Solar Utopia: Eclipse

by Brony-wan-kenobi

Chapter 1: Drastic Measures

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Solar Utopia: Eclipse

Chapter 1: Drastic Measures

“Do you know why I have summoned you, Starlight Glimmer?” Celestia asked while walking at an eve, slow pace through the pristine hallways of her castle.

Next to her walked a mare dressed in the featureless but comfortable white toga while her neck brandished a platinum collar, which she displayed proudly. A beautiful mare in her own right to be sure, though she wasn’t like she was a few days before. Her mane, fur, skin, and even the glow in her eyes were slightly muted. Drained, even.

“I’m afraid I do not know the reason for your summon, Princess Celestia. However, it is not my place nor right to question your wisdom. For I, your Most Faithful Student, shall always answer your call. Ask whatever you need of me, my Teacher, and I shall provide you with my best.”

Celestia nodded, pleased with her answer. She didn’t reply, instead, the pair continued to walk in relative peace and silence. While they walked, several maids and other menials tending to their duties stopped to give them polite bows or wish them a good morning. Celestia smiled and waved a hand at each of them, returning their gestures in kind.

However, she was absentminded and paid them only empty gestures. Her unshakable belief and will was being tested and she had no way to fight against her newest enemy. One that had not plagued her mind in almost a millennia.

Reaching the Gardens, Celestia led her Pupil, Starlight Glimmer, through the statues and beautiful and ornate, orderly, repeating decorations of flowers, bushes, and fountains spread all over the lush scenery.

“Entertain this old mare, my Student,” Celestia said all of sudden. “Answer me out of your own volition. Why do you believe I have summoned you to my side in this glorious, sunny morning?” She asked before reaching out to pick a beautiful blue-colored bearded iris.

Starlight pondered her options for a moment before answering. “If I may speak freely, my Teacher?” Celestia nodded, giving her consent. “I believe the reason is related to my studies and the spell to remove Cutie Marks and the inherent Chaos they bring. Sadly, I must report that I have made no further advancements, my Teacher. Whilst the spell has been perfected and tested on several brave volunteers, myself included,” she stopped for a moment, a hand pressed against her left flank.

While the experience was a bit shocking at first, she had grown used to her new condition in but a few hours. Still, to think that her magic and wand Cutie Mark was no more and had it been replaced by a dark, dull, and void equal black symbol was somewhat unnerving. Shaking her head to push such thoughts aside, she continued. “I am sad to say that I lack the power to make use of it at a larger scale. But no matter, my Teacher. Weakened or not, I am now purer than I ever was; I will not be tainted by Chaos. I shall fulfill my mission.”

Celestia smiled, beaming with pride. “I am pleased to hear such wonderful news and your conviction fills me with joy, my Student. However, that is not the reason. Care to try again?” She offered.

“If that is the case, my Teacher… then only another topic comes to mind. Forgive me, for I do not dare say such bumbling nonsense in front of you… both for your sake and to help preserve their memory,” Starlight said, apologizing. Though she couldn’t avoid frowning internally at the thought of the two traitors that had once dared to call themselves Students of Celestia.

Celestia brought the iris closer to her snout, smelling it. She smiled when she smelled nothing in particular except a mildly pleasing and calming aroma. “Chaos is insidious, Starlight. I know this for I have been fighting against it since before Equestria was Equestria.”

“Insidious,” Starlight stammered, frowning. “But… that goes against Harmony itself.”

Celestia nodded. “Chaos is Disharmony incarnate, my faithful student. Disharmony breeds Chaos and Chaos spawns Disharmony. It is a vicious, terrible, corrupt cycle that can only be defeated once Harmony with the use of Friendship, Love, and the Aspects of Harmony is dominant over Chaos itself. Look at our beautiful Equestria. Untainted, unblemished. Foreigners come to ask to be allowed in within our borders, to form part of something truly beautiful, magnificent, perfect.”

Starlight nodded. “Truly, we are touched by Harmony, my Teacher.”

Celestia nodded, smiling softly. “And yet, the claws of Chaos have found a way to pierce through the shield we have so carefully constructed,” she said in just a slightly less controlled tone than before that only those closest to her would ever notice the difference.

Starlight, being one of those few, lowered her head just a little bit in shame. “I-I am terribly sorry, my Princess. For this to happen now of all times… I have no words. I promise I will accelerate my studies while you, the Perfect Princess of the Sun and Harmony Incarnate, safeguard the Unity Spell,” to her surprise, she actually heard her teacher laugh. That caused her to look up at her, confused. “M-My Teacher?”

