The cold grey light of dawn washed over Canterlot, hazy light sluggishly illuminated its towers. Mysteria woke, feeling both happiness and pain as she remembered the night before.
“Gently” she whispered joyfully to herself, hugging a pillow to her chest. She could scarcely believe that she had a very special somepony. I can't wait to tell the other crusaders, she thought.
Twilight watched her oblivious student from the doorway, in frustration. What would it take to cure her of this infernal infatuation? Eventually, she decided to leave the young filly to her daydreams, deciding instead to make her way to breakfast. As she left, she smiled to herself - she could also use the time to lay down the law with Gently.
She strode down to the great hall with determination, but was stopped at the base of the tower. Before her were two of Princess Celestia’s guards. Resplendent in their uniform white coats and gleaming golden armour, they struck imposing figures as they stood, wings crossed, in front of her, their faces blank.
“You must come with us, Twilight Sparkle.” The one on the left told her firmly. Though his tone and stature were firm, his eyes betrayed a flash of fear.
She nodded slowly, instantly realising there was a problem, and followed them up to the observation tower. When she saw inside, she pushed past them to her mentor’s side. Celestia lay sprawled on the balcony, her limbs splayed at odd angles, and her breath coming in pants.
“What happened, Celestia?” Twilight cried, as she bent down over her master. The white alicorn smiled weakly at her student, her normally vibrant mane dull and lifeless on the floor.
“I’m fine, Twilight.” she said quietly between gasps of breath. The purple unicorn shook her head in disbelief, examining her teacher for a wound or symptom. She seemed unharmed and healthy, yet terribly exhausted.
The sun finally broke through the clinging tendrils of fog in earnest. As its light shone down, the princess changed. She stood up, her limbs and wings becoming strong and supple, her now lustrous coat billowing magnificently behind her.
“As I said, my dear student, I’m fine.” Celestia calmly told the slack jawed pony.
Twilight hurriedly closed her mouth, moving forward to stand next to her teacher to watch Canterlot welcome the sun.
“Why did it take so much effort to raise the sun this morning?” she asked, guessing the cause for the princess’ earlier state.
“Tell me, how much do you know about the time after we defeated Discord, before Luna’s exile?” Celestia responded, her gaze distant as she stared at the dawn. Twilight thought a little before responding. Ancient history was not her forte.
“I know, that you and Luna drafted up the laws that all ponies should live by. I also know you established Canterlot as the seat of your power. You made treaties with the dragons over territory, and of course took responsibility for the cycle of day and night.”
“That is all mostly true and correct.” Celestia agreed nodding her head slowly, “But it was not just me and my sister during that period. We were assisted, at first, by a third alicorn who had powerful control over magic. Her name was Umbra and she served as a mediator between myself and my sister. For though we were joined in blood and rule, we were not yet mature enough to work together, as we represented opposites in mindset.”
Twilight stood silent as her teacher dictated this to her. She had never heard of this Umbra pony, and found the notion of the two princesses squabbling ridiculous.
“Eventually it came to our attention that Umbra was tricking us into investing our power in ways she could use, The Celestial Tournament being one example. She wanted to gain enough of our power to surpass us both. We confronted her with this treachery, and since she was not as powerful as our combined might, wielding the Elements of Harmony, she fled. She returned in the night, catching my dear sister off guard, and used her powerful sorcery to warp Luna into Nightmare Moon. I was able to use the Elements of Harmony to trap my sister in the moon, and Umbra in the depths of a black hole.”
“But why tell me this?” Twilight interjected, her curiosity peaked.
“I fear that Umbra is manipulating certain ponies in Canterlot to conspire against me.” Celestia answered darkly.
Twilight gasped - such mental control was forbidden by the core tenets of Equestrian society, and to use it to try and bring down Celestia was treason.
“But how can she control them from within a black hole?” Twilight asked. “You don’t think she’s escaped, do you?”
“Impossible. Though the prison may have weakened over time, it is still strong enough to contain her physical form. She may be able to project her magic out, though.
“What can I do to help, Princess?” came the anxious response, the purple unicorn gazing fearfully at the starry dawn.
The Alicorn smiled benevolently at her student - so eager to please, regardless of thought for herself. She could have easily been the Element of Generosity, Celestia mused before responding.
“My faithful student. The best way for you to help is to become my champion - then you will have the power to protect those you care for.”
Twilight nodded, smiling. However, her expression had Celestia taken aback - where she normally saw kindness or logical thinking, she now saw cold righteous anger.
Mysteria skipped down the stairs. Despite the anger of her teacher, and the danger of being caught, she could not contain her feelings of elation as she considered having a relationship with a stallion.
Her eyes quickly scanned the hall as entered. She looked for that dark blue coat, or a flash of his yellow eyes. A flash of blue in the corner of her eyes notified her of his entrance and turning, their gazes met. Her heart soared in her chest, its beat increasing, and she smiled shyly over at him. He smiled back, but put his hoof to his lips and shook his head. Understanding, she looked away and walked over to her table in a nonchalant manner.
She had been happily making her way through the spread for several minutes before Twilight joined her. The silence became oppressive and Mysteria ate faster so she could join Gently outside. The thought of last night in the gardens was enough to send a tingle through her and she stretched herself happily. This drew an arch look, and clearing her throat Twilight began to speak, though she did so without making eye contact.
“Mysteria, in the light of day, I can understand what you did, but I do believe that spending more time with Gently is a bad idea. You are therefore forbidden to talk to him for the rest of the solstice.”
The grey pony looked at her teacher incredulously and, seeing she had made up her mind, felt tears beginning to well up in her eyes.
“Why do you think I should stay away from him?” she asked after a moment, struggling to keep her voice under control.
“He is obviously seducing you, and causing you to behave erratically. This is a common symptom of love, or in this case,” and here Twilight looked disdainfully at her student, “youthful lust.”
Mysteria’s eyes narrowed, and she found herself yelling, tears streaming down her face.
“What do you know about love, or having a relationship with another stallion? You lock yourself away from anypony else all day, and still feel as if you have the right to tell me how to live my life? Gently is a far better pony than you, and he truly cares for me.”
The entire hall had gone silent by this point - all eyes were on the two of them. Mysteria took a breath. Then, in a much calmer voice, completely devoid of emotion or compassion finished:
“I doubt you could even care for me at all.”
Then, setting her plate down with a resounding clatter, walked calmly out of the silent room, leaving Twilight, alone and embarrassed, at the table.
Conversations began again in hushed tones, and after a short while she looked up to see Gently standing opposite her.
“What do you want?” she asked her voice resigned and weary.
“I need to apologise for my forward behaviour last night. As you are Mysteria’s guardian, it was improper for me to begin courting her without your permission. Right now, I can see that such permission is unlikely. I ask, nay I beg.” he said, bowing his head to the ground before her.
“Please allow me to continue to share her company. I promise on my honour as a Star that I shall not make further advances without your blessing.”
She sat silently, evaluating this stallion. His concern and emotion seemed genuine, but what really struck a cord in Twilight was the worry in his eyes, the desire to protect, from his stance.
She nodded her head, coming to a decision.
“I may have been overly hasty. Though you acted in an improper manner, you are an honourable stallion. I do not grant you the right to court Mysteria, but you may speak with her.”
He took her hoof and kissed it in gratitude.
“Thank you. Thank you, Twilight Sparkle.”
With a last joyful look, he galloped off after her student. He had made up his mind - despite the risk and the danger, he would protect her.