“Do you know what happened?” Sugar spice just arrived at the kingdom square. She then approaches the two siblings that she well knows about.
“I don’t know. But it must be exciting things for everypony required to gather here.” Shining star says.
“Ohh, do you think this is a coup?” Starry Night says. She is Shining Star’s sister.
“Maybe. Though I must say your thought is dark.”
“But it’s exciting! You know a new power rules us?”
“New power, new leader, new everything!”
“Maybe you want to enlighten me about what is exciting about it.”
“How long is it after the pony wage war with King Sombra?”
“You know, the stallion who spread fear all over the land.”
“Thirty years or so. I'm still not sure where you are going with this.”
“See, this is too peaceful! We need some drama.”
“Our lives need more juice. More spice!”
“Yea, as expected I don’t know what you talking about.”
“How about Princess Celestia throw her sister out?” This time, Starry Night turns to giving ideas.
“Then she became the sole leader!”
“Why is your idea getting worse?” Sugar Spice can feel her sanity is declining every second.
“Sorry I’m late.” Caramel Crunch coming late, well technically not.
“Nah it’s fine. Looks like neither Princess Luna nor Princess Celestia is here anyway. Regardless, please help me.”
“What’s up?”
“This pony over here talks about a coup, and the other talks about Princess Luna being thrown by her sister.”
“I could see their line of thought. See, I’m thinking if King Sombra or Discord is resurrected.”
“Not you too. Is nopony here thinking about it in a positive way?” Sugar Spice asks with Hopeful eyes.
“...”
“...”
“...”
“I’m starting to wonder, how come I can be friends with you three.”
Whisper and hushed voice could be heard in the kingdom square until Princess Luna landed in front of them. Ponies are silent and pay attention to what their Princess wants to convey. Though in reality, it was Nightmare Moon that had something to say. “Fillies and Gentlecolts, we want to apologize for requiring you to leave your work to come here, for we have an announcement for you.”
“We are promised for what you are going to hear will be free from any sugarcoat. You could try to cross examine with one of our guards. Though we will warn you, our guards as for now are split into three factions. Each with their own biased opinion of what happened.”
“That’s said. Just today, we had a talk with our sister. It was unpleasant to say the least. A lot of tears, sadness, and anger happened today. Though with that, we come to a conclusion.”
“As you know we are suffering from scarcity in our kingdom. Even after we finally met at an age of peace after our seemingly endless war with King Sombra and Discord. Food is still not widely available for ponies, and even if it does become available the prices are too high for unfortunate ponies.”
“We and our sister, of course, want to make food to be widely available. But, unfortunately we live in ‘Zero-sum game’ society. This would imply two things. First, the only way for you to get better off is if somepony else gets worse off.”
“The good news is, we are not in a situation where we are competing for land with other species. The bad news is, we still can’t make use of the land we currently have for it’s maximum capacity. We want to implore you to limit the number foals you can realistically foster. You don’t want your foal to be suffering right?”
“Secondly, this would limit our way to combat scarcity. We can think of two way for the exact. It’s very obvious, right? We could produce more food. With more food then it will be widely available. But, it’s not going to be that easy.”
“There are two problem with it. As we said earlier we are not competing for land with other species, meaning we could expand our land as much as we want right? Wrong. There are still dangerous creatures lurking everywhere. It may be unintelligent, but still dangerous for the average pony. Another problem is, we simply don't have better fertilizer and crops.”
“Then how about the other way to combat scarcity? We simply make ponies need less food.” Nightmare Moon could see confused looks on her ponies. This makes her giggle a little. “In a way, we could bestow a blessing to ponies. This blessing will make you live strong and happy.” Ponies have the look of joy in their face, knowing that they would no longer be hungry.
“But it's not without a price.” Nightmare Moon opens her wings wide. She then flew high so ponies behind could see her. Even though it's still not the time to set the sun yet, she still set the sun and raised the moon. “Our sister, Princess Celestia, rejected our idea to bestow ponies or blessing. That is why, we need something radical.”
