies standing too close, knocking them onto their backs and sending a gust of wind through the hall.

For several long seconds the audience dared not move, too terrified by the raw power on display to even so much as flinch. The full power of the sun’s avatar bore down against the pure, unfiltered love of one pony for another. The two beams of power surged to new life as the combatants realized they were at a stalemate, sending a renewed wave of power to impact in the center of the room, shattering the windows and deafening several members of the audience.

Chrysalis could feel the pure, unadulterated hate raining down upon her, the sheer volume of which was almost as oppressive as the heat that had begun to build around her horn. Banners on nearby walls came alight, flowers combusted and the long flowing carpet sperating the two sides of the wedding was rendered to little more than cinders. For the first time in a long while the changeling’s pride disappeared and she wondered if this was how she was going to die, crushed beneath the might of the sun.

She couldn't let it end like this, on the eve of her greatest triumph! She rallied her spirits and poured another fresh wave of power into her spell, fueling her magic with every last ounce of love Shining Armor had given her.

Seeing the queen renewing her spell work, Celestia did the same, drawing upon a seemingly endless well of power that resided deep within her. Their renewed spells slammed into each other once more, the green and gold beams sending another gust of wind through the hall. Chrysalis closed her eyes, fearing the end, only to be startled as the hate and confidence radiating off Celestia in oppressive waves suddenly disappeared and was replaced by… fear?

The queen cracked open an eye and looked up to see her own emerald magic pushing back against the power of the sun, the love of Shining Armor somehow enough to resist even the primordial power of Sol itself. The queen’s confidence soared and she threw herself forward, intent on pushing her advantage and forcing the alicorn to surrender.

Panic welled within Celestia’s breast and the alicorn desperately pushed everything she had into her spell, abandoning reason and merely channeling the raw fury of the sun directly through her horn. Though the green beam faltered for a moment it quickly surged forward, closing in on her horn and driving a wedge of fear into the ancient alicorn’s heart.

The wall of green power continued to push forward only to explode a few centimeters in front of the alicorn’s horn, the two waves of power having become too much for either party to handle. The magnitude of the explosion temporarily blinded all who dare look upon it and a gale force wind tore through the hall. Several ponies were lifted from the ground and tossed into fellow audience members as the rest of the undamaged wedding decorations were shredded and tossed around the room.

The changeling queen rubbed her eyes, trying to regain her vision, her confidence surging despite the fact that she couldn't even see. “Even your precious princess couldn't resist my… power?” The queen took a step back, gagging at the sight before her.

There on the ground lay the severed head of Princess Celestia, lying several feet away from the rest of her body, a pool of fresh red blood beginning to form around her stump neck. Half her face was burned away, her charred flesh pulled back to reveal the muscle and bone beneath. The alicorn’s face was contorted in pain and it seemed to be trying to speak, her mouth moving as her eyes fluttered this way and that in a mad panic.

The crowd gasped, the initial shock of the sudden death having rippled through them and been quickly replaced with rage.

Rarity fainted, as did several other members of the audience, too overcome with shock and terror to remain upright. In a distant tower an alicorn woke with a start, a terrible emptiness suddenly exploding within her heart and driving her from the strangely deep sleep she had been under.

The queen stumbled back, nearly tripping over her own hooves. “It was just a stun spell, I didn't mean to do that,” she muttered weakly, unable to tear her gaze from the severed head laying on the ground.

“Murderer!” somepony shouted.

Twilight hardly noticed the grief-stricken crowd or the backpedalling queen, her eyes glued on the head of her teacher lying mere feet away. Celestia’s mouth opened, trying to speak but without lungs or her vocal cords, she could do nothing, her solitary eye shot left and right, trying desperately to find out what happened only to find that she could not move. In the end the alicorn seemed to understand and her panicked, fearful expression fell away and was replaced by one of calm acceptance. She used the last energy she had to stare into her student’s fearful eyes and mouth the words she desperately wish she could speak.

I love you.

In the end even the power of an alicorn could not resist the touch of death and with one last twitch, her disembodied head became still and the sudden heat that had filled the room vanished in an instant.

Behind them, barely noticed by the gathered mob of angry ponies, the shield fell, unleashing a swarm of changelings that descended upon the defenceless city. Rather than spreading out and following their invasion plan, the entire bulk of the changeling force made a beeline straight for the wedding hall, intent on protecting their queen from whatever had made her feel a sudden surge of terror.

“Please, you have to believe me! I just wanted your love!” the queen yelled, her foot slipping at the edge of the window. “I just wanted to give my changeling’s a home in equestria, I never meant to truly hurt anyone especially not like this. You have to believe me!”

In a matter of seconds the mass of angry ponies had begun to bear down on her, pushing her to the edge of the tower and near one of the shattered windows. The changeling queen sensed no fear, no hesitation, and no pity, these ponies had witnessed the death of the most beloved individual in millennia and they were out for blood. Even after seeing their princess decapitated by the triumphant changeling queen, there wasn't a pony still standing that feared sharing such a fate.

A quick check of her love reserves told Chrysalis that she couldn't overpower so many, her fight with the princess of the sun had been short, but it had robbed her of nearly every ounce of energy she had left. Meanwhile the slowly advancing mob of ponies suddenly broke into a run the instant somepony yelled, “KILL HER!” at the top of their lungs.

The yell was met by a wordless cry of rage, everypony not wounded by the blowback of the magical duel or out cold from shock sprinting towards the changeling queen with hate in their eyes.

The queen leaped back, her finely tuned muscles carrying her several metres out of the tower and into the air before her wings caught her. She wanted to yell something defiant, something that would strike fear into the hearts of her enemies, but she couldn't even bring herself to do that and she reluctantly turned, beating a hasty retreat towards her awaiting swarm.

The changeling leading the swarm stopped as their leader approached, one hand pressed against her black plate mail over where her heart would be. “My queen, the swarm is ready to… Where are you going?”

“Home, you idiots! The princess is dead and Luna is coming. Turn around now! I do not want the general of my army to end up as a green stain on the pavement.” The queen turned, uncaring if her children followed, Chrysalis’ wings carrying her directly towards their home in the Badlands.

The rest of the swarm reluctantly followed, confused as to why a veritable buffet of love was being left behind, but unwilling to voice dissent against their queen. The general that had questioned the queen following after a moment of hesitation, the female glancing back at the row of angry ponies glaring up at them through shattered windows. As the details of the duel dissented through the swarm, the assembled changelings flew faster, fear of retaliation and the potential implications of the death of the sun mover aiding their flight.

Back in the hall, Twilight held the severed head of her teacher tight against her chest, not noticing the blood beginning to soak into her shredded and dirty dress and pooling around her hooves. Her friends stood awkwardly nearby, with Rarity being the first to take a step forward intent on trying to console the unicorn but ultimately backing down, and thinking better of it.

What words could she possibly say to heal the hurt in her friend’s heart? What could she possibly do to ease the pain of someone grieving the death of a mother? In Rarity’s cowardice she fell back in line with the rest of Twilight’s friends, head held low in defeat. The rest of the crowd gathered round their fallen princess, confusion, anger and grief rolling through them like a wave, nopony sure of what to do or what to say.

The crowd’s confusion was interrupted by a blur of midnight blue that flew through the nearby window and reformed next to the decapitated alicorn’s body. Luna’s wide, fearful eyes quickly fell on the body of her fallen sister that laid, twisted and broken on the formerly pristine marble floor. “Oh sister…” the alicorn muttered, tears falling from her cheeks.

An unspoken command seemed to slip through the crowd and they silently made their way to the nearest exit. The death of an alicorn had spoken to them, driving them into a rage that knew no bounds, but without a source for that anger it flickered and died quickly. Leaving only the unpleasant realization that they were treading upon a scene that was intensely personal to both Twilight and Luna. The alicorn’s sadness had spread through the ponies like a plague and all knew well just how unwanted they were in that moment.

Even the five heroes, Cadence and even Shining Armor ultimately left, unsure of what to do but knowing instinctively that their remaining princess required space. They wanted to say something, to stay with their friend in their time of need but Luna’s presence demanded their absence and they could do naught but obey.

With regret heavy in their heart, they filed out of the hall and shut the door firmly behind them.

Luna leaned down and gently pulled Twilight’s forelegs open, retrieving her sister’s head from the distraught unicorn. Twilight didn't seem to notice Luna’s presence and simply curled up into a tight ball, slowly rocking back and forth as tears streamed down her face.

Luna wanted nothing more than to console her sister’s student, but she knew what must be done, a memory came unbidden to her mind and suddenly remembered a line from one of her sister’s lessons from when they were young. “An alicorn must stand tall, always, we must not falter, and above all we must give faith to our little ponies.” Whispered Luna.

Luna reverently floated Celestia’s head over to her body, smiling softly as she recalled the words her sister had repeated so often. “A princess must be commanding, strong, a seemingly indestructible bulwark against the horrors that assault our little ponies.”

The lunar princess used her magic to stitch her sister’s head back onto her body, knowing full well that it would accomplish little at this point. Luna knew in her heart that her sister would not want to be seen like that, even in death the alicorn knew Celestia would want to appear proud, and able to inspire her little ponies even while in the next world.

With her job done Luna pressed her lips against the fallen alicorn’s head and whispered a goodbye no one but her would ever hear.

Emotions held back by shock and grief surged within her and she swept over to the lavender mare, scooping up the smaller pony and clutching her tightly against her chest. Luna knew pain, suffering and grief, to her they were old friends that she was visiting once again. To Twilight however, they were new, fresh and the young mare knew not how to deal with the crushing despair that followed in their wake. All the little pony could do was wrap her arms around the more steadfast mare and cling to the alicorn like a distraught foal who had just experienced their first true sense of loss.

Time soon lost all meaning to the two mares and it was only after the city was declared secure by a nervous guard did Luna finally stand. With powerful arms the alicorn held Twilight close to her chest, allowing the unicorn to stay near her as she commanded the guard. As Luna took stock of the situation and quelled any panic, Twilight continued to cling tight to the alicorn’s chest until long after she had run out of tears.

Only when the alicorn had laid her down did Twilight finally seem to realize the world around her existed.

The first thing Twilight noticed that it was darker then she had last noticed and the setting sun was lingering at the horizon for far longer than what seemed normal. Twilight blinked, looking around and quickly finding Luna standing at the balcony, her horn alight with power as her hands gripped the railing tightly. Her jaw was clenched tightly, her muscles coiled and for a moment her magic flared dangerously before the sun finally set, making way for the moon.

With a sigh the alicorn tried to turn, only for her hooves to immediatly falter and threaten to send the alicorn to the floor in a heap. Luna reacted quickly though, and grabbed onto the balcony’s railing, which she was forced to cling to for support.

“L-luna?” the unicorn whispered.

The alicorn waved away the other mare’s concern, slowly walking over to the bed and falling heavily on the side. “Sol is more temperamental than I remembered and she is not taking the news very well.”

Normally Twilight would be intrigued by the name, and curious about the fact that the sun had been referred to as a living being but right now, all those questions seemed so utterly frivolous in the face of what had just happened. Twilight slipped out from under the sheets, a little surprised to find that she was wearing only her undergarments, which were surprisingly clean.

“My apologies Twilight Sparkle. You were unresponsive and I did my best to preserve your dignity.” Explained Luna.

The unicorn merely nodded before slipping her arms around the alicorn. For a long moment they sat there, staring off towards the horizon where the sun had been only moments ago.

