The Future is Ours: Salvation of a Moon

The last several weeks were nothing but a continued deteriorating mess that gave even Princess Celestia a headache. Peace talks, meetings, gatherings, social and planned events were overshadowed and obscured to the point they became the same thing, same event just on a new day. They had all de-evolved into an elaborate excuse to gather around polite and elegant company to discuss the troubles surrounding their Princesses, or rather a certain nocturnal one, and that deeply troubled the Sun Goddess terribly. Luna, having just returned from exile held little to no status in the eyes of the current nobles and their ponies. Other than her being Celestia’s sister and an Alicorn as well, Luna held no real power or influence over them and by that logic made it all the more harder for her to reintegrate back into society. The one and only main reason Luna was even able to resume her “roles” so quickly was because of Celestia’s word alone, and even with that she could do nothing more than hold court and form her own guard; everything else form diplomatic talks to mustering the army was Celestia’s  and hers alone.

To Luna’s credit, she really did try to resume her old duties as quickly and seamless as possible. Limited in power and influence, her sister did manage to win some favor among some of the common ponies (namely in Ponyville) and even helped some of the astrologers and maritime ponies update their star charts, thus allowing for better navigation at night.  Still this did little to wash away the stained stigma of Nightmare Moon that embedded itself within her.

Celestia sighed quietly, allowing a pint of her concerns to vanish. She continued her mild stroll outside in the gardens of the castle court yard, the soft crunches of the grass being the only sign somepony was out this early in the morning. Her sister’s night was still present and on display for the world, and yet Celestia couldn’t even look at it; a bit of guilt and fear held her in a vice. She loved, and whole heartily praised higher beings for Luna's fortunate and safe return, but she now regrettably questioned if Luna was really able to adapt and meld with modern society. She was at a lost.  Luna’s habits and mannerisms showed just how out of tune she was but could it ruin her chances becoming normal once more and move on?

Celestia sighed once more.

Even this late into Luna’s Night, her sister’s moon still managed to brighten the land with enough light to see without the use of a candle or spell. To Celestia it allowed her a small glimpse into her sister’s world. A way to see and understand why Luna loved it so much; to gaze on the bare, plain truth normally hidden but her sun. To her left, the statue of Commander Hurricane, a hero and model for many pegasi for many generations by day… and by night, it could be mistaken as a demon of death and suffering to his would-be enemies. Celestia paused mid stride to better absorb the statue more, noting greatly how the light seemed to go great links to avoid his face and how the shadows cloaked him like the armor he always wore. With the absence of light, this definition of a hero was transformed into faceless monster.

 Perhaps this was how her sister felt most of the time, maybe all the time? Maybe everpony were two complete different ponies that wore two masks each day; one being the ponies that was expected of themselves with the second being the monster they really were? Were Luna and herself the very exceptions to this rule or maybe in some way they were each other’s opposite side? Luna being her monster and her being Luna’s angel?

Could such a system even be possible? Perhaps in a twisted way Nightmare Moon was the world’s way of maintaining a pure harmonic balance? Celestia shook her head, partly in hope of it freeing her mind from such thoughts. Though Celestia may be an immortal ruler and a learned pony, the fields of philosophy and all of its "What If?" questions completely eluded her. She as a pony needed answers; answers that could be found from complete hypothesis. Celestia needed hypothesis that could be formed from facts or a lack of a facts, and not just assume. Celestia didn't like the unknowns and its unanswerable variables. She found them unnerving.

“An unfortunate truth it would be.” Celestia whispered dejectedly. “We’re already two complete opposites with two different views on how Equestria and the whole world views us. My little ponies see me as a savoir, and pillar to lasting harmony; happiness, growth, acceptance and prosperity for all. My sister, Luna, they look upon her as nothing but a cold existence that’s to be feared and condemned; a living reminder of ages past and to come if they should ever leave my light.”

Her mood now worst off than before, Celestia resumed her walk once more, only now with her head hung lower. Going off the position of the stars, and from her connection with the sun she knew it almost time for the sun to rise, which she was thankful for the brief distraction. This morning she wasn't going to do any speculates, shows of power, or fancy flying instead opting to just raise the sun like her job demanded. Besides she wasn’t really in the mood anyway for such gloating.