“We place ourself in a difficult position right now. We are currently opposing our sister and put her in the dungeon.” A gasp could be heard between ponies. “That is also why we ask you to come to us, and receive your blessing. For we will make a prosperous civilization.”
“Tonight we shall be holding court, so everypony who wants blessing could come to us! Hehe... hahahaaaahaha... The night... will last... forever!” with that Nightmare Moon flew toward her castle, waiting for her ponies.
“Hunger? Do we have a problem like that?” Shining Star asks which is always followed by her sister chirping in.
“Yea, at home we always have food. Well, even though getting fat is impossible for the amount of food available, we never really experience hunger.”
“It’s good that you two siblings are grateful for your circumstance. But still, please be less apathetic.” Sugar Spice asks them.
“Oh please, even if we do know it there is nothing we can do about it.”
“Yea, it’s not like we have any power to do anything.”
“Well, you have a good point. I’m working on administration in this kingdom. I know all the numbers but I can’t do anything about it.”
“Tell me then, how bad is it?”
“It should be pretty bad that Princess Luna usurped Princess Celestia right?”
“More or less thirty percent of our population is undernourished.”
“Wah, that’s pretty bad.”
“Yea, I could understand if Princess Luna wanted to coup.”
“Really? You trust her just like that? Getting blessings to combat hunger like that?”
“Eh, seems legit.”
“I trust whatever my brother says.”
“Really now. How about you? You keep silent for a while now.” Sugar Spice turns to Caramel Crunch.
“Let’s ask the guards. Maybe they can help us understand more.”
“’Maybe’? You mean we can’t trust them?”
“Yes, as Princess Luna just said, which is I believe it is true because it makes sense that the guards are split into three factions.”
“I see, each would have their own views.”
“Exactly, that’s why we can’t fully trust them.”
“I guess we would do that. Do you want to come with us?” Sugar Spice asks the two siblings.
“Can we? Yes, yes, yes.”
“Hehe, detective Shining Star and Starry Night in your service.”
“What? Why detective? How about journalists? It sounds cooler”
“What the difference?”
“Both doing just the same, uncovering the truth. But the difference is, detectives do it for themself or clients, while journalists make it available to the public.”
“I see, then you be a journalist, then I become a detective.”
“Sounds good to me.”
“Detective Shining Star in your service, hahaha!”
“Journalist Starry Night in your service, hahaha!”
“I still can’t get used to your antics.” Sugar Spice says. She then glanced at Caramel Crunch. “Then, do you have acquaintance work as a guard?”
“I might have an acquaintance that I’m pretty sure belongs to Luna factions.”
“Why is that?”
“It all started when one day she boasted about Princess Luna patrolling with her. Since then she always talks about Princess Luna whenever we hang out.”
“I see. It must be troublesome.”
“Yes, yes it is. Let's get going then. I think it’s around this time she will hang out in a tavern.” The four of them set to a bar called ‘the blushing horses.’
On the way to the tavern, they could see fear and confusion everywhere. Though they believe the fear is caused by confusion. Ponies always fear the unknown.
Some of the ponies seem out of the norm reaction. They seem angry to, for all they know, Princess Luna. Or maybe the lack of power to oppose her? It’s too hard to imagine, because even them still lack the information.
They finally arrive at the tavern. It has more customers than usual. They thought it maybe because there are ponies who would want a way to escape reality. Their imagination can be scary. It’s not like the world ends right now you know, they thought.
Scanning the room a little bit he found his friend. A mare and stallion sitting side by side. He knows the mare, her name is Sky Victory. Though he doesn't know the stallion beside her. Is he her coltfriend? he thought. Though, it's hard to imagine she likes older stallions.
“Found her. Go find us an empty seat. I will go talk to her first.” Caramel Crunch asks his friend.
“Yes sir. Assistant journalist Starry Night, go find us a seat.”
