The Two Days War

Chapters

Happy is the nation without a history
Of Clock Repair and Battle Mares
Libera Et Impera

Happy is the nation without a history

It was so strange that moment. Sitting there at my duties, seeing my dear Star fidget. I remember my days in my own postings amongst my pegasus, how their wings would do much the same. It always meant they were about to ask something of their Luna, something humiliating.

"Umm... Princess?"

I can only barely stop myself in giggling at her timidness. I would scold her for this, of course, I probably should, but by the stars she is just too cute for words. So, I'll just play it, as they say, cool. I merely continued looking over the minutia of our budget, silently cursing at the mares nest Celestia had let things become. What happened to taxes coming in potatos? One day, boom. Potatoes. By my research, its seems much of this current Class S Grade A cluster molest of a tax war gear amass began when the discussion began when nobles argued over whether corn should come on or off their cobs, and from there, the current mire of five dozen laws regarding the price of apples in Neighpon, which is odd, considering we should have no jurisdiction there in regards to such matters. My quill scratches against the parchment as I adjust several brackets. There, now matters are... still reaming our poor ponies cross eyed. Yes, I'm pissed Celestia. There will be a reckoning on this matter, you great pale idiot... Well, better see to our filly then. I smile as I lean back in my chair, my aura pulling my glasses away. When Star had asked why I had them, I honestly had not the single idea as to why. I merely shrugged then, and said I liked them. She hung her head for a time after that.

"There. Now, my Lieutenant, what trouble you?"

She slowly pulls her helm away, eyes troubled. "Okay... This has to stay here. I know this is breaking every code, but... Please, can I ask a question?"

I can't help myself.

"Is that the one?"

She gives me a quite put upon expression, and I can't help my giggles this time.

"Princess..."

"Very well... what is your question?"

"Its... its just there's so little I know about you. Or Princess Celestia. Where did you come from? Did you have parents, orphans, fall from some giants armpit? Did you make us, or are just our guardians? And if you didn't, who or what did? And being immortal, how does that work for you? I mean, its gotta get to you."

This. This I hadn't been expecting. Our ponies... are not ones to engage in such inquiries by and large, being quite content in matters as they are. I have of course heard of their rebellion, have memories of it albeit hazy, but I have little doubt as to its written testimony. Much of the time will have been glossed over by sister. And they are good. But it serves them little to not realize there own limited selves, that they can fall. But no, she seeks Harmony, and such truth would do more harm then good. I suppose, given how resentment could spring up, but still... I look at my Star, and can only sigh. I am not my sister. I will not lie.

"Ahh... the oldest of queries. I fear I am ill equipped to answer the last, but I can say no, we did not create you. As for us..."

I reach towards a small box on my desk. A recent addition at insistence. Something called a intercom. Some machination that uses wires to speak. Imagine such times. Of course sister being her refuses it. And no doubt it will never advance much past my own hooves given how our Equestria sees clinging to the past as vital. I clear my throat. "Miss Raven... Please leave us and see that my schedule is cleared. And inform sister I may miss our dinner."

"Yes prinzzzzzzzzzzzzz.... buck!"

I wince as the other end cuts off. Installation had... not been perfect. I had attempted to make inquiries to the two unicorns who had installed the blasted thing (and who had a whole song and dance for the device for some odd reason) but I found their shop closed. Ah well, I suppose I'd work its design in my off hours. I looked at Star, whose shaking her head, looking horrified.

"Princess, no! I can't... you have so much to do, I shouldn't have..."

As she rambles on, I feel another stab of resentment towards my sister. Now, I had always maintained a sense of decorum and respect with my pegasus, but always I was their Luna. I had demanded of them such that they saw themselves less then some bit of state, or that they shouldn't ask things of us. We said we would make things right Celestia. Is this what you have led them too? After what we had too do... I smile at my little pony, feeling my anger eb as she relaxes and walks to my desk.

"Peace dear heart... you cause no harm. I'm... happy. Nopony has really ever come to me like this. Even sister's students haven't, although that has more to do with idealizing her then propriety. But pray, why ask me? Do not the scholars some manner of speculation?"

Star thinks a moment, then gives a shrug. "Not... really. Most of its a load of wank... whoops."

I smirk at the vibrant blush that crosses her muzzle as her hoof flies to her mouth. Another fun niggle my sister has brought to our Equestria. Mare the day I be told by you I can't swear is the day I tongue a sewer pipe...

"No matter. Continue and feel free to profane if needed."

"All right... anyway, most of its just gooblydook and espousal's bordering on the writer practically getting off as they go about how wonderful you both are, a propaganda pamphlet how we ponies by the grace of your presence to are granted the right and duty to purge the undesirables like zebras and gryphons by divine right, or is so sparse as to be useless. And about all of it states you two came down from on high to give writing, arithmetic, and farming. Got a lot of titles and justifications... but nothing on you."

That sounds about right. Honestly, what is it with this lot and their somehow simultaneous belief they are the end all be all of civilization yet no confidence in their own abilities. We may be old, but I seem to remember farming being everywhere in our early days.

"Hmm... and sister?"

Star rolls her eyes as her hoof waves dismissively in the air a moment.

"Is Princess Celestia."

Of course she bloody is. I slam my hoof on my desk, wincing as the wood splinters. Damn, gonna need a mat.. No doubt sister will talk of image, but its still a good desk, just with a hoof print... but to Star I shout "Which can also read obnoxious white cunt!"

She stands there a moment, legs askance and one hoof curled under her in the common defensive stance we take when startled or unsure. Slowly she blinks, ears twitching as her brain begins to comprehend what was said. Her eyes widen further, her jaw dropping hard enough I worry a moment it may fall, then she stamps her raised hoof down in indignation, her blush growing to the inside of her ears reddened.

"Princess LUNA!"

"Oh stop. What, you think she and I haven't been calling each other slag, gash, or all manner of suggestion to do unsightly things on unsightly things? When did it did it come to this when ponies were forbidden to speak ill of others!"

"You just can't call her that!"

Seriously? Do they just have a selective memory that oddly makes them forget who the two ladies with the wings and horn are and why we have these tiaras? What is with them as say what we cannot do?

"Yes I can. I just did. And why are you mares all hot and bothered over that word? Its a perfectly succinct and clear way of conveying dissatisfaction over the behavior or manner of a person or persons and is applicable to mare and stallion alike. Its like fuck!"

"Oh Gods and green apples..."

At this point mind, I'm just pulling her tail. Oh come now, if you were there watching a magical dye job mare looking ready to either cry or scream, you'd do it too. Also by the stars I'll these ponies loosen up.

"Oh come now, fucks a wonderful word! Describing ones ichor over ones current place in life, describing the state in which on is mentally and physically, and describes ones preferred means of relaxation!"

"Princess... Maker, why can't you just be a pig like Duchess..."

"Princess Twilight, Star."

She groans at that, face hooving at her slip. "Forgive me, Princess Twilight."

Now to truly rile her up... "And its just Luna."

She jerks at that. I press her armors color control, and it bleed into itself, revealing the red underneath. The rest of remains the same, her blue eyes and grey mane, I had undo the catch on her armors magic to ease matters, but I frown at this a moment... And my mind returns to the rush of euphoria, and how I screamed for it to stop, how I screeched what was done in my name was wrong, how I laughed and told myself how I would never be rid of me... how this was what I wanted. To be strong. To be like...

"Princess...?"

I blink, and I'm back. I still remember... that, and my dual feelings of overwhelming pleasure and joy mixed with my revulsion at what I had demanded... But I realize she'd lain a hoof on mine. I look at it a moment, stunned. It was the belief of this era that we were somehow uncleaned by our subjects touch, the sumptuary laws of old in place. I am still in my past, still remembering how I wouldn't have wanted that, I would want there eyes on me, always and only me... whether in fear or adoration, I cared not... I shake myself in my mind, and I smile. This is good. Star smiles back uncertainly, and I feel such love for her then. Not that kind of course, but the love I feel for my ponies when I'm proud of them. She didn't shy away, and came to my aid, uncaring of anything by my well being. She deserves this.

"And after tonight it shall be so again. But only a friend may ask such things of me, so friend you are."

"All right..."

She moves to the pillows before my desk, but I pull her to my side instead in my aura, and smirk as she lets out a squeak when I put my wing over her. I know she can't decide whether or not to bolt, and I give her ear a nip. She jerks her head from my muzzle, her mouth scrunching in annoyance.

"Very good. As for my current... state, its rather hard to describe to one who isn't a immortal or alicorn. Its so... liberating, really. Sister and I, we walked the world, seeing all there was in it. And there was always more just over the hill. I've heard its often said we see mortals as petty or unconcerned with what damage they cause in their haste. I think... I think for us, it was just such a relief knowing how little we mattered."

She has by then calmed enough to merely be looking up at me as I look away, finding it easier to stare at the clutter over my desk then at her no doubt reproachful eyes. "Luna... come one. Even if you weren't raising the moon..."

"No no, we were at our duties. Its just that... duty. We didn't need or want really for anything. If we wished it, we could spend our days as idle wastrels or even awaken, give each other a kiss good night, then go back to sleep until the next day. We could have as much or as little as people as we wished, could as easily eat and sleep in an inn or offered barn as we could drink from a pond, eat grass, and lay together in a cave."

"So, what was it like? What did you guys see?"

"Wonderful things. Beautiful things. And terrible things."

"Like what?"

I wanted to speak of the people of the world... all the beauty then, the days we spent... but then I look at Star, I see the red... and I think of Shadow. I think of that mare, and my blood boils. I know of her deeds, her veneration... of what she is now. You... you malevolent little piece of filth. If you had even an inkling Shadow of what you are... you machination... You think you know as I? I have stood on the earth and felt its tremble as the old beast stirs anew to rage across the earth. I have seen the sky darken under the sheer number of an armies arrows. I have stood with sister on a thousand cliff over a thousand stain fields to look down on the ones below, to see the people there, mere colts and fillies really, see naught but death and pain...