“What do we do, Luna?” Twilight whispered.

The alicorn’s angry expression quickly fled in the face of despair and even Luna’s starry hair fell still. “I don't know,” she whispered.

There was only darkness.

No void, no emptiness, but rather a clinging absence of light that filled everything. My hearing seemed to function and yet there was no sound, I could feel my arms and legs move but they could not touch. My voice was gone, my cries of panic ringing only through my own head as I screamed into the darkness.

Time had no meaning here, with nothing to track the passage of it I could not be sure if it had been minutes, hours or years before something finally changed.

But when it did, it was hard to not to see it coming.

A great explosion of light shot forth from the endless darkness, wiping away the limitless void and replacing it with a burning crescendo of fire and fury.

My very being was wiped away in an instant, the pure white light searing me from existence. Though I had feared the complete annihilation of my being, the light instead seemed to shift me somewhere else, somewhere… warm, rather than truly annihilate me like I had first assumed it was doing.

Sensation suddenly flowed through me and with a startled yelp I opened my eyes, my body jerking into wakefulness all at once.

“Calm yourself, my friend,” a soothing, motherly voice whispered.

I turned my head towards the source, instantly noticing a strange floating woman that had a long ivory horn growing on her forehead and a massive pair of wings tucked neatly against her back. As I continued to stare I noticed that she wasn't all there, pieces of herself were missing, holes clearly evident in her form and showing up sporadically across her body in various sizes.

“Well, you certainly aren't what I expected an angel to look like,” I remarked.

The woman blinked, temporarily taken aback, only to burst into a fit of laughter. “I am no angel and this is no afterlife, though my knowledge of human culture is over a thousand years out of date so maybe there are humans who believe heaven looks like the inside of a star.”

“Human culture… what are you then, and more importantly, where are we?” I inquired nervously, casting a curious glance to our new surroundings.

All around us was a great swirling mass of flames that seemed to spring into existence a few metres away and then spread on into infinity. Despite the presence of such intense and all consuming fire it was remarkably pleasant and I feared no imminent fiery death, though I couldn't tell you why.

“I am afraid we are contained within Sol, my sun. Sun with a u, that is,” remarked the strange creature with a giggle.

I cocked my head at the use of the word Sol, only now realizing the implications of such a word in this context. My eyes flew open and I stared at the woman with newfound fascination.

We stood clothless in the light, and after a moment of panic I noticed that certain features were missing, making us little more than sexless dolls of some kind. Her proportions were generous, bringing to mind the image of an ancient fertility goddess, but right then I didn't care about such a thing as my eyes were drawn up to her eyes and more importantly, her hair.

I realized right then and there that her eyes had that odd violet, pinkish tinge that my doll back home had, eyes which suited her flowing, aetherial hair perfectly. I gasped, recoiling from the sudden realization as it settled in fully.

“Celestia?” I whispered.

The being flinched, and looked at me in a mixture of confusion, and fear. “How did you know my name? I have not been to the human realm in many centuries.”

“You were a character in a show I watched,” I muttered.

Rather than be startled by the news that she was a fictional character, the alicorn merely nodded sagely. “Then you are not one of the humans I knew, and it is likely that Starswirl was correct.” She shook her head suddenly. “That does not matter anymore, I can feel Sol stirring and I fear we will have to cut this conversation short for now.”

As if on cue, a presence suddenly emerged from the wall of flames, taking on a shape similar to Celestia’s, if the alicorn was entirely made of fire, that is. Sol floated towards us, gaining definition as it approached until it became nearly a perfect copy of the woman beside me, only more primal in a way that I couldn't quite place. The closest approximation I could possibly make was a person wearing a green morphsuit who then had the surface of the sun digitally transposed where its skin should be, even then with such an… inelegant description obviously did not do the creature any justice whatsoever.

Before I could further analyze the bizarre creature, it opened its mouth and roared at Celestia. Or at least, I think it was a roar. It was like opening a door into a raging house fire, a thousand flames all voicing their angry dissent at once.

The alicorn winced, pulling back from the raging creature. “I know, dear Sol, I know. I did not plan on leaving you, this is as much a surprise to you as it is to me.”

That seemed to quiet the flaming alicorn somewhat and it shook its head, its voice becoming less a raging inferno and more like the sound of a dozen gentle campfires flickering in the wind.

Celestia cocked her head at the creature’s remark, while I chose to remain wisely silent. “I don't understand. You cannot force me back into the realm of the living, my soul is damaged and I am destined for the eternal plains of great Elysium,” Celestia whispered softly and sadly, as if she were speaking down to an angry, petulant child and doing her best to calm it.

The creature reared back and roared with an intensity that would have no doubt hurt my ears, if I was a being of flesh and blood that is. Celestia herself seemed similarly overcome by the inferno, clamping her hands over her ears as she wilted under the creature’s expression of boundless anger.

Finally when the rage petered out, the creature raised its hands, creating a fiery outline that I recognized as belonging to Celestia. I watched as the creature seemed to pour part of itself into this strange shell, until Celestia herself seemed to realize what was happening. “No! Sol you can't do that! Souls don't work that way!” The alicorn reached down, only to have her hand batted away by an angry Sol.

The alicorn grabbed Sol’s arm, trying to rip the creature’s arm away from the glowing shell. “You can't do that! He is innocent in all this!”

I gulped, silently moving a step back from whatever it was that was happening. “Should I be worried?” I asked hesitantly.

Celestia wrapped her arms around the creature’s waist and heaved to no affect. “Sol is trying to use your soul to fill in the damaged holes left in mine! If you don't wish to have your soul obliterated, I suggest you help!”

I sprinted over to the creature and tried to grip one of its arms but they were like corded steel and the frantic tugging of my own pitiful limbs did little to dissuade the creature who completely ignored me. The alicorn and I shifted slightly, both gripping the creature’s right arm and pulling with all our combined might. “Come on, you flaming jackass! I have a right to existence to ya know!” I yelled.

With a slight heave it shrugged us off and continued its work, its hands becoming brighter by the second, until I could see parts of my feet growing wispy and floating towards the shell. Celestia gasped at the sight and covered her mouth. “Oh no,” she muttered.

I turned to her, terror in my eyes. “What do I do? What do I do?” I asked frantically.

“I don't know! This is unlike anything I’ve ever seen!” Celestia yelled back, before trying to light her horn only to receive not even a single spark for her effort. “I don't have a focus, I can't use my magic!”

I grabbed her shoulders and shook. “Think! I don't want to die, not again!”

The panic I had seen coursing through the mare’s features seemed to falter and she looked me in the eye with a strangely defeated, yet proud expression. “I am not sure if this will work, but stand back.”

I released her shoulders and took a step back as instructed, trying not to think about the fact that everything up until our waists were now gone, everything below that having been sucked into the shell. Celestia’s hands began to glow, gaining the attention of Sol who roared at us once more, this time instead of rage it sounded strangely… desperate?

I felt hope surge within me and I looked over to Celestia whose eyes were closed, her face tight in an expression of complete concentration. “What are you doing? I thought you said you couldn't use your magic?” I wasn't sure how, but some deep part of me seemed to know that she was indeed using some manner of magic.

“I can't use mine, so I’m using hers,” Celestia muttered, a look of pain suddenly flashing through her features.

Instantly I was at her side, my hand on her shoulder. “Are you alright? Is there anything I can do to help?”

Celestia shook her head sadly. “I am trying to ensure we will both remain after this is done but I fear I may get left behind.”

Knowledge that had up until this point been a faint trickle at the back of my mind seemed to surge and instantly I knew exactly what she was trying to do, though I knew not how I came into this knowledge. “No, you can't. I’m not worth it Celestia!”

I reached out to grab her wrists, only to find my hands were gone, having disintegrated up to my elbows.

The alicorn smiled faintly, in a manner not unlike the smile of a proud mother. “Don't worry, my friend. I will not leave you entirely.”

Sol raged, her flaming cries making more and more sense by the second. They were sad, mournful and increasingly desperate, a small almost childish voice barely audible through the raging inferno. “Don't leave me! Celestia, you promised! You swore you’d never leave me alone again!” it cried, over and over, begging Celestia to stop even while it continued to work faster and faster, trying to outrun the alicorn’s attempts.

I spared one last glance down at my almost non-existent form, watching as my upper body distigrated completely. “Celestia, you can't do this. You mean so much to so many of them. I am nobody!” I pleaded.

The alicorn shook her head. “I will not stand idly by while an innocent suffers because of me.”

“I’m no one important, you lead a country and give hope to thousands.” I shouted. “You’ll die, Celestia! Permanently!”

The alicorn shook her head, her hair slowly disintegrating into nothingness. “There's a chance I will remain but if I don't make it back to Equestria, then I beg of you. Take care of them, my friend. Take care of my little ponies and give them faith that everything will work out in the end.”

I tried to scream, to tell the alicorn that it was not worth the price, but I found my lips unresponsive and most of my face gone, save for my eyes and ears. With little else to do I was forced to watch as the last bits of Celestia disintegrated, vanishing into the now distinctive shell. As the last traces of the alicorn vanished, Sol screamed in rage and sadness but otherwise seemed unable to stop her spell.

“You promised!” she cried, tears of liquid fire rolling down her cheeks. “Celestia you promised me!”

I could do nothing as my essence was finally consumed, with the last image being of a weeping sister, flaming tears rolling down her flickering features.

Luna clenched and unclenched her fists, trying every trick in the book to ensure she didn't allow herself to reach out and strangle the terrified guard before her. The royal guard had dropped his spear and had backed away nervously, making himself smaller and shrinking away from the enraged alicorn. “What exactly do you mean by ‘they took parts of her’?” she whispered through gritted teeth.

The guard’s shaking intensified, his ceremonial armor rattling. “T-t-they just snuck right in and sliced off pieces of the princess, then vanished!”

Luna’s eyes darkened, her hair becoming a deeper color of black than the guard pony had thought possible. “Find Guard Captain Gleaming and bring her to me.” The alicorn’s eyes narrowed at the quivering pony. “NOW!”

The guard shot up, his legs carrying him to the door as quickly as they possibly could.

With the guard gone, Luna sighed, running a hand through her hair and trying to ignore the fact that their much vaunted royal guard had failed to protect even a corpse. The alicorn looked down and groaned, pinching her brow with two fingers. “Of course he would forget his spear.”

Choosing to ignore that last tidbit of information, Luna walked over to the glass separating her from the room where her sister’s body was being held. What lay beyond was a small stone room that had only a single small light source, which was in the form of a crystal embedded in the roof. There was no decoration along the walls, nothing to help a thief figure out that this dangerous materials room was any different than the rest that filled this wing of the castle.

The alicorn shook her head, noticing right away that all of the dummy crates they had lined the room with had been ignored, save for a single wooden crate that now rested in the center of the room, its top pried open and resting next to it. Reluctantly the alicorn turned the door handle and slipped into the room, committed to going about the grim task of identifying which parts of her sister had been stolen.

Luna wanted to be angry, to feel the pleasant touch of rage that would wash away her sorrow, yet the feeling refused to come. With great reluctance the alicorn peered over the side of the crate, forcing herself to look upon the visage of her deceased sibling.

“Oh Tia, what have they done to you?” she muttered.

Within the box lay Celestia’s body, the pristine and relaxed pose she had been set in having been ruined by the defilers who had hacked off her left hand. Worse still, the sole remaining eye that had not been burnt away had been plucked from her skull and Luna was only faintly aware of the fact that there were other pieces missing as well but that fact was washed away as her anger finally seemed to react to her call.

