The Final Throw of the Dice

Chapters

1 Everfree Encounter
2 Luna's Prisoner
4 An Unlikely Alliance
Epilogue
3 Crimes and Punishment

1 Everfree Encounter

The cold caught in his chest as he panted down the damp night air, looking nervously from left to right in the swirling mist that enveloped his hoofsteps, drawn on by some inexplicable desire. Because of his size, he could not step over the lower bushes and brambles that adults could clear easily and found the going difficult, especially where he moved off the established tracks.

He had always known never to sneak out of his bedroom once he had been put to bed and had never sought to betray that covenant of trust, but this was different; the irresistible siren’s call only seeming to get stronger the further into the forest he strayed.

Finally he emerged into a clearing, surrounded on all sides by the thickening mist, only eerie skeletal outlines of occasional trees punctuating the disorientating uniformity that swallowed him up.

“Well, what do we have here?” came an oily voice from nearby. He recognised it as female, but somehow lacking the warmth and love of all the mares he knew. He started to feel afraid.

A dark silhouette emerged from the mist, a pair of ethereally glowing green eyes surveying her visitor. He turned to run, but couldn’t distinguish one direction from another. He wanted to run back the way he had come but couldn’t work out which way to go, so just ran as fast as he could away from this nightmarish figure.
“Princess Luna, help!” he cried, feeling fear’s icy grip tightening around his heart and suddenly wishing too late that he had never left home in the first place.

The laugh of the strange mare bounced off the mist in every direction, shadowing him as he ran for his life, terrified.

Suddenly in front of him, a tree stump appeared, but he had no time to react and tripped, falling flat on the ground in front of something casting a dark shadow. He screamed, fearing his short life was just about to come to an end and folded his trembling forelegs over his muzzle, not wishing to see the coup de grâce that he knew from his nightmares would surely follow.

“You need not be afraid” said a kindly voice that inspired confidence whilst at the same time commanding authority.
“Princess Luna!” cheered the colt, leaping up to hug the nearest midnight blue foreleg, tears of relief running down his muzzle.
“Stay close to me, young Pipsqueak, there is treachery afoot tonight.”

Luna was on her guard, prepared to tackle swiftly with whatever threat that may emerge from any bearing, hundreds of years of military experience rising to hone her senses; no adversary was going to get the better of her in a sneak attack. The tip of her horn glowed and suddenly there was a flash as she became the epicentre of a disc of blue light that spread outwards, devouring the mist as it radiated across the clearing.

Luna stood resolutely, surveying the full extent of the landscape that was now bathed in silver moonlight, quickly scanning for what foul creatures the mist could have been concealing. The moon looked down impassively, holding in its revealing gaze not only her and the young colt, but a third form, black with a straggly light blue mane and piercing green eyes.

“Chrysalis!” accused Luna, closing on Equestria’s old enemy, horn lit.

The deposed Queen looked momentarily shocked at having suddenly been exposed and gasped, raising a foreleg defensively. She looked straight into the eyes of an angry Princess Luna, whose head was lowered and pointing her glowing horn directly at her! This sight alone would have caused any sane pony, or any other creature for that matter to run, but instead she held her ground and allowed herself to crack a smile.

“This is too low even for you!” hissed Luna, extending her wings “Explain thyself and make it good!”
“I merely cast an attraction spell” she replied, “And sadly, this little runt is all that answered.”
“Thou hast me to answer to now!” growled Luna, her horn fizzing with the expectation of imminently casting some awful spell, the like of which Equestria had not seen in over a thousand years.

“Actually, it’s you I wanted to see” stated Chrysalis calmly. Too calmly for Luna’s liking.
“We are waiting” snarled Luna, a murderous glint in her eyes.
“Firstly, you can see that my horn isn’t even lit, so my motives can be trusted. Would you please show me the same courtesy?”
“No. We shall not trust you until Tartarus freezes over.”
Pip was watching the intense drama play out, but now peeping out from behind the relative safety of one of Luna’s rear legs, listening as her mode of speech drifted between the contemporary and olde Canterlot in response to her rising anger.

“Your sister is stronger than you are, and I beat her in a fair fight if you remember. I could easily beat you too if I wanted.”
“You had a Changeling army behind you then. Now you are alone and weak. Also I sincerely doubt that fight was as fair as you say. We will not shirk our duty to subdue you!”
“Sadly, I am in no position to challenge anything you say” admitted Chrysalis, her confidence seeming to evaporate, “You may enchant my horn if you wish, so we can talk a little more comfortably.”
“Very well” agreed Luna, casting a spell that caused a blue glow to cover the holed black horn. Having seen no attempt at duplicity, Luna furled her wings cautiously, but continued staring unblinkingly into those big green eyes.
“Talk.”

“Tell me Princess Luna” she said, addressing her with her formal title, “If you were aware you had the last Manticore in existence, or the last Ursa, would you kill them for your own safety or sustain them? Would you show mercy or deny them the chance of repentance?”
“Where are you going with this, Chrysalis?”

“I am the last of my kind. My changelings were beautiful; each one was clone, a projection of their father, and I loved them all. When ponies invaded my hive and my beloved changelings morphed into new creatures, I sustained injuries, injuries of a type that now prevent me from starting another colony unless I can find a new mate. That is why I cast this spell with the last of my remaining strength in the hope of attracting a partner, but as you can see, that didn’t work out. Now I have no magic, no mate and no future. Take me with you, Luna; parade me, humiliate me, imprison me, do with me as you will, but don’t leave me barren, I beg you.”

The big green eyes broke contact with Luna’s and turned to face the ground, little sparkles like crystals refracting the moon’s light on her tears as they fell to the ground.
“I have only ever fought to protect my children, a trait that I believe even ponies do in protecting their young. Am I really so different from the rest of ponykind, Luna?”
With this, she looked back up into her eyes, the tracks of her tears now all too apparent, and knelt.
“I kneel before you, Luna. You have won. I have lost.”

Luna was taken aback by what she heard. She had never even considered Chrysalis as being so vulnerable before, yet she was riven by indecision. Certainly there was an undeniable temptation to slay her as she knelt defenceless before her, but she had surrendered willingly and earned the right to be heard.

Chrysalis may have had a point, maybe she was just acting to protect her children, but the attack during Cadence’s wedding had been well planned and cleverly executed, and yet nopony had been killed. In the course of such an operation, casualties could, indeed should have been expected, yet there had been none. This defied probability and pointed to careful organisation and strict adherence to specific orders, her orders.

She stared down at the fallen Queen, watching the small movements of her chest as she breathed; no more tears, just resignation and defeat.

“Princess Luna” came a small voice, “What are you going to do with her?”