“Yes sir. Follow me, boss detective Shining Star.”
“Sigh, sure I will secure us a seat.”
Satisfied with their answer, he approached the mare. “Hi Sky.”
Sky victory looks to the newcomer. “Oh hey buddy.” They exchange a quick hoof bump.
He then took a seat beside her. “Five glasses already?”
“Today is... or maybe should I say tonight? Anyway, tonight is just stressful.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes, yes. You wouldn’t know how much of a mess the castle is.”
“I see, too bad. Just after I brought you ponies that would listen to your story. The story about you patrolling with Princess Luna.”
“Really? Where?” Sky Victory stands up and starts scanning the venue.
“Hah! I know you were pretending to be drunk!”
“Ugh, fine, I've been found out. Big deal.”
The stallion beside her giggling. “Hehehe, I told you so. Your idea is, not stupid but, easy to see.”
“Ugh, just be straight and say my idea is stupid. But I really thought it’s going to work. Five empty glasses on my front. Pretending to be tipsy. Well, until a certain somepony shows up.”
“What is this all about?”
“Apparently I’m the first pony they thought of when it was about Luna Loyalist.”
“It’s not wrong though.”
“It is true. But it’s getting to my nerve when ponies come to me and start spouting nonsense like ‘you are on Princess Luna side right? Doesn’t that make you a criminal?’ or ‘Why are you still supporting Princess Luna when you know she is wrong?”
“I see. That indeed sounds annoying.”
“Right!”
Caramel Crunch takes his time to drink his glass of water. “Who is he? Your coltfriend? Maybe you want to introduce us?”
“Oh yes, I almost forgot. This is Silver Shine, he is my senior at work. Outside work, we rarely hang out together. Just tonight I forced him to be my drinking buddy. And no, we are just acquaintances at work.”
“You seem so proud for forcing him to come here.”
“Sush. This is... I know him from the tavern. He is the one approach me at first. He never hit on me. That makes me feel unattractive.” Sky Victory shows a sad face. “Or he just gay.” She is suddenly smirking.
Rolls eyes. “You are attractive, but I just want a drinking buddy.”
“How do you do?” Silver Shine brings his hoof for a hoof shake. Which he received gladly.
“How do you do? Come, my friend should have found a seat for us.”
“Wait, you are not lying?”
“I'm never lying, Sky.”
“How would I know. We only meet at this tavern.”
“Good point.” Caramel Crunch Stand up and scan the venue for his friend. “Right there, I hope there will be enough seats.”
Caramel Crunch goes to where his friend has a secure table. Looking at how busy this place is, makes him wonder how his friend could secure a table from them. Remembering how the two siblings are doing things, it can be so random. Yup, I don’t want to know.
“Hey, good job at finding us a seat.”
“That was easy, you only need go ‘woosh’ and the ponies go ‘aargh’.” Shining Star answered, followed by his sister.
“And then the ponies give us their table, and then we take it.”
“What? That’s not how it goes. Anyway, you wouldn’t want to know.”
What just happened? Caramel Crunch thought. He then takes a seat and allows his other two companions to take a seat. “This is Sky victory, she is my drinking buddy. And this is Silver Shine, he is a senior of Sky victory.”
“This is Sugar Spice, a foalhood friend of mine. This is Shining Star and Starry Night, they are brother and sister. We... we pick them from the back alley.”
“So rude, we are born from respectable families.”
“Pleased to meet you!”
“Pleased to meet you too. Now, which one of you want to hear about when I am patrolling with Princess Luna?” Sky Victory is no longer patient.
“Me! Me.”
“Me too!”
“Wait, what did you tell her?” Sugar Spice asks Caramel Crunch.
“That I brought her ponies that would listen to her story.”
“Seriously?”
“What? It’s not so bad... Probably.”
“If you say so.”
“One night, we are set to our nightly patrol. Then suddenly Princess Luna approached us. Of course, out of respect we are the one who is running to her...”
