A Roegadyn in Equestria.

Chapter 44: Catching Up Among Sisters.

*Point of view: Third Person*
*Location: Princess Celestia’s bed chambers within the castle at Canterlot*
*Time: Nine in the morning. The day after the summer sun celebration*

Princess Celestia had already given the order to have todays scheduled day court to be canceled for an important personal matter that is in need of her undivided attention. Once she had returned to the castle the day before. The captain of the guard, who was a very talented shield magic using unicorn was summoned to the Throne room immediately after they had arrived back from Ponyville. The Unicorn in question, went by the name of Shining Armor and was the elder brother to her personal student, Twilight Sparkle.

At the time. Celestia had her younger sister, who was still in a weakened state by her side when he had entered the room through the large double doors that required a Unicorn to help open them with how heavy they were. It didn't take more than a moment for him to noticed the other one in the room aside from his Princess. But without breaking his professional attitude, He gave a salute, seeing as the Princess he served was not bothered by the close proximity of another.

However, He did have to try really hard in doing so, with how Princess Celestia had wrapped one of her wings around this new pony. While standing at the base of the steps leading up to the throne. Princess Celestia, while still not turning her full attention away from the one beside her spoke to him in her usual calm and motherly tone.

“Captain Shining Armor. Please have the word sent out to all the staff, as well as those within the guard that my sister has finally returned to us. Furthermore, I will have day court be put on hold until the day after tomorrow. I have much that needs to be discussed and I would very much like time to reconnect with my long-lost sister, Princess Luna.”

Hearing this caused the male Unicorn to literally drop his jaw in shock of the sudden news. After taking a moment to blink several times. He quickly re-composed himself and gave a light bow. But before he left the room to execute his orders, he gave Princess Luna her own before saying, “I’m happy to hear that you are back my princess. I shall do everything in my power to ensure that none shall interrupt the both of you.”

When Shining Armor had left the room and the doors were closed. It was now just the two princesses together within the throne room. From there, Celestia began to talk to Luna who was unfortunately very tired due to the whole ordeal with just having Nightmare Moon removed after a thousand years. Thankfully, Celestia saw this and quickly teleported them both to the new bedroom that would be going to Luna. Over the course of a decade, it had been painstakingly decorated in a way, that Celestia knew would have been the style that her sister would have liked.

While keeping everything a secret, the sun princess had been doing it all on her own when she had those very few down times. So, it had taken a while for her to have it completed. Very much in the opposite direction of her own bedroom. This one was made with the nighttime theme. The walls were blue and most of the objects were black or at least a very dark shade of blue and silver. But what stood out the most, was how the bed was shaped close to that of a crescent moon and had this one light fixture hanging on the top while the bottom sections of it made it appear that the moon was resting on top of a cloud.

She had originally wanted to show this off to her sister and to hear her thoughts on it with how much work she had put into doing everything on her own. But knew that that was not really all that important at the moment and that Luna really needed a comfortable place to rest. So as soon as she had tucked her away in bed. Celestia laid next to her sister while draping a wing over the younger one’s form and waiting for Luna to finally fall asleep in her arms.

Now returning to the present. Celestia was now waiting in her room for Luna to make her way over from her own chambers. She already had set up a tea set on the table and had been pacing around while trying to get her thoughts in order. She had appeared to be extremely nervous with how she kept bringing up her hands to begin biting on her nails in nervousness. But had to stop herself every time when it became noticed that she was doing so.

She was also muttering to herself in a low volume, as she was saying the following. “Hi Luna, long time no see... No... Greetings Princess Luna, I am so glad that.... No, no, no! Why is this so hard. After all this time, why am I so nervous about the way I greet her. I'll just act like my normal self!” However, as soon as she had said that. The doors had a knock coming from them and the voice of Luna could be heard asking for permission to come in.

Upon hearing this, Celestia called out and had to catch herself when her voice had this small cracking tone to it. “Please dear sister, come in.” But as soon as Luna had entered and the door was closed, did she get nearly tackled by a sudden rush of wind, when Celestia came barreling at her and picked her up into a bone crushing hug. All the while rubbing the side of her cheeks against her little sisters and giving out these excitable, “Coos” While doing so. But on Luna’s side. She was now struggling to breathe with how much force was being used on the hug. Along with her current weakened state that was not lending any type of help.

Thankfully, Luna had managed to wheeze out the following words. “Dear… Sister. For as much as we love thou’s company... We are more in favor of air at this time...” Which immediately got the older sister to lighten up on the hug and looking extremely embarrassed at her own childish actions. Afterwards, they both sat down at either side of a small table and began to get their drinks ready as Celestia used her magic to levitate everything around and into their cups.

After a few moments of silence and sipping. It was Luna who broke It by asking. “As much as we would like to catch up on current events. Might thee start with who that possibly was that we had the unfortunate timing of meeting, when was still not in our right mind? From what we have gathered. Mayhap’s were in one of those legendary moods that led into earn his scorn, dear sister?”

When the question was asked. Celestia was in mid-sip of her tea and had nearly had a violent reaction to the subject. Which resulted in her spilling some of the tea while trying to keep the rest from coming out of her mouth. But with little success. Upon seeing this, Luna began to narrow her eyes in suspicion. While waiting for a reply as Celestia summoned a cloth to quickly wipe up the residue that was now on the table.

The alabaster Alicorn was clearly flustered with how her eyes kept roaming over the table as if trying to find something to aid her in some fashion, but to no avail. While giving a weak smile and a slight wince to one of her eyes. Celestia released a small, yet weak chuckle as she brought herself back to how she was a few moments ago.

She had then, released a small sigh while looking down at the table with a dreary expression Being plastered on her face. I am afraid that I have been holding this for quite some time. During the last eight-hundred years, only two others have known about the incident. But of course, I am the only one left that knows the truth now. There was yet another heavy sigh that escaped her lips, before she continued while slowly using her magic to stir her cup of tea.

“From what you already know, I take it that you have surmised that this occurred roughly two hundred years after your banishment. At the time we had just recently completed this new palace and was literally on the day of its celebration that it had all occurred. I had just returned to the throne room after speaking to our subjects when a pony was rushed inside. Along with a nurse and another at his side.”

“The one who was being accompanied, was a Unicorn stallion by the name of Break Down. This Pony was a leader of a small group that was meant to patrol within the edge of the Everfree forest. I had recognized him due to a report that was given only a few days beforehand. Apparently, they had the misfortune of running into a swamp Hydra that had given chase. However due to unforeseen circumstances that eluded us at the time. They had managed to escape with only a few bumps and bruises.”

“As for the Hydra that was mentioned. It was found slain with its three brains being completely destroyed with the use of a cleanly made cut that was going through each of their skulls. I did not even think it was possible to even kill a Hydra in such a fashion, with how they are able to regenerate from almost any wound. But it would seem that making such a clean strike, without taking off the head completely was able to bypass the healing process with all three of the brains being destroyed simultaneously.”

“We did use a few spells to identify just how it was done and it was quickly discovered, that there were trace amounts of brain matter that had belong to one of the other heads that had been mixed into the other two. Which led us to believe that it was a single strike that made contact and managed to cut through them in just one motion.”

This news ended up causing Luna to nearly drop her own cup of tea as she was beginning to bring it back up for another sip. In a disbelieving and shocked tone. She then asked, “Are thee quite sure of this? If we are not mistaken, then is a Hydras head not as strong as Diamond? Which would make such a procedure to be nigh impossible? We have even ourselves cut off many a Hydra’s heads. Yet they always grew straight back. To think such a method of dealing with them was available and none has attempted to do so in the past, just boggles the mind.”

Celestia could not help but nod as she said, “Indeed my dear sister. I do recall that we ourselves have cut off a section of their heads. But to only have it completely regenerate within minutes. The one that did this must have either have been incredibly lucky or equally as skilled to accomplish such a feat. But I see that we had managed to have gone off topic.”

Break Down was apparently heavily injured with the many bruises and cuts that could be seen on his face along with how his right ear had been badly hurt. It was apparent that he was trying to say something but was unable to at the time. The other who had accompanied him, was his father who I knew to be Beat Down, had stepped forward and started to speak on his son’s behalf. All the while, his son was being tended to with healing magic from the nurse.

“Your highness, I have dire news! My son, who had been assigned to lead a trio into the Everfree, to continue their patrols were suddenly ambushed by some unknown creature! From what my son told me, it had a tendency to stay in the shadows and chase them all the way back towards the old Castle. From there, they ran and attempted to escape but his other two comrades were slowly being picked off and had been getting drag the way.”

Beat Down was clearly beginning to be distraught when he continued to say how his son had tried to rescue them and tracked the beast further into the castle. But unfortunately, breakdown was too late and found their mangled corpses that had been left in the middle of one of the hallways, with the limb being mostly torn clean off and blood spilled all over the floor.

