Once in a New Moonby MagnetBoltChaptersWaxing PoeticFull HouseWaning InfluenceNew NormalWaxing Poetic“Is something wrong, Lord Noblesse?” Celestia asked. “You’ve barely even touched your tea.” She hadn’t been dating the stallion. Not exactly. He’d courted her, of course, but she only wanted him as a friend. And so they shared tea nearly every day, and he’d try to convince her they could be more. She politely declined his invitations to anything more romantic than biscuits and chamomile in the garden, and he kept trying to find something tempting enough to test her resolve. Both of them enjoyed the game between them more than they would admit to anypony. The stallion smiled weakly. “Of course not, Princess. I confess it’s merely fatigue. I didn’t sleep terribly well last night.” “No?” Celestia tilted her head. “What’s wrong?” “It’s nothing to concern yourself with,” he said, too quickly. “Just a small matter.” “Lord Noblesse, please. It’s the small matters that really, well, matter.” She smiled, trying to put him a little at ease. “I like to think that we’re friends, and if something worries you I want to help in any way I can.” The unicorn looked down at his hooves, his face drawn, cheeks sunken in as if he’d been battling an illness. “It’s embarrassing to speak of as a grown stallion. For some time now, I have been having… night terrors. Terrible dreams.” Celestia put her tea down. “I know it sounds foalish,” Noblesse whispered. “But they’re far worse than anything I can remember. Do you… do you remember when you were a foal?” He looked up, meeting Celestia’s gaze with desperate eyes, needing to hear the right answer. Celestia smiled slightly, nodding. “It may have been a few centuries ago, but I like to think I’m not so old that I’ve forgotten that.” Lord Noblesse swallowed. “When you’re an adult, your bad dreams are about adult things. Losing your job, something happening to those you care about, that sort of thing. Foals, though…” He had to pause, a wave of fear making his coat stand on end. “Foals have these nameless, shapeless, primal fears. When I was a colt, I was afraid of the darkness under my bed and in my closet and especially the hallway outside my room. It was a fear that didn’t have a name. Not of the dark but…” “I remember being afraid like that,” Celestia said. “It was... a different time, but the same fear. You feel paralyzed, because you’re afraid of what you’ll find if you do go look.” “Exactly,” Noblesse said, deflating in his seat. “That’s what my dreams have been like.” “I know exactly what to do,” Celestia said. “My sister can-” “No!” Noblesse jumped to his hooves, backing away from the table. One of the guards moved to intercept him until Celestia held up a wing, motioning for him to stop. “What’s wrong?” Celestia asked. “You don’t understand,” Noblesse said. “The night terrors… the dreams… they’re all about you, and this. I’m sorry, your highness. I can’t meet with you anymore.” “Luna can help you,” Celestia assured him. “She can walk through dreams.” “She can’t help with this,” the stallion whispered. Celestia stood up, moving to hug him. “Calm down, Noblesse. Everything will be fine.” His eyes widened, his pupils contracting to pinpricks as she started to envelop him in her wings. The unicorn lost all semblance of composure, rearing up and falling on his back like she was the same nameless horror he’d confronted in his sleep. “I’m sorry!” He bolted as soon as his hooves found the ground. Celestia was sleeping off the exhaustion of a long, lonely day when the door to her room burst open. She hadn’t even opened her eyes before a hoof cracked against her cheek. “How dare you!” Luna screamed. Celestia was too stunned to defend herself as her sister grabbed her, shouting into her face. “You can’t hide your dreams from me!” Luna yelled, tears dripping onto Celestia’s neck and chest. “How could you?!” “Dreaming?” She could just barely remember something. A ghost of a sensation, nothing more solid than a vague feeling of warmth, maybe a flash of color - but even that was fading now, leaving her with little more than the impression of lavender and heliotrope. “Yes, dreaming! I go to try and surprise you and what do I see? You’re with another mare!” Luna sniffled and shoved Celestia, turning away from the bed. “I thought I mattered to you.” “Luna…” Celestia groaned and sat up, her cheek throbbing where she’d been slapped. “It was just a dream! I can’t control them.” “Dreams reveal the heart. Who was she?!” Luna turned back on Celestia, the tide of anger waxing full again. “A secret suitor?! Have you been seeing somepony behind my back?!” “I swear on my magic that I haven’t been seeing anypony, Luna,” Celestia sighed. Luna’s anger ebbed, and she fell into Celestia’s chest, sobbing into the soft warmth. Celestia rubbed Luna’s back and just held her. It was going to be another one of those days. “It’s my fault,” Luna said, once she’d cried herself out and managed to recover something resembling composure. “I have been under more stress than I knew, and I was going to give you a special dream, and…” Celestia pulled her little sister closer, holding her tight. “I think maybe it’s time I took your advice on learning how to dream lucidly,” Celestia offered. “If you’re still willing to teach me.” Luna’s ears perked up. “Of course! The most important thing is preparing yourself before you go to bed with a daily routine…” Celestia nodded along and listened, just glad Luna was smiling again. A few hours later, Celestia watched Luna go, standing in her doorway with the odd sense that the darkened pre-dawn halls didn’t really belong to her, and leaving her room was an intrusion into what was really Luna’s space. Captain Oak Warden, her personal guard, was standing at attention next to the door, looking somewhat the worse for wear, much like somepony who'd gone through the now-broken window in the hallway and had to walk all the way back to Celestia's chambers. Celestia suspected from the scratches that he'd been unfortunate enough to break his fall using the rose bushes near the castle walls. “I apologize for not stopping her,” Oak Warden said, saluting and not quite meeting her gaze. “I'm very curious about how you would have gone about it," Celestia replied. "I have a duty to you as well. If something like this happens again, just get out of the way." "If you say so, Ma'am." "Can you imagine how much trouble it would be replacing you? You've been my guard for so long you've managed to get used to all of my bad habits." "I'm sure it would only take a decade or two, Ma'am." Celestia covered her mouth, trying to muffle a laugh that was too loud for the darkened hallways. "I should probably try to get a little more sleep," Celestia said, once she was sure she wouldn't start giggling again. "I'll make sure you're awake in time for dawn, ma'am," the guard said. "Thank you," Celestia said, yawning. A stray thought struck her, she she stopped with the door half-closed. "I realized I never asked. When do you sleep, Captain?" "I was in the infantry, Ma'am. I can sleep standing up with my eyes open." He smiled slightly, his stone face cracking just a bit. "But more seriously, ma'am, I'm usually asleep myself at this hour and I get a few more while you're in court. This part of the castle is secure enough that I feel comfortable leaving you with a few replacements while you sleep, and at Court most of the guard is turned out for presentation's sake." "Why aren't you sleeping now, then?" Oak Warden hesitated. "Bad feeling, Ma'am. Hard to explain. Just me being a worry-wart. Better to stay here on my hooves and feel tired and silly than lay in bed and not get any real rest anyway Everypony’s been having bad dreams." "Is there anything I can do to help?" He thought for a moment. "I don't suppose you could apologize to the gardeners for me? I made a bit of a mess getting myself free." Celestia smiled. "I'll take care of it." "Thank you, Ma'am. Sleep well." "I will, as long as I don't dream of any strange mares." Celestia finally managed to broach the topic a few nights later, when their schedules were free enough that they could eat alone in their quarters with no diplomats, nobles, or foreign royalty interrupting them. “Night terrors?” Luna had barely touched her food. Given how much attention she was lavishing on Celestia’s wings, it wasn’t surprising. They were obviously much more interesting. “I just thought you might look into it,” Celestia said. “Lord Noblesse, especially, seemed particularly disturbed. I know you’ve been working hard, but…” “There are always a few minor details that get missed. I will pay him a visit,” Luna promised. “Not that you need him.” “Hm?” “You don’t need him when you have me,” Luna said. She pressed her body against Celestia’s as she straightened her sister’s feathers. Celestia shivered at the sensation. Luna nuzzled her neck from behind. “You should let me tell the court,” Luna whispered. “You could tell all those annoying suitors to go away. Nopony knows you like I do.” “They’d never accept it,” Celestia whispered. “Why not? Half of the noble families have a long history of marrying their cousins. They’re practically proud of the way they keep their bloodlines pure.” She nipped Celestia’s ear. “Think of how wonderful it would be if we could do this out in the open instead of having to send everypony away!” “It would be nice,” Celestia agreed. “I just wish they could understand how I care for you.” “They could never understand,” Luna said. “They haven’t been through what we have. We’ve spent centuries together. We’ve fought gods. That’s why you’re the only one I want. You’re the only one who understands me.” Luna pulled her into a kiss, and talk of night terrors were soon forgotten. “The Black Moon Howls,” Celestia whispered to herself. When she woke up, they were the words on her lips, the last gasp of a dream already slipping from memory. It was important. But she couldn’t remember why, and she struggled to remember what she’d seen in her sleep even as she sat on her throne. The Court was made up of what one might generously call the most worthy ponies of each of the great Houses. Unfortunately, most of them equated worth with wealth and age rather than actual ability to lead or even get along with other ponies. Celestia could see where Lord Noblesse should have been. It was a painful gap, like a missing tooth. The little cliques and temporary alliances among the mares and gentlestallions of the Houses were discussing his sudden departure hotly, though nopony seemed willing to actually bring the discussion all the way to the throne. From the way they looked at her, until they'd realized she’d noticed them, they’d already decided amongst themselves whom was at fault. A wave of quiet argument washed across the room, hooves touching noses and ponies making quiet but firm refusals and pointedly stepping back from the throne. Celestia cleared her throat. “I take it somepony has an issue they wish to bring forward?” Lady Coterie shoved Marquis Mucho ahead of her, out into the open. He glared back at her and resigned himself to actually speaking. “We have concerns about the Elements of Harmony,” he said. “What concerns?” Celestia asked. “I assure you that if a threat like Discord should appear, my sister and I stand ready to use the Elements to defend Equestria.” Mucho and Coterie looked at each other. She nodded for him to continue. “That’s what worries us,” the Marquis admitted. “I’m not sure I follow you.” “The Elements are the most powerful magical weapons in the world,” Lady Coterie said, stepping in when Marquis Mucho faltered. “We believe they should be under the control of the Council.” “That’s impossible,” Celestia said. She held up a hoof to forestall an argument. “I understand your concerns, but Luna and I are the only ones who can use the Elements.” “Do you really understand?” Lady Coterie frowned. “You already control day and night. You could destroy the nation single-hoovedly! We need a way to ensure that ponies have at least some measure of control.” Celestia narrowed her eyes. “Are you suggesting you want to use them against us?” “No,” Coterie said, quickly. “But if something happened--” “If something happened, even if you had the Elements in your hooves you wouldn’t be able to do anything,” Celestia said. “They choose their bearers. Worthy ponies. Do you think you’re worthy?” “I- I wouldn’t know.” the Lady lowered her head, backing away. “Is there some threat to Equestria we need to be made aware of?” Celestia pressed. “If there is something that has you so concerned, tell me. I will do everything in my power to put you at ease.” “I’m not sure you can be objective about this threat.” The crowd parted to reveal the speaker. Duke Monde stood near the back of the room. “We have serious concerns regarding Princess Luna.” Celestia didn’t react. He foolishly took this as permission to continue. “Monster attacks in settled areas have been steadily increasing. Ponies have been seen gathering at night for mysterious purposes. Entire towns like Hollow Shades have stopped paying tribute--” “These issues should be brought up in Night Court,” Celestia said. “We feel uncomfortable discussing them with Princess Luna.” “I see. And how do you expect these problems to be solved without speaking to her?” Celestia asked. “The Night Guard has traditionally hunted monsters.” “And what of ponies gathering at night? Or the refusal of tribute to the Crown?” “It is hardly a crime to enjoy the night. My sister has always ensured it is beautiful and safe for all of us.” “This is more serious than you realize! Please, don’t just ignore this-” “If you have any other issues about myself or my sister, you will bring them forward in the open, and not behind her back or mine,” Celestia declared. “This discussion is over until the next Court, and we will resume it then, with my sister here to defend herself. If you are too much of a coward to face her alone and air your grievances you will be made to do so in my presence.” “Your Highness--” “And it will be resumed. I will not allow you to back down from your words just because you might have to deal with the consequences.” Celestia turned, flaring her wings like a wall between her and the dispersing nobility. Celestia tapped her quill against a scroll, the events of the drama in the court weighing heavily on her. She still hadn’t told Luna. What was the most polite way to tell somepony that she was being slandered in public? More to the point, what would keep Luna from getting dangerously upset? “Your Highness?” “Hm?” Celestia looked up, realizing too late that she’d been so absorbed in her own meditations that she hadn’t been paying any attention to what General Firefly had been saying. “I’m sorry, Firefly. My mind was a million miles away.” The pegasus sighed. “It’s fine, your highness. I was just asking about your neck.” “My neck?” Celestia turned her head as if she could see it. “You have some kind of bite or sore…” Celestia’s mind’s eye turned to when Luna had visited her the night before, the way she’d pulled her tight. The feeling of teeth against skin... “It’s nothing,” Celestia said. She moved papers around her desk, scanning them to try and jog her memory about what Firefly had been saying. “I apologize. Where were we?” “I’ve had a few ponies I trust looking into some odd events independently of the Guard,” Firefly said. “They’re all very discreet, and they’ve been putting together a theory.” “What sort of theory?” “We think there’s a large-scale conspiracy inside the Guard.” Firefly looked around the room, continuing in a low tone that wouldn’t carry. “Your Highness, you may be in danger. We aren’t sure of everypony involved, but this could end in a rebellion.” “We’ll need to tell Luna right away,” Celestia said, standing. “She’ll be in danger. She’s already out of favor with the nobility, and if they’re going to target anypony-” “Wait, Ma'am,” Firefly said.”Before you take any action, let me look into this further.” “I’m confused, General. Do you have information about a danger, or not?” Firefly hesitated. “I’ve studied military theory for a long time, your highness. One thing I learned is not to rush into battle unprepared. I don’t think this is the right time to strike. We’d just be swinging a sword at shadows.” “So what do you suggest we do?” “Be wary. Keep an eye out for anypony acting unusual. I know Captain Warden can be trusted, so rely on him until this danger has passed.” “And there are no clues to the identity of the conspirators?” She paused. “Is Duke Monde involved? His attacks on my sister have been uncharacteristic.” “I’m not sure,” Firefly replied. “I can have him vetted, if you think it’s worth pursuing. He doesn’t have many ties to the guard so he hasn’t been on my list.” Celestia nodded.”Please do. I appreciate you’re worried about the military but if something is really going on, there will be a leader. I can’t imagine ponies as dedicated as our guards being led astray without a figurehead.” “You’re likely right,” Firefly agreed. “I didn’t want to bring this up without more information, but there was a name. Or a title. I’m not sure which.” “And that name was?” “Nightmare Moon.” Full House“You need to come along to Day Court tomorrow.” Luna blanched. “Day Court? Sister, when I keep you up at least it’s for reasons you enjoy. Have I done something to displease you so much you wish to inflict the nobility on me?” “I don’t like what they’ve been saying about you. I won’t let them hide and slander you behind your back.” “Slandering me to my face is hardly better.” Luna looked to the window. “It’s nearly sunset. Soon they’ll all be tucking themselves into bed, and it will be my duty to let them sleep restfully.” Luna paused. “Sometimes it’s tempting to just let them reap what they sow. If they distrust me, they can manage their own dreams. But then I’d just be proving them right, wouldn’t I?” “I just… I want them to see you the way I do,” Celestia said, slumping. Luna laughed harshly. “You may as well wish for Star Swirl to come back and yell at them like the foals they are.” Celestia smiled. “I can just imagine it. He certainly had a way with ponies.” “Then he would yell at us for being idiots and letting ponies whom we don’t trust and who don’t trust us have any say in running the country.” “It’s harder to get rid of them than I’d like.” “Sister, it’s not hard. It’s just messy. You can put the heads on spikes but what do you do with the rest of the body?” Celestia laughed and pushed Luna’s shoulder. “That’s a terrible joke, Luna!” “Some days it’s barely a joke. Especially when you bring me bad news.” “That’s… not the only bad news. I had a meeting with General Firefly.” “I trust Sombra hasn’t somehow reappeared?” “No. But apparently there’s somepony new.” Luna perked up, interested. “Really?” “Have you heard anything about a pony named ‘Nightmare Moon?’ Maybe you’ve seen something in a dream, or heard something from one of your own servants?” Luna was silent for a long time. “I’ve heard the name,” Luna admitted. “I didn’t think it was a cause for concern.” Celestia smiled. “I doubt it is.” Luna yawned. “Even so, I’ll look more closely into it. I’m sure whatever General Firefly told you is just an old warhorse jumping at shadows.” “You’re probably right. I’d feel better if you were involved.” Something about what Luna had said tugged at her attention, but her train of thought jumped its rails when Luna kissed her cheek. “I’ll take care of things.” Luna opened the door to the balcony. “Come, sister. Let us set your sun. I have an idea that may serve to improve your mood.” “What sort of idea?” Celestia stood to follow her sister outside. “The sort where we’ll need to create a distraction for the guards,” Luna said, the changing light making her smile almost predatory. Celestia’s heart pounded in her chest. Ponies passed by on the cobblestone streets, and every time one of them glanced at her, she thought she’d be called out. When a pony she didn’t recognize greeted her it almost sent her running back to the castle. A warm black wing wrapped around her barrel, pulling her close to the taller pony at her side. “Don’t worry,” Luna whispered. “They’re not going to see through the disguise.” “It’s an amazing spell, Sister,” Celestia returned, keeping her voice down. “When you said we should sneak out, I thought you meant we’d just be using simple illusions.” Celestia was disguised as a small unicorn in various shades of pastel pink so pale it was almost white. Luna was almost as tall as her usual self, a pegasus as black as coal. In the dim light of late sunset, she was almost invisible. Luna smiled. “I picked up a few tricks from an old friend.” “The Guard is going to panic,” Celestia noted. “Tia, we’re centuries older than they are and sometimes I think they’re the old fogies who forget how to have fun!” She stuck out her tongue. Celestia giggled. “Clover used to say you’re only as old as you feel.” “There’s a reason ponies called her clever.” Luna stopped and pointed. “There. We’ll eat there.” She trotted towards a small cafe, Celestia having to scramble on her shorter legs to follow. “I’ve seen this in the dreams of a few ponies,” Luna whispered, as she held the curtain over the doorway open for her sister to enter. “They were always good dreams.” It was beautiful inside. Unlike the palace, which was stately and austere, decorated to impress with size and grandeur and giving space to a few expensive centerpieces, the cafe was crowded and homey, like walking out of the busy street and into the kitchen of a friendly relative. “Oh, this is wonderful,” Celestia said, grinning. “Let’s find a seat.” “We should find one where ponies can’t see us,” Celestia said. “We-” “We’re just two anonymous lovers.” Luna arched her neck down to kiss her sister’s ear. “I want them to be jealous that I have such a cute special somepony.” Celestia blushed and pointed to a table near the entrance to the cafe. Luna pulled her chair out for her before sitting down herself. “Such excellent manners,” Celestia giggled. “Only the best for you.” A pony came over in an apron, and before Celestia could even open her mouth to greet her, Luna was already ordering. “Two espressos,” Luna commanded. The waitress sighed and trotted off. “Luna, be nice,” Celestia admonished. “She is just a servant, Sister.” Celestia sighed. “Fine, I am sorry,” Luna said. “I will say please next time.”. “Don’t apologize to me. Apologize to her.” Celestia paused. “What’s espresso?” “It is a new Neightalian thing,” Luna said, smiling, her good cheer starting to come back. “A special way of making coffee. This cafe is the only place in the Capital to get it.” “You know I prefer tea,” Celestia said. “I know you would never try it unless I pushed you,” Luna said. Under the table, Celestia felt a hoof touch hers, Luna’s long leg crossing hers. “You like being pushed,” Luna whispered. “Doing things you would not dare on your own.” “Sometimes it’s nice.” Celestia shifted in her seat, reciprocating and rubbing her hoof against Luna’s, or at least trying, her shorter stance making it difficult. She had to adjust her stance and stretch and- “Your espressos,” the waitress said. Celestia jumped and sat properly in her seat. “Thank you,” Luna said. “I am sorry about being short with you before.” “That’s alright, Ma’am. Could I get you something to eat with your coffee?” “Day Court is now in session,” the crier declared. His voice rang more loudly than usual, the echoes resounding in the silence that had taken the place of the usual chatter. The nobility were too busy staring at the throne, where Luna sat with Celestia standing off to the side, to talk amongst themselves. Luna smiled slightly. It wasn’t the kind of smile that set one at ease. “Princesses Celestia and Luna presiding,” the crier continued. “Let any whom have business approach the throne.” “Come now, you are all acting like I am going to bite,” Luna said. “We are aware some rather unkind things were said about me. I am willing to be the bigger pony and grant forgiveness, but first we should clear the air. We want to hear your concerns.” Her eyes focused on Duke Monde, and the crowd parted around him. He didn’t step forward so much as he was frozen on the spot when everypony else stepped back. It was the kind of reaction that would have gotten his ancestors eaten by predators, and may well have meant the same fate for him if he chose poorly with his next few words. “Duke Monde, I know you only by reputation,” Luna said. “You’ve never attended Night Court yourself. Most of our subjects have at least made the attempt from time to time.” Monde spared a glare for the ponies who had distanced themselves from him, leaving him alone and exposed, then turned on Luna with a tight smile. “All of us are surprised to see you here, Princess Luna,” Monde said. “I, too, only know you by reputation, though I’ve heard quite a lot.” “How is your wife?” Luna asked, tapping a hoof idly against the marble floor. “Or your children? I am told you have a large family. I’ve always been fond of foals.” Monde’s eyes narrowed. “They’re well, thank you.” “When you see them next, pass along my regards. Now, what concerns did you wish to bring before the throne?” “Oh, there’s nothing serious. I--” Luna’s tapping climaxed in a single, sharp crack, a tile breaking. She didn’t react to it, just staring into Monde’s eyes like she could see right through him. “My sister has already told me about what you decided to bring before her,” Luna snapped. “I am asking you as a courtesy so you may beg politely for my help. This is not the time to decide that only my sister is worthy to hear you whine!” “Duke,” Celestia said, quietly, not wanting to speak over Luna. “If you cannot ask my sister for help, then your concern is not worthy of being brought before me, either.” Duke Monde frowned, and started down the wisest avenue he saw before him. “Princess Luna, there have been reports of monster attacks in many areas, even ones that should be far from wild regions. There are reports of manticores, chimeras, even hydras.” “Monster attacks are a serious matter,” Luna agreed. “To whom did the ponies involved report their concerns?” “Ah, well,” Duke Monde hesitated. “The local lords.” “All of whom have representatives in this Court,” Luna noted. “So what you mean to say is, the ponies to whom you are responsible for told you, and you have done nothing and are mystified to find that problems do not solve themselves. Do I have this right?” “It isn’t our duty to fight monsters!” “You are quite correct. It is, however, your duty to do what is needed to protect your subjects. You have not done so. If you had attended my court, or even spoken to the Night Guard, you could have had this problem dealt with immediately.” “We can’t be expected-” “You could have told my Sister. You could have written a letter, if speaking is too difficult,” Luna’s voice became clipped as her anger rose. “Instead you assumed that I would divine that there was a problem on my own, and further that you were unwilling or unable to solve it on your own. You cannot hide things and then complain later that we did not find them!” Celestia touched her sister’s shoulder, and Luna calmed down, settling in her throne. “Is there some issue that does not derive from your own inaction?” Luna asked. “All across Equestria there are ponies going out at night and refusing to discuss what they’re doing!” “Duke Monde, I was not aware you were so old. It is the summer. Ponies enjoy going out in fair weather, and I suspect that if they are not willing to discuss what they’re doing, it probably involves the same sort of thing stallions and mares do in private when they can get away from overbearing parents and ponies like you who have forgotten the fires of youth.” “It is most certainly not that,” Monde said, his cheeks red. “There are reports of chanting, strange rituals-” “Is anypony being hurt?” Luna asked. “Not yet, but there have been sinister signs.” Luna sighed. “I am sure they are very sinister indeed. Perhaps We might suggest this is related to the increase in monster attacks? Ponies go outside and enjoy the weather, and naturally, they think they see things in the dark. Perhaps some of them did actually see a beast that otherwise would have left them alone.” “You can’t dismiss these concerns,” Monde said. “We know you’re behind this!” Luna’s gaze turned frosty, the astral wind blowing through her mane turning turbulent for a moment, framing her in a storm of blue. “I am the ruler of Equestria, and you will bend knee and apologize,” Luna hissed. “You are one ruler. Not the only one.” Duke Monde stood firmly, resolute even in the face of peril that could snatch the life from him in an instant. “Hold your tongue!” Luna snapped, rising from the throne. The sky darkened, the sunlight coming through the windows dimming. “Or what?” Monde asked. “Will I vanish like the other ponies who question you?” Celestia stepped closer to her sister, their wings brushing. “Calm down,” she whispered. “You won’t win them over by yelling.” “I shouldn’t need to win them over,” Luna hissed. “I am their sovereign! They have no right to question me!” “Can you even use the Elements?” Duke Monde asked, loudly enough to make sure everypony in the room could hear. “As Princess Celestia wisely and justly noted, they choose their bearers. Worthy ponies.” “You have no right to question my worthiness!” Luna snapped. “I agree,” Duke Monde said. “But the Elements are. If they still call you worthy, I will withdraw all complaints, beg your forgiveness, and give my lands and title to the crown to do with what you will.” “You are putting a lot on the line simply to try and discredit my sister,” Celestia said. “A hero who has saved Equestria from more threats than you are even aware of.” “There are always threats that we are not aware of,” Duke Monde said, his throat dry. “Some that we even blind ourselves to.” The Hall was one of the best-defended parts of the castle. Saying it was one of the best-defended parts of the castle brought to mind a fortress or dungeon, all stone and iron bars and humorless guards standing with weapons ready to challenge anypony who might wander too close. In truth, while well-defended, it was defended like a bank, not a military bulwark. Like a bank, common ponies were allowed and encouraged to enter. Like a bank, the Hall was designed to impress upon ponies the importance and grandeur of what it contained. And like a bank, it still had stone and iron bars (the latter gilded but no less invulnerable for it), and there were still humorless guards, though these wore ceremonial armor, which was much like the regular guard armor with a fancy cloak over it. The vault itself was underground, accessible only from above. There was no key - the only way to trigger the door was through very precise use of telekinesis. “I do not like doing this,” Luna whispered. “The Elements aren’t toys.” “You’re right,” Celestia agreed. “But you’re still going to go along with it,” Luna muttered. “We rule by the will of the ponies under us. If this is what they demand, we have little choice.” “We should be ruling by our own will, not theirs.” “Our will doesn’t mean much if they don’t listen to it. Doing this will silence them, Luna.” Luna huffed and waited, head down. Celestia closed her eyes and reached out, feeling past the stone and to the gold and silver clockwork under it. Among the tangle of springs and sprockets was a single glass gear, terribly fragile, ready to shatter under the forces that it would be put under if asked to turn. Celestia wrapped it in a shield and spun, the glass gear holding together thanks to her magic, keeping the mechanism from seizing as the doors opened, sliding into recesses and allowing the huge orrery to rise from its resting place, the arms spinning and locking into place. “Go ahead, sister,” Celestia whispered, stepping back. Luna glanced back at the small crowd of nobility watching intently. “So what am I to do?” Luna asked. “Perhaps add a few members of the Court to the statue garden?” “Luna…” “It would serve as an excellent reminder not to question Us.” Luna flicked her tail and lowered her head, horn glowing.. Three of the stone spheres started glowing dimly, shivering before finally releasing their contents, glittering gems rising into the air right through the stone without leaving a trace of their passage. “There,” Luna said, sweat beading her brow. “Is that enough proof? Loyalty. Honesty. Laughter. Three things sorely lacking from the ponies before me.” Sparks crackled between the gems, rainbow-colored lightning joining them for a moment, the Elements nearly dropping right out of her aura. “Luna…” Celestia said, looking at the artifacts. “It is fine, Sister!” Luna snapped, her aura redoubling as she clenched her grip, trying to keep a hold on the Elements. “That’s enough proof. Put them down before somepony gets hurt.” “There’s no need. I feel invigorated.” Luna raised her chin in denial of the sweat dripping down her neck. “How many times have we used the Elements to save Equestria, Sister? Perhaps this is one more time that we should call upon their strength to defeat the enemies of the Crown.” “They’re just scared, Luna,” Celestia said, quietly. “Let’s put the Elements back and allow them to apologize gracefully.” “Scared?” Luna hissed. “Why should they be afraid? Am I not Princess Luna, who defeated Discord, who rules Equestria? Have they not pledged themselves to me? The only ones who should be afraid are traitors and the cowards that shield them!” A keening sound filled the air, the Elements vibrating like a tuning fork. The sparks pouring from them joined into a storm, a crack of prismatic thunder striking Luna’s horn and breaking her grip, the three Elements falling to the floor, the delicate-looking gems hitting the stone hard enough to gouge the marble. “Sister!” Celestia gasped, as Luna fell to her knees, horn smoking. Her step forward froze at the murmur of the crowd, the hooves pointed at her little sister. Luna looked at her, eyes wide with fear. Before Celestia could say anything, Luna vanished, surrounded in the blue bubble of a teleportation spell. “Do you see now?” Duke Monde said, over the roar of the silence. “You don’t want to know what I see,” Celestia said, her voice tight. “This gathering is concluded. Guards, escort everypony out and seal the hall.” When Celestia finally found Luna, her heart lurched. Luna was slumped against a doorway, weeping. Her hoofprints were