“It’s me Princess Luna, Your number one fan.”
“No, I’m Princess Luna’s Number one fans.”
“It’s me!”
“It’s me!”
Sugar Spice tries to ignore the siblings' antics. “Wow, it’s hard to believe Princess Luna is that kind of ponies.”
“I know right, her stoic demeanor makes you think she is a strict pony. The guards are thinking that Princess Luna has other personalities.”
“Do you think that’s true?”
“Not until somepony that is fanatic to Princess Luna conducts an experiment.”
“Oh, an experiment?”
“Yes. So, it has become an open secret that Princess Luna likes pancakes and waffles. But, when she had waffles, she had a brighter expression.”
“What does that signify?”
“Remember that Princess Luna is a very stoic pony right? She found out that Princess Luna never shows an even slightly brighter expression whenever she gets pancakes. This implies that other personalities like waffles so much. And also, these other personalities can’t keep a poker face.”
“Okay, that makes sense. But, surely there is more evidence right?” Caramel Crunch takes his turn questioning Sky Victory.
“Yes, their playfulness is different.”
“How different?”
“On the other day, Princess Luna caught Light feather sleeping on duty. She then stomps her hoof to wake her up. Light Feather says that she couldn't see any anger in Princess Luna’s eyes.”
“So are you saying that Princess Luna that wakes Light Feather and Princess Luna that patrols with you are different ponies?”
“Exactly.”
“Sorry, but I don't believe it.”
“You don’t, silver?”
“I don’t believe it either.”
“Not you too, Sugar Spice.”
“That is kind of hard to believe, sky.” Caramel Crunch says.
“I... I guess it does sound ridiculous. And also, not many guards believe that.”
“Assuming that is true, this indicates how good Princess Luna and her other personalities at acting.” Shining Star joining the conversation.
“Right? The guards are also noticing this because Princess Luna and her other personalities are not shy of their desires. That is, delicious food and be playful.” Of course, Starry Night is included.
“She has solid confidence. She is not overly cautious but she is careful enough that there are very few ponies suspecting her.”
“Why is that?' Well, when we wage war with king Sombra, who defeats him? Princess Luna.”
“What? How? That’s classified information.” Sky Victory surprised. She knows how Princess Celestia and Princess Luna make it so ponies believe that it was the two Princess that defeated King Sombra.
“It’s easy to deduce. Don’t worry, it’s not like there are guards with loose mouths. Well, maybe. Anyway, back to the topic. Princess Luna has the power to oppose every creature on Equus alone. So she is not afraid if one day ponies will start doubting her.” Shining Star continued his talk.
“Still not believe us? Maybe you want to talk about the day Princess Luna usurping Princess Celestia.”
“... Yes, Princess Luna defeated princess Celestia in mere seconds. And also she is receiving dozens of magical and physical attacks without a scratch.” Sky Victory hesitating. She thought that maybe its better if she just didn't answer her.
“I see, so what we thought is true. Then there is only one possible explanation.”
“Inside Princess Luna's body there are two individuals. That would explain how she could be that powerful.”
This revelation surprised the other four ponies that are listening. But the siblings are already back to their usual antics.
“Good job at figuring this out, detective Shining Star. Muahahaha”
“You too, journalist Starry Night. Muahahaha”
“Yea, those two can make a connection in the most unexpected way. Do you believe it, silver?” Caramel Crunch asks.
“After listening to all of it, it's hard to not believe it. It just makes sense.”
“Me too. My mind can’t just find any excuse to rebuke that.”
“Can you tell us the complete story of that day?” Sugar Spice comes back to reality.
“...It all started when Princess Luna shoots powerful magic outside her chamber. At the time we, the guards, thought there were intruders and Princess Luna currently fought said intruder...”
“Is all of that truly happening?” Sugar Spice asks, after Sky Victory finishes telling her story.
“Of course it is, I’m not lying.”