Celestia aimed her horn toward bleak sky, enveloping it with the purest of light one could ever see. A light so pure, and beautiful it could reduce anypony to tears of blissful joy. The magic aura grew brighter as she channeled more power into her spell; the area around her began to tremble in awe. The raw energy coming from her radiated outward, unleashing ripples of energy that shook the trees and hedges with an unseen wind as it continued to encompass the surrounding area.

As it reached its maximum focus; the energy just as quickly began recalling back to its point of origin. The ripples and the wind reversed direction back toward the pristine Alicorn with vengeance, collecting and swirling around her form before conversing at the very tip of her horn. She could feel the exuberant energy of the sun as it compressed into a perfectly shaped sphere no bigger than a common bit.

With the practice movement and motions that could only be achieved with centuries of repeated practice, Celestia elevated her upper body toward the night sky. Using her mighty wings as a balance, Celestia was able to stand using only her hind legs as a base. The sphere shot forth into the sky with speeds Rainbow Dash could only imagine. She held her pose until she felt the energy pulse across the sky signaling her connection with the massive orb. The faintest of smiles tugged her lips once more as the sun greeted her with vigor once more. The bleak blanket of the night began to gradually dissipate as the warm, hopeful colors of the dawn cracked through the sky. It only took minutes before its rays extended over Equestria, shooing its nocturnal cousin away.

Celestia’s smile fell quickly into a frown as she lowered herself back on all fours. It wasn’t new watching day and night “chase” each other so they could have their turn, but watching it happen again only reminded her of her previous thoughts. Luna, and her night frolicking peacefully before the big bad, glaring sun comes…

“Could I have really been the cause?” Celestia asked herself as the doubt consumed her once more. “Could I have really caused Luna to turn into such a creature, and not realized it? Oh by those that came before, she really was the sole cause of Luna’s transformation wasn't she? She had to be, there just was no other reason why she fought so hard to clear her sister’s name; it wasn't Luna’s fault but hers alone wasn't it?

“I need to talk to somepony about this, but whom?”  She asked herself. She very well couldn't talk to Luna about this, “Oh I realize I’m the reason Nightmare Moon took control of you and why you had to be banished. Sorry about that sister.” No. What about her staff or Guards? Maybe one of them, but even though she saw them on a daily bases could she even consider calling one of them a friend? Ultimately she decided no, this wasn't something she could discuss openly with them. What about Twilight or one of her fri….

“Of course.” It dawned on her. There was only onepony besides her faithful student she could discuss this matter with. If there was anypony she could trust with this, it’ll be him.  Happy with this result she calmly started her walk back to the castle’s inner halls; breakfast was approaching and she had a summon to make.

“No, that would be all, but thank you for asking Morning Rise.” Princess Celestia elegantly and politely dismissed her hoofmaid. The early-bird Morning Rise lowered the pot of remaining hot tea aside before giving her lady a very friendly and warm bow which Celestia kindly smiled at. If anypony could come close to matching her sleep cycle it was her hoofmaid, Morning Rise. Since her first day, nopony unless they had forgone sleep all together could beat Morning Rise in waking first. Almost instantly Celestia came to rely on her to wake her to lower the moon and raise the sun. But with her sister’s return, the job became less taxing on Celestia meaning she had the option of sleeping for a few more hours than normal.

Sadly that still didn’t keep Morning Rise from waking her at the crack at dawn so to speak.

Her job and task finished Morning Rise left Princess Celestia to enjoy her heavenly morning breakfast of imported oats, and hazel chocolate covered toast.  Her diet was going better than expected and so Morning thought the Princess of the sun deserved a treat this morning instead of the usual sliced bananas, and oranges with water. Morning nodded to the double guards, and the trio left the Princess alone to enjoy her meal.

Celestia waited until they all had left the room, waiting until the echoes of their hooves were nothing but faint claps before letting loose on the defenseless plate before her.

Normally the regal purity Celestia was known for would have accompanied her throughout the entirety of her meal.  But just for this very moment she wouldn’t worry whether or not anypony’s eyes were upon her… judging her for not being their idea of how she should act. One thing the Sun Princess truly did long for in her long life if she could be selfish for just a tad bit… it would be a call back to old times, just after discord’s sentencing to stone. A time where Luna and she ruled all of pony kind by just being themselves; a time when she could walk down the cobble stone streets of any city and the ponies would just bow, and announce one’s gratitude unlike today where the ponies treated each informal visit with parades in their honor lease they might be punished.

