"I will never forget what I saw that day. There were no bolts of lightning or destructive tornadoes. Not a single blade was drawn in anger, or a drop of blood spilled in hate. No troops battling for dominance, no massive armies of creatures hurling themselves at one another. I Thought I knew what combat was, what war really was.
And then I saw only two ponies, speaking to one another. I saw truth become a weapon. I watched two of the finest minds in history duel with nothing but words. They were the most humbling hours of my entire life, as I saw the world change forever over tea and cookies." - From the personal memoirs of Prince Shining Armor
~~~~~4 Hours Remain until the H.M.S Hurricane is in position.~~~~~
Twilight nodded softly, her horn glowing to life. "Tea, Teacher?" The pot lifted up at a nod from Celestia, and filled the nearby teacup. "Pinkie Pie remembered how much you liked the peanut butter crunchers." Twilight gestured to the heaping platter of cookies, which actually produced a delighted sparkle in Celestia's eye. Twilight poured herself a glass of the mint tea and took a sip before speaking again. "Amazing what can happen in two weeks, isn't it?"
Celestia chuckled softly as she nibbled on one of the cookies. "Indeed. I've found that the most extraordinary events almost always happen in the shortest amount of time." A Gold clad hoof gestured. "Witness the Elements of Harmony. In less than a day, six suitable bearers are found - they meet one another, and form a powerful bond strong enough to awaken the elements." Celestia lifted her own teacup, sipping and smiling in delight at the sharp bright taste of the beverage.
Twilight smiled herself. "Come on now, Princess. I think we're past the point where we can claim that was wholly coincidental." Twilight shifted a little in her chair. The black dragonhide made her look astonishingly sexy, but it was still a little stiff. "I think it's about time we were both wholly honest with each other, don't you?" She waved her own silver clad hoof, the amethyst stud winking in the moonlight. "Given the circumstances."
Celestia nodded a little, setting down her teacup. "Yes, I think that would be at last appropriate." Celestia's serenity never cracked, but there was a saucy tone to her voice. "Is that Rarity's work by the way? It looks quite remarkable." Her eyebrow raised. "I would love to know where she found the dragon hide. I thought I made trade of that quite illegal."
From the nearby bench, Rarity laughed softly - a sweet sound that rang through the air. "I've got my sources, darling. Turns out you can find anything these days if you're willing to spend a few bits." Rarity went back to her wine, slowly sipping at it. "Mmm. Applejack, dear - are you sure you won’t try this? It's lovely."
Twilight rolled her eyes a little, but kept that gentle smile of her own. "So, Princess." Twilight lifted her teacup, arching an eyebrow. "Let's address the eight-hundred pound griffon in the room, shall we? You've been telling me fibs." Twilight's tone was even, keeping her rather strong emotions firmly in check. "Anything you'd like to confess before I have to start asking questions?"
Celestia tilted her head back as she bit firmly into a cookie, then licked at her lips in silence before responding. "Yes, I believe there are a few things I ought to clear up." she dabbed at her lips with a napkin and took another sip of the tea. "Firstly, I should apologize for not telling you the whole truth about those who follow Dissonance."
Twilight gestured with her hoof and the Princess sighed a little, a look of sad resignation on her face. "It is not a fair world, Twilight. Often we are forced to make difficult decisions, especially in regards to those who could be a danger to others. Do we imprison, or do we execute? Are their beliefs truly harmless, or is there a more sinister reason behind them?" Celestia shook her head mournfully. "And even worse, it is not always obvious who harbors those dangerous beliefs. Even the most faithful citizen might have a seemingly insignificant grievance that one day will grow into revolution."
Twilight softly snorted in derision. "Spare me the proselytizing, Princess. I've walked among these creatures now. I've spoken to them, read their literature. They are certainly different, and some of what they can do might present a danger if not carefully watched. But." Twilight rapped her hoof on the table. "That does not give us the right to kill them, Princess. You taught me that Harmony means we must do all we can to redeem those who have tread down dark paths."
