//------------------------------// // Chapter Two // Story: First Dawn // by Tayman //------------------------------// "Princess Luna?"  A royal guard knocked at the large double doors.  It was early afternoon, but Luna was just stepping out of bed.   “Yes?  What is needed of me?”  The doors flung open, and the guard uneasily stepped in.  The bedroom was at least twice as large as Celestia's humble abode.  Besides the same canopy bed, desk, and bookshelves, there was also a small kitchen area where two servants were busy preparing lunch.  Luna stepped over to the guard and stared down at him expectantly. "Please, I hope I didn't wake you."  He bowed his head.  "Your sister wished for me to inform you that she flew off to Marebury to settle a dispute over the Ottertail Marshlands. “I see.  Did she say if she required my assistance?” Luna said, her face stern. "N-no, she seemed very confident in her ability to handle it herself."   “Very well then.  Thank you for informing me of this.  You are dismissed.”  The guard nodded and quickly turned to walk away.  Luna chuckled to herself as she turned towards the kitchen area.  Celestia, you should have done that months ago.  Ambassadors don't solve problems.  They don't have any real power. "Princess, your food is ready," a light blue unicorn said, levitating a dandelion sandwich, crisp apple slices, and a tall glass of orange juice onto the regal oak table.  She seemed to be unfazed by the formal exchange that had just taken place. “Thank you very much, Star Pelt.”  Luna trotted over and sat down at the table, smiling at the unicorn.  “You and Shimmer prepare the most delectable lunches.”   She took a bite of the sandwich, savoring the rich, earthy taste.  “I hope you two enjoyed a nice breakfast while I was asleep.  This kitchen isn’t just for me, of course.” Shimmer returned from the cupboard and gave a small bow, her bright purple mane glowing in the sunlight.  “Of course, Princess Luna.  It’s most kind of you to allow us access to your kitchen even while you sleep,” she said with a smile.  “Personally, I feel bad for Silver.  She has to go all the way down to the kitchen on the main floor to prepare meals.  Why in Equestria didn’t Celestia want a kitchen in her suite?” Luna chuckled, taking a sip of orange juice.  “Let’s just say that my sister has always been a bit...simple.  Always content with what she has, rarely desiring anything material.  She only reluctantly accepted Silver as a servant.  She doesn’t want to feel like she’s a burden.” “But she isn’t at all!  Neither of you are!” Star gasped as she stood next to Luna.  “Plus, you two couldn’t ever ask for too much!  You both returned order and light to Equestria!” A reminiscent smile tugged at Luna’s lips.  “We were lucky to be born with such powerful magic.  But let’s not dwell on those days.  Let us look to the future.”  She pushed in her chair and stood up, hovering the dishes to the sink.  “Tell me, what is on the agenda for today?” Shimmer levitated a sheet of parchment from Luna’s desk and glanced it over.  “Well, not too much, Luna.  A couple farmers requested that you survey their fields to make sure the crops are to your liking, and the pegasi ponies want your input on how much rain the city should receive this month.” “Again?  Those pegasi should know better than I do about how much rain we need.  Tell them to consult with the farmers and begin keeping rainfall records, ” Luna stated as Shimmer scribbled down a note.  “And I’m sure the crops are doing fine.    Is there nothing else that requires my attention?” “No, I’m afraid not,” Shimmer replied, double checking the list before setting it down on the table.  “The city is still growing, Princess.  Everything is very orderly at the moment.” Luna walked over to the window, peering out over the city as the construction continued to ring about and ponies of every color walked happily through the streets.  She smiled.  “Well, I suppose I can’t complain about that then, can I?” Suddenly, she felt a sharp pulsating sensation in her horn, which momentarily glowed a deep shade of blue.  Luna grimaced, taking a step backwards and jerking her head down. “Princess?  What’s wrong?” Star asked, as she and Shimmer trotted over to Luna’s side. The jabbing pain in her horn resided as quickly as it came on.  Luna lifted her head, the smile vanishing from her face.  “I’m fine.  I don’t believe my sister is alright, however.  I just felt a large surge of magic from her.”  Her horn glowed as she opened the towering windows.  “I am going out to see what happened.  I trust you two and Silver can run the castle on your own?” “Of course, your highness,” the two said, with a small bow.   “Good.  I will attempt to make haste, but I cannot guarantee how long I will be gone.”  With that, Luna leaped out of the window, spreading her wings and sending a flurry of blue feathers showering over the town square as the citizens witnessed an urgent flying princess for the second time in under two hours.   Sister...I hope you haven’t gotten yourself into anything you can’t handle.  I’ve never felt such an outburst from you before.  What could have happened for you to unleash so much magic?  The thought caused her flap her wings with more intensity. Luna reached cloud level, following her horn towards Celestia.  