“She is a Queen, she deserves her dignity” replied Luna, “She has wronged all of Equestria, but it would be inappropriate for me to act in haste as judge, jury … and executioner. I must consult with my sister.”
“Her army was scary, I remember them coming to Canterlot, but they’re all our friends now, aren’t they?”
“Yes, but do not forget she cast a spell that took you from your home and made you walk through the wild Everfree alone tonight. This is not a safe place for one as young as you at any time, especially at night.”

Luna turned her attention back to the moth-eaten form in front of her, noticeably addressing her in a much harsher tone than she had used with Pip, “You may rise Queen Chrysalis. We have an errand to run, thence we will travel onward to Canterlot. I can make no guarantee of the fate which may befall you, and be in no doubt that I shall not flinch if I am called upon to administer your punishment, however severe that may be, but that must wait until we have returned your latest victim to his family.”
Chrysalis rose, subdued, “Thank you Princess Luna” she whispered.

Luna levitated the young pinto colt onto her back and began her walk back to civilisation, keeping Chrysalis in full view at all times.
“Princess Luna, I’m scared” Pip confided, “My parents are bound to tell me off.”
“I shall explain for you, do not worry” she replied, thinking how disproportionate it was that he was more concerned about how his parents would react to his being returned safely, than the fact that he had just come face to face with the treacherous Queen Chrysalis in the depths of the Everfree at night.
“Thank you - you’re my favourite Princess ever!”

Luna allowed a small smile to creep onto her face as she strode over the bushes in her way and got back onto the main path to Ponyville.
“I sense a lot of love there” lamented Chrysalis.
“Don’t even think about trying to feed off it” warned Luna.
“My horn …” she replied unhappily, “I couldn’t if I wanted to.”

When they arrived at Pip’s home, the young colt started to become most agitated.
“What are you going to do?” he asked nervously, ”They won’t like being woken up …”
“Trust me, young Pipsqueak” said Luna quietly, “ Just you mark my words, they will be very happy to see you.
“I sure hope so” he replied, his onset of nerves being held in check, at least temporarily by his faith in his favourite Princess.

Luna kept a watchful eye on Chrysalis for the slightest hint of duplicity, but there was none. Nonetheless, she kept her in plain sight as she lit her horn and sent a sprinkling of magic towards the house, where it sought out the parents’ bedroom and entered through the window. In a flash, the light turned on and hoofsteps could be heard coming down the stairs to the front door. There was a pause while the owner of the hoofsteps stopped and straightened themselves quickly in front of the hall mirror before opening the door.

A bespectacled pinto stallion in a nightshirt stood in the doorway looking surprised to be there, and doubly surprised to see the midnight Princess making a house call in the middle of the night.
“Princess Luna” he stammered, “I … I thought I was imagining it when a shining pony visited me in my dream and led me down to open the door.”

She levitated his son off her back and lowered him carefully to the ground.
“Young Pipsqueak was lured from his bed by some rogue magic that was cast tonight, but I have apprehended the miscreant and countered the spell; he is safe now. It was not his fault so please do not punish him - he is a good colt and will grow into a fine stallion.
“Thank you Princess Luna, you’re the best!” cried Pip as he hugged her foreleg and then trotted back to his waiting father who picked him up and gave him a gentle kiss on his forehead.

“Thank you” said the grateful stallion, “I had no idea he had gone, but thank the stars you were there to rescue him.”
“Like I say, it was but a random event and will not be repeated. You are a good father and your son will not let you down. Young Pipsqueak will fill you in on the details tomorrow, but for now I will cast a spell that will put you into a sound sleep as soon as your head rests upon your pillow. Good night and sleep well.”

“Goodnight Princess, and thank you” replied the stallion before hesitating for a second and turning back to face her, “You do know you’re his inspiration don’t you?”
“Then we have something in common, for I know he looks up to you too” said Luna, “Now fare thee well as the sleep spell will begin to take effect whether you are in your bed or not.”

2 Luna's Prisoner

As Pip's father gratefully closed his door, Luna cast a critical eye back towards Chrysalis, who just looked utterly dejected.
“Such love” she sighed sadly.
“Can you fly?” asked Luna coldly, “As far as Canterlot?”
Chrysalis fluttered her tatty yet elegant looking wings briefly and shook her head, “I don’t believe so.”
“Very well” conceded Luna, recalling that Chrysalis had told her already about her internal injuries. She would have had no compunction to force her to fly under other circumstances, but the thought of coming down in inhospitable territory en route when it could be avoided, forced her to conclude that there was only one safe way of transporting her to face justice - a chariot.

Keeping one eye firmly on her prisoner, Luna lit her horn and sent a bolt of magic to her sister in Canterlot Castle. Instantaneously, the Royal bedroom glowed and a light blue aura formed on the white alicorn’s horn, turning to yellow as the mare woke.

“Wha …” she gasped in surprise as she was ripped forcibly away from a dream about the biggest Marzipan Mascarpone Meringue Madness cake Equestria had ever seen, and sat bolt upright. She felt the presence of her sister and heard a telepsychic message in her head.
“Sister, dear Sister? I am sorry to trouble you at such an hour, but I require a chariot and guards in Ponyville at your earliest opportunity.”
“Whatever has happened, Luna?” she asked, concerned, “Are you injured?”
“No Sister, Chrysalis has surrendered herself and is prepared to accept judgement, but is injured and unable to fly for the duration unaided.”
“Chrysalis?” gasped Celestia, “How will I find you?”
“There is not too much activity in Ponyville. It is night time” Luna deadpanned, “I can however wear a carnation if that would assist you in recognising me …”

Celestia chuckled at her sister’s dry wit before responding, “Very well Luna. With your permission I shall requisition your personal chariot and a platoon of Night Guard to rendezvous in the Town Square as soon as possible. And yes, a carnation would look most fetching.”
“Thank you, Sister. I shall await your convenience” grinned Luna, “Tell me, were you dreaming of cakes again?”
“No … why of course not…” she blustered, her politician’s ability to mask unsavoury truths not being fully in place so soon after having been awakened.
“Thought so” said Luna with a wicked smile.
“You and your accursed dream walking” Celestia chastised half-heartedly.
“Sister, I had no need; the discomfort within your response provided sufficient evidence. I will see you soon.”

The smile on Celestia’s face melted immediately she broke the link between them. Chrysalis had handed herself in to her sister; this was certainly a coup and she knew she had to move fast before their enemy changed her mind.