Celestia's smile was pitying. "Many of these creatures cannot be redeemed, dear Twilight. Nor do they want to be. They revel in vice and darkness, and seek only to drain the life and virtue from our citizens." Celestia bowed her head slightly. "It is a true pity that this is so. Yet what can we do but strive to protect the innocent from those who would rob them of it?"
Twilight frowned, and in the background a black pawn was removed from the board. "That is still no excuse, Princess. Very few of these beings asked to be born this way. Is it not our duty to protect them as well?" She leaned up over the table, her voice ringing with conviction. "They are unconventional, to be certain. Yet I would not deny them sustenance, so long as they acquire it with the consent of others. Would you deny a starving pony a loaf of bread because he does not share your faith?"
Celestia's serenity cracked just a little, and she frowned. "That is... a fair point, and well-argued Twilight Sparkle." A white pawn slipped silently from the board, and Celestia found herself regarding Twilight with respect. "Still, I have never actively pursued those creatures that fit in to society without harming it. I know of many changelings who now live silently amongst our people. I do not hunt them down, as they work and live and love same as any of my ponies."
Celestia sipped her tea again, lifting the pot to refill her cup, "But let us back to the matter at hoof. I will grant that those born into this world in less conventional forms deserve protection. Yet what of those who follow the cult of Dissonance? They oppose my reign, and all of my works to bring greater prosperity to the land." Celestia laid her hoof on the table, tapping gently. "They are rebels, Twilight. Traitors."
Twilight nodded her head. "Under current Equestrian law, you are correct with those definitions. Yet I would argue that our laws have driven them to this. Once upon a time, Dissonance was just another way of life in Equestria. It's worshipers were peaceful ponies. Many of them simply saw it as another way of living their lives. Harmony cast down their temples, and destroyed their holy books. Their believers were destroyed in the thousands during the Crusades." Twilight snapped her hoof onto the table. "What did you think they would do, Celestia? You treat them like dangerous animals to be destroyed. Any living creature with a brain would fight back against that."
Twilight held up a hoof to forestall Celestia speaking. "I know. That does not excuse the crimes against innocent citizens. And such individuals can and ought to be punished. Yet they are just that Celestia, Individuals. We do not condemn every pegasus or unicorn when one amongst them goes bad. Justice must be evenhanded, or it is not justice. It is tyranny."
Celestia actually smiled, though there was a hint of patronization to it. "Quoting Star Swirl again, Twilight? I appreciate your sentiment, but my reasons for casting down their worship ought to be obvious. The dark arts are a corruptive force. Surely you have seen it for yourself." Celestia's eyes narrowed. "The discoloration of your eyes. Changing personalities. The mark of dark creatures upon the body. There are a thousand signs, Twilight. Left to roam free, Dissonance would like nothing more than to turn the world into a land of eternal shadow. I cannot allow that to happen to my ponies."
Twilight shook her head sadly. "I have met more than my share of believers, Princess. Very few of them bear such signs." She sighed softly. "But it is quite clear you are not going to change your mind on the subject." Twilight's hoof gestured across the table towards the princess "Anything else to tell me about?"
Celestia thought for a moment and nodded. "I suppose you are wondering now why I have gone to so much trouble to teach and guide you." Celestia sipped softly at her drink again, looking thoughtful.
Twilight smiled a little and nodded. "Yes, I suppose I am. You certainly have done quite a lot behind the scenes to keep me focused." Twilight lifted a crumb from the table and tossed it over her shoulder. "Not to mention throwing me into situations I would normally have no hope of dealing with."
Celestia laughed gently. "My dearest student, you underestimate yourself. I knew the first time I laid eyes upon you that you were extraordinary, even amongst unicorns." Celestia's eye seemed to twinkle at Twilight, and Twilight had to fight down an urge to beam inanely at her.
Twilight had to smile, a white pawn swept from the board. "Really? You knew I was going to be that amazing when I was a newborn filly?" The statement took Celestia completely off guard, and Twilight had to smile at her this time. "You truly must be able to see the future then."