“HOW DARE THEY!” Luna Boomed, her voice rattling the very stone walls around her.

Just as her anger threatened to overcome her completely, it suddenly fizzled out, making the alicorn collapse to her knees, her cheek resting against the corpse’s side as tears flowed in twin rivers of agony. “How could they?” Luna whispered.

“I finally get you back, after all this time and that harlot takes you from me.” Luna slammed a fist against the wooden box, destroying a chunk of the iron reinforced box. “It's not fair!”

The alicorn collapsed and wept openly, gripping her sister’s one remaining hand in both of her own, ignoring the disturbing, and unpleasant sensation of her sibling’s dead flesh. For longer than she cared to admit Luna lay there, crying out her anger and sadness into the empty silence of the warehouse.

Until something changed, and she felt the hand held in her own twitch suddenly. With a gasp the alicorn jumped up, gripping the hand tightly. “Celestia? Oh please tell me this has all been a nightmare, or a very, very elaborate excuse to take a vacation.”

The hand twitched, then the body followed suit, Celestia’s empty eyes suddenly filling with two flickering blue flames that occupied the formerly empty holes.

“Hello?” I asked.

Author's Note

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Curiosity and Conciliation

“Hello,” I asked, confused over where I was, and why I felt as though I were in two different locations simultaneously. “Is anyone there?”

“Who said that? Who's dares to try my patience?” Asked a female voice from somewhere close by.

“I did. I think…” I trailed off.

My brain had finally put together the fact that my body had been separated from my head and I was literally and figuratively beside myself in confusion. I recalled my past life, I remembered the meeting with Celestia and Sol, I knew how that had ended but why was I here? A better question was where was here and who had spoken just now.

“Tia, are you alive? How is this possible?” A voice I identified as Luna asked.

“I don't… I don't know what's going on,” I hesitantly replied.

A second later my view of the ceiling was obscured by the tear-strewn face of what looked like an anthropomorphized Luna. She looked grief-stricken and confused but there was also anger in her tense features and furrowed brow. It was obvious even at a glance that my sudden appearance was not a wholly welcome one.

“I will not have my sister’s corpse puppeted by one of Grogar’s dread spirits. Prepare to taste oblivion, shade,” Luna spat, her horn already glowing.

“Wait. I’m not-” I tried to explain only for a blast of magic to strike me in the face.

When nothing happened I was every bit as confused as Luna appeared to be. The spell washed over me, and though I felt a tug at my very soul, I remained bound to the body of Celestia. This unpleasant feeling soon faded, leaving behind only more questions, as well as a suddenly quite relieved Luna.

“You are not the spirit I had feared you to be but I have a feeling you are not the person I had hoped you were,” Luna offered, plucking my head from the small wooden box and holding it at arm’s length. “Speak, and speak truthfully lest I consign your soul to non existance.”

“I…” For a moment I considered lying, of asserting that I was indeed Celestia, but that was such an obviously foolish endeavor that I abandoned it immediately and instead chose the truth. “I am or at least was, a human. I had died in a freak accident which left my soul wandering what I can only imagine was the void.”

“I see… go on,” Luna murmured, her face unreadable.

“I was trapped there for I don't know how long but that changed when something fiery plucked me from this state of semi nonexistence,” I continued, my words slowing as I grew more and more confident that Luna wasn't about to shred my essence to its base components and scatter me through the aether. “Celestia called this… thing. Sol.”

“You spoke to her,” Luna exclaimed, raising my head level with her own and looking me in the eye. “So she lives.”

“I don't know,” I admitted. “There was a struggle of some kind. Sol was using me like iron, melting me down so that my being could be used to save Celestia.”

“That is beyond the power of such an entity, unless…” Luna seemed ready to say something but dropped it and shook her head. “No matter. Continue your tale, spirit.”

“Celestia resisted. She tried to tell Sol that her time was up and that unmaking me was a crime she could not allow but it wouldn't listen,” I professed, hoping against hope that she could detect the truth and honesty in my voice.

Luna seemed at least somewhat convinced, but her gaze was distant, and her jaw set, the alicorn’s mind wandered elsewhere even while she continued to listen.

“It tried to sacrifice me but instead Celestia sacrificed herself. This was all despite my protests. She is or I suppose was an alicorn, her life was worth more than mine ever did,” I stated.

“That does indeed sound like Celestia,” Luna muttered with a sigh.

“And yeah… After that something happened, I don't know what but then I was here,” I concluded. “Though I’m not wholly certain where here is.”

“You are in Canterlot,” Luna replied after a short pause. “Contained within the hazardous materials wing of the storage area beneath Canterlot castle, to be more precise.”

“Ahh, so it just happened then,” I half asked, half stated.

“Yesterday,” Luna answered.

She stepped over to my body, seemingly intent on dropping my head back into my lap but was surprised when I sat up. I hadn't even thought of it, I just moved on instinct, extending my arms and reaching out towards my head.

“I suppose this is yours,” Luna remarked mirthlessly.

“Thank you… Luna,” I murmured, accepting my head back and holding it at stomach height in both hands. “I was starting to get the strangest sense of vertigo.”

“Hmm yes this is all rather strange,” Luna agreed.

A sudden knock on the door broke the pregnant silence that hung in the air between us.

“Are you alright princess? I heard voices,” called the voice of a guard.

I realized at that moment that I had gotten lucky. Obscured from sight behind several crates, I could not be seen by the guards, at least for the moment anyway.

“Leave me!” Luna shouted. “And take the other guards with you. I require a moment alone.”

“But-”

“I gave you an order!” Luna bellowed, her voice shaking the walls.

The guard didn't respond, at least not with words anyway, as his hooved feet could be heard sprinting down the hall at full speed.

“They don't seem the most competent,” I remarked.

Luna snorted.

“They let someone chop the horn off my sister, and pluck an eyeball from her skull,” Luna pointed out. “Calling them incompetent is a damn compliment.”

I crossed my eyes and looked up to where I assumed Celestia would have a horn but found only empty space. My curious hand confirmed that it was flat and that the organ had indeed been fully removed post-death.

“How morbid,” I muttered, mostly to myself.

“I shudder to imagine what foul deeds will be accomplished with such potent alchemical ingredients,” Luna remarked, lip curled in disgust. “Whatever comes of this defilement, it shall not be good.”

“Perhaps you should confine me to someplace more secure while you go about seeking your sister’s missing um, parts,” I offered.

“Strange, I did not think you would be quite so amenable to the idea of incarceration,” Luna offered, her tone carrying with it a hint of accusation.

“Let us face facts here. That was always going to happen. It is best for me to simply submit,” I retorted. “Unless you wish to fight someone in such a sorry state as I.”

“That would be unsporting, and at best a desecration of my sister’s memory,” Luna dismissed.

“So, is there some manner of secret passage around here?” I asked, glancing about the place. “Because I do not think it wise to have me moving about the halls of the castle under my own power.”

“Ha! No,” Luna exclaimed with a chuckle. “My sister designed this place, so it is frighteningly lacking in the secret passage department.”

Which means the other castle was likely your design. I thought to myself. Interesting.

“Now then,” Luna continued, raising her hands and lighting her horn. “Merely remain still so that I may send you to my inner sanctum. At least there I can trust you to not lose any more parts”

I said nothing, and remained motionless, merely observing as Luna went through the motions of casting her spell. First, she gathered power, then she suffused me with it, causing my body to glow faintly, and grow slightly warm. Then, just as I began to wonder how long it would take, I felt the ground disappear from beneath me, and in a flash, I was somewhere else.

Unfortunately for me, the transition was a jarring one, and I accidentally dropped my head the moment I landed. The ensuing tumble was uncomfortable, to say the least, and I felt my body tumble as I lost my balance. Once the world stopped spinning, I looked around, seeking out the rest of me but quickly getting distracted.

I was lying in the middle of a magical circle of some kind, a six-pointed star emblazoned on the floor, with tall braziers burning with soft blue light at the tip of each point. Around me, just beyond a rather complex web of interconnected wards and runes was an enormous library. No, there may be books present, a lot of them, but this was no library, this was a wizard’s hidden sanctum.

Tomes lay open on nearly every workspace, and a long marble table sat empty only a dozen or so feet away from me. There were three, no, wait, four different levels to the room, with each containing doors that led off to what were likely smaller adjoining rooms. Faintly burning blueish-purple candles floated in small clusters above the ground, adding an eerie illumination to the entire area. There were also paintings, desks, experiments, and a fair number of in-process art projects but I couldn't see any of those things in detail from my current position.

“Wow,” I murmured.

Rising from the ground, I for the first time, got a good look at my body, though it was perhaps more accurate to call it Celestia’s body. That didn't feel right. It was mine, at least for now, and I would treat it as such.

Regardless, I was wearing a thin white dress that covered me completely, and even draped onto the ground. Its edges were embroidered with gold, while around my stump of a neck was an intricate web of bright yellow designs that resembled a stylistic rising sun. It was minimal, and polite, exactly the type of garb you may expect to adorn a royal corpse destined for some tomb somewhere.

Before my mind, or my head, could get away from me again, I plucked my skull from the ground and held it low against my stomach. I would not drop it again I assured myself.

With my parts more or less where they should be, I let my curiosity take over and I began to wander around. I did not make it far, however, as I soon hit an invisible wall of force as hard and unwavering as steel. A slam of my fist did nothing, and neither did a punch, a kick, or my bitter, indignant growling done under my breath.

I expected to be imprisoned, don't get me wrong, but that didn't mean I was happy about this turn of events.

To sate my curiosity, I tested the edges of the barrier and found that yes, sure enough, it was a complete circle. There were no gaps to tug at or weaknesses that I could spot. I was trapped. With little else to do, I stood in the center of the circle and turned towards a distant set of important-looking double doors, waiting for Luna to return.

The thought that this imprisonment may be permanent was disconcerting, to say the least, but it wasn't the worst possible outcome. That was getting annihilated, and it seemed as though I had dodged that bullet for the moment though only time could tell how long my luck would hold. Getting slightly bored, I studied myself as best as I could, testing my senses and body.

I felt strong, very strong and there was some force, or energy that flowed within my bones that seemed to feed this strength. That was likely my earth pony strength, or whatever they called it in this more mature, anthro universe of theirs. Regardless of its name, there was a lot of it there, just beneath the surface, waiting to be called upon should I need it.

I chose not to do that, as working with Luna was likely the better option, even if I was speaking objectively. Sure there was still the chance that she did something cruel, but what would be the benefit to her? She seemed to believe my story, and though she likely didn't enjoy the fact I was possessing her sister’s corpse, I had made it clear this wasn't voluntary.

I brushed aside those concerns for the moment and chose to focus on my senses once more.

Other than being exceptionally strong, I could also see perfectly despite the fact that I didn't even have eyeballs. I found that out when I had been busy flexing and nearly dropped my head only to end up grabbing my skull like a bowling ball in order to arrest its fall. Though uncomfortable, it thankfully wasn't painful, and I at least found out that I lacked traditional eyes.

That didn't explain how I was able to see, especially so well, but being a corpse, not a lot of things made traditional biological sense. I shouldn't have been able to smell, but I was able to detect the scent of dusty tomes, dripping wax, and burning candles. I could also hear the subtle flickering of those same candles, though that was the only sound I was able to pick up.