Not daring to waste time dressing, she quickly grabbed a robe on her way out of her apartments and thrust the door open much to the surprise of the two guards on duty.
“Your Majesty …” gasped the armoured earth pony springing to attention, his junior pegasus partner copying smartly.
“Be on your guard” ordered Celestia, ”This night may yet hold treachery.”
She ran off down the corridor, wishing not for the first time that she had her sister’s more nimble body and could fly within these narrow confines. However, she could not stretch her wings to the extent necessary for flight without scraping the walls and consoled herself by running as fast as the grip of her unshod hooves would allow on the stone floor.

She barrelled out of the castle and immediately flexed her wings for the short distance to the adjacent garrison. It didn’t save her more than a few seconds, but she felt better in herself for having made the effort.

The two guards at front of the garrison stared awestruck at the sight of the white alicorn thundering towards them. One raised his polearm while his colleague took a few steps to one side to avoid the inevitable collision like being run into by the Canterlot Express. Celestia’s horn glowed yellow and she gently moved the resolute guard over to one side so she did not injure him as she ran headlong into the building.

“Generals!” she barked, sliding to a halt, “Attend now please!”
A flurry of activity followed with ponies running in all directions to drag the Night Guard Generals from their regular nightly activities and the leaders of the Royal Guard from their beds.

A cluster of junior ranking Bat Ponies formed themselves into an orderly line in front of the Sun Princess. They rarely saw her given that their sleep cycles were diametrically opposite, but the fact that she had entered the garrison in the middle of the night in such haste, told them that something was going down and they could expect further orders.

She looked at the first and ordered, “Prepare Princess Luna’s chariot and ready a platoon of Night Guard for immediate despatch to Ponyville. Report back when ready, please.”
It was striking that even in the midst of whatever was going on, she kept her manners, even to those who were many ranks below her.
“Send for the Head Jailer and Spell Nexus, headmaster of the School for Gifted Unicorns” she directed the next two, and finally, calming down, she asked of the fourth “Please prepare Ready Room and ensure tea and cake are available; thank you.”

With all orders put in train, Celestia’s tension visibly ebbed away and she exchanged a few casual comments with the Bat Ponies that predominated the garrison at night time, as she made her way to the Ready Room where she would receive her visitors and, especially importantly, tea and cake.

She didn’t have to wait long before the first Generals appeared and took their seats while Celestia paced up and down on the podium. The junior Bat Pony returned with a cup of tea and immediately her demeanour relaxed, easing the tension in the room as one by one, more ponies arrived to hear what had caused such a commotion.

Before she could begin her briefing, she received word that Luna’s chariot and the platoon of Night Guard was ready. Out of courtesy, she turned to the senior Night Guard General present and requested they may be released for their mission. He, of course, agreed straightaway. As the room was still only two-thirds full, she excused herself and followed the junior Bat Pony down to where the party was ready to depart. She performed a quick inspection and commended them all on their turnout and promptness before informing them that they were to pick up Princess Luna and Queen Chrysalis from the Town Square in Ponyville.

A stunned silence fell on all those present, so she continued, “It appears that Chrysalis has surrendered to my sister, but we all know the tricks she can play on unsuspecting ponies; it could yet be a trap. Make good speed and bring them both back safely as soon as you can, but do not let your guard down for an instant!”
They all snapped to attention, then took off, flanking the chariot as they disappeared into the night sky. Celestia watched them depart, not yet wanting to believe that it was as easy as it seemed, and praying that her sister would be safe. Then she turned and headed back up to the Ready Room.

Entering the door, everypony rose out of respect and as she bade them retake their seats, she looked around, confirming that everypony she wanted to see was there. Good.
She relayed the news as she had to the guards now on their way to Ponyville and was met was gasps of incredulity, then started working through what further actions needed to be taken.

Firstly, the generals were keen to despatch two more platoons to provide support, just in case there was an ambush by superior numbers. Celestia thought this unlikely as all known changelings except for Queen Chrysalis had evolved into a peaceful race under the leadership of their friend Thorax, but deferred to her Generals and sanctioned the approach. Consequently, one of the Generals offered his apologies and left to make the necessary arrangements.

The bigger problem was how to look after their unexpected guest when she arrived, especially as she had the ability to drain love energy from anypony who got too close. Spell Nexus confirmed that a spell could be cast that would prevent those in contact being drained or in any other way compromised by her unique telepathic abilities, while the Head Jailer listed the attributes of the various dungeons under the castle and in other lesser known locations around the city.

After much debate, it was decided that it would be better for everypony if Chrysalis were to be kept in the castle, as the garrison was there at hoof should a large number of guards be needed at short notice. Spell Nexus concurred and excused himself to research the appropriate spells so the necessary enchantments could be in place for everypony before Chrysalis arrived.

With a plan established and no further actions, Celestia concluded the meeting and finished her tea which had cooled a little below the temperature she would have preferred, but consoled herself instead with a particularly generous slice of cake.

Luna led Chrysalis through the deserted streets of Ponyville, detouring past Daisy, Lily and Roseluck’s florist. A boxful of spoiled flowers from yesterday’s trading lay discarded, waiting for the early morning refuse collectors to stop by and pick them up. Luna used her magic to rummage through the wilting and damaged blooms, finally retrieving a carnation with a broken stem. She separated the bright red head from its stem and placed it in her mane, looking for all the world like she was a lovestruck teenager.

“What’s that for?” asked Chrysalis indifferently.
“Oh, a private joke with my sister” replied Luna showing a soft smile.
“What’s it like having friends?” enquired Chrysalis.
Luna was taken aback, but then took a glimpse into her prisoner’s life. She had ruled alone; sure she had been mated, but if rumours were to be believed she would have eaten him afterwards. Following this, she would have had no social interaction other than with her own children, all of whom looked identical. Perhaps she really didn’t know what it was like to have somepony to confide in, share a joke with, or just to love.

“A friend is somepony you enjoy sharing things with, somepony you spend time with when they are unwell and somepony who helps you when you need some love.”
“So, love is given freely between friends in your society?”
“I am unsure where you are going with this, Chrysalis” said Luna cautiously, stepping back and checking her anti-magic spell was still in place on her horn, “You still have justice to face before anypony will consent to being your friend.”
“I am very hungry” commented Chrysalis, “I haven’t felt any love since my changelings left.”
“I am not about to let you feed off me, Chrysalis.”

“How much do you know about me, Luna?”

Luna felt her guard go up.

“I know you cannot be trusted. You bewitch, impersonate and betray in your lust for conquest.”
“I already explained myself on that score; I was only trying to secure a source of love to sustain my children. I mean, what do you know about my physiology, Luna?”

Luna now started to feel really uneasy.