visible in the dust on the floor of this long-unused part of the castle. “Sister,” Celestia said, quietly. Luna slumped more, like she was melting into the stone. “The whole test was pointless,” she whispered, sitting next to Luna, putting a hoof on her sister’s withers. “They rejected me,” Luna whispered. Celestia wanted to lie to her and tell her it wasn’t true. “I love you,” Celestia said, instead. “Why did it happen? Why was I forsaken?” “You haven’t been forsaken. I’ll always be with you.” “What about the Court?” “I don’t care what they think. You were right, Luna. They haven’t been through the same things as we have, together. Nopony else could ever understand us.” “Sister…” Luna leaned into her, cheek pressed against Celestia’s neck. “What if something happens, and we need the Elements? I’ve never seen them react like that before…” “Neither have I,” Celestia said. She wrapped her wing around Luna. “It’s suspicious, isn’t it?” Luna asked. “Hm?” “Duke Monde demands a test using the Elements, and something inexplicable happens. He even put everything on the line to force our hooves.” “What are you suggesting, Luna?” “Sister, they’ve been slandering me in open court. They’re trying to blame me for monster attacks. They’ve even concocted some fantasy about cults and hidden gatherings in the dark. Is it too much to think they might sabotage the Elements as a masterstroke to challenge the legitimacy of our rule?” “Sabotaging the Elements?” Celestia whispered. “The last great threat was before their lifetimes. They don’t understand the true gravity of our responsibility as leaders.” Luna pulled away, walking to a disused window and pulling a dusty curtain aside to reveal ancient, warped panes of glass. They were part of the original castle, the glass itself made during the chaos of Discord’s rule, bending the light from outside unnaturally. “But would they really go so far?” The setting sun outside came through the glass in a dozen different colors. “It would be unwise to underestimate the resolve of fanatics,” Luna said. Celestia nodded slowly. “You’re right. I’ll investigate this at once. Some of Star Swirl’s divination spells might--” “No,” Luna said, sharply. “No?” “If they sabotaged the Elements it could be dangerous for either of us to approach it. I will have Our Guards investigate this matter.” Reluctantly, Celestia nodded. “I can suggest a few ponies who might be able to help.” “Thank you, sister. We will get to the bottom of this.” Waning Influence“Thank you for coming down here to meet me, your highnesses,” Ebon Shade said. The small unicorn - small even by the standards of normal stallions, not just in comparison to the sisters - almost seemed swallowed up by the cloak he wore as a uniform of his station. “Of course,” Luna said. “Thank you for looking into this. You will be well compensated for your efforts.” Ebon Shade nodded and motioned to the center of the hall. “It’s taken a few days to tease it out without destroying the essence, but there’s no doubt,” Ebon Shade said. “There was something done to the Elements.” He led Celestia and Luna to stand near the vault. “Don’t come any closer than that,” he warned. “I’m not sure what would happen. We had to use very delicate detection spells to find this.” His horn lit up, and a thin circle of magic appeared around the vault, the shimmering lines hanging in the air a hoofwidth above the marble floor. “What is that?” Luna asked. “I think it’s some kind of enchantment, Sister,” Celestia said. “Was this in place before we opened the vault?” “It had to be,” Ebon Shade said. “Nopony has been in here except the investigators Luna hoof-picked for their trustworthiness.” “And the purpose of this spell?” Luna asked. “I can’t tell you the specifics, but I know some of this is from Star Swirl’s writings. It’s a configuration I’ve never seen before.” Ebon Shade paced around the perimeter. “I think this is a trap. It might have been designed to…” He trailed off, throat dry. “Just say it,” Luna snapped. “It might have been designed to cause the reaction you saw,” he admitted. “But I fear it may have been worse than that. It’s entirely possible it was designed to sever your connection to the Elements entirely.” “Sever--” Luna gasped, wings drooping. “That is impossible!” “Why would a pony do this?” Celestia demanded. “The Elements are our greatest weapon against threats to Equestria!” “You’ll have to ask the pony who did it,” Ebon Shade said. “And I don’t know who it is, but they must have had access to Star Swirl’s writings. It’s the only way they’d know how to even start putting this together. I don’t think I could manage it myself.” “We will find them,” Celestia said. “And we’ll reverse whatever was done.” She wrapped Luna in a hug. The castle seemed different tonight. More open. Returning to her room, passing by the night guards that patrolled the hallway, there was a sense of acceptance and camaraderie. During the day the guards stood like statues, most of them doing their best to stay totally still even when they were alone with Celestia. As she walked through the halls tonight, she was greeted, received friendly nods from heads crested with tufted ears, and didn’t have to hear the prattling of the nobles that seemed to find her only when she most wanted to be alone. She wasn’t alone tonight, and it was freeing. It was like she’d stepped off the pedestal she was expected to sit on and could be the normal pony she’d been so many years ago. “Oh, hello,” Celestia said, stopping at her door. “I apologize. I was expecting Oak Warden.” The batpony at her door saluted, his dark armor gleaming. “Ma’am, I’m told he’s assisting Princess Luna’s investigators with their task in the Hall.” Celestia smiled. “That’s good. He’s one of the best ponies in the Royal Guard. I assume Luna sent you to serve as his replacement?” “I’ve been ordered to watch over you, Ma’am,” he said, nodding. “Could you pass along a message for me?” Celestia asked. “Tell Oak Warden that I appreciate him looking into this.” “Of course, Ma’am,” the batpony bowed. “And can I have your name?” “Lieutenant Imbrium, your highness. It’s a pleasure to serve you and Princess Luna.” He nodded to the door. “Speaking of which, she’s awaiting you inside.” “Excellent.” Celestia grinned. “Please make sure we’re not disturbed.” Celestia struggled. She could have escaped the black silk ribbons binding her in place on the bed, head down and tail up, but she didn’t. Instead, she just struggled, putting on a show of being helpless for Luna, because she knew her sister liked it. “You’ve been a very naughty pony, Celestia,” Luna whispered. Celestia mumbled through the knot of rubber in her mouth, blushing and trying to push back towards her sister. Luna tugged her tail sharply. “How immodest!” Luna chided, clicking her tongue with mock disapproval. ”A proper lady wouldn’t lift her tail like that.” The bed creaked as Luna moved, kissing Celestia’s hooves. “Of course, a proper lady wouldn’t let her sister tie her up.” Celestia moaned as Luna’s tongue found a more sensitive place to tease for a moment before her weight shifted, straddling Celestia and pressing her into the bed with her weight. “Just one last touch to make sure you can’t get away so easily.” A ring slid down Celestia’s horn, cutting off her magic in an instant, the cold iron blocking it at the source like ice thrown on a fire. Celestia’s struggles became more real. She realized the silk was stronger than she thought, and the knots expertly tied. “Mm. I can taste it,” Luna said, licking her lips. “Are you excited, or just scared?” Celestia tried to say something around the gag in her mouth. “Are you worried about what I’ll do with you at my mercy?” Luna leaned down to whisper in her ear, tickling Celestia’s ear until she suddenly lunged an inch closer and bit it hard enough to nearly draw blood. Celestia cried out in surprise at the sudden sharp pain, looking back at Luna, her little sister’s eyes glowing in the dim light of the dozen or so candles around the room. “Are you afraid of me?” Luna hissed, through teeth clenched in a broad grin. Her horn lit up with a shade that didn’t illuminate the darkness so much as simply offer a different shade of black, and she produced a slim switch from the darkness. Celestia whimpered. Luna licked the tip, making sure her sister got a good look at it before she brought it down on the back of Celestia’s expansive thighs, first one, then the other, the cracks against her flesh so close together they felt like a single lash. “You are my little pony, Celestia,” Luna said. “You might have ponies convinced you’re the brave elder sister on top of everything, but in here, I am the only pony on top.” The switch dragged along Celestia’s thigh, tickling at the thin lines the light strikes had already raised. A crack like splitting stone, and a line of sharp, red-hot pain erupted along Celestia’s cutie mark. She wailed through the gag in her mouth, tears streaking down her cheeks. “Shhh…” Luna whispered, kissing her sister’s neck. “Part of you enjoys it, sister. You know where you belong.” Another line of pain erupted across Celestia’s other mark. “Under me,” Luna continued, ignoring Tia’s cries to stop. “You wouldn’t have to worry about all that responsibility. You’d just have to make me happy, and I’d make you happy.” She rolled her hips for emphasis, pressing her body against her sister’s. Celestia moaned, her tail twitching. The two became one, bodies moving together. The room filled with the soft sounds of joy punctuated by sharp gasps when the switch hit vulnerable flesh. The candles burned down around the two, both measuring the time in the play of their bodies instead of the ticking of a clock. Their bodies stilled as exhaustion overcame them, the pleasure and pain petering out into a warm, comfortable haze. The silk ribbons slowly unraveled in Luna’s blue aura, and she helped ease her sister into a more comfortable position, both of them still panting and dripping with sweat. “Did you have to be so rough?” Celestia asked, when the gag finally came free of her mouth, marked where she’d bitten into the rubber at some of Luna’s harder ministrations. Luna’s hoof ran over the welt across her sister’s sun, and Celestia flinched at the sensation. “I wanted to give you something to remember me by,” Luna said. “Something that will last longer than a kiss.” She kissed Celestia anyway. “Thank you for trusting me,” Luna whispered. It was difficult to sit on the throne the next morning. The welts were still visible, and made sitting in the already-uncomfortable seat almost intolerable. And yet she didn’t shy away from ponies looking. She didn’t try to hide it. There was a thrill to letting them see, to making a hint of what she’d done with Luna public. Celestia couldn’t stop blushing, and she’d smile if she were in any other company. “I see Duke Monde isn’t here today,” Celestia said. She couldn’t disguise the fact that she was pleased not to have to deal with him. “Does anypony know if he will be joining us?” “I believe he was last seen leaving the city.” The voice came from one of the darker corners, only a few ponies standing well away from the rest of the nobility. Leathery wings at her side explained why she seemed so out of place, and why Celestia didn’t recognize her. “Is that so?” Celestia asked. “I’m afraid so,” the batpony mare said. She smiled and bowed. “Dame Astra, m’lady. I usually attend Princess Luna’s court, but I decided to see how the other side lives, as it were.” “It’s a pleasure to have you,” Celestia assured her. “Thank you, your highness. Your sister speaks of you often, when she isn’t visiting you herself.” Dame Astra smiled wider, showing the short fangs most of her kind were known for. “She’s never happier than after she spends time with you.” Celestia nodded, her cheeks burning and not trusting herself to speak coherently. “What they’re doing is unnatural,” somepony whispered, just loud enough for Celestia to hear it. “Who said that?” Celestia demanded, her voice booming in what became sudden silence, her good mood vanishing with the snide comment. The echoes met terror and the pony who’d spoken wisely decided not to identify themselves. Guards around the room stood firmly at attention, prepared to spring into action. All of them wore the black armor of Luna’s guards. “We’re simply concerned, your highness,” Lady Coterie said. “All those bruises, and the rumors we’ve heard…” “What we do in the privacy of our quarters is none of your business!” Celestia snapped. “It is not a subject for debate, nor one for gossip among the group of clucking hens that currently call themselves the Noble Council!” Lady Coterie paled, backing away from the furious alicorn. “Whatever rumors you have heard, I suggest you keep them to yourselves,” Celestia said. “I will not have myself or my sister slandered!” Nopony stepped up to fill the gap Lady Coterie had vacated at the head of the cowed gaggle of nobleponies. All of them kept their distance from the throne, as if afraid Celestia might lunge from it and strike them down. A shadow crossed over the room, looming over the ponies shying away. Their fear turned to panic, and somepony’s courage broke, the pony fleeing for the doors, only to run into darkly armored batponies guarding the portal. “They’re hardly rumors, Sister, when you bear the marks on your own flanks.” Luna stepped in front of her, smiling enigmatically. Celestia blushed as her sister’s tail trailed against the welts. “Perhaps I was a bit too rough,” Luna admitted. “I apologize.” “It’s fine, Luna,” Celestia said. “I enjoyed our time together.” She started to stand, and Luna held up a hoof to stop her. “No, Sister, please,” Luna said. “I am a guest in your court. I wish to bring a proposal before the Court and Crown.” She gave the crowd a reassuring smile. “This is not an order, merely something I wish to discuss.” “You have the floor,” Celestia said. Luna nodded. “Night Court has often been empty, and I have had much time to think,” Luna said, starting to pace before the crowd of nobleponies. “There has been a considerable amount of tension as of late. I wish to restore the harmony and peace that Equestria deserves. We should have a holiday. A celebration showing that Celestia and I are not enemies or even merely allies, but that we are one.” Luna’s horn blazed, and the sky appeared above them, the sun and moon glowing with her blue magic. They spun around each other before uniting, the moon passing in front of the sun, a ring blazing around the darkness “An eclipse?” Celestia asked. “Yes,” Luna said, circling the throne like a shark. “It’s the best way to show everypony that we’re united. It’s something nopony can ignore. The sun and moon sharing the sky.” “It sounds beautiful,” Dame Astra said, over the murmurs and fearful looks of the majority of the court. “A wonderful symbol of unity.” “Indeed!” Luna boomed. “Is there anypony that will second the motion?” A nervous hoof was raised. “Excellent,” Luna said. “You see, Celestia? All they need is a strong leader. With Duke Monde gone, the atmosphere is much improved, as well.” Above Celestia, the night sky stretched out endlessly, black reaching from horizon to horizon, filling her field of view. She’d never seen so many stars, twinkling and shimmering and full of subtle color. The constellations changed as she looked at them, stars moving and shifting like the surface of the sea. An aurora of blue and purple light curved across the universe, outlining a shape as big as the cosmos. The moon blinked, and the shape snapped into focus. The aurora detailed the curves of a face, cheekbones, the line of a jaw. It loomed over her, beauty turning into claustrophobic terror as it opened up its maw and howled. Celestia felt her body fall apart. She couldn’t breathe. The darkness was smothering her. Trapping her in a web. Celestia kicked, panicking, instincts taking over. Her chin hit the marble floor. The blanket came free of her snout. She could breathe again. The panic receded. She panted, looking around, still trying to find the terrible dark thing that had destroyed the world, but it was gone like it had never existed. “Just a dream,” she whispered, taking a deep breath. The fear refused to leave, and she stood on shaking hooves. It was hours before sunrise, but she wasn’t able to get back to sleep, the shadows moving in the corner of her eyes, the horror lingering in a way that hadn’t happened since she was a foal. The bright, open sky outside in the tea garden did much to soothe Celestia’s nerves, the last of the tension dissolving from her shoulders as she sipped at the mint and orange peel flavor of the latest mix her maids had brought her. She’d already canceled court for the day. At sunrise she’d been so fatigued that she’d been unable to move the sun for a long moment, and panic had seized her, the crushing fear from her nightmare taking over for a moment. If Luna hadn’t been there to help, she wasn’t sure she could have managed. “It’s interesting,” Dame Astra said, the teacup clicking against her short fangs as she sipped. In the bright morning light, the batpony was using a parasol and tinted glasses to shield herself from the sun’s rays. “Interesting is one way to put it,” Celestia agreed. “I think