“Starlight, my dear, most Faithful Student,” setting the rose aside, she grasped the cheeks of the smaller mare and smiled. “What made you think I was in any way disappointed with your progress? You have achieved so much, my dear Starlight Glimmer, I cannot help but praise your efforts to bring Harmony to our world. You have stood at my side in the manner my sister once did before she turned me away. Know that I hold you in the highest regard. You, the creator of the Unity Spell, have embraced the vision of true Harmony. Who am I to trust if not you?”

Starlight, smiling and her chest filling with pride, nodded rapidly. “You humble me, my Princess!” A moment of silence followed between student and teacher before the former gathered enough courage to speak once more. “M-May I speak freely once more, my Teacher?” A gesture of her hand was her response. “When you spoke about the tendrils of Chaos… were you referring to the r-rumors and doubts circulating around Canterlot?”

Celestia sighed. “I am afraid this issue goes beyond Canterlot, my dear. Ponyville, Manehattan, Trottingham, Las Pegasus, Cloudsdale, Buckinton… the rumors have spread all over Equestria. Doubt has been planted and now the weaker ponies, those who have yet to trust the Anti-Chaos Laws completely, have begun questioning if they are safe from the taint of Chaos, Disharmony… and Discord.”

“Fools!” Starlight interjected as the burning flames of anger burst in her chest. “Fools! They are fools! How can they doubt you or the laws!? Twilight and Moondancer, rest their souls, were brought down by Chaos! Alas, those once loyal mares have been corrupted by Chaos itself! Sad as it may be, better we live without them than risk disturbing the Harmony of our beautiful Equestria, my Teacher,” she finished in a somber, more controlled tone though her anger boiled and turned into hate directed at the two traitorous unicorns.

Celestia nodded. “I agree with your fervent belief, my Student. However, I cannot simply ignore the voices of my subjects, hidden and hushed as they are now. Twilight and Moondancer may be lost to us, that is true, but their fall to Chaos was spurred by my own sister, Luna,” she went silent for several moments as they walked through the gardens, passing by several older, creeper weed-covered statues. “I… do not know how that information reached unwanted ears, nor do I know who started the rumors, but by the time I heard them, it was far too late to deny them,” she sighed. “Poor Shining Armor, to know that his own sister has fallen to Chaos has been a devastating blow.”

“I can only imagine, my Teacher,” Starlight said, nodding, genuinely feeling sorry for the Captain of the Guard and the damage having a traitor, fallen sister would do to his standing and reputation. “However, there must be something we can do to reverse such a turn-about, is there not?”

“Doubt leads to lies. Lies lead to mistrust. Mistrust becomes intolerance. Intolerance brings violence. And violence births mayhem, the sister of Chaos. We cannot allow that to continue,” she said before narrowing her eyes. “I can’t allow the garden of Chaos existing below Equestria, underneath our very hooves, to continue existing.”

Starlight looked down, pondering the words of her teacher. She knew about Luna, of course. She also knew some scarce details about the wretched, twisted society the Fallen Princess had created. But she couldn’t fathom how her once fellow students could have fallen to the putrid temptations of Chaos. They were clad in Harmony and the knowledge of the Anti-Chaos Laws, were they not? Then how was it possible to fall so quickly? Where was the mistake?

What could have made them---NO! Starlight shouted in her head and shook it accordingly. She was doubting, like those two weak fools who had given themselves to Chaos and the temptations of the dark and terrible Luna. Yes, it is their fault that Princess Celestia has to bear the burden of their failures. It is their fault and they must be punished. They were weak, they were always weaker, doubtful, and too carefree! I am strong and I will never fall into the clutches of Disharmony and Chaos, she thought fervently, shoving aside any sense of doubt in her mind, she pondered another equally worrisome question.

“My Teacher… why did you never bring the Light of Harmony to your sister and her ignorant followers? You’ve always known where she is, where they are… why not act sooner?” She asked, genuinely dumbfounded.

“Because she is my sister… or was my sister, I don’t know anymore,” Celestia answered, tiredly. “I was blind and whilst I knew of her location, I was still hoping that she had come to realize I am right, that my way is the only way, and that Chaos must be eradicated for Harmony to reign supreme,” she stopped for a moment only to glare at a statue covered in vines, weed, and moss. Then, she continued walking with Starlight at her side.

“My mercy and foolish hope to see my sister returned to me has been proven to be futile… Chaos… Chaos is creeping from beneath our hooves like tainted, dark, unseen roots. If they touch our soil, Equestria will be doomed to fall into Disharmony and Discord will return. We cannot-- I can not let that happen.”

Starlight nodded, though that did not ease her heart. “But… how, my Teacher? They reject the Laws, disregard Harmony, and seek to destroy our perfect, idyllic nation.”