Celestia rallied quickly though. "Ah. I see you've been speaking to Shining Armor." That was a statement, not a question, and Celestia dipped her head in acknowledgment of the hit. "But that's not the subject for right now, I think."
Twilight nodded. "No, It isn't. Though we will be returning to that subject shortly. So please, do proceed. Why all of this trouble... all of these plots, these plans. Ensuring the right things were in the right position for me to find the solution to every problem?" Twilight’s voice slowly took on a querying tone. "I can't even begin to guess at how many bits you had to spend, how many officials had to be bribed and threatened to ensure every mistake I made didn't interrupt my training. "
Celestia's smile thinned a little, and she leaned back in her chair, eyes speculatively drifting to Lilith. "It was easier than you might think. There is very little within the Equestrian government that I cannot directly control with a few string pulls. I prefer to not do so, of course. Such actions would be unworthy of me, and would likely cause resentment. Still, it has been quite the hassle keeping things neat and tidy."
Celestia finished her cup of tea, and lifted the pot to pour a third. "Ultimately worth it, of course. You have become every bit the unicorn and student of the powers as I could have hoped for. Despite your recent indiscretions, I must admit I am very proud of you, my student." Celestia's smile was soft. "You are more than ready to ascend to the next level."
Twilight stared at Celestia. Then she started laughing softly. She had to cut herself off before speaking, her voice still trembling with the giggles, "Princess, really. Indiscretions? I've all but put on a black cloak and grown a singularly evil looking mustache." She paused, looking down at her dress and cloak and sighed. "Alright, just the mustache thing." Her eyes narrowed, the green fire starting to grow hotter inside of her. "I don't like being toyed with, Princess."
Celestia lifted both hooves, a merry look in her eyes. "No toying, Twilight. You have gone far down the dark path, which is true. Yet tell me something, has Harmony abandoned you Twilight?" Her eyes seemed... knowing. "I do not think so. I can see its power as strongly in you as it was when you last left Canterlot. You have been forced to do terrible things, to make terrible choices. Yet you have done them in the name of Harmony, to defend the ponies you love and the things you believe in."
Twilight stared for a moment. True enough, if she took a moment to look within the white power sat just a touch out of reach. It seemed to ignore the roiling black and green which boiled around it, like a mountain ignoring the wind. Celestia was still speaking, her voice soft and earnest. "I do not blame you Twilight. You have always hungered for knowledge, and I denied you the means to seek it in a safe environment. You are not beyond redemption, Twilight Sparkle." Celestia's face broke into a smile warm enough to be the sun coming from behind the clouds. "In truth, I could not possibly be more proud of you."
Twilight stared for a long moment. She closed her eyes and tightened up her gut. Is she right? Is it truly possible that I'm just a little lost? The thoughts began to swirl in her head, until she looked down upon Lilith. There was a powerful feeling of support there, a strong wave of confidence in her. She won’t force me to do anything. She isn't going to try and convince me of what is right and wrong.
And that was enough to make Twilight reconsider her thoughts. There is too much I don’t know. I cannot believe in her until I know all of the truth. Twilight's head came up. "Let us come back to that." She spoke softly, Celestia's eyes filled with a triumphant confidence. "We have many other subjects to cover as it is. I've been... exchanging correspondence with Princess Luna. She had had a number of interesting tales to tell me about how she came to be Nightmare Moon."
Celestia's eyes softened, and she sighed in sadness. "I had wondered why she was so insistent upon remaining up north. It seems she still has not forgiven me completely." Celestia crossed her hooves on the table. "Twilight, you must understand. Things were so much different then. I was an optimistic fool to believe we could bring Balance to the world. It required an entire civilization of beings even more powerful than I to maintain it the last time, and even they were brought low by a single madpony."
