//------------------------------// // Chapter II: A Visible Problem // Story: It's Only A Matter Of Time // by Dropgasm //------------------------------// Twilight opened her eyes, letting the light of a new day shine in. It was probably early, there wasn’t that much shining. She was the first to wake up, and spike was still sleeping at the bottom of her bed, like a dog. She got up and looked outside, the sky was still partially dark as she expected, but there were people in the garden already. “Huh? There’s something wrong. People shouldn’t be up this early.” She then spotted something up on the sisters’ balcony; Luna. Luna, trying to move the sun, but clearly having difficulties. It was way bigger than the moon and it’s surface is harder to “grip”. The wake up call to a rented room Questions raced in Twilight’s mind. “Why is Luna moving the sun? What happened to Celestia? Why is Luna having difficulties? Why are people not noticing this? Is Celestia Okay? Should I yell at Luna right now? No, that will wake up my friends. I need to teleport there! But the noise will wake up my friends! What do I do? What should I do?...” The bearer of the element of magic walked out her room as quietly as she could and exited the quarters, rushing to Celestia’s room. Surprisingly, no guards stopped her on the way there, none seemed curious why Twilight would suddenly run through the Castle at an early time like this. She assumed the guards weren’t aware of the situation - and neither was she - and continued running, soon to be intercepted by the princesses’ room’s guards. “What brings you here, Twilight Sparkle?” one of them said, in a rather intimidating voice. “I don’t know exactly, but I think something may be wrong with Celestia, it seems like an emergency.” Twilight replied, trying not to panic too much. She was already giving the impression her head was going to explode, she didn’t wanna make it explode for real. Intrigued, one guard went inside and demanded authorization for our hero to enter. He then came out a few seconds later, opening the door to Twilight. — Rarity woke up, excited to know what would be on the menu this fine morning. She was not used to sleeping without having Opalescence around, although the amazingly comfortable beds made up for it. She felt like a princess, sleeping in this kind of place and being so close to Celestia. She heard a door open. Curious, she opened hers. It was a unicorn, bringing fresh food on the table. “What do we get this fabulous morning?” Rarity cared to ask. The servant rambled on and on about every single thing he brought in. The noise eventually caused the other ponies to wake up. He was gone soon after. The ponies chatted for a few minutes, waiting for Twilight to devour all that delicious food set on the table. But then Spike came out of his and Twilight’s room. “Hey have you guys seen Twilight? She wasn’t there when I woke up and the window curtains were open.” The little dragon said. They all shrugged. “She is probably talking to the Princess or something, it’s been a while since they’ve seen eachother anyways.” Rainbow said. “Oh no she could’ve been captured by a BIG small dragon and then put in a dungeon or something!” Pinkie burst into tears. “OH NOOO. WHYYYYYYYYYYYY-” “I’m sure everythin’s fine. C’mon y’all, let’s eat! I'm hungrier than a bear in early spring.” Applejack, reassuring everyone. It seemed to work as Pinkie stopped her show and all of em were sit down around the table within the next minute. — The first thing in her line of sight was Luna, visibly exhausted. She was surprised that Twilight noticed her so early and never really prepared for anything like this. “Luna?” Twilight said. “What’s going on? Why are you moving the sun? What happened to your sis-” The Moon Princess lifted her front right hoof in the air, closing her eyes. She clearly had an explanation to do, and fast. Although the first thing she did was sigh. “There’s something wrong with Celestia, and we’re not sure what it is yet. She’s getting headaches and we have tried a spell to cure it, but it has no effect. It looks like she just needs some rest. She cannot get out of bed, we are sure she won’t be able to move the sun. That’s why we... I mean I, moved it this morning.” Luna paused for a moment, just remembering about what Twilight taught her last Nightmare night. She was also thinking of anything else to add. “Do you have any idea what could’ve caused this? I mean, I wasn’t there when the changeling queen came, did I miss anything I should know? Help me, Twilight.” It was hard to admit, but she knew putting this secret in Twilight’s hands wouldn’t be a problem. Twilight just stood there, staring at the floor, thinking. It wasn’t long until she had her answer, though. “Celestia had a duel with the queen and she lost. The queen’s power was too much for her to handle and the spell knocked her back a few yards. The tip of her horn looked burnt. It could be that.” At that moment, Twilight also remembered how the queen maintained control of the princess. “At one point too she was suspended upside down in a cocoon for a few hours, maybe it could be all that blood in her head.” Luna was surprised no one even told her this, not even Celestia. I guess she really did miss something. “Right... well whatever the case is, it doesn’t look that bad. I’m sure she’ll be up and running within a few days. Until then I should be able to take care of Equestria by myself. It’s only a few days after all.” Luna said. Twilight saw how hard it was for her to move the sun this morning and wasn’t sure what to say about this. She didn’t know if Luna could withstand such duties every day. But still, she was talking to a princess, she wasn’t going to disrespect her.  “Well then, I’ll be on my way, I have my friends waiting on me for a breakfast and I have to get back to Ponyville in a few hours. If you need me for anything just send Spike a letter.” Twilight said. “Farewell, Twilight Sparkle.” Luna replied. She closed the door behind her and Luna found herself alone in the room again. She walked up to the window, looking up at the bright sky she brought up. “-sigh- I really hope I won’t have to do this longer than three or four days, moving the sun is harder than I thought.” Sounded like an alarm of impending doom — “Hey Fluttershy,” Rainbow said. “Cloudsdale picked Ponyville again to lift the water up next week so can I count on you this time again? You rocked last time!” “Sure Rainbow, I’ll do my best to help.” Fluttershy replied. “Woo-hoo! I saw you last time and you were flying all around so fast ZOOM! and you lifted all the water and all SWISH! it shooted all the way up to Cloudsdale like BOOM! and it was so awesome!” Pinkie excitedly said, running around the room like she was trying to create a tornado. How could Pinkie find so much energy at nine in the morning? They all giggled and chuckled. “Fluttershy you are starting to get really assertive now, I’m so proud of you darling!” Rarity added. “Why thank you Rari-” The door opened, interrupting Fluttershy. “Twilight! Where were you?” Rainbow said. “I was just chatting with Luna because... well.... something happened to Celestia.” The room’s atmosphere changed from a joyful laugh to a serious drama theater scene. You could hear some gasps here and there and everypony dropped their food. Before anypony could say anything, she continued. “We’re not sure exactly what it is, but she’s going to stay in bed for a few days and Luna has to take over for a bit, I just wasn’t sure if Luna was strong enough to do it. I saw her move the sun this morning and it didn’t look that easy to her.” Twilight said. She proceeded to have a seat and start eating too, she was so hungry she could eat everything in front of her right now. “Oh dear, that sounds awful, is she gonna be okay?” asked Fluttershy. “I sure hope so. What if she doesn’t move the sun? Or the moon!?!” said Applejack, starting to panic a little. “There’s no need to ask all the questions, Luna is a very strong pony and I’m sure she can do the job. She just needs some time getting used to it.” Rarity replied, calming everyone down. She knew what she just said might be wrong but it was better to believe that it was right. “Yeah, you’re right. No need to get all worried and stuff.” said Rainbow, taking another bite. “I just want you all not to talk about this in front of Luna if she comes by, I don’t want her to feel weaker than she is, I’m sure she can handle this task but she’ll need confidence for it.” said Twilight. They all agreed and slowly continued their meal. There wasn’t much they could do to help the situation with the deliciousness right in front of them. So they just ate. — Luna opened the door to her sister’s room. She was awake. “Hey Tia, I just wanted you to know that Twilight is aware of your.. situation. She saw me this morning and I had no choice.” said Luna. “It’s okay, I trust my most faithful student enough to believe she’ll keep her mouth shut. Maybe she could even help you find a spell, who knows,” replied Celestia, laying in bed. “Did you move the sun this morning?” “Oh, yes. I did...” Luna hesitantly said, she wasn’t sure if it was the right idea to admit she had difficulties. She knew she already screwed up by saying it that way. It was pretty obvious there was a missing piece to the puzzle. She didn’t want her sister to think she was not needed around, or not qualified for such a status. “...Are you sure? You don’t seem sure.” said Celestia. Luna was just given a second chance, she wasn’t going to screw it up this time. “Yes, I did. I’m sure of it.” she replied, determined to let that mishap go by unnoticed. “... Alright. Would you mind accompanying Twilight and her friends to their carriage? I can’t... really... do that right now. They are in room 97B.” asked the sick one, letting out a few coughs inbetween her words. It seems she is the one asking all the questions today, even with her... sickness... curse, maybe? Who knows what it is. Glad the awkward and silent moment is gone, Luna agreed and headed out the room. She came by a window and looked outside, it was where all the guests were standing last evening. Everything was cleaned up to perfection, as if the palace was ready to host another event as huge as the wedding again. She walked for a while. Kinda forgetting where she was headed to. Luna was lost in her own mind, for no good reason, starting to get a little insecure as to her “moving the sun is hard and I’m not sure I can do it everyday” general thought process. Somehow, she made it to the good room and hearing the noise in that room snapped her out of her bubble. She opened the door and saw the two-and-a-half-time saviors of Equestria. The ponies weren’t doing much now, they were done eating and the servants already cleaned everything up. They were just sitting around the table chatting, once again. “Oh hey Luna! What’s up?” Rainbow said. She spotted her first due to where she was positionned on the table, facing the door. Luna was a bit confused by this new language she has yet to get very familiar with. “I’m.. doing good, thanks. Are you all ready to go now?” She asked. There was a big disorganized vocal mess of agreements, and they all went in their rooms to grab their last things. Twilight already had everything ready, so she was left alone with the Princess. “How’s your sister doing, Princess?” Twilight asked. “Well... I’m not sure. I’m not sure what has afflicted her, I’m not sure how bad it can get, or how bad it will get, I’m not sure how to fix this.” Luna replied. “Also, please stay put, I may need your help if things get out of control. I’m not familiar with all the talented unicorns out there and you are the best I know.” Twilight was pleased with the compliment, but was also worried that Luna would even have to ask such a thing. She thanked the Princess and by this time most of the ponies were out of their rooms and all set to go. “Alright then, let’s head out to your carriages and get you back to Ponyville.” Luna said, making her way out of the room with everyone following her.” “So, umm.. Rainbow? You said we have to lift the water up again?” Fluttershy asked quietly. “Yeah, I hope you can come again, It wouldn’t be the same without my top flier.” Rainbow winked at Fluttershy. “I’ll need your library for a meeting again, Twilight. OH! And also the egghead side of me wants to borrow the new Daring Do that you bought! I haven’t read that one yet.” Twilight giggled. She sure changed the way Rainbow acts about reading, although she hasn’t really read anything else but Daring Do yet. “I guess It wouldn’t hurt. I’m too caught up to spend time reading that one yet anyways.” It was about 11:30, and before they knew it, they arrived at the parking lot where their carriages were sitting still, waiting for their “cargo”. They hopping in their respective rides and eventually departed home, leaving behind a waving Princess. To warn us it's only a matter of time...