I nearly gave up my sensory exploration when I felt a distant presence. It felt like a powerful energy source that was rapidly approaching, causing my ears to prick. I didn't know why, but it was almost like I could sense what I assumed to be a soul, and a large one at that.

Sure enough, Luna appeared a moment later, though she wasn't alone, a second smaller creature walked alongside her. Resembling a bipedal female Shining Armor, her glow was so faint in comparison to Luna’s that it was hidden by the alicorn’s presence. I pushed away this strange sort of sight and mustered as best a smile I was capable of despite my circumstances.

“Good evening Luna, and Gleaming Shield I presume?” I began, glancing expectantly at the other new arrival.

“You are correct,” Luna stated, her underling remaining silent as they strode up to the edge of the circle. “I assume you have some sort of access to my sister’s memories?”

“Sort of. I have a feeling Celestia was the type to memorize the face and name of all who worked with her,” I replied.

“That much is true,” Luna murmured. “Regardless, Gleaming here is the head of my night guard, and currently my right hand in military matters.”

“Ahh so you are at least partially to blame for my current state,” I remarked, waving a hand over my neck.

“Unfortunately,” Gleaming muttered, her voice deeper than anticipated.

“I would not agree with such a statement,” Luna interrupted, placing her hands behind her back. “She is one of the few pushing for modernization within the military. My night guard accepted these reforms eagerly, seeing this as the perfect time to modernize, but the other branches of the military are less eager to embrace change.”

“I’m going to assume that you are attempting to adopt a more meritocratic overall structure,” I offered, glancing at Gleaming expectantly.

“I am,” Gleaming murmured, an eyebrow raised in slight surprise.

“And that the current system allows for nobles, and other unelected individuals a hand in the advancement of officers,” I pressed, recalling some research I did into eighteenth-century warfare and rank structure.
“Correct again,” Gleaming muttered.

“With introductions out of the way,” Luna interrupted pointedly, stepping forward. “Let us get to the true heart of why we are here.”

“By all means,” I offered.

“To start with, I will be imprisoning you for the foreseeable future,” Luna stated. “You pose too much of a risk to the public and I am not wholly convinced that you are not some manner of shade, or specter that has managed to steal the corpse of my sister.”

“Understandable,” I replied. “I would merely request a few books to help pass the time, and the occasional conversation in order to stave off madness.”

“I find your terms acceptable,” Luna remarked, her shoulders falling slack, a burden lifting from her. “And though it pains me, I must thank you for your cooperation in all of this. I cannot imagine how much worse this entire debacle would be if someone wearing my sister’s face was out there, adding to my long list of troubles.”

“If you’d like I wouldn't mind wearing a veil, or mask and submitting to a voice change spell,” I offered, stepping forward to the very edge of the barrier. “This must be painful enough for you without me looking and speaking like her.”

“I…” Luna muttered, the so far impassive alicorn blinking in surprise. She adapted quickly, however, stowing her shock and giving me a small, pained smile. “Gleaming and I will provide something to that effect shortly. For now, I wish to know more about you. Where you came from, who you were before you came here.”

“I was a simple guy,” I began, pausing to see how best to phrase things. “I worked a middling job as a manager at a local pizza place. I had a normal family, a few brothers, and two parents though they passed away a few years ago,” I paused, my brow furrowing. “Would you like for me to say all this under some manner of oath or under the effects of a truth spell?”

“The circle has one inlaid,” Gleaming stated.

I glanced down at the array of runes and magical symbols with newfound appreciation.

“Ahh, right. Where was I?” I cleared my non-existent throat before continuing. “I was average for lack of a better word. I wasn't the most sociable person ever but I was rarely lonely and had a few friends.”

“Why weren't you the most sociable?” Luna pressed.

“I can be a bit cold at times,” I reluctantly admitted. “Overly analytical, and divorced of emotion, a lot of people find my presence uncomfortable.”

“You seemed more emotional earlier,” Luna pointed out.

“I had lost my usual cool due to the strangeness of everything,” I replied with a shrug.

“Would it be fair to say you are a dispassionate person?” Luna asked.

“That is not an unfair characterization,” I murmured.

“You have adapted to your situation rather quickly,” Luna pointed out. “Most would cry foul for the hand fate has given them, or rage at the injustice of imprisonment.”

“I’m alive, in a sense,” I hastily added, my lips moving on their own. “So for the moment, I am content to simply continue existing.”

“Do you see those desires changing with time?” Luna prodded.

“Yes,” I answered. “I have little doubt that I will crave freedom with a greater intensity over the coming weeks and months. However, I feel that is only natural given that I am a sort of living thing.”

“Hmmm,” Luna muttered.

“May I?” Gleaming offered, glancing at Luna.

“Of course,” Luna replied, gesturing toward me.

“Good. I have a few questions of my own,” Gleaming Shield stated.

The woman then stepped forward until she was only a few short feet away from me, the invisible wall being the only thing dividing us. At this distance, I realized that my initial assumption of her appearance had not been wholly true. Yes, her color scheme was identical to Shining Armor’s, but she was not an overly feminine woman.

She was well-muscled, and her armor covered so much of her that I could barely see an ounce of skin. Only her head was unadorned, revealing a heavily scarred face so covered in marks that it looked like someone had stuffed her head in a blender at some point. She had next to no hair atop her scalp, with what little was present having been cut down to the point that it was mere millimeters long. She was also an inch or two taller than Luna, though they both were shorter than me, even without my head being on my shoulders.

I silently cursed for barely giving her a second glance earlier and made a mental note to be a bit more observant in the future.

“Before we begin,” I interrupted. “Would you be opposed to a trade?”

“Such as?” Gleaming replied, her eyes narrowing slightly.

“A question for a question,” I stated.

“Fair. I start,” Gleaming declared. “What, if any are your future goals?”

“I… haven't given that much thought,” I murmured, taken aback by the question. “I would like to help people if at all possible. Though I never finished my degree, I am a fairly learned person and believe that the knowledge gathered in my past life would be of great benefit to the individuals of this world.”

“When these troubles end I would be more than happy to help facilitate this passing down of ideas,” Luna offered. “Provided they have value.”

“I am glad to hear it,” I declared, smiling softly.

“Alright, your turn,” Gleaming added.

“Right. Who are your immediate family members?” I asked.

“You don't have to answer that,” Luna interrupted.

“It’s fine,” Gleaming retorted bruskly. “Twilight Sparkle is my sister, and Shining Armor is my twin brother. My biological parents are Night Light and Twilight Velvet though the individuals who raised me are Comet Tail and Bolted Buckler.”

“Interesting,” I murmured.

“Are you particularly knowledgeable on the topic of military strategy, or adjacent topics?” Gleaming Shield inquired.

“I served in the military briefly in a non-combat role in order to pay for college,” I answered. “Beyond that rather minimal real-life experience, I am also an avid student of military history, strategy, and technology.”

“What kind of non-combat role?” Gleaming Shield pressed.

“That's two, but I’ll give that one to you for free. I was a cook,” I answered with a shrug. “It's not exactly the most thrilling of positions but I had to go through the same training as everyone else, and I did serve as the temporary logistics officer for the base after a number of my superiors fell ill suddenly. Food poisoning, though they got it when they were off base.”

“Hmm,” Gleaming Shield hummed to herself.

“Why do you differentiate between your birth parents and those who raised you?” I inquired.

“I was born with Twinkleshine’s disease, a common condition in twin unicorns that made me exceptionally susceptible to mana poisoning,” Gleaming Shield offered. “It wasn't especially debilitating until Twilight was born. After that, it became clear that one of us had to leave the house, and with my parents having finally gotten the prodigy they had always hoped for, I was quickly brushed aside.”

“So you were sent to live with these two individuals, I presume?” I asked.

“A second question, though I will grant you that much,” Gleaming retorted with a smirk. “Comet Trail is my father’s cousin. Bolted Buckler, his husband. They raised me in a small village south of Vanhoover where there were few other unicorns.”

“A small-town girl at heart I see,” I remarked.

“Green Hill will always be my home, but Canterlot is where I am needed,” Gleaming proclaimed, her voice containing a hint of pride.

“It is a good thing you grew out of your illness then,” I half asked half stated.

“Indeed, though I believe it is my turn,” Gleaming declared.

“Apologies, go ahead,” I offered.

“Which do you value more, order, or freedom?” Gleaming asked.

“That is an interesting question,” I muttered, pausing to think for a moment. “I would say order. For although freedom is good, without order it is meaningless.”

“But order without freedom is a cage,” Luna pointed out.

“True, though I think I’d choose a prison cell over complete lawless anarchy,” I replied. “At least then I would be guaranteed a place to sleep and enough to eat.”

“Hardly seems like a worthwhile life to me, but I believe this philosophical discussion has gone on long enough,” Luna dismissed.

“That was mostly out of curiosity. I suppose we can end things here,” Gleaming Shield stated.

“Wait. I have one final question of my own,” I intruded.

“Make it quick,” Gleaming shield snapped.

“How did you get those scars?” I asked, my curiosity having gotten the better of me.

“It's not as grandiose or dark a story as you may think,” Gleaming began, her fingers tracing a particularly unpleasant-looking scar on her cheek. “I got in a fistfight with an angry cougar.”

“I assume you won,” I prodded.

“I’m still here, aren't I?” Gleaming replied.

I smiled.

“We must be moving,” Luna prompted. “If there are any more delays Canterlot is liable to fall from the mountain, toppled by the mountain of complaints likely piling up as we speak.”

Gleaming Shield snorted irritably, but said nothing, merely walking alongside Luna to the exit. I watched them go, wondering about the strange questions I had been asked and what implications they may have for my future.

“What a strange person,” I muttered to myself. “Admirable, and interesting but strange.”

“That went better than anticipated,” Luna remarked, stepping through the door.

Gleaming Shield followed close behind, allowing the bookcase to slide back into place, hiding the door from sight.

“Indeed,” Gleaming agreed.

A pulse of magic sealed the hidden door and returned Luna’s private room to as close to normal as the dark domicile could hope for.

“Perhaps I should reinforce the runes,” Luna thought aloud. “No, that shouldn't be necessary. It can only summon the power of the earth due to its lack of horn, and status as an undead.”

“It could be capable of necromancy if it had the knowledge to do so,” Gleaming Shield offered.

“Hmm true,” Luna agreed. “It may also be capable of blessing someone like all alicorns, though I doubt it even knows that such a thing is even possible.”

“We should make a note not to reveal this information accidentally,” Gleaming stated.

“I’d also appreciate it if you overlooked our guest’s imprisonment personally. You may select a few more trustworthy guards, but make sure they are strong of will and not loose-lipped. I do not want word of this development escaping this room,” Luna stressed.

“It will be done,” Gleaming proclaimed.

“Good. It will be nice knowing that someone of competence is watching my back. I wish to avoid getting trapped in the dream realm and forced to fight hundreds of changelings a second time,” Luna growled, her fists clenching.

“I will see to it that those who failed in their duty are dealt with,” Gleaming added.

“Don't bother,” Luna dismissed. “They have already been demoted to maids.”

Gleaming snorted in an approximation of a laugh.

“One last thing, soldier,” Luna began, fixing Gleaming with a firm look. “I have heard several unfortunate rumors about your adopted family’s connections to the Scarlet Order. I presume that such whispers are baseless and born from jealousy?”

“It's not altogether untrue,” Gleaming reluctantly admitted. “Both of my fathers held fast to the old faith, though I believe their worship was harmless.”