“When I had asked him how his son was able to get away. He had informed me that the creature was led to a section of the castle that was falling apart and had caused a small cave-in to distract it, while trying to get away. They had left the day before and Break Down had been struggling to get through the Everfree forest for the entire night. In doing so, dodging many beasts and fighting his way through what he could to deliver the news and only just arrived at the castle a short time ago.”

“I already had prior knowledge of the many deeds that his father performed from during the war with the Griffins that came up only a short time earlier. Back then, I had no need to disregard his words and immediately took them as fact. But upon hearing about the fate of two of my loyal guards and what had been done to their bodies, had filled me with much rage. Feeling as though I had heard enough, I took it upon myself to immediately find my battle armor and soared straight towards the old castle without so much as saying another word to my guard captains or servants.”

Celestia then closed her eyes as her head began to lower and her voice had turned weaker. “That was my first mistake of that fateful day. Now that I think on it more. If I had put forth some small effort into learning what had happened instead of allowing my emotions to dictate my actions, then I would have been able at that time, notice the discrepancies within the story that I was told by both Beat Down and his son.”

“The first being, the fact that I already knew that the group that had gone out, had only just been discharged after having an encounter with the Hydra only a few days before. After having such an ordeal, it would have been unwise to send them back into the field with only two days off to recover. The regulations that I personally oversaw would have given them a full week at the least to recover from both the mental and physical trauma it would have caused to go against such a beast.”

“The next item that ought to have caught my attention, should have been the part about him fighting his way through the Everfree. It was true that his armor and injuries were numerous. But not many were truly serious. If anything, they looked worse than they truly were. Furthermore, was in the way his gear had been damaged. If it was caused by a creature from the Everfree and if he did in fact travel through it in the middle of the night. Then why were so many of the damages so cleanly made?”

“There wasn't even much dirt to be seen as most of it was freshly polished. Some of the sections that had been clearly struck did not even line up with the injuries on the pony very well. Looking back at it more, it was obvious that it had been removed and then placed back on after the damages were caused. Later on, it was found out that most of the dirt that was around the damaged sections came from a type of soil that was common within the city of Canterlot and not that of the Everfree forest.”

“As for the very last discrepancy in the story. I had been outside at the only entrance that one would have needed to go through if they had been coming from outside of the city for a few hours. If Break Down had in fact come through as his father said, then there would have been a commotion that I would have been able to see. Yet there was no such occurrence.”

Luna then said, while looking at her sister with just one eye open and sipping at her tea. “Thee were always one to lose focus on the small details once all riled up. We do so hope that thou would have kick that unruly habit. But yes, we do see what thou mean when you explain it in such a way. In our day, the unscrupulous ones would have put more effort into their lies but please, continue.”

Celestia had winced upon being reminded about how she was like all of those years ago. She also knew full well that Luna would not have been deceived so easily if she were in that very same situation and would have seen through the lies almost immediately. She then went on to continue her story while seemingly more uncomfortable as it went on.

That was when Celestia explained to Luna about how she flew over the forest and when she had gotten close enough to the castle, she used a spell on herself that allowed one to detect any type of life within the structure.

But of course, this meant that she was only able to sense what was within the walls and there was only one living creature inside. At the time, she was still enraged by what she had heard only a short time ago and without even considering the possibility of confronting whoever it was that she picked up on her scan. Celestia had instead, gone with a pre-emptive strike in tried to kill whoever it was with a finely condensed beam of magic that was capable of melting through rock.

At this point, Luna was scowling at her older sister from the other side of the table while holding her teacup just a mear inch away from her mouth. Luna then began to speak in an emotionless tone. “Allow us to presume that the one that was attacked was him, correct?” Of course, this got a very slow, yet reluctant nod from Celestia before Luna asked her to continue. While slowly resuming in sipping on her tea once again.

The story had then progressed from her point of view about how the first attack did not kill him and she was trying to take him out with a series of other spells. Only to have near misses, as he kept on dodging while on the ground as she herself was high in the sky and well over a mile away and using magic to increase her sight. Although she did end up shortening the distance due to the constant missing from where she was.

After a while of constantly firing spell after spell that was being channeled through her spears tip. She managed to change up the way she was launching them and it finally struck at her target. Once she had found out that he was no longer able to move and still filled with a righteous rage that made her blind to everything aside from wanting to take revenge.

Celestia had use a combination of spells to launch a large fireball that would be contained within a self-made shield. This was to prevent the castle from being destroyed, while at the same time, focusing all of the power in one place. All to make sure that her foe would be completely annihilated. At the time, all she wanted to do was to erase whatever it was down there from existence. Celestia did not even want to permit the existence of its ash to remain.

From there, she began to go into more details about what happened next. Luna's eyes went completely wide and she too had ended up spitting some of the tea. Unfortunately for her, some of it had ended up going into her nose upon hearing what happened to her sister. The way that her spell which was meant to destroy armies, having been completely resisted was inconceivable to her mind. She was even positive that if her sister had used that on her while still as Nightmare Moon, then even she herself could not have walked away from such a blast.

Then there was the whole experience with him taking flight and avoiding so many spells that should have been impossible to dodge at such speeds. Luna had even gone completely still when hearing the part about how her sister was literally brought to the edge of the sky within a matter of seconds and crash down just outside of the forest. The younger Alicorn remembered that in the past. She had tried to fly as far as she could in order to get close to her very stars. But even she was unable to get that far up. Much less so to accomplish such a feat in a short span of time.

At first, Luna had a hard time in believing the scope of what was being told. But her older sister had summoned onto the table a map of the region and pointed out something that nearly caused her mind to freeze. Right there on the piece of parchment, was a huge difference in the terrain compared to a thousand years ago.

(Here is the map of the place called Ghastly Gorge, that was made from their fight over eight hundred years ago.)

According to it, there was a place called Ghastly Gorge. It would seem that this change to the map had been caused by a combination of both the fall and the sudden release of nearly every magic particle from her sister in order to kill her opponent. Judging by the scope that was being displayed on the drawing. Luna had no choice but to believe that her sister had in fact pulled every ounce of magic into a strong, single attack to create something that had gouged out the world to such a degree.

Now when it got to the point where she explained how he had withstood it without so much as a scratch. The lunar princess was pretty much ready to believe whatever was said when it came to the strength of this individual and was no longer going to question any of it. If her own fight with him was any indication as to what he was capable of, then what was being said had to be taken seriously.

That was when Luna began to mumble to herself almost incoherently. Even her hand, that was holding on to her cup, was shaking almost uncontrollably. Because of this, the liquid inside was dripping off the edge of it and was now spilling onto the table. “H-He… He… He was just toying with us... So, when it was mentioned that he could follow us to the moon. That was not an exaggeration. Please go on, we wish to hear the rest.”

Celestia had gone on and told Luna about having almost no more magic left and had to resort to using her own life force to fuel a body enhancement spell in order to keep on going. The alabaster mare had even managed to appear as though she had gone pale even through her white fur as she recalled the words that were said on her part.

Things such as, “JUST DIE! WE DON’T WANT YOU HERE! I WON’T LET YOU HURT MY PONIES! YOU SHOULD HAVE NEVER BEEN ALLOWED TO BE BORN!” Upon hearing this, Luna couldn’t help but to slowly shake her head while trying to recompose herself as she spoke in a disapproving tone. “Not even we could see Nightmare Moon talking in such a way to another.”

This of course, led to being struck by his shield after the dagger she had pulled out had been destroyed. To which got Luna to show that she had to contain a scream as she replied to that. “Sister! That dagger is meant to be indestructible! Even our armor would have been nothing but wet parchment if it was to be put up to that weapon! The two of us could not even put a single blemish on the blade, how can that even be possible?”

Luna then brought her hand up to the bridge of her nose in order to pinch it before motioning for the story to recommence. But not before saying, “We cannot wait to hear of what is to come, after saying such things to one such as him. For not even we are sure that Nightmare Moon would have been able to survive what we believe would come next if we were in thou’s place. How were you not royally fornicated?”

Those last words had caught Celestia completely off guard right as she had a full mouth of tea and had spewed at all over her smaller sister's face as a result. This was also followed with a heavy coughing fit for a few minutes before Celestia looked towards her sister who had just used a spell to dry and clean herself off before Speaking. “Sister! Language!” As a reply, Luna only scowled at her big sister before saying, “If our math is correct, then we are over a thousand years old now. Furthermore, we are not in public so we can say it as much as we please. Fornicate, fornicate, fornicate.”

Now releasing a weak groan of annoyance and shaking her head. Celestia then continued, but not before saying, “Your language aside. What you just said was absolutely correct. I was in a way, royally... You know… What you just said.” The next part of the story went into some murky details due to that was when she was used as a battering ram and created an improvised path through the forest. This of course, went on until they were all the way back to their castle, along with creating a new doorway in the process that went right through the castle wall and found herself starting at where it all began.

The tale then came to a decisive end upon revealing that one of her guards was still alive and had returned to their old castle. Unfortunately, it seemed that when she had launched that last fireball attack and tried to kill him. The mare was within close proximity and would have died if it was not for what he had done and produce those wings of his to shield her from being burned alive.