Twilight's ears perked forward, as Celestia's eyes half closed. "I will admit, Twilight. I acted rashly. I did not think of how Luna would perceive my actions. For so long, I thought she understood my intentions as well as I did. She was blameless, Twilight. It was her place in our relationship to be strong in dissonance. She saw all of its positives, and could not understand the sinister negatives within it."
Lilith twitched a little, and Twilight sent strong thoughts of patience down towards her. "She was as blind Twilight, but I am the one who should have been responsible." Celestia sighed. "I only wish I had been kinder to her, and to those who served her. I destroyed all of her temples in my mindless rage. I did not bother to notice which had served Dissonance, and which did not. I was... a lesser pony then. "
Celestia looked up, sadness written across her expression. "I confess, Twilight. Luna is likely one hundred percent correct about me. I was a zealot, a blind bigot. I did not understand what the people who followed her way wanted or needed. I painted them all with the tar brush of heresy, and I will never be able to cleanse myself of that sin."
Twilight felt even more troubled than she had before. This is not going according to my plans. She had to keep things going. Fluttershy was nearly ready, and the energies that pulsed around them told Twilight her moment would soon be at hoof. "I think it's time we came to the subject of what happened to King Sombra. The Truth this time."
Celestia paused, lifting her teacup for a moment and swirling the hot liquid around in it. "Yes, I agree. Since it seems we're about to have the issue forced." Celestia turned her gaze to just past Twilight, a slight smile crossed her face. "Good evening, my student."
Twilight blinked in surprise, turning her head to see Sombra slip into the chair next to her, waving his hoof. "Good evening, Teacher. Please, Twilight. Don't let me interrupt. We're going to have another guest soon, and I thought I might save her a chair."
Twilight's eyes widened a moment, and she turned a sharp hard look onto Celestia, who was watching Sombra make himself comfortable with tea and a cushion. For just a moment, the serenity cracked and Twilight could see the ancient pain. The feeling of failure and loss. Twilight licked dry lips, and could not keep herself silent. "Student?" She whispered in query.
Celestia nodded once, and turned back to Twilight. "Yes. Once upon a time, Somber Gaze was my most prized student. Though he never had your passion for scholarship, he was a singularly talented unicorn. " Celestia sighed, snagging a cookie out of midair and eating it practically whole, a look of annoyance on her face.
Sombra sneered. "Yes. My teacher, the legendary Celestia. And then I made the mistake of believing that Harmony actually cared about Love." He spat out the word, and Celestia winced away.
Celestia shook her head. "I was... wrong, my student. I was wrong to try and separate you from her." The words were dragged from her, like nails being pulled out of a block of wood. "And for what little it is worth to you now, I am sorry." Celestia's head drooped in contrition, her voice soft and sad.
Sombra stared at her for a moment, his jaw slightly dropped in shock. Then he tightened it up for a moment before glaring at her. "If only you had listened." He growled softly. "Of course, then you locked me into a spell of Madness so you could hurl your mistake into the time stream where nopony would ever learn about it!"
Twilight slammed her hoof into the table, startling both the Princess and the King, who stared at her in shock. Twilight's eyes blazed with green fire as she spoke in a low, hushed tone. "Enough. Both of you." Twilight slowly drew back onto her chair, and Lilith lifted a pink hoof to squeeze Twilight's. "Sombra, who is our other guest going to be?"
"I'd think that would be obvious." Said a trilling insectoid voice. The sleek black chitin legs slowly strode from the shadows, and Queen Chrysalis perched on the chair next to Sombra. Twilight stared at her for a moment, as something was now very different.
Chrysalis wore elegant gold hoof boots, ancient in design but still glorious to look upon. A sleek golden plate had been conformed to her chest, and hung there in much the same way that Luna's armor did. Upon it, three shining silver stars streaked across the center of the piece. Upon her head was no longer the spindly bug crown, but a shining silver torque that nestled just over her disfigured horn.