“Is it true, Silver?”
“Hey! What kind of pony do you take me to!”
“It’s not that. Even if Silver Shine is the one who is telling us the story, I would ask you for confirmation all the same.”
“All of what she said is true. It all happened exactly like that.” Silver Shine only giggles at embarrassed Sky victory.
“I see. That would mean, the night truly will be forever. I don’t need to always see the number telling me about hunger.”
“But you realize that everything is never as clear as black and white. It’s always on grey. Maybe it would be true that ponies will prosper. We will in the utopia age. But there are creatures other than ponies. And also, even if Princess Luna borrows magic from the moon, I doubt she can keep it if the population is higher.”
“That’s also true. As guards, what Sky and Silver think?”
“I will do whatever Princess Luna asks me to!”
Silver Shine giggles at her junior. “We become Luna Loyalists because we believe Princess Luna is right. But, personally I follow Princess Luna because she makes it clear that everypony is free to tell her if something she did is wrong. A leader that admits when they are wrong is more trustable.”
“I see, I understand your conviction.” Sugar Spice takes out her watch. “It’s getting late now. If it's all the same with you, shall we end it here?”
“Sounds good to me.” The group agree to the idea and start exiting the tavern.
“Silver, you should join us more often.” Caramel Crunch says.
“I’m not drinking much, but I will consider it.”
Sky Victory and Silver Shine separate with the group. They are going different ways.
“So what now? None of us have a connection with a guard that is loyal to Princess.”
“That’s easy, make them come to us.”
“Think like sugar. Attract all the ants.”
“How?”
“Close your eyes and imagine you are loyal to Princess Celestia.”
“We are royal to Princess Celestia.”
“What?” Sugar Spice says, but the siblings are already closing their eyes and keep silent.
Sugar Spice and Caramel Crunch speechless, and don’t know what to do. They then decide to trust the siblings and wait with them. After all, they seem to know what they are doing. Though, they still don’t want to close their eyes.
After waiting for ten minutes, a pair of guards approach them. They seem stern. Sugar Spice can’t help but look at them. For a split second they make eye contact. Sugar Spice immediately knows that she attracts their attention. Let’s hear what they want to say.
“Hey you! What are you doing here?”
“We just left that tavern, ma’am.”
“It’s late now, hurry and go home.”
“Yea, It kind of hard to tell time when the sun is no longer rising.”
“I see, you thought it’s wrong too, right? Princess Luna just decided to make the night last forever. Want to join our resistance?”
What? It does actually work? Princess Celestia loyalists actually approach us? Sugar Spice thought. It always baffles her what the siblings are thinking. “Yes ma’am, personally I thought it’s not right, but it’s not wrong either.”
“Hmm, the name Light Feather, what’s yours?”
“My name is Sugar Spice, ma’am.”
“I appreciate your formality, but it's getting old fast. Could you please drop the ‘ma’am’?
“Sure, Light.”
“So, how about it, joining the resistant group?”
“Could you please tell us your beliefs first?”
“Assuming you already heard the story. I follow Princess Celestia because I believe she is right. The only thing she wants is for her ponies to prosper. Imprisoning her is not right, I want to fix that.”
“I see.”
“So? Want to join us?”
“Maybe, we want more information before we decide.”
“Though crowd. But tonight is your luck, we are currently holding a gathering. Want to join us?”
“What do you guys think?” Sugar Spice asks her friend which is give her a yes. “Lead the way, Light.”
“This way.” The group follows Light Feather. Caramel Crunch pulls Sugar Spice to distance themselves from Light Feather. He has something to say and doesn't want Light Feather to hear it.
“These guards are really trusting aren’t they?”
“That is what I have been thinking. Aren’t they suspicious we are a Luna loyalist?”
“Maybe they really don’t have anything to worry about.”
“This can be a trap. They would kill us if we did not agree to join them.”
“Worry not, they would not do that.” Shining Star chipping in
“We will be safe.”