“I heard that you ate your mate.”
“Yes, it was his act of supreme love for our children. However, were you aware that I can be both male and female? In short I can breed with a willing partner of either gender ...”
“I trust that is not a proposition?”
“Come now Luna, I could give you physical pleasures you could never even begin to imagine in your wildest dreams …”
“Or nightmares.”
“Ah yes, nightmares … something you know so much about. How does it feel still not to be accepted for what you did as Nightmare Moon? You may have convinced yourself that ponies have forgiven you, but scratch the surface and you’ll see they still don’t trust you and never will. You’re alone Luna; nobody loves you, but come to me and I can create a race of changeling clones in your image …”

“Enough!” barked Luna, bracing her forelegs and striking a threatening head down pose, horn glowing and boresighted unmistakably on Chrysalis. A thin stream of light blue energy shot from the tip and instantaneously two pieces of duct tape appeared in an X shape across her mouth.

She stood, panting with anger that Chrysalis had managed to worm her way into her mind and remained in her attacking pose for much longer than she needed, before finally returning to a more normal posture. She knew that Chrysalis had just tried to tempt her, so she didn’t have to face justice and didn’t want to hear any more in case she got angry and did something to her prisoner that was not in keeping with established courtly values.

Luna stared at Chrysalis, who stared straight back at her through her large, unblinking green eyes that seemed to be probing her for any weakness she could exploit.

“Nice flower, Luna.”
A familiar voice echoed in her head.
“Are you making yourself pretty for me so we can go on a date?”

“Chrysalis!” barked Luna firing her horn once more at her enemy, this time increasing the magic barrier on her horn to prevent telepathic communication.

Then she ripped the carnation from her mane and threw it to the floor where she stamped on it and ground it beyond recognition.

She knew Chrysalis was watching her closely and found it difficult to meet her mocking eyes. She knew she was being goaded and was determined not to respond until justice had been served, but Chrysalis was in her head and they both knew it.

Luna drew her eyes up to meet hers and saw them unrepentant and penetrating, like she could read her thoughts. Another flash of blue light shot out and Chrysalis was wearing a cloth bag over her head with the horn sticking through so Luna could monitor it for magical activity should her inhibition spells fail for any reason.

She paced round the black motheaten shape of her adversary and keeping a forced control of her voice spoke softly, “I know you can hear me. Turn to your right.”

Chrysalis didn’t move.

Luna kicked her forehoof, “Turn right.”

She didn’t move.

Luna kicked her forehoof harder.

Still no movement. Chrysalis wasn’t through playing games and wanted to get Luna mad, but she wasn’t going to rise to the bait and instead walked towards the Town Square, carrying her prisoner in the soft glow of her levitation magic, stopping at the fountain where she put her down again and set about waiting for her chariot to appear.

The clock on the Town Hall indicated quarter past two. She had no idea how long it had been since she had called her sister and indeed how long it may be before she saw her rescue party. Any sympathy she may have had for Chrysalis had been squandered as she had first tried to seduce and then goad her. Her power may have been depleted, but she was still undoubtedly dangerous and had gotten into her head in a short time. What she could do with others was clearly a cause for concern and great care was going to be required in looking after her, lest she use her powers on those with weaker minds. Although she didn’t want to admit it, she was spooked.

Time dragged. She had to keep an eye on her prisoner, because even in this state, she had no idea what she could come up with next and knew she had to remain vigilant.

Chrysalis stood stock still, not moving at all.

She couldn’t have found a way to escape, could she? Perhaps she had replaced the body she thought was hers with a dummy, or something?

Luna walked cautiously over and tiptoed around Chrysalis, still seeing no movement at all.

She had to check.

She tiptoed round to her head and gently pulled up the cloth bag, inch by inch, until it revealed her muzzle, then she pulled it off in one sweep and found herself staring into two big green eyes, mocking her insecurity.

“Damn you!” shouted Luna, “Damn you! Damn you!”

The eyes continued following her, probing her.

“There never was anything wrong with your being able to fly to Canterlot, was there?” confirmed Luna, “You just wanted time to study me and play your mind games.”
She stood back and walked around her as she had done before.
“Sorry Chrysalis, thou didst not succeed.”

Immediately she told herself off; she had spoken in the olde Canterlot tongue as she did in times of stress and given herself away. She rammed the cloth bag back over her prisoner’s head and prepared to wait longer. Once again she had showed Chrysalis that she was in her head; another victory conceded.

Just then, the beating of large bat-like wings reached her ears and her chariot touched down in the Town Square followed by a lot of Night Guard; three platoons, Luna estimated. She cast her eyes up at the Town Hall clock. It was now five minutes before three.

4 An Unlikely Alliance

Celestia departed safely less than an hour later telling everypony merely that she would be gone on an urgent assignment, but revealing nothing more to anypony other than her sister. She stepped out onto the Royal balcony with saddle bags secured to her back. A number of her advisers stood at a respectful distance and plenty more waited in the grounds below as she rubbed muzzles tenderly with Luna and took off towards the Badlands, the opposite way to her true destination. Luna showed no emotion, but smiled inwardly at the deception as her sister disappeared westwards; then she turned and walked back into the castle, and the seductive siren call of her bed chamber.

Before she allowed herself the luxury of turning in, she went down through the castle to the high security dungeons that held their inconvenient guest. The guard on the enchanted old wooden door had been increased to around a dozen and beside them had been placed a wooden writing desk with a pile of books on it, partially obscured behind which was seated an important looking unicorn.

At her approach, the guards all sprang to attention and the unicorn without looking up from his spellbook muttered something about being rudely interrupted, before rising smartly to his hooves as well the instant he stole a glimpse over his glasses and caught sight of Princess Luna coming towards them. She bade the guards to stand at ease and asked how eventful the shift had been. The senior guard advised having heard nothing suspicious, and the unicorn confirmed that he had not detected any magical activity beyond that which had been used in subduing Chrysalis in the first place. She felt the tension begin to seep away from the understandable misgivings she held from hosting such a malevolent and tricky character.

Nonetheless, something ate at Luna’s mind and she knew she wouldn’t be able to sleep properly until she could see for herself that Chrysalis was safely under lock and key.
“Is the door magically sealed?” she asked.
“No, your Majesty” replied the unicorn, “there are four guards and another unicorn in there. It is open so they can get out or raise the alarm if needed.
“How long before you change shifts?” she enquired.
“Another three hours yet, your Majesty.”

Luna nodded, but her eyes flickered with a hint of uncertainty; a sixth sense, possibly? She couldn’t be sure.
“I desire to see the prisoner and her guards for myself please.”
The senior guard nodded imperceptibly to the guard nearest the door and he opened it enough for her to get in.
“Would you like it shut, your Majesty?” the guard asked.
“I shall do it myself if I feel the need, thank you” confirmed Luna, walking into the damp smelling dungeon.