What's more, was the fact that the guard had even pleaded to spare her own life and was immediately granted the wish. When that had happened, Celestia had started to explain to Luna about how she had finally realized that she was in the wrong and deeply regretted that she had ended up taking away his right arm. She even explained the circumstances in which he disappeared after exhibiting signs that his body was undergoing a manner of magical overload. Witch was apparent, with there being these many cracks quickly beginning to form on his body and armor and eliciting a series of crystalline fracturing sounds.

He then quickly took off and went High into the clouds and exploded and produced a series of shooting stars to race across the heavens. When Celestia had gone pass the part of the story that mentioned the apparent death of this male. Luna had a look of contemplation on her face as she began to tap lightly on the table with her free hand, while finishing the last of her tea.

That was when Luna began to say slowly as she was still putting her thoughts together. “We would dare say to have that type of reaction at the end, would imply that there was a substantial amount of energy remaining that he could have unleashed upon thee. It would be prudent to surmise that he was holding back as well during the fight. But we must ask as to what became of those two nobles that sent you on such a chase? Furthermore, was there any information that was uncovered about who that was?”

Celestia had just turned towards her balcony windows and started to say slowly as if she was reliving the scene while telling it. “I had met up with the other guard that was reported missing and was debrief on what had transpired during their time there. They came as a group of three along with Break Down and had split up to check out the castle for any would-be Thieves.

The mare guards were locked inside of the underground library after a spell had been tripped once they had entered by an outside force. Which they immediately determined to have been their group leader, Break Down. Once within, they attempted to find another exit. Regrettably, they were attacked by a massive monster that apparently had made a nest inside, but was saved by this male when it had them cornered when they were deep into the records.

Not once had he revealed his identity with how every inch of his body had been covered in a type of black outfit and a white mask. After easily defeating the monster and getting them outside. It was discovered that it was getting too late to make their way through the forest. So instead, they stay the night with in the castle. Along with the stallion.

This was when Luna interjected while seemingly a little overly excited at this point. “We suppose thee are about to tell us that he took the spoils of war and laid claim to their bodies as a form of payment?” She was even giving a sly smirk at the end of that. Celestia quickly coughed into her fist, while showing a heavy blush before saying to Luna. “Please sister, allow me to finish! But no, he did no such thing. In fact, they informed me that he was quite the gentle-stallion and made no such indications of doing what you had implied.”

“They were given their privacy and even provided food and water. He even shared some wild strawberries that he had gotten from the Everfree.” Upon hearing the part about the strawberries. Luna’s eye’s shot wide before she sat up from her chair while slamming both of her hands onto the table and looking straight at her older sister. She then began to speak in a surprise tone. “Sister! Are thou telling us that he proposed to the both of them right then and there?! They must have bedded him after that!”

Celestia quickly began to wave both of her hands in an attempt to push what was being said away as she replied very hurriedly. “Luna! Please calm yourself! If you remember correctly, that practice had gone out of style during our parents’ time. It was no longer being practiced anymore. So, no. This was not a marriage proposal! But.... uh... they did persuade him into at least sharing the bed to sleep and only to sleep. He seemed quite adamant about no funny business happening.”

That only got Luna to tilt her head in confusion before replying. “We don't quite understand what thou mean by this... Funny business. Are thee telling us, that a male was in bed with a pair of females and nothing transpired?” Her voice suddenly turned to that of abstract horror when she said the next line in a way, that just screamed that it was the end of the world to her. “P-Please do not tell us that... H-He is into others... of the same gender, are thou?! Oh, ‘tis such a waste!”

Celestia only could shake her head an exhaustion before she began to explain. “I do not believe that is the case, especially after what I was informed about next.” This of course had caught Luna's attention once more as she sat down and was eagerly listening. “Mind you, this is only a working theory that was put together, thanks to a number of different bits and pieces being used during their brief time with him.”

“They surmised that due to his ability to easily move in the dark, the aversion towards talking to them all that much and the apparent strong denial when asked to come back to Canterlot. Gave rise to a few speculations. It was their opinion that he may have been foal-napped and brought to the city to become... A... Slave to one of the noble mare's that reside within the walls.”

“He had even told them that he had thought to me as, “dangerous for him.” For that I am ashamed to say that it was completely true in the end. They even believe that he had managed to escape and was hiding in the old castle when he was found. They even believe that he was the one that save them from the Hydra only a few days prior after witnessing him in using a form of magic that summoned a weapon to be thrown.”

Upon hearing this, Luna was visibly fuming as her teeth were now clearly grinding from anger. In a low, nearly murderous tone, she began to speak very slowly. “Dear sister, if we are not mistaken. ‘Twas that archaic practice not band during our time among our ponies?” This just got a subtle nod from her older sister before she continued. “We do hope that this was looked into very thoroughly, once light was shown on it.”

Again, she got another nod from her sister. After seeing that. She began to calm down a little bit before asking, “Is there anything else that you found out?” There was only silence which caused Luna to narrow her eyes upon Celestia. Who was now looking in random directions while trying to avoid direct eye contact and sweating up a storm. Luna then asked one more time in a slightly sterner voice. “Dear sister. Please tell us just what was found out...”

Celestia had just taken in a quick inhale of air as to blurt the next thing out as quickly as possible. “It had somehow gotten to a point that he said that he was a Duke!” When Celestia had set those words. Luna had gone completely still and was quite literally a statue for a good number of seconds before her right eye began to slowly twitch while staring directly at her older sister. Princess Celestia was beginning to feel very worried with how her sister was continuing with this strange reaction. At some point, she was sure that she was beginning to hear a type of sound that resembled the plucking at a guitars strings. This would happen with each time that the younger princess’s eye was twitching.

Luna, after a few minutes of this had finally calm down and was taking some deep breaths, before speaking. “Just… what was the outcome of the war?” Celestia then replied in a relieved tone. “We were fortunate that nothing had occurred. I never once heard of any talk about a missing Prince whenever the delegates would convene. For all I know, his absence could have been kept a secret or perhaps he was from a land that we have no relations with.”

Luna than asked while looking rather relieved herself at the answer. “We had just realized that after all this time of talking, not once was his name spoken.” Her sense of relief had diminished when she saw how sad her older sister appeared when the question was asked. Celestia replied to that with, “I am afraid I don't know. As it turned out, he did tell the two guards but he had them promise not to tell any others. Especially myself. As it would appear that he had a severe mistrust of me in particular.”

Luna had closed her eyes once again and began to voice her thoughts out loud. “Could it be that he was conditioned to think along those lines, by the one that had held him captive? That is if the speculation of being a captive is true. Thou’s name could have been used as a form of threat. Thereby giving the impression that his kidnapping was legal. We can go back to that topic another time. Please, inform us as to what happened next. The tale of what was to come to the two nobles has yet to be told.”

After giving a quick nod, Celestia did so. She had gone on to explain that once all the facts had been found out. She and the two guards returned to Canterlot and exposed the attempted murder of the guards that were in Break Down’s care. A formal inquiry was then issued and even more heinous acts were brought up after an investigation had been on the way. As it turned out, that entire family had some skeletons in their closet that were too heinous to overlook. Bribery, Extortion, Blackmail and Abuse. They even had a hand in the underground slave organization that was nestled under Canterlot itself.

This spark turned into a bonfire as more and more nobles were brought into the light due to all of their back-alley activities. The Earth mare who was a part of the two I was talking about, was put in charge of rounding up and searching all of those that were under suspicion. Safe to say that a good portion of the nobles were cast out and lost their titles, along with most of their belongings and bits.

Celestia then had this mischievous smirk on her lips as she added the next bit. “It became widely known as the great Shadow Purge. This of course was named after the pony that led the charge who went by the name of Shadow Lily.” Luna then asked in a monotoned voice. “Please tell me that you banished them straight to Tartarus.”

The elder sister released a tired sigh before slowly shaking her head. Without so much as looking directly at Luna. She began to say, “I'm afraid that I was not in the right mindset at the time to make such a drastic decision. They were merely banished and lost everything they had. Especially after what I had inadvertently caused back at our old castle.”

Seemingly accepting what was said. Luna nodded before asking her next question. “It would seem that the one that we had encountered, had managed to regain his right arm. Under other circumstances we would have assumed it was due to some magic. But after hearing the full story and how he met his demise, we believe that some other force is at work. The question now is, how long has he been back for and what has he been doing for all of this time.”

It was Celestia who spoke next. “I for one have no clue. It would have been one thing if he really was an Alicorn just like the both of us. But with the lack of a horn, then I would seriously doubt it. Now sister. I have told you everything I could. I believe it is time that you regale me on exactly what transpired between the both of you upon your return.”

It had taken some time for Luna to explain their interactions while out in that rocky area. When it was on the part about the extra page saying that Celestia had come up with another counter measure. The elder sister was very perplexed and explained how that Was clearly not in the book and would have to contact Twilight to see the copy she had in her possession in order to examine.