the staff challenges themselves to come up with combinations that have never been tried before.” “It reminds me of a dish I’ve had before. Grilled melon steaks with a mint sauce.” Astra took another sip. “I think if it was a smoked tea instead of green, it would be more balanced.” One of the maids standing to the side surreptitiously made a note. Celestia suspected there would be a week of lapsang souchong while they tried a few variations on the theme. “Thank you for having tea with me,” Celestia said. “Lord Noblesse used to join me, but he’s been troubled as of late.” “I’ve heard,” Dame Astra said, putting the cup down. “It’s just as well.” Celestia frowned. “I enjoyed his company. His leaving is difficult. I have few real friends in the nobility.” “I’m sure he was a nice stallion,” Astra conceded. “It’s just…” Celestia raised an eyebrow. The batpony sighed and continued. “Everypony knew you were close to him. It wasn’t proper.” “Nothing improper happened. We were just friends.” “I know Princess Luna didn’t like you spending time with him,” Astra said. “She didn’t like competing for your affection when you belong to her.” Tia started at the knock on her door, half-asleep at her desk, unable to recall anything that she’d read of the tax proposal that had been sitting among a pile of other, less-urgent paperwork for too long. Luna had taken over the more critical work. It was a kindness, taking some of that burden off her shoulders. “Come in,” Celestia called out. The door squeaked as it was forced open. A small, dark-coated unicorn looked at her, then looked around the room in terror, as if expecting something to jump out at him. “Are you alone?” Ebon Shade asked, his voice hoarse. "Calm down," Celestia said, picking up the unicorn like he was a foal and putting him down on a pillow. She sniffed at the air. "Have you been drinking?" "You'd be drinking too if you knew what I did," Ebon said. "Why don't you tell me about it so I can help you?" Celestia suggested. "Princess Luna, she..." Ebon swallowed. "I didn't think it would happen. I thought she knew I was loyal!" "You're not making any sense." Celestia wrapped a blanket around his shaking shoulders. "Calm down. You're safe." He glanced at her flanks. The welts had almost entirely healed, just faint pink lines now. "I didn't know where else to go," he whispered. "She's probably already sent ponies after me." "Why would she do that?" Celestia asked. "Because she doesn't need me anymore," he whispered. Celestia smiled down at him, trying to put him at ease. “Don’t be silly. You’re one of her most trusted Court Mages. You even found the enchantment they put on the Elements! If you’re worried you’re not up to the task, I assure you that even Luna and I have problems with some of the spells Star Swirl left behind, and he was our personal tutor.” "There... there was no enchantment on the Elements," Ebon said, wilting. "Luna put a bag of bits in my hooves and told me what she wanted to hear me say." "Luna would never do that!" "She got rid of so many other ponies," he said, eyes glazed over with terror, not listening to Celestia. "I thought if I played along I'd be safe!" "You're not making any sense!" "I've seen them! The guards watching my home! The ones all over this castle! She got to them first!" "Don't be silly," Celestia sighed. "The Royal Guard is composed of the most dedicated, loyal ponies--" "When was the last time you saw one in gold armor?" Ebon challenged. Celestia frowned, trying to recall. It had been a few days, around the time Oak Warden had left to help with the investigation. "She replaced them, she's getting rid of the nobles that don't fall in line, and she's going to get rid of me so I don't tell anypony the truth!" The doors burst open without even a pretense of knocking. Three ponies in black armor stormed in, fixing their glares on Ebon and stalking towards him without a word. Celestia spread her wings and stepped between them. “Please step aside, your highness,” Lieutenant Imbrium said. The batpony looked up and met her gaze. “This stallion is a dangerous criminal. We’re under orders to take him into custody.” "He's hardly dangerous," Celestia said. "I have control of the situation. You can return to your duties." "We're under orders from Princess Luna," Imbrium insisted. "Please step out of the way." Celestia frowned. "I'm giving you new orders. Leave us." "I'm sorry, Ma'am." The guards started going around her, circling towards Ebon. The unicorn shrieked and tried to get away, backing up to the wall. "I said no!" Celestia's horn blazed, and the guards collapsed in magical sleep. She stood in the center of the room, breathing heavily. She felt drained. Not from the magic she'd used, but from the restless nights wearing her down. "Where are the others imprisoned?" Celestia asked, quietly. "I can't let you in, Ma'am," the warden said, shaking in fear but still standing strong against the angry princess despite his armor jangling as he quivered. "Master Sergeant Compass Needle," Celestia said, emphasizing every syllable of his name like she was memorizing it. "You have a wife and two foals. You're a good pony. You've served us for two decades. Why are you doing this now?" A tear rolled down his cheek. "My foals are sick. Princess Luna, she-- she's the only one who can help. They can't sleep, and it only gets better as long as I follow her orders!" "That's been going around," Celestia whispered. "Oh Luna, why..." "Please, Princess, just turn around. I can't let you through!" "Compass Needle, you're a very brave pony," Celestia said. "You know you can't stop me. I can understand risking everything for your foals." He nodded, gripping his spear tightly. "Everypony in Equestria has been like a foal to me. I promise I'll do what I can to help your children." Her horn blazed. He squeezed his eyes shut, and was slammed into the wall, not hard enough to permanently damage him but enough to knock him out and leave him bruised enough to satisfy anypony who came looking. Celestia tore the wrought-iron gate from the wall and stepped into the castle dungeon. It had never been full. At most, it held a half-dozen or so ponies awaiting justice. It was intended to be a place to put ponies until she and Luna could decide what to do with them, not a place to let them linger and suffer. From the smell, too many ponies had been here for far too long already. Celestia lit the torches along the walls, and dozens of eyes looked at her from the dark recesses of the cells. Some of them she recognized instantly. Most she didn't. She wrenched the doors open. "I'm sorry," she said, her voice failing her, coming out as little more than a breath. "It's good to see you, Princess," General Firefly said, saluting, voice rough and dry. They looked like they hadn't had a bath or a decent meal in too long. "What are your orders?" "I'm not worthy to give you orders," Celestia replied. "I failed you." "You can't win every battle," Firefly said, putting a hoof on her fetlock, making her look up from her hooves and into the General's eyes. "What's important is that you don't stop fighting. You're our Princess." Celestia took a deep breath, steadying herself. "Luna is holding court," she said, eventually. "I'm going to confront her." "We'll make a quick stop at the armory and join you." Oak Warden saluted. "Sorry for failing you, Ma'am." "You didn't fail me." Celestia swallowed. "You're not to join me. I'll confront Luna alone. You were already in danger and I won't have you caught between us. I fear I won't be able to talk her down." "I'm your personal guard, Ma'am," Oak Warden said. "I can't let you go into danger alone." "I need you to keep the civilians safe." Celestia motioned to the other ponies with her wing. "Get them out of the castle, then do what you can to convince the Night Guard to stand down." "And if they won't?" General Firefly asked. "If they won't..." Celestia hesitated. "Do what you must. Try not to kill them. I can't fault them for loving Luna. Not when I fell into the same trap." The throne room was empty. Shadows filled the spaces where the Council should have been, gloom clinging to the walls like cobwebs, the far corners of the room all but invisible. Celestia found herself paralyzed near the doors, like she didn’t belong here, like this wasn’t her throne room. “Hello, Sister.” Luna’s voice echoed around the chamber. “It’s much nicer without all those useless noble fops, isn’t it?” “Where are you?” Celestia asked. A dark navy light, the stygian blue that appeared behind one’s eyelids, didn’t shine through the tangle of shadows so much as simply offer another shade of black against the midnight background. Luna stepped out of the glow. “I dismissed the Council,” she explained. “No more of those annoying rumors and backstabbing fakes calling themselves noble when they’ve never done anything worthwhile with their lives.” “We can’t just dismiss them, Luna, we need them to-” “We don’t need them for anything,” Luna snapped, her gaze as hard as steel. “It used to be just you and me, Celestia. We didn’t need anypony else.” Celestia looked down. “Things are different now.” “That’s because they used to have an enemy,” Luna said. “Discord was a monster that hunted them at every waking moment. They followed us because it was simple. Us versus Him. They listened without question because we were working against a deadly foe. They could understand that. Then Sombra came around, and they could understand that. There was always something other that they could blame for their misfortunes.” “We worked hard to get rid of those threats.” “It’s too much for two Princesses, Celestia. You’re right about that. You’re just wrong about the solution. The nobility? Middle management between us and our little ponies? It was the wrong answer.” Luna shook her head. “We made a mistake. A herd of ponies can’t follow two masters. Even when we’re both working together, they get confused and scared.” Luna stood between the two thrones, looming larger than both of them put together. “What they need isn’t two Princesses, it’s one Queen. An absolute ruler. It’s the natural state of things.” “And you want to be the Queen,” Celestia whispered. Luna smiled, her expression softening. She stepped down the short flight of stairs from the thrones to where her sister stood, kissing her cheek. “You never wanted to rule,” Luna muttered. “I love you, Celestia. I can see how hard it is for you. You hate telling ponies no. They walk all over you, my beloved sister. You’re just not ready to rule on your own.” “I’m not a foal,” Celestia said, her ears folding back. “Of course you aren’t!” Luna nuzzled her. “You’re my other half. I love you, and I want you at my side.” “But not as a ruler.” Luna rolled her eyes and pulled away, walking around Celestia to her sister’s rear. "You have no will to wield power," Luna said. "Your body and mind already submit to me whenever we're alone. Won't it be nicer once you can stop fighting? When you can just let me take care of everything for you?" "The important thing is to never stop fighting," Celestia whispered. "Those aren't your words. You loved when you were able to stop struggling. When I started making decisions for you. When I took you and made you a toy." Her tail lashed against Celestia's flank. "Once my Night Guards have put the prisoners back in their cells, we'll discuss your rightful place." Luna leaned in and nibbled Celestia's neck. "Under me." Celestia shoved her away, cheeks bright red. "I am not going to abandon the ponies of Equestria for you, Luna!" Luna laughed, walking away and ignoring her. "You've betrayed my trust, and the trust of the ponies we care for," Celestia said. "I demand you stop this. If you apologize and beg forgiveness, some day they might--" "Beg forgiveness?!" Luna yelled, turning on her, eyes blazing. "You ask me to beg?! They are mine to do with what I please! And so are you!" Luna's horn blazed, and Celestia was forced to her knees by a terrible magical pressure, as cold and sudden as jumping into a mountain spring. "I was saving the Eclipse for a special occasion. A symbol that I finally took my rightful place as the sole pony at the top." "They-they'll never let you--" "They wouldn't let little Luna rule them, perhaps," she agreed. "I have another name in mind. Something they'll learn to respect and worship." "Nightmare Moon," Celestia whispered. "It has a ring to it, doesn't it?" Luna smiled. Celestia struggled to her hooves, lurching toward the thrones. "Not one more step!" Luna snapped, her mirth vanishing. "There can only be one princess in Equestria! And that princess will be me!" New Normal"According to the reports, most of Nightmare Moon's followers surrendered in the general amnesty," General Firefly said, following Princess Celestia out of the throne room. Oak Warden walked at her other flank in silence. Nopony in the castle wore the black armor of Luna's guard anymore. Even the ponies who had once been a part of it sported gold plate now. Somepony had already ordered every tapestry and portrait of Luna destroyed, and Celestia had only narrowly managed to move some of them into storage. She'd had to watch as they burned the rest, like her sister was being consumed on a funeral pyre. They couldn't erase everything. There were signs everywhere. Moons carved into stone at decorative arches. Stained glass showing Celestia standing with an equal against Equestria's foes. Celestia wasn't sure how long she'd be able to bear remaining in the castle. "Most isn't all," Celestia noted. She'd heard the name Nightmare Moon so many times now that she could almost hear it without flinching. No one had used the name Luna since the Eclipse. "There are always going to be holdouts," the General replied, shrugging. "We've identified several compounds where they've gathered." "When will your troops move in on them?" Celestia asked. "We haven't drawn up a plan of attack yet. There are foals on the inside." Celestia sighed. "Of course there are." "I'm sorry, Princess." "I'll prepare messages to be sent to them. Perhaps if they know they can't hide they'll be ready to rejoin Equestria." "They're traitors. They don't want to return to the fold unless Nightmare Moon is on the throne." "She isn't coming back," Celestia said. Her voice sounded more firm and certain than she felt. "The sooner they realize that, the better." "I hope you're right, your highness," the General replied. "I've got a few ideas on things to try. Maybe a show of force, just some kind of demonstration like a close fly-by..." "If there's nothing else, it's getting close to sunset," Celestia said, stopping at a door out to the gardens. Servants, already growing familiar with the ritual, stood at attention with a tea tray. "Of course, your highness." The old soldier bowed and left. Celestia took the tray in her own magic, waving the servants off. "I'd like to be alone, Warden," she said. "Yes, Ma'am. I'll guard your chambers until you return." He saluted and left. When his steps faded into silence, Celestia opened the door, walking out to the garden. There were no guards posted along the wall anymore. Even if she'd wanted them here, there were places they needed to be. Ponies needed a stabilizing presence in their lives. A ruler for the herd to follow. The Guard, in their gold armor, needed to be out there. Ponies needed to be reminded there was somepony leading the herd. They needed to believe the sun would rise every morning. The sun hung on the horizon, bathing the world in crimson and amber. She didn't touch it yet. Moving the sun was her duty, one she was happy to do. It was everything else that she dreaded. She put the tea set down. The garden table was tiny for her frame, but still too large without anypony else to share it with. Celestia set out two teacups. A touch of her magic set the water in the kettle to a near-boil. She was just delaying the inevitable. Most of the water made its way to the teapot. A few tablespoons found their way into the cups, swirled around, warming them before being discarded. It was the proper thing. Pour hot tea into cold cups and the tea wouldn't be at that perfect temperature. It was a bit of theatre, unnecessary effort to be perfect and prim and proper. Eighty degrees wouldn't do, only eighty-five. She pushed the sun below the horizon. The sky turned shades of blue, then black, the stars appearing one by one. She poured one steaming cup, and set it across from her at the empty seat. It would be gone in the morning, anonymous servants taking it away when she wasn't looking. They'd never admit to moving it themselves. All part of the ritual now. She hesitated with the tea pot hovering over her cup. She poured cold milk into hers. Added sugar. Before the tea, even. If Star Swirl had been there he would have slapped the cup right out of her hooves. He wasn't there though. She could do anything she wanted, as long as she was alone. If she drank her tea like this in front of the court they'd whisper about it for a day and be doing it themselves in a week. Luna had been right about one thing. There was only room for one pony at the top. She sat in the strange light of the new, shadow-marked moon above and sipped her lukewarm tea. "This is awful," she admitted. She drank it anyway, because nopony could tell her not to.