It was quiet.

Four guards, one unicorn and Queen Chrysalis, and it was quiet.

Luna drew further into the room, on her guard.

Suddenly the door shut behind her with a resounding clunk.

“Welcome to my parlour …” came a familiar voice from somewhere in the room.
“…Said the spider to the fly” completed Luna warily, looking around and noticing a green mist clinging to the ceiling.

There was a movement high on the wall above the door and Luna refocused quickly, seeing a black shape scuttle onto the ceiling. She felt a tingle run down her spine and scanned in circles from where she had last seen what she assumed to be Chrysalis.

“I am disappointed you didn’t wear your flower for me this time” came the voice from behind her. She turned quickly and came face to face with Chrysalis, her hooves secured to the ceiling, her body hanging down and her head turned right around so it faced the right way up.

Luna swiped at her, but she had pulled back, just out of reach.
“What have you done, Chrysalis?”
“I have had a wonderful time and now you’re here I can complete my fun.”
“How did you escape?” she persisted.
“Oh, you helped me there, Princess Luna” Chrysalis replied scornfully, “I merely stopped my heart and pretended to be dead. Your minions were terrified in case I died at their hands, so the unicorn set about trying to revive me. However, to check me over, he had to remove the magical protection that you had cast on me. Once my horn was free, I recast the same magic spells that you and your friends had already used against me, so it would seem like it was a continuation of your own spellcasting. And hadn’t you all been so generous in having given me so much magic to choose from?”

Luna shivered at the realisation of how Chrysalis has outsmarted them so easily and so effectively.
“But, where did you get the magical power from? You were exhausted.”

“Another mistake of yours. Two of the guards only volunteered for this duty so they could be together and then take a long time off as a couple, if you know what I mean. It was easy to feed off their love and grow strong.”
“What have you done with them, Chrysalis?” asked Luna, fearing the worst.
The dark Queen slithered down from the ceiling, picking up a sword that lay next to a pile of discarded armour that had recently been vacated by one of the guards, and stood facing Luna, still a safe distance away.

“Five such excellent specimens” she crowed triumphantly, “I cast cocoons around them and hung them from the ceiling. All but one; he was the strongest.”
“Tell me you did not …” began Luna, shocked.
“Mate with him? Why yes, as a matter of fact I did. I will create a whole new hive of changelings in his image now.”
Luna drew her two daggers, wishing she had something that had a longer reach, but determined not to let Chrysalis get the better of her. The two circled each other, each sizing up the other for an attack.

“You have given me everything I set out to get from you, Princess Luna. How stupid do you feel now? How gullible have you been? I couldn’t have got what I wanted any faster if you had lined up and given it to me, and all this time it was you who thought you had me captured!”
She laughed with contempt as Luna stared back at her, unblinking, calculating, reflexes honed, dangerous.

Chrysalis lunged, sword outstretched, and Luna sidestepped easily, a flash of blue light shooting from her horn, cutting the blade in half. Chrysalis performed her recovery and stood back as the end of her blade clattered across the hard stone floor. Without breaking eye contact, she casually threw the hilt of the sword away with a brief look of disgust.
“You did not riposte” she observed.
“That was not a proper attack” replied Luna.
“Throwing away an advantage?” Chrysalis taunted, “You may not get another.”
“It is only an advantage when I deem it so. If you offer it, then it is but a pretence.”

Chrysalis laughed a hollow echoing laugh.
“You know, I would rather have mated with you. Our offspring would have been unstoppable, but as it is I had to settle for strength alone.”
“You revolt me, Chrysalis.”
“I know” she replied with an evil smile, “Just imagine what I could do to you when I overpower you.”
“Thou canst not goad me.”
“You’re slipping back into the olde Canterlot tongue, Luna” gloated Chrysalis, her smile broadening, “I am in your head!”
Luna felt anger rising within her, threatening to compromise the clinical insight she needed to give her an advantage over such a tricky adversary. She was good at mind games and so Luna vowed not to let her words turn into doubts that would lead to her own downfall. Her sister would be away for days, so she knew she had to subdue Chrysalis alone or Equestria would be paying a heavy price.

“What was it like, being abandoned on the moon, Luna?”
“You waste your breath.”
Chrysalis threw her head back and laughed, breaking eye contact, just for a second.

Luna saw a chance, a slim chance and lit her horn, firing off a stream of magic.

Chrysalis cried out in surprise, her vision swamped by blue coloured magic and retaliated by firing off random bolts of her own green energy in Luna’s general direction. The green flashes zipped past her, the closer ones making a fizzing sound as they ripped holes in the very air around her.

Green magic ricocheted crazily around the room, one bolt slamming into the big old wooden door with a resounding echo. The sheer force of the impact told Luna clearly that Chrysalis was no longer merely playing with disarming or freezing spells; this had suddenly become a whole lot more serious.

Luna had no time to stop and look at the damage unfolding around her, but pressed home her attack praying that none of the green energy hit her. She felt a stinging from one of her hindlegs and knew she had sustained an injury, but was not prepared to take the time to look.

Chrysalis had stopped screaming and had regrouped, able to withstand the lower power magic that Luna had been using to subdue, rather than kill her. She braced herself and focused all of her green energy towards Luna, who dug her hooves in, gritted her teeth and ratcheted up the power of her own magic, pouring lethal amounts of energy towards her adversary. She was fighting not just for Equestria, but her own survival.

The two streams of magic met in a brilliant flash where the energies collided, forming a magical vortex which edged first one way and then the other as each fought for supremacy.

The stream of green energy was drawing closer to Luna. She felt something sticky all down her hindleg and it stung, drawing away some of her power when she could least afford it.

She was losing.

The thought made her redouble her efforts, but Chrysalis was getting closer; she could not allow her to win, too much lay at stake.

Suddenly she heard a cackle of demonic laughter.

Luna braced herself for the coup de grâce.

It didn’t come.

Instead, she felt an easing of the load on her as something or somepony helped out. She dared not look, but could feel something strangely familiar.

Guards spilled into the room, alerted by the three foot diameter hole that had suddenly appeared in the door, and bore witness to the most amazing spectacle. Three dark coloured ponies were firing very heavy calibre alicorn magic at each other; two against one.

The green energy was finally beaten back, and Chrysalis screamed in horror as she suddenly vanished from the room, her last hollow echoes dying away eerily shortly after.