However, when it got to the bit about how he kept referring to their meeting out there as a date. The alabaster mare had a small hint of blush on her cheeks along with her sister. When the subject about how he had thoroughly thrashed Nightmare Moon came. Celestia was completely awestruck with how easily Luna made the whole thing seem in regards to a One-sided fight between an ant and a Timber Wolf by comparison.

The description of what he was wearing was completely unrelated to how she remembered him in the past and commented on it. But Luna quickly added that later on, his look would change and ask her older sister to wait until that part of the story. She had even gotten extremely flustered upon hearing him telling Nightmare Moon about how she was crying when listening to the music box. She had even been holding her face, in an attempt to cover herself from the embarrassment.

Celestia had even began to draw tears from her eyes as she had to contain herself when hearing the part about him explaining to Nightmare Moon about how her plans would cause so much trouble. Which was then followed with him explaining as to how she could have done things differently. Instead of going through with the whole plan for eternal night. Celestia knew that in the past, those ideas may not have seemed very worthwhile. However, they were a thing in this day and age. She herself would even hear how some of the castle staff would enjoy the night life.

When Luna had got to the part where he mentioned about being the last of his race, along with how she would not even know of what his was called. Only brought confusion to Celestia. Of course, this immediately evolved once her eyes went wide after thinking the words through and she ended up slamming her head into the table while covering herself with her forearms. This was followed by her speaking in a muffled and deeply remorseful voice.

“He said he was the last of his race... That meant, if he had really died back then. Then I would have been personally responsible for ending a species. Just one more to write down on my list of mistakes. You were right about what you said about me to him Luna. Back then I really was hot blooded. Never really thought things through all that much. Please Luna... While I can still keep going. Tell me the rest of what happened.”

Just as she was asked to do. Luna did go on to tell of how the fight had progressed further along and the sudden interruption of a Hydra that was of a species that she had no prior knowledge of. The description given had clearly stumped Celestia as she herself explained that such a beast was unknown to her as well. But had relayed that such an occurrence was not unheard of with how the monsters in recent years have been coming with far more variety in recent days.

Luna went on to say how he had changed his armor and weapons when defending them both from the fiery breath attack that was launched from the Hydra. Then followed with the immediate disposal of the creature with a series of spells and use of weapon skills that she was unaware of existing. Which included the use of the shield when thrown and the numerous weapons strikes that were admitting a series of lights when implemented.

The description of how he had managed to keep up a barrier, had caused Celestia to shoot her head up When it came to the part about the wings and the shield. She had even caused Luna to pause while she used her magic to quickly levitate the picture frame near her bed over to show her sister.

As soon as Luna had gotten a good look at it, she turned to Celestia and explain that it looked pretty much exactly how he was that night. Even the shield was drawn the same way. Right down to the smallest details with the symbol in the center. When everything was confirmed. Celestia had slumped into the back of her chair while bringing her hands up to the sides of her face. All the while muttering out loud in a whisper. “So, it really is him... Not only that... He's capable of using dark magic without being corrupted?”

Celestia wanted to know more, but unfortunately the story was rapidly coming to an end. The last thing that Luna was able to remember before appearing inside of the castle after the Elements of Harmony were used on her. Was how he had summoned a heavy rain to cool off the ground around them after killing the beast.

It appeared that everything between that point and having Nightmare Moon expunged from her being had turned into a complete haze and she was unable to recall anything new. She than had a small smirk before adding the next part. “Putting aside. There is the matter of the delivery of a particular box that had been mentioned, for which we are quite interested in seeing. May we hear the song that is kept within? One must know what could be capable of causing our dear older sister to go to bed with weeping tears in her eyes.”

(Here is the song that played from the music box.)

Celestia then replied, while having a slight blush on her cheeks after hearing the part about her crying. “Of course. This is it right here.” That was when Celestia used her magic and levitated over the item and placed it in the center of the table and open the lid to allow the music to play. As the gentle melody filled the room. The two voices sprang to life and Luna’s eyes went wide with disbelief, upon hearing not only her sister's voice but that of her own. It was quite clear that she wanted to say something but was more focused on listening to the entire song from start to end.

Once the last of the notes were struck, the music box was carefully closed thanks to Celestia and the two sat there in silence as they both could tell that the other required a few moments to recover from the emotional backlash of hearing their troubles put into musical form. Once they had fully re-composed themselves once more and had also finished with the last of the tissues. Luna immediately asked Her older sister as to how such an item could have been created along with having their own voices used. For a thousand years ago, there was no method of recording once voice.

When Celestia had informed Luna that she had no idea as to how their voices were used without them being the ones to do so. Aside from the one that was supposedly the source. Although the elder sister was now Reluctant in talking about the subject with how her hands were steeped together almost to the point that Luna feared that she was about to draw blood or even break her own bones the fingers if it continued.

However, after a few moments of this. Celestia finally took in a heavy amount of air to ready herself before she began to tell the next part. “Luna, what I am about to tell you happened a little over eleven years ago and it's still fresh to me. But first, I should inform you that I have a nephew. But before you jump to conclusions, he is not related to me by blood.

Even without that being the case, I still see him as a family member and will be rather hard to explain what had happened. So, I must ask that you hold your tongue and refrain from asking any questions until the end.” This got a subtle nod from Luna as she sat down in her chair and ready for what she was expecting to be a hard story to hear by the way she was giving her elder sister a serious look.

*Point of view: Princess Celestia*
*Location: Canterlot castle. Inside of her bedchambers*
*Time: Over eleven and a half years ago*

Celestia had just finished with the last of the nobles that came in for day court. Which meant it was another day of listening to whiny little self-entitled ponies that always complain about the smallest things and can't seem to think for themselves. At least this is what she normally felt by the end of the day anyway.

She had just finished with the rotation of the sun and moon and was nearly back to her bedchambers after finishing her dinner. Her usual routine would consist of her staying up for a little while. But due to recent days she had been running herself ragged with very little sleep and was now looking forward to just going right to bed and sleeping for twelve hours straight.

A couple of weeks ago she had found a music box sitting in the center of her bed after coming from one of the hospitals located within the city after feeling a mysterious pulse of energy. At first, she ruined her sleep scheduled by listening to it over and over again. It had taken a little while for her to refrain from doing so again and had managed to get it down to one or two times a night that she would play the song. Though, in the past couple of days she had been feeling a little uneasy.

Especially when it came to these weird rumors that she had been hearing randomly around the castle when those around thought that she wasn't within range of hearing them. These rumors that she had heard were all focused around her nephew, Prince Blue Blood. They would mostly be revolved around him being seen as a delinquent Prince who would use his authority for selfish gains. She didn't show it on the outside. But Celestia was beginning to wonder just where she had gone wrong and how could he have turned out to be like this. Of course, these brought back the thoughts of her sister.

As a result, Celestia began to listen to the song more again until she finally fell asleep around midnight for the past few days. The alabaster Alicorn didn't want to jump to conclusions and repeat the same mistakes that she had done with her younger sister and was trying to figure out how she could fix this and not lose her nephew. This was what she was thinking about when she finally came to her room and saw the pair of guards that were alert just outside. After getting a set of salutes, she entered for a good night’s rest so that she could have a clear head for what was to happen in the morning.

Once she was inside of her own bedchambers, Princess Celestia immediately had her shoulders hanging low, along with trying to hold in a very loud yawn. She obviously had a long day at work with how tired she immediately looked at the very instant that the door behind was shut. But before anything could be done about her clothing. She started to sense another within her private chambers.

Before Celestia could locate just who it could be. She started to hear a noise that was coming from the other side of the room before she heard another speaking in a gruff voice with a subtle hint of a southern accent. “Hello Princess. How did you enjoy the music box?” Right there. Sitting at her writing desk and facing the door, was a being that resembled a large black Diamond dog and he was wearing an odd type of armor that had parts that she didn’t quite recognize.

(This is a picture of Ryu.)

Celestia practically jumped out of her golden hoof slippers when she heard his voice. Seemingly out of reflex, her horn had lit up with a bright flash and she had conjured a light-based construct that resembled a short sword and was fully primed to throw it straight towards the uninvited intruder with just a single thought.

However, she stopped just before the blade was let loose into the air. With what was at first a look of apprehension, had quickly turned into that of confusion from going over what was just said. That was when she thought to herself. “Wait?! He knows about the box? How did he manage to… Hold on Tia… just calm down and listen to what he has to say.” With it evident in her voice, she began to speak in a deliberately slow and methodical tone. “Did you just mention something in regards to a… music box?”

The Diamond dog then said, “Yes, in fact the one that I made with both Luna's and your voices beautifully recreated in it. Calm down, I just came here to talk in private. Would you like some tea to calm your nerves?” She then saw him pulling out a ceramic jug and an extra cup out of seemingly nowhere. But she did sense something that felt similar yet at the same time, not the same to a personal magic item storage spell. She instantly thought to herself. “How can a Diamond dog use magic?”