“Harmless? You are aware of the order’s history of violence, are you not?” Luna pressed.

“I am, but it is my opinion that they held to the core tenets of the belief and were not influenced by the more radical sects. Such as those who believe you to be a demon, and the moon a gateway to some hellish otherworldly realm,” Gleaming explained, waving a dismissive hand in the air.

“Even without such ridiculous and nonsensical opinions, the order is not to be underestimated. They only exist in the first place due to my sister’s weakness, but they have persisted through the centuries due to some twisted belief in an end time they must prepare for,” Luna warned.

“I am aware of the prophecy,” Gleaming stated, her voice monotone and emotionless.

“And you are aware of how it may seem as though said prophecy is playing out right now?” Luna insisted, her gaze narrowing.

“This may be a once-in-a-lifetime tragedy, but I hardly believe that this is the beginning of the end,” Gleaming dismissed.

“Good. I have enough problems already, I would not wish to add a cult of sun-worshipping zealots to that already lengthy list,” Luna muttered.

“I would not worry for my loyalty. If I were part of such an organization they would have likely excommunicated me due to my close affiliation with you,” Gleaming added.

“Enough of this talk,” Luna growled. “Just discussing that damnable cult makes my blood boil. See to it that my orders are carried out. I must put an end to the panic no doubt running roughshod through the barracks.”

Without another word, Luna departed, leaving Gleaming Shield alone in the sovereign’s room. The woman glanced back over her shoulder, gaze lingering on the bookcase, her mind recalling the surprisingly vast hidden sanctum that lay just beyond. Thinking back to the conversation that had occurred within those strange halls drew a smile to the guard’s lips.

“We live in strange times,” she muttered to herself. “Strange times indeed.”

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The Desperation Of The Damned

The changeling general strode down the darkened hallway, her head held high. Her hooves clopped audibly against the ground, breaking the silence with every impact. In the distance a changeling coughed several times before falling silent, returning the quiet once more.

Despite the relative lack of noise, the hive was abuzz with activity, with drones running this way and that. They worked in almost complete quiet, each carrying out their task with a grim expression and a dark mood. The feeling of dread that hung over everything was palpable, and every changeling, the general included, could taste the fear that hung over everyone.

The general stopped and turned down a passageway before entering a small room. Here guards were posted, their spears shiny and their armor undamaged despite their participation in the invasion. They nodded, allowing the general to pass between them and into the larger space beyond.

As she moved past them, she got a whiff of their emotional state and could tell that there was a deep undercurrent of resentment there. There was also anger, depression, and anxiety which served as the uppermost layer, covering for the building hatred directed at their queen. The general nearly stopped and told them off, but she knew she couldn't really stop them from feeling the way they did.

After what happened, their emotions were not only understandable but they were also shared by the general herself. The only difference between them was that the general did a better job of pushing that further down and covering it with professionalism.

Glancing around the room, the changeling made a note of the dozens of empty pods that were arrayed on either wall. She had seen rooms like this all over the hive, the vast network of pods prepared for the presumed bounty now lying empty. Only a few of the available spots were filled, their occupants floating, blissfully asleep, and dreaming happy thoughts.

The sight of all those unoccupied spaces brought a scowl to the general’s face but she forced her expression to become neutral after a moment of quiet sulking. And just in time too, as she was approaching the back of the hall, where another guard waited, this one taller than the others she had passed. He, like the others, gave her a nod, but unlike the other two, carried a deep respect for her, much like the others who had worked closely with her did.

“General,” he offered.

“Centurion,” she replied, giving him a curt nod in return.

She passed him by, and entered the space beyond, stopping almost immediately after entering. Here the various organic pipes that moved liquid love converged to a central point, emerging from walls and floors to where a single vat waited. Here waited a tall, lanky changeling who lacked wings but compensated with a slightly longer horn. Staring down at a scrap of paper attached to a clipboard, the changeling didn't look up as the general entered the room.

“You seek to know how our stocks are doing,” she remarked tiredly.

“I do,” the general answered. “I have received reports from the other collection centers already. You are the last to chime in.”

“Then you know we do not have long,” murmured the other changeling, who paused and finally turned around, meeting the general’s fierce gaze with a tired, empty expression. “A month, or two if we cannibalize all the empty pods.”

“The harvesters will return shortly. I am sure our supply situation shall be improved,” the general replied hollowly.

“Then we aren't recycling the pods,” prodded the other changeling.

“Chrysalis has not decided on a course of action as yet,” the general replied, pausing to make sure she articulated her thoughts in a way that revealed as little as possible. “The panic started in Canterlot has extended to much of Equestria.”

“Give it a week and most of the world will follow in the pony’s wake. Soon everyone will be so terrified of us that it will be impossible to gather love,” muttered the changeling analyst darkly.

“That is not impossible, though I doubt more of the far-flung races will succumb to such fear,” the general replied.

“That doesn't mean much given our situation, now does it?” The analyst all but spat.

“That sounds an awful lot like an insult levied at the last queen of the changelings,” the general retorted, her gaze narrowing.

“If things continue, that title will become far more literal than anyone would like, but that will not come to pass,” the analyst rallied, standing a little straighter. “If our queen can rally the disparate tribes under one banner for the first time in millennia, I am sure she will be able to lead us through this dark time.”

“Careful analyst prime,” the general cautioned, detecting the true emptiness in the other changeling’s words. “You may not be easily replaced now, but that may change in the future.”

“If we have the love surplus to birth an analyst of my caliber I would be thrilled to end up recycled, but until that point comes to pass, I have a job to do and little time to entertain the prodding of our esteemed general,” the analyst spat back, meeting the general’s furious gaze head-on.

“Hmmm. As you were, analyst prime,” the general dismissed, turning back the way she came.

Now with a scowl on her face, the general departed, conflicting thoughts warring within her mind. A violent part of her wanted nothing more than to turn back around and strangle the brainy bug before dumping her corpse in the recycler. A thankfully bigger part of her knew that was foolish, not only because they could not replace her, but because of what that would do to morale.

They were on a razor’s edge at the moment, and the general knew that fear of the future could turn into revolutionary rage very quickly.

Trotting back into the hallway, the general was about to continue her inspections when a slightly short, rather wide changeling stumbled up to her.

“Sk-skitter,” the nursemaid panted, holding up a shaky hoof. “Wait, wait up.”

“This is unfortunate,” the general stated. “I had hoped you would still be lost in the lower levels.”

“I know…” The nurse paused to catch her breathe. “I know that you are not thrilled by my presence,” the nursemaid replied. “But the queen herself ordered me to. If I do not comply with her command I could-”

“You need not worry yourself, maid,” Skitter interrupted, holding up a hoof. “I will not send you away.”

“Thank you, ma’am,” she blubbered, ducking into a deep if somewhat awkward bow.

“Yes, well. Was there something you need?” General Skitter asked.

“I was hoping you would allow me a moment to inspect you,” the nursemaid answered. “You refused to do this morning and I must do at least one such inspection every day.”

“I do not understand why mother insists on such a thing, but so long as you can do so while walking then you may carry out her order,” Skitter spat.

“Well, I- oh alright yes! Just slow down slightly!” The nursemaid shouted as she scrambled to catch up to the general.

“I have little time to deal with mother’s overprotectiveness,” Skitter retorted.

“You must understand her position, however. You are the only true general that the queen mother was able to birth. You are invaluable to the hive!” the nursemaid shouted after Skitter.

“I am very aware of this fact, maid,” Skitter spat.

“Yes, well. At least you seem quite lively,” murmured the maid.

Skitter ignored the short-legged female all but sprinting after her in a desperate to keep up with her longer gait.The difference between them was great, with the general being nearly as large as Chrysalis, lacking only the telltale crown, and longer horn. Despite these differences, the general was bulkier, wider in parts, her chitin barely able to contain the raw strength hidden beneath.

“You are physically able,” the maid remarked, her horn powering down. “No chitin rot, or any avoidable illnesses of that nature.”

“I don't suspect that it will be the rot that gets me in the end,” Skitter proclaimed.

“Yes I suppose it's more likely that Luna, or someone as powerful as her would be the one to erm, defeat you,” the nursemaid offered.

“Are you saying that I am destined to be killed by a princess?” Skitter asked, stopping dead in her tracks and staring down at the nursemaid.

“N-n-no of course not! I j-just thought that I should try to be more friendly with you. Talk how you talk?” the nursemaid replied, wincing prematurely and shrinking down until she was little more than a black blob on the ground.

“Well it's working,” Skitter remarked.

“I’m sorry… what?” the nursemaid called.

But Skitter didn't slow down, her long legs carrying her down the hall faster than the tiny hooves of her assistant could ever dream of. Unlike before, the general did not leave the other changeling completely behind, waiting around each corner, careful to not leave her guessing. She didn't slow completely, however, meaning the smaller changeling had to perpetually run after her charge, never gaining more than an inch or two at a time.

Their game of chase ended when Skitter reached the entrance to the room that housed the throne. Normally such a space would be called a throne room, but that was no longer a suitable name for what it had become. The gold that had adorned the walls, and ringed the door had been striped, melted down, and sold in an effort to finance the invasion. Any bit of useful metal had been reforged into weapons, or armor, while the chitinous building material that had made up the busts and statues had been recycled for the meager love present within it.

Now it was just a room that had two big doors leading into it, indents made for gems or precious jewels empty and barren. The only bit of artistic flare that remained were the carvings, though Skitter was certain her mother would melt those down too if such a thing were possible.

Waiting on either side were the largest and eldest of the praetorians, two massive female drones that lacked both horn and wing but made up for it in size and strength.

“Greetings, general,” one offered, her voice so deep it rumbled. “It is good that you have come.”

“The queen mother has been… perturbed recently and your presence would be…” The second one picked up, only to trail off as worlds failed him.

“A kindness,” offered the other praetorian.

The general looked up at the closest of the pair, unbothered by the vast size difference and the fact that they wore a full suit of blackened plate while she was completely unadorned. She felt something in their voices despite both speaking in the usual flat, monotone manner that the low-intelligence drones did. Despite their lack of higher-level thinking, they were not stupid, and even they could feel the tension that hung in the air.

“I hope I am able to dismiss this disquieting atmosphere that now hangs over us,” the general replied, carefully choosing her words.

“We have felt the respect the soldiers have for you and we find ourselves… moved by it,” rumbled the changeling to the right.

“Your actions at the south gate were… inspired,” added the other.

Skitter frowned, and weighed her response, feeling out the true reason for what they had said beneath the words they had spoken. Praetorians may not be the most quick-witted of individuals, but they were exceptionally empathetic. Their finely honed sense of empathy allowed them to feel the entire battlefield at once, while their dense web of instincts kept this information from becoming overwhelming. Thus they could feel the boisterous confidence of an individual attacking from behind, believing they had the advantage, and react accordingly. This also meant that particularly powerful emotions sometimes became their own.

“Revealing myself in such a manner may not have been advisable, but it was worth it to distract the defenders and allow the surrounded squad to slip away,” Skitter replied after a pause. “And it all worked out in the end I suppose.”

“Did it?” Asked one of the guards.

“It did,” Skitter stated firmly.

The pair exchanged a look before one of them reached for the door.

“Please, enter,” one offered.

“And put that confidence to use,” added the other.