Waxing Poetic“Is something wrong, Lord Noblesse?” Celestia asked. “You’ve barely even touched your tea.” She hadn’t been dating the stallion. Not exactly. He’d courted her, of course, but she only wanted him as a friend. And so they shared tea nearly every day, and he’d try to convince her they could be more. She politely declined his invitations to anything more romantic than biscuits and chamomile in the garden, and he kept trying to find something tempting enough to test her resolve. Both of them enjoyed the game between them more than they would admit to anypony. The stallion smiled weakly. “Of course not, Princess. I confess it’s merely fatigue. I didn’t sleep terribly well last night.” “No?” Celestia tilted her head. “What’s wrong?” “It’s nothing to concern yourself with,” he said, too quickly. “Just a small matter.” “Lord Noblesse, please. It’s the small matters that really, well, matter.” She smiled, trying to put him a little at ease. “I like to think that we’re friends, and if something worries you I want to help in any way I can.” The unicorn looked down at his hooves, his face drawn, cheeks sunken in as if he’d been battling an illness. “It’s embarrassing to speak of as a grown stallion. For some time now, I have been having… night terrors. Terrible dreams.” Celestia put her tea down. “I know it sounds foalish,” Noblesse whispered. “But they’re far worse than anything I can remember. Do you… do you remember when you were a foal?” He looked up, meeting Celestia’s gaze with desperate eyes, needing to hear the right answer. Celestia smiled slightly, nodding. “It may have been a few centuries ago, but I like to think I’m not so old that I’ve forgotten that.” Lord Noblesse swallowed. “When you’re an adult, your bad dreams are about adult things. Losing your job, something happening to those you care about, that sort of thing. Foals, though…” He had to pause, a wave of fear making his coat stand on end. “Foals have these nameless, shapeless, primal fears. When I was a colt, I was afraid of the darkness under my bed and in my closet and especially the hallway outside my room. It was a fear that didn’t have a name. Not of the dark but…” “I remember being afraid like that,” Celestia said. “It was... a different time, but the same fear. You feel paralyzed, because you’re afraid of what you’ll find if you do go look.” “Exactly,” Noblesse said, deflating in his seat. “That’s what my dreams have been like.” “I know exactly what to do,” Celestia said. “My sister can-” “No!” Noblesse jumped to his hooves, backing away from the table. One of the guards moved to intercept him until Celestia held up a wing, motioning for him to stop. “What’s wrong?” Celestia asked. “You don’t understand,” Noblesse said. “The night terrors… the dreams… they’re all about you, and this. I’m sorry, your highness. I can’t meet with you anymore.” “Luna can help you,” Celestia assured him. “She can walk through dreams.” “She can’t help with this,” the stallion whispered. Celestia stood up, moving to hug him. “Calm down, Noblesse. Everything will be fine.” His eyes widened, his pupils contracting to pinpricks as she started to envelop him in her wings. The unicorn lost all semblance of composure, rearing up and falling on his back like she was the same nameless horror he’d confronted in his sleep. “I’m sorry!” He bolted as soon as his hooves found the ground. Celestia was sleeping off the exhaustion of a long, lonely day when the door to her room burst open. She hadn’t even opened her eyes before a hoof cracked against her cheek. “How dare you!” Luna screamed. Celestia was too stunned to defend herself as her sister grabbed her, shouting into her face. “You can’t hide your dreams from me!” Luna yelled, tears dripping onto Celestia’s neck and chest. “How could you?!” “Dreaming?” She could just barely remember something. A ghost of a sensation, nothing more solid than a vague feeling of warmth, maybe a flash of color - but even that was fading now, leaving her with little more than the impression of lavender and heliotrope. “Yes, dreaming! I go to try and surprise you and what do I see? You’re with another mare!” Luna sniffled and shoved Celestia, turning away from the bed. “I thought I mattered to you.” “Luna…” Celestia groaned and sat up, her cheek throbbing where she’d been slapped. “It was just a dream! I can’t control them.” “Dreams reveal the heart. Who was she?!” Luna turned back on Celestia, the tide of anger waxing full again. “A secret suitor?! Have you been seeing somepony behind my back?!” “I swear on my magic that I haven’t been seeing anypony, Luna,” Celestia sighed. Luna’s anger ebbed, and she fell into Celestia’s chest, sobbing into the soft warmth. Celestia rubbed Luna’s back and just held her. It was going to be another one of those days. “It’s my fault,” Luna said, once she’d cried herself out and managed to recover something resembling composure. “I have been under more stress than I knew, and I was going to give you a special dream, and…” Celestia pulled her little sister closer, holding her tight. “I think maybe it’s time I took your advice on learning how to dream lucidly,” Celestia offered. “If you’re still willing to teach me.” Luna’s ears perked up. “Of course! The most important thing is preparing yourself before you go to bed with a daily routine…” Celestia nodded along and listened, just glad Luna was smiling again. A few hours later, Celestia watched Luna go, standing in her doorway with the odd sense that the darkened pre-dawn halls didn’t really belong to her, and leaving her room was an intrusion into what was really Luna’s space. Captain Oak Warden, her personal guard, was standing at attention next to the door, looking somewhat the worse for wear, much like somepony who'd gone through the now-broken window in the hallway and had to walk all the way back to Celestia's chambers. Celestia suspected from the scratches that he'd been unfortunate enough to break his fall using the rose bushes near the castle walls. “I apologize for not stopping her,” Oak Warden said, saluting and not quite meeting her gaze. “I'm very curious about how you would have gone about it," Celestia replied. "I have a duty to you as well. If something like this happens again, just get out of the way." "If you say so, Ma'am." "Can you imagine how much trouble it would be replacing you? You've been my guard for so long you've managed to get used to all of my bad habits." "I'm sure it would only take a decade or two, Ma'am." Celestia covered her mouth, trying to muffle a laugh that was too loud for the darkened hallways. "I should probably try to get a little more sleep," Celestia said, once she was sure she wouldn't start giggling again. "I'll make sure you're awake in time for dawn, ma'am," the guard said. "Thank you," Celestia said, yawning. A stray thought struck her, she she stopped with the door half-closed. "I realized I never asked. When do you sleep, Captain?" "I was in the infantry, Ma'am. I can sleep standing up with my eyes open." He smiled slightly, his stone face cracking just a bit. "But more seriously, ma'am, I'm usually asleep myself at this hour and I get a few more while you're in court. This part of the castle is secure enough that I feel comfortable leaving you with a few replacements while you sleep, and at Court most of the guard is turned out for presentation's sake." "Why aren't you sleeping now, then?" Oak Warden hesitated. "Bad feeling, Ma'am. Hard to explain. Just me being a worry-wart. Better to stay here on my hooves and feel tired and silly than lay in bed and not get any real rest anyway Everypony’s been having bad dreams." "Is there anything I can do to help?" He thought for a moment. "I don't suppose you could apologize to the gardeners for me? I made a bit of a mess getting myself free." Celestia smiled. "I'll take care of it." "Thank you, Ma'am. Sleep well." "I will, as long as I don't dream of any strange mares." Celestia finally managed to broach the topic a few nights later, when their schedules were free enough that they could eat alone in their quarters with no diplomats, nobles, or foreign royalty interrupting them. “Night terrors?” Luna had barely touched her food. Given how much attention she was lavishing on Celestia’s wings, it wasn’t surprising. They were obviously much more interesting. “I just thought you might look into it,” Celestia said. “Lord Noblesse, especially, seemed particularly disturbed. I know you’ve been working hard, but…” “There are always a few minor details that get missed. I will pay him a visit,” Luna promised. “Not that you need him.” “Hm?” “You don’t need him when you have me,” Luna said. She pressed her body against Celestia’s as she straightened her sister’s feathers. Celestia shivered at the sensation. Luna nuzzled her neck from behind. “You should let me tell the court,” Luna whispered. “You could tell all those annoying suitors to go away. Nopony knows you like I do.” “They’d never accept it,” Celestia whispered. “Why not? Half of the noble families have a long history of marrying their cousins. They’re practically proud of the way they keep their bloodlines pure.” She nipped Celestia’s ear. “Think of how wonderful it would be if we could do this out in the open instead of having to send everypony away!” “It would be nice,” Celestia agreed. “I just wish they could understand how I care for you.” “They could never understand,” Luna said. “They haven’t been through what we have. We’ve spent centuries together. We’ve fought gods. That’s why you’re the only one I want. You’re the only one who understands me.” Luna pulled her into a kiss, and talk of night terrors were soon forgotten. “The Black Moon Howls,” Celestia whispered to herself. When she woke up, they were the words on her lips, the last gasp of a dream already slipping from memory. It was important. But she couldn’t remember why, and she struggled to remember what she’d seen in her sleep even as she sat on her throne. The Court was made up of what one might generously call the most worthy ponies of each of the great Houses. Unfortunately, most of them equated worth with wealth and age rather than actual ability to lead or even get along with other ponies. Celestia could see where Lord Noblesse should have been. It was a painful gap, like a missing tooth. The little cliques and temporary alliances among the mares and gentlestallions of the Houses were discussing his sudden departure hotly, though nopony seemed willing to actually bring the discussion all the way to the throne. From the way they looked at her, until they'd realized she’d noticed them, they’d already decided amongst themselves whom was at fault. A wave of quiet argument washed across the room, hooves touching noses and ponies making quiet but firm refusals and pointedly stepping back from the throne. Celestia cleared her throat. “I take it somepony has an issue they wish to bring forward?” Lady Coterie shoved Marquis Mucho ahead of her, out into the open. He glared back at her and resigned himself to actually speaking. “We have concerns about the Elements of Harmony,” he said. “What concerns?” Celestia asked. “I assure you that if a threat like Discord should appear, my sister and I stand ready to use the Elements to defend Equestria.” Mucho and Coterie looked at each other. She nodded for him to continue. “That’s what worries us,” the Marquis admitted. “I’m not sure I follow you.” “The Elements are the most powerful magical weapons in the world,” Lady Coterie said, stepping in when Marquis Mucho faltered. “We believe they should be under the control of the Council.” “That’s impossible,” Celestia said. She held up a hoof to forestall an argument. “I understand your concerns, but Luna and I are the only ones who can use the Elements.” “Do you really understand?” Lady Coterie frowned. “You already control day and night. You could destroy the nation single-hoovedly! We need a way to ensure that ponies have at least some measure of control.” Celestia narrowed her eyes. “Are you suggesting you want to use them against us?” “No,” Coterie said, quickly. “But if something happened--” “If something happened, even if you had the Elements in your hooves you wouldn’t be able to do anything,” Celestia said. “They choose their bearers. Worthy ponies. Do you think you’re worthy?” “I- I wouldn’t know.” the Lady lowered her head, backing away. “Is there some threat to Equestria we need to be made aware of?” Celestia pressed. “If there is something that has you so concerned, tell me. I will do everything in my power to put you at ease.” “I’m not sure you can be objective about this threat.” The crowd parted to reveal the speaker. Duke Monde stood near the back of the room. “We have serious concerns regarding Princess Luna.” Celestia didn’t react. He foolishly took this as permission to continue. “Monster attacks in settled areas have been steadily increasing. Ponies have been seen gathering at night for mysterious purposes. Entire towns like Hollow Shades have stopped paying tribute--” “These issues should be brought up in Night Court,” Celestia said. “We feel uncomfortable discussing them with Princess Luna.” “I see. And how do you expect these problems to be solved without speaking to her?” Celestia asked. “The Night Guard has traditionally hunted monsters.” “And what of ponies gathering at night? Or the refusal of tribute to the Crown?” “It is hardly a crime to enjoy the night. My sister has always ensured it is beautiful and safe for all of us.” “This is more serious than you realize! Please, don’t just ignore this-” “If you have any other issues about myself or my sister, you will bring them forward in the open, and not behind her back or mine,” Celestia declared. “This discussion is over until the next Court, and we will resume it then, with my sister here to defend herself. If you are too much of a coward to face her alone and air your grievances you will be made to do so in my presence.” “Your Highness--” “And it will be resumed. I will not allow you to back down from your words just because you might have to deal with the consequences.” Celestia turned, flaring her wings like a wall between her and the dispersing nobility. Celestia tapped her quill against a scroll, the events of the drama in the court weighing heavily on her. She still hadn’t told Luna. What was the most polite way to tell somepony that she was being slandered in public? More to the point, what would keep Luna from getting dangerously upset? “Your Highness?” “Hm?” Celestia looked up, realizing too late that she’d been so absorbed in her own meditations that she hadn’t been paying any attention to what General Firefly had been saying. “I’m sorry, Firefly. My mind was a million miles away.” The pegasus sighed. “It’s fine, your highness. I was just asking about your neck.” “My neck?” Celestia turned her head as if she could see it. “You have some kind of bite or sore…” Celestia’s mind’s eye turned to when Luna had visited her the night before, the way she’d pulled her tight. The feeling of teeth against skin... “It’s nothing,” Celestia said. She moved papers around her desk, scanning them to try and jog her memory about what Firefly had been saying. “I apologize. Where were we?” “I’ve had a few ponies I trust looking into some odd events independently of the Guard,” Firefly said. “They’re all very discreet, and they’ve been putting together a theory.” “What sort of theory?” “We think there’s a large-scale conspiracy inside the Guard.” Firefly looked around the room, continuing in a low tone that wouldn’t carry. “Your Highness, you may be in danger. We aren’t sure of everypony involved, but this could end in a rebellion.” “We’ll need to tell Luna right away,” Celestia said, standing. “She’ll be in danger. She’s already out of favor with the nobility, and if they’re going to target anypony-” “Wait, Ma'am,” Firefly said.”Before you take any action, let me look into this further.” “I’m confused, General. Do you have information about a danger, or not?” Firefly hesitated. “I’ve studied military theory for a long time, your highness. One thing I learned is not to rush into battle unprepared. I don’t think this is the right time to strike. We’d just be swinging a sword at shadows.” “So what do you suggest we do?” “Be wary. Keep an eye out for anypony acting unusual. I know Captain Warden can be trusted, so rely on him until this danger has passed.” “And there are no clues to the identity of the conspirators?” She paused. “Is Duke Monde involved? His attacks on my sister have been uncharacteristic.” “I’m not sure,” Firefly replied. “I can have him vetted, if you think it’s worth pursuing. He doesn’t have many ties to the guard so he hasn’t been on my list.” Celestia nodded.”Please do. I appreciate you’re worried about the military but if something is really going on, there will be a leader. I can’t imagine ponies as dedicated as our guards being led astray without a figurehead.” “You’re likely right,” Firefly agreed. “I didn’t want to bring this up without more information, but there was a name. Or a title. I’m not sure which.” “And that name was?” “Nightmare Moon.”