(Here is a picture of the ceramic jug that is being used.)

From there, he started pouring its contents into the cup and offering it to Celestia by placing it onto the half of the desk that was close to her. She did notice something odd with his claws though. They seemed to be thinner, not suited for digging at all. More for slicing from a glance. She also couldn’t help but to mentally point out how his face was elongated, with thin muscles and a set of sharp, pointed ears. From below, just under the desk, she could see a long bushier tail resting on the ground. The Diamond dogs she knew of, had more broader and flattened faces. Thicker claws, floppy ears. As for the tails, those were either very short or long and thin.

Celestia glanced towards the magical construct carefully while watching the Diamond dog during his little speech. But did not move from her spot as she began to speak. “I must apologize. Due to my line of work, I make it a point not to sit down at the discussion table, unless I know the names of those present. More so when being offered a drink from a stranger that so happens to be in a mare’s chambers after dark.” Inside, she was thinking, “I’m no filly either. How many times have I been served, only to have it drugged? Oh, thank you mother for teaching me this spell.”

When she had finished. Her horn then began to light up a little bit, as she went on to say, “I do hope that it is not a problem, that I do a quick scan of that tea you are offering?” Seeming unfazed. She could hear him saying, “Not a problem. One bit as a royal myself, I know the stresses of the job. Oh, and before I forget I am called, Warden. A pleasure to meet you.”

Celestia then began to have an aura surrounding the teacup on the table that was obviously meant for her. While conducting her detailed scan with her magic, she went on to speak in her diplomatic tone of voice. “It is plainly obvious that you know already of who I am. It would be rather redundant for me to give my own name and title. However, seeing as my intruder is being so cordial. Then I shall do so in kind. I am Princess Celestia. Ruler of Equestria.”

She was trying to hide it. But she was literally ready to scream if she was forced to hear all of those titles again before she got any sleep. Why did they have to announce them… Every… Single… Time… That she had to speak to a noble within her day court once they had been let in through those massive doors. Celestia was inches away from making a royal decree to ban the use of titles while in her presence.

She than gave a small sigh before continuing. “Do forgive me for not going into the other titles. Those are typically reserved for more formal situations and if I must say, can get rather tedious to hear being repeated. Now, you just mentioned that you knew of the hardships of being a ruler. As well as your name of, Warden was it? Is that your true name or is it a title?” At that time, the spell had run its course and the princess began to approach the desk after getting a negative on anything weird with the tea.

The now identified, Warden. Started to take a drink before speaking in his gruff voice. “It is my title. For whenever I conduct business, for there are a great many things we must know from each other. Like, I want to know why is your, "Color Guard" Is not getting better training to deal with the rampant monster attacks. And if you know that Primal’s are appearing. If you know what they even are that is. I've had to fight two since I got here about two years ago, give or take.”

Princess Celestia's eyes twitched for but a second when she heard him calling her, Royal Guards such a thing. Then she began to wear a small smile when it was referred to their lack of strength. In her mind. Celestia was mentally screaming. “They are not color guards. they protect me.” From there, her internal voice had instantly changed to one of acceptance. “Just who am I kidding. They really are… These days we haven’t had the need to go to war, so they ended up getting soft.”

It was when the term, Primal came up. That her usual princess-mask began to crack. A small lump was beginning to form in the back of her throat as she attempted to keep things from being too noticeable. Especially when she had to fight the urge from allowing her wings to become ruffled as she went on. “Huh? What!? Did he say… Primals!? How in the Tartarus does he even know of what those monsters are called? I was sure that all of their records had been sealed!”

That was when she approached the desk and Warden, who was on the other side and used her magic to summon a chair to pop into existence as to sit on the other side. After reaching for the tea and taking a gentle sip. She laid it down again and began to speak in a voice that was a little bit more tense than normal.

“I take it you are referring to my Royal guard. I will have to admit that, they are not the strongest force. However, they do give it their all. Furthermore, their training has been thoroughly researched and approved by the squad captain's. This is to ensure that both of the genders who wish to enlist, will have their safety be the top priority.” This was when she tilted her head forward just a little bit, as she stared directly at the one sitting in her personal chair. Princess Celestia then went on to continue saying, “What do you mean by Primals?”

The Diamond Dog had just taken a sip of his tea before replying. “I know you know what I mean. You can't hide yourself behind your mask, from one of the Warden's of Tartarus. And keeping them safe is commendable. But it is why they are weak. You only can get so strong from tests and training. They need combat experience. But I do admit you have one promising recruit, being Shining Armor. Oh, what I could teach someone like that. He would be a fine dark mage and before you say anything, I know you are one too. One can sense their own, after all.”

Thanks to her hand still holding on to the handle of the teacup. She had inadvertently caused it to spill a few drops when she heard him talking about dark magic. Especially when it was directed towards implying that she was a practitioner as well.

While sitting up a little straighter. The princess narrowed her gaze a little, while speaking in a flat tone. “We all know that dark magic is forbidden. It's widely known to corrupt its users. Now taking in your statement, would it be right to assume that you are calling me corrupted?”

He merely replied as his sights were set on her. “No, not at all. That is actually false. It is not what corrupts the user. It is themselves that corrupt. They don't know how to deal with their own darkness, which swallows them whole. But someone like you and your sister both knows how to do it. She fell to an outside influence that wormed in. I believe the Sparkle family has that potential. Especially your new student.”

While not taking her eyes off of him. Celestia went to take another sip. When she was in the middle of putting it back down again. She went on to ask, “It would seem that most of the pieces are on your side. To know so much about subjects that not many would even hear whispers of. Now, when it comes to my new protege... I must ask what are your intentions? This does not pertain only to what you just said. But also in regards to the music box that randomly appeared in my room.”

“Judging from the amount of power you have. I find it rather hard to believe that you are truly a Diamond Dog. What you have inside eluded me until I came to sit down. Now after saying that, I can tell that you are not the one who was here that dropped my gift. So that begs the question, just who was it that's snuck into my room all those weeks ago?”

He narrowed his eyes after being asked the question and responded with. “A friend of mine. That is all you need to know for now. As for my intentions for your protégé, nothing. You have already planned for her to become the Element of Magic to help cleanse your sister. But this brings me to my next point. Why have you let corruption run rampant in the nobles again?”

Princess Celestia's eyes went wide for a second, before she began to express a slightly shocked expression. This soon morphed to that of a scowl as she released the teacup after placing it back down onto the desk.

She then began to speak in a slightly defensive tone. “I do not know what you have heard. However, I will admit that the nobles can be rather... Boastful at times. As well as childlike when it comes to getting their way. But to outright say that they're corrupted is going a bit far. Has one of them done something to offend you to bring up such an accusation?”

After letting out a small chuckle, he then said, “Not me, but you.” A portal had suddenly opened up to reveal a certain mare. Bound and gagged as she fell through and into the room. As he began to speak once more, he closed the portal with what she considered a thought, seeing as he made no gestures to do so. “This little noble tried to rape your nephew a few weeks ago when you were gone. Give her a scan to see that there are no memory spells or compulsions that have been implanted on her.”

Princess Celestia released a gasp when the mare had suddenly come out of a portal. She had just gotten up from her chair and was in the middle of going over to lend her aid. But stopped in her tracks about halfway across the room when she heard what he had just said.

Her eyes went wide as dinner plates as she slowly turned towards him. Within seconds, the look of shock had turned into a simmering rage. While bearing her clenched teeth. Celestia managed to say very slowly and methodically. “I... Must have misheard you.” While only getting him to answer in a slow voice so that the words would sink in. “You in fact did not. She tried to rape him.”

While still trying to hold herself back and regain even just a smidge of her political mask. She slowly straightened up again and spoke in the same tone as previously used. “I personally do not believe that such a heinous act would be committed by one of my ponies. Much less so for miss Scarlet Prize, who is currently tied up in my room.”

“But nonetheless, I will humor your suggestion. If not only to expedite in finding the truth.” The princess then started to run a number of spells with her horn lighting up on the bound pony on the floor. Within not even a full minute, the princess was done and turned back towards her guest. She then went on to say, “I detect nothing abnormal about her. Do you care to explain why I had to do such a thing?”

Warden then made his way over to the mare and was now looking dead into her eyes before he picked her up and spoke. “Scarlet Prize, look into my eyes.” As she did, her eyes immediately glazed over. He then removed the gag from her mouth before giving an order to her. “Now tell Celestia all the crimes you have committed that are against the laws of Equestria.” He then released her and the mare fell back onto the floor.

Celestia just stood there as she witnessed this Diamond Dog seemingly use a form of magic on Scarlet Prize. Who was just dropped onto the floor with a loud thud. What was surprising, was how the mare was hardly fazed at all with the rough treatment.