I tear my eyes away. Fool Shadow, a thousand curses on you. Damn you and your death cult. This child worships you, wants to be you. But you and I both know what waits there don't we? Well fool Shadow, you... you sad sad wicked child, I will see your work undone at least with this one.

I hope

"Like war. Always war. No matter where we went, what joy we found, always the ambitions and follies of the greedy and rabidly hateful would see us flee."

"Oh Luna..."

"Child, you and yours oft look on us and pity us. We live as you die. What sorrow we feel. And we do feel that... but we also have such found joy in our tears, at the lives that have been. Perhaps one day, we'll see each other again. But if not, if all that is a lie, then at least we'll remember them. And you. I'll always remember you Star. But that... beast, that wretch, that old mongrel war... always at our heels, always leering and lurking in the hearts of all. The thirst and lust and hunger and want to eat and eat and chew upon the screaming colt and filly's, mares and stallions, the young and old of all people it takes in its teeth as it crushed what they sought to defend is ground under it paws... We lost so many to it."

"This is our story, my little pony. Our first war. Against you."

.....................................................

"We were, as we were oft to do in those days, about the roads and ways of mortal make, sister drawing deep from her wine bottle as went. As I looked back at her, a tendril of her magic shifted her sabers at her side in the usual unthinking way we had long since developed, keeping them untangled and making sure they could be drawn with ease. Happily, she was at least not so lax as to lose her awareness, but still, I worried."

Celestia drank?

Indeed.

Uh... I thought the laws...

Star, the laws were not written as of then, and had they been, who would have enforced them? She caused herself no harm regardless, but if she had, and one had been there, what could they do?

Still... Well, its kinda nice to know even she could loosen up and have fun.

One supposes so if one does not have to deal with her.

"Really sister! Can you not at least wait til the eve? You look unseemly!"

She lowered her bottle then, her muzzle scrunched in annoyance.

"Oh leave me be you old nag! Its naught but a bit of drink."

I could only shake my head and turn back to our road, knowing the juvenille lug I had behind me no doubt stuck her tongue out at me as I did. We continued on through a patch of forest the road had made its way through, the wind rustling the leaves above as birds flitted from the branches, the heat of sisters day somewhat cooled by their shade. Looking about, I spotted a morsel.

"Ohh... One moment sister."

I walked up to one of the trees, and there it was. A hive. Bees droned in and out from its underside as they worked, and it was all I could do but drool.

You ate bees?

No! Good stars, I was after the combs!

Oh.

I grabbed the nest in my aura as sister trotted up behind me, tsking.

"Now now sister love, wouldn't want one to lose that mare-ish figure."

I merely snorted of course.

"Build a fire then and we'll share."

She nodded, and began setting out stones in a circle. Lowering the hive, I watched as the swarm held at bay beat their heads against my aura, memories of long past trauma of a tragic day that ended with me with a flank of sting welts passed the perview of my mind. For a moment I thought to toss the whole lot of the hateful things, but as my sister, I merely settled for a stuck out tongue of my own to my would be attackers. Meanwhile, sister had began leaning a few of the sticks into shape, and flicked her eyes up to me.

"Got the flint and stone?"

Wait... you weren't going to light them with your magic?

Nay... Where we were from, such things were something of a taboo. One was expected to use magic only in dire need, not for things we could do ourselves. So, we could use our aura to lift a flint and stone to light our fire and since I sought my quarry with magic because I did not wish to harm them, I had kept to the tenants.

Tenants?

No matter.

Celestia flicked the stone over the twigs a few moments, then leaning down, began blowing into the flicker ember that had caught from a spark.

"It will take time then?"

I nodded and sister sat beside our little flame, face impassive. I sat beside, and as she lay a wing over my back, I snuggled into her shoulder.

Ahhhhh...

I am not cute.

"So, when do you expect we shall reach Archer sister?"

Shrugging, she paunched out her lip slightly in thought.

"Mmm... three days. Mayhaps four."

I nodded as I took out my book, our recent completion of letters opening a new world. Opening the newest friend I had made, I began on my journey through its inked trail.

Book sounds like a big deal

Not as such. I was merely proud of my latest learning venture, and since books were a decided rarity in those days, such a thing was beyond a find.

So... how old are you?

I am one day old.

Huh?

Each day, I am born anew. And I shall never be more then one day old.

Seriously.

Couldn't say. We stopped keeping track ages ago. There were steel and mithril weapons though as we had begun to hear talk of the Borean king's march unto the Rahj, so mayhaps... hmm...

Is it really that hard to remember?

You must realize that matters of the calendar and time were not as well kept as they are, especially for commoners like ourselves. Of course we were beholden to none but ourselves, but we were also less knowing on the matters of the world and it mechanations.

"Would you like some help preening?"

Eagerly, I pulled from her and lay down along the grass. As she began running her muzzle over my wing, she began humming. Looking back down to my book, I merely enjoyed our time together, thinking back to what we had been told: look to her, and know you shall never be alone.

... Luna? Are you...

Forgive me Star. I... I'm not one to stoically bear my misdeeds, so allow me a few tears. I left her Star... I left Celestia alone.

What was your fight over? Really?

What do all parents fight over? Their children. And you are that, dear Star. All of our little ponies are as if you were our flesh and blood.

Thanks...

As for our fight, matters politic and of discipline. I was felt as being to lax with my pegasus, too close to them. I was their commander, their queen, but outside of militant action, all were equal as far as I was concerned. This of course angered my Epoch's, who felt I ought to demands deeds to prove worth of my notice, but fie on them then and now.

The more I hear of a Crown, the less I like it.

We spend our days either being told what we, as Princess, are not permitted to do and the rest telling others they are not allowed to do things that are foolish, dangerous, or obscene. And then lunch.

Eeesh.

"Luna... come on, put down that thing and sing. Its been so long."

I couldn't help but smirk at the silly mare at my back.

"Ah, but I feel so sleepy... Maybe I'd rather sleep..."

She lay her head across my shoulder then, giving me her pleading mongrel eyes.

"Come on Sel. I miss your songs."

Sel?

Selene. It was my name... before. I lost my right to that life after our war, and took on Luna.

I like that name..,

I did as well... So, I began to sing.

What was it?

sakhif alshakhs aldhy la yafham
'akhbar 'astura
'ana alghajr al'unthaa
aistuhdir alqamar hataa alfajr
albaka' sa'al
eindama yasil alyawm
tazawj kalyh
sayakun ladayk rajluk aljuld albani
min alsama' tahadath albadar
walakun fi almuqabil 'urid
alaibn awla
'an tulidah
'ana aibnih yahfir
la takun whydaan
kunt sa'ahibuh

Wow... What was it about?

A fool mare who gave her son to the moon so she could have the stallion she desired.

Luna...

Such a sad thing there are about this world. I have never done such a thing, but mayhaps... But sister always loved it. She saw it as a beautiful story, I suppose. Wait... No, thats wrong. There was one... Oh Maker and all the works... Who was that... Star, what became of that foal?

Luna... it was a long time ago...

Speak true Star... How did she fare?

She lived, don't worry. Grew up and became a Magis and everything.

Oh thank providence...

So, I sang as my sister finished my wings, my... song drowning out the buzz and chirps about us as I did. I so loved those days Star... The world about seemed so bright, and as old as we were, we were young as well. In full vim and prime, the experience of ages in the bodies of mares that were of ones barely in their majority and would be so as long as our Mantles remained. It was... such a blessing those moments. Soon, we both knew, the fire would be ready, and the smoke would be full, and we would have a brief repast. And then, the road ahead. She had finished and drew my from my thoughts with a kiss to the cheek.

Ick

Oh shush. It was merely a kiss from one I love. What has this world come to?

Your smiling again...

Yes. We must remember that in our darkest moments, those times we had in the light. Those times... that let us know that all nightmares end, and we awaken to a new dawn. So, tell me of of the filly.

Well, she almost died in the Rebellion, but thankfully she was saved.

I'm glad her parents got her back.

Umm... yeah, I'd say she did.

Oh good. I'm certain that she must have been beside herself and in tears after those wretches dragged that poor child away.

Yeah... I'd say there was some sobbing...

Anyway....

"Well, your turn."

I nodded, and as she lay down, I began to run my teeth over her wings shoulders. As I went, straightening her primaries, she continued speaking.

"I think after Archer we go back to the zebra grasslands. Or maybe even visit the Rahj lands. Its always nice to watch them slit open another emperor belly, wouldn't you say?"

She jumped slightly as I pulled a feather, and spitting it out, I rolled my eyes.

"Really Celestia! We can at least try to find value in all life, even if we find the person repugnant, can we not?"

She merely looked at me a moment, her eyes narrowing. She looked back at our fire, and her face settled into that damned mask of hers. I have heard it said this was much of the cause of the Rebellion, her accused aloofness, this cold logic hiding away her smile. You and they have not a notion of what she has suffered. She hides to keep herself from harm, then and now. But there is another part of this, one few of you know. The bite of steel in her words as the suns warmth is denied, as her heart hardens and she thinks of the emperors and kings and all the dead. And I shiver as she speaks, her voice even, soft, but one that causes the bees in my aura to still and the birds above to fall silent in terror.

"No, we cannot."

I don't remember the movement, but I remember I had jumped up and begun to back from her when I my tail brushed against a tree. I had, in my fear, stepped away from that mare. She folded her wing back to her side.

"I'll... I'll do the other one Sel."

She then began to do so, her face still set in that indifferent flat way of hers, but her eyes... I couldn't go near her in those moments Star. I just couldn't. She was so... angry. At the world, at its people. Not at me, never at me. But still, she frightened me in those moments.

Damn... wish that mare had been the one we had in the Rebellion.

No. No Star, you most assuredly do not.

I returned to her, somehow managing to keep our hive. I kept my gaze from her, knowing she'd merely be glaring, and held the hive over the smoke. I opened a slit in my aura, and watched in silence as it began to put the bees to sleep. Upending it, I looked to sister.

