Chapter 3 Ancient Lore
Again thanks to AdmKline for editing my work

As the Elements of Harmony minus Fluttershy had retired for the rest of the night, Luna closed her eyes as her sister Celestia came beside her.

"The fillies are safe. That much I know. I also know they are with the same creature Twilight spoke of leaving the impact sight. What I don't know is what manner of creature they are with," she said moving to the balcony.

"I can understand not telling them, but my princess why won't you allow me to take a contingent of guards out to the old ruins?" the pegasus stallion said approaching.

"Because there are still more secrets in those old castle ruins, secrets far older then the Elements of Harmony." Luna spoke as she cast her eyes to the Everfree Forest.

"Forgive me my Princess. But I do not understand." The Lunar Guard captain was not questioning his princess but was curious.

That was when Celestia came and spoke. "Whether we approve or not. The Elements of Harmony are the champions of Equestria. While they are still growing and learning, I do not believe that they will yet face a challenge they could not overcome together or alone."

"Captain Shadow Mane, you have done well returning to the castle so quickly. You may have the rest of the night off. Inform Commander Black Mane that he will need to handle things for the night. Inform Shining Armor that I will be accompanying my sister to the old castle ruins after sunrise."

The words shocked Shadow Mane. It meant the situation was serious if Luna would be out during the day. While it was rare for Luna to be out during the day, or Celestia during the night, it was not unheard of. But still he was concerned.

"As you wish my princess." He turned to leave. Reaching the door the pegasus stallion heard his last orders.

"Captain, when we return, ensure that you and Black Mane are both in my chambers awaiting my arrival." The command made Shadow Mane blush and his dark grey cheeks darkened.

"Y-yes my princess." Shadow Mane left to tell his younger sibling of the changes for the night. It also left him a little upset. Not that he would be servicing his Princess, but it kept him from going out or suggesting a dispatch to his younger brother. The only thing larger than Shadow Mane's sense of duty was his care of foals. It would be very much in his nature to give command over to his little brother then head out to the castle to search for the fillies and Fluttershy himself. By contrast Black Mane almost always lead such groups himself. He would never send his subordinates into a situation he would not personally tread. The two made good guard commanders for the Lunar Guard. Both had a desire to serve and protect innocents without considering the personal cost to themselves. It was not too uncommon for the pair to work themselves to exhaustion in that duty and if the two wanted to be presentable to their princess.... they couldn't go off.

After the guard captain left Celestia giggled. "You are incorrigible and insatiable." Luna laughed softly.

"You try going a thousand years by yourself with just your hoof while your in season." she snickered softly at her sister when her features suddenly harden into a teeth baring snarl of anger.

Instantly looking behind her Celestia nearly jumped off the floor in shock when she saw a translucent image of Discord making all sorts of lewd gestures toward her flank. Instead she settled for teleporting beside her sister Luna to get away from one of her constant sources of irritation. The Draconequus despite being imprisoned in stone thanks to Twilight and her friends was still somewhat of a pain. As an immortal being Discord could still make his presence known to them and was ultimately responsible for her transformation into Nightmare Moon. She still had not forgiven the Draconequus for his manipulation of her and it was so simple she had failed to see through it.

All he did was point out that the ponies relished and played during her sister's day yet slept through her beautiful nights, as if they shunned them. Stomping her way to the Draconequus who was now laughing his fool head off, Luna stalked forward as she demanded "You wouldn't happen to know anything about the events of this night would you, you over grown mismatched snake in the grass?"

Trying to appear as innocent as possible Discord asked, "Moi? What makes you think I have anything to do with this? And if I did what makes you think I would feel inclined to divulge such knowledge. Oh Luna, Tia, you should have seen looks on your faces!"

Flaring her wings Luna said, "Considering that an ancient power older than the Elements of Harmony has awakened deep within the Everfree Forest, and that the Blade of Forest still resides with the ruins of our castle in case you had forgotten."

The mention of the Blade of Forest instantly dispelled the smirk on the Draconequus' face. He recalled as if it had happened yesterday the last time he clashed with the wielder of that blade. He felt the pain where that blade had been plunged through his chest.

"In case you have forgotten I have no desire to confront that blade again. It took me centuries to heal from that wound so why would I desire it's awakening?" Always attempting to spread discord for his amusement, he said "You should know that I have no power other than to appear here in Canterlot, and have no ability to influence the world beyond immortals. Perhaps my dear sweet Luna, you should ask your Sister Tia of such things, hmmm?"

"The Blade of Forest cannot be drawn without the Blades of Fire, Air, Water, and Earth being drawn as well. Added to the fact the Blade of Forest would allow for the shards of the Blade of Death to be unlocked. Why would I desire such a thing?"

Slinking around as he floated in midair he slithered back and forth in the air as he said "Maybe one of you wants revenge against me for turning Luna into Nightmare Moon." he said stroking his chin. "Or maybe someone misses being the only goddess in Equestria." he said looking over at Celestia who had a look of utter disgust on her face. The Draconequus simply started laughing as he vanished in to the ether.

"I hate him. I really hate him," Luna said as she stalked over to the balcony. As much as she hated it, while Discord enjoyed causing grief and chaos, one of his most effective tools was his point of view. Celestia slowly approached her sister. She knew Discord's tricks very well by now.

"Luna," she said softly. "Other than our niece Cadance and our nephew Blueblood, you are my only living relative. After I had banished you to the moon, Discord appeared to me gloating and singing over how he drove us apart." With some tears in her eyes she said "I cried myself to sleep for over a century for what he did."

"And why you had Canterlot made. You couldn't stand the pain. of living in a place where we grew up together. I know Tia." Luna said as she came up pressing her muzzle to her sister's sharing a very intimate and un-sisterly like kiss. The two were beyond the care of what might be said or rumors. The two had allowed Discord to drive them apart once before. Never again.

"I couldn't stand to loose you a second time. And it would only be a matter of time before Cadance discovered the truth and I would not only lose her, but all of Equestria would shun me." Celestia said "We have both for so long watched those we love and care about grow old and die."

"Hush Tia. I am not about to let that over grown newt drive a wedge between us again," Luna said looking back out over Equestria and in the direction of the Everfree Forest. "Although I wouldn't put it past that overgrown slug to have a claw in this."

As Celestia move to the door she said, "My, my little sister seems to have grown up."

"Not so little anymore," Luna replied.

"Say what you want, but you will always be my little twerp of a sister." With that Celestia dashed out of the room.

Luna, shocked, gave chase as she said."I'll get you for that! You get back here Tia!" The two of them
despite being thousands of years old could still enjoy acting at times like little fillies.

Author's Note

I had forgotten about Blueblood at the time I wrote this, and went in to make a minor edit and addition when Celestia mentions her relatives.