Without so much as trying to get up or make herself more comfortable. The mare just stayed in place, with her head laying on the floor. Along with an elated expression, while her eyes looked straight ahead and slowly blinked now and then. Scarlett price then started to speak in a strangely aroused voice. “When I was still in Magic School... I bullied another mare so much, that she committed suicide during my second year.”

“After that, I got grounded for wanting to go out one night when I turned twenty-one after coming home too late the night before while drunk by my father. So, I framed him by making every pony believe that he raped me. It was so easy to fool them all. Even my mother. He soon died in prison no more than a month later, by an Inmate that heard about it. “

“Next, I joined a group for a while that had a few mare's and a stallion kept in their basement. We had a lot of fun. That was until the stallion gave out after getting an overdose on the aphrodisiacs. He was a lot more fun to play with while I was cramming them down his throat. I do wish he had lasted just a little longer. Was a real let down, if only he went for another minute at least.”

“A while after that. I embezzled money that was meant to go to a local orphanage. But when a news reporter got too close. I paid some thugs to get rid of her. It was very amusing, the way they burned her alive, along with that building of brats. Afterwards I made sure that a new building was not going to be built and pocketed the rest of the bits after giving some excuses. I finally got to have that swimming pool that the Princess didn’t pay for because of that.”

“Everything was quiet for a time... But then I saw Prince Blue Blood. He was still only five or six at the time. I knew he was going to grow up quite well. So, I started a long-term plan to discredit the boy. It was easy to pay off some of the staff. When it came to the body guards, most accepted the money. While others required a little more incentive. Promising a go with the Prince when he came of age, was quite enticing for the lot of them.”

“It was always fun to see how he would try to go to the Princess for help, but she didn't believe him thanks to all the false testimonies. At one point, I had to dip into the treasury funds to continue bribing them off, so I could continue with my delightful little plan.”

“I thought that I had finally broken his spirit that day. He actually believed all the things I said about how the stallions shouldn't have any power. So, when the Princess suddenly up and left almost a month ago out of the blue, I saw it as an opportunity to make my move on the Prince.”

“I made sure that there were no servants or guards in the part of the castle he was in and stopped him in the hallway. Just in case anything was to go wrong, I brought another noble with me to collaborate anything that I said. The look in his eyes, as he was resigned to letting me take him away almost caused my body to have an orgasm right there in the middle of the hallway. Oh, it was such an amazing feeling.”

“But some… Stallion! Came out of nowhere and ruined my plan. The next thing I knew, I was inside of a broom closet. Since then, I have tried again and again at least three other times. But some maid, along with another noble stallion, just kept interrupting.”

While she was confessing all of these past crimes and the ones that she was about to try and commit. The mare was sounding more ecstatic. As if regaling others of her past deeds, was a drug to her and she just couldn’t get enough of it. Celestia could see how Scarlet Prize was even drowning in the delight of obeying the command to confess her crimes.

She could see how he was tilting his head and showing an interested expression as he started to speak in a slightly surprised tone and sipping at his tea. “Hmm, a bigger list than I thought. Do you need a moment Celestia? Because when me and my friends investigated, we found a great deal of evidence on a lot of nobles.”

To say that Celestia was out of it, was a complete understatement. At first, during the confession. She was calm and collected as she tried to be an impartial judge. But as time went on. Her mask had been crumbling away and she began to adopt a look of horror. This soon turned to that of resignation.

She remembered the incident in regarding this mare's father and that she was the one who was at the head of the judging and found him as guilty and sentenced him to prison. When it came up to the orphanage. It was something that had plagued her for quite some time, as to how such a horrendous act could have been committed in her very own city that she was protecting.

Now, when it got to the part about the plans that Scarlet Prize had in store for her young nephew. That was when she nearly lost it as she was forced to stand there and listen as this noble was telling her all of the dirty secrets that had been hidden under her very nose.

Complete and utter disgust was all she felt when the mare informed her of her feelings towards her nephew, which was still a child at the time. Then she began to feel an intense pain of guilt when she recalled all the times that Blue Blood would come to her on the verge of tears. Saying things that sounded impossible, only to force him away and disregard his words... No. His pleading for help. The anger from before was completely dwarfed by that of letting her own family down for the second time.

It was only when it got to the point, where the mare had said that she was stopped by some stallion during the day that she had left, when there was a huge magical serge in the middle of the city. Because of that, she had some sense of relief that Blue Blood had been saved from Scarlet Prize. Without so much as looking at the mare anymore, out of fear of forcing the little criminal to spontaneously combust. She turned her back on the mare and faced her guest once again.

After taking a few steady breaths. She began to speak in a strained voice, as her shoulders trembled with a mix of anger and self-loathing. “And… You say that there are others out there that are the same as her?” Inside she was screaming over and over about how it was not fair that after all this time. The ponies that she had looked after, were capable of betraying her trust to such a degree. She wished now, more than ever. That her sister Luna was there by her side.

That was when she heard him speaking again. “Many more. I've hunted many monsters like her. The worst monster, is one with influence, power, and knowledge. The best way to deal with this, is to have a public trial to show them this monster. Along with the confession. And give her the harshest punishment possible. This is to show them they have been found and we are hunting.”

“If I have to come back and deal with it. It will take weeks to get the blood off the streets. I don't wanna have to do my job to gather the dammed.” Afterwards, he placed a magic scroll on the desk and said, “This is her confession. Oh, and do make sure to tell them, their evils woke a devil.” And he disappeared into darkness and from both her sight and magical senses. leaving behind a new music box and a container of candles that looked just like the one that was with the first box. Even the jug that the tea was poured from had been left behind.

Back to the present, Celestia was now looking towards her sister while trying to hold back a set of her own tears after talking about how she had found out the truth. After a few moments, the older sister had her eyes closed as she continued. “With Scarlet Prize and the many deeds that came to light, I didn’t listen to the new box for what I believe to be several days. Once I felt myself to be ready to hear what was on it, I brought it back out and played it for myself. Here, I’ll get it and you can hear what was recorded as well.”

That was when she used her magic to pull from the far end of the room, a music box that was similar to the first that was sitting on a shelf full of books. From there it was placed on the table and Celestia slowly opened it and sat back to see her sister’s reactions. But just before what was within had started, Celestia looked towards Luna to quickly say. “I must warn you dear sister. This in no lullaby unlike the first."

(This is what was on the Music box this time.)

When it was finished. Celestia looked towards to younger sister and saw that the blue mare was sitting there with a stern gaze completely fixed onto the box. Along with a steely gaze that showed just how much she was thinking hard on what was heard. From an outsider’s point of view, one would think that the younger Princess was angry. But to Celestia on the other hand. She was able to tell that Luna was very worried. The biggest sign was how Luna was constantly rubbing her right hands thumb and middle fingers nails onto one another. That was always a clear way of seeing that her little was in a nervous state.

Celestia, after waiting a few moments to allow it all to sink in for Luna. Took in a deep breath to steady herself before speaking. It wasn’t until I played it, that a book appeared. It went on to explaining a country that went by the name of Demacia. There, the ones in power would send out their troops to hunt down the mages and how this, Sylas had ended up how he is. At first, I thought it to be a simple made-up story. Though the idea had flown out of my mind when I saw that there was a part that said that the book was based on a true story. Luna, I can lend you the book when you feel the need to have a look for yourself.”

"I for one, believe this to be a cautionary tale to warn us as to the long-lasting effects of the nobles using their power to such a degree, that it would bring about such an event. To even consider that such things could happen, here is just unthinkable… Or so I would have thought, if it was not for Scarlet Prize that is."

Luna on her part, seemed abnormally calm while her eyes were shut at the other side of the table. After a few moments, Luna finally spoke without a hint of any type of emotion in her voice. “Putting aside this, disturbing tale. We would be most grateful if thee would allow us to go over this tome that was mentioned. As for other matters. Pray tell, what was the punishment administered? Could it be that she was executed in this very room that we are in now? If so, then we must commend your maids on the immaculate job that they have performed in cleaning up after the remains.”

Celestia shook her head in the negative, while closing her eyes for a moment before replying. “No, I didn't kill her right there. But I would be lying if I said I didn't have to try very hard and not doing so. To think that she was doing all of this to my nephew just because of his gender. I really did think that Canterlot was different. I had made laws for protecting the stallions and not only have the nobles broken that. But they even went so far as to go after my own family. After that I found it difficult to fully trust my guards anymore and conducted more thorough background searches.”

“As for the noble. I immediately had her locked away and put into the deepest part of the dungeons to await the trial that was going to be two days later. Such a blatant act of disregard to my authority as well as the many crimes had to be made public for all to know. The scroll that was left to me, was enchanted to read out loud the confessions made by Scarlet Prize as she spoke that night.”

Thanks to all of the evidence. The trial that was held went quickly and judgment was given. Due to the many crimes, she had perpetrated. Along with the embezzlement of the Royal Treasury and all of the acts directed towards my nephew. Celestia had no choice but to enact the harshest punishment that she could come up with.