“The answer is simple, my dear Student. If my sister is removed from their command, then her followers will soon come crashing down. Perhaps I should’ve never allowed the Exiles to have a chance to meet a new life under her rule. I have only fed the forces and delusions of my sister with the vile remnants of our perfect society. Only now… they are poised to strike against us. We must not let this happen,” she then came to a halt in front of a clean and well-maintained statue.

Starlight was about to reply to her teacher when she noticed the statue in front of her and nearly recoiled in disgust. “My Teacher… why is there a statue honoring this Fallen Criminal?”

“Extreme measures require extreme solutions, my Faithful Starlight,” Celestia replied dryly. “Two unicorns have fallen to the ruinous temptations of Chaos. Two unicorns closely linked to me, who studied under my wings, and who represented our nation’s faith in the Anti-Laws Chaos and the Way of Harmony. Now, ponies and other creatures are whispering, doubting, fearing. For if these two students of Celestia herself could be corrupted despite their closeness to Harmony and their adherence to the Laws… then what about them?”

Starlight looked onto her teacher with wide, unblinking eyes and watched as her horn began to glow. “My Teacher, I will find a way to reignite faith in the hearts of the doubtful, the actions of Twilight and Moondancer will not tarnish your millennia-long work, I promise you!”

Celestia shook her head. “You have your duties to tend to, my dear Starlight. I cannot allow you to deviate yourself from your righteous path. However, it is equally true that I must take direct action against my sister… or the creature that was once my sister. Chaos has taken a hold of her and her followers and must be stopped, no matter the cost and no matter the means.”

Starlight obediently and without question bowed her head before her Princess. “It will be as you say, my Teacher. How may I help you now?”

“Watch,” Celestia replied as her magic began to envelop the statue in front of her. The statue had an angry, defiant expression and was clearly in a battle-ready pose. The entire surface of the statue began to shimmer with golden light. Seconds passed and soon the stone began to creak and crumble, but instead of falling to pieces, the stone fell as tiny chunks to the ground, slowly revealing a deep purple fur and skin beneath the crust.

Starlight watched in fascination and bewilderment at the inert statue slowly shed a cover of stone to reveal a living pony underneath. Can I even call this vile traitor a pony? She asked herself, though the answer was evident. “My Teacher, what is the meaning of this action?”

“Exilement may be the ultimate punishment, my dear Student. However, there are those few whose actions have been so… disruptive to the will of Harmony that they cannot be allowed to roam freely,” Celestia replied as more and more chunks of stone fell to the ground. “And some of them may still have their uses. Such is the will of Harmony.”

Starlight nodded in understanding. Still, she couldn’t help but look with disgust and not a small amount of fear at the creature being freed from her prison right in front of her eyes. “I do not question your decision, my Teacher. But why must we rely on the aid of this… criminal?” She spat the last word as if the mere mention of the mare’s name would bite off her tongue.

“We obey the Laws. We follow Harmony. She does not. She will do what we cannot,” Celestia replied with palpable sadness and even regret in her voice.

“I doubt one such as her would ever accept the enlightening of Harmony and the Anti-Chaos Laws given she has rejected their wisdom before,” Starlight countered, glaring at the revealing mare.

“On that aspect, you are correct, Starlight. I must confess that I have been in the need of employing her services in the past. She’s a useful tool for Harmony to reign supreme. In the end, she will receive absolution, all thanks to your work and studies, dear Starlight,” Celestia said, unmoving. “She will aid us in solving our current problem. She will go down to Luna’s domain, find my two wayward ex-students, and escort them back here for re-education. That shall be enough to ease the doubts of my subjects.”

Celestia’s expression turned hurt for a moment before speaking. “To see them back, tainted as they may be, will show every creature how dangerous Chaos is and how Luna corrupted them to such terrible ways. In the end, Twilight and Moondancer may serve Equestria one last time.”

Starlight contemplated the words of her teacher for a few seconds, then asked a simple question. “What if she can’t bring them back? Or worse, my Teacher. What if they refuse to come back?”

Celestia grew cold for a moment, her very aura dimming at the prospect she was about to utter. “Then… I don’t know what I shall do.”

“Hmmm,” Starlight hummed while the stony prison of the mare was nearing complete obliteration. For long moments she remained still, thinking, pondering, and contemplating what other alternatives could there be. Suddenly, it struck her and she smiled. “My Teacher, mayhaps I can offer an alternative,” Celestia didn’t reply. Taking it as a signal to continue, she did so. “Forgive me for suggesting this but… in the case Twilight and Moondancer can’t be brought back or refuse to come back, then I suggest… no, forgive me, I have said nothing, my Teacher.”