"Do you have your knife, or do I?"

She nodded, and opening her saddlebags, tossed my tool. I worked out a sizable hunk from the hive, and as I did, a decidedly large bee stumbled out, and seemed to glare at me in her own tiny fury. I watched her as she began shaking one of her legs at me in what I assume now was quite obscene gestures.

"Forgive me your majesty."

She stomped, or at least made the bee equivalent there of, back into her hive, and sighing, I went to put her and her home back.

Hey... why didn't you just slide through with your knife and work out the hunk while keeping a shield up.

... Damn it

"Now, you lot go back up, then we take our leave."

After making sure our unwilling host was back, i turned to Celestia as she rustled her wings at her side again, her aura working over her sword belts. Seeing her trouble, I came to her side, my own joining hers as we sought to prepare ourselves for another few hours as we trekked over hill and dale. I still looked away from her though. I couldn't and she knew that. She sighed.

"Luna... I'm sorry. But..."

I had to use every bit of my will then Star. I can't... I can't describe how hard it was just to lift my head from my fussing, too look that mare in the eye. She was watching me, her eyes not angry, or not only that. She smiled a little, but I hated it. I hated that motherly fucking smile, that condescending twitch on that white muzzle.

I scowled and turned back to her leathers. I was frightened of Celestia, and am, but Mother Tia is perhaps where I hate her. And look not surprised dear Star, there are times where we hate each other. And times we refuse to even speak. In our reign we've had whole decades past where we had naught to do with each other but for Equestria's affairs. But we remain close, even in our ichor. At some point, we simply came to a place where we simply stayed because it was what we knew. I've said I love her... but love is a poor word for what we have. I have not the words to describe it.

Damn... I thought me and Storm had it bad. Is it rivalry between you, or...

No Star. We are at an age and in a place where such things do not matter. And its... better now, I suppose. My sister is more the fool with her maudlin nonsense and celibate notions, but that aside...

So... what happened with Chrysalis then? If she's so scary why...

Child... Rest assured, that sow will trouble us never again. My sister have sworn to me next time... she burns. But you must realize she does such a thing with a heavy heart. She seeks such matters not for her sake, but yours. She sees so much in you...

Don't you?

... In individuals. Yes. But I saw how my pegasus fell... I am loath to admit it, but I am glad of their defeat. The fools learned nothing from me, merely humored me as I feared.

So, I began my own adjustments, and as I had, she began to help.

"I have it mare, damn it! I have this."

She brought her head close to mine then, her smile gone, and just that same sad look she wears now. She knew she had slipped... She sighed that same weary sigh she always had to her view of herself, like merely trying to improve was hopeless.

"Selene... I'm sorry. I am. I know how you feel about my... well, you do know I would never hurt you, right?"

I merely continued my task. I knew I was being unfair, I knew it was childish, and I knew how much it would hurt her.

"Selene?"

I looked at her again, her eyes pleading, this time for real. Just one little word, one I knew I was supposed to say regardless, but I had already forgiven her, so to say it...

I merely walked down our road again, leaving her there. I had come to the end of the woods by the time she caught up to my side. We did not speak for hours.

Hey... I know how it is. I mean... Storm can be a right ass at times...

Star... I hurt her because I wanted to. I hurt her deeply AND liked it. The reason matters naught, I acted poorly then, and would do so more times then I'd ever care to consider. Its a trait of myself I detest, one thats far to much like Nightmare then I'd like.

You're just a mare Luna. A pony. Its okay to make mistakes and be mad.

Not for us child. For us... the consequence is so much greater and can cause more harm then you could imagine. We... we needed to be better. We still need to be better.

We traveled on and on. Day and night passed above us in each of our turns, and we did not stop. We knew not what drove us, but it was hardly a new sensation. We had always had our wander lust, to see new places and meet new people. And this day... we found a carnival.

Celestia stopped short in our journey, her nose posed upwards into the air as it quivered.

"I smell food."

I felt then I should have scolded her at that, that she shouldn't show such eagerness or be a pest... but I was just as tired as she was. We had spent some time amongst the Rahj... We do not aid in such things, and know they would take no aid, but still... the borea king had taken his pound of flesh.

The Borean king?

Star... I do not doubt your Shadow a brave mare. She faced me at my worst, faced the clans, faced so much... but my child, there are wicked souls about this world, some who walk so far beyond the lines as to nearly come full circle. His army was... cruel, not a mindless or animal cruelty, but cold, calculating, and brutal beyond all reckoning. The Rahj stood firm before them as they had against so many others, their hooves dug deep in the blood soaked sand, and before them they laughed. As they always have, and always will. But save against one.

I saw the charge ravaged ranks of the Borean part, not out of respect but terror, eyes covered and pleas of mercy, they had served, they had, to please spare them... And across the sand he tread, his cloak billowing in the wind. He did not lower his hood, that... thing. I think he pony, but I would dare not such as he that. He had long since rid himself of such a petty thing as conscious or care... The Rahj stilled in their revelry... Each eye looked upon him.

Luna...

It was... horrid. Wretched beyond reckoning as those mare and stallions were tossed about, to hear their screams for Maker, for mother, for death as that beast tore them open, as the fell upon raised pikes and amongst the Borean to be ripped apart by the quickly recovering soldiers.

Oh Celestia... what happened?

Their mother, the desert, heard her children's cry. We watched as she awoke... and we huddled under our blanket as she let loose her wrath. The sands of their lands child... I heard what Rahj were left begin to laugh again... and we chanced a glance. A Rahj charge is a beautiful savage thing my child... it is not as our pegasus, a grim assault. No, while both charge, a Rahj charges with all joy in their act, they fall upon their enemy and their swords move in a blur about them almost out of sight... but a Rahj in the storm, that is terror. They do not seek a swift death then. They grow as silent as the tomb, their hooves silenced in the blowing of the sand... and strike from their mothers blinding sands, gone as soon as there.

The storm slowly ebbed and the sands settled... and they were gone. The Rahj had left with their mother, those that could. About lay scattered the covered forms of the armies of Borean's and Rahj, but one still lived. We flew down, and looked in horror at that... stallion.

He was still alive?

He was. And he looked up at the sky... and laughed. It was not the pleasant or exuberant laugh of a Rahj... it was a hoarse, raspy thing. And he just kept on. His head slumped... and so went the last king of Borea. It took a storm and a whole army to slay one stallion. Your Shadow was, and perhaps is, a great warrior. But there are many out there. And not all care for their lives as much as they do the act of violence. I pray Storm to never face such a thing, for Shadow will not avail her.

I pause in our story, looking down at Star, then too a cabinet. I bit my lip a moment as I think... It will hurt, but... Shadow, I will break this mare of you by heavens light. I open a drawer on my desk, and unfurling my wing from my guard, I walk to the cabinet.

"I think... I think you need to see this."

I push the key into the lock and feel the paradigm shift within. In an instant, I begin to hear that same damn snickering I heard on those cliffs. I open the wardrobe, regarding the contents within

Hello darkness my old friend

I take the helm from within, and whatever resides in it stills its snickering. Taking some solace in this, I turn back to Star, who tilts her head curiously.

"Is that..."

I nod. Placing the polished armor piece upon the desk, I smile sadly.

"Go on. It won't bite."

Nodding, Star reaches out with a hoof... it stills, a look of confusion and unease quickly manifesting as my friend jerks the hoof back.

"What... what is that? A spell... runes?"

I shake my head, and she reaches with both hooves this time, wincing as the frogs make contact.

"No. Its just... him."

She draws it to her as she regards herself in its surface.

"Its... heavy."

"Such was the deeds done by its master."

A shiver runs through as the chill begins to set in.

"Cold."

"Such was the stallion who bore it."

I can hear the helm begin whispering again, and although I know she can't, it still has an effect. She can feel his fury, his loathing of all who had the audacity not to simply lay down and die, his want of war and death, thinking it gave one strength. What comes next, I do only for her sake...

"Storm is dead."

Star's head jerks up, her eyes shocked at the statement.

"What?"

I lean my head forehead, not breaking my gaze.

"Storm. Is. Dead. The Borean King walks the earth in this era, a stallion who would see Chrysalis as an irresistible delight, an enemy he could kill but who would never die. He came to your hold, and all of them are dead Star. The plan failed, and all is blood and shattered masonry. He took your sister and killed her like a fly, Shadow has been shattered like glass. You are all that remains. What do you do?"

She looks at me, and in that instant I bit back a sigh.

"I fight."

"Why? Honor? Vengeance? Would any there have a last breath, they'd tell you to run."

She shakes her head. a sad little smile playing over her muzzle. Lighting her horn, she lowers her hooves as she raises the helm to hover in front of her, looking the king in his blackened eyes.

"Its not about them."

Closing her eyes, she rested her horn across the top of the helm, her shoulders slumped.

"Its me. Because I'm not Shadow. Or Storm. Or my parents. Or Cloud, or Tornado, or anypony else there. I'm Star. And I'm scared Luna."

Putting the helm on the desk, she reopened her eyes, then looked up at me evenly.

"I'm scared."

Slowly a hoof runs along her throat where a knife had not long ago laid.

"I can't say I'd die smiling, because I wouldn't. I don't want that. But... if not me, who?"

She looked back to the the helm, and laid her chin on my desk, sighing bitterly.

"If I run then, Canterlot's next. Then Equestria. Its not about the Guard, or my clan."

She rolls her eyes up to look at me, and this time her smile is happy.

"Its about what you said. You said my life was valued. Well, so is everyone else."

Looking back to the armor, she scowled.

"And as for you... come around if you will. My clan falls... I fight. I fall... there will be ten to take my place and a hundred each with them. We're the Guard old wolf. We're whats waiting when you growl at our door."

I can only barely stop myself from sighing. Damn it... I pick up the helm... and she glares.

"And I know what this is Luna... I'm not a foal. I know what I'm doing."

And not a split second later, a loud gurgling echoed from her unhappy stomach. And of course, she blushes.

"Errr.... heh."

