It Could Always Be Worse,And It Is

Citzen and Umbra

“The final battle approaches us, master Citzen.” Umbra said, looking right at Citzen, who was wearing his armor, ready to lead the fight, ready to take down the chosen one, once and for all.

“I know this Umbra. As long as the elements do not get in our way we will win the battle and destroy the prophet.” Citzen said with venom dripping off every word he said. “We must kill princess Falling Moon before she can fulfill the final prophecy.”

“I understand mast shall we go and prepare the army for the war?” Umbra asked, receiving a nod. Umbra walked out to a balcony seeing hell fires and thousands of ponies waiting.

“Ponies of Citzen, today is the day we win the final battle! This is the day we will take over!” Umbra took a breath. “Not many of you will walk out of this battle alive. If anything, none of you will walk out of this alive. So, let us prepare!” With that there was a chorus of ponies shouting ‘For Citzen’
__________________________________________________________________

Falling Moon had awoken to giggling. When the small filly looked, up she noticed it was Rising Sun giggling at her. Moon blinked her eyes, trying to pay no attention to her friend, still shifting in her bed to try and find a comfortable spot and go back to sleep, only to find her bed was not very comfortable. She sat up, rubbing her eyes with her tiny hooves.

“Ugh what happened? Did a water pipe break or something?” Moon asked, earning another giggle from Sun. “What is so funny about that question?” Moon asked, now annoyed.

“Oh, you can say a pipe busted.” Sun giggled, “A pipe named Falling Moon.”

“Sun, what are you getting at?” Moon asked getting flustered hearing Sun’s giggles calming down.

“Moon do I need to spell it out for you?” Sun asked, “You wet the bed.” bursting into another fit of giggles, much to Moon’s slowly dying pride.

“Sh-shut up!” Moon yelled at the top of her lungs, grabbing her head a few seconds later and screaming in agony.

“MOON!” Sun cried worriedly, picking up her friend and cradling her as she continued to wail. “Moon, what’s wrong?”

“GAH MY HEAD ITS ON FIRE!” Moon yelled once more, “IT HURTS! IT IS LIKE I AM IN LAVA!” Moon then started slamming her head on the headboard of her bed in attempt to make the pain stop.

“Moon, stop!” Sun yelled, dragging her friend away from the headboard and holding her tightly against her chest.

“Why the hell does this burn so much it feels like that time you lit my head on fire!”

“Hey, I was eight, how was I supposed to know that non-flammable stuff was actually flammable!” Sun protested as she stroked Moon’s mane in an attempt to comfort her.

“Wait do you see that?” Moon asked pointing out a window with nothing but the castle gardens

“See what?” Sun asked, looking out but not seeing whatever Moon was pointing at.

“That! Those demon looking things!” Moon said, now sounding crazy. “My head, oww.”

“Demon lo-FUCK! They’re here?!” Sun yelled, grabbing Moon and securing the filly to her back before rushing out the door towards Artemis’ chambers. “Fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck!”

“What is it Sun?” Artemis asked, seeing Sun’s distraught face.

“Those guys you were talking about, Citzen and Umbra? I think they’re coming. Moon said something about seeing Demon things outside.” Sun replied worriedly, panting slightly.

“Is she okay? What happened, and hurry, put Moon on the bed!” Artemis said, now throwing orders around.

“Her head is in pain. She said it felt like it was in lava, then she said she saw those demon things, which I can’t see, apparently.” Sun said, placing Moon on the large bed as gently as she could.

“The final battle approaches us.” Artemis mumbled.

“And with it, so does the time for me and Damian to go home, right?” Sun asked hopefully.

“I can not tell you that, but first, Moon must fulfill the prophecy.”

“What is this prophecy? Dammit, this sounds like something from a bad fanfic.” Sun muttered.

“Moon is the last piece of the puzzle. If she dies so do all of the universes, along with everything in them. We must protect her.” Artemis stated “As soon as we can, get Dusk and the others here to use the elements on Citzen and Umbra. It should be over after that.”

“It’s never that simple, Dad. Something always comes along to fuck up the initial plan. We’d better be prepared to adapt when it does.”

“Not when the plan has been this way for thousands of years”

“Really? Like Di-Eris’ plan that she'd concocted from the moment she was sealed in stone?”

“She had not been planning that for that long”

“Dad, she’s a typical mad villain. They always plan from the moment of their first defeat. So cliché.”