“Starlight, my Student, please, carry on with your suggestion. For I count on their return so that our nation may know safety once more and as a first step to unseat Luna from her throne of lies and corruption. Do not bite your tongue, my Student. Please, speak.”

Smiling internally, Starlight continued while looking directly at the crumbling statue as a hurt, remorseful expression graced her face. “My Teacher… if extreme times call for extreme measure as you say, then I… I propose that Twilight and Moondancer must be eliminated.”

Celestia stared at her student in disbelief. “Eliminate them? Starlight Glimmer, have you listened to the words that have just left your mouth?” She asked, distraught.

Starlight turned to Celestia on the verge of tears. “My Teacher. Nay, my Princess. The very idea makes my stomach turn and coil in ways I thought were not possible. My hands tremble-” she presented them for emphasis. “-my legs quiver, and I feel a cold hand pressing against my heart for simply saying such words.”

Clenching her hands into fists, she continued; her expression turning solemn, resolute. “However, it is something that may be needed for Equestria and for Harmony to triumph. Not only that, but it shall preserve their memory and free them from all ill-repute and taint. If they are to serve Equestria one last time, then sacrifices must be made. I know I would not desire to remain living as a mere puppet of Chaos, my Teacher. And neither would they, I’m certain of it. Their lives shall bring light to Harmony while their expirations, sad as they may be, shall bring understanding about the ruinous threat of Chaos and why it must be destroyed once and for all.”

Celestia blinked, intrigued and appalled at the same time. “I… I don’t know what to say, my Student. If this were to happen and… and may as well be an unavoidable outcome, I do not enjoy the idea of ending the lives of my former students,” she let out a pained sigh. “Luna… my sister must be deposed and stopped. Her subjects, tainted beasts, must be brought down. Her reign must come to an end and her Kingdom destroyed, burned to ashes, and left forgotten for the safety of us all. But to willingly and knowingly sacrifice two wonderful mares that were pillars of The Way of Harmony… and to l-lie to my subjects is…,” she narrowed her eyes, torn by what had to be done.

“If I may, my teacher?” Starlight raised a finger. “Information about the contents of their letter was the catalyst of the spreading rumors, correct? Let us ponder the scenario in which you denounce it, claiming it was a tactic used by Luna, the Fallen Princess, now a true deviant. Twilight and Moondancer were sent to deliver a message of Love, Unity, and Friendship in the Name of Harmony to those that most need it, only to be captured and tortured by the followers of Luna. That Twilight and Moondancer held strong until you, their gracious teacher and Princess, sent a rescue mission only for them to be killed by the lovers of Chaos just as they were about to reach home,” Starlight paused for a moment, closing her eyes as if the idea hurt her. “Any doubts and rumors would end and those that questioned the Laws and the Way of Harmony will instead follow them with greater adherence instead.”

Celestia stared at her student for long moments, her expression unchanging but her eyes shining with contemplation; her mind already considering the proposition. “I do not enjoy the idea of telling such a fabricated story, Starlight. But I do see the logic and use behind it. For the good of Equestria, it may be necessary to go to such extremes.”

Starlight nodded eagerly, her lips curled into a nearly imperceptible smirk. “I dislike it as much as you do, my Teacher. However, what is a small fabrication when compared to the safety of every citizen living peaceful, harmonic lives? What more could two loyal and noble mares, sadly corrupted, wish for if not to ensure the will of Harmony and the defeat of Chaos?” She pressed on. Feeling the time was right and that the lingering doubts of her Teacher had to be vanquished for the good of Equestria and Harmony, she put on her most serious face. “I was… hesitant to mention this, my Princess, but I have heard rumors questioning if Chaos truly is as dangerous as the Laws portray it.”

Celestia could feel her blood pressure rising and her mane slowing after hearing such nonsense. “I was not aware of those rumors,” she said in utter disgust. Silence reigned for twenty or so seconds before she opened her mouth again. “Perhaps… your idea carries more sense than I initially believed, my Faithful Student.”

“Consideration is all I could ever ask of you, my Teacher,” Starlight replied, lowering her head slightly in respect.

Their discussion was cut short, however, when the remaining crust shattered and a mare clothed in armor fell to the ground with a loud thud. Celestia’s horn was still glowing and the unconscious mare twitched slightly on the ground as golden sparks erupted from her body and, more specifically, her head and broken horn. After a few seconds of this, it all came to an end.

Mere seconds after that, the mare, a unicorn, began thrashing on the ground as she wheezed for air, coughing terribly as her senses and muscles spasmed all at the same time. After a full minute of what was assuredly agonizing pain, the mare finally curled into a fetal position while coughing less violently and finally… she opened her eyes.

Chapter 1 End


Author's Note

Special thanks to anyone that read this!

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