Luna was dizzy with blood loss and exertion, and slumped to the floor at the hooves of a jet black alicorn with sharp teeth and vertically slit turquoise eyes.
“Nightmare Moon …” she gasped, desperately trying to stay conscious.
“Of course” came the terse reply, “Who else was going to come and save you?”
“But … but why?”
“Oh you silly little Luna” she lectured imperiously, “If you die, I would die too as I am but a projection of you; I am only immortal if you stay alive.”
“I would rather Chrysalis have taken over Equestria than you!” said Luna defiantly, trying to get back onto her hooves and face off another threat, “And if I die this day to protect Equestria, so be it!”

Nightmare Moon brushed aside the words and turned to the guards, raising her wings and presenting a fearsome pose.
“Summon medical assistance NOW!” she barked, “Or your beloved Princess will die!”
The guards and the unicorn with them were riven with indecision; should they protect their Princess from a known enemy of Equestria or instead take her orders?
“NOW!” she repeated firmly, her voice booming as it echoed around the room.
Their minds made up, the guards pressed for the door and ran to fetch the Court Physician.

Luna looked up at her alter-ego. Her vision was fading to grey around the edges as her blood loss continued and she knew she would lose consciousness shortly.
“Where did she go?” she asked weakly.
“I sent her to the moon, of course” replied Nightmare Moon, “The dark side, from where she will never see Equestria for as long as she is banished.”
“And we will not see her …” whispered Luna, her head lolling back against the cold stone floor, her energy spent.

The Court Physician rushed in with an entourage of doctors and nurses, but stopped still when he saw Nightmare Moon standing over his Princess.
“Well?” demanded the black alicorn, “Do not waste time, she is close to death!”
A cursory glance at the spreading pool of blood on the floor confirmed the finality of her words and the medical team sprinted into action as Nightmare Moon watched on.

“There’s too much blood lost!” announced the Physician, “Does anypony know her blood type?”
“There is no time” interrupted Nightmare Moon, “Take blood from me, we are the same.”
He looked up in shock, but realised this was probably the best course of action and quickly applied a tourniquet before inserting a needle and beginning the transfusion.

Nightmare Moon stood imperiously as her blood was drawn off, showing no discomfort as the medical team continued working feverishly on Luna’s hindleg which had suffered an horrendous looking deep flesh injury.
“She’s stabilising” announced the Physician, then turned to the black alicorn, “Are you feeling dizzy?”
“Take as much as you need” she replied. She knew there was no point in protesting, because if Luna died, so did she.
“Thank you, your Majesty” he acknowledged, the term of respect bringing the hint of a smile to her usually cruel face.

After a few more minutes of frantic activity, the medical team seemed a lot happier.
“Your Majesty” said the Physician, “Princess Luna is stable now. Thank you.”
She lifted up her foreleg and he removed the needle. Just as he was inspecting the puncture wound to check for a clean exit, she vanished in front of him.

Epilogue

“Luna. Luna” called a gentle voice.
She moved her head slowly and stretched her legs out. One of them wouldn’t move. It also hurt like crazy. Then she remembered.

“Luna. Luna” came the voice again.
She mumbled a reply, but not in any language that anypony could understand. She strained to open her eyes, but only one responded. A blurry vision of white and lilac greeted her.

“Sister …?” she tried to say.
“Oh my dear Luna” said Celestia, her tone full of relief, “We’ve all been so worried …”
“Nightmare Moon …”
“She’s gone” reassured Celestia, “So has Chrysalis. You did a good job, little sister.”
Luna smiled and drifted back to sleep with the help of a sedative.

When she woke again it was night time but Celestia was still there, watching over her.
“Well, hello again Luna” she greeted warmly.
“Sister …?”
“You’ve been out for some time, but you’re going to need your rest.”

“How bad is the injury?” she asked tentatively.
“You’ll be in a chair for a good few months, but doctors believe you should make a full recovery. It was a near thing apparently, and only saved by that timely blood transfusion.”

A silence fell between them.
Outside in the corridor, a trolley clattered along on its way to a patient, and two medical staff could be heard talking in a nearby room.

“If Nightmare Moon had not appeared when she did, the outcome would have been different” admitted Luna.
“An interesting alliance” noted Celestia.
“One borne of necessity and self-preservation rather than altruism, Sister. We would do well to continue distrusting her. I suspect strongly that the link Daybreaker shares with you works in just the same way too.”
“Where did Chrysalis go, by the way?”
“To the dark side of the moon” replied Luna, “A solution better than either of us thought of, unless I am mistaken.”

Celestia moved in closer, gently brushing Luna’s mane from getting into her eyes and gave her a tender kiss.
“I’m so pleased you’re safe Luna” said her sister tenderly, “Thank you for saving Equestria.”

“Can we come in now?” came a shrill voice from the corridor.
Celestia looked enquiringly at Luna, who nodded.
In bounded Pinkie Pie followed by a group of her very closest friends; the Mane Six, Spike, Starlight Glimmer and Sunset Shimmer.

As they were all offering their congratulations and get-well-soons, Pinkie plonked a large cake on Luna’s medication table. The cake had two tiers with a midnight blue sugar sculptured alicorn stood proudly on the top.
“I really hope you like it” said Pinkie Pie enthusiastically, “It took a really long time doing your mane and tail in spun sugar. You wouldn’t believe how many attempts it took, but I ate each one that didn’t work out, so nothing was wasted…”

“Cake …” commented Celestia, her mouth salivating at the prospect, “What flavour?”
“Top one’s chocolate, bottom one’s fruit cake” replied Pinkie Pie cheerfully, then tilted her head thoughtfully to one side and added “Or was it the other way round?”
“I’m sure there won’t be any left whichever way you’ve done it” said Celestia, licking her lips with anticipation.

Applejack stepped in to ensure there were fair shares for all and Celestia watched hungrily as she sank the knife into the sumptuous delicacies time after time, trying to determine which slice may have been marginally bigger than any other.
Applejack smiled and shook her head gently as she conducted her task, Celestia’s desires being so openly transparent. As she got towards the end, she commented wryly, “Oh, now would you look at that; enough cake for three pieces, and only two more slices needed. I guess a lucky somepony’s gonna get an extra thick slice.”
Much to Celestia’s relief, Applejack passed these two slices to her with a wink, “For you an’ Princess Luna, ah think.”

Celestia took Luna’s treats over to her bedside and put one down within her easy reach.
“You know Luna" reflected Celestia, clearly in a world of her own as she savoured every sweet-tasting bite, "You should save Equestria more often; these cakes are simply delicious.”
"Um, Sister ..." said Luna despairingly, knowing her words to be wasted, "I think that’s my piece of cake you're eating ..."

3 Crimes and Punishment

Luna elected to fly back rather than share a close space with Chrysalis and flew off to one side of her chariot happy to be surrounded by the company of her own guards. She continued to keep a wary eye out for any more of Chrysalis’ tricks, but with her horn inhibited, her mouth taped and her eyes covered, she was running out of ways to cause trouble.