"I'll order something up."

As I put him back, his voice is droll.

Haa. Amen to that little sister. People like that... there what we fear, huh Nighty? Gods, the valiant Knights, such vain glorious things they are...

I close the doors, and turn the key.

Glory to the guard, all those who hold the line.

Author's Note

Well, since no one seems to take much interest in celestia and luna stories, I figured why not. Got the next chapter going, where the pegasus face Luna in the second day of the two day war of Equestria.

There's a reason she was named Lady of War

Of Clock Repair and Battle Mares

After our meal, good Star took the the liberty of laying out across my sofa, face content for the moment as I rummaged about my desk before pulling out my tools. Walking to the grandfather clock Celestia had insisted couldn't be fixed, I opened its glass cover. The sofa squeeked as the mare upon shifted and gave a yawn.

"You may stay here for the night, good Star. There is plenty of room."

Working my magic over the pendalum, I scowled as it was indeed stuck. As I picked up my oil can, I heard Star groan.

"No thanks. I'd like to, but you know, decorum and all that."

Nodding, I gave a slight nudge to the weight, watching it swing a moment then stilling again. Blast.

"You know Luna... that stunt was something friends don't do."

I looked behind me a moment, seeing she still lied prone across the sofa, and looked back to the clock.

"Mayhaps Star, but I offer no regret. I did so since I doubt your clan properly prepared you for matters, portraying things through... tulip hued spectacles I believe is the term?"

She snorts at that, then grows silent for a time.

"Ehh... kinda. Basic was a breeze since it was just home, and officer training went fairly good. But no one told me about my instructor... I mean, I expected a lot, but her... So, we get this earth pony as our instructor... Okay, first off, you only worried when she got quiet. Like this one time...

"What you looking at?"

I jerked slightly as the mare who'd been running our drill today paused in front of me, and leaned close. She was a pretty mare, I'd say that. Green eyed, white mane, brown coat. Unlike the others, she wasn't any sort of uniform, just stalked about. Since she lacked wings and a horn we just assumed she was there to watch, but I'd seen her keeping pace with a few of my clan mates in runs. We Kicker's sometimes get some attitude since we've trained for years before basic... but I'd seen Guards in full barding straighten when she walked by.

And right now she was standing in front of me. And I was terrified.

"I said why you giving me the eye recruit? Something funny?"

"No Ma'am!"

She tilted her head, smiling sweetly.

"Ma'am? Name recruit?"

"Star Kicker Ma..."

Her face was suddenly in mine, her muzzle inches away. I'd had plenty of this in the hold, but something about this...

"Kicker, you call me ma'am again I will tie you crotch tits into pretzel knots. Clear?"

I nodded.

"I'm sorry. I didn't hear you?"

My eyes darted around, looking for help...

"Oh? Do you have a problem now? Too good for me now Kicker? Hmm?"

"I... I don't know..."

Her grin was slowly spreading, her tone growing softer.

"Don't know? What do you mean don't know? I thought Kicker's knew everything. That's what I hear."

"Um... we..."

"That's not telling me much. What doesn't Star Kicker know?"

"Your... name..."

Her head slowly tilted the other way.

"My name? You wan't to know my name?"

I nodded, and she growled.

"Child, you don't need to know my fucking name. The first and last words I want out of that cunt mouth is drill sargeant. I ain't a ma'am, I work for a living."

"Drill sergeant yes Drill sergeant."

She slowly roamed her eyes over me, and in any other case I'd be giddy, but not with this mare.

"Long way from home Kicker. Kinda scrawny hmm?"

I frowned slightly, but bit back my snark as her eyes locked with mine once more.

"What, the clan forget your wheaties? Hmm?"

"Drill sergeant no drill sergeant."

"So... why is a runt like you here?"

I gulped then...

"Drill instructor to help ponies drill instructor."

Her smile fell in a instant replaced by a scowl.

"You got a problem with me being a mud pony?"

"No! Umm, Dril..."

"What's that? Think you can ignore direct orders because it from a earth pony? That it Kicker?"

"Drill sargeant no drill sargeant!"

"Think I'm dumb mare, hmm? Think your hot shit, think maybe you gonna be telling where the bearbug shits in the woods?"

I'm shaking at this point as she leans closer.

"I read about Shadow. She seemed to think she knew a lot about mud ponies. About how we should like being told what to do by featherbags and hornheads. I guess a Kicker hornhead is her gift then? Come on Star, tell me what to do."

"Eeep..."

She pulled away then, her smile returning.

"I guess you'll need time to think about it. Back of the line at chow time Kicker. Oh, and its drill sergeant Sunflower Smiles."

She walked up the front of the barracks, and with a turn, regarded us all a moment.

"I am drill sargeant Sunflower Smiles recruits. I will be assisted by drill Sargeant Eclair and drill Sargeant Noble Preceps in your training as member of the Equestrian Guard. We are seen as ones in possession of the highest of military virtues. We obey orders, respect our seniors, and strive to be the best ponies we can be. Spirit and discipline are the hallmarks of the Guard, and each of you can become one us if you possess them. We will give every effort to train you even when you have given up on yourselves. From now, you will treat all Guard with the highest level of respect, for we have earned our place and will accept nothing less from you."

Her eyes locked onto mine, then the other two Kicker's.

"We will treat you as we do our fellows: with fairness, firmness, and dignity. At no time will you be physically abused or threatened by any of our Guard or another recruit. If anypony should do so, I expect it to immediately reported to myself or my fellow sargeants. If you feel I have mistreated you, you are expected to report it to the series commander."

"That mare taught me a lot. Scary as fuck though."

At the name Sunflower Smiles, I pause in my work. I seem to remember... ah.

"Wasn't she the mare who razed a large cabal of my cultists?"

"Yeah."

I nod, tinkering with hands as I recalled on incident as I had before one of the reality tears I used on Equestria for communication.

"High Priest..."

My cultist faded into view, his face hidden in his hood.

"My lady... our work in your name continues apace. We have..."

Suddenly a door slammed in the background and another stumbled into my priest.

"Ah, watch yourself whelp! I speak to our mistress!"

"Forgive me master, but we've come under attack! A single mare, but its..."

In the back shrieks and cries had begun to sound, and over it a mare screamed "NNNNNNNNNEEEEEEERRRRRRDDDDDSSSSSS!"

"My priest, that is not a chant, chant, chanting of my happy cult. Whats happening?"

"Naught but a trifle..."

"FUCKING WITCHES! MAGICAL WHORES!"

"Stand fast my ponies! She cannot possibly break the wards... fuck she's breaking the wards!"

I facehoofed then. Couldn't find good help anymore. Why did Celestia hog up all the good ones while I got the rejects.

"My priest, I am quickly becoming concerned."

"Fear not my lady, we shall..."

"OH MAKER, MOMMY, AND CELESTIA HELP!"

"AHHHHHHHHHHH!"

"I WILL FUCKING END YOU!"

"I SURRENDER!"

"I DON'T GIVE A FUCK!"

"Priest..."

"Things are well in hoof..."

"I'M GONNA TICKLE YOU TO DEATH!"

I could hear the sounds of screams and splatters happen a bit longer, then silence.

"Just you and me padre."

"Stay back hound of the sun! You cannot hope to match the might of a uni... OH FUCK, GET HER OFF, GET HER OFF!"

"I'M THE MARE THAT'S GONNA BURN YOUR HOUSE DOWN YOU NIGHTMARE BODY PILLOW PORKING PILLOCK!"

Hmm... Looking back I'm rather surprised I risked my return considering the apparent mental state our ponies had fallen in.

"So, this mare was your mentor."

"It was... more then that. I guess we were a couple of oddballs, me with my clan her in the guard, but she took a special bit of attention on me. I mean... I learned stuff about survival and about myself I never thought I would."

I had begun to run an oil rag over my work as Star spoke, trying to clear out some grime from the gears.

"Oh?"

"Shadow never said anything about how horrible we, her clan, could be."

I stopped a moment.

"She... she never talked about that. About triage or having to give mercy or looting. Sunflower was blunt: if it came down to it, we'd all steal, but there's a difference between bread and gold. Shadow... she never drew the line. She never talked about how their was difference between killing and pissing on the corpse. Or how we were obligated to refuse orders, that was one that horrified me. And when I brought up Sunbeam... I was told flat out that if I ever acted with unnecessary force on a prisoner, she'd see me court martialed. It seemed... Easier for her. Shadow I mean."

I had removed a file from my tools, and had begun working on some rust.

"That is because dearest Star, none would impede them. And no punishment came for their deeds."

"You would have punished Shadow? For what?"

"Hmm... disobeying direct orders, fraternizing with the enemy, conduct unbecoming, a whole host of personal reprimands for various instances."

"And Bright and the others..."

I blow some of the rust away.

"Bright is a mare I can say without a doubt would never had been the head of any of my clan holds. And we also did not turn a blind eye to clippings and that stallion would have had to deal with me personally. And if he thought he could cover it up by killing his son..."

My horn flared a moment.

"I would rip into his mind until I learned the truth."

"But... that's so..."

"Wrong? Yes. But in the circumstance justified."

"Huh... kinda sounds like rahj stuff."

I lit the end of my horn for a moment, peering into the gear work.

"Oh? Have an interest then?"

"Not... really. The rahj seem to... independent, you know? Okay, so like their whole sword love thing. I mean, isn't that dangerous?"

"A nation that allows it people the right to defend themselves and to bear arms? Don't you have a horn?"

"Well, Shadow disarmed Cloudsdale, so..."

CLANG! In my shock my file fell from aura as my jaw dropped and my heart pounded.

"She what!"

"Well... yeah. The Rebellion. Its regarded as one of her more..."

"Are they still disarmed?"

"Uh... I think Celestia reinstated their rights a bit after Shadow died, but the clan objected."

I lean against the clock as my heart slowed. Thank goodness.

"What's wrong? I mean... I've heard Cloud worry about how wing blades should be a Guards only thing."

