‘This place is quite strange’ mused Spike as he made his way through the main street of Poniville. The buildings were quite thematic; a bakery shaped like a cupcake, a boutique that looked like a carousel, a bar in the form of a beer mug; the list went on and on. Many buildings looked brand new, despite the behavior of the locals pointing to familiarity and routine ‘then again, with how close they are to the Everfree, I wouldn’t be surprised if they have to regularly rebuild things due to monster attacks’.

Spike shook his head, focusing his thoughts on his current task. He marched on, ignoring the wary looks of the locals, but taking note of how some would subtly tense and leant forward slightly, ready to charge him down if need be ‘they are alert at least’. Smirking slightly, the young dragon marched ahead, mind whirling with many a thought.

Much to spike’s relief, Poniville’s garrison looked like any other garrison. A grey building of stone and steel, surrounded by protective walls and towers and placed between the town and The Everfree. The young dragon could spot a few guards keeping watch from the openings in the towers, or patrolling atop the walls.

“halt! Who goes there?!” shouted one of the guards closest to the gates, casting a stern gaze at the young dragon from his position on the wall.

“Spike the dragon! Of the Celestial berserkers!” shouted back said dragon, raising both axes, which flared to life with the characteristic golden glow of Celestia’s magic signature “open the gates! I bring dire news!” That seemed to be enough for the soldier, who nodded and galloped off to parts unseen.

Soon, the garrison’s metallic gates began opening, raising with a slow, ponderous creaking, and Spike walked inside, ignoring the resounding boom of the entrance slamming shut once more.

Inside the walls of the garrison, Spike took note of of the garrison’s layout. It was the standard ‘rectangle’ of walls surrounding a training field, barracks to the side closest to the town, supplies storage by the barracks, dungeon on the opposite side. Spike’s inspection was cut short when a pair of armored earth ponies marched up to him “the captain will see you now” said the one to the left.

Nodding, Spike gestured with his head “lead the way then”. The seemingly identical white(1) ponies turned and headed directly for the barracks, dragon in tow.

The captain’s office was more akin to an improvised war room than an office; there was a big square table at the center with a map depicting both Poniville and The Everfree, a bookcase shoved into a corner, and several chairs around the table. The map was apparently enchanted, creating a fairly detailed tridimensional projection of the area. Looming over the map and facing the entrance, was a more heavily armored and noticeably older Pony.

“sir!” said one of Spike’s escort, both of them snapping to attention. The older stallion looked up, sharp eyes scanning the three before settling back on the dragon “at ease soldiers, go back to your posts” both guards left with one final salute, leaving them alone, “so, what is a celestial berserk doing in this little corner of the kingdom?” asked the stallion, eyes narrowing “shouldn’t you be up north hunting wendigos?”(2)

Straightening, Spike spoke evenly and clearly “the Queen has sent me and her personal student on a mission vital for the survival of equestrian and the world as a whole” he said, making the captain frown in thought. Spike nodded, seeing the realization dawn on the captain’s expression “Celestia preserve us...!” he whispered harshly.

The older stallion got up from his seat, pacing and muttering to himself. Spike simply stayed silent, waiting. Finally, the captain turned to regard the berserk “what is the plan?” he asked, and the dragon smiled “well…”.

[] Trixie owes me a favor; her magic could be extremely useful to stall Queen Luna if push comes to shove

[] Our priority is to protect the bearers while they attune to the elements, so we are going to fortify the town as much as we can, I can call reinforcements if need be

[] Write-in

Time passed, the sun set, rose and began setting anew. After sending her children on their mission, Celestia had taken a leave from her duties for the following days in order to prepare. She knew where her sister would appear, so she had teleported directly after ensuring the kingdom had a proper regent.

The aged, crumbling and dust covered halls of what had she had once upon a time called home had greeted her with sepulchral silence. The old ruin that most of her subjects knew as the castle of the two sisters had been swallowed by The Everfree’s inexorable march centuries ago. It was the last place she ever saw her sister, the place where she was forced to use the elements against their nature, and lock her sister within her domain.

Celestia’s horn glowed, weaving the last of hundreds of runes into the castle’s stone; barriers, seals and traps aplenty, the solar alicorn knew she only had this one chance to get her sister back, and she would sooner chain herself to the deepest pit in Tartarus than waste time!

Her work done, Celestia stopped channeling magic, and the hundreds upon hundreds of runes inscribed all over the castle faded from view, hidden until the time to call upon them came. The immortal queen sighed, turning to head back inside the ruins, her armored hooves clicking audibly against the aged stone, echoing through the silent halls while the goddess wallowed in old mistakes.

"LUNA! What are you doing?!"

"What i should have done long ago sister! TAKING WHAT IS MINE!" (3)

The sun goddess winced, feeling the moon break from her hold and rising on it’s own accord. Celestia took a shaky sigh, her horn lit up, it’s glow engulfing her form as she conjured her armor on her body, and her halberd to her side. Gathering her courage, the solar monarch straightened and marched through the doors to the throne room.

And there she stopped in her tracks, freezing at the sight before her.

There, sitting in the decaying throne, was Luna, free of the parasite’s corruption, clad in the same armor she was using when the war began, her rapier at her side.

“…L-Luna?”

“Hello sister, it has been a long time, hasn’t it?”

Author's Note

well, here is next chapter, and not almost a year later too!.... still way late though, i apologize for that.

1): the armor of Equestria's military is enchanted to make the wearer look exactly the same as any other pony wearing it, there is a method to tell each pony appart, but that's is a secret only known by Equestria's military.

2): no, that wasn't a typo, yes, those things are in Equestria in place of those shitty winter ghost things.

3): yes, that's a brief flashback of sorts. What? i'm lazy

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question for those of you who bother reading the author notes: how interested would you be in a quest about the remnants of the species in the Equestria planet trying to survive out in space/the multiverse after the world, the sun and the moon blew the fuck up?