Full House“You need to come along to Day Court tomorrow.” Luna blanched. “Day Court? Sister, when I keep you up at least it’s for reasons you enjoy. Have I done something to displease you so much you wish to inflict the nobility on me?” “I don’t like what they’ve been saying about you. I won’t let them hide and slander you behind your back.” “Slandering me to my face is hardly better.” Luna looked to the window. “It’s nearly sunset. Soon they’ll all be tucking themselves into bed, and it will be my duty to let them sleep restfully.” Luna paused. “Sometimes it’s tempting to just let them reap what they sow. If they distrust me, they can manage their own dreams. But then I’d just be proving them right, wouldn’t I?” “I just… I want them to see you the way I do,” Celestia said, slumping. Luna laughed harshly. “You may as well wish for Star Swirl to come back and yell at them like the foals they are.” Celestia smiled. “I can just imagine it. He certainly had a way with ponies.” “Then he would yell at us for being idiots and letting ponies whom we don’t trust and who don’t trust us have any say in running the country.” “It’s harder to get rid of them than I’d like.” “Sister, it’s not hard. It’s just messy. You can put the heads on spikes but what do you do with the rest of the body?” Celestia laughed and pushed Luna’s shoulder. “That’s a terrible joke, Luna!” “Some days it’s barely a joke. Especially when you bring me bad news.” “That’s… not the only bad news. I had a meeting with General Firefly.” “I trust Sombra hasn’t somehow reappeared?” “No. But apparently there’s somepony new.” Luna perked up, interested. “Really?” “Have you heard anything about a pony named ‘Nightmare Moon?’ Maybe you’ve seen something in a dream, or heard something from one of your own servants?” Luna was silent for a long time. “I’ve heard the name,” Luna admitted. “I didn’t think it was a cause for concern.” Celestia smiled. “I doubt it is.” Luna yawned. “Even so, I’ll look more closely into it. I’m sure whatever General Firefly told you is just an old warhorse jumping at shadows.” “You’re probably right. I’d feel better if you were involved.” Something about what Luna had said tugged at her attention, but her train of thought jumped its rails when Luna kissed her cheek. “I’ll take care of things.” Luna opened the door to the balcony. “Come, sister. Let us set your sun. I have an idea that may serve to improve your mood.” “What sort of idea?” Celestia stood to follow her sister outside. “The sort where we’ll need to create a distraction for the guards,” Luna said, the changing light making her smile almost predatory. Celestia’s heart pounded in her chest. Ponies passed by on the cobblestone streets, and every time one of them glanced at her, she thought she’d be called out. When a pony she didn’t recognize greeted her it almost sent her running back to the castle. A warm black wing wrapped around her barrel, pulling her close to the taller pony at her side. “Don’t worry,” Luna whispered. “They’re not going to see through the disguise.” “It’s an amazing spell, Sister,” Celestia returned, keeping her voice down. “When you said we should sneak out, I thought you meant we’d just be using simple illusions.” Celestia was disguised as a small unicorn in various shades of pastel pink so pale it was almost white. Luna was almost as tall as her usual self, a pegasus as black as coal. In the dim light of late sunset, she was almost invisible. Luna smiled. “I picked up a few tricks from an old friend.” “The Guard is going to panic,” Celestia noted. “Tia, we’re centuries older than they are and sometimes I think they’re the old fogies who forget how to have fun!” She stuck out her tongue. Celestia giggled. “Clover used to say you’re only as old as you feel.” “There’s a reason ponies called her clever.” Luna stopped and pointed. “There. We’ll eat there.” She trotted towards a small cafe, Celestia having to scramble on her shorter legs to follow. “I’ve seen this in the dreams of a few ponies,” Luna whispered, as she held the curtain over the doorway open for her sister to enter. “They were always good dreams.” It was beautiful inside. Unlike the palace, which was stately and austere, decorated to impress with size and grandeur and giving space to a few expensive centerpieces, the cafe was crowded and homey, like walking out of the busy street and into the kitchen of a friendly relative. “Oh, this is wonderful,” Celestia said, grinning. “Let’s find a seat.” “We should find one where ponies can’t see us,” Celestia said. “We-” “We’re just two anonymous lovers.” Luna arched her neck down to kiss her sister’s ear. “I want them to be jealous that I have such a cute special somepony.” Celestia blushed and pointed to a table near the entrance to the cafe. Luna pulled her chair out for her before sitting down herself. “Such excellent manners,” Celestia giggled. “Only the best for you.” A pony came over in an apron, and before Celestia could even open her mouth to greet her, Luna was already ordering. “Two espressos,” Luna commanded. The waitress sighed and trotted off. “Luna, be nice,” Celestia admonished. “She is just a servant, Sister.” Celestia sighed. “Fine, I am sorry,” Luna said. “I will say please next time.”. “Don’t apologize to me. Apologize to her.” Celestia paused. “What’s espresso?” “It is a new Neightalian thing,” Luna said, smiling, her good cheer starting to come back. “A special way of making coffee. This cafe is the only place in the Capital to get it.” “You know I prefer tea,” Celestia said. “I know you would never try it unless I pushed you,” Luna said. Under the table, Celestia felt a hoof touch hers, Luna’s long leg crossing hers. “You like being pushed,” Luna whispered. “Doing things you would not dare on your own.” “Sometimes it’s nice.” Celestia shifted in her seat, reciprocating and rubbing her hoof against Luna’s, or at least trying, her shorter stance making it difficult. She had to adjust her stance and stretch and- “Your espressos,” the waitress said. Celestia jumped and sat properly in her seat. “Thank you,” Luna said. “I am sorry about being short with you before.” “That’s alright, Ma’am. Could I get you something to eat with your coffee?” “Day Court is now in session,” the crier declared. His voice rang more loudly than usual, the echoes resounding in the silence that had taken the place of the usual chatter. The nobility were too busy staring at the throne, where Luna sat with Celestia standing off to the side, to talk amongst themselves. Luna smiled slightly. It wasn’t the kind of smile that set one at ease. “Princesses Celestia and Luna presiding,” the crier continued. “Let any whom have business approach the throne.” “Come now, you are all acting like I am going to bite,” Luna said. “We are aware some rather unkind things were said about me. I am willing to be the bigger pony and grant forgiveness, but first we should clear the air. We want to hear your concerns.” Her eyes focused on Duke Monde, and the crowd parted around him. He didn’t step forward so much as he was frozen on the spot when everypony else stepped back. It was the kind of reaction that would have gotten his ancestors eaten by predators, and may well have meant the same fate for him if he chose poorly with his next few words. “Duke Monde, I know you only by reputation,” Luna said. “You’ve never attended Night Court yourself. Most of our subjects have at least made the attempt from time to time.” Monde spared a glare for the ponies who had distanced themselves from him, leaving him alone and exposed, then turned on Luna with a tight smile. “All of us are surprised to see you here, Princess Luna,” Monde said. “I, too, only know you by reputation, though I’ve heard quite a lot.” “How is your wife?” Luna asked, tapping a hoof idly against the marble floor. “Or your children? I am told you have a large family. I’ve always been fond of foals.” Monde’s eyes narrowed. “They’re well, thank you.” “When you see them next, pass along my regards. Now, what concerns did you wish to bring before the throne?” “Oh, there’s nothing serious. I--” Luna’s tapping climaxed in a single, sharp crack, a tile breaking. She didn’t react to it, just staring into Monde’s eyes like she could see right through him. “My sister has already told me about what you decided to bring before her,” Luna snapped. “I am asking you as a courtesy so you may beg politely for my help. This is not the time to decide that only my sister is worthy to hear you whine!” “Duke,” Celestia said, quietly, not wanting to speak over Luna. “If you cannot ask my sister for help, then your concern is not worthy of being brought before me, either.” Duke Monde frowned, and started down the wisest avenue he saw before him. “Princess Luna, there have been reports of monster attacks in many areas, even ones that should be far from wild regions. There are reports of manticores, chimeras, even hydras.” “Monster attacks are a serious matter,” Luna agreed. “To whom did the ponies involved report their concerns?” “Ah, well,” Duke Monde hesitated. “The local lords.” “All of whom have representatives in this Court,” Luna noted. “So what you mean to say is, the ponies to whom you are responsible for told you, and you have done nothing and are mystified to find that problems do not solve themselves. Do I have this right?” “It isn’t our duty to fight monsters!” “You are quite correct. It is, however, your duty to do what is needed to protect your subjects. You have not done so. If you had attended my court, or even spoken to the Night Guard, you could have had this problem dealt with immediately.” “We can’t be expected-” “You could have told my Sister. You could have written a letter, if speaking is too difficult,” Luna’s voice became clipped as her anger rose. “Instead you assumed that I would divine that there was a problem on my own, and further that you were unwilling or unable to solve it on your own. You cannot hide things and then complain later that we did not find them!” Celestia touched her sister’s shoulder, and Luna calmed down, settling in her throne. “Is there some issue that does not derive from your own inaction?” Luna asked. “All across Equestria there are ponies going out at night and refusing to discuss what they’re doing!” “Duke Monde, I was not aware you were so old. It is the summer. Ponies enjoy going out in fair weather, and I suspect that if they are not willing to discuss what they’re doing, it probably involves the same sort of thing stallions and mares do in private when they can get away from overbearing parents and ponies like you who have forgotten the fires of youth.” “It is most certainly not that,” Monde said, his cheeks red. “There are reports of chanting, strange rituals-” “Is anypony being hurt?” Luna asked. “Not yet, but there have been sinister signs.” Luna sighed. “I am sure they are very sinister indeed. Perhaps We might suggest this is related to the increase in monster attacks? Ponies go outside and enjoy the weather, and naturally, they think they see things in the dark. Perhaps some of them did actually see a beast that otherwise would have left them alone.” “You can’t dismiss these concerns,” Monde said. “We know you’re behind this!” Luna’s gaze turned frosty, the astral wind blowing through her mane turning turbulent for a moment, framing her in a storm of blue. “I am the ruler of Equestria, and you will bend knee and apologize,” Luna hissed. “You are one ruler. Not the only one.” Duke Monde stood firmly, resolute even in the face of peril that could snatch the life from him in an instant. “Hold your tongue!” Luna snapped, rising from the throne. The sky darkened, the sunlight coming through the windows dimming. “Or what?” Monde asked. “Will I vanish like the other ponies who question you?” Celestia stepped closer to her sister, their wings brushing. “Calm down,” she whispered. “You won’t win them over by yelling.” “I shouldn’t need to win them over,” Luna hissed. “I am their sovereign! They have no right to question me!” “Can you even use the Elements?” Duke Monde asked, loudly enough to make sure everypony in the room could hear. “As Princess Celestia wisely and justly noted, they choose their bearers. Worthy ponies.” “You have no right to question my worthiness!” Luna snapped. “I agree,” Duke Monde said. “But the Elements are. If they still call you worthy, I will withdraw all complaints, beg your forgiveness, and give my lands and title to the crown to do with what you will.” “You are putting a lot on the line simply to try and discredit my sister,” Celestia said. “A hero who has saved Equestria from more threats than you are even aware of.” “There are always threats that we are not aware of,” Duke Monde said, his throat dry. “Some that we even blind ourselves to.” The Hall was one of the best-defended parts of the castle. Saying it was one of the best-defended parts of the castle brought to mind a fortress or dungeon, all stone and iron bars and humorless guards standing with weapons ready to challenge anypony who might wander too close. In truth, while well-defended, it was defended like a bank, not a military bulwark. Like a bank, common ponies were allowed and encouraged to enter. Like a bank, the Hall was designed to impress upon ponies the importance and grandeur of what it contained. And like a bank, it still had stone and iron bars (the latter gilded but no less invulnerable for it), and there were still humorless guards, though these wore ceremonial armor, which was much like the regular guard armor with a fancy cloak over it. The vault itself was underground, accessible only from above. There was no key - the only way to trigger the door was through very precise use of telekinesis. “I do not like doing this,” Luna whispered. “The Elements aren’t toys.” “You’re right,” Celestia agreed. “But you’re still going to go along with it,” Luna muttered. “We rule by the will of the ponies under us. If this is what they demand, we have little choice.” “We should be ruling by our own will, not theirs.” “Our will doesn’t mean much if they don’t listen to it. Doing this will silence them, Luna.” Luna huffed and waited, head down. Celestia closed her eyes and reached out, feeling past the stone and to the gold and silver clockwork under it. Among the tangle of springs and sprockets was a single glass gear, terribly fragile, ready to shatter under the forces that it would be put under if asked to turn. Celestia wrapped it in a shield and spun, the glass gear holding together thanks to her magic, keeping the mechanism from seizing as the doors opened, sliding into recesses and allowing the huge orrery to rise from its resting place, the arms spinning and locking into place. “Go ahead, sister,” Celestia whispered, stepping back. Luna glanced back at the small crowd of nobility watching intently. “So what am I to do?” Luna asked. “Perhaps add a few members of the Court to the statue garden?” “Luna…” “It would serve as an excellent reminder not to question Us.” Luna flicked her tail and lowered her head, horn glowing.. Three of the stone spheres started glowing dimly, shivering before finally releasing their contents, glittering gems rising into the air right through the stone without leaving a trace of their passage. “There,” Luna said, sweat beading her brow. “Is that enough proof? Loyalty. Honesty. Laughter. Three things sorely lacking from the ponies before me.” Sparks crackled between the gems, rainbow-colored lightning joining them for a moment, the Elements nearly dropping right out of her aura. “Luna…” Celestia said, looking at the artifacts. “It is fine, Sister!” Luna snapped, her aura redoubling as she clenched her grip, trying to keep a hold on the Elements. “That’s enough proof. Put them down before somepony gets hurt.” “There’s no need. I feel invigorated.” Luna raised her chin in denial of the sweat dripping down her neck. “How many times have we used the Elements to save Equestria, Sister? Perhaps this is one more time that we should call upon their strength to defeat the enemies of the Crown.” “They’re just scared, Luna,” Celestia said, quietly. “Let’s put the Elements back and allow them to apologize gracefully.” “Scared?” Luna hissed. “Why should they be afraid? Am I not Princess Luna, who defeated Discord, who rules Equestria? Have they not pledged themselves to me? The only ones who should be afraid are traitors and the cowards that shield them!” A keening sound filled the air, the Elements vibrating like a tuning fork. The sparks pouring from them joined into a storm, a crack of prismatic thunder striking Luna’s horn and breaking her grip, the three Elements falling to the floor, the delicate-looking gems hitting the stone hard enough to gouge the marble. “Sister!” Celestia gasped, as Luna fell to her knees, horn smoking. Her step forward froze at the murmur of the crowd, the hooves pointed at her little sister. Luna looked at her, eyes wide with fear. Before Celestia could say anything, Luna vanished, surrounded in the blue bubble of a teleportation spell. “Do you see now?” Duke Monde said, over the roar of the silence. “You don’t want to know what I see,” Celestia said, her voice tight. “This gathering is concluded. Guards, escort everypony out and seal the hall.” When Celestia finally found Luna, her heart lurched. Luna was slumped against a doorway, weeping. Her hoofprints were visible in the dust on the floor of this long-unused part of the castle. “Sister,” Celestia said, quietly. Luna slumped more, like she was melting into the stone. “The whole test was pointless,” she whispered, sitting next to Luna, putting a hoof on her sister’s withers. “They rejected me,” Luna whispered. Celestia wanted to lie to her and tell her it wasn’t true. “I love you,” Celestia said, instead. “Why did it happen? Why was I forsaken?” “You haven’t been forsaken. I’ll always be with you.” “What about the Court?” “I don’t care what they think. You were right, Luna. They haven’t been through the same things as we have, together. Nopony else could ever understand us.” “Sister…” Luna leaned into her, cheek pressed against Celestia’s neck. “What if something happens, and we need the Elements? I’ve never seen them react like that before…” “Neither have I,” Celestia said. She wrapped her wing around Luna. “It’s suspicious, isn’t it?” Luna asked. “Hm?” “Duke Monde demands a test using the Elements, and something inexplicable happens. He even put everything on the line to force our hooves.” “What are you suggesting, Luna?” “Sister, they’ve been slandering me in open court. They’re trying to blame me for monster attacks. They’ve even concocted some fantasy about cults and hidden gatherings in the dark. Is it too much to think they might sabotage the Elements as a masterstroke to challenge the legitimacy of our rule?” “Sabotaging the Elements?” Celestia whispered. “The last great threat was before their lifetimes. They don’t understand the true gravity of our responsibility as leaders.” Luna pulled away, walking to a disused window and pulling a dusty curtain aside to reveal ancient, warped panes of glass. They were part of the original castle, the glass itself made during the chaos of Discord’s rule, bending the light from outside unnaturally. “But would they really go so far?” The setting sun outside came through the glass in a dozen different colors. “It would be unwise to underestimate the resolve of fanatics,” Luna said. Celestia nodded slowly. “You’re right. I’ll investigate this at once. Some of Star Swirl’s divination spells might--” “No,” Luna said, sharply. “No?” “If they sabotaged the Elements it could be dangerous for either of us to approach it. I will have Our Guards investigate this matter.” Reluctantly, Celestia nodded. “I can suggest a few ponies who might be able to help.” “Thank you, sister. We will get to the bottom of this.”