"What would have happened, good Star, if the only unicorn who could use magic was Sunbeam Sparkle."

I can practically hear her brain grind in its train of thought.

"Fair point. Anyway, the only reason I know about rahj philosophy is because of Shadow. She seemed to really go on philosophy bender after, particularly with the True Cords and the rahj."

"Good, good. All should seek some form of balance after all..."

"Clan didn't think too much of it though."

Hearing the tone in her voice, I smirked.

"I take it she duly took note of their objections and addressed the matter in the way I had always encouraged my pegasus to do?"

"She told them to go wank in a tea pot and brew themselves a nice cup of go fuck themselves."

Okay, that's a good one. Gold star.

"But you can't blame them really. She seems to have become friends with some consort of the sultan and one of their Janissary. And its seems he remained a diplomat, so I kind of think he influenced her. I mean..."

I looked over my shoulder as I wiped my hooves, watching Star scratch her head in thought.

"Okay, so like she was real hard up on the whole "no soft life" thing. Then she starts looking into the Cult of True Cords and talking about rugs or something."

I nod.

"The world is a tapestry of many colors and patterns. Its part of their belief that one has the right to live as one desires and also seems to be a statement as to the importance of remembering that one can never see all things clearly from only their perspective."

"She just... weird I guess. Softened, but grew more strict in other ways. She really seemed to hate the gryphon conflict when before... And Ash. Even Gale admitted she seemed a lot different. She was a fairly distant person in general, but him... She even had a rahj garden."

I stopped in my work, a small smile now on my muzzle. Shadow... you were truly blessed.

"Was that what it was? Did she... did she grow it herself?

"At first. But then that Janissary began helping and all."

I felt my heart thaw a little towards Shadow at the thought.

"The rahj have a philosophy. Consider the flowers, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even the richest of kings in all his glory bears no finer vestments."

Star has begun shifting again.

"All right..."

I smiled wider as I heard a click, and began winding my clock.

"It means that one should not worry over the petty or how one appears to others."

"Well, the gardens still there. We... we kinda like it. Its a good place to think. And the flowers are muted, definitely. Shadow always liked that most, said too much bright colors gave her a headache."

"And after she died, her friend came around all the time to keep it up. And I think a rahj from his family did it for a while too till we started. But we get seeds and buds all the time."

A pegasus clan being given such a thing... I wipe my eyes a moment.

"Oh child... you are more blessed then you'll ever know. To be given one of the rahj's flowers... it speaks volumes to their regard for another."

"What, they were banging?"

I can't even be mad as I turn, and can only giggle as I clap my hooves.

"My pegasus are being given the flowers of the rahj! Oh mare Shadow, your Luna is beyond proud! And no, it does not mean that."

I see Star giving me a perplexed look, and lower my hooves, still smiling.

"Star... the rahj are the people of a land of little beauty. They can keep themselves feed and watered, but in terms of asthetic, theres little there. They themselves are a sight, but really, I doubt the Kicker's would take a rahj as a present. And their flowers... The care, my child, they give them. Whole generations of their kin have often tended a single garden as long as they have been in a city. To give Shadow a garden, to declare it hers... It meant she was a good and gentle soul."

At this Star snorts, waving a hoof dismissively.

"Good. Yes. Gentle, come on."

Oh fie on thee child!

"Hey Luna, you said you and Celestia were going to a carnival."

"Ah, indeed!"

.....................................................

So, following the sound of the laughter and music, we were practically running towards the source. And as we crested the hill, it was no less then a Draft festival.

Draft... oh! Those ponies who all have the build of big Mac with the pet gryphons.

I would say they're more a part of their people then a pet.

Draft gave them food and beer and they stuck around. Sounds like a pet.

Anyway...

We hurried down the hill to the gathered wagons, a little saddened not much was out, but giddy to soon be in celebration. And moreover it was a day of the dead.

Day of the dead?

The Draft subscribe to the notion one should not mourn ones passing, but celebrate their life. So they spend a few days each season in celebration, hanging skulls about hither and yon with candles in them. They even have skull lights hanging from trees.

Wow...

Celestia took my blades from me to seek the smithy while I went with the mares to assist in the foal herding and assist in the setting up.

You know... its still weird to think that their are folks with just as many stallions as mares.

You must remember that to the world, Equestria is the odd one.

Gotta say though, its kinda... cute. You being little miss homemaker and all.

Well, I've always been the one more prone to the ebs and tides of a mares life, and am proud to be one. Celestia has always been the more tomcoltish of us, taking an interest in politics where I looked towards the arts. It should be noted I was always thought of the more maternal of us. Celestia made the Canterlot Voice famous yelling for all those quote unquote "mewling shit heaps" to get out of her garden.

What were stallions doing?

Doing what all stallions do in this situation: have the gaul to think that after a day of fixing, pulling wagons, and defending their caravan they had the chance to take a rest and pretty much being as useless as bull tits.

Hee...

And of course dear sister got along with them in the way she always had. For me, they had set our a small mat, and with my ale and... whatever that red topped flaky thing was...

I know I can't talk about this, but at least let me gush to my family about our millenia old diarch whose experienced about everything calling a food a red topped flaky thing...

Hush you...

And I had reopened my book, the instruments near playing the usually jaunty strum of pipes and violins one of their caravans families had brought from their carts began to fill the night as about milled stallions and mares, gryphon and hippogryphs, and about the foals ran and hid under that tables, the laughs and shouts often merely adding to the din then conveying any semblance of word.

But even above that, the sound of foreclaws and hooves slamming into hard wood sounded alongside the clatter of ware as the stallions had begun chanting.

"OY! OY! OY! OY!"

Sister had of course made her own amusements, and was currently working her gluttonous muzzle on yet another draught of draft ale, soon to be tossed behind her onto the ever growing pile behind her. And with a slam of it on the table, the cheers went from loud to thunderous.

"GOOD! ANOTHER!"

Its so weird to think of her like that.

Well, we were blade mares Star. Still are in fact, though she is sickened of the sight of one now. And lets remember that while we are mares, that act of war and its trappings is largely a decidedly masculine fair.

Shadow would contest you on that. She always felt a mare should keep some form of poise and decorum even as a warrior.

Yes, well, Shadow isn't a Princess, so thbbttt to her.

And now I see an alicorn raspberry... I thought you were supposed to be all majestic and stuff.

Celestia just does that for the tourists.

As she threw her trophy to the, the mare running the barrels giggled as she waddled over, and by the stars I've never seen a more pregnant thing! I believe she'd had one of the wren tie her into a braid for the night, and her green eyes narrowed playfully as she slid another tray of pints onto the table.

"Now lass, go easy on her... you'll be finding the dog bite back if you catch my meaning."

Celestia smirked as she took her drink in her aura, and she reached a wing to slap our hostess in her rump.

"Nah, such a pretty..."

I barely even saw what happened next. One moment Celestia... the a whirl of the bar mares right hoof into sisters cheek and slaming her onto the ground.

"GAH! YOU BITCH, WHAT WAS THAT FOR?"

Seriously?

Again, different time. Battle mare, masculine affair, so on and so forth...

Oh come on! She just wapped a mare in the butt with a wing! Even Cloud doesn't do that!

Somehow holding your cousin up as the gold standard of how one conducts oneself in terms of physical interaction with others does little to aid your objection.

I could only snort as I watched my sister once again make friends and influence others, the raucous roar of guffaws covering the litany of curses was laying upon my prone sister. And with one last sharp hmmph, the maid turned smartly, stomping back behind the barrels as Celestia struggled to upright herself, rubbing her cheek as she pouted at the jeering throng.

"What you lot lookin at? Go back to your pints ya cunts."

I shook my head as she rose onto her hooves and made her way through the throng. So went Celestia, future Queen.

I was well into the middle of my book when she returned, with two blonde maned draft, a mare under both wings with expressions both bemused and hopefully lecherous.

"Look Sel! Twins! One for you, one for me!"

Seriously! Ew!

Again, Cloud Kicker. Any objection you have has thus been nullified by mere association.

No, I mean it Luna! What the hay!

Yes dear Star, your purest mothers of sanctified whatevers have sex. We've also bonked, boinked, screwed, fornicated, gotten laid, banged, fucked ourselves into a near stupor, rutted on boats across the oceans blue and on clouds above, and have eagerly enjoyed both mares and stallions of many people! We've also loved more then a few of those we have done so, and frankly, I'm sick to the back teeth with the notions that one I shouldn't because I'm not supposed to for some obscure sense of political mechanation, and two that I erred in my love. And every time one of you open your muzzles in this regard, its more often then not to spit on the names of those I have loved and who loved me in return. So if you please would be so Guard like as to keep thine minge muncher shut, I would be ever so grateful!

Well, come on! I didn't say you had to do or not do anything, but geez! Its like listening to my grandmother talk about this stuff!

Ugghh... you mares have gotten so prudish... Anyway, back to our story...

"I can see that Tia."

She was practically bouncing in glee Star. I had never met a mare more excited about anything.

"Twins Selene! Come on, you need to get your head out of those nasty old books!"

Rolling my eyes, I stuck my tongue at the thought.

"Thank you sister mine, but I'm quite content not being a harlot thank you my dear."

Instead of an answer, I was greeted with a decidedly obscene sound, then sight as I looked up and watched as my sister had her muzzle locked with one mares and seeming to be at risk tangling their tongues together while the other mare growled playfully, nipping at her neck. Lifting a hoof, she gives a wave, and the three stumble of to one of the larger carts. As one pulls away to open the back door and head inside, my sisters pulls her head back, and giggles as her new beau nips her jaw. And with a last pull of her tail, the door shuts with a slam.

I merely roll my eyes again, returning to the world in my hooves. Leave sister to her dalliances, I'd just enjoy the festival on my own.

You sat there alone all night, huh Luna.

Not... all. No.