“Ladies, stop your damn bickering.” Moon said standing up weakly

“Moon, stay down, you could have another attack.” Sun stated, trying to force the filly to lie down again.

“No. I am fine, don’t worry your pretty little head off.” Moon said, swatting Sun away. “This endless mercy mile must end now.”
________________________________________________________________________________

“Master Citzen we are to believe that the prophet is suspecting our attack.” Umbra said with a small amount of worry creeping into his voice.

“She will die soon. Then, we will rule everything.” Citzen stated taking a deep breath. “But Umbra, if I do not make it back, I want you to take over ruling.”

“Yes sir.” With that Citzen took his leave to plan the attack
________________________________________________________________________________

“Sun I hoped not to resort to this but we need to tell my brother” Artemis said

“Why didn’t we do that in the first place? Why did you need to keep it from him Dad?” Sun asked.

“You see I did not tell you the whole truth about Sun and Moon. They are not in your bodies on earth.” Artemis took a breath. “They died, but my brother never knew.”

Sun just stared at Artemis for a few seconds. “... You lied to me. What else did you lie about? Is there even a way back home for us?”

“Yes, there is a way back for you two, but I guess whatever brought you here felt sorry about the loss of Sun and Moon. Please forgive me.” Artemis pleaded, unable to meet Sun’s eyes..

“They are coming, and soon. We need to rest for the battle.” Moon said solemnly. “First thing’s first, we need the elements here, and right now, to help out. And then I need some badass looking armor.”

“And you need that sword that came with us too. What happened to it anyway?”

“Nopony knows, and for that matter Moon, you will not be in this fight. You will stay hidden.” Artemis scolded both of them. “It is only for the best. If anything is lost, she can rebuild it.”

The three sat in silence as somehow, almost as if on cue, Dusk, Bubble Berry, Butterscotch, Rainbow Blitz, AppleJack and Elusive came into the room Sun and Moon looked at Artemis as if he had planned it which indeed he had

“Prince Artemis we got your message and the elements are ready.” Dusk Shine said, ready for the fight ahead of them.
________________________________________________________________________________

The battle had started a while after the elements had arrived. Artemis had huddled both Sun and Moon into a safe room, despite their protests. He was having none of it, he wanted to make sure that as he put it, “Both of them were safe and would survive.”

“Dammit all I need to get out there and help somehow.” Moon shouted, pacing back and forth, still determined to fight.

“Same. He lied to me at least once already. Trusting him about this is just asking for betrayal.” Sun said, walking up to the door and slamming one hoof against it angrily.

“Yeah, well shut up.” Moon said “I need to think”

“Don’t think too hard, your brain might explode.” Sun muttered.

“Then you’re....damn, that was a good comeback.” Moon did not even notice a crimson red and pearl white aura surrounding her.

“Uh, Moon... what’s with the light show?”

“What are you talking about? This is no time for jokes!?” Moon snapped at her friend, only to see the glow herself. “What going on here!? Who is doing this!?”

“Moon, I think it’s you.”
“Wait, me? How so?” Moon asked calming down

“I think it’s that blessing thing dad mentioned. Maybe when you get angry it activates?” Sun suggested.

“I am not angry, but-” The only noise was a high pitched scream coming from Moon and Sun. Now they stood in front of Citzen and Umbra, with the elements behind them.

“Now at last the little prophet is here” Citzen removed his helmet with a big toothy grin his teeth looked like daggers his coat was blood red as was his eyes “Now come here Moon. Your daddy told me to come and get you.”

“Fuck you.” Sun growled, stepping between Citzen and Moon. “You’re not touching her.”

“You silence” Umbra said slamming Sun on the ground

“Moon, RUN!” Sun yelled, struggling in vain to free herself.

“No, I’m tired of running.” Moon said, stepping forward, “I’m tired of hiding from these fucking clown shoes. They think because they’re gods they can rule over me in fear.” Moon then rose her head up. “Well, guess what. You are dead. Fucking. Wrong.”

“You should not speak like that little filly.” Citzen said lunging at Moon only for her to disappear

“Oooh, you’re in trouble now asswipe.” Sun stated smugly.

As if by some great force Moon appeared in front of Dusk Shine wearing a tiara with a white gem that had an angel wing on it, along with a deep red gem with that of a demon wing on it. “I have had enough of your shit Citzen! IT ENDS NOW!”