Celestia paused from the greedily consumption of the delicious foods that once graced her plate. Mostly because her ears detected the faint traces of approaching hooves, and partly because there was hardly anything left on her plate. She paused, ears swirling at attention for the noise once more…there it was. Celestia could only detect one pair of hooves, weighed down not by the burden of ones items or responsibilities but the burden caused by one’s self-imposed worth.

“Blueblood…” She instantly thought. No other pony currently alive or ever to live could ever make such an arrogant, imperious sounding trot. It caused Celestia a small feeling of guilt to think such a thing, especially about her own flesh and blood but there really was no other way she could describe him without lying to herself.

The moment she realized this, a slight panic descended upon her like Parasprites on Pinkie Pie’s cupcakes. In her self-indulgence and hunger for not so healthy food, Celestia had discarded her table, and proper dinning etiquette. Her muzzle was covered in a mixture of chocolate covered oats and crumbs that closely resembled bread crumbs but could have easily been passed off as dirt. In short, she was a mess.

In short, panic bursts she lashed out with her magic, gathering all the loose bits of food into a neat pile while collecting cloths to clean her muzzle. The pompous hoof steps were just moments away as she just finished cleaning her muzzle, and gathering the food remainders in the cloths to easily dispose of them. Her flustered state worsened when she heard the clanking of armor coming together in salute, before the whining of the hinges announced she was out of time.

“Auntie?” Blueblood’s almost childish sounding voice asked questioningly. His styled mane was the first thing to appear before the rest of him step through the door before a bright, unbearably blinding light stunned Blueblood, before dissipating just as quickly. “Auntie!”  Blueblood chimed in surprise and worry at the smoldering, black stain that graced the table’s pristine cover.

“Yes Nephew?”  The Princess asked nonchalantly before taking a sip of her precious morning tea. Blueblood dropped his princely manner and in a not so gentlestallion like manner, pointing an accusing hoof at his aunt.

“AUNTIE CELESTIA! WHAT IS THAT!?” He inclined his jabbing hoof at the scorch mark. Celesita, ever the strategist and word master had a plan already formulating, but all that showed was a simple raise of an eyebrow at her nephew’s antics. Truth be told she did love her nephew, and even found some of his quirks slightly funny and adorable. Sometimes she would secretly laugh when he reverted to throwing mild temper tantrums, while others found it highly annoying and rude.

Still he was family, and that’s something that’ll never change for her.

Celetsia finished another sip of her tea before gently and carefully setting on its plate, magically placing both back on the table. She was just moments ago happily enjoying her breakfast without worries or concerns and now found herself right back in Princess Mode which only made her a bit more snappy. Not because of her nephew Blueblood, but because she had to resume her mask that she always wore in public. Celestia eyed the mark that had emotional gripped him before turning back to examine his current demeanor. What she saw only gave her goosebumps as Celestia’s “darker” side began conjuring mischievous thoughts; Luna, in her brief time back had started rubbing off on her.

“That…” Celestia said while looking Blueblood directly in the eyes “Is what happens to ponies that ask too many questions.”  She nearly lost her composure the moment her nephew’s coat turned even whiter! Oh this was simple fun!

“Oh…” He simply stated, taking a page from Fluttershy’s book on public (and general speaking). Blueblood continued to stare unsure what else he should say or do in response to his aunt’s reply. Celestia returned his stare before turning back to her meal. “Sit nephew.” She commanded, which he did with a new found motivation.

Blueblood took his seat, a bit uncomfortable to his tastes but he wisely kept that complaint to himself as he waited for his aunt to finish sipping her tea.

“What brings you here dear nephew? You hardly are the one to come and visit me this early unless it’s about something you want.” Blueblood cringed just a bit from his aunt’s bluntness, but otherwise held his composure. Now given permission to speak, Blueblood’s mind began repeating the words he had rehearsed this morning trying to word it just right not to have his allowance taking away.

“Well auntie, it’s about Lu…” Celesita’s gaze corrected him “I mean Auntie Luna and her wellbeing.” He paused, taking a sip from the tea his aunt just offered him; mostly to find his next set of words then from being thirsty. “Well… since her…well…that incident a couple of weeks back, Auntie Luna has been more and more recluse.” Seeing that Celestia was still paying him attention he continued.