The lights of Canterlot appeared in front of them, and they began their descent towards the castle where Luna knew her sister to be waiting. Right now she needed to feel herself close to her more than ever; even Sombra hadn’t managed to get into her head the way that Chrysalis had, and she needed reassurance desperately.

The guards peeled to either side allowing the chariot a glide path with a clear view of the landing site on the lawn, next to the castle’s entrance. It continued down in an even descent with Luna and four other guards as close escorts. The charioteers showed their expertise by making a perfect landing, touching down without so much as a bump, right next to where Princess Celestia waited at the door to the castle.

Luna landed immediately next to her sister and despite her need for emotional reassurance, remained formal and detached as Chrysalis was offloaded from the chariot.
“Sister, thank you for despatching my chariot and so many guards. She remains dangerous” she confided, “I hope you have somewhere appropriate for her.”
“I am pleased to see you safe Luna, you have returned with quite a trophy. We haven’t been idle since you contacted me; we have prepared an old dungeon deep underground and applied magical enchantments to prevent the outward transmission of magic.”
“Good. We will all be safer thanks to your diligence.”

“How are you, Luna?“ asked Celestia, looking concerned ”You seem to be a little strained.”
“I shall allow myself the luxury of recounting recent events only once she is safely locked away, dear Sister.”
“Come, we should be present when the Head Jailer closes the door on her. I think it’s the only way you’re going to sleep properly.”
“Amen Sister” sighed Luna heavily, “Let us retrieve our guest and start laying this nightmare to rest.”

The two royal sisters walked over to rejoin the guards who were standing warily around their captive, weapons drawn. As she was a Queen, it should have been customary practice to have extended to her courtesy that befitted her status, but yet their own Princess had determined that she be treated like a dangerous animal, so they took no chances.
“She may be royalty” she had warned them, “But so is King Sombra, and you would be foolish to turn your back on him for an instant. Do not be beguiled by her status or give her a chance to mesmerise you with her charisma. She is dangerous; heed my words well.”

The guards parted as the Princesses drew closer, giving them an unobscured view of their captive who stood stock still, strands of straggly mane protruding below the bag on her head swaying lazily in the night breeze.
“I presume she is still under that bag, Luna? Shouldn’t we check just to make sure?”
“That would be a bad idea, Sister” interrupted Luna firmly, “I shall carry her by levitation.”
“It sounds like you’ve already been through enough” observed Celestia, “Let me take her from you.”
“No, Sister. She already has the flavour of me. I do not want you so compromised if the day ever comes when you have to subdue her yourself.”

Celestia took a step back, and raised a forehoof in surprise at her sister’s comments. Whatever had transpired between them had certainly left its scar, but she knew to respect Luna’s judgement and withdrew.
“Come, Luna” she said reassuringly, “It’s the old dungeon at the bottom of the castle. I don’t know if you know it?”
“No Sister, I do not” she replied firing a stream of light blue magic that curled around Chrysalis and lifted her six inches off the ground, “Lead the way, please.”

The Princesses and their captive entered the castle and made their way through its labyrinth of passageways with a pair of guards at the head of the party to ensure the way was clear; all the other guards following along behind, unable to be any further forward due to the narrowness of the corridors.

They pulled up by an old thick-set wooden door that looked like it had seen the centuries pass without being disturbed from its peaceful repose; but suddenly it had become the centre of attention for a dozen guards, in front of whom stood Spell Nexus himself, waiting to greet them.

“Good morning, your Majesties” he said, bowing, “Everything is prepared in accordance with our discussions …”
“The prisoner has ears” stated Luna, “And she is not afraid to use anything she can to her advantage. Please perform whatever functions are necessary and spare us the details until the deed is safely done.”
“Of course, your Majesty” he bowed again, and turned back towards the door, stood up on his hindlegs, then extended his forelegs in a parting motion while brilliant magical energy flashed from his horn. The door pulsated with the light of his magic, a deep throbbing that built up as a series of magical locks unlatched. Once the last lock was undone, there followed an eerie silence and everypony present held their breath. Shortly, they all felt a grinding vibration as the door began to creak itself reluctantly open, inch by tortuous inch.

Luna looked at Celestia and raised an eyebrow as the door neared its fully open position; her sister just giving a simple nod of her head in return. The Head Jailer stood by Spell Nexus who pointed his horn into the dark void and a line of wall sconces sprang to life, each burning with a cold purple flame. The party fell in behind them as they walked along a dank and musty corridor that had clearly led a very lonely existence since the castle had been built.
“This place” announced the Head Jailer, “Was built to harbour the most dangerous prisoners in Equestria.”
“We have not been here before” remarked Luna.
“Neither has anypony else, your Majesty” he replied, “Castle records don’t list this place as ever having had any inmates.”

They carried on down the corridor until it opened out into a room with half a dozen heavily barred cells clearly visible from a desk in the centre of the room.
“This one” directed the Head Jailer, “Over here.”
Luna transported her package into the cell as directed, then warned the others to stand back and be on their guard. They all acknowledged her warning and Celestia lit her horn, ready for trouble.

Luna entered the cell and removed the bag off Chrysalis’ head and saw her eyes to be closed, thanking the stars for small mercies. She was stock still. Had she somehow escaped and left this effigy in her place? Was she on the loose somewhere while they were all down in the dungeon? Would she be able to lock them all in and rampage unopposed throughout Equestria?
Luna’s fears rose exponentially as she leaned in closer, checking for breathing.
She got close, very close, sensing nothing and started to run through how and when Chrysalis could have made a switch.
She moved in so she was an inch away, desperately searching for even the faintest trace of breathing.

A pair of vengeful green eyes snapped open.

Luna jumped back in shock as Chrysalis lunged, ripping the duct tape off her mouth to release a deep and penetrating scream that echoed off the walls and assaulted everypony present from every angle simultaneously.

Startled ponies milled this way and that, primal fight and flight responses competing with each other in a seething melee of bodies as flashes of light ricocheted around the room like an indoor fireworks show. Unicorns who had carefully prepared restraining spells found themselves jostled as they cast their magic towards Chrysalis and their aims had gone rogue. Celestia, who by virtue of her authority had more space around her had not been jostled and had also shot off a spell, one that had delivered with pinpoint accuracy a yellow bubble around Chrysalis, freezing her as she bore down onto where Luna was.