“Oh look at you, trying to fight me.” Citzen said just as smugly as Sun. Within seconds all seven of them were flying in air, with Moon’s eyes glowing; one a burning white and one a deep red. The rainbow now had a pearl white on it along with a deep red. Falling Moon’s wings opened as she began to speak.

“This is the day the end of Citzen and Umbra. This is the day that everybody affected by you will be saved. Today is the day you die!” she finished as the rainbow blasted Citzen, causing him to turn into a pile of ashes along with Umbra. When it was finished Moon fell to the ground unconscious.

“MOON!”

“Is she okay Sun?” Dusk asked rushing to her side.

“I don’t know, I’m not a doctor!” Sun retorted. “Come on, Moon. Please be ok. Wake up. WAKE UP DAMIAN!”

Moon let out a small cough. “Is he dead now?*cough*”

“Yeah, he is dead. You won.” Sun said.
________________________________________________________________________________

“Are you two ready?” Artemis asked “I just want you both to know that my brother will not take the news lightly.” Moon just nodded.

“I’m just looking forward to seeing Meadhbh again.” Sun replied.

“I know you are, but after this I must tell you both something.” Artemis said as the three went into Solaris’ chambers.

“Yo, Sunny.”

“*sigh* Rising Sun could you please not call me that?” Solaris asked

“Brother we must tell you something.” Artemis said

“And what is it” Solaris asked looking at them

“The ponies you see before you are not the real Rising Sun and Falling Moon.” Artemis took a breath “The real Rising Sun and Falling Moon died. These ponies are from another universe. The little filly just so happens to be the one who saved the world.”

“Is this true? Are you BOTH IMPOSTERS!?” Solaris shouted causing Moon to cower behind Sun

“Hey, back off. I won’t let you hurt Damian.” Sun growled, taking a defensive stance.

“What happened to my daughter?” Solaris asked.

“My dear brother she died along with the real Rising Sun.” Artemis saw the look of horror on his brother’s face.

“I understand.”

“Also for that matter, Stephen and Damian, I have one last thing to tell you both.” Artemis said

“Fine, but afterwards, you send us home. I want to see my sister.” Sun replied impatiently.

“I am so sorry, but nobody in your world is alive.” Artemis stated “I can send you both back if you so wish but if not you can stay”

“... What do you mean, nobody is alive? WHAT THE FUCK HAPPENED?!” Sun screamed, her eyes burning with rage.

“Both Citzen and Umbra got ahold of them.”

Moon took a deep breath “I will stay here.”

“I... I can’t do this. I need to go somewhere. Anywhere.” Sun muttered, galloping out the door, not bothering to look where she was going, only focusing on getting as far away as she could from where she was.
________________________________________________________________________________

“Sun wait!” Moon shouted, running after the older mare

“NO!” She yelled, picking up the pace and leaving Moon in the dust.

“Rising Sun get over here right now, am I understood?!” Artemis shouted, picking the unicorn up with his magic.

“NO! I CAN’T BELIEVE I THOUGHT I COULD CALL YOU DAD!” She retorted loudly, still running, though with no ground beneath her feet she wasn’t going anywhere..

“I was only protecting you. If you knew, you would have died along with Moon. If Moon got that lucky.”

Sun stopped struggling and turned to Artemis. “Shut up. Shut the fuck up and leave me alone!”

“Sun, please come back.” Moon asked as she gave her now masterful puppy dog eyes

“No. Put me down, Prince Artemis.” Sun spat.

“Sun, running off will not bring them back if anything your friend needs you.” Artemis said

“He doesn’t need me. He has Solaris and you to take care of him. If anything, me being gone is better for both of us.” Sun retorted. “Besides, I don’t want to be anywhere near you.”

“No it is not! You are the only one I have left now!” Moon shouted.

“How so? Artemis is letting you stay here, letting you stay as Solaris’ daughter.” Sun stated.

“But still everybody I knew but you are dead! YOU BETTER STAY HERE NOW!” Moon shouted

“Why? So Artemis can lie to me some more?”

“I only did it to protect you and I have a feeling you will be seeing your sister soon” Artemis stated

“NO! YOU DID IT BECAUSE YOU DON’T CARE! YOU WANTED US HERE TO SAVE YOUR SORRY FLANK WHEN YOU COULDN’T DO IT YOURSELF AND YOU LIED TO US TO MAKE SURE IT HAPPENED!”