“And I mean more reclusive since her return. Even with her sessions with that quack…”

“Doctor.” Celestia firmly reminded her nephew.

“Ah, yes doctor.” He nervously chuckled, trying to hide the ever increasing fear rising in him.“Even with her sessions with him, Auntie Luna’s condition has only gotten worst, and worst. Surely auntie you heard of her recent outburst yesterday?”  Blueblood felt his nerves calm a bit when he noticed Celestia nodding. That was a good sign. She was taking him seriously and that meant less time for her to think of grizzly and horrific ways to “deal” with him. The ever “Spend a day learning with Twilight!” option was still a valid and very real punishment; he would likely finish himself off right there and then.

“Yes nephew I’m aware of Luna’s outburst, but it’s not her fault. Luna is still adjusting to everything. There were a lot changes in the past millennia Blueblood, and she needs her family’s support to get her through this.” Celestia nearly recited the statement. She had gotten use to repeating this over the last couple of weeks since it began.

“But auntie… she was running around the castle screaming and yelling that the voices were back. That they were urging her to do wicked and nefarious deeds before collapsing into a ball crying for you auntie.” Celestia noticed the change in his tone. It no didnt' seem to carrying the weight of his usual self whining and wanting, but instead seemed more depressed or worried. He was truly worried for Luna and what she was actually happening to her.

It seemed she had misjudged his intentions here today, he had came here out of true concern for another other than himself and that filled Celestia with a small bit of pride. To see his normally selfish pony she called her nephew worried for another. Maybe there was more to him then she had thought.

“Blueblood.” For the first time that morning, Celestia had addressed him not as “nephew” or as she would for another noble, but as an actual family member. “Luna is going through a very, very hard and difficult thing right now. She needs us to be strong and be ready to help her when she needs it most.”

And not missing a beat, he asked the one question she couldn’t answer. “And what is Auntie Luna going through that she has to face alone? Why aren’t we doing more to help her and why are we just isolating her and making her fight this alone?” Blueblood asked, lost and looking to Celestia for an answer or some sort of reassurance, but it was something he wouldn't get today.

Celestia was for the first time in a very long time lost at what to say. Pondering this, she almost started to recite a fib she had prepared just in case when the loud knocking filled her ears. Both ponies turned their head to the door, just as Shining Armor crept into the Dining Hall. He waited until he was fully in the room before looking their way, removing his helmet in respect and tradition when appearing before her in such a manner.

Celestia only needed one look at him to know his words were only meant for their ears only. “Blueblood. Could you kindly give me and Shining Armor a moment? We’ll continue talking later this afternoon, say lunchtime?”

Blueblood, picking up on the hint nodded and quietly removed himself from the Dining Hall, giving the captain a nod before leaving. Celestia waited a few seconds before casting a Silence spell over the room to keep their conversation private.

Shining approached the table taking Blueblood’s seat directly in front of Celestia, setting his helmet on the chair next to him. He adjusted his armor a bit, trying to make himself look more presentable, and to stall for an extra a few seconds.

“I’m glad you came Shining Armor. You of course made sure to burn that note correct?” Celestia asked knowing the answer already. He gave a simple curt nod in response and the pair left it like that with nothing needed to be said. With that first question out of the way Celestia decided to take another sip of her tea before starting her conversation with Shining Armor.

She was going to need its calming effects for this talk.

As she continued her silent partaking of the tea, Shining Armor shifted a tad nervously in his seat as Celestia continued to say nothing. This was one of those moments he truly didn’t like, the unknown and uncertainty of a situation. His training was top notch and of course prepared him for dealing with multiple circumstances, but that still never truly helped him when it came to dealing with the unknown.  As a commander, his choices, and his actions affected everypony, and the less knowledge he had about a subject, the larger the possibility for somepony to get hurt.

Though Princess Celestia was the poster filly of elegance, and stature, there were also times she could become unpredictable, and to a point on par with Nightmare Moon in terms of anger and ruthlessness. Granted the last time such an incident like that happened was about 300 hundred years after Luna’s exile during the Griffon Hierarchy’s aggressive expansion campaign.