Skitter ignored the undercurrents of disloyalty that traveled beneath the praetorian’s words. Like the others she had seen, they too harbored notions that some would consider treasonous. But like them, those thoughts would likely quiet if they simply went to bed with a full belly, and had a little confidence in their future.

Or at least, that's what the general hoped anyway.

“No, we can't do that. The love carriers are already overtaxed as they are,” murmured a voice. “The griffins are a possibility, but that would require a long-term investment that we simply can't muster.”

Skitter stood in the entrance and took in the room wherein her mother’s throne was located. Stripped of its finery, there was only the grand relief carved behind the seated queen muttering to herself. Depicting the thirteen triumphs she underwent to unite the disparate tribes of the changeling race under her banner, they were works of art. Like the pony’s stained glass windows, they glowed though not due to light shining through but due to a simple minor enchantment.

With its grandiose scale, and the majority of the room’s furniture either burnt for fuel, sold for funds, or recycled to recover love, there was little left. Only the throne that Chrysalis sat upon and the smaller secondary seat to her right. Not even the banners of the lesser tribes remained, their fabric having been tossed into the hive’s furnaces.

“Mother,” Skitter announced, stopping only a few short steps from the throne.

“Huh, who's there?” Chrysalis exclaimed, recoiling in shock and surprise only to sigh. “Oh, it's just you.”

“I am sorry to startle you,” Skitter offered.

“No, it is my own fault. I’ve been so absorbed in my thoughts and… no matter,” Chrysalis suddenly stated, rising from her chair and approaching the other changeling. “How goes your rounds, my daughter? Have you been successful in maintaining morale, for the moment?”

“More or less,” Skitter deadpanned.

“That is to be expected, I suppose,” Chrysalis muttered. “Uh is there something to report at least?”

The general considered mentioning the other changelings that she had met with and their almost treasonous distaste for their queen. For a moment, their names danced upon the tip of her tongue, but she swallowed them quickly and shook her head.

“Nothing of note occurred, I’m afraid,” Skitter stated.

“Excellent, excellent,” Chrysalis murmured, mostly to herself.

“Mother, I…” Skitter paused and took a breath. “I am afraid I do not understand something.”

“And what would that be?” Chrysalis asked back, her eyes narrowing.

“I just. I don't know why we left,” Skitter pressed onwards, straightening her spine and standing a little taller. “Yes the death of Celestia was not part of the plan but we could have at least absconded with more captives than the meagre few we had already acquired.”

“You don't understand,” Chrysalis spat, turning from her daughter and walking over to the throne, her gaze pulled upward to the mural. “The princesses were integral to Project Skyfall. Without them, we could not create a large enough neural network to contain so many captives.”

“I understand that mother, but surely we could have at least acquired a few more. Some travelers on the road perhaps, or some of the air traffic we intercepted,” Skitter inquired.

“The death of Celestia had already soured their emotional state. They would hardly be useful to us at that point,” Chrysalis remarked, pausing and glancing over her shoulder. “You spent time infiltrating the griffins as part of your training, yes?”

“Yes mother,” Skitter stated.

“Then you know what tortured meat tastes like,” Chrysalis stated, glancing briefly over her shoulder. “The griffins are a cruel people and take much pleasure in befouling their meat with torture before indulging. They claim it ripens the flavors but their forays into the culinary world are sophomoric at best.”

“I didn't really notice,” Skitter admitted.

“Their emotional output would barely be worth the effort, is what I am saying,” Chrysalis concluded, climbing up onto her throne and sitting down. “They would have slowed us down and likely cost us more than a few lives in the process.”

“They would have gladly given their lives to secure a greater food source for the hive,” Skitter proclaimed.

“Yes yes,” Chrysalis dismissed, waving a hoof in the air. “Their loyalty was absolute and their eagerness obvious but just because they would throw themselves upon the pony’s spears does not mean I would make such an order.”

“I do not understand,” Skitter admitted blankly.

“Think of the conquests which united the tribes. They were not a completely bloodless affair though it was a struggle with very few deaths,” Chrysalis began, gesturing above her. “The various leaders needed only to be impressed, threatened, or coerced, with only two requiring lethal force.”

“I recall the stories,” Skitter stated.

“You hear them but you do not listen,” Chrysalis growled. “Death is something you deal sparingly. It ruins the meal, it unsettles one’s allies and it sows distrust.”

“I understand,” Skitter replied, her jaw clenched tight and her wings twitching angrily at her sides.

“I did not think this was a lesson I would need to teach you, but alas, here we are,” Chrysalis tired remarked, waving a hoof around and slumping further into her throne.

“Because you were to hand the crown down to a future princess and not me,” Skitter remarked bitterly.

“Of course, that was the plan,” Chrysalis growled. “You were born to lead armies, not manage finances, and oversee construction projects. That was not your purpose.”

Skitter opened her mouth to respond.

“But-” Chrysalis hastily added. “You are intelligent, and I believe that with time you may grow into a new role. Regardless, that is not a discussion we will have today.”

“And what will we be discussing today Mother?” Skitter pressed.

“I need you to oversee an expansion into the caverns,” Chrysalis began. “We require more space for the fungal farms.”

“And the soldiers we lose fighting the cave beasts will reduce the number of mouths there are to feed,” Skitter added.

“That is not the point of the expansion,” growled Chrysalis.

“You misunderstand. I approve,” the general retorted.

“Yes, well just… see to it would you? I must consider our next steps carefully,” Chrysalis murmured, defeated and deflated.

“It shall be done mother,” Skitter exclaimed, bowing her head before departing.

Chrysalis watched in silence as her general strode away, vanishing from sight after the doors slammed shut behind her. Alone with only her thoughts, and the faint echoes of her daughter’s departure, Chrysalis slumped on her throne. Her shoulders fell, a frown crossed her face, and her entire body became loose as if she were little more than a toy dropped atop a chair not her own.

“How could it have come to this?” Chrysalis murmured.

After several quiet moments, the queen, with great effort, picked herself up and trudged silently over to the now barren pillar holding up the ceiling that lay high above her head.

“The stone eater tribe,” she whispered to herself, gaze turning up to where the banner had once hung. “You are one of the most ancient, and powerful of tribes yet you should never lead lest you turn your teeth upon your children, your sisters, and your mother.”

Chrysalis sighed, running a hoof down the cold stone.

“Yet here I am, considering granting the mantle of leadership to one of the few of your line who yet live,” Chrysalis muttered. “I only hope that my blood has diluted whatever curse your progenitor took upon themselves the moment your tribe was born.”

Author's Note

Below are a list of supporters some past, some present that have earned my eternal gratitude. Thank you All.

Donning The Black

I thumbed slowly through the large tome, slowing whenever I found another lovingly handcrafted map. I couldn't imagine how much something like this was worth. Bound with what felt like real leather, stitched by hand, with every word reproduced by an individual rather than a machine. More impressive still was just how well they had managed to do the images.

The maps had surprising detail, and after looking over them I had a fairly good idea of the geography of this world. Or at least most of it anyway, as the edges were incomplete, with a chapter dedicated to theories on what lay beyond. It was amusing to see the pony’s postulate on what may lay beyond their sphere of influence but ultimately wasn't important so I skipped it for the most part.

Focusing mainly on Equestria, I took in every detail, pouring over the finer points like elevation and settlement location until I could recall it from memory. I learned quickly, faster even than I had in life, the extra edge likely given by having the brain of an alicorn, or maybe it was just magic. Either way, it took little effort to commit everything to memory, and so far I hadn't forgotten a single thing I had read so far.

Not like it had been long mind you, as little more than a few short days had passed. During this time I had read ravenously, devouring every tome offered to me, and engaging in as much conversation as I was allowed.

Of particular interest were the southern lands marked with storm clouds and warnings to not travel there. The land was known for being a lawless wasteland where warlords ruled and the common people were trampled underfoot. There were notes about the vast metal reserves, and easily mined veins of rare, magical ores but they bore an addendum that reminded the reader that it wasn't worth the effort.

“What an interesting place,” I mused aloud.

Setting aside the geography book for the moment I ran my deadened fingers across the spines of the other books. I had only one left that I had yet to read so I was holding off until I was given more lest I end up sitting there, bored and bitter with nothing to do. Still, from the light skimming I had done, it was an intriguing potential read and the brief explanation of Equestria’s system of government was baffling.

“At least they are sort of democratic,” I murmured. “Though how they managed to hold together such a mess is beyond me. A noble council sitting atop an elected body atop which is a diararchy is convoluted enough as is but add on top of that the fact that technically Equestria is a union of city-states makes it sound like no thought or effort went into this at all.”

I scoffed.

“The states themselves can just leave whenever too, they don't even need the consent of the crown,” I added. “It is an environment rife for conflict and deadlock. Two things the people of Equestria are likely about to experience in spades. It makes me wonder just how much Celestia’s cult of personality held it all together and how bad things will get without her.”

“But how to fix it?” I asked aloud, drumming my fingers along the cover of the book.

My thoughts were interrupted by the door to the sanctum opening, and Luna appearing. She carried with her thick black robes, and a heavy veil so thick it would make seeing through it probably pretty difficult. She also had with her a few books, though I couldn't see their titles from this angle.

“Good evening,” I intoned, modulating my voice so it was flat, monotone, and less feminine sounding. “I hope you are well, Luna.”

“I have been worse,” Luna replied.

She stopped just shy of the barrier to my cell and used some manner of spell I had not seen before. She then stepped through and deposited her load atop the table gifted to me along with the first batch of books.

“Excellent work with your voice by the way,” Luna commented.

“It feels nice to have a less feminine voice, I admit,” I exclaimed. “It didn't feel like it fit me.”

Luna grunted and stepped back out of the barrier before turning around. I quickly deduced why she had done this and shed my limited clothing before donning the heavy robes and veil. Though I thought it would have gotten in the way, the cloth actually did little to obscure my vision. This was likely due to me no longer seeing with my actual eyes.

“I was perusing the book of names you dropped off yesterday,” I began, shifting the robes around until they settled a bit more comfortably. “And I think I found one I like.”

“Ahh good. I can't keep calling you it, or you,” Luna added.

“And my old name no longer fits me either,” I replied. “You may turn around.”

Luna did so, stepping back into the barrier, and sitting down at the table. I sat across from her, took a moment to adjust the floor-length black robes, and pulled my seat forward.

“And?” Luna prompted. “What did you decide on?”

“The new age names were interesting, but felt ill-fitting and rather silly if I’m being frank,” I began. “The old names though. Those were quite fascinating.”

“From the times before the great migration?” Luna mused. “Those were interesting names indeed. Back then they were all infused with the heartsong, and carried with them great weight.”

“Interesting.”

“So, which one spoke to you?” Luna pressed.

“Melko,” I replied. “I don't know why, but it felt nostalgic for some reason though I can't recall ever having seen it before.”

“The mighty one? A fitting name, though there are some who translate it to mean tyrant, or conqueror,” Luna added, her face neutral and unreadable.

“Curious,” I murmured. “But with that aside I had one question before we began.”

“Go ahead,” Luna offered.

“How exactly are you going to untangle the mess that is your governmental system?” I inquired.

“I’m not sure what you mean,” Luna retorted, her gaze narrowing.

“From what you’ve mentioned things are becoming rather chaotic out there,” I began, hoping to sound diplomatic. “And this layering of elected and unelected is likely to cause even more friction as the nobility will have differing economic interests than the elected body they stand atop of.”

Luna’s expression softened, and she gained a slightly more pensive look.

