The Eversleep

Chapters

Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Epilogue
Chapter 1

Chapter 2

-2-

The group of unicorns summoned by Celestia’s will was still gathered in the throne room. It was sometime after dusk, and although the orange and pink colors of the setting sun still provided light, the majority came from the torches in the room.

Starfall watched several of the unicorns were shuffling out, but a few remained. Bastion, a fellow teacher of his was one of them. A red pony with a mane like the embers of a fire- Dynasty- also remained.

As for the others? He had forgotten their names by now, and didn’t quite care to recall them. They were here, so it seemed as though he had their attention. As expected.

The hours before hand had been filled with debate on how to run Equestria in Celestia’s stead. While their first words were heated, they managed to simmer to a less excited debate. They had been told that they were powerful enough as a group to raise the sun and the moon, provided enough time to recover between such magic. In Luna’s obvious state of mourning, they were to assist her by raising both sun and moon. In time, they would relinquish the moon to her, and later still, the sun. Starfall disagreed with that.

They further talked about the affairs of the Kingdom. To ensure Luna would be able to fulfill her duties as sole ruler, she would be advised by their same council. They would start by taking care of the normal decisions of governance and teach Luna these tasks so she would eventually take over. Despite this wish, Starfall was vehemitly opposed to letting somepony take over without many years of experience, and as far as he was concerned, Luna had none.

Protection of the kingdom had also fallen to them. Many strange and dangerous creatures still roamed unchecked in the wild parts of the world. While these areas were regularly patrolled, one thousand years of harmony seemed a thing of the past, and that it would not continue in Celestia’s absence without new guards and a more prepared force of ponies. Starfall agreed, but was concerned that while this was the council’s job, it could be taken back by the princess.

Which made him think, what was this council even for? There were almost no duties that they would retain after a year’s worth of training the foalish Princess, and then years more of blunder and disaster from her under their watchful eyes. Not to mention, the failure in leadership after they were dismissed would destroy everything they would slave to fix. Plus, her past spoke poorly of her acceptance by the world at large. Who could trust a Princess who once wished to be their tyrant? Not even a thousand years on the moon would change his mind. No, something needed to be done, and these were the foals who were smart enough to join him.

“Starfall, perhaps it would be a good time to become acquainted with each other?”

“Indeed,” he replied, “I do believe I was quite open about my opinions and goals during the meeting, but I have not learned nearly as much from any of you. Except Bastion, of course.” Bastion lowered his head at the praise, “and your name was...?”

“Guiding Light.” The mare bowed before Starfall, “I am from Germaney. Although I do not have much input, I do agree with your concerns. As do the rest of us gathered here.” There were some nods.

Starfall smiled casually. Not only had he won over a group of Unicorns, he had inspired them to begin forming on their own. He looked around the room. The rest of the guard was gone, as well as the other ponies that were present. “Oh?” He tried.

Bastion stepped forward, adjusting his coat, “We are willing to assist you in taking action. Princess Luna is not entitled to the throne. It would be as if Nightmare Moon had won long ago, if the Princess turned back into her now.”

“There is no way to take action quite yet. We may be displeased with our current situation, but it is the only one on short notice,” Starfall argued.

“Perhaps not,” Guiding Light countered.

Starfall raised his eyebrow in apprehension - and worry. He had wanted action, but he would have preferred to have it happen subtly. Not so openly and so soon. Though on the other hand, the longer they waited, the more likely Nightmare Moon would come and destroy their plans.

Conflicted, he watched as the red mare, Dynasty, opened the doors to the chamber. In walked in one of the guards, bowing his head to her before entering. She closed the door and followed close behind the guard until he stopped in front of Guiding Light.

“May I present to you the second in command of the Royal Guard. Lieutenant Storm Chaser.”

The guard bowed, “Lieutenant is sufficient.” Starfall acknowledged him with a nod.

“The Lieutenant’s brother was in Ponyville during Nightmare Moon’s return. He was with those that tried to apprehend her.”

“He died a week later because of her.” Lieutenant snorted, “That haughty princess must not be allowed to have the throne. My brother died to protect us from her alter-ego. Allowing Princess Luna to have that throne would betray all that he died for.”

Starfall looked on with confusion, “You are but one of the guard. The others will-”

“Only a few respect Princess Celestia’s decision. I can convince most of them to join us. I have done so with the captains already.”

Starfall bit his tongue. This was too well orchestrated, nopony could have pulled this off in a few hours. “See what you can do,” he started cautiously. Control was key, “We will meet before dawn, to assist Luna with the sun. I will decide on how and when to strike.”

The other ponies nodded and each took a bow before him. As they left the chamber through their respective exits, a wicked smile played on his face. The alicorn would suffer for her sins... and he had an idea on how.

--*--

The moon could barely be seen behind the clouds that plagued the sky. A gloom hung over Canterlot following behind a lone figure in the clouds. Princess Luna sat above the haze, staring into the stars above. Her light colored hair flowed behind her, underlining the crescent moon in the center of the sky. The wind that carried it ruffled her coat, trying to stab at her with the cold winter air.

She stretched her body out onto the cloud and buried her head in her hooves. While she was still wrought with grief, she had no tears left to shed for her sister.

Why? She thought, Why did you have to leave now, of all times? Couldn’t you have pushed it back for a few hundred years? Luna shook her head. She know that the Eversleep was never predictable. You knew when the time came, that it was upon you. She would know.

“Princess?” came a voice from behind her. Luna felt a soft landing on the cloud behind her, accompanied by the jingling of pieces of armor.

“Yes, Sky Shroud?” She asked. Her hooves dug into the cloud as she lifted herself to look at him.

“I wanted to let you know that the time for the Coronation has been set. After dawn you will be required to sit in the throne to accept the crown.”

A long pause passed between the two of them. Luna’s gaze passed to the moon above her, which was slowly inching its way towards the horizon. Sky Shroud shifted in place, a bit nervous, and paranoid from the conversation after Celestia’s will. He had been preoccupied with it all day, fulfilling requests and duties within the will. He had to go all around Canterlot for supplies and services, and even out to other towns just to complete specific requests. The more free time he had between mindless tasks, the worse his anxiousness became.

“Is there something else, Sky Shroud?” Luna spoke again, moving her eyes to lock with his. Pain was reflected in her eyes. She couldn’t handle another betrayal, not even from somepony she barely knew.

Sky Shroud trotted to her side, “I am... uncomfortable with the council. I fear that they will simply use their new powers to enhance their personal goals and desires.”

Luna rested her head against his side. “It will be fine.” She didn’t quite believe that herself, but she was willing to trust her sister. Celestia only wanted the best for her, even if her banishment was a blemish on that record. “I trust my sister’s decision.”

Sky Shroud nodded. “Yes, Princess.”

Luna giggled a little. Sky Shroud was still too formal for her tastes but she found it amusing. She spread her wings and walked to the edge of the cloud she was on. “Please accompany me to the castle Sky Shroud.” She lifted off of the cloud, “And thank you.”

“As you wish, your highness.” He trotted to the edge and took to the sky, side by side with Princess Luna.

The rest of the evening passed uneventfully. There was a nervous air among the denizens of the castle as dawn began to show its beautiful colors on the horizon. The castle’s many cooks walked from their homes to the kitchen in the castle, filling the air with the scents of fresh fruit. The newly appointed advisors began to move through their guest chambers to the throne room. All throughout, Sky Shroud guarded the Princess as she roamed the halls for her coronation and burial rites for her sister.

He was nervous - clearly so. Not once did he pay attention to anything but Princess Luna and her safety. A few pots fell in the kitchens and he rushed to her side like a foal. Anypony else would have looked first. The princess just giggled at his actions, but he thought very little of it.

Eventually they made their way to the throne room, standing outside the doors until the appropriate time that they would enter in procession.

“Princess? Where is your crown?” Sky Shroud whispered.

“Oh. It was needed for the coronation ceremony, so I had to relinquish it. Only for a little while.” She smiled sheepishly. Sky Shroud could tell she was barely holding it together.

He nodded in understanding. But that made him paranoid. Who had her crown? Would it be enchanted with evil magic?

The doors opened and he was jarred from his thoughts by the procession of trumpets that ushered them into the room. Guards stood on either end of the red carpet that they walked upon, each with a crossbow in hoof. Before Sky Shroud was able to react, the guards moved their crossbows into a firing position aimed above Princess Luna's head. They fired, and as the bolts got closer burst in to showers of rose petals that fell all around them. Surrounding the throne was the Council of Sun and Moon, all dressed in their finest clothes. Sky Shroud eased a little as the guards reloaded once more. When Luna reached the front, she sat in the chair. The council shuffled around to stand before her, Starfall in the front. The guards behind Luna aimed high in the air and fired.

There was a loud bang as the bolts turned into fireworks, spreading light into the chamber. Sky Shroud watched them reload and then turn to attention. He didn't like that, though he assumed it was for afterwards.

Starfall stepped to the front of the hall. "Fillies and gentlecolts. We are gathered here on a somber day, for a wonderful and joy filled celebration. As the last alicorn in all the land, Princess Luna, you are the only heir to the Kingdom of Equestria. As such, you will be required to take on all of the duties that the title entails. Are you willing to take Celestia's place, which she has left for you?"

Luna smiled, "I am."

He looked to the left of Luna. Standing there was a guard in silver and black armor adorned with trinkets of gold, bearing the royal seal of Equestria. His mane and tail were a brilliant golden yellow, and his coat a light silver-gray.

"And do you, Captain Ironhoof, Commander of those sworn to protect the leaders of Equestria, and the country they serve, pledge to continue serving until blade, bane, or old age take you."

“I do." The captains voice was rough and rolled over the room like passing thunder.

"Then by the power vested in the council by Princess Celestia, reaffirm your crown, unless any pony wishes a challenge." He lowered the crown onto Luna's head with his magic, adjusting it slowly. He readied his magic to be cut loose, "as representative of the peoples will, I hold peace... No longer."

Luna was immediately assailed by pain emanating from the crowd closing her eyes and falling to the floor. She quickly filled the crown with her magic, causing it to explode. Before her eyes opened, she was able to hear several soft thuds from in front of her.

Sky Shroud stood valiantly with more than ten different crossbow bolts lodged in his body. Dizziness began to take hold, blood leaking from each wound. A few guards rushed in fron of him to protect Luna, blocking or taking another volley of bolts. Captain Ironhoof moved towards Starfall, drawing a knife from beneath the armor hanging above his neck. It left him exposed and the Leutenant filled the gap with a bladed wing, cutting across the Captain's neck.

"Nightmare Moon will never rise again to threaten Equestria! Destroy Luna! Destroy the betrayer!" Starfall shouted.

Sky Shroud felt the adrenaline kick in and grant him strength despite the loss of blood. He nudged Luna to wards the windows, the other guards fighting for the retreat, or clearing a path for the escape.

"No!" The husky unicorn shouted. He popped in front of Luna and Sky Shroud gathering magic around the remaining protectors. Another unicorn popped into the group binding her magic to the group and hurling spells at the attackers. She was overwhelmed by the forces she controlled and a perfect shot dropped her to the ground.

The room exploded with arcane energy shattering support beams and sending floor tiles into the attackers. Dust billowed into the room covering the sunshine and commotion from any kind of observation.

"Clear the hall!" Starfall shouted. Angry fervor consumed him from those who did not support his mission.

Wings beat furiously to push the smoke out into the clouded sky. The other council members used their magic to increase the speed the guards were beating their wings.

Eventually the dust billowed from the room leaving behind the bodies of fallen combatants and the stains of blood from the melee. Only one of those bodies belonged to a unicorn.

Starfall screamed in frustration using his magic to hurl some of the tiles at the corpses.

"Perhaps we should clean this now so we can induct the true ruling council?" Lieutenant offered.

Starfall eased slightly. "By noon," he said.

"Yes, sir."

--*--

The storm over Ponyville picked up it's fervor dropping snow and ice onto the town. With the weather patrol just doing their best just to keep the storm from getting worse, there was no one able to keep up to with the snow on the ground and the houses.

Most ponies were simply trying to enjoy a day at home with their families. Mothers and fathers played with board games with their fillies or colts, trying to forget the events of yesterday. But in the library, Twilight had fallen asleep face first in a book sprawled out on the floor. Ink was spilled out all over the floor, partially dried on the wood and on some of the table nearby.

A muffled snap startled her from her unintentional sleep, and she looked around mumbling incoherently. She noticed the ink on the floor and groaned. Magic covered her horn and cleaning supplies flew into the room from the kitchen.

Outside, the source of the noise was surrounded by a newly scorched hole in the snow. The hot dirt sizzled, bellowing steam into the air. In the center stood Luna, Sky Shroud, the assisting unicorn, and two guards, each with a bloodied weapon in their teeth.

“We must hurry Princess,” the unicorn stallion panted. It was clear that a spell like that was not one he could repeat without rest. Sweat beaded on his coat started to freeze in the temperatures. With the guards on either end he lifted Sky Shroud and began a careful trot to the nearest building.

Luna flew ahead pounding her hooves on the door, “Please help! We need help!” Her voice wavered between bursting into tears.

Twilight shot up into the air at the unexpected noise and bolted across the room to the door. She yanked it open, “What’s happ- Princess Luna?”

Without a second thought she entered, “No time. Get whatever medical material you can get your hooves on.”

“Why, wha- oh Celestia.” Luna’s other companions entered the room with Sky Shroud, blood dripping all over the floor.

Twilight flung what ever books were around to the farthest corner of the room and trotted into the bathroom. In the meantime, Luna used her magic to remove the armor around Sky Shroud’s body, placing it to one side. Sky Shroud began coughing.

“Stay with us, comrade.” The grey unicorn said softly. He had retrieved a wet washcloth from the kitchen. It dabbed at the area around the crossbow bolts wiping the dried blood from his coat.

“Stormbreaker... Luna... It’s too late for me now,” he managed speech in soft tones. His body was losing feeling fast. Darkness began to shade his eyes.

“Sky Shroud...” Luna began. Even in his last moments he could see the pain of betrayal in her eyes; the doubt, the second guessing... it was all leading to tragedy.

“Do not lose heart, your majesty.” Sky Shroud used whatever energy he had left to keep clear words, “If you do, you will prove Starfall right. That wouldn’t be who... I died... to save...” His eyes closed fully now, and his last breaths came slower. He opened them slightly, raising one hoof to Luna’s own. He could see Twilight working whatever magic she had into the wounds. Luna was crying now, but he smiled and looked her in the eye. “You wouldn’t be... the one... I fell in love... with...”

Luna continued supporting Twilight with her own magic, but it wasn’t helping. She screamed in her head knowing that she had let down a friend... a friend who had loved her. She grabbed his hand. “Sky Shroud... don’t leave me. Please...”

His eyes closed once more, and he slipped from the world into eternal sleep.

Everypony watched her sob in silence, each lowering their gaze to their fallen friend. Twilight was the first to move, sitting besides the princess. Unsure, she tried to comfort her, placing her neck underneath Luna’s. For a moment nothing happened, and Twilight was scared she had done something wrong. But Luna lowered her head onto her shoulder, burying her face in Twilight’s mane.

The tension eased slightly, and the guards went about cleaning the mess of blood and fur on the floor. It was a slow process as much of the damage had soaked into the wooden floor. A clean white sheet slowly materialized above the body from the magic Stormbreaker weaved. With Stormbreaker exhausted and Princess Luna barely active, they took frequent breaks so that he could recover.

By the tine they had finished preparing his body it was already dusk. The storm outside had finally been cleared. Through the clear skies, the bells of far off Canterlot rang, signaling the new leadership had taken their place. Outside the weather patrol was already cleaning snow off of the roofs having them fall in heavy loads below.

Rainbow Dash was on her last stop before going home to sleep: Twilight's House. She had gone first to Fluttershy's cabin, knowing that she was too far out of the way for normal snow control. It didn't take too long to clear the snow off which allowed her a chance to try to find Applejack. There was no need to worry as she and Big Mac were plowing the road into town.

When her feet touched down outside of the library, she immediately regretted not going there first. The ground behind the library was absolutely destroyed. A solid trail of red stained the snow leading to the front door. Her mind went into overdrive: Was somepony hurt? Did Twilight get hurt doing magic? Did somepony else try to hurt Twilight?

She sped around the library and plowed down the front door. "Twilight are you- ok...?"

Just entering the room was Twilight, a towel being shuffled around her mane. She stared at the pegasus for a moment, then turned her gaze at the door beneath her feet. "Uh, Rainbow Dash?

Her words spurred the rainbow pegasus into action, lifting the door back onto it's hinges, closing it quietly. "You're not hurt? But what about the trail of blood outside, and the crazy magical duel you had?"

"Rainbow, you're starting to sound like Pinkie. There was no fight, at least not here anyway." Her ears flattened to her head.

"So... what about the crater outside?"

"Look, I'll explain later. Now's really not a good time. Especially after what happened."

Rainbow Dash raised an eyebrow at that. Twilight was practically bawling louder than Luna was yesterday when... "I dunno Twilight. You were practically gone after the procession yesterday."

Twilight had no reasonable way out of that explanation. The letter was very specific about her silence. "I cant really explain why. I'm sorry."

There was a brief silence between them. The emptiness of the room was a huge contrast to half an hour ago. A light knock at the door broke the silence. The door swung open, and Rainbow turned to leave.

"Princess Luna?" she said in bewilderment.

She looked at her for a moment in confusion. “You’re the Element of Loyalty. Your name was..”

“Rainbow Dash,” the violet mare butted in. “Listen Rainbow, the Princess and I need to discuss something in private. Celestia wrote a letter to me before she died and judging by what’s going on, its imperative that I get information from her.”

Luna looked at the two of them, wincing at the mention of her sister.

“Oh, and you don’t think any of us are important enough to know what you’re up to? Or that we aren’t nearly as hurt as you are by what happened?!”

Luna bit her lip and backed into the wall by the door, “Celly’s not... she’s still...”

The words bit deep into Twilight. Her rage began to boil over, “You have no idea what I’m going through! You weren’t practically raised by her, or even taught like her! I LOVED HER LIKE MY OWN MOTHER!”

Twilight lunged at Rainbow, slamming her into the door. Rainbow beat her wings and kicked off of the door sending Twilight flying into the bookcase. She zoomed across the room, but Twilight was expecting it. The only thing Rainbow saw was a blur of violet before two hooves connected with her chest. While the pegasus was trying to recover, Twilight leaped on top of her, pinning her to the floor.

“Stop.” Luna said with very little conviction. Her mind was racing. Using magic to break the fight might hurt one of them. But she had to do something. The two ponies rolled into the writing desk, knocking the contents all over the floor beside them.

“STOP THIS!” Luna shouted.

The two of them stopped. They panted heavily, and Twilight was close to crying again. Twilight looked horrified at what she had done and backed up into the wall. “Oh no. I didn’t... no, but...” she babbled on.

Rainbow stood shakily a similar expression of shock on her face. “Its... its ok, Twilight. I’m sorry.”

“No, no. It’s not okay... I just hit you. I wanted to h.... No, no, no, Celestia no.”

Luna walked across the room to Twilight as she stood paralyzed. A sound crack resided in the room, and Twilight slumped to the floor. “Snap out of it, Twilight Sparkle. At least twenty other ponies lost their lives today over Celestia’s foalish thought that anyone would trust me like she did. If I could wake her up, I would do it now, but she’ll be sleeping for the next thousand years.”