“That was different” he told himself. “Another time, another situation.” As he steeled himself for the coming conversation. Celestia’s lips finally left the lip of the tea cup only after finishing off the cup before removing the cup and plate to the side. Other than that she didn’t move, didn’t even blink or twitch as she set with the practiced patience of a monarch.

“Well Princess Celestia” Shining Armor started off causally before delivering bad news. Celestia had insisted that when he came Captain for him to just simple use her name and nothing more, but by addressing her with title, it was their way of knowing what was to be said wasn’t the news she wanted to hear. But she had summon him for his input and he was going to tell her the truth.

 “I have to agree with Prince Blueblood… he’s right. Why aren't we helping Princess Luna more than we currently are?”  Suddenly Shining Armor, despite being in the close proximity with the Mare of the Sun herself felt a cold shiver run through his body.

“Excuse me Captain Shining Armor?” Oh damn. He was treading straight into the jaws of an Ursa Major, and sadly he was doing it knowingly. But the fact she used his rank scared him the most. Only in extreme times of importance or anger would she use such a protocol when they were for the most part on a familiar first name bases. This was likely going to end badly if didn’t tread more carefully.

“I’m just saying Celestia that I agree with Prince Blueblood.” He quickly raised a hoof when he noticed the faintest movements of Celestia’s mouth readying to opening. The gestured did its job, and bought him enough time to justify his reasons before becoming the newest garden statue.

“In the sense we should be helping Princess Luna more than we. Couldn’t we maybe try to encourage her to come out of her room more instead of letting her stay in there until her Night Court? Maybe we could even take her for walks around the city or something along those lines?” Shining Armor asked after he found his back bone once more. Normally Prince Blueblood and he were at odds with each other, but for once he was right.  Shining Armor had so far only official met Princess Luna a few times (like three or four) and even those moments had been very vague. Most of their conversations in fact really weren’t conversations at all; they were her “letting him know” of his complete lack of command over her newly formed “Cosmic Guard”. In fact, nopony really knew much about their Night Princess except for the occasional lose bit of gossip and that she only makes consecutive appearances at her court.

Princess Celestia managed to return to a more natural demeanor after nearly losing control at Blueblood and Shining Armor’s insensitive remarks... or rather their spot on apprehension of the matter. She let her inquisitive looking magenta eyes scan the pony before her as they searched for anything that could be used to discredit his intentions. They effortlessly scanned his very essence and his very soul for a shred of deceit or ill meaning behind his words, but they found none. And she respected him more for that.  Celestia had summoned him for this reason in hopes he would agree with her and her decisions, but instead he sided with her nephew.

He sided with Blueblood because he honestly felt there was more they could do for Luna, and what was currently being done simply wasn’t enough. She had known there was more that could be done, but once more she opted to giving Luna space and hoping that she’ll come around; a major problem she had when dealing with most ponies other than twilight. She loved and respected her ponies very much, so much that so that she tried not to take it upon herself to interfere with their lives. Through the tenacious long years of her live, Celestia had learned early on that the more she got involved with her ponies lives the more it ended up hurting her when they passed. It hurt very much, but it hurt Luna more as she watched numerous friends and love interests pass while she remained the same. They both quickly chose to wisely stay out their citizens lives.

It’s a selfish tactic that they used to great effect till this very day; one Celestia seemed to be recklessly using on her own sister. And that was even more crippling than the wound from the mightiest blast of magic. It was through luck that she figured this out now before it got worst and Luna relapsed back into Nightmare and ended up with either her return to the moon once more, or ended with her death…

Celestia had made her decision; one that would involve breaking a rule Luna and her had agreed to enact and uphold indefinitely. She was going to open up to a pony other than her sister, and ask for their help.  Her face drooped in defeat, letting a small sigh escape her lips as her entire body posture sag a little till it resembled how an exhausted pony would look when sitting down.

“You’re right. Both of you are right.”  She finally said, her voice having lost its confident and knowing attitude. Celestia looked up from her hooves at the Captain sitting in front of her, portraying a gaze that sought to comfort her, and equally wanting answers that only she had. There were only the scarcest of moments Celestia ever felt venerable, and cornered; the last being the banishment of her sister, and now this one was slowly becoming such a moment.  She straightened her massive body to an informal pose, disregarding the nature of her stature as she readied herself for a rare informal discussion with Shining Armor. Though she knew him a bit more than normal from Twilight, and how her niece, Cadence, talked about him; sadly none of that ever made Celestia actually want to sit down with the stallion and just talk. And now here she was about to open up to this very Stallion about a matter she wasn’t even going to tell Twilight about.