Scarlet Prize Was to be banished to Tartarus. A world beyond a sealed gate that had a fortress built around it. Celestia had once used a spell to peer through the gate at only one time, when it was open for but a moment to see what lay beyond the threshold. Because of the way it was created one could not see what was on the other side without stepping through and once they did, it was impossible to come back. As far as any knew, it was a one-way trip.

What Celestia saw for just a few seconds was a world of darkness. The sky itself was plastered with a dreadful black and purple glow. What trees that could be seen, were dead or otherwise petrified. The ground itself Was nearly pure black to the point that it was possible that one could not see the difference between the ground itself and a hole only a foot away. It even had its own sun but instead of giving off the golden rays this one was the complete opposite. Where it bathed everything with the rays it touched in a dark neon purple color.

But what made it all so terrifying among the weird landscape. Was how it was crawling with monsters that only appeared to get even worse the further one got from the gate. She had even gotten a glimpse of one that appeared to be a floating baby with a long tail that was apparently fighting another monster by throwing ice shards at it. The other beast was a giant flying creature that had a massive eyeball which took up most of its form and there were these long sickly thin, arms and legs that dangled underneath as it flew with its large bat-like wings.

(This is a picture of both the Eye monster and Baby monster that Celestia saw.)

For Celestia, it had been centuries before she had last even contemplated the idea of using this banishment as a form of punishment. Back when she was with Luna. They didn't even consider the option of throwing discord into such a place. For all of the deeds that the spirit of chaos had conducted during his reign in the past. They were nowhere near close enough for such a fate.

After hearing about the trial. Luna Gave a firm nod of agreement to the decision. She then asked, “Dear sister, we recall the same about how fruit does not fall too far from the tree. Did thou also by chance look into the family that this mare belonged to? We dare say that such heinous acts being perpetrated, could not have gone unnoticed by those in the family so easily.”

When Luna had asked the question. Celestia turned a light shade of green after a few seconds of having a thinking expression. The younger sister noticed this immediately and was about to ask what was wrong, but Celestia had beat her to it and started to recall just what had happened In regards to the noble’s household. When a set of Royal guards and investigators were sent out. They found a gruesome scene that was already awaiting them. The mansion in which nearly all of the members of the noble family resided in, had turned into a bloodbath.

Nothing appeared to be out of the ordinary but as soon as the guards got past the front gate and stone outer wall of the property. They found the body of a pony who had been skewered right through they're chest and facing towards the ground, while on the top of a metal fence that had some sharpened points on it. It was unfortunate that there was a new guard on duty that day and was not prepared for such a sight and ended up emptying their stomachs in a nearby bush.

Before going inside, they went around the property for a quick sweep to make sure that none would escape and found another body at the bottom of a pool that was in the back of the property. It was easy to tell that these deaths were no accident and had occurred more than twenty-four hours before the guards had arrived. Shortly after, more bodies were discovered within the building. All of which in varying states and locations. fourteen to be exact.

However, nearby each of the corpses, was a single brown envelope file with some paperwork within. These being detailed accounts of the wrong doings of the pony who died nearby. They would either have a list or detailed documents that would implicate them. Along with a few photos here and there. Going off of what was seen. Their main crimes had lined up in a strange way to how they had died.

In regards to the pony that was at the bottom of the pool. It showed that her biggest crime was getting others into massive debts that was impossible to get out from. These were not limited to targets such as businesses, but private citizens as well. All of which were done through illegal means such as coercion and falsifying documents.

When it came to the pony that died on the fence just outside of the front door. The file near to her body, revealed her to be the chauffeur and had a record of speeding through the streets at night. But it seemed that she was tasked with the job of fencing any ill-begotten game that the rest of the house members were involved in from their victims. From there Celestia told Luna that if she wished to know more details than she would have to look up the records for herself, as the Elder of the two was becoming more disturbed as she went on.

That was when Luna chimed in while having a concentrated look in her eyes. “Hmm. Ah, we see. Each death is a result of their misdeeds. The pool is a visual representation of drowning in one's debt. As for the one that died outside by the front door. Was more of a play on words. For one that would fence goods, would end up dead on a metal fence in the end. Were there perhaps any witnesses?” Celestia then nodded and said, “Yes there are five in total. Their statements are also within the records, but it would seem that they were spared. They were one noble and four of the servants.”

Before she continued Princess Celestia’s horn lit up for but a moment and conjured a rolled-up piece of parchment and placed it on top of the table and began done roll it with her hands. As she was doing this, she looked up towards Luna and began to speak just as it had been fully flattened. Through their testimonies and a sketch artist this is what we came up with. When Luna had finally got a good look at it. Her face had gone stiff as if looking at a ghost as she began to say, “’Twas this really what was seen that night?” As a response, her elder sister nodded slowly while rolling the picture back up again and sending it away with magic before continuing.

(This is what the survivors say the one that attacked the household looked like.)

“There is just one other matter that I must tell you. The bodies of the family and servants that were there… They disappeared from both the manor and in the mortuary after a day had passed after finding out about the slaughter. Before you ask. No, they were not taken. A few of them were right before some guards and doctors when it occurred. From what they said that they saw. Was not very enjoyable to watch and each one described the same in their own words.”

“The bodies had started to rapidly melt away, starting with their fur turning gray or white and falling out into clumps. Then the skin rotted and turned into melted piles of flesh as that too fell from the body. As soon as that finished. The rest of it had a similar fate as the bones became visible when the rest also went through the prosses of melting away. Many even threw up as the organs popped and liquefied along with the bones being the last to go. All that was left, was pools of red liquid and even that evaporated and scattered into the air. Not a single trace was left to find when this process was completed.”

It would seem that Luna had another question to ask, but was interrupted by a small slash in what seemed to be the fabric of reality, just overhead of her older sister which a wisp of black smoke came bellowing through. From there it quickly pulled itself together and formed into a rolled-up piece of parchment and fell right into Celestia's lap. There was a sudden look of realization before it was quickly picked up and opened. As Luna watched her sister quickly going over what was written down, she got a good glance at the wax to seal that was depicting a lantern and wonder just who it was from.

After a few more moments she suddenly heard her older sister letting out a cry of anguish as she fell back into her chair and had this look on her face that just said, that she had given up on life. She wasn't quite sure of it but she was almost positive that she was able to see what could have been Celestia's soul trying to detach itself from her as it left her mouth.

After this Luna had waited a good minute for her sister to recover. But it would appear that it was not to come true for quite some time. So out of an intense feeling of intrigued. Luna used her magic to pull the parchment that was being tightly held in her sisters left hand and started to read it out loud for herself after seeing a crest of a lantern.

Dear Princess Celestia.

He is an old friend of mine. You don't have to worry about him killing your innocent little ponies. By the way, you need to work on that racist tone of yours. You talk like ponies are your only subjects. Faust would not be happy with you if she knew. Anyway, he will be my son-in-law one day. So, you might want to mend bridges with him, and next time I have a day off, I will be visiting. Hopefully not on Warden Business. If this is all you wish to know, I bid you ado.

Sincerely, Warden Blood.

Once the younger sister was done with reading. She quickly looked towards her sister and said in a very loud voice so that it could be heard over whatever mental state that Celestia was in. “Sister, we dare say that thou have done what the young ones would say. Stepped in a steaming pile of manure. We would suggest that this bridge is to be mended forthwith. Now that we know of his existence. It is doubtful that all will stay quiet for much longer.” Luna then turned her attention towards the balcony and asked herself in a curious tone, while lifting one of her eyebrows. “Just what are thou's next move?”

*Point of view: Brex Mith*
*Location: Ponyville*
*Time: Eleven in the morning*

Brex was currently coming down from the second floor of the building that was owned by the trio of flower sisters. As per their standing agreement he was to check out by noon today and had been enjoying the feeling of not really having anything to do after spending all night cleaning up any evidence. This meant getting rid of anything that would show that he had planned that Hydra showing up out there in the middle of nowhere by destroying the underground holding facility that was hastily made only a few short days before nightmare Moon's return.

Oddly enough, there was something weird that just kept happening while Brex was trying to sleep in his current room. At random times during the past hour or two, Brex would suddenly awaken from his deep sleep from a rather powerful sneeze that would cause his body to just jolt up in bed. Although, one of them just happened when he was rolling on his side and it was powerful enough, that it caused him to be shot off the edge of the bed and crashed onto the floor.

Luckily, he didn't have any trouble to falling right back into dreamland. The only bad part, was that it would accrue so many times. He had even asked himself if he was coming down with a cold. Not once had he even gotten sick after having a game character body. He had even wondered if he had pushed himself too hard the day before with Nightmare Moon and just shrugged it off.

Of course, he also ended up spending a little time with Rory before that little task was started but had to return her back to HQ with his shadow traveling abilities. Due to all of this activity, he had only return around six in the morning and had at least gotten a good five hours of sleep. Just as he had left the last step at the bottom of the stairs, he headed towards the doorway that was leading into the shop, after already checking his mini map to find three dots down there.