The hoof mark glowed a bright red under Twilight’s coat. She teared up and shied away from Luna, fearing another blow was coming. Instead, the alicorn simply kneeled in front of her and nuzzled her in apology. Twilight accepted it in kind, crying into her shoulder softly.

Rainbow Dash looked at Luna for a moment.

“She’s not really dead Rainbow Dash,” the Princess said once more, “She’s fallen into the Eversleep.”

Chapter 3

-3-

"Like I told you Twilight, there's no written information here in Ponyville. I doubt that there's any information in the castle on The Eversleep." Luna walked carefully, avoiding the books piled to the ceiling. Once or twice she came close to knocking one over, but she managed to keep it intact with her magic.

Twilight sighed. She had spent days looking through the library for any information. If she hadn't read every book in the library before, she certainly had now.

Twilight walked over to the barren bookshelves and placed the book in it's place. "You're right. There's nothing here. Celestia said there was a book for it at home in her letter, but you said the castle doesn't have one. And you don't really know how the whole process works. Not how or when it happens to an alicorn, nor how to predict when it happens."

Luna frowned at that. She had combed through the archives when she to figure out what happened after she was sent to the moon. There was nothing there. In fact there was a whole three year gap in between what she remembered and the written history.

It dawned on her. Home. "Oh! Oh..."

"What? Do you know what Celestia meant?" Twilight looked at her eagerly.

Luna nodded, "Where we were born. But only ruins still exist."

"Well, then we'll have to pack for it. I'll let Rainbow Dash know so she can join us.”

Luna winced. Anxiety filled her mind and her body reacted by shaking a little. “I don’t know Twilight... it’s not a place I... I really don’t think its a good idea.”

Twilight sighed, “But it’s the only place that could help! Don’t you want your sister back?”

Luna hesitated. She was visibly torn. Go back to... that place and save her sister, or allow a full blown war to rage. A war where a few unicorns had enough magic to kill her outright.

“How do we get there Luna?” She repeated.

Sweat dripped down Luna’s head. Her will wavered, still indecisive.

Twilight looked desperate. “Please?”

Luna’s will shattered. She lowered her head and spoke very quietly, "through the castle ruins where you saved me..."

"We'll leave tomorrow then. I'll bring something to eat on my way back. Hopefully Spike will be ok with whatever he and Rarity are working on today."

--*--

"Lastly, the city of Fillydelphia pledges it's loyalty to the Council." Bastion Yorets rolled up the scroll he was reading from. Magic guided it to one of the guards who bowed, took it into his teeth and walked out of the hall.

Starfall sat in the throne with a light blue set of armor accenting his features. He held one front hoof to his chin, while the other tapped lightly on the ground. A round table sat in front of him with a pile of scrolls scattered about in front of him. A map of Equestria with several figurines placed on certain cities sat in the center of the table.

Bastion summoned another figurine of an shining sun and moon, and placed it on the city of Fillydelphia. "Several cities prefer neutrality at the moment, as do a few select towns." He summoned several new figurines, each depicting a grey banner with black stripes. "But..."

Bastion looked to Starfall who nodded to continue. Several figurines featuring a crescent moon eclipsing the sun appeared. He used his magic to place them on several cities and towns, joining those already present.

"There are cities who are in open rebellion. Their leaders call themselves the Kingdoms of Equestria. They recognize Princess Luna as the ruler of Equestria. They are also referring to themselves as the 'Keepers of Celestia's Will'."

Several of the unicorns snickered at the phrase, "Keepers of Nightmare Moon is more like it."

There were some laughs around the table. Starfall raised a hoof to quiet them.

"The main leadership is in Manehatten, which is as I understand it gearing up for major defenses. Stalliongrad is also ready for a major fight, and is the new Capitol." Bastion levitated a glass of water from the table in front of him, taking a sip. "Of course it is possible that they are moving the leadership out there to keep them safer."

"And that is all, fillies and gentlecolts. I propose that we begin to rally every stallion and mare to our cause. It has been hundreds of years since Equestria had needed an army. But in order to unite pony kind we must call upon it's citizens to realize the dangers of the chaos those foals are creating!"

"Perhaps we should start with Cloudsdale or Manehatten." Bastion said. The room got suddenly quiet. A scroll was now open in front of the stallion's face. "Cloudsdale had rejected our sovereignty, and the city is moving away from here towards the edges of the Everfree Forest."

Starfall stood up. He walked around the table to the captain of the guard, Lieutenant. "Prepare the training fields for a large class. Bastion, take a scroll."

Bastion nodded, levitating a scroll and an ink pen in front of him.

"By the decree of the Council of Sun and Moon, every able stallion and mare must join the armed forces for a period of two years, or until peacetime befalls this country..."

The Council members quickly added phrases and changes to the manifesto that Starfall laid before them. As it quickly evolved into a declaration of power and hope, he smiled. They would love this council, no, this nation. The foalish public would be willing to die for it.

Or they would die for disobeying.

--*--

"By a unanimous vote by the ruling council, each able mare and stallion are to be recruited for a Republic army. Please comply by coming to the town square for examination." The guards were going all around Ponyville shouting this same phrase in different variations.

The mayor stood in the center of the city, trying to shrug off her restrainers: two large pegasi. They each wore a redesign of the royal guard's armour to include the council's new insignia.

"We're a free village! You can't come in here and take people for some ridiculous cause!"

One of them hit her in the back of the head, knocking her unconscious. The two holding her let go, and her body slumped to the ground.

"Put her in chains and lock her in her home," came a voice from the side. A young pegasus in red robes walked out from the crowds of people. A hat adorned his head, with a tightly woven gold mane hanging to one side. The guards nodded and complied with his order. He smiled and looked down the streets.

Parents from each household said goodbye to each other as they left their homes. Young ponies cried or wished them luck in the days they would be gone. Some of them were given a memento of home, but most went with a hope and a promise.

Bit by bit, they gathered in the main square in Ponyville. Many were nervous, and some were outright scared of what was happening. Each of them had saddlebags packed for several days journey, mainly food and water. The pony dressed in red approached the podium, clearing his throat.

“Residents of Ponyville, I would like to humbly welcome you here today. My name is Oath, and I am the newly elected Mayor of Ponyville.” The gathered crowd spoke in whispers, but Oath raised a hoof to silence them.

“For those of you that are confused about this change, it was made because the previous mayor endangered the lives of your entire town. You see, a large group of Equestrians have broken away from the council that Celestia appointed to begin a transition to an age of self-rulership. In her last hours, our beloved Princess commanded that a Republic be created!

“These... rebels believe that rulership under one pony is the way to continue forward. The way of tyranny! For nopony can replace the love and care that Celestia had for all ponies. Without her unbiased leadership, there will always be corruption and leadership under one, single pony. They would defy the last act of love that Celestia brought to Equestria!

“It is for this reason that you have been inducted into the armed forces. To reunite everypony under the guidance of the Equestrian Republic. You will be the greatest force the world has ever seen assembled.

“We will win. And when we do, your foals will remember the great sacrifices we all made to bring pony kind together, united under one banner!”

The crowd stamped their hooves in agreement, slowly growing into cheers and shouts of unity.

War was coming, and they were blind enough to embrace it.

--*--

“How deep into the Everfree Forest is this place?” Twilight asked. They had already trekked a good way into the forest. They had passed the castle ruins an hour ago, before they began traveling along the edge of the cliffs. Every once in a while, Twilight gave a peek over the edge but couldn’t see past the mist.

“Not much farther. But the road there is a long one. We may not make it there until after nightfall, which means we’ll have to camp for the night.” Luna replied. Her horn was aglow in magic pulling them gently along the edge of the woods, “At least Rainbow Dash didn’t take any of the tent stakes she was carrying.”

Twilight nodded, but sighed. At the edge of the forest they had run into several pegasi ponies. They were apparently scouting out a new location for Cloudsdale to set down since they had essentially declared war on the council. They offered for Luna to stay and rule from the city, but she declined in lieu of the mission they were on. Rainbow Dash volunteered to take her place instead, and Luna allowed it for a little while. It was mainly to humor her, but she did need someone to find out what was happening in the coming conflict. She had also given Twilight and Rainbow each a necklace so that they could communicate over the long distances by thought.

Rainbow? How is it out there? Twilight tested. Hopefully it was like one of the spells she had tried before.

Huh? Oh! Right, Twilight. It’s exciting! The weather factory is designing tornadoes, and the whole city is building a huge storm below it. From what it sounds like, we’re moving further away from Ponyville towards the mountains. Apparently its better hidden back there.

Why are you making tornadoes and giant storm clouds?

I don’t know. But they’re so cool!

Twilight wasn’t sure that was the kind of news she wanted to hear from Rainbow. It wasn’t so much that she thought dangerous weather was cool, especially since she expected Rainbow to enjoy stuff like that. The problem in her mind was that making weather into a weapon was possible, and - more specifically - that it was being done. She didn’t feel comfortable with those dangerous things being in the same place as her friend, let alone the population of Cloudsdale.

“Hey, Princess Luna?” Twilight sped up to catch up with her companion.

“You can just call me Luna,” she smiled, “I’m not a princess anymore.”

“Yes pr-, er, Luna. I was just wondering why Cloudsdale is moving towards the Everfree Forest. It doesn’t make sense. Even more confusing is that Rainbow says they’re making huge storms for fighting.”

Luna’s smile faded back into a frown, “Yes, well... There will probably be a lot of fighting from now on. Starfall seems to want to preserve a united world, but with denying me the right to the throne, some places didn’t agree with him. They’ll be fighting to either put me in power, or keep me from it.”

“Well, I hope you can go back to being a princess.”

“I don’t.”

Twilight stopped. “Why? Didn’t Celestia want you to rule while she was... gone?”

She nodded, “Yes, but nopony wants me to be what Celestia was. They only want Celestia.”

“I wouldn’t mind if you were in charge.”

Luna flushed red in her cheeks, and turned her head to the side, “Th-thanks.”

They walked in silence after that. Unlike the previous parts of the Everfree Forest, this one was blooming with all kinds of wild flowers. The trees here looked like they used to be regularly maintained, not wild like the rest of the forest. The color was more vibrant here in shades of green, blue, red, yellow, pink, and so many others Twilight had to slow down to take it all in. But it was strange that these colors were only close to the edges of the cliffs.

“Luna, this place is beautiful. Is this still the Everfree Forest?”

She nodded once more, “This is the southern edge of the forest. Here comes the tricky part.” Luna adjusted herself into a more grounded posture, magic emanating from her horn, “I call upon the founding makers of Equestria: Earth, Sky, Water, and Fire. Ones who have transcended the cycle of the great sleep, you have pledged your loyalty to the Kingdom of Equestria and its citizens. One of royal blood calls on you now to reveal the pain you are so burdened with. A pain so horrible that even through survival, I was used as a tool in it’s destruction.” Magic flared around her pushing her deeper into the ground. Four colored magic shimmered over the cliff.

“Princess Luna. The youngest of the Royal Line. Your inconsolable sadness allowed the jealousy of your sister to grow, and be taken by foul Nightmare. We have not forgotten the cries you shouted in moments of control to bring the Great Sleep early upon you.”

Twilight was confused. Nightmare? Didn’t they mean Nightmare Moon? Wasn’t Nightmare Moon simply a creation by Luna to plunge the world into eternal night?

“We will allow you to share in our burden, Princess Luna. We will also open the eyes of the world that has forgotten, starting with young Twilight Sparkle.”

Twilight flinched. Who was in that magical light? Why did they know her name?

The ground beneath began to shake. Earth heaved at the edges of the cliff expanding it beyond its normal size. Old fenced paths rose from beneath the mist, melding softly back into the cliff. The temperature increased making the mist disappear into the sky above. Wind came and cooled the land as it shifted. Twilight lost her footing, and fell into Luna’s side. She wrapped her hooves around one of Luna’s clinging on for dear life. As suddenly as it began, it stopped.

It was eerily quiet, but Luna could hear the echoes of swords and screams in her head. Her panting filled the air mixing with the sounds of soldiers. She looked from side to side watching for a sword or javelin to come flying at her. The wind rustled the trees and she jumped forward carrying a huge weight with her on her back leg.

“Luna!” Twilight cried as she was lifted into the air, before falling promptly on her flanks, “What’s the matter?”

Luna shook her head to the sides. The sounds were gone, leaving her in silence. She floated back down to the ground, and helped Twilight to her hooves. “Nothing. Old memories that are best left forgotten.”

Twilight walked onto the path and looked over the railing. Her eyes went wide and she held her breath, “What... what is this place?”

Luna spread her wings and hopped in the air, landing softly beside Twilight. She felt as though her heart was going to break once more, “The city where Celly and I were born.”

Twilight’s eyes stared at the city below. Ocean waves could be seen lapping at the shore in the distance. Many of the buildings were smashed or shattered by something large, or burned black if not to its foundations. Above the city she could see across from her the castle of the royal pony sisters. From this angle she could see that there was far more of it built into the cliff. Once intact, tower skeletons climbed up the cliff walls. A central castle jutted out from the cliff into the city below, with smaller ones spreading out from it. The setting sun cast a foreboding glow on the land.

The two ponies walked down the path towards the city below. Luna stopped once to raise the moon, but was promptly stopped when another force took hold of it and dragged it into the sky.

Twilight asked a few questions here and there but they weren’t substantial. She didn’t want to upset Luna further. From the way the princess walked, it was apparent that she was very upset by just being here. They stopped at the bottom of the trails, now within the confines of the city. Twilight used her magic to pull out her tent from her bag, setting it up quickly.

“Do you mind if I make a fire? It is still winter after all.”

Luna shook her head, “I’ll get some dry wood from the forest.”

It took a short while for Twilight to get the campfire ring right, thumbing through a copy of Camping is for Everypony that she had borrowed from the library. She smiled in triumph and placed her saddlebags on the ground. After a moment of digging she found the logs she had taken from the library’s supply and hovered them into the center of the ring.

Luna touched down on the other side, placing the twigs she found onto the fire. With a tap of Luna’s magic, the kindling was wreathed in flames. The fire slowly grew until it encompassed all of the logs. They sat outside for a few minutes before Twilight pulled a small pot from her bag. It hovered over to settle on the fire. A few packs of nearby snow hovered over the pot and fell right into it.

“Want some soup when it’s ready?” Twilight asked.

“Sure!” Luna said. She was hungry from all the walking and the magic she performed.

The pot slowly bubbled over the fire. Twilight went about her work, adding small packets of powder into the pot. It smelled delicious.

“What are those?” Luna pointed her hoof at the empty packets by Twilight’s side.

“Oh these? Instant soup mix. Just add hot water and it makes a delicious onion soup broth.” She chirped. Her magic grabbed hold of something in her saddlebags. The fresh vegetables were coaxed out and dropped into the pot. “I like adding a little something to it though. Spike taught me how to make this when we went camping on the roof of the castle in Canterlot.”

Luna licked her lips in anticipation. Instant soup sounded funny, but it smelled good, especially with the vegetables thrown in. The pot hovered off of the fire and poured itself into two bowls that had slid out of her other saddle bag. Luna hovered the soup over to her and took a sip.

“Delicious!” Luna said joyfully. She quickly drank down the contents of the bowl letting the tangy liquid dance on her taste buds. The warmth settled down in her stomach, and she patted it with one hoof.

Twilight giggled at Luna’s antics and drank more of her soup. When she finally did, she put the bowls in the pot and boiled more melted snow to clean them. Eventually they were done, and she poured the water into the dirt and repacked the pot and bowls into one saddlebag.

“I’m going to get some sleep for tomorrow.” Twilight said, “I brought an extra sleeping bag so you could use it.”

Luna nodded and followed Twilight into the tent, letting the fire burn out on its own. She tucked herself away in the extra sleeping bag, settled behind Twilight.

“Good night, Luna,” Twilight whispered.

“Good night, Twilight,” Luna responded in kind.

As Twilight fell asleep, Luna was overcome by the feelings she had been holding back. A single tear left Luna’s eyes, and she sniffled. I’m home Celly. I’m... Luna cried softly into her sleeping bag. The fire outside turned to smoldering ash, and the moon took its place above the city, covering it in a fresh layer of sorrow.

Chapter 4

-4-

The sun was peeking over the horizon when Luna rose from her sleeping bag. It was rare that she slept through her own creations passing, but she was overwhelmed by the situation she was in. The sound of breathing filled the tent, coming from her right. She looked down at the violet pony sleeping in relative peace. Twilight had no idea on what this place held, nor what it meant to her and Celestia. She needed time to clear her thoughts, so she walked out of the tent and into the cold morning air.

One of the first things she noticed was the sound of the ocean, which seemed to fill the whole city with tranquil sound, soft enough that it didn’t wake her. The back and forth of the tide hid the rising sun, which spread beautiful oranges and pinks across the sky. She watched the giant ball rise up over the waves, basking the city in light. It was too bright, however, and she raised her hooves to shield her eyes.

"Mmm... Luna?" came a voice from behind her.

Twilight was half out of the tent, with her mane sticking out in all directions. Luna snorted, and stuffed her hoof into her mouth.

"What?" Twilight said groggily.

Luna pointed at Twilight's head. Twilight reacted by summoning a brush from inside and going over her hair several times, until it straightened out.

"Better?" Twilight kept her facial features flat.

Luna giggled a bit, but nodded.

Twilight grabbed what was left of the vegetables for breakfast, and split them between her and Luna. She didn't bother with the mind link with Rainbow Dash. Knowing that silly filly, she was still sleeping in whatever place she found.

“OK. Princess Celestia said that whatever answer we needed is in the city. But where do we start?” Twilight asked.

Luna floated up into the air to get a better look around. She didn’t know where exactly to start, but she had an idea. “If there’s anything left of the library we can start there. But it might take a couple of days to search the whole city.” Twilight raised an eyebrow at her. Luna continued regardless, “We’ll probably have an answer before we get to that point.”

“Where’s the library?”

“By the castle. It should be one of the marble buildings in front of the main gates.” Luna replied.

Twilight floated her saddlebags to her back, tightening them in one fluid motion. “Let’s go.”

It took an hour of walking for Twilight to get a feel for how massive the city actually was. By ancient standards she had read, this city was comparable to the size of Manehatten. Without running everywhere, it could take hours to go from one end of the city to the other. She was starting to realize that the path they took was really the long way around.

The buildings for the most part weren’t very tall, mainly keeping a one to two story height. Most of them were made from stone or brick, and many were a simple combination of the two. Some holes abounded in the ruined structures, likely for wood support beams. Unfortunately time had gotten the better of the average structure. Without support many of the buildings had fallen in on themselves or were plain ruins.

The more disturbing structures were the ones with damage done to them. Some of the ruined buildings had huge holes through them with singe marks or discolorations from strain. Other structures were just completely absent. It was almost like someone laid the foundation for a new house and simply forgot to build it. There was one they passed where Twilight stopped to shuffle through the rubble and found part of a doll, made from some tattered cloth. Half of its face was missing or intentionally sewn that way. Its single eye seemed to look at an odd angle as it bulged from the cloth.

Twilight was starting to feel sick, but her curiosity got the better of her. She cleared a little more of the rubble away until she hit something metal. Her hooves dug around it slowly removing the rubble before her stomach pulled her to the side. There, under the rubble was a rusted crib and the... the...

Twilight lost whatever she had eaten for breakfast to the floor outside. Her sickness turned to grief, and confusion.