“In such times the ability to act quickly will be paramount to the security of your nation,” I continued. “If things become any worse it seems likely that you might be facing a constitutional crisis or perhaps even a full-blown civil war.”

“Surely it won't be that bad,” Luna countered.

“Maybe,” I admitted with a shrug. “But when the opportunity to not pay federal taxes rises, business interests will inevitably push for succession. The people may even back this movement now that they do not have Celestia to hold it all together with her cult of personality.”

“My sister would not foment a cult,” Luna growled.

“It's just an expression,” I quickly offered, splaying my hands defensively. “Anyone with influence, power, and a commanding public presence will have a cult of personality around them. It is the way of people to seek out and venerate those they consider responsible for their prosperity.”

“You aren't wrong there,” Luna murmured.

“So I’m just wondering if you had some manner of plan to deal with this. Perhaps some kind of emergency powers the crown could claim for a limited time while you straighten the tangled web of power that holds up the throne,” I concluded, taking my head from my shoulders and placing it on the table, fingers interlocked to better support my stump of a neck.

“I’ve considered something like that,” Luna answered after a brief pause. “Forgive me if I don't go into detail with you.”

“Think nothing of it. It is simply good to what that it is on your mind,” I exclaimed. “Any updates on your other issues? I heard that your reforms within the guard have been at least partially successful.”

“Did Gleaming Shield tell you all that?” Luna asked, her tone accusatory, but not demanding.

“Indeed. We talk on occasion,” I answered. “She is a better conversationalist than I had originally anticipated.”

“Hmm,” Luna murmured. “To be frank, things are not looking good, and Gleaming Shield may have been overselling our recent victories.”

“Oh?” I prompted, encouraging her to continue.

“Instituting more meritocratic measures at the lower ranks has been easy but it stops there,” Luna began. “The generals are landed gentry one and all so they each have a say in the house of nobles. There they have gathered allies and created a voting bloc just large enough to stymie any changes I attempt to institute.”

“And there is no way to overrule them I suppose. An executive action of some kind maybe?” I gently offered.

“No. The only one capable of such a move would be my sister,” Luna remarked bitterly, arms crossing over her chest. “Each of our guards is in essence a small army that owes allegiance only to us and without Celestia around, it is her senior staff who hold sway over the organization at the moment.”

“Unfortunate.”

“Quite, and things only grow worse from there,” Luna pressed on, rising from her chair and beginning to pace back and forth. “The people are restless, and the number of people agitating for change grows by the day. Some of them I understand. Those seeking a greater part in the democratic process for example, and Manehatten jockeying for special privileges considering their economic importance.”

“But it's these damnable separatists that I can't stand,” Luna spat, her fists clenching at her sides. “My sister isn't even in the ground yet and already they are signaling that they may depart the union. I knew trouble like this would arise, but I did not think it would come so soon. And all that is without even mentioning the griffons beginning to draft some sort of resolution to retake some barren strip of dirt they ceded to us almost a millennia ago!”

Luna took a long breath, then sighed, and fell back into her chair, defeated.

“It seems like all of sister dearest’s efforts to ingrain a sense of community has vanished along with her,” Luna finally concluded.

“Well she's not totally gone though, right?” I tentatively pressed. “You had mentioned that there was a possibility she could be brought back, at least in a fashion.”

“Yes there is a way but I have to complete another test. Thankfully I managed to get enough time this morning to review the necessary spell,” Luna added.

“What do you need from me?” I offered.

“Nothing. Just, sit back and stay quiet please,” Luna replied. “I’ll be in essence, scanning your soul which although isn't pleasant is at least not a painful experience.”

I sat patiently as Luna bowed her head, and began muttering some manner of litany under her breath. Her horn soon started to glow, and I felt an alien warmth worm its way into my torso. There it burrowed into the core of my being and kept going, only stopping after it felt like it had pierced my soul. The sensation was indeed unpleasant, and the closest thing I could describe it as would be receiving a spinal biopsy only somehow even weirder.

“There,” Luna murmured, her horn dulling and the spell dissipating. “I should have the results in a few moments.”

I watched as the alicorn’s eyes glazed over, becoming grey and unseeing for several seconds. When they returned to normal, Luna wore an odd, almost puzzled expression though it was quickly brushed aside.

“It is as you said,” Luna began, pausing to carefully consider her words before continuing. “You have a composite soul. One that is part you, part Celestia, and part Sol itself. However there is something else present as well. It makes up almost as large a part of you as well, you. Only where you, and Celestia are bricks, this other presence is mere mortar, holding it all together.”

“What is it, exactly?” I inquired, growing nervous.

“I don't know for certain but upon first glance, it looks a bit like it could be the residue left behind by dark magic,” Luna answered uncertainly. “Though it is not truly dark magic as you are likely thinking but rather an older form of magic, one that people of this age find disagreeable.”

“That is… good?”

“It explains how this is even possible in the first place,” Luna explained. “Like I mentioned, this dark power is the mortar that holds your fragmented soul together though how Sol plucked such magic from the void is beyond me. There should be nothing there, obviously.”

“Odd,” I muttered.

“More importantly,” Luna began again. “I’ve determined that there is almost as much Celestia present as there is you. More than enough to draw out anyway.”

“And by the sound of your voice you have an idea of how to do so,” I added.

“Indeed I do,” Luna declared, sitting a little straighter. “Though I must inform you of the risks.”

“What are we talking about exactly? Ego death? Getting sent back to oblivion?” I replied.

“Or a dual consciousness, among many other possibilities that aren't quite so unpleasant,” Luna added. “We can't be certain what will happen.”

“And that is a risk you are willing to take?” I pressed.

“Yes,” Luna stated firmly.

“Alright then. When do we begin this little process?”

“Now.”

“Like, right now?” I asked, slightly confused. “I assumed you were busy.”

“I am but this hopefully won't take long,” Luna answered.

“So what exactly happens now?”

“I put you to sleep, enter your dream, and prompt a few key memories from Celestia’s past. Hopefully, that will garner enough of a reaction that I’ll be able to latch onto her mind and drag it to the surface,” Luna explained.

“Interesting. And this will take a few hours then?”

“A few minutes at most,” Luna dismissed. “Time will expand within the dream realm and though I’d like to continue the session until I’ve managed to locate her, the spell is exhausting and I’ll likely only have the strength for a single memory at a time.”

“Alright then,” I declared. “Ready when you are.”

Author's Note

Below are a list of supporters some past, some present that have earned my eternal gratitude. Thank you All.

Dusk and Dawn

My mind returned to me and suddenly I was made aware of the fact that I was no longer in Equestria. I remembered Luna’s spell and how I had laid my head down to sleep for the first time since my rebirth. Yet something was wrong. I couldn't hear Luna’s voice nor feel her presence and stranger still, I was also inhabiting a different body. One that was neither mine, nor Celestia’s originally.

My proportions were vaguely humanoid, but there was a strength there that was beyond human, and beyond even an alicorn. My power was not limited to the physical as I felt a great pit of hate-tinged magic that lay at the base of my vast soul. Yet I couldn't access it, nor could I move my limbs. Bound with iron as black as the night, I could do nothing but shuffle forward in an undignified manner, dragged along by an unseen jailor.

I felt my body thrash against the restraints binding me, seeking out even the smallest of imperfections in the great chains. Yet there were none, and no matter how I howled, or pushed I could not find a weak link. I cried out in a voice great and terrible, the wail of my hate-filled anguish tearing at the fabric of the world, though to seemingly no avail.

With no need to breathe, and no concept of weakness, I howled and contorted continuously, raging against what I knew to be inevitable. No matter how pointless the effort may have been, the seemingly depthless hatred swelled in my chest, yearning desperately for release. Through my cries and struggle, I was able to glimpse my surroundings, though I didn't recognize any of what I saw.

What I thought was the ground was actually a trail of stars that wound up into the dark night sky. This road of twinkling motes of dust continued further than anticipated, leading off into the distance towards a great door so grand in scale that I had nothing with which to measure against it. Made of reforged star stuff, and guarded with innumerable black-scaled dragons, it was a structure utterly cyclopean in nature.

Dark as the night, the door felt like a thing that should not be, yet here it stood atop a vast cloud, waiting to accept the only occupant it would ever know, me. Though the stone and metal wrought structure that surrounded the opening was blacker than anything I had seen, what lay within was yet darker still. Merely glimpsing into that abyssal depth made my mortal mind reel, struggling to contemplate how such an absence could exist. Though my host seemed unbothered, as if its mind was vaster then I had any true measure of.

It was no mere door, I realized, this was a wound, a gash in reality through that which exists could meet that which does not. Even while I grappled desperately with the strangeness of what lay before me, I continued to scream curses black and foul. I knew not the language, yet I could feel its meaning and could sense that if those that heard me were mortal, their flesh would be rent from their bones, and their soul torn asunder.

I was dreaming, I knew that logically, but it didn't make sense to me. This was not a dream of my past life, nor was it a dream of Celestia’s. Whoever I now resided within had the power of a god and the hate of a devil. Trapped as a prisoner behind my host’s eyes I could do nothing but watch as I was led inexorably towards that dark doorway.

As grim finality loomed over me, I assumed whoever I now was, would give up or even regret their actions. Yet my host felt no such emotions. They regretted only that they had failed, and continued to spew their venomous hatred right up until that horrid final moment.

The chain that had led me to this grim precipice tugged suddenly, and I tumbled forward, falling into the endless nothing that existed beyond reality’s furthest edge. As I fell, I found that my voice was gone, my power suddenly snuffed out. I was alone, truly alone for the first time since I had come into existence. Even the ever-present music of creation departed, leaving me with only my hatred, and my will to dominate all life.

There in that cold emptiness, I felt a thousand-fold tiny claws scratch at my being, fraying the edges of my form. The void had both teeth and talons, the absence rending me apart in a desperate desire to change something into nothing. Soon my hate became my armor and will my shield, gerding my naked form against the advances of the void.

I had power yet, but for how long could I hold? A day, an hour, maybe a year? Here there were no such concepts, with the entirety of my time spent in this cold hell blurring together. For an eternity, I existed until a fiery hand plucked what flickering motes of existence were left after so long in such a dark prison and recoiled, returning me back to reality, though not the one that had birthed me.

“Melko! Melko!” Cried a voice I soon realized was Luna’s.

“I… yes,” I muttered. “I’m here.”

“What happened? Where were you?” Luna pressed.

I glanced around and found myself in a void, though not like the one I had left behind. Here it felt like the kind of dark emptiness that came after you had closed your eyes, but before you fell asleep. Though disquieting, it was a darn sight better than the horrid entropy I had just suffered endlessly at the hands of.

“I saw something. A dream, or maybe a memory but not mine, and I don't think it was Celestia’s either,” I remarked somewhat nervously. “Already the details slip between my fingers, leaving me with the impression that it was a nightmare but alas, that is all.”

“Likely an after-effect of whatever magic Sol used to reforge your soul,” Luna explained, though I could tell that she wasn't wholly certain on the matter. “Now, are you ready to continue?”

“I suppose,” I muttered halfheartedly, clearly aware that Luna was unconcerned with my terror.

“Good,” Luna pressed on. “I will now guide you towards one of our earliest memories. One that I hope is powerful enough to spark a response from Celestia. Now it all began when-”

I relaxed and allowed the soft, whispered voice of Luna to wash over me. The world blurred, and color replaced black, changing until the shapes, colors, and sounds coalesced into something recognizable. All at once I was no longer myself again, my perception having been placed back within Celestia’s mind, though from a point far in her past.