When he had gone through the archway and could see the sunlight coming through the windows. He heard what sounded to be Lily talking to another customer. “Just wait right here. I'm sure we got another bag of sunflower seeds in the back.” This drew his eyes to the counter area and he had caught a glimpse of the pony going into a side door. But what he had not expected was the other two that were waiting for Lily to return. Which happened to be a set of Pegasus mare’s. One being yellow with a pink mane and the second was blue along with a rainbow styled mane.

Brex quickly recognized them both as Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash and they were staring straight at him as both of their necks were straining to pull back, so that their heads could tilt far enough to take in his full height due to how close they were. That was when Rainbow suddenly flew into the air and attempted a dive bomb while screaming out. “IT’S A MONSTER!”

Within the Split Second it took for Rainbow to start to close in. Brex had just resigned himself and immediately had these words going through his head, while his eyes resembled those of half-filled fish bowls. “Can't I go just one single day without an incident? Also, I SO FUCKING CALLED IT WHEN IT CAME TO RAINBOW DASH!”

*Point of view: Third Person*
*Location: The other side. Within Little Light’s personal Room*

(Here is a picture of how it looks over there right now.)

The one that was currently standing right behind the teacher’s desk and in front of the chalkboard, was Little Light herself and she was currently in the middle of fiddling with a few glowing objects of different colors, all neatly lined up into rows. From a glance they could have been mistaken for fist-sized snow globes, that gave off a distinct color as whatever was inside was swirling around and giving off these random strong bursts of light.

All of those in the room consisted of Little Light, Daddy, Little Moon, Honey lemon, Bart and Lisa Simpson, Jet from Cowboy Bebop and last but not least, the one known as mom. Who chose the character from Dragon Ball just as Daddy.

(Here are the pictures of all those on the other side that are there now.)

All of them had already taken a seat in different areas the classroom. Daddy and Little Moon were sitting next to one another. Then there was Bart and Lisa. Honey lemon was snuggling up again mom while having an excited expression while bouncing in her chair with a dopy grin. As for Jet he was sitting halfway towards the back in the middle row and had his leg on the table while crossed and leaning back into his chair until it was nearly far enough to fall over.

There was then a chime of a class bell ringing. Little Light had just brought out her crop and lately tapped on her table in order to gain the attention of all of her apparent students. It was Bart that raised his hand first wildly before calling out rather annoyed. “Hey! I know I'm a kid and all with this form. But it doesn't mean I have to go to school!” Lisa then shook her head before giving Bart a slap in the back of his. The small girl then said, “Don't you remember that you were the one that asked about his abilities over there?” Little Lights about to give us a brief explanation on some of the skills that were used during that fight with Nightmare Moon.”

As Bart was rubbing the back of his head, he slowly replied, but only after giving a groan of pain first. “Oh, now I remember.” This was when Little Light tapped her table yet again, but a bit more loudly. Once she was sure that the entire classroom had quieted down and had their undivided attention squarely on her. Little Light picked up one of the orbs on the far-left side of the table and brought it up for all to see. This one was mostly bloody red, along with some orange lights here and there.

The orb was then tossed over her shoulder and when it collided with the chalkboard. The inanimate object immediately sprang to life after shaking violently and produced a number of other boards going to both sides and another three going across the top, making a total of six. The blond-haired woman then cleared her voice before giving her lecture.

“Hello class, for today we are going to have a brief introduction to the skills that were displayed during the fight with Nightmare Moon and Brex. Unfortunately, our time is short because of the window of connection. So, we're going to only do a quick review on the Dark Knight. Everyone, if you will please direct your attention to the top center screen.

(Here is a general picture of The Dark Knight.)

“As you can see, the Dark Knight is covered from nearly head to toe with thick, dark armor. Mostly those of a pattern that closely resemble dragon scales or sharp edges. What is the defining trait when meeting one of them, is how their armor is always meant for full on intimidation and they always carry a very large two-handed weapon.”

“Their skills mostly consist of them drawing on the darker aspects of Aether and some would even say that they tap into the ambient energy from the void itself. But it has not been fully confirmed. Don't ask me to look into it because I'm way too busy. Also, at one point or another, they would even have to consume some of their own blood in order to conduct some of their abilities. Fortunately, that had been phased out for only Magic and what they refer to as a Blood Gauge that builds up during the fight.”

“Moreover, those who practice the art of the Dark Knight. Have to battle with their inner demons in order to unlock their full potential. What might surprise most of you, is that even though they are called the Dark Knight, they do not draw most of their strength from negative emotions. Instead, it is from their deep seeded need to protect another that they care for that gives them their ferocity to even continue fighting, even after death for a short amount of time. The stronger ones can even recover from their death-like state, if they were to siphon enough health from their enemies within a time limit.”

“Now, with that brief little introduction out of the way. How about we get back to pointing out the moves and what their effects were during the fight, hmm?” With a single snap of a finger. The other boards lit up and began to display the skills that were used in a series of snapshots before she continued. “Please direct your attention to the first screen on the upper left-hand corner. As you can see, there are three attack motions that he was in the middle of making. I'll have you know that throughout the whole fight, he was continuously going through these three special skills during each one of his strikes in order to produce a weapon combo.”

“A weapon combo occurs when specific skills are used within a certain time limit, one after another to create a chain and this will lead to the weapons skills additional effect to kick in. So, whenever the two clashed together, whether it was from a direct hit or a block and parry from his attack. Rex was on a steady pace of gaining both hit point and Mana. Back in the game world, where this class originated from. It would just happen. But here in Equestria, he was quite literally leeching off both of these from her, which was making her weaker. While at the same time, keeping him at full strength.”

“If you will all draw your attention to the screen on the far right. There you will see him launching that long-range blade attack which caught Nightmare Moon unawares and tore off a piece of her shoulder armor. That move was typically required to launch at a straight line in order to hit multiple opponents up to a certain distance. Its sister counterpart does pretty much the same, but it's meant for a single target that is within melee range. Both of which requiring Mana in order to use.”

“I should take this opportunity to also explain that much of the Dark Knight skills are very dependent on using a large quantity of their magic reserves, which is why they had those close-range attack skills to replenish their resources at a constant pace.”

“As for the screen on the far bottom left, you will see Nightmare Moon firing a continuous blast of magic and Rex currently has his arms up while holding his weapon as a shield. That was when he activated a momentary ability that gave him a substantial boost for his Magical Resistance.” This got Bart to raise his hand and call out before he was even called upon. “Wait! So, he’s kind of like them anti-magic knights?”

“Little Light shook her head in a negative before she continued. “No, the Dark Knight class is not as you say, an anti-magic knight. But as all tank classes have, they are afforded a few skills that can interrupt a magic spell or even a special skill from being utilized through a form of interrupting or stunning actions.”

“Now, as for the bottom center. You will see how he exits through her shadow while they are still airborne. As you all know, Brex is capable of throwing himself into a shadow and appearing anywhere he's been. Of course, he can appear anywhere in that vicinity if he happens to already know exactly where he will come out that has a solid surface. When a shadow is required however, that is mostly to enter the shadow realm. In this case however, he used the shadow travel skill of his, in the way for the intimidation factor if my guess was right.”

Moving onto the last screen, you will see how Nightmare Moon had nearly lost her weapon after a rebound from colliding into a barrier that had been placed only seconds before by Brex. That unique skill only afforded to the Dark Knight, is capable of blocking up to a certain amount of damage, equal to a percentage of the user’s full health. Because of the amount of force that was used during that attack. She had inadvertently in a sense, pop the bubble. There by activating a secondary ability.”

“In a sense, it used that stored up attack power that was blocked and energized Brex with additional energy to bypass the need for Mana and had used it for the sister ability that I mentioned earlier. Of course, with it being a single target move, it did far more damage than the one previously thrown and it ended with much more of her gear being destroyed. This brings us to the final ability afforded to the Dark Knight class that was used that night.”

“This being a concentrated blast of dark energy that was launched from the palm. This was meant for a single target as well. Also, this one was a skill that did not use any magic to do so with it being a cooldown skill. However, with the rules of the game world no longer being firmly entrench. Brex was able funnel a good portion of his current energy along with it and this caused the attack to have the required amount power to counter the incoming flames.”

That was when the school bell went off again and Lisa was quickly waving her hand frantically. When Little Light saw this, she called out to Lisa and the girl began to quickly ask a question. “Wait! hold on! You forgot to other spells that he used. I already know that didn't come from the Paladin class! What was with that wind barrier and that rainstorm he brought down?”

Little Light was currently collecting all of the little baubles and had call the one from before to reappear once the screens had turn back to a regular, single chalkboard. The teacher then said, “Now we will have to cover on another class because that is from something else other than those of the Dark Knight. And as you have already pointed out, are not from the Paladin. We will get to those in all good time.”

Author's Note

mlpengineer gave the idea for Brex sneezing as a reaction of the sisters talking so much about him.