“Twilight! Are you alright?” Luna flew over to her. She glanced inside the building and looked at the doll on the floor.

“Look father, a present!”

A young filly carried a doll with half a unicorn as its body. Her eyes were big and red, with only slits for irises.

“No... She’s taken her too...”

Luna gripped her head as it swam with visions. Her head felt as though it was going to burst from sudden pain. She fell to her haunches and grabbed her head with both hooves.

The door was ripped from its hinges as more dragon-eyed ponies brandished weapons or even kitchen pots and wooden spoons.

“The young one wishes another doll?” One of the ponies asked, turning to face the filly with his neck at an awkward angle.

“Mama Nightmare says I can have Daddy be just like this one.” She held up the doll in her hands.

The sound of distant screams and fire filled the air, joined shortly by those of her loving father being hacked apart.

Twilight was crying as Luna’s vision returned to the present. Her whole body shook as she rose clumsily to her feet. She put a wing around Twilight and nudged her back onto the road.

“Why? Why would a foal be here like that? I don’t understand!” She managed through her cries.

Luna calmed herself as best she could, “Its not something you want to know. Just try to calm down.”

They walked on towards the library. Luna eventually soothed Twilight to the point that she could walk on her own again. But after the discovery of the doll, it was a bit different. Twilight never looked inside a single building as they passed.

--*--

“As requested, we have brought winter to a close today. The first official day of spring will occur tomorrow as scheduled. The fields are ready for training, however.”

Starfall poured tea for himself and Bastion. They were seated in one of the private halls in the castle. The room was plush with comfortable furniture ranging from the one pony seats they were in, to a beautiful red sofa with an engraving of the sun on each arm. There was a small table between the two of them made of hard wood that was clearly old and refurbished. The carvings running along the base were hand crafted and followed all the way down to the feet of the table. Several windows flooded the room with afternoon light.

Starfall yawned softly. Raising the sun for the council was difficult and downright exhausting when only half of the council was present. His only saving grace was his protege, Bastion Yorsets. When he headed Celestia’s School for Gifted Unicorns, Bastion was his right hand stallion, and his partner in many of his research studies. It was good that the relationship traveled into politics.

“How would you like the forces to be set up?” Bastion asked, raising his teacup to his mouth.

Starfall lifted his own cup and drank some of its contents. The cup settled back in place, and he cleared his throat, “I would like to see the division along the lines of each type of pony. A ground unit of earth ponies, an air unit of pegasi, and a separate unit for unicorns. I would like the ground and air units to be trained in hand to hand and ranged combat. The unicorns however will be a division focused through a few select individuals. I’m thinking of applying our research on weaving spells to this division.”

Bastion raised an eyebrow, “The ritual for weaving is fairly simple, but with as much magic as you’re thinking of using it could become completely unstable.”

“That’s why I want you to head this division. You are the most experienced unicorn in the Republic besides myself on the ritual. I trust you above all else in this matter as well. Without fully understanding the others, I simply cannot trust them with possibly some of the most powerful magic in the world.”

Bastion’s eyes lit up with pride. His former teacher and respected leader was entrusting him with leading their army. “I accept. I am honored that you think of me so highly. I will make them the greatest force ever seen.” He stood, bowed, and trotted happily to the fields below.

Starfall stayed in the room for a while longer. The warm tea was good in the lingering cold weather. He walked to one of the windows and peered down below. The new army he had fashioned for his empire was starting their training. Soon they would be able to bring down the rebellion looking to keep Luna’s leadership.

But, still he worried. After the death of Remedy Rose, her followers in Paris were itching to get revenge. Stormbreaker witnessed it first hand and had swayed them to his cause. With his fellow ponies in Stalliongrad, he had thousands of hardened ponies ready to fight for his cause.

He drank what was left of his tea and called for one of the maids to tidy up the chamber, before returning to the throne room, to plan his strategies.

--*--

The life of a politician was boring. There was no flying, no pranks, no excitement. Rainbow Dash wanted nothing but out of the politician’s seat. Plus, her parents had already moved out of Cloudsdale after she took the job on the weather patrol in Ponyville, so there was nothing really to do. Except get into trouble.

Trouble she seemed to narrowly avoid as the rest of the city was not focused on her antics, nor on other minor trouble making from some of the fillies in town. A huge storm was brewing beneath them, tended to day and night by almost anyone the city could spare. The weather factory had stopped delivering any new storms to Canterlot, or the surrounding cities and towns. They had allowed a bit of sympathy to her town by rangling wild storms over the Everfree Forest in Ponyville’s direction. With winter wrap-up underway, it was well needed rain that would be coming its way.

She was concerned that there were classes on fighting taking place. Pegasi carrying truckloads of armor and weapons had started to come in big time from Manehatten. Though she was curious why they only came in from along the tree-line.

Today, her only mischief was to find out exactly what was going on. To do that, she’d have to sneak into the important meeting with Stalliongrad’s diplomats, and more importantly, not get caught. The pegasi that came as diplomats were bulkier than Big Macintosh, and she did not want to be on their bad side.

Fortunately, one of Cloudsdale's diplomats found her poking outside the hall and dragged her inside the room for the meeting. She was a short pony, but boy was she witty. Not a single prank slipped by her, and Rainbow was becoming bored with trying. The mare was a lavender pegasus with a paper and ink quill on her flank. Her hair was a deep blue, but cropped short to her head.

Unfortunately she was stuck between Cloudsdale's worry-wart of a mayor, and the burly pegasi she didn't want to be near.

"Who is this?" one of the pegasi diplomats said. His accent was thick, and Rainbow fought the urge to giggle.

"Princess Luna's representative. She has direct contact with the princess," replied the mare who dragged her in. The two pegasi looked at Rainbow with awe.

That's what I thought, Rainbow mused.

"I am Peace Bloom, official representative of Cloudsdale. I'm pleased our invitation reached you so quickly," the mare continued. “As you can see we are building defences as best as we can. Though the storm is a big deterrent. We were wondering if you might be able to spare some forces to train our militia. We also have almost no weapons, save for what we can make.”

One of the representatives from Stalliongrad stepped forward, “I can try to get weapons for you, but we believe that Starfall is looking towards Manehatten as his first target.”

Peace Bloom shook her head. “We’re going to be starving his fields of the rain they need. Do you think someone who overthrew Princess Luna and took over Canterlot in a mere day would ignore such a threat to his nation? He’ll take this place without support!”

The representative who spoke looked at his companion who simply nodded once. He turned away from his comrade and sighed, “We will do our best to get something for you Miss Bloom. Troops or weapons or both - though the chances of the last occurring is very slim.”

Peace Bloom smiled. “We appreciate your support. If he turns to Manehatten, we will send troops to support you in kind, as well as some other... fun things.”

The burly ponies grinned. “Until next time, Peace Bloom. Miss Dash.” They bowed in respect to both Peace Bloom and Rainbow Dash before exiting the room.

Rainbow wasn’t quite sure what to make of the meeting. It was a shorter conversation than she had expected to happen. She looked to Peace Bloom for any explination.

“Well?” Peace Bloom said.

Rainbow looked at her quizzically, “What?”

“What does Princess Luna think of the discussion. You were filling her in, right?”

Rainbow Dash laughed nervously, “Of course I was! I wouldn’t forget something like that. She’s just a little busy where she is.” Her mind went to the necklace and she started to think... hard. TWILIGHT. DOES LUNA THINK THAT STARFALL WILL GO AFTER CLOUDS-

Rainbow! Don’t think that you’re screaming! Think that you’re talking normally! The response from the other end sounded pained and irritated.

Oops. My bad. Let me explain what happened in the meeting I’m at.

--*--

Luna and Twilight returned to the tent sometime after the moon rose over the horizon. This time, Twilight built the fire without Luna’s help, and threw the pot on to make more soup. Their supply of snow was dwindling, so she made a point to fill a water bottle with some melted snow after she cleaned the pot.

Twilight didn’t focus on the pot as much as she did on the tome they had found. Luna was reading the contents as quickly as possible, flipping the pages in almost a steady rhythm. She hadn’t forgotten how they found it, nor the magic that hid it.

Luna had sensed the magic as soon as they left the library. A warm breeze blew the strong scent of sunflowers across her path. They were her sister’s favorite. It was also the scent of her sister’s magic. She took off after the smell, barreling down the streets towards the castle.

“Luna! Wait for me!” Twilight tried her best to keep up with the princess, barely managing to keep her pace.

They passed through what was left of the front gardens first. The plants here were overgrown, and had dug into the stone path, overgrowing much of the rubble it created. Vines stretched over many of the garden walls and paths, leading to the growth covering the main hall ahead of her. Luna slowed to a walk as she entered the hall before her. Twilight caught up to her and walked over to her side.

The central hall was filled with paintings all over the ceiling and the walls. What was left of the roof depicted what the city may have looked like in its glory days. Sprawling streets filled with carts of food and merchandise was very different from the buildings in Canterlot. Homes held lines hanging over the streets filled with clothes out to dry. Above the city, the trees produced all kinds of fruits, being carried by alicorn and pegasus alike. High in the center was the sun shining down on the city. Below it was a moon mosaic, followed by the floor designed as a nightly reflection of the the ceiling mural. The walls were of fights she had never heard of, and of coronations she had never seen.

Luna made a beeline for the moon in the center. She could feel the magic coming from the floor below her. Carefully she tapped the floor with her hoof, listening for the hollow response. It was there. Her horn lit up with magic and the magic below her responded immediately.

Use this well, Luna. Her face lost some of its color. It was Celestia’s voice, but it sounded... young, pained, and inexperienced. How long had this been here?

Twilight backed up from the center. Luna rose into the air as the tiles spun around in a spiral pattern lifting gradually from its place. The moon was torn up by the magic and the tiles hovered around the Princess of the Moon. They began to snap back into place, forming a crescent moon, instead of a full moon like before. In the empty space, a small book lay in wait, filled with paper sticking out at odd angles. It was as if the book was used yesterday.

Luna floated back down to the ground and hovered the book into her waiting jaws. They left the castle shortly after that.

The two of them ate the soup before any part of the book was discussed. Even so, they stayed silent around the campfire for a while after eating. The sound of the ocean echoed off of the cliff walls keeping the silence from truly intruding.

Luna began first, “This book contains research that was conducted by my sister, shortly after a plague hit our city. The research focusses solely on the plague for a while and is discontinued after a certain point. Around the same time, my sister began to study the Eversleep.

“According to her notes, the Eversleep is a phenomenon only affecting alicorns,” Luna began. “It is a part of the life cycle of their immortality, just like a Phoenix. When the Phoenix bursts into flames, it rises immediately from the ashes to be reborn. When an alicorn enters the Eversleep, they “die” and rise again a thousand years later. It may happen many times during their lifetime, but each time their body is vulnerable. If their body is destroyed during the Eversleep, they cannot return after their sleep. But they can become something else.”

“Like what?” Twilight asked, trying to take in all the information at once.

“They can become the embodiment of their special talent and use it to serve the lands of Equestria. Remember the voices at the top of the cliff?”

Twilight nodded.

“Those were the combined voices of Earth, Wind, Fire, and Sky. They are the oldest known alicorns to have grown beyond their Eversleep. They embody the elements they are named after.”

Twilight nodded slowly. She understood that... sort of. “Why doesn’t anypony else know about them?”

“Nopony else can summon them. Only those of royal blood can. With Celestia asleep, I’m the only one left in all Equestria who can.”

Twilight was silent for a while. She was intrigued by all this information, but it didn’t make sense why Celestia had studied all of this. Maybe a school project? She stood up and sat down next to Luna.

“So, was there anything in there about bringing someone back early from this... sleep?”

“Yes. Its simple, but difficult. It requires a lot of magic to perform and it will take some time to complete. More importantly, I’m the one who has to cast it.”

“Why is that a problem?”

“If Starfall catches up to me and stops the spell, we’d have to start all over again. Every day for a month, I must tie together the hours that everypony and every creature sleeps. Once I have enough sleep gathered, I can tie it to Celestia’s time asleep. It would be as if she had slept those hours herself. It could take a little longer or shorter to gather all the time needed to make that spell occur, but I can force the number of hours to multiply.”

“Well, great! I was about to say that one month was not nearly enough to make up for one thousand years of sleeping.”

“There is the possibility that I might die from the amount of magic required to power the spell.”

“Oh.”

Luna nodded, “Which is why there was one more thing that I wanted to ask you.”

“Anything you need, I’ll try to help.”

Chapter 5

-5-

Starfall was visibly upset. That usually meant that someone had delivered bad news, or had blundered something important. This time, he didn’t even need to hear the bad news, he already knew what was coming.

He held up a hoof to silence the earth pony who was requesting more water. A small sigh escaped him, "I am well aware of the crisis, but as I’m sure you know, the city of Cloudsdale has rebelled againt the republic. We do not have the capacity to assist you further, but be assured you will have rain within the next few days."

The earth pony motioned to protest, but revised that course of action. Instead he bowed, "Thank you for your time. I pray they will reconsider their actions and join Celestia's council in building this great republic." With that he walked out of the doors.

"Starfall, it has been a week since Celestia's death, and the melted snows are all that have been feeding the crops. We need to do something!" Guiding Light yelled.

The room was relatively cool, but without the rain, the heat was becoming excessive. Lakes and rivers they depended on were drying up, leaving very little water. The councils unicorns were starting to get cranky.

Starfall held a level head through it all. The army was disciplined enough for the time being. The special unicorn division was also coming along nicely, assisting the drought with magically summoned water. Still, he was unsure of whether or not to take military action on Cloudsdale. Why? With Stormbreaker reinforcing Manehatten and pushing his forces to the contested border between Republic lands and those of the rebels any forces he would send would be unprepared. But his internal debate had left him with a reasonable solution. What was left was to test the faith of his ‘loyal’ council members. He bit down on his tongue hard and took in a deep breath.

“I have thought very hard these past few days on the matters at hoof. I have come to a kind of conclusion on the matter. Allow me to explain.”

He summoned the map of Equestria to the table once more, using his magic to drag the pieces into their places. Several of the military figures sat around Cloudsdale’s flag.

“You’re intending to fight Cloudsdale? That seems like a waste of resources, considering that Stormbreaker is breathing down our manes.” Another of the unicorns responded. Starfall glared at him. The unicorn sat down immediately and stayed quiet.

“We have a very large military force, in comparison to Stormbreaker’s. Therefore, we can deceive him into thinking we are responding with force to his move in Manehatten.” Several flags slid across the map, passing through Fillydelphia. A blue glow of magic highlighted the trail the forces would take. Four smaller flags remained.

“However,” he continued, "this would make it seem as if we are ignoring the threat of famine with a short term look at winning the war as quickly as possible. Many history books deep in the archives prove that ample food keeps morale high in long fights.

“This allows us to sneak several units through the Everfree Forest to attack and overwhelm Cloudsdale,” Starfall slid three of the flags on a path through the Everfree Forest to the mountains near the city. “They will be more likely to send troops and arms to their allies in Manehatten, leaving them vulnerable and catching them off guard.” He tipped the flag on Cloudsdale’s position onto its side. “It will allow us to cut off any additional air forces or weather fronts.”

Many of the unicorns nodded in agreement with this plan. Starfall smiled widely. They were won over easily enough, and it further enforced his leadership in the military aspect as well.

Good, Starfall thought.

“Do you have a plan for rainclouds after the city falls to us? Surely the weather factory will not be in working condition.” Guiding Light chimed in.

“If we have to rebuild or repair the factory, we can wrangle the remnants of whatever clouds they’ve been building. We can also take advantage of the storms they’ve let run wild in the Everfree Forest. It should not be a problem.”

Guiding Light seemed satisfied with that and nodded her consent.

“I would like to bring it to a vote. All those in favor of this military plan?”

All of the unicorns in the room raised their hooves. Excellent, Starfall mused.

“The plan will take effect immediately. Bastion, you will head the forces in the attack on Cloudsdale. Dynasty will accompany you as the leader for our ground forces. The attack will occur as soon as you arrive. Since it is still early, you should have enough time to reach your staging area by nightfall. If you’re ready, you can attack them. They’re guaranteeing blue skies.”

Bastion and Dynasty nodded and bowed. They then left the room to their posts.

“The remainder of our forces will fall to Guiding Light and Lieutenant. Follow the path through Fillydelphia. You will be greeted hospitably, and it may force Stormbreaker’s forces to retreat to Manehatten. If that occurs, don’t push too much farther. I will join you in a few day’s time in Bastion’s place. The rest of you will assume the duties of court and council. You will also be responsible for raising and setting both Sun and Moon. Conserve yourselves.”

All of the unicorns stood and bowed to Starfall, who in return bowed to them.

“Make them regret their misplaced trust,” he said.

Permanently, his mind whispered to him.

--*--

Rainbow Dash woke up to another warm evening in Cloudsdale. The bed she lay in floated in the center of the guest room. Three of the walls in the rounded room held open windows, allowing a cool breeze to float gently through her feathers. It also allowed the sounds of an unusually busy city to drag her from a nap. She hovered over to the window to see what all the fuss was about.

Many of the guards that had been sent to train and equip the militia were scrambling to pass out equipment and packs to the waiting hooves of the troops. These troops fanned out into the city, kissing their wives and children farewell before lifting off. From what she could see, they were headed out of the city, in the path that those diplomats had come.

“That’s weird,” she said aloud.

Her curiosity took over her laziness. Diving from the window, she flew down to the main part of the city hall. It was a large open building built into the clouds to separate two whole tiers of the city. Above it was the school she had attended in her youth, as well as the arena where she had performed her Sonic Rainboom at the Young Fliers Competition. The entrance was on the housing tier, where much of the clouds had been broken down into many different buildings, each housing many families, and a few small businesses.

The hall itself was simple, with few furnishings, save for a lavish carpet in the center, and tables spread across the room. In the back, at the end of the carpet no less, were several desks and a door into the room holding the mayor. On each side was an entrance to a large meeting room, one of which she was frequently in to listen to diplomatic talks. That was her first stop.

She entered the room and found Peace Bloom busy writing on a scroll, while looking at a board with many different pieces on it. The burly diplomats from earlier in the week had returned and were adjusting different pieces on the same board.

Peace Bloom glanced up and beckoned Rainbow over to her.

“Rainbow, this is important. You need to get in contact with Twilight and the Princess immediately. Starfall has made his move towards Manehatten.”

Twilight! I need to talk with Luna, like, right now, Rainbow said, the anxiety bleeding through the connection.

OK. Hold on, came the response. There was silence for a moment.

Finally, Luna’s voice chimed in her head, Yes Miss Dash?

Peace Bloom, that’s the diplomat from Cloudsdale, wants you to know that Starfall - I think that’s his name - is sending armed ponies towards Manehatten. From the looks of it, Cloudsdale is sending almost everyone there to defend it.

Luna’s response faltered. Rainbow could feel the fear in her voice. They’re leaving... to go to war?

Yeah. I mean, it’ll be like that time in Appaloosa when the settler ponies used pies to subdue the Buffalo there.

Luna’s voice was confused, Pies? Rainbow Dash, be serious please. When ponies go to war, they kill each other. Its no joking matter.

Luna said something else, but Rainbow Dash wasn’t paying attention. Her whole body shook slightly just like she was during Celestia’s funeral march. War was never really explained to her very well in school, nor did she pay attention much even if it was taught. The only war that she had ever heard of was the Reunification War of Equestria almost 900 years ago, and it was because Twilight found it in some old book she wanted to study.