Waning Influence“Thank you for coming down here to meet me, your highnesses,” Ebon Shade said. The small unicorn - small even by the standards of normal stallions, not just in comparison to the sisters - almost seemed swallowed up by the cloak he wore as a uniform of his station. “Of course,” Luna said. “Thank you for looking into this. You will be well compensated for your efforts.” Ebon Shade nodded and motioned to the center of the hall. “It’s taken a few days to tease it out without destroying the essence, but there’s no doubt,” Ebon Shade said. “There was something done to the Elements.” He led Celestia and Luna to stand near the vault. “Don’t come any closer than that,” he warned. “I’m not sure what would happen. We had to use very delicate detection spells to find this.” His horn lit up, and a thin circle of magic appeared around the vault, the shimmering lines hanging in the air a hoofwidth above the marble floor. “What is that?” Luna asked. “I think it’s some kind of enchantment, Sister,” Celestia said. “Was this in place before we opened the vault?” “It had to be,” Ebon Shade said. “Nopony has been in here except the investigators Luna hoof-picked for their trustworthiness.” “And the purpose of this spell?” Luna asked. “I can’t tell you the specifics, but I know some of this is from Star Swirl’s writings. It’s a configuration I’ve never seen before.” Ebon Shade paced around the perimeter. “I think this is a trap. It might have been designed to…” He trailed off, throat dry. “Just say it,” Luna snapped. “It might have been designed to cause the reaction you saw,” he admitted. “But I fear it may have been worse than that. It’s entirely possible it was designed to sever your connection to the Elements entirely.” “Sever--” Luna gasped, wings drooping. “That is impossible!” “Why would a pony do this?” Celestia demanded. “The Elements are our greatest weapon against threats to Equestria!” “You’ll have to ask the pony who did it,” Ebon Shade said. “And I don’t know who it is, but they must have had access to Star Swirl’s writings. It’s the only way they’d know how to even start putting this together. I don’t think I could manage it myself.” “We will find them,” Celestia said. “And we’ll reverse whatever was done.” She wrapped Luna in a hug. The castle seemed different tonight. More open. Returning to her room, passing by the night guards that patrolled the hallway, there was a sense of acceptance and camaraderie. During the day the guards stood like statues, most of them doing their best to stay totally still even when they were alone with Celestia. As she walked through the halls tonight, she was greeted, received friendly nods from heads crested with tufted ears, and didn’t have to hear the prattling of the nobles that seemed to find her only when she most wanted to be alone. She wasn’t alone tonight, and it was freeing. It was like she’d stepped off the pedestal she was expected to sit on and could be the normal pony she’d been so many years ago. “Oh, hello,” Celestia said, stopping at her door. “I apologize. I was expecting Oak Warden.” The batpony at her door saluted, his dark armor gleaming. “Ma’am, I’m told he’s assisting Princess Luna’s investigators with their task in the Hall.” Celestia smiled. “That’s good. He’s one of the best ponies in the Royal Guard. I assume Luna sent you to serve as his replacement?” “I’ve been ordered to watch over you, Ma’am,” he said, nodding. “Could you pass along a message for me?” Celestia asked. “Tell Oak Warden that I appreciate him looking into this.” “Of course, Ma’am,” the batpony bowed. “And can I have your name?” “Lieutenant Imbrium, your highness. It’s a pleasure to serve you and Princess Luna.” He nodded to the door. “Speaking of which, she’s awaiting you inside.” “Excellent.” Celestia grinned. “Please make sure we’re not disturbed.” Celestia struggled. She could have escaped the black silk ribbons binding her in place on the bed, head down and tail up, but she didn’t. Instead, she just struggled, putting on a show of being helpless for Luna, because she knew her sister liked it. “You’ve been a very naughty pony, Celestia,” Luna whispered. Celestia mumbled through the knot of rubber in her mouth, blushing and trying to push back towards her sister. Luna tugged her tail sharply. “How immodest!” Luna chided, clicking her tongue with mock disapproval. ”A proper lady wouldn’t lift her tail like that.” The bed creaked as Luna moved, kissing Celestia’s hooves. “Of course, a proper lady wouldn’t let her sister tie her up.” Celestia moaned as Luna’s tongue found a more sensitive place to tease for a moment before her weight shifted, straddling Celestia and pressing her into the bed with her weight. “Just one last touch to make sure you can’t get away so easily.” A ring slid down Celestia’s horn, cutting off her magic in an instant, the cold iron blocking it at the source like ice thrown on a fire. Celestia’s struggles became more real. She realized the silk was stronger than she thought, and the knots expertly tied. “Mm. I can taste it,” Luna said, licking her lips. “Are you excited, or just scared?” Celestia tried to say something around the gag in her mouth. “Are you worried about what I’ll do with you at my mercy?” Luna leaned down to whisper in her ear, tickling Celestia’s ear until she suddenly lunged an inch closer and bit it hard enough to nearly draw blood. Celestia cried out in surprise at the sudden sharp pain, looking back at Luna, her little sister’s eyes glowing in the dim light of the dozen or so candles around the room. “Are you afraid of me?” Luna hissed, through teeth clenched in a broad grin. Her horn lit up with a shade that didn’t illuminate the darkness so much as simply offer a different shade of black, and she produced a slim switch from the darkness. Celestia whimpered. Luna licked the tip, making sure her sister got a good look at it before she brought it down on the back of Celestia’s expansive thighs, first one, then the other, the cracks against her flesh so close together they felt like a single lash. “You are my little pony, Celestia,” Luna said. “You might have ponies convinced you’re the brave elder sister on top of everything, but in here, I am the only pony on top.” The switch dragged along Celestia’s thigh, tickling at the thin lines the light strikes had already raised. A crack like splitting stone, and a line of sharp, red-hot pain erupted along Celestia’s cutie mark. She wailed through the gag in her mouth, tears streaking down her cheeks. “Shhh…” Luna whispered, kissing her sister’s neck. “Part of you enjoys it, sister. You know where you belong.” Another line of pain erupted across Celestia’s other mark. “Under me,” Luna continued, ignoring Tia’s cries to stop. “You wouldn’t have to worry about all that responsibility. You’d just have to make me happy, and I’d make you happy.” She rolled her hips for emphasis, pressing her body against her sister’s. Celestia moaned, her tail twitching. The two became one, bodies moving together. The room filled with the soft sounds of joy punctuated by sharp gasps when the switch hit vulnerable flesh. The candles burned down around the two, both measuring the time in the play of their bodies instead of the ticking of a clock. Their bodies stilled as exhaustion overcame them, the pleasure and pain petering out into a warm, comfortable haze. The silk ribbons slowly unraveled in Luna’s blue aura, and she helped ease her sister into a more comfortable position, both of them still panting and dripping with sweat. “Did you have to be so rough?” Celestia asked, when the gag finally came free of her mouth, marked where she’d bitten into the rubber at some of Luna’s harder ministrations. Luna’s hoof ran over the welt across her sister’s sun, and Celestia flinched at the sensation. “I wanted to give you something to remember me by,” Luna said. “Something that will last longer than a kiss.” She kissed Celestia anyway. “Thank you for trusting me,” Luna whispered. It was difficult to sit on the throne the next morning. The welts were still visible, and made sitting in the already-uncomfortable seat almost intolerable. And yet she didn’t shy away from ponies looking. She didn’t try to hide it. There was a thrill to letting them see, to making a hint of what she’d done with Luna public. Celestia couldn’t stop blushing, and she’d smile if she were in any other company. “I see Duke Monde isn’t here today,” Celestia said. She couldn’t disguise the fact that she was pleased not to have to deal with him. “Does anypony know if he will be joining us?” “I believe he was last seen leaving the city.” The voice came from one of the darker corners, only a few ponies standing well away from the rest of the nobility. Leathery wings at her side explained why she seemed so out of place, and why Celestia didn’t recognize her. “Is that so?” Celestia asked. “I’m afraid so,” the batpony mare said. She smiled and bowed. “Dame Astra, m’lady. I usually attend Princess Luna’s court, but I decided to see how the other side lives, as it were.” “It’s a pleasure to have you,” Celestia assured her. “Thank you, your highness. Your sister speaks of you often, when she isn’t visiting you herself.” Dame Astra smiled wider, showing the short fangs most of her kind were known for. “She’s never happier than after she spends time with you.” Celestia nodded, her cheeks burning and not trusting herself to speak coherently. “What they’re doing is unnatural,” somepony whispered, just loud enough for Celestia to hear it. “Who said that?” Celestia demanded, her voice booming in what became sudden silence, her good mood vanishing with the snide comment. The echoes met terror and the pony who’d spoken wisely decided not to identify themselves. Guards around the room stood firmly at attention, prepared to spring into action. All of them wore the black armor of Luna’s guards. “We’re simply concerned, your highness,” Lady Coterie said. “All those bruises, and the rumors we’ve heard…” “What we do in the privacy of our quarters is none of your business!” Celestia snapped. “It is not a subject for debate, nor one for gossip among the group of clucking hens that currently call themselves the Noble Council!” Lady Coterie paled, backing away from the furious alicorn. “Whatever rumors you have heard, I suggest you keep them to yourselves,” Celestia said. “I will not have myself or my sister slandered!” Nopony stepped up to fill the gap Lady Coterie had vacated at the head of the cowed gaggle of nobleponies. All of them kept their distance from the throne, as if afraid Celestia might lunge from it and strike them down. A shadow crossed over the room, looming over the ponies shying away. Their fear turned to panic, and somepony’s courage broke, the pony fleeing for the doors, only to run into darkly armored batponies guarding the portal. “They’re hardly rumors, Sister, when you bear the marks on your own flanks.” Luna stepped in front of her, smiling enigmatically. Celestia blushed as her sister’s tail trailed against the welts. “Perhaps I was a bit too rough,” Luna admitted. “I apologize.” “It’s fine, Luna,” Celestia said. “I enjoyed our time together.” She started to stand, and Luna held up a hoof to stop her. “No, Sister, please,” Luna said. “I am a guest in your court. I wish to bring a proposal before the Court and Crown.” She gave the crowd a reassuring smile. “This is not an order, merely something I wish to discuss.” “You have the floor,” Celestia said. Luna nodded. “Night Court has often been empty, and I have had much time to think,” Luna said, starting to pace before the crowd of nobleponies. “There has been a considerable amount of tension as of late. I wish to restore the harmony and peace that Equestria deserves. We should have a holiday. A celebration showing that Celestia and I are not enemies or even merely allies, but that we are one.” Luna’s horn blazed, and the sky appeared above them, the sun and moon glowing with her blue magic. They spun around each other before uniting, the moon passing in front of the sun, a ring blazing around the darkness “An eclipse?” Celestia asked. “Yes,” Luna said, circling the throne like a shark. “It’s the best way to show everypony that we’re united. It’s something nopony can ignore. The sun and moon sharing the sky.” “It sounds beautiful,” Dame Astra said, over the murmurs and fearful looks of the majority of the court. “A wonderful symbol of unity.” “Indeed!” Luna boomed. “Is there anypony that will second the motion?” A nervous hoof was raised. “Excellent,” Luna said. “You see, Celestia? All they need is a strong leader. With Duke Monde gone, the atmosphere is much improved, as well.” Above Celestia, the night sky stretched out endlessly, black reaching from horizon to horizon, filling her field of view. She’d never seen so many stars, twinkling and shimmering and full of subtle color. The constellations changed as she looked at them, stars moving and shifting like the surface of the sea. An aurora of blue and purple light curved across the universe, outlining a shape as big as the cosmos. The moon blinked, and the shape snapped into focus. The aurora detailed the curves of a face, cheekbones, the line of a jaw. It loomed over her, beauty turning into claustrophobic terror as it opened up its maw and howled. Celestia felt her body fall apart. She couldn’t breathe. The darkness was smothering her. Trapping her in a web. Celestia kicked, panicking, instincts taking over. Her chin hit the marble floor. The blanket came free of her snout. She could breathe again. The panic receded. She panted, looking around, still trying to find the terrible dark thing that had destroyed the world, but it was gone like it had never existed. “Just a dream,” she whispered, taking a deep breath. The fear refused to leave, and she stood on shaking hooves. It was hours before sunrise, but she wasn’t able to get back to sleep, the shadows moving in the corner of her eyes, the horror lingering in a way that hadn’t happened since she was a foal. The bright, open sky outside in the tea garden did much to soothe Celestia’s nerves, the last of the tension dissolving from her shoulders as she sipped at the mint and orange peel flavor of the latest mix her maids had brought her. She’d already canceled court for the day. At sunrise she’d been so fatigued that she’d been unable to move the sun for a long moment, and panic had seized her, the crushing fear from her nightmare taking over for a moment. If Luna hadn’t been there to help, she wasn’t sure she could have managed. “It’s interesting,” Dame Astra said, the teacup clicking against her short fangs as she sipped. In the bright morning light, the batpony was using a parasol and tinted glasses to shield herself from the sun’s rays. “Interesting is one way to put it,” Celestia agreed. “I think the staff challenges themselves to come up