Celestia allowed her previous thoughts to settle along the floor of her mind, before returning to the present. Shining Armor still set before her, worried and unsure how to proceed. He wanted to help or be of some assistance but his training and her status chained him from doing anything. Qualities and traits that Celestia and it would seem her niece as well found very enduring.

“From the way Cadence talks of him, I might have to start getting use to this sort of thing.” Celestia thought with a sad smile gracing her muzzle. Not from disappointment of the possible future couple, but at how she suddenly just felt…better from opening up. Not by much but enough to dispel a couple of the dark clouds that hung over her head.

“Shining to be very blunt, I honestly don’t know what to do about my sister.”

The two sat in awkward silence. One un-moving while his mind tried to process the staggering claim just made, while the other noted her companion’s newly acquired dumbfound expression.  Celesita noticed only the faintest of moment from her comrade, the subtle blinking of his eyes, and few twitchy bodily jerks before he inhaled a cool, restoring breath to speak; Celestia readied herself for the inevitable verbal blitzkrieg to follow.

“Whaaa..” Shinning started before saving himself with a sudden fit of coughing. “Excuse me Princess? I’m sorry, but I’m afraid I've misheard you. I swear I heard you said don’t know how to handle Princess Luna’s condition?” Shining Armor asked knowing full well what Celestia said, but the image of Celestia that he and his fellow ponies had been raised on just couldn't accept that. Instead he was finding it easier to lie to himself and just assume he misheard her, hopefully given her the chance to change her answer...

“You heard me clearly Captain. I don’t know what to do with my sister.” The cracks of “The Princess” mask started becoming more visible to Shining Armor the more she spoke. The subtleties of the fissures were comparable to hay and grass; anypony could note the blaring differences.

“I naively thought once my sister returned, everything would be well once more. I knew there would be some resistance with her sudden appearance, and with the huge span of time she’s been away but nothing that’ll affect her permanently.” Celestia paused, magically gripping her tea cup. She only raised it off its matching saucer before having it fall to her studious gaze, silently into its empty depths for the answers she sought. Her magical aura pulsed brightly once, before releasing a small sigh, setting the teacup back on its saucer.

Shining raised a brow at her antics, and the sudden absent minded look now carved upon her face. He was preparing to delve for a more lucrative answer before she spoke once more.

“I need help Shining, plain and simple.” Celestia stated in defeat as she leaned a bit onto the table. The sudden movement surprised him enough for him to instinctively move away from her like a child readying themselves for one of their mother’s disappointment speeches. Celestia stopped only when she was finally able to rest her forelegs on the table, bring her hooves together allowing the goddess a place to rest her muzzle.

“You’ve heard the rumors, the gossip about her behaviors, and importantly even seen how she’s been acting for the past few of weeks.” Shining Armor nodded meekly to her words. The captain in him was unease, guilty even at just sitting here gossiping about his other charge while to his own dismay the civilian side of him was eager to listen and exchange in these juicy  details. But thankfully the Captain in him was the stronger of the two sides, and managed to keep his professional image.

“You’ve noticed how she’s be reacting to my presence as well. How she avoids me, doesn’t look me in the eyes… and even panics when I try and approach her.” Celestia nearly choked that last part.

Everypony that didn’t live in the EverFree Forest knew what she meant.  At first it was nothing to serious, a few less hours of sleep here and there which many ponies had experienced before, so it wasn’t too concerning. The next subtle change was almost borderline aggressive crankiness followed by a snappy attitude. This also went unaware by the ponies and her sister Celesita, since Luna was quite literally not a morning pony, but sadly the changes only got worst from there.

The Decent, the allegory it became known to be for to describe Princess Luna’s mental welfare from that moment onward. After the first few initial “dreams”, Luna would be heard mumbling through the halls at night like the madmare she was becoming. She feared the castle stuff (or most ponies) to the point she simply refused to eat in the dining hall only exacting her meals in her room, and avoided her sister to the best of her abilities only leaving her room to host her court.  Even during these times when she cradled her infant night, Luna was still very much on edge. In her world any and everypony was a suspect of nefarious doings and misdeeds of things they knew not of. Even her own loyal Cosmic Guards were looked upon with some mistrust and a small degree of fear.