Where are you two? She managed to think.

In a city below the castle where you freed me from Nightmare Moon. For now, stay there. If anything happens, come find us here. Don’t put yourself in danger. I would never forgive myself if you got hurt. Neither would Twilight...

Ok. Rainbow lost her concentration on the connection.

“Is there anyone staying behind?” One of the Stalliongrad diplomats looked concerned. Rainbow was unaware of what conversation she missed, but her mind was just barely able to catch the conversation now.

“Yes. A small defensive force is here. Any who can will fight if it comes to it. We have already set up an evacuation plan.” Peace Bloom was sweating from anxiety. She wiped it off with her hoof.

“Good. Ensure that the tornadoes are ready to be sent tomorrow. If we can keep luring his forces forward to Manehatten, any tornado from behind will send his troops into a panic. It will be quick, and then we can take back Canterlot.”

She saluted them, and they returned in kind. “Just make sure the stallions and mares come home.”

“Stay vigilant Peace Bloom. May Celestia’s spirit protect you.”

“And you. All of you.”

--*--

The morning sun glinted over the corner of the mountains on the edge of the Everfree Forest. An army of pegasi and unicorns marched through the mountain paths, hiding behind its relative safety from the city of Cloudsdale. Their armor lightly jingled on the stone from the many soldiers lying in wait. Unicorns began to channel their magic, slowly weaving their spell together. Bastion trotted to the peak of the mountain, in plain sight of the city and sat down. His own magic began to surround him flowing behind his eyes to see far into the city.

Pegasi sat behind their clouds with crossbows and swords as best as they could make. Some of the leaders looked concerned at the lone unicorn, scrambling to get pegasi into positions all along the storm clouds that the city was brewing. The weather factory was barely containing the tornadoes they had put together, reigning it in with any tools they could use to adjust its ferocity. Bastion outright laughed.

Their weaponized weather would be the death of them.

His magic reached out into the weave behind them and drew himself as its guiding needles. The magic flowed around his own giving him full control over the weave. He tested their strength, tugging slightly on the sources of the magic. The unicorns made no noise, or movement, so he finished preparing the weave’s ruthlessness to unleash upon the poor foals in Cloudsdale.

Starfall looked towards the sky, feeling the wind on his face through the throne room in Canterlot. He could see the far mountains and the storm that brewed beyond it.

The weave is ready Starfall, came Bastion’s voice.

A smile played on Starfall’s lips, slowly pushing him into a wicked grin. Wipe Cloudsdale from the map.

Of course.

The screams from the Republic’s army rattled the front lines of Cloudsdale, and woke Rainbow from her sleep. She rushed to the window only to witness pegasi pouring over the mountains. They flooded the sky with their feathers, pushing the air out of the way as they charged the city. A strange magical force followed slowly behind them. Like a tsunami, the ocean-blue magic poured over the mountains reaching into the sky. The clear skies gave way to the darkness, the wave consuming whatever lies she was trying to tell herself.

It was real.

“FIRE!” Yelled one of the Cloudsdale defenders below.

A volley of crossbow bolts flung themselves skywards at the charging pegasi. The magic wave reacted first, pouring in around the attackers and burning the crossbow bolts as they touched it. Not all were spared from the meager defenses, as ponies fell from the sky into the storm clouds below. Screams of pain and fear mingled as the wave closed in on the city. Clouds evaporated at it’s touch, taking apart any defenses that Rainbow had watched the city build night and day.

“Ohmygoshohmygoshohmygosh,” she began yelling, frantically trying to fly into the tier with all of Cloudsdale’s homes. “WE’RE UNDER ATTACK! HELP!”

Ponies scrambled from their homes to look at the commotion outside. Panic gripped families who tried to leave with anything they could put their hooves on. Young foals and fillies could be heard crying among the confusion as scared parents tried to flee with them in their hooves.

The militia also left their homes and took to the sky, flying to the battle, drawing their weapons as they flew. The wave advanced upon the city. Just as it was about to crash right into it, the Republic’s pegasi broke from behind it.

Pegasus fought pegasus as they collided with one another in mid-flight. Loosely gripped swords clanged against expertly trained Repulic wingblades. Mare and stallion fell through the clouds to their doom below or dying as they fell. Hatred fumed through the ranks of hundreds of soldiers. The rough militia of Cloudsdale gave as many inches as possible to preserve whatever lives they had to protect. Any families still in the city did their best to escape the encroaching melee.

That's when Bastion began to truly weave the magic at his command. An expert at large magical spells, he began to coax the threads from each pony he had under his command. He worked out each individual string from the weave, letting the strands hang loose over the city. Then with a grunt, he dove each strand into the clouds, spider-webbing the different layers throughout. He could feel the clouds giving way slowly to the heat, allowing the storm clouds to rise through the gaps.

The storms burst through the clouds in random locations, spraying the soft platforms with fresh rain and ice. Lightining struck through homes and buildings, tearing up the battlefield. With the magic guiding the path of chaos and destruction, it worked its way into the weather factory. The walls cracked and heaved under the pressure of the storms within, without, and the magic piercing it from below. The ponies inside tried to stop the storms they had so carefully created, but they broke free of their constraints, smashing the walls into nothingness.

Rainbow couldn’t believe what was happening to the city. Before she knew it, she was caught within the melee. Blades danced around her, flinging sparks or blood into the air. Her body was knocked around as she tried desperately to weave in and out of danger’s way. One of the enemy soldiers swung wildly at her, and she reacted on instinct, rolling left and bucking him right in the head. The crunch was sickening and the stallion dropped through the clouds below.

Screams could be heard from all over the city as the magic worked their way into the sky. Anypony it touched started to lose their ability to fly, and fell into the storms below. Her instincts hit her full force now, and she bolted from the city, plowing through anything in the way except for the weapons she avoided. One slashed into her side and clipped her wing, but she spun to keep her momentum steady. The tendrils of magic rose around her like columns of water, which she launched herself around.

Just at the outskirts, she was grazed by one. Her wings locked in place and she started plummeting towards the forest beyond. Instead of fighting to stay up, she pushed herself to move faster diving full on. The air began to tighten around her body, and her breathing became weaker.

Bastion signaled to his counterpart at the base of the mountains by releasing her magic from the weave. The red mare licked her lips. The earth ponies behind her stood ready, but nervous. But that was alright, not that it mattered.

She would break them.

Do it, Dynasty. Bastion’s voice was strained, but clear in her head. She wanted blood.

“CHAAAAAAAARGEE!” She cried, leading forward into the valley below. Fire burst from her horn surrounding her body as she ran into the rampant storms. The ponies behind her echoed her cry, raising the banner of the Republic of Sun and Moon and charging in after her. Swords sung from their sheaths as they entered the storm.

The air pulled into a tight cone, ripping through the air like an arrow. The ground came ever closer as Rainbow tried to push harder. She only had one shot at this.

The first thing that surprised her was the army of ponies waiting for her. Unicorns in the formerly hidden group lifted their veil revealing a small force of soaked earth ponies waiting to meet them. Dynasty burst into hysterical laughter, pulling her magic to her and forcing it into the ground below. She stopped in place allowing the earth ponies to charge past her. Her body strained to rip the molten core from deep below the battlefield, pulling hard on her magic to force it towards the surface.

Your weave begins now Dynasty. Don’t overdo it.

She could feel Bastion’s magic intertwine with hers, weaving more of their loyal unicorns’ magic into hers. Her eyes went wide, and her smile deepened into insanity. Swords met somplace beyond her, where the armies fought.

Stormbreaker’s unicorns were desperate to destroy the red pony. They sent up flares of magic, weaving their might together before unleashing it into the sky. Lightning struck at the pony, but her magic was already around her. The rain fled from her as the heat increased around her. Bodies of dead or dying pegasi rained down from the city below fueling her excitement and glee. It was all so perfect. She couldn’t contain herself any longer.

Dynasty’s laughter pierced the air as the earth ruptured beneath the enemy. Columns of lava burst from the broken earth, consuming the dirt that once held it. Her magic teased them into column sized whips, lashing out at the lines below. Ponies were flung skyward, as the clouds above lifted higher.

But her magic ended abruptly when a huge boom thundered from up above, sending a huge rainbow blast across the skies. Bastion also felt the magic ripped from him.

Fortunately, the magic had done its work. Whatever was being held by the weave fell into nothing. blast wiped whatever was left of the cloud city into a growing crescent shape on its edge. The storm cloud was ripped to pieces, clearing whatever advantage those forces had. Those remaining numbered less than a few hundred, and they knew there was no hope for a counter attack. Their weapons dropped to the ground, and they surrendered.

Rainbow felt her body flying low to the ground, and she pulled up, loosing her supersonic speed immediately, and flinging her skywards. The trail dissipated behind her leaving her sore and helpless. Eventually she slowed down to a stop, and fell back down to the river below. Her eyes shut from the pressure, and she flared her wings out. The air whipped around her slowing her descent into a slower dive, breaking her already injured wing. The pain was more than she could take, and as she fell into the water, her consciousness slipped away.

Whatever ponies remained from Cloudsdale’s defenders, Bastion and Dynasty rounded them up and brought them into the muddy fields below. They stood side by side, surrounded by the Republic’s forces. He looked them up and down.

They were worn, and afraid. Some were crying softly to themselves, while others were simply too shocked to react. They each stared down at the ground as Bastion walked by, accompanied by a whimper or too.

Bastion reached out with his mind to the council chambers. The mind he seeked readily grabbed hold. Starfall, we are victorious, he thought, pride filling his mind.

What of the city?

Wiped from the map.

Starfall laughed out loud, filling the chamber with dark laughter. Excellent.

What shall we do with the prisoners?

Starfall went to answer, but instead cut the connection for a moment. He hadn’t planned for prisoners, nor did he have space for them. The best thing would be to use them to rebuild the factory, but if they could be freed, it would be a problem.

A though slowly whispered its way to the front of his mind. Kill them, it said. His smile grew wider. That would solve most of the possible problems from keeping them. He could always have other pegasi rebuild Cloudsdale.

He re-established the connection to Bastion.

Starfall? Bastion’s voice sounded almost immediately.

There weren’t any prisoners.

Sir?

When the future hears of this battle, there will be no prisoners from the first battle of the war. There were no soldiers that survived. It is a complete and utter victory.

Bastion hesitated and swallowed hard. Yes sir.

He looked at the ragged soldiers who were only protecting their home, and steeled himself.

“All forces begin the march northward! We go to Fillydelphia.”

Cheers went up in the crowd, and they happily complied, setting off at a brisk pace beside him. He nodded to two unicorns to stay.

Dynasty.

Yes, Bastion?

Let them believe they will be prisoners, but wait until we leave.

Then what?

Bastion could feel the excitement and anticipation bubbling through her thoughts. He steeled himself not to look back as his group passed over a hill. His gut screamed at him not to do what he was ordered. He bit down on his tongue and grated it along his teeth before gathering the will to give the command:

Kill them.

--*--

Rainbow coughed as hard as she could, expelling the water and mud from her mouth. Pain wracked her body all over. At least one of her wings was broken, but amazingly, she wasn’t more hurt than she should have been. Especially after her sonic rainboom right near the ground. Incredible luck must have been with her for the water she landed on rather than the solid ground.

She mustered enough strength to lift herself to her hooves. Her body wobbled as she tested one hoof, then the other. Once she found that she could walk again, she set off through the woods, doing her best to find her way out of the forest.

Twilight... Twi...? She tried desperately to reach out for a connection somewhere.

Rainbow Dash? Is everything alright?

No. Nothing is ok, except for hearing your voice. Cloudsdale... She hesitated. The images flooded her mind, going by over and over.

Rainbow? What about Cloudsdale?

I... I don’t know... I’m lost in the forest somewhere, and I’m bleeding I think. I can’t fly and there was so much blood.

Rainbow?! Oh Celestia, I’ll try to find you, just keep going south if you can manage it.

It hurts so bad, Twilight. I can’t feel the ground or my wing. How long have I been unconscious?

I don’t know Rainbow, just keep going.

At the campsite, Twilight was frantic. She had no idea what was going on with her friend, but it was clear that she was traumatized to no end. Luna was resting in the tent, and she had just started the fire for that evening. All of those duties left her mind as she opened the tent flaps.

“Luna! Something’s happened to Rainbow Dash!” she yelled.

Luna shot straight up from her sleeping bag, “Wha- what?”

“Rainbow Dash is in the forest somewhere! She’s hurt and trying to say something about Cloudsdale, but I can’t understand her.”

Luna took the necklace from Twilight’s neck and poured her magic into it. She felt a tug from it, trying to return to its other half. “I’ll go find her.” Her wings beat the air beneath her, and she took to the skies.

Rainbow Dash? This is Luna. I’m coming to find you.

Luna? Oh Celestia, please. I’m so scared. They killed everypony... Why? The pain... it hurts so bad.

Luna darted through the forest, speeding past the trees, following the tug of the necklace guide her. She felt the pull increase and she slowed down, walking quickly forward. Before long, she found the light blue pony, who collapsed into tears.

“Luna, they killed...” she bawled into her hooves.

Rainbow Dash looked horrible. Her entire body had bruises and cuts all over it. Her mane and coat were disheveled, stained with mud and blood from her wounds. The pony simply leaned into Luna’s coat as she lifted her onto her back, crying the whole way back to the campsite.

Twilight had paced for almost an hour until Luna returned, landing and taking off towards the sea.

“Rainbow Dash!” she cried, and chased after her.

They spent a good amount of time at the beach cleaning the blood and dirt out of her coat and mane. All the while, Luna worked magic on her to help ease the pain, and reset her broken bone. Rainbow’s thoughts began to settle, slowly at first, but then quicker as sleep started to take her. When they brought her into the warmth of the fire, Rainbow Dash lay her head on Twilight’s leg, and fell soundly asleep.

The three ponies stayed by the fire for a long time. Twilight and Luna watched the fire dance into the night. Its flames slowly grew tired, and the wood shrank to coals. Finally, when the moon was high overhead, the flames dropped to become a mere embers. The wind blew the heat into the air, warming them as they sat.

“I saw what happened.” Luna whispered, “I looked into her thoughts and watched them destroy everything.”

Twilight looked up at her, tearing.

“No one was spared. It was... haunting.”

“Is Rainbow... going to be ok?”

Luna hesitated, then sighed. “She won’t be the same again, but she will be alright. Maybe not right now, but soon.”

Twilight was silent. It was a few moments before she piped up, “This will continue the longer we take.”

“Yes.” Luna’s eyes cast to the ground.

“Then I would like to do what you asked of me.”

Luna blushed, and stammered over her words, “B-but I thought... you said...”

Twilight looked more determined now. She slid Rainbow’s head off of her lap, gently lowering it to the ground. She walked over and sat in front of Luna, staring right at her. “I don’t know if I’m ready, nor if this is the right thing to do when the world is falling apart around us. But... I trust you. If it will save everything we know, then its worth it. Not just for us, but for every foal and filly now and in the future.”

Luna smiled sheepishly. Twilight returned the smile, blushing in the process. She nuzzled into Luna’s neck, before pulling away.

“You know that I won’t force you into such danger.” Luna finally mustered the guts to look her in the eyes.

“I’m volunteering. Whatever happens, everything will be ok.”

The two ponies closed their eyes. Magic burst from their horns, sheathing them in their own magic. They focused more magic into their horns, Luna’s glowing ever brighter beneath the moon. Twilight opened her eyes first, waiting for Luna to do the same. When she did, they locked their gazes in place and their horns touched.

The magic blended together, creating a beautiful array of dark colors like blue, purple, and every hue or shade in-between. It coalesced together causing a single bubble of magic to encompass the two ponies shimmering a deep blue into the night.

Chapter 6

-6-

Fillydelphia was aglow with festivities taking place throughout the city. Just two days after Cloudsdale's defeat, every pony in the republic was spending their time partying the night away in celebration. Hungry soldiers crowded bars and restaurants bringing in huge amounts of bits for their businesses.

Of course, Starfall knew that would eventually lead to more money to fund the war. The light taxes on the cities that Celestia had placed were raised before he left the city. Although it wasn’t much higher, the small increase over many purchases would make a huge difference. He had a feeling that wherever a soldier would go, they would spend more money. His thoughts were spot on.

The evening of the battle, he had taken over command of the victorious forces. They marched on well deserved rest before reaching Fillydelphia this afternoon, with spirits high and booming stories. Between the soldiers’ tales and the propaganda coming from the new, republic-loyal mayors the cities were ripe with tales of heroic battles won by the troops at large. Nopony else thought it any different from other stories they were used to.

But there was an air of apprehension behind all of the partying. The road ahead would put them into enemy territory. The road all the way into Manehatten was well defended, and Starfall knew full well that Stormbreaker would not give him the chance to charge right in. His opponent was smarter than that. The journey alone would foster many casualties, with only more waiting for the Republic forces within the city itself.

Starfall walked around the city towards the park area, where the soldiers would be sleeping that evening. Only a small group of them remained in the park commons, each on their own or with a small group. Those in the groups were talking with one another, bonding regardless of the circumstances they had been thrust into.

Before long he arrived at the largest of the tents in the park. This was the central command of the whole military. Within the tent several Captains mulled about, as well as Dynasty and the Lieutenant. They were seated at a table sharing a pot of tea.

To the other side of the pot was a map of the roads north of the city. Several figurines were positioned all over the map, with colored lines floating behind them.

"Good evening," Starfall began, "How are the plans coming along?"

Lieutenant looked up at him, "Poorly. Our scout reports say that the enemy's positions are going to be difficult to deal with." He pointed to the map in front of him, "Stormbreaker has spread his forces out all over the country side. To make matters worse, his troops are being moved erratically. Most of these reports will be garbage in the morning."

Starfall felt his frustration starting to creep in on him. "Their constant movement means they will be tired on the battlefield when we arrive."

"Some will. Others will sleep and then move. It's impossible to know which ones."

Starfall chewed gingerly on his tongue. His options were limited if he wanted to preserve his forces. But, the opportunity to strike hard and fast was waning. He was counting on that advantage.

"Wrangle the troops back here. The most sober divisions will have four hours to sleep, and then prep to ship out. The others will wake up in six. In order to keep as much of Stormbreaker’s forces unaware, we have to be quick. It's the best advantage we have. They'll be thinking we've just hit Cloudsdale."

Lieutenant nodded to the captains, who dropped what they were working on and left the tent.

"When the first group is ready, wake me." Starfall walked out of the tent and set off towards his own.

Not even an hour after they had left, Starfall’s group found enemy soldiers. The road they were traveling was well built and wide enough to march in ranks. There was no activity on the road, and it looked as if it hadn’t been traveled since the Republic had risen from the ashes of the Kingdom of Equestria. The only other tell were the border guards that Stormbreaker had set up in the road. A small fortification rose around that part of the road, but it was incapable of withstanding an attack. Everywhere else was flatlands has far as the eye could see. No army to oppose them.

Starfall led the army forward, signalling to the captains to stand ready.

The guards in the checkpoint scrambled to their posts, cowering behind their meager defenses. Starfall gathered his magic and flung the barricades to the sides leaving the ponies removed from their protection. He looked the two over. One was an earth pony, shaking in his armor, while the other was a unicorn, standing firmly in place with magic brimming from his horn.

Kill them, he whispered. “Fire.”