“No I know you will be seeing her soon”

“And what about my family?” Moon asked

“Like I said before, you have Solaris and Artemis to take care of you. Sun doesn’t have any family anyway, so I have no real reason to stay.”

“Have you forgotten that I am a god and can do almost anything?” Artemis chuckled “Also I have a feeling you are going into heat sooner than expected”

“Why should that matter? All I plan on doing is finding some isolated area to spend whatever amount of time I have to live, alone. Nothing to bother me, nothing for me to bother. When my ‘heat’ comes, there won’t be anything to tempt me. Now, just let me go so I can get away from this place.” Sun said.

“But don’t you want to see your sister again?” Artemis asked

“You said she was gone.” Sun retorted. “Last time I checked, dead people can’t come back.”

“Once again I am a god. I can bend the rules.” Artemis chuckled.

“For the love of He is saying when you get knocked up you are going to birth your sister” Moon huffed “Fucking shit!”

“Moon, watch your mouth.” Artemis warned the filly

“... My sister, will become my... daughter? That’s messed up.”

“No, not your daughter. She will have all her memory, and she will grow rather fast. She will grow a year everyday until she reaches age seven” Artemis explained.

“I’m pretty sure that if I give birth to her she’s not my sister anymore, but my daughter. And as I said before, that’s messed up.”

“No she will remember who she is but she will need a new body and this is your one shot at it”

“... Even if what you’re saying is true, and after being lied to twice, I refuse to trust you as far as I could throw you, what exactly would the two of us do? We don’t exactly have a home, do we?

“When he said he would wash my mouth out with soap if I kept cursing he was not lying.” Moon deadpanned.

“Moon, that’s a minor thing. He lied to me about major shit.”

“Come on please for me I will do anything if you come back.” Moon begged

“There’s nothing you can do to convince me, Moon. I want to get away from here, from him, and I’m not about to change my mind.”

“Remember when you woke up the other day, and you had a nail in your ass? That was me.” Moon beamed hoping her plan had worked.

“What. Did. You. Say?” Sun growled.

“I was the one who made a nail go into your flank.” Moon said “And you can not do anything about it” Moon just laughed.

“... Fine. I don’t care. Like I said, I just want to leave.”

“Fine, if you do not come back, then I will jump off Canterlot head first.” Moon threatened.

“I’m. Not. Staying here.” Sun repeated.

“What will it take for you to stay?” Artemis asked

“There’s nothing you can offer me. I thought you were like my dad. I was wrong. You’re nothing like him. And I want nothing more to do with you!”

“You are so fucking stubborn! Wash my mouth out later if you need to, but for fuck sake Sun, just come back! He is a Alicorn he can overpower you in an instant so come back or let him do what he wants.” Moon snapped hitting Sun in the face

“... I don’t care. Live or die, I just don’t care anymore. My parents are dead. My sister is dead. Everyone and everything I ever knew is gone.”

“Your sister will not be dead for long if you just come back.” Artemis stated

“To what? To a world where she has no one, and knows nothing? I CAN’T TAKE CARE OF HER! SHE NEEDS A FATHER, AND I CAN’T BE THAT FOR HER! HELL, I CAN BARELY TAKE CARE OF MYSELF MOST OF THE TIME! IF YOU THINK I’M GOING TO BRING HER INTO THIS WORLD JUST TO WATCH HER DIE BECAUSE THERE’S NO ONE TO LOOK AFTER HER, THEN YOU CAN FORGET IT!”

“You are royalty in a manner” Artemis chuckled

“What the fuck? How so?” Sun asked, holding her throat, which was sore from her shouting.

“You will be helping with Moon, so I will pay for all housing and anything else you need if that is what it takes.” Artemis offered.

“That doesn’t make me anything remotely resembling royalty. What you described is a babysitter. Or a foalsitter, I guess.”

“Along with me adopting you.” Artemis laughed.

“Also, Dusk is waiting for you.” Moon said bursting into a fit of giggles

“... wait, what? Adopting me? WHAT?!” Sun asked, staring at Artemis with wide eyes.

“Yes adopting. Now, how about you return home?”

“So you and Dusk can do the nasty” Moon laughed out “This is going to be worth punishment they dish out”

“... why? Why would you adopt me? What the hell would you have to gain?” Sun asked incredulously.