with combinations that have never been tried before.” “It reminds me of a dish I’ve had before. Grilled melon steaks with a mint sauce.” Astra took another sip. “I think if it was a smoked tea instead of green, it would be more balanced.” One of the maids standing to the side surreptitiously made a note. Celestia suspected there would be a week of lapsang souchong while they tried a few variations on the theme. “Thank you for having tea with me,” Celestia said. “Lord Noblesse used to join me, but he’s been troubled as of late.” “I’ve heard,” Dame Astra said, putting the cup down. “It’s just as well.” Celestia frowned. “I enjoyed his company. His leaving is difficult. I have few real friends in the nobility.” “I’m sure he was a nice stallion,” Astra conceded. “It’s just…” Celestia raised an eyebrow. The batpony sighed and continued. “Everypony knew you were close to him. It wasn’t proper.” “Nothing improper happened. We were just friends.” “I know Princess Luna didn’t like you spending time with him,” Astra said. “She didn’t like competing for your affection when you belong to her.” Tia started at the knock on her door, half-asleep at her desk, unable to recall anything that she’d read of the tax proposal that had been sitting among a pile of other, less-urgent paperwork for too long. Luna had taken over the more critical work. It was a kindness, taking some of that burden off her shoulders. “Come in,” Celestia called out. The door squeaked as it was forced open. A small, dark-coated unicorn looked at her, then looked around the room in terror, as if expecting something to jump out at him. “Are you alone?” Ebon Shade asked, his voice hoarse. "Calm down," Celestia said, picking up the unicorn like he was a foal and putting him down on a pillow. She sniffed at the air. "Have you been drinking?" "You'd be drinking too if you knew what I did," Ebon said. "Why don't you tell me about it so I can help you?" Celestia suggested. "Princess Luna, she..." Ebon swallowed. "I didn't think it would happen. I thought she knew I was loyal!" "You're not making any sense." Celestia wrapped a blanket around his shaking shoulders. "Calm down. You're safe." He glanced at her flanks. The welts had almost entirely healed, just faint pink lines now. "I didn't know where else to go," he whispered. "She's probably already sent ponies after me." "Why would she do that?" Celestia asked. "Because she doesn't need me anymore," he whispered. Celestia smiled down at him, trying to put him at ease. “Don’t be silly. You’re one of her most trusted Court Mages. You even found the enchantment they put on the Elements! If you’re worried you’re not up to the task, I assure you that even Luna and I have problems with some of the spells Star Swirl left behind, and he was our personal tutor.” "There... there was no enchantment on the Elements," Ebon said, wilting. "Luna put a bag of bits in my hooves and told me what she wanted to hear me say." "Luna would never do that!" "She got rid of so many other ponies," he said, eyes glazed over with terror, not listening to Celestia. "I thought if I played along I'd be safe!" "You're not making any sense!" "I've seen them! The guards watching my home! The ones all over this castle! She got to them first!" "Don't be silly," Celestia sighed. "The Royal Guard is composed of the most dedicated, loyal ponies--" "When was the last time you saw one in gold armor?" Ebon challenged. Celestia frowned, trying to recall. It had been a few days, around the time Oak Warden had left to help with the investigation. "She replaced them, she's getting rid of the nobles that don't fall in line, and she's going to get rid of me so I don't tell anypony the truth!" The doors burst open without even a pretense of knocking. Three ponies in black armor stormed in, fixing their glares on Ebon and stalking towards him without a word. Celestia spread her wings and stepped between them. “Please step aside, your highness,” Lieutenant Imbrium said. The batpony looked up and met her gaze. “This stallion is a dangerous criminal. We’re under orders to take him into custody.” "He's hardly dangerous," Celestia said. "I have control of the situation. You can return to your duties." "We're under orders from Princess Luna," Imbrium insisted. "Please step out of the way." Celestia frowned. "I'm giving you new orders. Leave us." "I'm sorry, Ma'am." The guards started going around her, circling towards Ebon. The unicorn shrieked and tried to get away, backing up to the wall. "I said no!" Celestia's horn blazed, and the guards collapsed in magical sleep. She stood in the center of the room, breathing heavily. She felt drained. Not from the magic she'd used, but from the restless nights wearing her down. "Where are the others imprisoned?" Celestia asked, quietly. "I can't let you in, Ma'am," the warden said, shaking in fear but still standing strong against the angry princess despite his armor jangling as he quivered. "Master Sergeant Compass Needle," Celestia said, emphasizing every syllable of his name like she was memorizing it. "You have a wife and two foals. You're a good pony. You've served us for two decades. Why are you doing this now?" A tear rolled down his cheek. "My foals are sick. Princess Luna, she-- she's the only one who can help. They can't sleep, and it only gets better as long as I follow her orders!" "That's been going around," Celestia whispered. "Oh Luna, why..." "Please, Princess, just turn around. I can't let you through!" "Compass Needle, you're a very brave pony," Celestia said. "You know you can't stop me. I can understand risking everything for your foals." He nodded, gripping his spear tightly. "Everypony in Equestria has been like a foal to me. I promise I'll do what I can to help your children." Her horn blazed. He squeezed his eyes shut, and was slammed into the wall, not hard enough to permanently damage him but enough to knock him out and leave him bruised enough to satisfy anypony who came looking. Celestia tore the wrought-iron gate from the wall and stepped into the castle dungeon. It had never been full. At most, it held a half-dozen or so ponies awaiting justice. It was intended to be a place to put ponies until she and Luna could decide what to do with them, not a place to let them linger and suffer. From the smell, too many ponies had been here for far too long already. Celestia lit the torches along the walls, and dozens of eyes looked at her from the dark recesses of the cells. Some of them she recognized instantly. Most she didn't. She wrenched the doors open. "I'm sorry," she said, her voice failing her, coming out as little more than a breath. "It's good to see you, Princess," General Firefly said, saluting, voice rough and dry. They looked like they hadn't had a bath or a decent meal in too long. "What are your orders?" "I'm not worthy to give you orders," Celestia replied. "I failed you." "You can't win every battle," Firefly said, putting a hoof on her fetlock, making her look up from her hooves and into the General's eyes. "What's important is that you don't stop fighting. You're our Princess." Celestia took a deep breath, steadying herself. "Luna is holding court," she said, eventually. "I'm going to confront her." "We'll make a quick stop at the armory and join you." Oak Warden saluted. "Sorry for failing you, Ma'am." "You didn't fail me." Celestia swallowed. "You're not to join me. I'll confront Luna alone. You were already in danger and I won't have you caught between us. I fear I won't be able to talk her down." "I'm your personal guard, Ma'am," Oak Warden said. "I can't let you go into danger alone." "I need you to keep the civilians safe." Celestia motioned to the other ponies with her wing. "Get them out of the castle, then do what you can to convince the Night Guard to stand down." "And if they won't?" General Firefly asked. "If they won't..." Celestia hesitated. "Do what you must. Try not to kill them. I can't fault them for loving Luna. Not when I fell into the same trap." The throne room was empty. Shadows filled the spaces where the Council should have been, gloom clinging to the walls like cobwebs, the far corners of the room all but invisible. Celestia found herself paralyzed near the doors, like she didn’t belong here, like this wasn’t her throne room. “Hello, Sister.” Luna’s voice echoed around the chamber. “It’s much nicer without all those useless noble fops, isn’t it?” “Where are you?” Celestia asked. A dark navy light, the stygian blue that appeared behind one’s eyelids, didn’t shine through the tangle of shadows so much as simply offer another shade of black against the midnight background. Luna stepped out of the glow. “I dismissed the Council,” she explained. “No more of those annoying rumors and backstabbing fakes calling themselves noble when they’ve never done anything worthwhile with their lives.” “We can’t just dismiss them, Luna, we need them to-” “We don’t need them for anything,” Luna snapped, her gaze as hard as steel. “It used to be just you and me, Celestia. We didn’t need anypony else.” Celestia looked down. “Things are different now.” “That’s because they used to have an enemy,” Luna said. “Discord was a monster that hunted them at every waking moment. They followed us because it was simple. Us versus Him. They listened without question because we were working against a deadly foe. They could understand that. Then Sombra came around, and they could understand that. There was always something other that they could blame for their misfortunes.” “We worked hard to get rid of those threats.” “It’s too much for two Princesses, Celestia. You’re right about that. You’re just wrong about the solution. The nobility? Middle management between us and our little ponies? It was the wrong answer.” Luna shook her head. “We made a mistake. A herd of ponies can’t follow two masters. Even when we’re both working together, they get confused and scared.” Luna stood between the two thrones, looming larger than both of them put together. “What they need isn’t two Princesses, it’s one Queen. An absolute ruler. It’s the natural state of things.” “And you want to be the Queen,” Celestia whispered. Luna smiled, her expression softening. She stepped down the short flight of stairs from the thrones to where her sister stood, kissing her cheek. “You never wanted to rule,” Luna muttered. “I love you, Celestia. I can see how hard it is for you. You hate telling ponies no. They walk all over you, my beloved sister. You’re just not ready to rule on your own.” “I’m not a foal,” Celestia said, her ears folding back. “Of course you aren’t!” Luna nuzzled her. “You’re my other half. I love you, and I want you at my side.” “But not as a ruler.” Luna rolled her eyes and pulled away, walking around Celestia to her sister’s rear. "You have no will to wield power," Luna said. "Your body and mind already submit to me whenever we're alone. Won't it be nicer once you can stop fighting? When you can just let me take care of everything for you?" "The important thing is to never stop fighting," Celestia whispered. "Those aren't your words. You loved when you were able to stop struggling. When I started making decisions for you. When I took you and made you a toy." Her tail lashed against Celestia's flank. "Once my Night Guards have put the prisoners back in their cells, we'll discuss your rightful place." Luna leaned in and nibbled Celestia's neck. "Under me." Celestia shoved her away, cheeks bright red. "I am not going to abandon the ponies of Equestria for you, Luna!" Luna laughed, walking away and ignoring her. "You've betrayed my trust, and the trust of the ponies we care for," Celestia said. "I demand you stop this. If you apologize and beg forgiveness, some day they might--" "Beg forgiveness?!" Luna yelled, turning on her, eyes blazing. "You ask me to beg?! They are mine to do with what I please! And so are you!" Luna's horn blazed, and Celestia was forced to her knees by a terrible magical pressure, as cold and sudden as jumping into a mountain spring. "I was saving the Eclipse for a special occasion. A symbol that I finally took my rightful place as the sole pony at the top." "They-they'll never let you--" "They wouldn't let little Luna rule them, perhaps," she agreed. "I have another name in mind. Something they'll learn to respect and worship." "Nightmare Moon," Celestia whispered. "It has a ring to it, doesn't it?" Luna smiled. Celestia struggled to her hooves, lurching toward the thrones. "Not one more step!" Luna snapped, her mirth vanishing. "There can only be one princess in Equestria! And that princess will be me!"
New Normal"According to the reports, most of Nightmare Moon's followers surrendered in the general amnesty," General Firefly said, following Princess Celestia out of the throne room. Oak Warden walked at her other flank in silence. Nopony in the castle wore the black armor of Luna's guard anymore. Even the ponies who had once been a part of it sported gold plate now. Somepony had already ordered every tapestry and portrait of Luna destroyed, and Celestia had only narrowly managed to move some of them into storage. She'd had to watch as they burned the rest, like her sister was being consumed on a funeral pyre. They couldn't erase everything. There were signs everywhere. Moons carved into stone at decorative arches. Stained glass showing Celestia standing with an equal against Equestria's foes. Celestia wasn't sure how long she'd be able to bear remaining in the castle. "Most isn't all," Celestia noted. She'd heard the name Nightmare Moon so many times now that she could almost hear it without flinching. No one had used the name Luna since the Eclipse. "There are always going to be holdouts," the General replied, shrugging. "We've identified several compounds where they've gathered." "When will your troops move in on them?" Celestia asked. "We haven't drawn up a plan of attack yet. There are foals on the inside." Celestia sighed. "Of course there are." "I'm sorry, Princess." "I'll prepare messages to be sent to them. Perhaps if they know they can't hide they'll be ready to rejoin Equestria." "They're traitors. They don't want to return to the fold unless Nightmare Moon is on the throne." "She isn't coming back," Celestia said. Her voice sounded more firm and certain than she felt. "The sooner they realize that, the better." "I hope you're right, your highness," the General replied. "I've got a few ideas on things to try. Maybe a show of force, just some kind of demonstration like a close fly-by..." "If there's nothing else, it's getting close to sunset," Celestia said, stopping at a door out to the gardens. Servants, already growing familiar with the ritual, stood at attention with a tea tray. "Of course, your highness." The old soldier bowed and left. Celestia took the tray in her own magic, waving the servants off. "I'd like to be alone, Warden," she said. "Yes, Ma'am. I'll guard your chambers until you return." He saluted and left. When his steps faded into silence, Celestia opened the door, walking out to the garden. There were no guards posted along the wall anymore. Even if she'd wanted them here, there were places they needed to be. Ponies needed a stabilizing presence in their lives. A ruler for the herd to follow. The Guard, in their gold armor, needed to be out there. Ponies needed to be reminded there was somepony leading the herd. They needed to believe the sun would rise every morning. The sun hung on the horizon, bathing the world in crimson and amber. She didn't touch it yet. Moving the sun was her duty, one she was happy to do. It was everything else that she dreaded. She put the tea set down. The garden table was tiny for her frame, but still too large without anypony else to share it with. Celestia set out two teacups. A touch of her magic set the water in the kettle to a near-boil. She was just delaying the inevitable. Most of the water made its way to the teapot. A few tablespoons found their way into the cups, swirled around, warming them before being discarded. It was the proper thing. Pour hot tea into cold cups and the tea wouldn't be at that perfect temperature. It was a bit of theatre, unnecessary effort to be perfect and prim and proper. Eighty degrees wouldn't do, only eighty-five. She pushed the sun below the horizon. The sky turned shades of blue, then black, the stars appearing one by one. She poured one steaming cup, and set it across from her at the empty seat. It would be gone in the morning, anonymous servants taking it away when she wasn't looking. They'd never admit to moving it themselves. All part of the ritual now. She hesitated with the tea pot hovering over her cup. She poured cold milk into hers. Added sugar. Before the tea, even. If Star Swirl had been there he would have slapped the cup right out of her hooves. He wasn't there though. She could do anything she wanted, as long as she was alone. If she drank her tea like this in front of the court they'd whisper about it for a day and be doing it themselves in a week. Luna had been right about one thing. There was only room for one pony at the top. She sat in the strange light of the new, shadow-marked moon above and sipped her lukewarm tea. "This is awful," she admitted. She drank it anyway, because nopony could tell her not to.