Two of the crossbows sounded, each bolt hitting home, interrupting the magic that the unicorn was casting. The earth pony fell immediately to the ground, dead. As the unicorn slumped to the ground, magic accumulated around his horn. Starfall moved up to the dying unicorn and crushed his horn under his hoof, kicking his neck with the other. The resounding snap was all he needed to hear.

“Check the skies, Lieutenant.”

The pegasus signalled two of his fliers into the sky. They wore no armor, and glided in the night sky, silent as the wind. In a few moments, they returned shaking their heads.

“Clear, sir,” one spoke softly.

Starfall signaled them forward. His advance went unhindered for at least another hour before he began to worry. No fighters were even in sight other than those two they killed. There wasn’t even a sign that they had been moving as their reports had said. Campfires they came across had been out for at least a day, and there was no trace of the direction they went to.

He bit down hard on his tongue. They were out here. Somewhere. It wasn’t until dawn that Starfall found Stormbreaker and his army. In fact, they were waiting for him.

Stormbreaker stood above the walls set out along the hills surrounding Manehatten. From where Starfall could see, it was a downward slope all the way to the city below. All the rebels had in Starfall’s way was the defences they had built.

His troops were tired by now. They had spent all night with no fighting, and Starfall’s paranoia had kept him pushing forward, just like Stormbreaker had planned. Now, he would pay for his mistakes.

A hail of crossbow bolts streaked down from the skies above. Starfall screamed for defenses, and scrambled under the protection of his magic. The unicorns behind him did their best to begin the weave, but the darts caught them first.

Ponies in all of his divisions were hit hard, with the unluckiest of them dying instantly from a well placed shot. Others scraped by with a hit to a non-vital part of their body. Luckier still were those with just a scratch.

Starfall seethed with anger. He drove his magic into the unicorns behind him, pulling their individual strands of magic from them. The sudden expenditure of magic shocked some of them, knocking a few unconscious, but the others stayed standing. The weave twisted and turned in his hooves, molding into a single nexus above him. He reared back, and sent forth lightning into the sky, picking out the clouds above. Several screams filled the air above, as Stormbreaker’s hidden forces were slammed by the lightning. A shout went up among the pegasi behind him and they charged skyward into the rain of dead soldiers from above.

Stormbreaker didn’t seemed phased by this. In front of him were legions of ponies all standing in their ranks. They stood silent to the charge above them. Waiting for a signal. Stormbreaker raised his hoof. All of them stood ready to charge. He brought it across his chest and the ready ponies gave a battle cry.

Stormbreaker smiled.

Stormbreaker. Must. Die. Starfall’s mind spoke firmly, and his actions followed its intent.

Earth ponies charged up the hill from Stormbreaker’s lines, and Lieutenant signalled their troops to do the same, charging down the hill. Starfall pushed his will into the magic, forcing it to change shape. The clouds above the wall darkened at his whim and he pushed more of the weave into it. He brought down his hooves and released his spell.

Behind the walls, burning stones poured down from the sky, raining down upon Stormbreaker’s defences. Magic flared up from behind the wall covering it from the burning stones. The burly unicorn lifted himself onto his back hooves, and swept his hooves across his body.

The ground below the Republic’s earth ponies exploded outwards. With so much momentum behind them, the ranks behind them didn’t have enough time to slow down before the gash left in the earth. The front ranks barreled over the dirt and fell prone. The ranks behind them trampled them underfoot in their attempt to slow down, unprepared for the ponies charging up the hill. Confusion and chaos reigned as Stormbreaker’s forces fell upon them, hacking the Republic’s legions to pieces.

The air forces were the only ones who were prevailing. With Starfall’s initial blast, most of the hidden enemies had no chance to move out of the way, and were falling to the ground below. The remainder of their forces could not match the training passed down by the former royal guards. More of them fell into the chaos below as spells ricocheted from one side to the other.

Stormbreaker’s pegasi retreated. Lieutenant swept the slowest to the ground as he lead a counter-charge into the earth ponies below. Without warning, many of them were shot from the charge, their corpses falling like rain into the melee on the hill. The walls had hidden a huge reserve of Stormbreaker’s forces, who were now shooting over the top into the skies.

Starfall lost his temper. This battle should have been won! He had calculated every move, just as he had in his victory in Cloudsdale. He called within the deepest part of him for his own magic, drawing on it to take revenge. Unicorns fell out of the weave as he ripped the magic from them into his reserves. But it wouldn’t be enough. Not for this.

Use me, came the whisper, the day is lost, but I can win you the war!

Blinded by his anger and frustration, he didn’t even give it a second thought.

The magic that built up above him began to turn an inky black color, permeating its glow like paint hitting water. Screams filled his mind from the pain it must be causing the unicorns still involved. But the power, the sheer raw magic... it was exhilarating. It was...

Perfect.

The black energy funneled through his hooves and arced across the sky. The black lightning tore the wall apart, ripping through the measly magical barrier Stormbreaker threw in front of it. Anypony it touched cried in agony before drying up and turning to ash in seconds. The grass died where it passed, and it burned away the air, choking those around it. Some went mad at the sight... others screamed in terror and abandoned the battlefield.

Although the power was monumental in scope, it was short lived. Starfall was completely spent, leaning into the side of one of his body guards.

“Order... a retreat...” he panted. All of his muscles were sore, and he limped as he walked back towards Fillydelphia, “Send a runner... tell Dynasty to... prepare a defense. They’ll come for us.” One of the guards took to the sky and bolted towards Fillydelphia.

Starfall bit down on his tongue again, chewing harder than usual, When they do... I will kill them all.

--*--

At least they haven’t put me in chains, mused the former Mayor of Ponyville. It would be impossible to do anything!

Her home was modestly sized, furnished with older wooden tables. Unlike her desk at work, she kept everything in the room neat and tidy. Keeping her house neat was the only thing keeping her company now. With the new ‘Mayor’ in charge, she had no one to say hello to, except for those designated to bring her food.

But after the Battle of Manehatten resulted in horrific failure, she had another visitor. That visitor was not confined by a simple door. A small popping noise accented that fact. The source of the noise was a tired looking violet pony, Celestia’s former student, Twilight sparkle. She had a basket of food within her teeth, as well as a few odd items in the bunch.

One was a newspaper - something the Mayor was grateful for recieving from her every time she came in. But she also carried a necklace in the bag. A necklace that matched the one she had seen her wearing the first time she came into her house.

Twilight walked over to one of the tables and set down the basket, “Good morning, Mayor.”

The Mayor was pulling the curtains closed on the large windows in the room, “Hello, Twilight. How is everything?”

“Good. I had to refill our food supply, we were running low. I also picked up a couple of other things. Luna hasn’t been feeling very well.”

“Well from what she’s told me, it doesn’t surprise me,” she said. The Mayor had only been visited once by Luna, but they had spent a great deal of the night talking. Plus, she was all part of the plan to pull the rug out beneath those ponies that took the town from her. “I’m no unicorn, but magic like what she’s doing every couple of hours is downright dangerous. If she wasn’t a Princess...”

Twilight cringed slightly. The Mayor had no idea of how close Luna was from entering that danger zone. It felt more like they were playing with fire than with sleep. They were doing everything they could just to keep Luna healthy and happy - though the latter was easier.

“How is Rainbow Dash, by the way? It’s been almost two weeks now since Cloudsdale.”

Twilight smiled, “A lot better. Her wing will heal in about another week or so. She’s also been able to put some of her memories to bed. But... she has some pretty bad nightmares.”

“I see.” The mayor sat down on one of the chairs in the room, and invited Twilight to sit as well, “Now I read the note you brought from Luna last time you were here. I have spoken with the guards that I wish to ‘repent’. Oath was pleased. It seems that he needs somepony that every pony knows to reassure the town.”

Twilight nodded.

“He will be re-instating me later this afternoon. After that I will be waiting for your signal.”

Twilight pulled the necklace out and fastened it around the mayor’s neck. She tapped it with her horn, placing magic all over the device. The mayor was confused for a moment.

“What did you do?” She asked quizzically.

“Nopony but you can see it, as long as you don’t take it off of your neck. Luna taught me how to use the spell. It should last for a while.” Twilight stood, “I’ll try to talk to you when I can, but I’ll keep it short. I have to get back. I’m cooking again tonight.”

“Aren’t you always?”

“All but one time. Rainbow Dash isn’t allowed to cook anymore.”

The Mayor raised an eyebrow.

“You don’t wan to know.” Twilight bent down and picked up the basket. A small popping noise was all that was left of Twilight’s presence, and it faded into the carpeted floors.

The Mayor didn’t have time to mourn the loss of her friend’s presence, as a knock on the door jarred her from her thoughts. She walked to the door and opened it. There in all of his pride and glory was Oath, dressed in a white shirt and a loosely fitting suit jacket.

“Good evening Mayor. I’m so glad to hear that you have come to your senses. I would like to offer you a job as... an assistant mayor for now. Of course when the council deems it time, I will be transferred and you will have Ponyville all to yourself again.”

“That sounds wonderful. I regret having doubted the leadership of the council, and I will do anything to earn back their trust.” Her words were fluid as always. But she was still wary of his ‘good mood’.

“Excellent. Now that we can release you from house arrest, perhaps I can discuss a few things with you? Over dinner perhaps.”

“Uh, yes. Of course.” She tried her best to keep cool.

“Now, now, I know it’s sudden but its only business. Regardless of the news you may have heard from those you’ve seen, there is quite a lot you need catching up on. I’ll return at 7:00?”

She hesitated.

“Good. I look forward to seeing you this evening.”

--*--

The flat-lands north of Fillydelphia were nothing but a memory. If you asked anypony in the city they would tell you the fields had been gone since the day the Republic started losing. Weeks of small battles forced Starfall’s army to dig in, forming trenches all along the outskirts of the city. While Starfall’s pegasi dominated the sky, his ground forces were forced to take cover from the hails of crossbow bolts and magic spells. Occasionally, Stormbreaker would charge his forces over land, forcing the Republic back. Then the Pegasi would respond with their crossbows, and they would be forced to slide back or to the side to try and surround them.

Overall? The Republic was losing. So many of his forces had died trying to push forward or pull back that Starfall lost count. His temper became as wild as his magical whims. His skills as a leader were strong as ever, but fell prey to strange bouts of madness. His frustrations were numerous, but as of late, he was becoming less stable in his decisions. This correlated well with the advance on Fillydelphia coming ever closer.

“We can’t hold them out of the city for much longer! There’s nothing left, and fresh troops won’t be ready to go for days!” The voice belonged to Lieutenant who was screaming over the magic exploding in the vicinity. He, Guiding Light and Starfall were running along one of the supply lines back into the city’s makeshift headquarters.

“Then we must leave the city to their hooves. Risking the civilian population further is unreasonable!” Guiding Light yelled.

They reached the building they were looking for and went inside. The room was filled with doctors and messengers sprinting from room to room. Some were in a hurry, but some were generally in a panic. Starfall lead them to the back room nodding to the soldiers who saluted them as they passed by. The door swung shut and the silence that hung in the air was eerie, rather than relieving.

“Lieutenant, Dynasty, Guiding Light. Are you willing to do what is necessary to win this war?”

“Of course sir.” Lieutenant replied. Dynasty nodded in agreement.

Guiding Light hesitated, “Yes, Starfall.”

“Then we are leaving this city. Dynasty and Lieutenant you will be leading the pull back. Retreat until you pass the wheat fields. Guiding Light, you will be given a group to evacuate the town immediately.” Starfall summoned a scroll and pen, scratching down a few lines. It hovered over to Guiding Light. “Those are the smallest divisions left. They will be your legion.”

She saluted to him, “Thank you, Starfall.” The mare sprinted out of the room to her assignment.

She won’t do what is necessary to win.

“I have to be frank with you both. I’m afraid that Guiding Light will be removed from active service. She lacks a certain willingness to do what you have done for me. I don’t believe she would agree with my plan of action.

“After she clears out the civilians, her division will cover our retreat. She will draw them into the center of the city. Since many of Stormbreaker’s forces are bound to the earth, we will use this to trap them in the city. Then, we will burn it all. Every building, every single home, business, hospital. Every single piece of wood and stone will be burned to ash, and with it will be Stormbreaker and his remaining forces. Do you understand?”

Lieutenant nodded. Dynasty seemed beyond pleased.

“Oh yes, Dynasty. You will have first pick on the job of lighting it.”

The red mare licked her lips in anticipation, a wild bloodlust growing in her eyes, “My pleasure, Starfall.”

She will do nicely. Starfall thought.

Keep her close. His mind responded.

--*--

“Get out of the city! Go west or south for safety! Bring only what you can carry!” Guiding Light screamed.

Ponies sprinted as fast as their legs could carry them from the city. It had been hours since the order was given to clear out the city, and it was only because so many had left before the fighting had arrived. Buildings shattered around her from the force of magical strikes. Guiding Light did her best to avoid the stone falling from the collapsing buildings as she sprinted to the north entrance to the city. It was almost entirely empty, save for the other forces zooming past her to the south.

She was close.

The skies screamed once more as the unicorns behind her launched their own magic across the sky towards some unlucky soldiers trying to get in. Fire filled the sky,w hailing down upon the northern gates where she could see her new division fighting valliantly.

“WITH ME!” She yelled, beckoning them back into the city, firing her own bursts of light into the sky. Her group ran around her, taking cover behind buildings and bits of rubble to ambush and control the flow of the battle. It was only stalling for time, however.

They passed over the center of the city, hiding in the brush of the city’s park. She was having doubts about Starfall’s leadership. While she believed that Luna would be a poor fit for the leadership, she had only wanted her to be banished. She let the attack slide, as a necessary evil. But the war was a whole other thing. Her services were mainly medical and she had not once taken the life of another soldier if forced to fight. Every attack was non-vital, or just something to stun the poor pony who got in the way. She looked back towards the city entrance, focusing her magic to see far enough that the smile on Starfall’s face was... twisted.

“Surrender now, and you will be spared your lives!”

Stormbreaker stood in the center of the park, surrounded by unicorns and earth ponies. A glowing magical sheild swirled around his entourage. Guiding light turned to look at the troops she had. They were tired of this fighting. Their eyes held questions she had no answers to herself. One struck home among all of them: What were they fighting for?

She looked back and stared in horror at Starfall. He and Dynasty stood at the edge, pouring fire into the city, burning down anything they could catch aflame. More importantly, sealing them in. Guiding Light knew what was happening. He knew she didn’t want to continue. So he was ending the war, and taking her with it.

“I... I surrender.”

Like wildfire the magic egged the flames all around them, whiping them across the city as fast as they possibly could. Stormbreaker looked around unphased. He dropped the magic sheild and walked over to the fallen unicorn.

Stormbreaker held out a hoof, “Be glad he didn’t corrupt you like he did so many others.” His quiet voice brought tears to her eyes. She took it in kind, and lifted herself to her hooves. “All of you, prepare for a teleportation spell. We’re not on the beach, eh?”

“NO!” Starfall roared, pouring the magic into the flames. He knew it was too late, but he didn’t care. He would not suffer traitors.

“Dynasty. Burn it all! Every field, every home, every bucking village until they can see nothing but ashes for miles!” Starfall was raving mad, black streaks of color bleeding into his mane like molasses.

I will not suffer traitors. I will not lose this war, no... he paused. We will not lose this war.

I have faith in you, Starfall. We will not lose this war. It has only begun.

Chapter 7

-7-

The road was a quiet one for Starfall. He had left the Lieutenant in charge of the fight, telling their forces to push forward while Stormbreaker was vulnerable. The only remnants of the battle at hand were the clouds that hung over the road and nearby Canterlot. Small drops of rain fell from the clouds onto his coat. Beside him, Dynasty was silent, looking over the rolling hills they walked through.

He missed his former student. From what he’d heard, Bastion was handling the Republic’s affairs quite nicely. The entire process of reviving the crops was well underway, and with minor magical assistance, it was promising to be a bountiful year. Negotiations with neutral cities was bringing new territories into the Republic. That meant new soldiers and fresh supplies for their ailing war effort.

While he was proud of all his successes, it was curious that he hadn’t already sent the fresh troops being trained in Canterlot meant for the push back to Manehatten. By all reports, they should have been finished training, equipped, and sent today. He didn’t see a single soldier on the road.

Within an hour they reached the castle. The guards bowed in respect as they passed through the hallways towards the throne room - long since, their council chamber. The doors were already open when they reached the entrance. Two of the other council members were walking towards them from within.

“Good afternoon, Starfall, Dynasty. We’ve heard about your exploits in the war, and are pleased with your tactics. Has Guiding Light stayed at the front? There are some matters that she needs to attend to.”

Starfall felt anger start to simmer beneath his thoughts. But he controlled it, and shook his head, “No. She has been captured, and is probably dead.” The two unicorns stared open mouthed. Starfall eyed them sternly. Were these foals really going to waste his time? “Whatever you need, Dynasty can fulfill that role.” Starfall nodded to Dynasty.

She smiled at the two unicorns.

“Yes, Starfall. Thank you.” Dynasty accompanied the two unicorns back down the hallway they entered from, with their quiet conversation fading quickly from his hearing. Starfall entered the room signaling to the guards to close the doors behind him. They slid back into their places, closing with a quiet click.

He’s going to kill you, came the whisper. Starfall shook his head, casting the thoughts aside.

Taking a quick glance around the room, he noticed that there were a few changes made to it. Their symbol hung from tapestries along the far wall and were also newly worked into the stone of the chamber. The table was replaced by a row of thrones, set in the shape of a horseshoe at the end of the carpeted path from the door. Each of them were raised above the floor at the end, allowing any who came to speak the ability to see all of them at once. More importantly, all of the council could see their guest. Hanging from each raised tier was a tapestry with a replica of their cutie mark directly in the center. Below it was their name.

Bastion was the only one present in the chambers, as well as the only pony in the room. He sat in the chair beside Starfall’s watching him as he approached.

“Bastion. My former student.” Starfall spoke, coming to a stop in the center of the horseshoe, “It has been quite a while. I very much enjoy the changes that you have made.”

Bastion rose from his seat and stood at the edge of his raised platform, “I’m pleased that it suits you. I enjoy what you’ve done to Stormbreaker’s lands. He won’t be using them for a while.”

His words have bite.

He wouldn’t dare, Starfall told the voice.

“We have much to discuss, especially on battle plans for the invasion of Manehatten while Stormbreaker is still stunned,” Starfall continued.

Bastion hopped down to the floor below, “Much to discuss indeed.”

Without a word, Bastion’s magic covered his horn, and it lashed out into Starfall’s body, sending him skidding off the rug and onto the marble floors. The light blue unicorn walked after his former teacher. He pulled on his magic once more, throwing lightning down on him. Starfall was prepared this time, however, and they reflected into the ceiling above. Stone and debris poured down onto the floor.

Starfall lifted himself from the ground. Pain throbbed all along his side where he was hit. He moved a hoof to check on it, and came up with blood.

“You have made a grave mistake, foal.” Starfall growled.

“I have? I have made a mistake?! You massacred an entire city, and then forced us to murder those who had willingly surrendered!” Bastion’s yellow eyes widened with rage. He lashed out again with his magic, sending flames across the room. Starfall twisted the flames around his body and into the air behind him. “You set miles of homes, fields and cities ablaze just to make a point to Stormbreaker about how far you would go to control Equestria!”

“I did what was necessary to win!” Starfall shouted.

