The Twin Queens Consort

Twilight paces, nervously, back and forth in front of her gathered troupe, at Celestia's request. They'd been leant one of the Guest Rooms for their planning; the spacious bedroom refitted with a table, map, and the supplies they'd need.

She'd gathered a team. Three Wonderbolts, two Unicorns from the Canterlot University, a Griffon Mercenary, a Royal Guard volunteer, and a Bat-Pony volunteer.

Twilight wishes she could have involved more of the Elements, like Dash... but Dash was still recovering. Physically, and Mentally.

One of the Castles guards slowly trots past the rooms open doors, on Patrol.
"Any word back yet?" Twilight asks aloud, the guard pausing. He shakes his head. Twilight sighs, dejected.

She'd sent two of her troupe, Mountain Haze and Cherry Twinkle, a Wonderbolt and a University Unicorn, ahead to scout. One was skilled in Silent Flying, the other in, Invisibility with a minor in Telekinesis. While they were both fresher faces, they were only to sweep in above the fog, listen along the outskirts of the Castle, pick up what information they could, and return.

They'd been gone two days past deadline, and Twilight was worried.

What had her really, really worried, was Princess Luna. Yesterday, she came charging into the Throne Room in the middle of the day -- interrupted a meeting between some of the royal Advisors, demanding to speak to Princess Celestia, privately. Twilight still hadn't been briefed on what, but it had something to do with dreams, Twilight was sure.

She stops in front of the table, leaning on it, sighing. The rest of the troupe, who'd been idly preparing, look at her expectantly. Twilights eyes slowly trail over whose left. A shiver runs up her spine when she thinks those words.

The remaining two Wonderbolts. Chocolate Rain and Dizzy Spires; a full-brunette and chocolate-chip cookie colored pair. The former a Stallion, the latter a Mare. Laid-back and fun having, high-strung and petty, respectfully.

The one Unicorn, Sahila Sage. A turbulent mix of pink and blue, with a cocky air. Undeniably skilled at Offensive-style Magics.

Their Guard volunteer, Shameless Steel. Stout, quiet type, dependable. He's been making sure their weapons were sharp. Twilight hoped they wouldn't need them, but...

Their Griffon Mercenary, Gruffle -- light-brown feathers with golden tips. As long as he's paid, he'll do what he's asked to, no questions. And on a Canterlot payroll, he's more than willing.

And their Bat-Pony volunteer, Sleek Sulfur. Ashy-grey fur, black mane, little fangs, big smile. Chipper, eager to help.

"I... think we need to assume the worst, and that Haze and Cherry have been captured." Twilight says aloud, gaining their full attention. There's a collective mumbling; not a great start for morale.

"Or worse." Shameless Steel adds, dropping a sharpened blade on the table, startling several.

"Let's try not to think like that--" Twilight tries to cut in, but Shameless shakes his head.

"This is war in all but name, Miss Sparkle.

"Haze is tough; he'll keep that Unicorn safe." Chocolate puffs, stepping up to butt in.

As does the University Unicorn. "Cherry is more than capable. Do not doubt our stock."

"Right. So -- we need to move forward with the plan. We'll need to see if we can find them... but, here." Twilight says, unravelling and laying out a map. The others move closer, curious.

"When did we get this?" The Bat-Pony Sulfur chimes in.

"We had some high-fliers sketch out a general layout, higher than the fog goes. It's difficult to see, but we've hopefully got a better layout than Haze or Cherry were working with. Now..." Twilight begins to point on the map with her hoof, tracing out a path.

"Those with wings will high, using the clouds. Dusk is permanent around the Castle; so it doesn't matter what time of day we go.

"You gonna be able to keep up, Gruffy boy?" The other Wonderbolt, Dizzy chirps.

Gruffle flexes a claw, inspecting one of his talons silently. Dizzy purses her lips, shaking her head.

"Sleek; the population around the Castle is Thestral, and Changeling. We're going to send you, and Sage together; you in a disguise, and Sage masquerading as a Changeling in disguise, using traces of their magic."

"Sure, sounds easy! Just gotta be a mean ol' Thestral." Sleek grins, trotting in place.

Sage huffs. "Is there a difference between Thestrals and Bat Ponies?"

Sleek shrugs. "Those who like Nightmare Moon and want her to rule lean on Thestral. Those who like Harmony or want to push to move on go by Bat-Pony, for solidarity."

"Right. And finally, Shameless and Myself will use an advanced Invisibility spell, and sneak in through another side entrance."

Shameless is silent, but nods in affirmation.

Twilight glances around to the assembled troupe. They look about as ready as they'll ever be.

Princess Celestia and Princess Luna sit silently in the study, door locked shut, guards posted. Celestia looks... distant.

"We have given you the day, as you requested, Sister. Please." Luna pleads, nuzzling her sister. When she'd informed Celestia of what she had seen in her dreams... Celestia was oddly quiet, and asked for a day to answer her why.

"...A thousand years, Luna. Do you want to know for how many of them I have been a good Princess?" Celestia speaks aloud, not looking to her sister.

Luna tilts her head expectantly.

"...Perhaps, four hundred years. The rest, I have had history buried. Equestria is larger than you remember it, right?" Celestia continues.

Luna nods. Expansion was obvious, for a growing nation.

"I could not... handle, losing you. I didn't even make it a hundred years. Ninety-Nine years after your banishment... I became Daybreaker. The stress mounted, the pressure to pave a road forward for m--Our, Little Ponies. So... I paved our way south. Through force. Into occupied lands." Celestia sighs, looking distantly away, remembering.

"Sister... we hardly held ourselves to the standard we hold ourselves now, and we are proud of your progress." Luna insists.

"There was an entire race of people, Luna. Humans. Like the one you described. Bipedal, similar to Minotaurs, but no fur. No horns. Thin, dexterous fingers. And I know almost nothing about them... because when my forces rolled over their border, when they would not surrender... Daybreaker... no, I burnt them. I burnt them all to the ground, Luna. I wiped their people from their own lands, and buried what happened over generations. Now, only the Dragons remember who the Humans were... and they aren't the kind to much care." Celestia speaks, though her tone is hollow, guilt apparent.

"By Faust, Tia. An entire species?" Luna mumbles, shocked. Her eyes grow wider as her sister recounts the harsh tale.

"As advanced as us, back then." Celestia nods.

"...And what of the Bones, that were taken?" Luna prods.

"I don't know. My own campaign to bury them was so effective, even I do not remember if they were someone notable." Tia sighs. Luna's description, unfortunately, did not ring any bells.

"Then why keep them at all?" Luna asks.

"I found them... long, after the fact. Nearly two hundred years ago, by accident. A... reminder, of the Mare I refuse to become again." Tia relents.

"This creature... they have resurrected it, then. It's dreams are filled with grief. It remembers it's home, and how it burned. I did not see you, Sister; but I did see the Queens meddling." Luna recounts.

"I pray that Twilight brings a positive result to her mission... I am unsure of what else we can do, here. We're still rebuilding... re-arming is slow. And if they have a vengeful, cruel Human, bolstered by the artefacts? I shudder to think of what may happen next." Celestia groans, rubbing her temples. Luna is quick to lean against her sister for comfort.

"Did you find out it's name?" Celestia asks weakly.

"...No. I will try to find out more, when it rests next." Luna offers, steeling herself.

"Please, be careful Sister. I know not the dangers that this creature offers." Celestia softly protests.

The two share a long hug, before parting to resume their days tasks. If there was anyone who would have her Sisters back, it was Luna; no matter what she did. Celestia meant well, now, and that's what mattered.