At some point, I was jerked out of my repose by a throat clearing, and looking up I realized our little camp hard largely fallen empty, the draft either in bed or sprawled across the dirt and grass. Looking at the stallion at my side, I let my eyes linger a bit over his legs and chest as I eventually meet his eyes. The fellow possessed a gray coat and white mane, a white star over his forehead. He smiles at me, holding out a blanket.

"Here we are miss Sel... figured you might be cold."

I looked at him a moment... then smiled, lifting a wing.

"Well, I think I'd need more then a blanket, wouldn't you my dear?"

He looks at me blankly a moment, then with a jump, grins and cuddles up next to me. For some reason, I begin to read to him, and he lays his head on mine. The nights then passed so slowly Star... they were cold, harsh things, filled with all manner of maw eager to bite, but that night the slowness was such a sweetness. As I read, he began nuzzling my neck, sending me into giggles. As we lay there, the others began putting tables and barrels away, and at some point the band left. I don't know which one of us got up, but at some point, a bottle of wine was there with two cups. I'd since put my book away of course, and as the fire flickered and dimmed, we were left in the soft glow of the skull lanterns. We both looked about the sky, then at each other.

"Selene... I think I should rest. I gotta..."

"Oh... Of course. I..."

His lips pressed to mine, and I returned the gesture.

Luna...

My dear, I am no pegasus. I do not attend to such matters lightly and would be most remissed if you sought to emulate Cloud's ways should matters fail with your lady love. But there are times when one is alone... I was so sick of heart child. I had been alone for so long...

It's okay Luna.

No. Not it most certainly isn't. This was no mere dalliance, we both knew that. It was not my sisters overt appetites or your Cloud's pursuits. Do not allow yourself to become so... lost as to risk such a thing. We sang a heart song in the eves star light...

"I have to stay."

I nodded, trying to keep my stoicism in full as I felt my heart breaking. I gave him another kiss, and sighed.

"I know... Where do you head my love?"

He smiled, and I felt another crack that we would be apart so long.

"I go to the isles... But my Selene, I will always be yours. Once matters are squared, I'll be back."

I felt such love then Star...

Luna... it was just a one off thing. I mean, I'm sure he was sweet, but still...

I know... I've enjoyed my trysts, but have had my heart taken in the night and remained with many a mate for winters after, even a lifetime. Be careful in thy doings my dear, is all I say.

Did you see him again?

I did... He and I remained together his whole life in Canterlot. He proved a more then able home tend while I tended to matters of state with sister, although we felt the pang again and again as I returned to my pegasus in the coming years. He was a beacon in those days. One sorely needed for my deeds done.

I paused again, and realized I had moved to look at the window. Star had come to my side, resting a hoof on my shoulder and looking at me with heart sore eyes.

"You must miss him."

I nod, looking out over Canterlot, the light of my moon such that one needed no lantern to travel if they wished. Looking up at the moon, I scowled.

"I remember how I remembered those times made sweet up there... I remember being such a foul and wretched thing..."

I feel her hoof leave me, her voice uncertain.

"Luna... you're not her anymore."

I lower my head to Star's, and say "But I am my Star. I am her. The prophecy may not come to pass, but she is I and I am her. I need you to see that. Can you?"

She steps back, her throat working a moment with a gulp.

"What was it... like then? Being Nightmare."

I look to my moon again, the memory of what I saw below as clear now as it had been seven years ago.

"I... I can't truly describe it. I looked upon all here and felt such a shiver... Not only Equestria, but all the world, all the world could be mine, I thought. I paced and traced my fangs with my tongue, my mind and body aflame with such passion and fury... It could be, I said. It should be. It must... it will... all mine, all. I..."

I felt the gorge of revulsion so long buried in my stomach twist them again.

"I remembered my pegasus, I heard their call... and I was there again, in Equestria. I was... I was Bright. She thrilled as I did... we would take it all. I..."

I remember how I felt our body torn and ruined, how we lay and mourned. How I screeched and raged at us get up. Get up, such is ours for the taking. On the whole of earth as it was in Equestria, my will be done.

"...Amen."

I began to pace then, and Star took a seat, eyes following me as I went, so close, so far.

"Where was the Maker... where was that bastard Star? Design? Who makes such a thing as I? Who... who sees one such as me and says "and it was good." I stood there, in the flesh of... of my daughter, of my little pony who I loved as any other... and said "All that is is mine, I answer to no one. All lands, my rule shall be questioned by none."

I stopped.

"Why... why didn't she stop me?"

I turn to Star again, and come forward on unsteady hooves.

"I feared even as I was... all that want and hunger, to know what it means to be an alicorn Star..."

I came close, our muzzles inches away.

"To know I could do whatever I desired..."

She shows no fear in her eyes... I'm her damn it. I'm as much her as Luna, why do you not see that. How can you not hate me Kicker. She wraps her hooves around my neck.

"I trust you Luna."

I slump to the ground, I feel such... despair.

"Don't Star. Don't trust me, or any alicorn. We... we'll hurt you. I wanted your love, I had it. I had what I wanted. Why wasn't that enough?"

She runs her hoof down my mane, like I'm... I feel the fury return. Like her, she's fucking treating me like she does, like I'm a foal. I yank my head from her, and begin flexing and arching my wings.

"Don't coddle me! I am an alicorn, a higher state! I need not your simpering weakness! I'm... I'm strong."

I shiver as I remembered what I had heard when I first returned to Canterlot in the day following victory... I remembered a Magus said come and see, and I saw... I looked and beheld a white mare..

And the name put on her was death. And I quelled before her.

I grit my teeth as that damn laughter starts again. I stomp to my cabinet, and rip it open. I glare down at the bastard there.

Bee in your bonnet Nighty? Come around for a night cap then? Might have to get it yourself my dear, I'm feeling out of sorts at the moment.

I yank him out, holding him to my nose, looking into his blackened eyes...

Weakling. Bright and Mama Lulu, two peas from the same piss ant pod...

I chucked him against the clock I'd repaired, my voice raw as I screeched "SILENCE WRETCH! DO NOT SPEAK OF HER!"

He lay there, chuckling.

I remember my colt died in... I think bridle shore. He bought it there over some such. Did I call on the gods? Did I become a higher being?

Star had pressed herself against the wall, waiting. Her ears wilted, tears flowed, but I didn't care. I only cared about the fuck laying on my polished fucking floor.

"Shut up..."

No, I was a fucking stallion and I got on my fucking boat and did the job myself. I didn't even wait to dock, swam right up to shore. A few families had gathered and waved. I left their stallion alive to bury the rest.

I stomp over to him, tears of fury now starting to fall.

Ah, but you know what that's like, don't you Nightmare? Standing there in Pegasopolis... wind in your mane, blade at ready... So tell me... how'd it feel, doing the job yourself? Coming down from on high to roll in the muck and blood?

I stood over him, my head lowered to that beast, that brute, the only pony in all the world who truly knew of my hunger...

How did it feel...

"I... I felt nothing that day. It was..."

I straighten again. I draw a breath, and wipe my eyes.

"Star... tend me."

She is at my side in moments.

"Yes my Princess."

"Can you take notes?"

She nods, and goes behind my desk

"Take heed my bodyguard... for tonight we speak of my siege of the city state of Pegasopolis. The war of the two sisters."

I can hear him and that damned laugh of his.

Hold onto your water wings friends and neighbours...

Something seems to shift in the gloom of his eyes

Cause I see a bad moon rising... and storms along the way.

Libera Et Impera

And so, my dearest Star, you shall hear the truth. What came about so long ago, how we came to be your sovereigns... I would not dean to speak for sister, her tale is hers to tell. But mine begins as I landed there amongst the clouds.

I've always found that feeling unsettling, standing so high above, each step springing under me as I go. I've prefered the solid earth since i can remember. But today... that day, my steps were sure. I walked the cloud fluff cobbles of the streets of Pegasopolis, and shivered. We often look to pegasi for their aesthetic, their simple swoops and swirls in their buildings, their indeneted columns and the cloudiseum. But not they... not these pegasus.

These were not the kind souls you know Star. Nor are they my poor lost foals of a mere millenia ago. No... these were the legionaires, my little pony. In those times, the world of the pegasus was thus: there were of course the clans, but the ones of actual rank the regulars, comprised largely of pegasus not of any clan and those of the clans who volunteered and it was they who were sent to handle the mundane daily of bandits, road guarding, gryphons, and the like, and the legionaries, those elite sent to the monsters and called upon by the Magus for the threats brought about by warlocks or if needed the spear point in acts of war, the bearers of armor of stormy grey and captains in barding of gold and red.

As I walked, I scanned my immediate surroundings at the gathering throng, their wingblades rattling as wings flexed and relaxed, the pegasus there watching me warily. The buildings they had formed had no elegance or grace, no sense of identity. The thirteen ponies who had made this place had seen it done all angles and sharp lines. Cold, conforming. A thing meant to suck away as much of a sense of freedom a tribe of air bound people as it can. From the windows, over the edges of square cloud platforms, (nay, I jest not Star. They could not even allow that bit of whimsy) the pegasus I've come to see set free watch. Wait. All about me, all I see is armor of grey and smatterings of red.

After all, Pegasopolis wouldn't be worth living in if some parts were not for the express use of its upper rungs.

I adjust my sabers at my side slightly, and all there tense, and I giggle at that. I had, and even until now, have never been before such a buttoned up group of soldiers. I wondered a moment if a message had made it through sisters stroll... I had seen her to Canterlot gates, and with a kiss goodbye. As I began my ascent, I could already hear the screams below. I could feel in my body the gathering below of the finest and most skilled of their magus, the greatest of their Alpha.

I hoped sister kept herself content with ashing ponies in her pass. I'd dearly love to come home to at least a whole city after all.

Looking up, I paunch out my lip. Well, sister was doing her part. I suppose I...

"Hail and well met!"

Blinking, I look down again and watch as a mare and stallion had begun walking towards me. The stallion, colt really, is still getting used to his barding, the storm grey of its shell unmarred of the mark of battle. Before him, and mare in their tribes battle braid trots briskly up to me. Neither is armed. As she walks close, she smiles as she hold up a hoof.