“We trusted you to be better than what Luna would have become! Instead you’ve committed unspeakable acts of murder on the grandest of scales!” He lowered his voice to normal levels, “You’re not the teacher I once knew. What madness has taken hold of you?”

Starfall raised his horn, and the magic flowed around it. “Equestria needs a ruler who is willing to do anything for her people. By any means necessary. Luna was weak, and Nightmare Moon was dangerous. With our power we keep her at bay. With my power I keep the council under control. I rule this land because I am smart enough to control it without deviating from Celestia’s wishes.

“Don’t you see? Every decision I make leads all ponies to the perfect future. A future where I will rule it!” Starfall laughed. “You’re just too weak to understand. Guiding Light was the same way. Perhaps I should burn you down with a city like I did to her.”

Bastion charged forward, screaming and firing magic at his teacher. Starfall did his best to move around the shots, while delivering his own magic back at his student. It was no use.

Bastion slammed into Starfall’s shoulder with his horn, impaling him. His magic reinforced his neck muscles and he flung the helpless unicorn through the chairs in the horseshoe.

Did I not warn you? Are you so apprehensive to trust me? The voice was becoming more concerned, and saddened.

I only want what is mine. Starfall tried to rise, from the ground but the pain was unbearable. He was losing a lot of blood.

Then let me deliver it to you.

I... I... His will wavered.

Perhaps a demonstration? I will humor you.

“What’s wrong, Master? Have you lost the will to fight for an insane cause?” Bastion jumped onto the tier above Starfall. A wave of confusion began to wash over him.

Starfall stood up. His normally violet coat darkened considerably to a deep purple color. His mane became less tangible, turning a deep black that seemed to suck the light away from the room. When his eyes opened, they were a lighter red, glowing faintly regardless of the lighting. More importantly, they were the eyes of a dragon.

“My cause is far from insane, my dear little colt.” Starfall’s mane lashed out and gripped Bastion’s head. His screaming was immediate and unbearable for anypony to listen too. Except for his teacher, who’s voice was low, and most peculiarly, that of a mare. “Insanity to you ponies is a relative term. If you ever wake from your situation, then you will know what I mean.”

Starfall walked around Bastion’s writhing body. He seemed to be taking in the room as if it was his first time in the chamber. “I’m so happy that you mastered a spell to negate sound in a room this size at such a young age. No wonder the guards outside never heard a thing. Wait... no, they still can’t hear you. How...” he licked his lips, savoring the screams, “...delicious.”

Dark magic emanated from his horn, creating a glass coffin, not unlike Celestia’s. It swept underneath the writhing pony and dumped him into the box. It sealed shut, locking out the screams.

Starfall pouted, “I was enjoying our time together. But don’t worry. The agony will stop when your body dies of old age. Then you’ll be free of your punishment.” The casket disappeared.

Magic once again reached out and repaired the room, sealing the roof, clearing debris, and even wiping away the blood from existence. Starfall levitated up to his seat and sat down in it. The magic subsided, finishing the repairs on the raised chairs that had been destroyed.

“I can’t wait to discuss the proposition I mentioned with you. But that will come later. You have guests coming.” Starfall laughed quietly to himself as his mane settled to normal, and his new dark coat dulled in color.

The doors opened once more, and Dynasty entered the chamber. She walked into the hall standing in the center of the horseshoe. “Where’s Bastion?”

Starfall looked down at her, “He stepped out. I believe he mentioned that he needed to rest and gather his thoughts on some of the issues in the Republic.” He pointed at the chair on his side, “Please, come sit. This chair was designed for you. Besides, we will be having an open chamber soon.”

--*--

A whole month. It had been a whole month since Celestia had disappeared, and Twilight and Luna were finally finished with the spell. What a spell it had been, with more than its fair share of complications. They found that they couldn’t tie any time sleeping from any animal but a pony, and on top of that, they couldn’t take more than a few seconds from each pony every day to tie to the spell.

While it wasn’t noticeable, it was straining Luna to the point of serious harm. Twilight was forced to help contribute magic almost every night as time progressed. After she started keeping up with the news on the war, they had to leave the soldiers alone, just in case. Luna wouldn’t have it any other way, regardless of how insignificant a few seconds seemed. That being the case, it was relieving for Twilight to see Luna excited, albeit exhausted when they finished that afternoon.

The pot bubbled merrily over the fire they'd been using over the last few weeks, using the city as a refuge from possible discovery. Rainbow Dash had stayed with them since she had arrived. Her wing was almost back to normal, but Twilight had convinced her that she would have trouble explaining the injuries she recieved from the fight over Cloudsdale. It was a one way ticket to being arrested.

Rainbow never complained about having to stay behind. During the day, whil Luna slept, she and Twilight fixed up one of the buildings near the entrance. There was nothing inside, so they simply build a roof onto it and brought the sleeping bag and tent inside. Other than the sleeping materials, there was an enormous amount of books and old tomes that Twilight took from the library. Stories and history even some lost tales from the times when the city was vibrant with life. She was more lucky, as Luna had explained to her, that the building still had it's old magical wards that refreshed the books as they sat on the shelf. Magic that Celestia had shown her how to maintain in the castle library.

"Looks like it's ready!" Twilight chimed as she poured the thick soup into three bowls. Her saddlebags opened, and a loaf of bread hovered out, "I managed to get a hold of some bread too. Zecora was nice enough to pick one up for me yesterday."

"Yes! I've been dying for some bread," Rainbow cheered. While Twilight's cooking skills were excellent, weeks of rotating between soup and salads was getting boring.

"I also managed to get some apples too. But those are for desert." Twilight looked on with pride as Rainbow and Luna went through the soup, sighing in happiness as the munched on the bread. She managed to start eating her own, whn Luna refilled her own bowl with seconds. Using magic does exhaust most ponies.

"Geez, Twilight. Pretty soon both of us are gonna gain too much weight to fly around. You need to stop making it taste so good," Rainbow teased.

"I'll let you cook then, if that's how you feel."

Luna swallowed what she was eating and stared at Twilight, "But that was beyond inedible! Rainbow even caught the stuff in the pot on fire," she pointed a hoof at Rainbow Dash.

"Hey, it was my first time cooking. Give me a break."

Silence passed over them. Most of it was exhaustion, but the pressure of implementing the spell was starting to creep in. Luna finished her second bowl and set it on the ground. She stood up, and used her magic to snuff out the fire.

“Before you need to leave, we should go over the plan one more time,” Luna said. Her voice was a mix of concern and apprehension.

Twilight and Rainbow Dash nodded. They could see that Luna did not want to do what they had spent so much time planning. Twilight knew that it was more than that. Neither wanted Twilight to be the bait.

“Twilight. You will go into Ponyville. Once you arrive, you will knock out the Mayor, as planned, and kill Oath. He won’t give you a second chance if you hesitate. That pony had training from the Royal Guard before he lost his wings.

“Once you do that, you will have to cast the illusion that you learned to get the guards to go after it. That will lighten up the guard, but then the hard part begins. I will begin to cast through you so it appears that you are casting the spell. Since we’ve shared magic in creating it, you can use whatever you have to keep the guards from hitting you. It will attract a lot of attention.

“My main concern is when Starfall shows himself. He won’t sit around and let a huge spell he doesn’t know about just happen. When that happens, I will stop casting through you. You need to leave as quickly as possible, so be ready to teleport away.

“Rainbow Dash. You need to be ready and waiting at the other end of her teleportation spell. Pick a spot to meet beforehand. If she’s used up her magic, run. Drag her along with you if you must. If you’re followed split up to try and throw them off. We’ll meet back here. The spell will start when the moon is at the top of the sky.”

--*--

The offices of the mayors were occupied that night. While the rest of the citizens of Ponyville slept, the former mayor and the appointed mayor, Oath, were deep within stacks of paperwork. While both of them had been toiling away since the afternoon, it appeared as though they would be there well into the night.

“I still don’t understand how these silly things are all so urgently needed.” Oath had been complaining sporadically on some of the items that crossed his desk. “I guess it can’t be helped. The post office in this town has been such a mess this past week. I’ve received mail that comes early, mail that comes late, even sometimes not at all. But almost nothing on time.”

Because I made it that way, the mayor sang in her mind. As part of the plan, she had deliberately ‘not received’ mail, received mail late, or downright hidden it away in plain sight. Luna had told her when they had met that it needed to be evening when the two mayors were together. What better way than a last minute pile of paperwork. She had the misfortune of being bogged down in a similar amount of work once or twice before, so she knew how to make it look natural.

“Maybe its the new wave of recruits?” She offered, “We are asking those who work the mail to help on the front lines.”

“I suppose that is possible.”

Oath was silent once more, scribbling away with his quill.

Get ready. Twilight’s voice chimed in her head.

“Do you want more coffee?” She asked.

Oath gave her his cup, “Please. Leave it black if you can. The bitter taste keeps me awake longer.”

The mayor nodded and walked to the other side of the room. She grabbed hold of the pot, and poured it into Oath’s cup.

Ready, the mayor thought.

There was a soft popping noise in the room, followed by a muffled scream. The mayor turned around to see Twilight with her horn through his shoulders. Oath was unconscious and loosing a lot of blood. She removed her hoof from his mouth and threw him to the floor.

“Go,” the Mayor said.

Twilight popped out of the room, leaving behind an illusion of herself. It shifted its coat to a deep red, followed by a yellow and gold mane. It’s eyes were a light purple. The illusion pushed her into the door, knocking it over and barrelling into the street.

“That pony just tried to murder Oath! Stop him!”

The guards outside of the door were already on their hooves, taking to the skies and chasing after it. Others in the town rallied and poured out from the town. Those that were left surrounded the Mayor, and accompanied her back inside the room.

“Secure the room, get the other guards and tell them to patrol this area. Somepony obviously wants both of us dead.”

One of the guards nodded and left the room.

Twilight moved as fast as her hooves would take her, barrelling down the road to the center of town. She flipped herself into the fountain, and ducked down inside of it. The sound of wings flew past her, as well as several voices.

“Half of you to the Mayor’s! There’s an assassin on the loose. The rest of you, patrol the outer city for signs of more assailants. Be thorough.” A soft fluttering of wings filled the air, and slowly faded away into silence.

She stayed crouched for a minute, before popping here head up. The streets were barren and quiet. Above her, the skies were clear, not a single cloud obscuring the full moon which was almost at the top of the sky. She hopped out of the fountain and walked a few paces from it.

Magic began to glow at the tip of her horn, and she felt Luna’s magic reach out to her. The magic connected, and huge amounts of energy began to engulf her, flowing through every part of her being. Moonlight surrounded her and shot straight up towards the moon. It stopped its motion in the sky above, tied to the pillar of light that glowed in the sky.

“Starfall! Look outside!” Dynasty barged into his private chambers. In his groggy state, the clear state of panic on Dynasty’s face worked like cold water. Dynasty was never afraid of anything.

The pillar of light cast a huge light over the entire valley and the mountains that surrounded it. That included Canterlot. Starfall immediately got out of his bed sprinting to the open door. Dynasty let him pass, only to run behind him.

“What happened?” He yelled.

“We lost control over the moon, and then the pillar of light appeared! The moon doesn’t seem to be moving anywhere, but it has only been a few minutes,” she replied. “We can be on top of Ponyville shortly if we go by chariot.”

“Prepare two, one for each of us. I believe that Luna has revealed herself, and I will not let another chance to destroy her pass me by.”

The first wave of guards were stunned by the display of magic, that Twilight was able to perform. None of them moved to engage her, and in fact, a few tried to scurry away. But Twilight wasn’t taking any chances. A shield formed around her, held steady by her own magic. The pony in charge drew his crossbow, firing one shot right at her. Her magic grabbed hold of the crossbow bolt, flinging it back the way it came. It landed in the guards shoulder, and he yelled in pain.

The others around him drew their wings out, revealing the blades along the edges. They screamed and charged forward. Twilight twisted the shield to harden, blocking the blades as they tried to get closer. One of those spots she forced to explode, launching the pegasi back. More magic poured into the shield, replacing the gaping hole in the shield. Her mind molded it into new shapes, creating walls of swords and hand shields.

Just in time, too. A second wave of guards jointed the first, charging forward to stop her magic. The weapons responded in kind, battling each pegasus as they crashed upon her defences. Stray crossbow shots were deflected by her idle weapons. Blows reigned down on the guards, none of them particularly lethal in their own right, but enough to disable them. Their forms limped away, trying to recover, while their compatriots tried desperately to stop her.

She pushed the magic further, drawing on a little bit of Luna’s extra magic, using it to fire magic arrows from the shields. Ponies were knocked back from the attack allowing her time to recover some of the unused energy. Lightning arced across the sky landing all around her, ripping up the ground and battering off of her weapons. One grazed her, sending shocks through her body. She managed to hold on to the spells, and the connection. She couldn’t let this be the end of her fight.

Two unicorns dropped down at the end of the plaza in front of her. The mare, started accumulating magic, while the stallion, still fully coated in magic, launched another series of lightning bolts at her. Twilight molded her magic into the bubble once more, absorbing the lightning as it rammed into it. The other unicorn followed with a pillar of flames. The bubble absorbed the fire, letting it coat the area around it, but Twilight was forced to put more of her magic into it.

“Good evening, Twilight Sparkle. I see that Celestia chose her student well,” the stallion said.

“Who are you?” She yelled back.

“My, my. Don’t you read? I’m Councilor Starfall, of course.”

The pillar of light cast an odd glow on him. A huge swath of space in front of him seemed to be killing the light where it touched, as was the shadow it should have cast. Something was seriously wrong with this pony, and Twilight didn’t want to find out what it was.

I’m almost finished. Get ready to run. Luna whispered in Twilight’s mind.

“I apologize. I don’t usually talk to ponies who try to kill their intended leaders.”

Starfall sighed, “Have you spoken to Luna? That’s a shame. Nightmare Moon always loves to twist the words that come from her counterpart’s mouth.”

“You murdered her bodyguard.”

“A pittance for saving Equestria, I feel.”

The pillar of light began to fade. Twilight twisted her magic into a new spell, finding the new location in her mind.

“Destroying Equestria is what you mean. I intend to save it.”

Her magic went off, the teleportation pulling her to her new destination. But she never left the square, instead feeling pain shoot through her body, as black lightning tied her to the ground.

“I am really tired of you ponies trying to leave while I’m in the middle of talking.” Starfall’s eye twitched. Twilight screamed from the pain. “That noise is also irritating.”

The lightning flared, coursing through her body. Twilight passed out from the pain. Starfall nodded to two of the guards, who hefted her body onto one of the chariots. The unicorn stallion smiled, delighting in his perfect catch.

“Luna will watch you die tomorrow, Miss Sparkle, as will all of Canterlot. They will learn that I do not suffer traitors, once and for all.” His face contorted into one of frustration. He turned to those guards carrying the chariot, “Place her in the dungeons.”

The chariot took off towards Canterlot. Starfall stared into the direction of the Everfree Forest, smelling the subtle scent of rain in the night air.

“What will you do now, little Luna?” The mare’s deep voice whispered into the wind through Starfall’s lips, “I think its time for a reunion.”

Dynasty put a hoof on Starfall’s shoulder, “Starfall?”

He looked at her and smiled, “Dynasty, would you be a dear and bring the Elements of Harmony to me? Take them by force when you have to. The show tomorrow is starring their best friend after all.”

--*--

It was only an hour before the morning sun would rise into the sky. Only an hour until Starfall made an example of that foalish mare. But he had something more important to discuss. He walked to the mirror and began to brush his hair.

“I am indeed pleased by your sheer magical power.”

“It is much stronger with you, than when I was forced into Luna’s body.” The mirror reflected back the image of an alicorn. A deep purple coat which seemed to glow in the darkened room covered her body. Her eyes were the colors of the rainbow, but were darkened substantially, while giving off an otherworldly glow. Her mane was a fluid black, sucking the rest of the light out of the room save from her coat and eyes.

Starfall chuckled to himself, “Her selfish intentions made her dangerous. My desires to rule will make your power used for the good of Equestria.”

The alicorn smiled and nodded, “Of course they will. I can bring you the throne, you know.”

“Of course you can. I have spent a lot of time thinking about your offer, and I know it to be true.”

She raised an eyebrow, “You have made a decision then?”

He put the brush down on the table. “It has always been important that rulers have a counterpart to their actions. Celestia spent a millennium taking on different students, each to balance her decisions and actions. When Luna returned, her current student was sent away, so the two princesses ruled together.”

“In the time before, their parents ruled together as King and Queen,” the alicorn added. She was pleased to know where his logic was taking him.

“As you say. While the council is an excellent counterpart, it is merely a pawn in my hand. I intend to rule over it and all of Equestria. But doing so alone will let everything crumble. So...” He looked her in the eye, “It appears that I am in need of a Queen.”

“If it pleases you, I would be more than happy to fulfill that role.”

“It does.”

“Pledge your faithfulness to me, and I will give you the world.”

“And pledge I will. Just not now. It would be best to do so during the pleasantries so all can see.”

The alicorn looked giddy with delight, “Until later then?”

“Until the dawn rises, my queen.”

In his joy, he never heard the whisper fading into the back of his mind, When darkness will rise, and cover this land. Forever.

--*--

Deep within the castle, light began to cascade upon the stones within the burial chamber belonging to Princess Celestia. The sun filled the solemn place with warmth, glinting off of the coffin’s crystal casing. Unaffected by the warmth, the body of Princess Celestia lay in wait, glowing like the moon had the night before.

The sunlight inched over her body, causing the glow to fade from her form, showing the white coat new life in the light. Her mane shone in the new sunlight, letting all of the colors refresh Celestia’s millennial prison with color. But as the light shone on, the crystal melted away, revealing her to the fresh breeze of spring. The wind ruffled her feathers in her wings, and tossed her mane and tail to the side.

Celestia’s eyelids slowly slid open.

Chapter 8

-8-

“Get up.”

Twilight could feel the blunt end of something being jabbed hard into her side. She forced her eyelids to move apart and look at her surroundings.

The first thing she saw was the cold stone floor of the dungeon that she was thrown into. The only light came from the guards torch, which cast deep shadows within her cell. There was no seat in the room, and the walls appeared to be nothing more than a natural cave with bars hammered into the stone. An easy place to escape with magic.

But that was the problem: she didn’t have any. Starfall had made sure that her magic was locked away from her. The magical clamp around her horn stifled even the smallest use of magic on it. The only way to get it off was with a key. Unfortunately for Twilight, the guard didn’t have that key. That would be too easy.

As she rose, she was able to take in more of the dungeons. The stone was almost all natural, save for the worked floors and the staircase leading up into the chambers above. Her guard carried a spear in his teeth, and was accompanied by another who held a sword at his side.

“Move.” He said more forcefully, jabbing her again in the side.

Twilight winced but moved out of the cage. The other guard posted outside the door, moved in front of her. He produced a muzzle and placed it around her snout, pulling tight on the straps to secure it. The guard moved to her other side and they prodded her to walk up the stairs.

When they neared the top, she could vaguely hear the sounds of a large crowd outside, and one voice booming above it. The guard to her right pushed open the door, while the other shoved her through it.

“... a traitor who once learned under our beloved Celestia, has turned to destroying all that she had created!” somepony was saying. She recognized it immediately as Starfall’s voice. The crowd went wild, jeering and shouting at his statement.

She was brought to a set of double doors. Her guards stood behind her waiting for something.