Her blazing green eyes settled upon Celestia, who Twilight could now see was wearing a look of shock and incredulity. Chrysalis' voice spoke softly, hissingly. "I was not going to miss the chance for this little reunion. Which reminds me." Chrysalis' voice took on a wicked tone, and she looked almost joyful as she began to move.
Chrysalis bowed over one elegant clad hoof, her eyes lazily watching Celestia. "Good evening to you, Mother." Then she turned to Twilight. Twilight for one moment, could see the powerful emotions that stirred within Chrysalis as their gaze met. Anger, and rage directed at Celestia. There was love there, a powerful love directed at Sombra...and at Twilight too. And connected to Twilight was the tiniest thread of Hope. "And fair evening to you, my Sister."
Silence blanketed the square. All eyes were focused on Twilight, Chrysalis and Celestia, as Chrysalis smiled in bitter humor, and Celestia's serenity had shattered completely. Twilight's eyes had shrunk to pinpoints, and Celestia spoke first. "Princess Starshine." It was a statement, a prayer, an oath all rolled into one, realization dawning on her as she spoke. "That was how you knew how to get past the castle defenses. How you knew about the crystal caverns. You had been there countless times before." Celestia's voice slowly began to break with emotion, "I had thought... I had thought you dead... "
Twilight's mind kept working, the gears slowly beginning to turn as Chrysalis laughed humorlessly. "You never looked for me, mother. You brought down my home upon our heads, and wrote me off as perished in the aftermath. I was stronger than that, though. My beloved made sure of that." Her hoof stroked Sombra's cheek, and he smiled toothily.
Celestia's head shook, almost in denial. "Why did you not come back to us then?" She spoke firmly, her voice trembling with barely suppressed emotion. "I mourned for you, Starshine! I mourned for centuries!!" Celestia leaned over the table. "What happened that would drive you to not even let us know you lived!?"
"Because you took my love away from me." Chrysalis' voice was bitter, broken with pain. "Did you truly believe I would come back to you after that? You turned him into a mad beast! You forced him to become a monster! Just so you could have an excuse to rid the world of him! I thought him dead mother! You killed my husband, and you expected me to just come back to you as though nothing had happened?!"
Suddenly, Twilight's hooves slammed upon the table again, and every eye was upon her. Gone was the easygoing nature, gone was the calm and the reason. Her eyes blazed with green fire and shadow, her pupils gone in a haze of magic and power. "Sister." Her voice spoke, echoing and harsh. Somehow, her voice had taken on the same trill as Chrysalis' voice, as the voice of all changelings.
A cloak of fire settled over her shoulders, licking and biting at everything near her save for the ponies she loved. The flames wrapped around Fluttershy and Lilith. Around Rainbow Dash and Rarity and Applejack, and wove about them like a shield. Sombra had a satisfied smile on his face, and a look of dawning horror appeared on Celestia's as Twilight spoke again. "She called me sister. And she meant it, Celestia. She spoke truth."
Celestia's voice cut in, placating and calm. Yet nopony could not see the panic that had entered her eyes. "Twilight, you must listen to me. There are things I could not tell you. Things that had to remain hidden to keep you safe from harm, from those who would seek to use you for their own ends. Please, Twilight - I beg of you, do not ask me- "
Twilight's voice cut her off, thundering across the square loud enough to drive most of those present to cover their ears. It had all the characteristics of a Royal Canterlot Voice, and Celestia's eyes widened at the sonic assault. "NO! I am DONE Celestia! I am done with your lies and your deceit! I am tired of these games! I am tired of being your pawn! I deserve the TRUTH!"
Silence settled back down upon the square, and everypony's eye was upon Twilight. Tears of sparkling violet magic fell from her blank green eyes, and her cloak of fire raged behind her like a creature with a life all its own. Celestia's hooves rested upon the table and she bowed her head deeply, her eyes closing for a moment.
Celestia's voice could be heard easily throughout the square. "Forgive me, Twilight." Her voice was wracked by sobs, by tears and ancient heartbreak. The words that came next, even moreso. "Forgive me, my most beloved daughter."