She was young, so young in fact that she was not even an alicorn. She was gifted with magic, I could tell that quite quickly, but she was still normal for lack of a better word. The power that resided within her was a dull flicker compared to her current self, and barely more than a single mote when matched up against the inferno that was the godlike being I had briefly inhabited.

Her royal vestments were gone, replaced by a greyish wrapping that covered her quite well while still allowing her to stay cool. Her hooves clicked against the mud brick road, but they were not alone, as a similarly garbed creature strode beside me. I recognized her as Luna, though she too had yet to ascend and was even younger, the girl barely a young adult.

“Do you think Mother will be okay?” Luna asked without looking up at me, or should I say, Celestia.

“She is going to be fine,” Celestia insisted, stressing the final word. “I know you worry for her since father passed but the kings will pay out his remaining wages in the coming weeks and after that, we’ll be okay for a year or two. In the meantime, our labors within the orders shall keep a roof over her, and our, heads.”

“I know, I know,” Luna repeated. “I just… I worry about her, sister. The soldiers are different since the war ended.”

“War changes people,” Celestia mused, glancing up at the sky and noting that it was nearly twilight.

“I don't like that mister Westwood doesn't play with me anymore,” Luna added.

“You have almost reached your thirteenth winter, Luna. Soon you will be an adult. You shouldn't be thinking about playing,” Celestia chided.

“I’m not an adult yet though,” whined Luna.

Celestia hummed to herself, growing thoughtful and letting her gaze linger on her surroundings. What I saw felt both unique and nostalgic for some reason. The mud-brick homes and busy streets resembled ancient civilizations from my time. Not quite Greek, and not quite Egyptian, it felt older still. Almost like the civilizations of the Indus Valley, or something from that, most ancient of era.

Men and women led ox, and goats around while workers returned from the field with woven baskets atop their heads. Clay jugs filled to the brim with sloshing water were held against the chest, or lined up on small hand carts that were dragged behind strong-looking men. The skin of these people was darker and more uniform than the ponies of the current day though there were still bright pigments intermingled throughout.

A part of me wondered just how this could have changed before being brushed aside as Celestia looked down at her sister expectantly.

“Have you been practicing your spells like the Raja asked?” Celestia inquired. “It is important that you strengthen your magic. The ritual of raising is incredibly taxing.”

“For the last time, yes,” Luna retorted, whining in the way only a younger, teenage sibling could. “I have repeated the mantra and the necessary positions so many times that I dream about them every night.”

“You are lucky you know. I’ve never had a dream before,” Celestia muttered.

“Really? Not once?” Luna exclaimed, aghast.

“Never,” Celestia dismissed. “I just go to sleep, then wake up what feels like a second later.”

“That's… odd,” Luna exclaimed.

The pair grew quiet, with Luna shocked, confused, and slightly unnerved by the revelation. Celestia felt a bit conflicted, and let her gaze wander once more, the woman putting her sibling out of her mind, at least for the moment.

I merely watched, observing as the structures grew more clustered, and the streets busier. Here, further into the city, the number of laborers was lower, and the signs of commerce were apparent wherever I looked.

Carts were more common, as were strange hooved creatures that I struggled to recognize. They looked like horses, only different, with stripes on their legs, larger ears, and an overall slimmer build. They made for decent pack animals, but weren't exceptionally strong, with three or even four of them being needed to pull a fair-sized cart.

Though the wildlife was interesting, what truly grabbed my attention was the interesting pieces of art I saw at nearly every street corner. At the east and westmost corners sat either a clay sun painted a bright orange or a dark purple moon. This primitive symbol was in other places too, though when it appeared on banners or walls the two images were combined. There the sun and moon made up a single orb, the two sides marked by a jagged divide between them. One’s rays were straight, pointed while the other had wavy lines emerging from it, marking it as the flaming orb currently above us.

“We’re close to the temple district. Make sure to affix your sash,” Celestia exclaimed.

“I remember,” retorted Luna.

Celestia reached within the folds of her toga-like robe and produced a long deep red length of cloth sewn into a hoop shape. She lifted it over her head and settled it on her opposite shoulder, giving it a small wiggle to put it into position. A glance down at Luna confirmed that the younger female had already done as Celestia had, only she wore one that was a deep violet color.

“It still feels weird,” Luna muttered.

“What does?” Celestia pressed.

“Being in the violet order,” Luna answered. “People treating us nicer than usual is well… nice. But why do they always look sad when they talk to us?”

“I…” Celestia sighed. “Raising the sun and moon are tiring and some people can't handle the weight.”

“Is that why mom cried when the messenger told us we were supposed to start going to the temples?” Luna asked, her voice low and filled with concern.

“She's just worried about us,” Celestia dismissed. “It's dangerous and draining to be a part of the ritual, but we’re strong. Don't forget that.”

“Pfft, of course we are. We climbed all the way to the top of Mount Tirgin for the summer and fall festivals while the rest of those babies stayed home or took carriages,” Luna exclaimed, puffing out her chest.

“Remember those moments when you are a part of the ritual today and stay strong. You may only be third circle right now but one day you’ll move up to the first circle and you’ll have to be tougher than ever,” Celestia encouraged.

“Augh I hate being third circle. It's so boring,” Luna whined. “Why can't I be first circle like you?”

“You can't rush these things. The second circle was hard enough. I don't know if I’ll have what it takes to join the first circle,” Celestia admitted somewhat nervously.

“You can do it, you’re tough,” Luna proclaimed confidently. “Why I bet you’ll even reach the rank of Sunspeaker one day.”

“I hope not,” Celestia muttered under her breath.

The pair turned a corner and came to a small gatehouse outside of a walled-off district of the city. Here two tall females wearing thick headdresses waited for them, one wielding a spear while the other had a bronze khopesh belted at her side. The guards looked down at the sisters for only a few seconds before directing their attention elsewhere, signaling to the duo that they were allowed inside.

“Remember where we are meeting up after the ritual?” Celestia whispered.

“The well just down the street from our house,” Luna dutifully replied.

“Good. And remember, I love you,” Celestia exclaimed, pulling her sister into a tight, brief hug.

Luna promptly broke the embrace pushing Celestia gently but forcefully away. “Augh quit being all dramatic. We’re gonna be fine. We’ve been fine every other time,” Luna whined.

The younger of the two then broke off, joining the flow of violet-sashed young women making their way into the west side courtyard, beyond another gate guarded by more tall, female warriors. Celestia watched her go for a moment before turning towards the crowd who wore the same color as her.

Celestia said nothing and kept her head down as she made her way into the court of the sun. Here sat the great golden ziggurat. Made from strange white stone obtained from the far west, and filled with the most fertile soil in the land, the multilayered structure was an amazing sight. Its gleaming sides reflected the setting sun, while the long series of white steps invited a sense of wonder.

None of which Celestia felt that day. She had been here before, seen these sights before, and by now they were uncomfortably normal. It was only when she reached the zenith and looked out over the city did she feel a small amount of awe. From up here, the many squat, clay brick structures appeared like play homes made with mud and shards of bark stuck into the dirt.

She drank in the sight for several seconds before turning and entering into a side opening along with a few other women near her age. The mood was light for the most part, and the various girls and young women went about their assigned tasks dutifully. Some split from the group and joined the maintenance crews, their evening destined to be filled with dusting old relics and maintaining the garden that grew along the steps of the ziggurat.

Those who were a part of the ritual of lowering, like her, headed deeper into the temple structure. Passing through the heavy cloth veil, she entered the fragrant bathhouse. Once inside she passed her clothes to an attendant and stepped down into the long, narrow pool.

She continued to stride through the bath, glancing down at the thick mat of flower petals that floated atop the water. The fragrant aroma of incense filled her nose and tickled her senses. She could also detect the oddly scented spices that supposedly heightened her magical power, though in Celestia’s opinion, they only made her feel strange, in addition to making it harder to walk in a straight line.

Once through the other side, the same attendant was waiting for her, arms laden with the crimson robes, and ruby studded ring that marked its wearer as a member of the first circle. Accepting it dutifully, Celestia allowed herself to be clothed by the other female. Now no longer naked, she walked up a short staircase and through another arched doorway into a domed area that lay at the center of the entire complex.

Here the ceiling rose high above her head, terminating at a circular hole in its very center. Glancing up at it made Celestia’s legs wobble so she turned her gaze back down to the ritual underway in the middle of the room.

Within the outermost circle were hooded worshippers that kneeled low, their legs straight and their foreheads pressed against the cool, stone floor. While they numbered two dozen, those in the second sphere were an even twelve. These were allowed to bear their faces but still had to kneel and keep one hand placed firmly on the ground. The lucky five were already standing in the center, their hands raised above their heads, eyes glued to the oculus above them. Celestia joined them a moment later, mimicking their pose, and extending her arms as far as they could go.

A few short minutes later the ritual began in earnest, the start of which was signalled by the arrival of fresh incense. Magic gathered from the edges of the circle and was guided toward the center by those who stood before them. Finally, Celestia and those she stood alongside, took the offered energy, and willed it upward, out of their bodies and toward the heavens.

Celestia herself had to do very little but that hadn't always been the case. She knew that those at the fringes were casting the real spell, while the middle ring acted to refine the leylines. Lastly, the first circle took the offered power, and released it, acting as conduits for the ancient magic.

Her every nerve now alight with tingling energy, Celestia struggled to stay standing, her horn burning hot with the strength of the spell passing through her. She wanted to scream, to stop, to do anything but she held on, the young woman knowing that to break at this point would mean almost certain death.

For a moment she cursed the former Sunspeaker for not being here, for not being strong enough to hold on a little longer. Without her steadying hand to guide the ritual, the experience was far more unpleasant, with the first circle bearing a weight which had been destined for her shoulders. But then she remembered those horrid moments only a few days ago. The screams of agony, the fire that had consumed the former temple mistress, and the horrid smell of cooking flesh all danced through her mind only to be dashed by the young woman.

Focusing her mind, and clearing her thoughts of doubt, Celestia poured herself into the ritual, determined not to end up like the former Sunspeaker. While at the same time holding back ever so slightly, so as to not excel so much that she would ascend to that most holy, and damned position.

Above her Celestia could see as the myriad of colored energies came together to create a single column of golden light. The pillar rose steadily before suddenly shooting upwards. It was at this point that Celestia assumed she would feel the dull warmth and intense drain like every other day since they had lost their previous Sunspeaker. With the spell at its apex she expected the pain to dull, for her horn to begin to cool, and her nerves to slowly return to normal.

Yet that was not what happened.

Instead, her ears were filled with the roar of a deafening conflagration of fire. A heartbeat later and her body was so hot that she felt her clothes begin to burn, and she had to squeeze her eyes shut due to the power of the light assaulting her retinas. Every instinct was telling her to flee, to break off the spell but she knew that doing so meant death so she held on. Even though there were mere moments left before it was truly over, Celestia held on, the woman remembering well that giving up now may spell not only her own death but the death of every other order sister present.

As seconds ticked by, the wild blaze screaming into her ear dulled somewhat and she heard what sounded like something that was both a voice and not a voice.

And it greeted her warmly.

Author's Note

This is part of the countdown to christmas, head over here to keep track of all the cool stuff coming down the pipes. If you want to ensure I can afford to keep doing stuff like this, consider backing me over on Subscribestar or Patreon.