“Perhaps, we should show her what it means to be a traitor!” Starfall shouted.

The doors swung open, the sunlight blinding her momentarily. She tried to lift her hoof to block the light, but it was chained to the others. Her sense of balance went awry and she fell face forward into the light. The guards pulled her up by her stomach and pushed her forward.

Crowds for as far as she could see were all focused on her, screaming at her. Some of the ponies threw things at her as she passed, or spit in her direction.

“TRAITOR!” They screamed sporadically, jeering at her.

Twilight hung her head low, as she was lead onto the main part of the stage, where she was chained up to a wall. Her eyes welled with tears when she saw who else was in the same predicament. Beside her were all of her friends. Everyone that she had tried to protect. Even Rainbow Dash had been taken, still fighting in her restraints. That foal must have gone after her in the middle of the night.

Pinkie Pie was crying, and her mane no longer had a poof in it. Rarity was horrified, trying to get loose. Fluttershy, was silent, staring down at the floor. Applejack - who was beside her - looked confused and worried. She had good reason to.

In front of the stage were at least thirty different guards, all faced away from them. In their hooves were crossbows, fully loaded, waiting for a command to fire.

“May I present to you the Elements of Harmony. Those who locked Nightmare Moon deep into Luna’s heart. Waiting for the perfect time to let her come back. But, we won’t give them that chance.”

The crowd went wild, calling for their blood, itching to see them pay for Starfall’s clever lies. A tear fell from Twilight’s eyes.

She had failed. Starfall had won.

--*--

“Celly, you need to wake up now!”

Celestia moved slowly, taking in the place she had been sleeping. The stone walls were only lit by the sunlight that poured into the room. But it felt cold, and full of despair. Something terrible had happened.

Luna stood above her, desperately trying to lift Celestia from her coffin to her hooves. She wobbled a bit.

“Oh Luna, I’ve missed you so much. I’m so sorry that I left you for so long.”

“Celly, your spell worked! It’s only been a month, but something terrible has happened.”

Celestia looked at her quizzically. “A month?”

“Yes! Twilight and I found your notes, and woke you up but, now she’s been taken by Starfall!”

Celestia steadied her footing, feeling all of her muscles responding to her, slowly recovering from her sleep, “Luna, I have no idea what you’re talking about. Starfall shouldn’t be bringing her onto the council yet. She’s too-”

“Celestia!” Luna grabbed her by the shoulders and shook her, “He’s going to execute her and all of the elements of harmony if you don’t come right now and stop them!”

The words hit her like a slap in the face. Her adrenaline kicked in, shooting her mind into overdrive. She couldn’t believe what she was hearing. Starfall? Her former student, and Twilight’s former headmaster, was going to execute six ponies?

“What? That doesn’t make any sense-”

“He even tried to kill me! Come on, we’re running out of time!” Luna was frantic at this point. Tears were flowing freely from her face. I can’t lose her, Luna thought, I can’t. Celestia had her doubts, but she followed her sister out through the upper windows and into the air above.

The first thing she heard was the crowd, long before she ever saw it. Ponies were screaming as one pony addressed the crowds below. Luna flew up to the roof of the castle and landed on top of it. It was empty save for one guard who turned on her with his weapon. Celestia came up behind her landing softly on the stones. The guard dropped his weapon in fear, his wings locking tightly to his sides. Luna swiftly reared back and kicked him in the head. His body slumped to the ground, but Celestia said nothing. No pony had ever raised a weapon to her sister except when she was Nightmare Moon.

Her worst fears were confirmed when she looked over the opposite ledge at the proceedings below her.

“As my last act, I would like to pronounce that I have found a wonderful addition to the council. She is a strong hearted mare, one who is both well versed in the ways of magic, and is very dear to my heart. Before you all, I want to pledge, as was tradition in the times before, an oath to express my solidarity with her in friendship, and in love. To she who captivates my heart, I beseech thee my pledge of bonding. In heart I will not waver.”

The crowd cheered, but Celestia knew exactly what was happening. She nodded to Luna and bolted down to the crowd below, trying to stop Starfall before he finished.

“In soul, I will forever hold your name...”

The crowd started to cheer, but gasped when their beloved Princess soared above.

“STOP!” She screamed.

Starfall looked up, his eye twitching and mouth hanging open.

“You...” His voice echoed across the crowd.

Celestia stared at the stage. All six of the elements were chained to the stage.

“Luna, take them down from there.” Luna nodded and flew onto the stage. Celestia stared at Starfall, “How dare you violate the trust I placed in the council? You have gone and done something unthinkable in my presence, merely because I disappeared for a short time. Citizens of Canterlot,” she addressed the crowd, “Do you actually approve of this act? What have these six done, but liberate my sister from a terrible entity?”

“How dare you demand to know what you yourself orchestrated! You used these six to hide Nightmare Moon for a time of your choosing, yet you lie about it to your loyal subjects?” Murmurs filled the crowd, slowly turning into hesitant agreement. “By trying to place her in your stead, you allowed her the chance to rule over Equestria unrestricted! You left us divided so that your appointed council had to ask many ponies to sacrifice their lives just to reunite without you. Only to find that you weren’t even dead!?”

Angry shouts consumed the crowd, egged on by his words. His eyes gleamed in satisfaction, turning slightly so he could check on Luna. She was preoccupied with undoing some of the binds on Twilight’s legs.

He ripped a crossbow out of a nearby guards hooves and hefted it skyward. The guards responded in kind lifting them in the air. Celestia’s horn glowed with magic, as a shield formed around her body.

“Celestia, princess of all ponies, daughter of Sol, and eldest of the royal line. I hereby accuse you of betraying your duties to the ponies of Equestria and being the cause of many innocent deaths.”

Celestia was taken aback. No pony besides her sister had any knowledge of the old kingdom. There wasn’t even a written record of their family line available to anypony in the world.

“I judge that the proper punishment,” he turned and aimed the crossbow at Luna’s back, who was slowly turning around to stare directly the crossbow’s deadly load, “Is death.”

The guards fired at Luna, who had no time to respond, closed her eyes desperately summoning the magic to shield herself. But it was too late. The arrows struck flesh and bone, making many dull thuds as they stopped suddenly.

Even so, Luna was unharmed.

“TWILIGHT!” Celestia screamed.

Luna opened her eyes, to see Twilight’s body slump to the ground in front of her.

Starfall raised his own weapon to his head saying the words loud and clear, “In body, I serve until death take me. This I pledge.” He pulled the trigger.

Black fire burned his body and the stage he stood on as Celestia took up a position in front of her sister, who was weeping over Twilight’s body. Muffled screams came from the other ponies, who rattled their chains, desperately trying to get free.

The flames subsided, and in Starfall’s place stood another alicorn. Her fluid black mane dulled the sunlight around her, choking any warmth that it brought to the ponies around her. She spread her wings over the stage, and flared her magic into the sky. Blackened clouds formed overhead, blotting out the sun, leaving only light from the dying torches left over from the night watch. Laughter ripped the air to shreds, frightening some of the ponies watching the terrifying event unfold.

“Hello Celestia. My precious, little, sister.”

Celestia went pale, and her magic increased, “You’re nothing but a mistake. A younger half-sister that should never have been.”

“Perhaps. But here I am, more mature, and far more... sophisticated than you ever were.” She walked along the stage, pacing towards Celestia. The princess took a step back, “What? Don’t you want to greet me with open hooves? Or was banishing both of your sisters too much to handle?”

“Silence, Nightmare. You controlled her. You made her feel neglected.”

“Of course. You were too busy getting ready to take over to let her have any attention. That’s why I was allowed in the castle, so she would have a friend.”

“So you could use her to take the throne!” Celestia roared.

“Semantics.” Nightmare stared her down, summoning her own magic around her. It spread into the crowd, touching Starfall’s eager followers with her mind. The color of their eyes turned a light red and their irises changed to those of a dragon, “If a thousand years ago I had known how much more willing Starfall would be, I would have waited. He massacred far more ponies than you did. An excellent step up the ladder, I would say.” She clapped her hooves together slowly, looking behind her, “Although, if you want, I can take our little sister’s body too.”

Celestia began to summon more magic to her, “I call upon the great Elements of Harmony to heed my call.”

“Magic’s host is dead. She won’t come to you now.” Black lightning arced over her head into Celestia’s shield, bouncing out into the crowd behind her.

“Alicorns of greatest stature, my need is great. Equestria needs your presence.” She winced again, as another bolt of lightning arced off of her shield once more. The castle wall behind her exploded with its touch. Celestia ignored her crazed sister’s laughter, “I Celestia, eldest daughter of the royal line, order your presence be forthcoming.”

The last bolt of lightning stopped in front of Celestia, dying immediately. Nightmare stepped back.

Light glowed from each of the remaining ponies behind her, breaking their chains as they changed. Their glowing forms walked forward, taking their place by Celestia’s side. Luna too stood and joined them, a luminescence coming from her, starting from her midsection, slowly encompassing her. Celestia stared wide eyed at her sister’s new form, brimming with raw energy.

“No. NO. That’s impossible! A wielder can only pass down their element to family!” Nightmare gawked, comprehension turning her frustration to horror.

“Princess Celestia, your need is indeed dire.” The voice seemed to giggle as it left one of the glowing figures.

“It comes to you once more to decide how to handle this decision. We will trust your judgement, as you see our warnings were sound those many years ago.”

Celestia swallowed, “By the power vested within the line of Time himself, I banish you, Nightmare to never claim your eternal purpose. You shall spend eternity in nothingness, you poor foal. May your eternal damnation be your eternal nightmare. Those you have corrupted will be saved by death. But you will never have the chance.”

The six ponies nodded and glowed brighter, “The right decisions are never the easy ones. Your father taught you well.”

The elements stepped back and began to glow brighter. Color began to usher from their being, flowing out to the sides covering the ground, stretching as far as the eye could see.

“You cannot do this to me! I AM ROYALTY BY BIRTH!”

The glow overpowered Nightmare, forcing her to her knees. She covered her eyes with her hooves, shaking in pain from the light.

“Not anymore.”

Nightmare screeched as the six ponies shot across the stage, engulfing her and the entire crowd with light. Celestia was forced to listen to the screams of those who had fallen for Starfall’s lies, those who had willingly followed and stayed blind to her words. But she knew the truth.

Death was their only escape.

Celestia walked over to Twilight’s prone form, and laid her head on her student’s neck. The clouds parted, and bathed the ground in warmth and light, but the presence of sorrow and pain persisted. There were no sounds, save her cries of anguish – cries for everything that had been lost, for everything that had been destroyed. There was no bright future for Celestia’s star pupil to look forward to, no chance for her to see the fruits of her courage. Celestia cried for Twilight, for while the violet pony had helped usher in a new age for all of Equestria, she had died in the darkness before the light could shine again.

--*--

Time’s Cliff

1000 Years Ago

The sun was only briefly involved in lighting the ground while clouds were left unattended. Even the rainclouds among them looked withered and dry, struggling to cling to the last bit of existence they had.

There, in a once beautiful capital, the princess of the day, Princess Celestia, walked along the cobblestone streets. She did her best to avoid the debris, and tried to muster the strength to see what her sister had cost her. She watched as a few survivors scoured the homes, looking for any signs of the plague. Almost everypony she saw was crying. It took everything she had to not do the same.

Two Pegasus guards slowly made their way to her and her royal guard. They looked bedraggled with most of their armor damaged or even broken clean off.

“Princess Celestia, your use of the Elements of Harmony appears to have worked. There is no sign of your sister, or her victims.

“I see... Thank you, Captain. I would like you and your partner to search for survivors, and begin evacuating them through the forest. I will meet you in Canterlot.”

The captain saluted, and took to the air with his companion following in suit. Celestia watched them for a few moments before walking to the main hall of the palace.

The stones here were intact, but littered with scraps of tapestries once loved and admired. She smiled, thankful that this place was as intact as she hoped it would be. Her magic came to her, hovering a few books from her saddlebags, knowing perfectly well that they would be needed in the future. A pen and scroll accompanied the books, hovering in the air in front of her. She wrote a very short letter, signing and sealing it, before packing it into her bag.

Then, using her magic once more, she flooded the floor below her with magic. The tiles floated up into the air, and her magic pressed down a small area in the stone floor below it. The books nestled themselves into place, and she spoke into the spell.

“Use this well, Luna.” Her voice was slowly brought into the spell, as she settled the tiles once more in their places.

She took flight then, aiming herself for the entrance to the city. The Everfree Forest was beautiful this time of year, teeming with flowers and apple trees bearing their first harvest. One of her guards stood by the ramp, moving aside so she would have enough room to land.

The pegasus bowed, “Everyone has left, Celestia.”

“Thank you, Clear Sky. Can you stay with me?”

“Of course little one.” He rubbed his wing on her head.

She frowned, but nuzzled into his side, “Thank you. I’m so sorry for-”

“Don’t apologize,” he interrupted. His eyes were solemn, but he smiled down at her, “You made a hard decision that few would be able to make. But it was for the best. Now,” the aged pegasus took a step back, “Do what you must.”

“I, Princess Celestia, last of the alicorns, call upon the founding makers of Equestria: Earth, Sky, Water, and Fire. Ones who have transcended the cycle of the great sleep, you have pledged your loyalty to the Kingdom of Equestria and its citizens. I call on you to hide the destruction that has befallen us. Until the time when you are called upon once more by royal blood, shall you change this place forever.

A voice responded, airy and light, “It comes at a price. This land must be set free.”

She swallowed hard, “If that is what must be done, so be it.”

The voice hesitated. After a moment it chimed back, “Then it shall be done. No longer shall this place remain seen, and no longer shall ponies need tend to this forest. Until we speak again, Princess.”

The cliff road sank into the ground below, a thick fog rolling in to obscure its fall into the city below. The fog spilled over the cliffs into the forest, slowly creeping into the trees.

“Let’s go, Sky.”

Clear Sky chuckled, “You have to learn to be more formal, Princess.”

She pouted, “But I don’t have to be now.”

He smiled, “I know. You have plenty of time to learn. Then when your sister comes back, you can save her from herself.” The pegasus walked along the path towards Canterlot, taking flight.

Celestia stayed for a moment. No one would know of what truly happened here. She made sure of that. But she would pay for it when her time to sleep came.

It would destroy Equestria.

“Are you coming?” Clear Sky called.

Celestia took one look back and took to the sky. She would worry about it one day. But for now, she had time to live and prosper in what was left behind. Her goal was clear.

She would make Equestria shine as bright as the sun.

Epilogue

-Epilogue-

It had been a year and a half and not a single day had gone by since she hadn’t thought of Twilight. Rainbow Dash missed her something fierce. She wasn’t the only one. In honor of her service, Celestia and Luna had a memorial built in the center of Ponyville, a statue commemorating her bravery, as well as those who had died in the war.

Rainbow remembered the war all too well. The fighting in Cloudsdale haunted her dreams: the sounds of dying screams, or innocent ponies fleeing for safety as the city fell apart. Even Twilight’s death haunted her. Watching her launch herself in front of Princess Luna, and getting riddled with crossbow bolts played over in her head many times. Although as time had gone by, they had become less frequent.

She flew through the air, bucking away the clouds over Ponyville. Her thoughts were easily lulled into her mind by the steady thud of connecting with a cloud. The weather patrol had been dropped to only a few ponies after the soldiers came back to the town.

There had still been fighting going on after Celestia woke up from the Eversleep. It took her days to solidify peace between the two sides, still blindly egged on by their hatred for one another. That peace was still relatively uneasy. Even now there had been reports of squabbles in the streets over simple misconceptions, and anger at the aftermath.

The cities and towns that lost the most citizens saw the most turmoil. While Celestia focused on the cities that had been destroyed or damaged in the war, it did nothing to heal the communities that were now mostly empty. For the first time in modern Equestrian history there were hundreds of young ponies who had nowhere to go. Families that were destroyed in the fighting left behind colts and fillies that were eventually brought into orphanages. Most families were more than happy to have another addition to their home, but some were still left alone.

Celestia was under the most scrutiny of all. Accusations flared about her involvement in the plot, and that she knowingly released her other sister into the world. They even blamed her of setting up the war for some sick pleasure.

Rainbow thought it was completely undeserved. Celestia released many different private documents about alicorn anatomy and life-cycles. They were irrelevant to all ponies but herself and Luna. For the most part, they were released in her defense. She noted in many different addresses that she wanted to spare the world from attempted overthrows during her one thousand years of rule. Her rhetoric over her sister’s innocence in the affairs was just about the only thing that anypony talked about.

While they recognized that Nightmare could control a pony if she wished, the proof was undeniable from the execution - some were wary to believe that she was blameless.

It was commonly accepted that regardless of Luna’s innocence or guilt, Twilight Sparkle had been one of the bravest ponies in the world. Her actions to save Luna’s life were the only rationalization that anypony had to continue trusting the princesses. No pony as smart as she was would throw her life away so irrationally.

But, Rainbow Dash thought that there was something else involved. She had spent the last month of Twilight’s life with her and Luna in the ruins. They were quite close to each other for only spending a few days alone. But that closeness seemed to grow as the time went by. She could have sworn she had seen them holding hooves at one point, but she was busy stuffing her face with vegetables at the time.

There was something more curious than that. Luna had been gone for several months. Celestia said she was continuing research in private on the effects of the Eversleep, should it ever become a problem again. While both princesses were fully rested from their first sleep - Rainbow Dash assumed this was the case - it would not occur again in Rainbow’s lifetime. She did however, receive a letter from Princess Luna.

It was sitting just inside her house by the front door. Princess Luna had requested that they meet in the afternoon by the lake outside of town. Her hooves met open air, and it snapped her out of her thoughts. For as far as she could see, she had cleared the sky of all of its clouds.

Great. Glad that’s over with, she thought. Her wings angled downwards and she glided out of town to the lake. I guess I’ll just wait for her since I’m done.

Rainbow touched down on the sand. There was no sign of the princess yet. Instead she sat down on the shore. A slight summer breeze rippled over the water, blowing grass gently from side to side. A mother duck with her newborns swam across the water, gliding on its surface. Short quacks filled the air as she listened to the sounds of early summer. The hot sun beat down on the ground, warming her coat, forcing her to spread her wings to catch the breeze.

“Hello, Rainbow Dash.”

Rainbow Dash was startled for a moment, but she turned to look at the voice. Just behind her, Princess Luna was walking about with two young fillies playing around her legs. Neither of them seemed to speak, but they giggled as they chased each other around.

Luna didn’t seem used to it in the least. Her mane was a mess, ruffled from running around, most likely from chasing the two foals. Her crown was missing from her head, and her wings were loose against her body, moving slightly to catch the wind. One of the foals ran underneath her and she lifted her midsection so the other could chase her.

“Sorry about them. They’re always so riled up.”

Rainbow Dash looked at her quizzically, but failed to form any words in her mind.

“Come on!” Luna called sweetly, walking by Rainbow.

The two fillies responded by running towards the princess, who was walking into the lake. They ran straight past Rainbow Dash, plowing into the water. It was enough for Rainbow Dash to confirm something about them:

They were both alicorns.

Her mouth dropped, silence echoing around her, contrasted only by the two foals thrashing around in the water. Luna smiled wide, keeping them close to the shore. Occasionally they would jump out of the water, only to crash back into it.