“What makes you think that way--” Sugar Spice asks the two siblings before she got cut by Light Feather.
“We are here.” They arrive in front of a civilian house. While not much looks like a luxury mansion, this house could accommodate a hundred ponies with ease.
“Who owns this property?” Sugar Spice asks.
“Somepony with a little bit too much bits in their pockets.”
“I see, so it's classified information.”
“Exactly. Come on in.”
“Good job putting this together in just one night.” Caramel Crunch asks. The number of ponies gathered in this house makes him wonder.
“The guards already set up around a few days ago. The announcement from Princess Luna is helping in gathering this many ponies.”
“So that happened.”
“Find yourself some place to sit. Though, if you like standing around is fine. That reminds me of how some ponies sleep while standing.”
“Sure, thanks.” Light Feather excuses herself, leaving Sugar Spice with her friends. The group talks with themself waiting for anything to happen. In reality, both Sugar Spice and Caramel Crunch don't know what to expect.
Suddenly a pony climbed onto a makeshift podium. The atmosphere becomes silent, everypony there focusing their attention toward the newcomer. He looks solemn and composed.
“Fillies and Gentlecolts, Tonight we are here to commemorate our fall Princess, Princess Celestia. Some of you may not believe it happens. I’m very sorry, but it does indeed happen.”
Some of the ponies present here have a very visible emotion shown on their muzzle. Anger, sadness, fear, and… shock? Wait, what? You should have heard the announcement from Princess Luna, right? Caramel Crunch thought to himself.
“Princess Celestia, she is always so kind and wise. Despite being royalty, she often encourages her subjects to relax through the use of jokes and gentle questions. We simply don't deserve her.”
“But her sister, Princess Luna. She is not kind nor wise. She is consumed by jealousy toward her sister. Princess Luna throws Princess Celestia to the dungeon, claiming the throne for her own.”
“She said she wants to give blessings to ponies, so we can live happy and strong. I’m not saying that her blessing is fake, it’s too early to judge that. But I believe instead of throwing her sister into the dungeon, she should have come to her sister and figure this out together.”
“She is wrong, and we have to bring justice. Princess Celestia is currently in a jail and we must free her. Princess Luna is currently on the throne and we must dethrone her!”
“Some of you may think that Princess Luna is too strong and impossible to oppose. Worry not! I, Straight arrow, and the guards will figure out something to free Princess Celestia and Princess Luna.”
“But, we can’t do this alone. We need your strong will and faith. For together we are stronger... Long live Princess Celestia!”
“Long live Princess Celestia!”
“Long live Princess Celestia!”
At the end of the speech, emotions that the ponies make are brighter. It’s like they found hope. They found a reason to fight.
Light Feather approaches the group of four again. “So? How about now? Interested?”
Sugar Spice looks at her friends. Their eyes are saying enough. “Sorry, we are not interested.”
“Why?”
“Don’t get me wrong. It’s not about which Princess is right, but which Princess is stronger.”
“I see, you want to take the stronger side huh? Alright, beware though, for not the stronger that win, but the winner is the strong one.”
“Don’t worry. We know what we are doing.”
“Is that so?”
“That is so. Thank you for inviting us, light. I believe it’s late now, so excuse us.”
“Sure, be careful on your way home.”
The group of four exit the building. The two siblings excuse themself. Right now seems a little bit too late for them, seeing how Starry Night letting a huge yawn. The remaining two are walking together, shoulder to shoulder.
Sugar Spice resting her head on Caramel Crunch’s shoulder who doesn't seem to mind it. She felt so tired after what happened tonight. We learn so much today. Sugar Spice thought to herself. Though, I am still not sure what will happen in the future. You know what you are doing right, Princess Luna? She is not sure if this is just her imagination, but the moon shines brighter. Make it look like Princess Luna herself answers Sugar Spice’s question. Sugar Spice could only giggles and continue walking to her way home.