“Yes. Yes I’m aware Celestia.” Shining croaked the words with some distaste at how things currently were. His job, as Guard Captain of the Solar Guard was protecting the Princess, Equestria, and her citizens; other times it was to agree with, and in certain moments provide honest and exceptional advice so the princess could make a sound and right decision.

This was one of those moments. Celestia, his princess/queen had in a rare/unheard of precedence had opened herself to him. She had laid her cards before him in a move that he wasn’t prepared for. Princess of the Sun, Celestia was asking him for advice. Not about trivial matters either, hay, it wasn’t even advice but more like “what should she do to help her sister Luna?” His answer could/would affect the situation tremendously to the point that Equestian history could very be affected as well.

During the quiet Celestia had closed her eyes while lowering her head just a bit. This sudden moment didn’t escape Shining Armor’s attention, and he quickly snapped from his thoughts to confront whatever it was… and more than he liked, he was unprepared for it.

From a pseud bow, Celestia asked her question once more.

“Shining Armor. As Captain of my guard, brother to my faithful student, and a friend, I ask…no I plead you for your help!” He choked. His guard training, no matter how difficult it had been or at times seemed pointless in his mind had always in the end proven to be invaluable or at least served some form of purpose. But as he set there with his majesty on the verge of tears asking, and pleading for him to help her not only as her Captain, but as a friend as well just left him unable to take action.

To Shining Armor’s credit and his professionalism had kept a neutral mask on while the raging storm of anxiety and doubt fought each other with in his mind. He was desperately searching, filing and reciting every bit of training he had ever revived, taken and gave for an answer to this problem, and yet everyone last one failed to tell him how to act in this situation. How could he act like a friend to a princess? Sure he and Cadence were friends, but that was a different sort of friendship.   Other than his own family, he couldn’t recall when he truly had a friend of his own. He was lucky to even have met Cadence at all during his training, and now he was being called upon to be one by his boss... Just what was he to do?

“Princess…” he gulped “Celestia, I’m a bit surprised and at the same time honored you consider me a friend to trust me enough to tell me about your worries…” Shining Armor started as he thought about the ramifications of his involvement. In one hoof was Princess Celestia, the “Monarch” and light of all of Equstria. In the other was Princess Luna, the “step foul” or black sheep so to speak; the lost, confused and complete polar opposite of her sister. Each move he made from here on out would affect both in some way. Should he give Celestia bad advice on how to handle Luna, both would feel it but Luna would likely suffer the most. While the opposite could be said; Shining Armor could draw more attention than he needed to himself and possibly could give Luna the wrong idea about him and how he played in this scheme of things. The way he looked at it, only more problems were going to be created in the end and it was going to eventually come down to who was hurt the most after it was all over.

And yet, Shining Armor couldn’t back out. He had in a way already made the first move in their game of chess just by being here replying to Celestia’s note asking him to be here. If he had known before what the note was really about he likely might have made some excuse not to be here. It wasn’t full proof but it would have given him way more time to think this through. Shining Armor was a soldier and never had any intention to play this game, but now it seemed he already started he had hit the ground running. For now he’ll play it one move at a time until he could plan ahead. For now his first move would be agreeing to Celestia’s plea for help.

Because after everything was said and done, in the grand scheme of life Celestia was his lord, and he was her vassal. He would have had to say yes eventually, and before that time came he wanted it to be on his terms.

“..And I’ll be happy to help you Celestia.” Shining Armor finished, watching Celestia’s face brighten to almost shedding tears of joy. She was about to respond when a blood curling scream quaked throughout every hallway, and room of the castle causing many ponies to drop what they were doing and whimper as they felt the chill snaking down their spines.

Shining Armor and Princess Celestia both snapped their heads toward the double doors as the two guards that always followed Celestia came through followed by one of Luna’s Cosmic Guards. The controlled panic on their faces twisted before morphing into one of extreme urgency as all three open their mouths...

“Princess! Captain! It’s Princess Luna!” They shouted in unison before jumping out of the way to avoid the blurs of white that raced pasted them. The guards wasted no time bolting after their charges.