"Luna! I have been sent by my epoch to give word of a parlay. They..."

To anypony else it would have seemed an errant breeze had flicked a couple of strands of brown mane from her eyes. Mouth still open, the mare blinked... then her braid slid down from her necks back. Smiling, I took a gathering of mane in my aura while covering the stump with a bit of mana. Turning to the colt, whose eyes are becoming wild in fear, I release his superiors neck, and the blood held at bay spurt forth coating me, and down my front as it slumps down. My smile grows soft. I hold the mares head out to him. Slowly, he holds out his hooves. Once I'm sure, I let the head drop, and he clutches it too his chest. I lower my muzzle to his ear.

"There is my answer. Do make sure its recieved promptly."

I kiss his cheek as I pass, then regard the legion of thunder steel, the great sabaton of might of Pegasopolis. They had remained stoically regarded my little bit of theater, patiently waiting, though a few pawed the clouds and bared teeth. I tilt my head at that.

"Wee pups think to show the alpha their milkers..."

I continued on, watching them tense further. I was smiling, I was numb inside. No, not even that.

Cold. I was cold. Cold steel, cold fury, I thought of the Bolean stallion we'd seen, how he laughed to see such sport, his blood leaking out into the sand. I wonder if this was how he felt. I know he loved battle, but killing... I began to gently move my lips, my words on the wind to be carried to all corners of the pegasus propers, a decree of whispers that shake the very timbers in ways no Canterlot Royal Voice ever dream of. I see the ponies before me shift and ears flick in the slot of theirs, eyes darting as each hears my voice.

"Pegasus... I am Luna. I have come to see you from this bondage, this cage of indentured built about the blue. I have heard your cries in your dreams, have seen you weep alone in your hearts, have watched you flying free while sleeping in this place. And I would see you from the thirteens tyranny... but I must have you, pegasus. I am no Queen, I do not wish for scrapes and bows. I need strong hearts, back, and wills. I need ponies at my side who will not lick the hoof of the pony what feeds them only enough so they not starve. I need only one word."

I had drawn my sabers, the light glinting off their mirror shine.

"The offer is always open, unto the last. Yield. I want only the thirteen, and to do so I need you to yield. So I offer it now, and shall offer it with each dead pegasus."

Above me, the noon day sun was blazing bright as a shadow began to slide over it. My moon had begun its movement, and I watched in cold how each eye grew fearful, each heart began to beat faster.

And say came the first eclipse Star. And the ponies began to murmur and grow restless as the shadows began to gather. I wondered then what blood looked like in this light. I could still smell her on me...

"You have not long. My sisters does not hold her sun for anypony."

And with the last bit of light, the first elites let out bray's and charged. I sighed.

"Then it is war..."

The collide into a heap where I had been not moments before, eyes still adjusting to the low light. I giggle as I sprint about them in a strafe, and they wince. I come to them from no where and everywhere. I lash out, and a mares hind leg jerks up with a yelp then lowers with a whimper as the blood flows. Another jumps as my edge flits across their nose, another jumps into his fellow as I make a slash at a fetlock. They step far enough apart... And I am in the center of their circle, their gaze anywhere else.

"Good eve."

Before they can even twitch, they seem to split open, head roll, and fall apart in a heap as I work my sabers craft over them. Looking down at my blade, I smile.

Still as you were then?

Above me, sister moves the sun... and I can see all the elites have remained. Scared, infuriated, but still standing firm. I sigh, and with one swipe, I have let loose my mane from me. Such a shame. My stallion said I was so pretty with it. I look at it a moment, and my muzzle pulls back in a snarl.

"I have to see my stallion with a cropped mane cunts..."

I let it flutter away, and look towards the elite legionaires. I'm cold, I'm wrath and hate and now because they refused to fucking yield I have to sheer myself like a sheep lest they yank it back. I can see a few uncovered heads and a few braids and I feel the sort of petty mare resentment only we know, and I let loose with a screech of a alicorns voice. The pegasus fall screaming as hooves fly to their ears, but for the front lines, its to late. Already who lines are deaf, and even a few had their eyeballs burst and roll about screeching and begging. I pause as comrade rush to them... then balk as they slit their throats.

In moments, they are turned back to me. Then in a practiced motion as one, they seem to all suddenly fall to their bellies, the push off with a thunder clap into the air. They pause a moment, and from the platforms, their fellows leap, and as one, the legionaires descend. I crick my neck, my wings being held firm at my sides.

"Come along then my lovelies... oh what a horror I shall make of you."

I remember my union with Bright... oh what a sad thing that was. She thought she knew power in that moment. She was so... grateful for what little I offered. I remember the charge of the rahj, the sheer joy they felt in defense of their nation, to face an enemy for the people they love. As they come upon me, I step aside, and forward, and back, moving and weaving as the rahj do, but I do not laugh. I cannot.

"Where is your joy, my little pony?"

Their hooves kick at me, their blades slash me, their spears are tossed in all fury... but none hit me.

"Why do you not rejoice as they?"

I step back as a few slam down, and rush towards me, their hooves pounding against the cloud masonry.

"And there are no elites there... no alicorns or magus..."

I have backed into one of the buildings, and the ponies circle about, wings stretched and blades arched in the air.

"Mere rahj..."

The mare screeches as she charges at my turned backed, and in a flurry of movement she is split sideways, her innards falling through the clouds as her detris hits the floor.

"They... are a trader... a flower mare... a worker..."

The others are upon me, their brays and curses mere annoyance then the threat they mean it to be.

"A father... mother... brother... sister... a soldier all."

I have finished my work on them, and rush out into the day again, my voice echoing.

"You think any of you are more worthy of honor then they! Against empires and mad beasts I have seen them hold their line! And against the likes of you, who would hate them for naught the had the audacity to not lay down and die..."

I stop, and look up. Above the clouds are being gathered. I can feel their hooves working their cloud charges full of lightning.

"Against a world who despises them, and with barely held together tin pot barding and swords of rust and half hope... they hold their line."

The sky is a blaze, corona upon the brow of my supposed death as their first bolt is launched, and it strikes full between my shoulder blades. I black out a moment I think, I just remember the world going white and blinding and my entire locking in agony. I stand there, legs akimbo, and am pleased to see my blades enchantments held since I'd drop them in my pain. Raising them again, I look up at the clouds, and close my eyes. I feel my stomach lurch and insides tense in reflex as I port into the cloud bank they have brought, and opening them, I regard the turning pegasus, their looks of dawning horror clear.

"You... you who allow your earth kin to suffer... who cry "a third, a third, a third of your we take, and all your grapes and wheat."

My body and blades are a blur to them, but I keep their expressions in my mind as they are torn from this world. In but minutes, I stand before a red armored stallion, my hoof on his back as he paws at the clouds trying to pull himself from me.

"For their nation... the citizen soldier of the rahj hold the line for no more then the honor of a return home."

He turn his gaze to me, eyes pleading.

"If but a mere commoner can show such loyalty... what is your excuse?"

He slumps in his motions, panting.

"They're... just... earth ponies! They're always at making more of themselves!"

I tilt my head at that.

"So... then because there are so many, whats a few lost to bandits or gryphons to save a noble from a beast?"

He nodded desperately.

"Exactly! A noble, a magus, hell, thats an ally! Another clan is allowed to expand, more armor and spears! We couldn't function otherwise, and then they all get eaten!"

I smile, I can't help it.

"Save a hundred in exchange for a few, is that right?"

He nods, relaxing. My blades end pierces his skulls and he jerks and convulses for a time as I scowl again.

"How many points does one recieve when they kill one of you?"

I was, to put in young Pips friends Buttons parlance, going for the high score.

I open my wings, and with a thrust I am up and through the cloud battery, and folding my wings against me again, I regard the tableau beneath. I feel... stunned.

Its empty. I could see a few bodies, but pegasus magic exists as long as they do. So... did I...

I flew down to the lower plantform, and as I walked to a bench, I thought... I should feel... something now. Right? These... pegasus had done evil, allowing their kin to die for the sake of glory, had taken to the point where they starved while they and the unicorns grew fat. I should feel pride, accomplishment.

I sit on the bench, and sigh again. I did not regret my deed. I regretted its necessity. I touch the stone hanging around my neck.

"Sister... how fares your day."

"Uh... hi lady."

I blink at that. A filly?

"Who is this?"

"Uhmm... Lemon zest... my mama was here on Magus stuff and then we saw this white lady... And then mama was gone. I'm with miss white lady now. Do you wanna talk?"

"Yes dear... please give her the stone."

"Selene..."

I wince at that. I lost that name with my decision. Why would she...

"Selene... I... I tried to do what we said to..."

"Celestia..."

"I did, I swear... but I just... They were just so... unaware. They didn't even know whats happening outside the gates... So long as the food and drink comes, they couldn't care less..."

I slump on my seat, remembering how many empty villages. The earth ponies were fed... enough. It was just a matter of leaving them hungry enough for motivation, just scared enough of the timberwolves or warlocks or darkened woods as to warrant more. Always more. And it wasn't like the other tribes went outright evil, they didn't abuse their kin. No, they weren't monsters. And their court was always open... yet it always seemed a earth pony needed to be pushed back so another vital matter could be addressed.

"And then the Magus came... I told them to move... I had no quarrel with those noble fops, got no trouble with them... just let me have her. Just... just stand aside. They... they were utterly devoted to her, Luna! They adored her! No spell, just fanatical devotion to her every whim! And... then that mare was telling her filly... she was gonna be here too one day, all grown up... and she would please their queen with her service."

I merely sat Star. We were at war child...

"She was a bit ahead... and then just ash, and then nothing. I stopped before Lemon got hurt..."

"Hey Celestia... I want mama."

"Luna... never again. Not ever. I don't... I don't care what we do, this will not be it."

I run my hoof down my cropped mane.

"Tia... you know we..."

"No, damn it. You had too. You had too be a hero, you had help. I told you stay out of it..."