Luna had recovered quickly from her initial shock and rapidly assumed a defensive position from where she was alert and primed to fight. Although surprise had been on her attacker’s side and Chrysalis held the advantage, Celestia knew that Luna’s counter attack would have been swift and final. Now Chrysalis was held magically in mid leap, her large eyes transfixed on Luna, awaiting Celestia’s release. Luna’s heart raced as she held her position, daggers drawn, waiting to plunge them into the renegade Queen. She remained poised for a few seconds to satisfy herself that she was safe, then uncoiled her pent-up tension and extricated herself to stand clear of Chrysalis’ aim.

Two Bat Ponies had been frozen to the spot where the misguided unicorn spells had missed their intended target in the commotion and reflected off the walls, striking them at random. Apologies were quickly and profusely offered as counter spells were cast and the excited hubbub began to die down.

Luna withdrew herself from the cell and locked the door, passing the key to the Head Jailer.
“Thank you, Sister; thine aim was true” she commended calmly, then she turned her attention to everypony else, “Like I said, she has tricks up her sleeve and cannot be trusted. Be aware or she will get the better of you, all of you. In so far as it is prudent for us to keep her here where we can have an eye on her, she is in Canterlot Castle, the seat of Equestria’s government and must not under any circumstance be allowed to slip her bonds for the disorder she could visit upon us all.”

They didn’t need to be told; they had just seen it for themselves.

Celestia sat down for her breakfast with Luna. It had been a very eventful night and she knew that she would be tired before the end of the day. She had already decided that she would be tasking her advisors and junior ministers to handle some of the more mundane aspects of her workload, whilst postponing more important meetings where at all possible. She had bigger problems to handle now, and was grateful to know that she would not be facing them alone; whatever course of action she eventually took would be one agreed with her most trusted confidante, her sister.

Chrysalis presented a problem now that they had accepted responsibility for her by accommodating her within the Royal castle, and whilst her fate was in their hooves, the impact of their forthcoming actions would haunt them until the end of time and needed careful thought. Would they be thought of as too weak if they let her go and she returned with a conquering army, or would they be thought of as tyrannical if they executed her?

“Oh Luna” sighed Celestia over the breakfast table.
Luna had just finished recounting how she had encountered Chrysalis and brought her in, leaving out none of the details of the mind games she had been subjected to. She had retold it in a way that did not seek pity, but was a factual account of events, and was all the more powerful for it.

“Sister, may we speak honestly?” she enquired.
“But of course, Luna.”
“No. I mean complete honesty, even if you think the truth may hurt.”
Celestia blanched before reluctantly nodding her agreement. She could sense where this was going, and she felt uncomfortable waiting to hear what Luna would say next.
“Is what Queen Chrysalis has done as heinous a crime as those committed by Nightmare Moon that had her, me, banished for the good of Equestria? I am too close to the subject to be objective.”

Celestia wanted to cry. She remembered how she wept when she had activated the Elements of Harmony towards her own sister and the split second decision she had taken to banish her to the moon. She couldn’t speak; her mouth suddenly felt very dry and she felt a strong urge to rub something from her eyes, but she fought back the desire and instead poured herself a fresh cup of tea; there was nothing wrong with the one she already had, but she needed a diversion. She picked up the cup between her hooves but the surface of the tea was etched with concentric ripples, betraying how much her hooves were shaking. She put it back down on its saucer, not daring to take a sip lest she spilled it and started to cry.

Luna waited for an answer, a sympathetic smile on her face.
“It is alright Sister” she said soothingly, “You did what was right.”
Anger she could have coped with, resentment even, but empathy and understanding were too much for her and she gave up her unequal battle, burying her muzzle in her forehooves and sobbing, “I’m sorry, Luna, I’m so, so sorry …”
Celestia felt a comforting foreleg around her, but didn’t open her eyes to see the colour; she knew it would be midnight blue.
“It is best we have this emotion behind us so we may focus clearly” said Luna, “I have forgiven you, now you must forgive yourself.”
Celestia reached out and held her sister, “Yes, you’re right. But I won’t ever be able to free myself of the guilt.”
“Tell me Sister, would you act the same way if the same crisis befell you today?”
“Yes” whispered Celestia with a heavy sadness, “I would.”
“Good, then we are ready to continue this discussion.”

Celestia took a sip of tea, still trembling with the memory of what she had done.
“I’m sorry” she whispered softly.
“I know” comforted Luna, “And I love you, Sister.”
“Thank you, Luna” she replied, “And I love you too.”

Luna was impatient to continue, but stayed serene as her sister regained her composure. All that time banished to the moon, wrestling with her own self-pity and she had never fully appreciated how much it had hurt Celestia too.

“Sorry” apologised Celestia, ”You asked me a question and I owe you and answer. Nightmare Moon threatened to plunge Equestria into eternal darkness. Plants would have died, food would have run out and all the ponies would have died, leaving Nightmare Moon to rule over a kingdom devoid of subjects. Chrysalis invaded, intent on taking over Equestria to feed off ponies’ love. It was not in her interests to see the ponies die, but they would have been subjected to an existence where all their love would have been stripped away from them to feed their changeling masters. Some would say this was worse than death, but on the other hoof, there would have been hope that her reign of terror would eventually come to an end. On balance, I should have to say they present about the same degree of risk to Equestria.”

“And carry the same penalty?” asked Luna.
“What other options do we have?” thought Celestia out loud, “If we sentence her to death, we deny her the opportunity of redemption and we will be judged.”
“But we cannot release her in the face of her continued unrepentance” added Luna.
“Banishment would appear to be the only option open to us then.”
“But to where? The moon? The sun?”
“No. I do not want to see her face mocking us from above every day” stated Celestia firmly.
“Then we must find somewhere nopony will ever go.”

Luna returned to her dinner and toyed with it half-heartedly while Celestia cut herself a generous slice of cake to go with her tea, both sisters silent while they thought about where they could banish their unwanted guest.
“I think I may have it” said Celestia, finally breaking the silence “There are a few islands in the middle of the Celestial Sea. They do not lie on any trade routes past or present and are avoided as they are little more than rocky outcrops. The sea around there is also particularly rough, so mariners know that landing there would be most unwise. That should see her undisturbed for a thousand years.”

“That is certainly better than anything I had thought of” concurred Luna, “But we would have to deny her the power of flight also.”
“Agreed. I shall go and confirm the suitability of the location myself. The less who know about her final destination, the better.”
“Very well, Sister. How long will you be gone?”
“No more than two days. I shall ensure all my duties are covered before I leave. Oh, and Luna ..”
“Yes, Sister?”
“Thank you.”

The two shared a brief, but deeply personal hug before Celestia excused herself and made arrangements for her absence. Luna was tired, but was not going to let her sister go on her mission without being there to see her off, so poured a strong coffee and returned to finish her dinner.