“Well, Rising Sun was like a child to me, and you remind me of her. That, and I have always wanted a child of my own.” Artemis said

“... I... I don’t-”

“Just say yes you dumb bitch!” Moon blurted out

“Also if you want, you can choose Moon’s punishment after we wash her mouth out.” Artemis smirked.

“... if I agree to this, you have to promise you’ll be there for Meadhbh. You have to promise that no matter what, you’ll be there to protect her when she needs her father.”

“Yes, I promise, as soon as you give birth to her, I will make sure she is alright.” Artemis smiled putting Sun down.

“I still can’t stop thinking that it’s messed up that I have to give birth to my own sister.”

“I find it funny you are going to get screwed by Dusk freaking Shine.” Moon said giggling again

“Who said it would be Dusk? Maybe it might be RB, or BB, or Elusive. Heck, maybe it might be Butterscotch?”

“Oh come on, you know you want him.” Moon said with a laugh. “You damn slutty mare.”

“That’s gonna be you in a few years, you know that, right Moon?” Sun joked.

“At least I am not birthing my own sister.” Moon smirked

“I’m never gonna get to live that down, am I?”

“No, you are not.” Moon stuck her tongue out

“Well then, get over here so I can give my new cousin a death-noogie!” Sun exclaimed, charging after Moon.

“Once again Sun, you get to punish her.” Artemis said, “After a certain potty mouthed filly gets her mouth washed out.”

“Son of a bitch.” Moon mumbled out

“You know, washing someone’s mouth out with soap generally tends to actually make people swear more, not less.” Sun explained.

“Either that or I could tell Solaris and he could give her a whipping” Artemis shrugged

“I’m pretty sure that falls under corporal punishment, and that’s illegal, isn’t it?” Sun inquired.

“No, not here. It is legal, and he is her father.” Artemis stated

“Hmmm, sorry Moon, guess it’s mouth-washin’ time.” Sun said with a shrug and a smirk.

“OH COME ON!” Moon shouted as she was dragged away.

Sun turned to her step-father with a nervous frown. “... Artemis?”

“Yes”

“I’m... sorry, for what I said.”

“It is understandable, but if you want, you can wash her mouth out” Artemis said with a slight laugh

“No thanks. But... can I-can I start calling you dad again?”

“If you wish to.” Artemis said, smiling, “Well, let us get back to the castle. I am sure you are ready to see your sister.” Artemis laughed again. “After your filly shower that is.”

“Yeah... wait, filly shower? But I’m not pregnant.” Sun said with a raised eyebrow.

“No the filly shower is for my new filly.”

“Oh, congrats, who’s the lucky mother?” Sun asked.

“I am looking at the filly right now” Artemis said looking right at Sun

“... wait... WHAT?! OH FUCK NO!” Sun yelled, bolting backwards.

“Oh no you don’t” Artemis said levitating Rising Sun

“Dammit... you know, I just realised, that apology came way too easy to me. Seriously, what the fuck? Is being here messing with me or is it the new hormones, or what?”

“What the hell why doesn’t she get her mouth washed out?” Moon asked

“I’m an adult, Moon. You’re a foal. That’s why.” Sun said in a matter-of-fact tone.

“Well come on my little filly lets get you ready.” Artemis said joyfully “But first we have to deal with you, Moon.”

“You know what, I think you should just let her off with a warning.” Sun suggested.

“I did that already yet she will not stop”

“Well, she is technically an adult. At least mentally, she is.”
“But she is in a childs body with a child’s problem.” Artemis said

“But still an adult.” Sun retorted. “Come on, dad. Just let her off. Please?” Sun stuck out her lower lip in her best attempt at an adorable pout.

“The answer is still no, unless you want me to do the same to you?”

“Uhhh, no thanks, I’m good dad. But still, why did the whole apology thing come as easily as it did. I kinda expected to be too angry to even think about apologising for weeks or something at least.”

“Who knows. It’s a mystery.” Moon shrugged.

“I guess... but I’m kinda glad it was easy. Means less time spent wallowing in self-pity, and more time with my dad, and, hopefully, my sister.”

“That is very true. Now, I think we should all rest for the night. You are going to have a big day tomorrow.”

“Yeah... in more ways than one...” Sun muttered.

“He also means you gonna be having some baby batter but in your ovaries” Moon said now laughing again

“Yeah and you wet the bed!” Sun snapped at Moon

“Low blow that was just a low blow.”