It is a long missive Star, but we had, in our coming to Equestria, had to deal with a number of creatures and desperates villages. The crown and council found our presence... upsetting to the landed gentry and disquieting to the citizens of the earth pony communities. Obviously we were there to stir up rebellion and unrest.

They razed the first village we saved... We watched as it burned.

"Luna... I'm Queen."

"What?"

"I killed her. I cornered that foal bloated bellied mare and I sent her and what she carried to whatever stygian awaits. The magus... began cheering. They ran to the windows and cried the news. She... she kept their foals Luna. Said long as they served, they were safe. They begged me Luna... They are still just... crouching. Please, all of you! I... I don't want this..."

"So... what will you do?"

"... They need me Luna. I have to, I suppose. We still have those foals and now their talking about you..."

I can hear a muffled voice.

"Luna... theres a pegasus coming. Don't... just don't. He's a friend."

I snort as I replace the necklace on my neck, and looked about. A spear was tossed lengthwise before, and I looked to my side. A pegasus stallion in brown leather and chain mail flapped, two hooves held up in a peace gesture.

"Yield. I yield."

I look at him a moment, then shift across the bench to the end. He nods, and takes the spot next to me. For a time, we sit there quietly. I chance a few peeks at him: his face has been mauled by one thing or another, his legs marred in scar tissue. I realize he's blind in one eyes as he seems to not care about my gawking. He rubbed his chin with his hoof.

"We got orders from the thirteen... All regular battalions are to make a full fall back to Pegasopolis. No exceptions. We are then to provide mercy to any injured, foals, and discipline any negligence on any citizen's part. We have granted the use of gelding, clipping, and drops from platform in full measure. Once first duty is dispatched we are to engage fully with the strange blue mare with the horn until dead or such time as we are relieved."

I nod and grimace. You seem shocked Star. A mare of clan should know that full invasion means a purge. Do not glare at me mare... To them, it seemed a mercy, and better a quick end then slow starvation. I sat there with that stallion a time, neither wishing to speak. I reached into a satchel on my side... and removed a pipe. After filling it with another pouches filling, I lit it. I took a deep draw, and looked at my hoof. I was still shaking... I was cold ash in terms of feeling, but I shook like a leaf. And what I had in pipe did nothing. The stallion to my right took the pipe, and giving it a drag, gave a shudder.

No, I will not say what it was. Suddenly the pipe fell from his hooves and he jerked up, eyes wide as he looked. Pursing his lips, he made a series of whistles. From elsewhere, two more sound. He gave a sharp trill, and stood. A head popped out from a cloud bank, then drew back in. From it, a colt barely in his majority flew out, in all things, in green armor. He regarded me a moment... I gave him a wink, and snorted as he blushed and looked back to my new stallion friend.

"And what do the clans familias want with us?"

The colt near stallion gulped, then said "We send word that the clans will stand with the stranger... but will do so only if she guarantees the heads of the thirteen and dissolving of the legionaires... and regulars."

I begin to stand, my feathers ruffled out in indignation...

"I speak for Commander Luna. The regulars soar at her side once more... then we disband. Clear?"

The colt shuffles his hooves a moment, then snorts in annoyance, his cheeks abloom much as yours do from time to time, my dear Star.

"The materfamilia of clan Doo would also like to inform you that your place remains open... and demanded I tell you she would be most pleased it was atop her."

I face hooved at that. The old buck beside chuckled throatily, clapping the colt on his pauldron.

"Ease up son. Its not like we're up to anything that hasn't been done before."

........................................................

We made a long stint of a flight over the plains and valleys of the Equestrian lands, and as we went, more pegasus drew up beside us. And then more. They seemed to come from all directions, all in the same armor or brown leather and chainmail. Some had spears over their backs, other wingblades, most seemed scarred and gashed almost to the point of excess. A mare who may have been called pretty had it not been for the burns over her face and neck flew up to me.

"You... what, a goddess or something? No way a old fashioned mortal did that."

I shake my head. The last thing I need is devotees.

"Just... just a mare bit sturdier then most."

She nods, and peels away. I groan inwardly... Please don't start a religion around us ponies, please...

We come to a great cloud ampitheater, on of the few novel things the pegasus have made...to bad Roam had at it first. A pair of stallions make to block us, then tense before slumping over, a dart in each. Looking about, I give a salute with my sword to a pair of twins with blow darts, who smirk at each other. We continue on, and as we go, some merely stand aside, others salute, but all too many begin to kneel.

"Up, up! I say this now, and forever shall it remain, my pegasus bow to no one. One your hooves, one more spot of killing today."

We come to the theater, and I can see the ponies milling inside. Looking to the stallion, I sigh.

"What will you do now?"

He grins.

"Making a new clan. What do you think? Any particular color you like Commander?"

I look down at myself, and stick out my tongue.

"If you go with anything but red I swear I'll kick your teeth in."

The stallion smirks.

"Legs like those gotta make a mare one tartarus of a kicker, no lie Commander. Good luck Luna."

I nod... and walk into the ampitheater.

I don't know what I thought I'd see. There are thirteen pegasus standing about, all of of whom seemed, while mostly hale, decidedly older. I notice one slumped on a step near me, mumbling softly. Leaning down, I give him a nudge.

"Excuse me..."

He jerks awake, and looks around.

"Oh... I'm sorry. Blue yonder, did I miss dinner."

I sigh and smile.

"No father. You fell asleep after it."

He nods, his jaw moving.

"Did you hear if I liked it?"

I nod, and hold out my hoof.

"Come along father, we gotta get you home."

He nods, then looks around, frowning.

"Oh damn... we had guests. I do hope you broke out proper refreshment yonder. We don't skimp on that, no sir."

I chuckle and lead the limping stallion out. A mare pushes through the crowd, scowling.

"Luna... we'll take him. The only reason that fucker drags him along is cause they like to watch him slip away."

I nod, and the stallion eyes shine as he smiles.

"Corn Rows! Why I live and breath, how did you get up here? And how come you aren't falling, I thought earth ponies did that on clouds."

The mare giggled.

"I'm just so good at jumping I got stuck. Come on old son, lets get you home."

I turn back to my quarry, and regard them icily. All stand about in cloaks and shawls, the chill seeming to hit them a bit more nowadays. Seven mares to five stallions. But the one before me is their alpha, I know that. He holds himself erect, a red cloak over his shoulder with the Equestrian standard on it. Lips curling in disgust, he begins to walk forward, a decided limp. I walk with slow deliberation, not breaking our eye contact.

"You... abomination. You ground sewer gutter filth, you dare to come here. To our home?"

He grimaces as his knee buckles a moment, but he quickly recovers.

"You think to take the pegasus as yours? Ha! You think us cruel? What is a pegasus but a beast? What are their desires? I'll tell you: naught worth a tinkers wooden fuck to anyone. What do you think would happen, we're we not to enforce their compliance? Do you think they would act or ever strive for more? No. They would eat grapes held by some noble mare as she uses them as her courtesan, they would roll about the green and filth like the mud pony. They would do nothing. Accomplish nothing. They need nothing less then a steel hoof and mithril will to even be worth a damn."

He has stopped, but I continue, his breath heavy.

"We, our tribe, our clans, have seen made strong legions before. And will do so again! We will have honor! We will have purpose! We shall be strong... untouched by... by..."

I had come up to him by inches, regarding him in my utter amazement at the wretchedness before me. I had seen cretins Star, but him. He licks his lips and gulps.

"We will be pure. Unsullied by your decadence. By your... simpering cuckoldry. By your weakening ways."

My blade whistles, and the blood gysers again. I turn to a rather tweedy fellow, who steps forward.

"I believe you may be interested in several caches..."

No. His head joins the other. Another stallion, a rather rotund brown coated fellow makes to flee... and finds no where to go. All the pegasus have gathered, and watch silently, no expression on their muzzles. Twisting back, he throws a metal box to the floor and desperately unlocks it, showing me a few slips of parchment.

"Here! Mineral rights, slips for mines, a few properties! I.. I'll hide! I can..."

He deals no more. And so it goes, that last act of the council of thirteen. I send unarmed harmless ponies who have killed who knows how many to whatever waits, and at last come down to two. They cling and kiss in desperate goodbye. one bury her face in the others neck as her mare glares at me with all the hate in her heart.

"So... our clans send a... a demon here to see to our end. Want to be seeing to this new world with consciouses clean? All we've done, all we sacrificed... and they do us this utter blasphemy. They do not even have the decency to see to us themselves."

I yank the other mare from her companion, and as she beats her hoof on my chest, she screams. In moments, she screams no more. Letting her body slump, I regard the last one.

"Give me... one indulgence. One small kindness, please..."

I nod. Letting out a whistle, I wave over a pegasus, then with a quicking unmounting, hold a wingblade out to her. She takes it, her mouth set in a hard line.

"All we had done... we did for them."

I can only nod, and watch as the last of the thirteen goes out in all the glory of the old ways.

I walk back outside, and about me stand pegasus in various shades of barding, regarding me with steel gazes. I trot up besides them, learning their faces.

"I am Luna. Your honor is in service to my Equestria, your duty is first to her. Above all else, you are my pegasus, my clans. I need not empty words or emptier ceremony, I have no use for any who cannot offer me ponies of integrity. I have no use who see clad in finest thunder steel those who would not turn it against us if we demanded from them atrocity, no use who seek to spill blood unneeded. You are to be my finest mare and stallions, you who give of yourselves my sister and I. You will see made muscles of iron, and in them shall be made wills of steel. I shall impart on you, my clans, the fullness of my wisdom, and you will have such knowledge of the ways of war that have not been seen since Roam, and will see sent screaming into the here after all the enemies who dare to enter our lands."

I stood upon a cloud that had been brought, and looked down at all those gathered. Clad in different hues, but all under one banner. Our banner.

"YOU ARE PEGASUS OF SELENE! AND NOT ALL THE DEMONS OF THE STYGIAN HOPE TO OVERWHELM YOU!"

The roar, it was said, was heard all across Equestria that night.