One of the two looked up at Rainbow Dash and bolted over to her, shaking water all over the blue pony. Rainbow Dash finally got a good look at the foal. She had a beautiful indigo coat, accented by a deep blue mane, that slowly brightened to the color of a morning sky at the the tip. Her tail was the same, but the colors were lighter, and seemed to contrast her coat, rather than blend in. It was the eyes that really stood out. They had a soft glow behind them, a fluid orange and yellow color, like the rising sun.

The foal nuzzled up alongside Rainbow’s hooves pushing her gently in the direction of the water. Rainbow looked at Luna.

The princess giggled, “She wants you to come play, Rainbow Dash.”

Rainbow Dash smiled and rose from the sand. The young foal laughed and giggled as she charged back into the water, drifting into Luna’s open hooves. Luna let her go and she started splashing around in the water.

Rainbow flew over the lake and dropped into the water. She immediately regretted that decision, feeling the colder than expected water against her coat. Her head broke the surface and she swam back over to the shoreline where the foal splashed right over to her. The little pony raised her front hooves in the air, smiling, as she did so. Rainbow picked her up, the blue foal giggling in delight, and plopped her right on top of her back. The foal had planned for this, as she climbed up the rainbow mane, until she was staring over Rainbow’s head.

The other foal seemed to shy away when Rainbow approached, blushing and hiding behind her mother’s legs. She looked exactly like the foal she was playing with, but with subtle differences in color. Her mane and tail started a little darker than her coat, but instead of lightening, it darkened into a deep blue, ending in the purple of a night sky. Her eyes were a cooler color, a light red mixing with all kinds of shades of purple. They were far more complex than her sister’s, but they still held that familiar glow, hers just like moonlight.

“It’s ok. This is Rainbow Dash. She’s helped mommy many times.”

The foal was hesitant, but with some guidance she floated over to Rainbow Dash. The light blue pony sat down in the water, lowering her head, so that the foal could see her sister riding the rainbow colored mane. The shy foal smiled and splashed her way back over to Luna, who used her magic to float her onto her neck.

Rainbow was having trouble forming the words to say, managing a sheepish smile as the little one pulled at her mane, giggling all the way.

Luna sensed the questions Rainbow might have had, “They’re twins. The one you have on your neck is Dawn.” The little one squealed in joy in hearing her mother’s voice, “This is her sister, Dusk.” Dusk smiled, and hid her face in Luna’s mane. The princess walked out of the water, Dusk sliding onto her back.

Rainbow followed her. Dawn copied her sister’s readjustment and giggled to her sister when they were side by side. “Twins are really rare. Who’s the lucky stallion?”

Luna blushed. “That’s... complicated. Its actually why I brought them to you first.”

Rainbow raised an eyebrow. “Why me?”

“Because, I figured you’d have a better idea of who the other parent is, without me telling you.”

Rainbow’s face drained of it’s color as her brain clicked. All of those nights that they stayed up talking, or when Twilight was always concerned when Luna wasn’t doing well. She put herself in harms way for more than Celestia, and even Luna. She died to save her foals.

Their foals.

“Twilight...?” Rainbow Dash managed to say.

Luna smiled and nodded. She lead them onto the road back to Ponyville, taking a leisurely pace. “I asked her if she would be the other parent for a foal. It was more a precaution on my part, because I knew I would die without the extra boost of magic that comes with an alicorn’s pregnancy.”

Rainbow looked confused.

“I don’t expect you to understand that part of it. I was more open to the idea since I had kind of fallen for her after I had arrived in Ponyville. When she comforted me over Sky Shroud’s death... I was happy. The more time I spent with her, the more she grew on me. Even after I had asked her, I was still unsure about my decision. It worked out because she initially refused my request. But,” Luna blushed. “The more time we spent alone those days before you arrived, she and I became more intimate.

“Then that night you came, after you had fallen asleep, she decided to go ahead with it. That specific type of spell we used allowed us to see everything about each other. Our feelings, or doubts, even our memories. It is called a “sharing”. Only an alicorn can perform it, and it was used for ponies who wanted children, but didn’t want to or couldn’t... you know.”

Rainbow blushed.

“There were many alicorns in the old days that performed the spell. But it took a while to figure it out, since it’s been lost for many years. When we did...” Luna looked at the two fillies, using her magic to levitate Dusk to the ground. Dawn hopped off of Rainbow Dash, using her wings to slow down. They walked along in between the two mares occasionally skipping a little ways ahead.

Luna sniffled a little bit. Rainbow was concerned for the princess, who was visibly crying. She stopped and put a hoof around Luna, “You ok?”

The two foals stopped their running, and walked back over to their mother, nuzzling against her hooves. Luna nodded to Rainbow Dash, nuzzling her foals. “When we figured it out, these two were the result. I love them more than anything in the world. I’m sure Twilight would have wanted to see them.” She used her magic to prod them on their way, smiling and laughing through her tears.

The twins smiled back and jumped ahead towards a candy covered building. Rainbow Dash didn’t even notice that they had even arrived back in Ponyville. She was also thankful that no one was around to notice them.

Luna started walking towards the building, the two foals skipping back to their mother. Her horn glowed and the were scooped up onto her back. Dawn climbed on top of her sister to get a better look at Sugar Cube Corner.

“Thank you Rainbow Dash. I hope everypony else will be as accepting of all of this.”

Rainbow smiled. “I’m sure Pinkie Pie will have a fit over how cute they are. Or she’ll pull some crazy party for them. She’s so random sometimes.”

“Only one way to find out.” Luna said. She pushed open the door to Sugar Cube corner and walked inside.

Chapter 1

-1-

The pale moon hung high over Equestria. Nestled in the sea of stars, it cast a cool glow upon the sleeping city below. Stores and homes were dark, and the streets were empty save for the few who called the night their own. Royal guards roamed the city ensuring the city of Canterlot was safe and secure. But the torches they carried were not the only lights within the city that night. Light spilled forth from one of the rooms within the castle, built into the mountains above the city.

The room belonged to Princess Celestia, the regal and undisputed ruler of Equestria. She looked out over the city through her window, her mane flowing behind her in a river of colors. Her body felt sluggish, and her breath came slowly. Her form was that of an alicorn: a regal pony with the wings of a pegasus - albeit larger - and the horn of a unicorn - though far longer and more deadly. Her white coat shone in the light, but it looked unkempt and ragged. On her flank, the sun still shone its full color.

At least Celestia knew what was happening. She had known since winter came to the kingdom she shared with her sister, Princess Luna. The sun was becoming harder to raise over the land; to fill the land with its light. She knew Luna had an idea of her condition, but her worry was still bottled within her. That would change tonight.

The royal princess lit her horn with magic, sliding her bed to the corner of the room. In its place was a previously hidden door which she pulled open. Inside was a full set of battle armor placed around a model of her figure. She slid the model into the center of the room, breathing heavily from the exertion. Celestia attempted to place on the armor, shoulder pads first, pulling with her teeth to secure the straps. The exhaustion crept up on her, and the grip she had slipped. Struggling with it for a moment did no good, and she was forced to let go of the ties she had in her mouth. The armor sagged for a moment before sliding off and clattering to the floor. The other parts jingled as she bumped into the armor on the model to lift the fallen piece from the door.

A soft knock on the door resounded in the room. It was followed with the voice of a trained stallion, “Is everything all right Princess Celestia?”

She sniffled, trying to stifle tears from forcing their way out. Her composure returned slowly.

“Princess?” The voice came once more, with more urgency than before.

“Yes.” Her voice wavered for a moment, before it came clear as day, “I’m quite alright; however I require your assistance this evening.”

The pegasus guard that once protected the chamber entered to see his ruler standing in the center of the room. Her armor glinted in the torch light and she moved her head towards its direction. “I have not been accustomed to wearing armor. Perhaps you would be able to show me how it is supposed to be secured?”

“Of course, your majesty,” he replied. His coat was grey and tough, but his eyes were a soft brown. He grabbed a piece of the armor in his teeth, and began to strap on the body first. His hooves were gentle, but firm. The guard pulled slowly, testing the tightness of the strap, before retrieving a new piece of armor.

“What is your name?” She asked curiously.

He pulled the cord on another piece taut, and let it drop from his teeth, “My name is Sky Shroud, your majesty.”

She nodded. Another piece was firmly tightened into its place. Her mind drifted away from the loyal guard attending to her, gravitating to the Throne Room where she held court during the day. Her thoughts flowed towards the one mind in the room, one which did not hesitate to accept them in kind upon feeling them.

Celly? Luna’s thoughts were rampant with surprise and concern. The voice she projected was that of a worried and curious sister. Its still very early for you to be awake, are you-

Luna’s thoughts ground to a halt when she paid attention to Celestia’s emotions. Sadness, courage, and... fear seeped through Celestia’s heart and mind into their mental bond. Luna, I need to speak with you.

No. No, no, no, no, no... Luna’s fear was bleeding into her thoughts. With each mental “no” Celestia could almost feel tears upon her sister’s face, and she fought to keep them from her own.

Luna. It is inevitable. It’s... Celestia took a moment to reign in her emotions, it’s the way it has to be.

Don’t leave me here...

I will be down in a moment.

“Your armor is secure your majesty.”

She opened her eyes and made her way to the mirror. Plates of gold armored her neck and chest. It wrapped around her legs and strung along her body. Her flank plates glowed brightly with crystals that bathed the cutie mark below in purple light. Crystals orbited her horn and adorned her shoulder plates.

“Thank you Sky Shroud. You may accompany me this evening.”

“As you wish, your highness.”

Celestia made her way from the tower, her iron hooves clopping hard against the stone. Sky Shroud followed at first behind her, and then accompanied her by her side. They walked in silence down the stairs and hallways towards the Throne Room. The torch light dimmed as she past, as if to mimic her own fading light. If Sky Shroud had noticed, he said nothing.

She was feeling her body drain more of her magic away as she walked into the throne room, where Luna sat, quietly crying in the dimly lit room. Celestia moved over to Luna’s side with great pain feeling it pulse in her side every time she took another step. She wrapped one armored wing over her sister’s shoulder, and Luna turned inwards to sob into Celestia’s body.

“No, no, no, no, no...” Luna spoke briefly, but it slowly devolved back into incomprehensible sorrow. Celestia smiled and held her close for hours, comforting and coddling the younger alicorn. As dawn began to approach the moon settled down towards the far horizon.

“It is time, Luna.” She said softly.

Luna looked up at her older sister, who had conjured several scrolls, as well as one in which she began to write in. Sweat soaked Celestia’s head as she strained to conserve her magical reserves.

Luna nodded sheepishly. Her horn began to glow softly and she levitated the quill from her sister. She signed the scrolls one by one and floated them down to the guard, who still stood at attention.

“Sky Shroud. As my last decree,” she paused. Sky Shroud turned to look at her, shock filling his face, “you shall complete the following tasks. Ensure that the first part of my will is followed. You are also hereby promoted to be Luna’s protector. Guard her with your life if necessary. Know that what is happening is not anypony else’s fault, and that I want the best for everypony, both here now, and still to come. You are the sole witness to my last hours, other than Luna.” She stopped to catch her breath. It came in laboured gulps now, “Lastly, ensure that this letter is delivered personally to my student Twilight Sparkle, and that she doesn’t do anything foalish. She will protect you both if it comes to it.”

“Y..yes, your majesty.” He managed the words at barely a whisper.

“Luna. My only sister. I hope that you will continue to cherish what you have.” She kissed the top of her sister’s head, hugging her tightly with one wing.

Luna began to cry softly once more, as Celestia broke the embrace to march towards the horizon. The moon disappeared below its resting place and Celestia began to well the power in her once more, calling on the sun, the body of warmth to rise and fill the world with happiness, and joy. A single tear streamed down her cheek as her iron hooves cracked the ground. Magic rippled from the ground an the air, joining into the light surrounding light.

“CELLY DON’T LEAVE ME! PLEASE!” Luna screamed, barely keeping herself understandable. Sky Shroud held onto the Princess of the Night, unable to truly comprehend the words she was saying.

Celestia cried as she gathered the memories of all of the people she had met; the young, the old, and those who were gone as well as the ones she loved and held dear to her heart. Twilight: her faithful student who was becoming a wonderful young mare in her own right. She called upon her studies to help her power one last spell.

She felt the warm light of her sun upon her face, even though it hadn’t risen quite yet. With a pained sigh, she released all of the magic at once. The sun rose over the horizon, and she turned to face Luna.

“I love you Luna, please don’t forget me.” She whispered.

Her eyes closed, and she fell to the floor.

“NOOO!!!” Sky Shroud could no longer contain the young alicorn, as she fled to her sister’s side. She wept over her body, shaking with each heave and heavy choked breath. Sky Shroud walked slowly over to the Princess’s body, his own tears splashing on the floor. He knelt down to Luna’s side and coaxed her off. With a tender grip he used every muscle to lift the Princess of the Sun into his hooves, beating furiously with his wings to keep steady. He flew slowly to the center of the room, and lay her upon her seat. He walked to the doors and slipped through them.

“FETCH THE CAPTAIN!” He called, flying from the doors.

Inside Luna crawled her way over to her sister’s body, still heaving from the tears that still came freely. She nuzzled her sister lovingly, feeling the cold plates around her sister’s body. “Please... don’t leave me alone...”

--*--

The bells in the tower rang, slowly bringing its toll upon the city. Clouds gathered in the sky as the weather patrol shirked their duties for the procession, and the news that accompanied it. Everypony seemed to be out on the street waiting for the gates to open, so they could see that smiling face one last time. The news spread like a plague among the city and out into the far reaches of Equestria.

The great monarch, the bringer of the sun, their dear Princess Celestia was dead.

Somewhere within the crowd, a group of musicians played a slow requiem as the procession opened the gates from the palace into the city. The lead figures marched to guard those others behind them, carrying the coffin of their leader. The clear crystal coffin allowed the crowd to see their beloved leader. It was wrapped in a golden frame encrusted with amethysts. It was built so that the light could reflect the color onto their beloved leader and be rebounded off of her armor.

Ponies around them cried or stared in shock and disbelief. Some young fillies tossed roses from baskets they carried, mixing red with the beginnings of a snow shower falling from the clouds above. Unicorns around them took the same lead and used their magic to change some of the falling snow to rose petals. All of the guards fell to one knee, and as the procession past they rose and followed closely behind Princess Celestia’s favorite chariot.

Luna was inconsolable. Sky Shroud sat beside her, as she still tried to weep, even after all of her tears had left her. She felt as if another hole had been torn within her, right where her heart should be. Though she knew it would be a long time until things were set right, Celestia had to bear it as well. She sobbed silently with the knowledge that she had to watch it happen twice.

The procession continued down the street until it was on the main road to the countryside. While the procession continued towards Ponyville, Sky Shroud left Luna to her grief to accomplish the tasks Celestia had given. At any cost.

Within a few hours, a group had been summoned to the grand throne room in the castle. The wind still howled against the windows and walls, battering it as a reminder of the tone of Celestia’s peace. It was barely such within the room. A large table was set up in the center of the room, with eleven distinguished ponies around it. Only one was a pegasus, the rest were unicorns.

Unicorns of the highest magical potential from around the kingdom of Equestria had been summoned by the final Will of Princess Celestia.

Sky Shroud sat at the head of the table, reading from the scroll, “... for the betterment of Equestria. You who have been chosen are to form a council of advisers and supporters to the kingdom. Under the rule of my sister, Princess Luna, you shall assist her in both governance and in her magical duties of raising both sun and moon. Henceforth, you shall be named the Council of Sun and Moon. These duties shall end upon the disbandment of council during the future time of Rebirth. Humbly, and graciously, Princess Celestia.”

A long pause followed, as Sky Shroud wrapped up the scroll, passing it over to the Captain of the Guard. Some of the unicorns shifted nervously in their seats, and others looked deep in thought.

A light blue coated unicorn cleared his throat, “I for one, shall accept the new responsibilities that have been requested of me. I am not particularly fond of... how this has come upon us all, but it would be disastrous without the necessary talent.”

“I agree,” concurred another, with a thick accent, most noticeably from Stalliongrad. He was a deep grey unicorn, with a rough white mane. He was built like a workhorse with thirty years of hard labor deeply rooted into his form. He had red-orange eyes that seemed to burn when he spoke, “Professor Yorsets is right to accept a most gracious offer. Princess Luna is most certainly capable, but is in need of good, strong hooves.”

“While I concur in the fact that the dear ‘Princess’ needs assistance, I am not confident that she can perform these duties at all. She grieves as we all do, but there may not be a chance for her to fully recover.” This unicorn was wearing a fine business suit over his beige coat, stifling his green mane from being let out. It was slicked back with an unnecessary amount of hair gel.

One other spoke up, his deep voice smoothly seeping over the table, “It brings her dangerously close to becoming a beast once more. If she isn’t already her.” The unicorn had a violet body with steaks of silver and gold in his blue mane. His eyes were a deep red, and they slid across the table towards Sky Shroud.

Sky Shroud was losing composure, “Dying of natural causes seems out of order with what you imply, Starfall. I would be careful with your foalish misconceptions.”

Several of the unicorns shifted uneasily in their seats once more.

“What proof do you have that it wasn’t an act to make foals of us? As I recall, you have no training in Magical Arts, while I have a better idea of such possibilities. I am the headmaster of Princess Celestia’s foremost school in magic.” He began to raise his voice, “If Luna has allowed herself to become Nightmare Moon once more, and hide her appearance, she would go unnoticed. She is an alicorn, and one who has proven to be unstable and unsuited for sole ruler-ship!”

Sky Shroud slammed his hoof into the table, “Nonsense! Nopony who was as vengeful or spiteful as Nightmare Moon was would stand to act in the same manner. If you do not wish to believe this true, then you can decline the will of the leader you served so loyally!”

The room was silent. It was minutes before Starfall began once more, “I will consider this when I form my answer.” The words dropped the room by a couple of degrees. Sky Shroud backed away from the table, “You have until tomorrow morning to accept or decline. Luna will return by then, and will be coronated as the leader of Equestria, so that she can at least preside over her sister’s funeral.” Sky Shroud stormed out of the doors of the Throne Room, and set off for Ponyville to deliver a particular letter.

When the doors closed, the other guards exited the room.

“Fillies and Gentlecolts,” Starfall began. “It appears that we have much to discuss, and more to fear than before...”

--*--

Twilight Sparkle sat dumbstruck in the Ponyville library which she called home. Her hooves shook as though she had nearly died, moments ago. What she had seen...

Nopony else was in the library. Even Spike was absent, and Twilight hadn’t the faintest idea of where he was. She had spent hours pulling books off of the library searching for anything that would disprove what she had seen - something that would burn away her memory as if it had only been a nightmare. Her teacher, the Princess of the Day couldn’t possibly be... But she had seen her. It haunted her thoughts, and kept her awake and numb.

A soft knock at the door did nothing to change how she felt. There was no movement from her. The knock came once more, but she still stayed seated.

“Twilight Sparkle. I have something important for you. A final letter from-”

She snapped back into her own world. Of course! A letter from Princess Celestia, proof she was still alive. Everything was just a horrible dream. She trotted over to the door and opened it. In the doorway, a fully armored pegasus stallion held a scroll in his teeth. He was being bombarded with snow flakes, whipped around by the wind outside.

She levitated the letter to herself, uttering a, “Thank you,” before closing the door.

She ripped off the seal and opened the letter. As she read her reality crumbled around her. She was dragged back to the urgency of the letter’s contents, and the sliver of hope it promised. It was all she needed to start digging through the shelves of the library.