The wide land of Equestria stretched out beneath her, its plains like a soft emerald quilt dotted with blue lake splotches and brown and green patches of forest.  Brilliant snowcapped mountains painted the horizon, glistening in the sunlight. Suddenly, she spotted a burst of color among the pure cloudtops.  It was Celestia, her head buried in a cumulus amongst a thick blanket of clouds, her normally shimmering and billowing pastel mane drooped over her body.  Muffled sobs reached Luna’s ears, causing her to soar forward and settle on the cloud next to her.  “Sister!  What’s wrong?  What happened to you?” Celestia slowly pulled her head up, staring at Luna with glistening eyes.  “I-I-” she stammered, before bursting into tears once more. Luna gave her Celestia an affectionate nuzzle.  “Sister.  I can’t help you if you don’t tell me what’s wrong.”  In all of their years together, Luna had never seen her sister in such distress.   The Sun Princess’s sobs continued to ring out.  She didn’t say anything, she only lifted a hoof and pointed forward.  Luna cocked her head slightly, before she hovered up, gingerly beating her wings.  She continued to fly forward, until she reached the edge of the cloud cover and suddenly stopped, dropping to the edge and staring agape at the sight below her. Down below, a half mile diameter of land was completely scorched to ash, stinging her nostrils with a burnt stench.  Black dust kicked about in the wind, obscuring her view of the land below somewhat.  Dozens of ponies were trotting towards their respective cities on either side of the black stain, the unicorns levitating- “Bodies,” Luna whispered.  She couldn’t move a muscle.  It was a horrendous sight, one she couldn’t tear her eyes away from as the realization slowly crept up on her, sending a chill down her spine, as if she had just swallowed an ice cube. My sister did this. Her eyes narrowed at the sight below, rage bubbling up under her subconsciousness. HOW COULD YOU DO THIS?  HOW COULD YOU LOSE CONTROL LIKE THAT? It took every ounce of her willpower not to shout it aloud.  Luna took several deep breaths, her anger only quelled as she suddenly recalled the sight of her sister: weeping loudly, so distraught that she couldn’t even speak. No.  I mustn’t get angry.  I don’t know what happened.  It had to be an accident. Luna flew back over to her sister, whose crying had subsided, the white alicorn only sniffling a couple times now.   “Celestia.  Tell me what happened.  Start from the beginning.  I’m not mad.  I’m not judging.  I just need to know what lead to this,” Luna spoke slowly and deliberately. Celestia nodded, staring down at her hooves.  “I-I received word this morning that armies were gathering between Marebury and Neigh Orleans.  General Skye that fighting could erupt at any moment.  All negotiations had failed in the past.  I felt like the only thing I could do was fly down and try to stop it myself.” As she spoke, her sniffling and stammering eventually ceased, her voice becoming calm and rational.  “I arrived right as the troops were charging at one another.  They stopped as I landed between the two sides.  I summoned the two commanders.  I asked them why they were fighting despite the fact that I had sent delegates to help with negotiations several times.  Then they began to argue, riling up their troops.  I couldn’t get them to stop cheering and stomping.  They simply wouldn’t listen to me.  Then, the two sides charged at one another again as I stood in the middle.  I shouted as loud as I could for them to stop...and then...I lost control.”   The two sat in silence for several moments, simply staring into space. “It wasn’t my fault, Luna,” Celestia whispered, tears leaking down her face once more.  “I just wanted them to stop.” Luna nodded.  “I understand.  I’m sorry.  I will admit, I was furious when I first saw what happened.  But I know you would never do such a thing on purpose.  You just have to make sure nothing like this ever happens again.” “But how can I be sure?” Celestia cried.  “Do you realize just how powerful we are?  Just how much force we command?” “I am fully aware, sister.” “That we alone are responsible for day and night?” “Yes.” “Doesn’t it worry you?” Celestia said, gaping in disbelief at her sister.  “Look what just happened!  I simply lost control of my temper, and dozens of ponies died!”  Her voice started to crack. “What if it happens again?  What if it’s worse next time?  What if-” “Celestia.”  Luna cut her off.  “Please, calm yourself.” Celestia took a few deep breaths.  “I’m sorry.  I just-never really thought about it before.  I worry.” Luna stared into the distance with forlorn eyes as the cool air whipped all around them.  “You’re right to be concerned.  We have been incredibly blessed.  We have to embrace and control our powers.” “That’s easy for you to say!” Celestia cried, raising her voice.  “You didn’t just murder your subjects out of anger!  You’ve never lost control of your power!”  She slumped over, head drooping.  “I didn’t want this.  I didn’t ask to be ruler when we wielded the Elements.  I only wanted to restore light to Equestria. “What’s going to happen now?” she spoke softly.  “I just killed my subjects.  What do I do?  Will there be a revolt?  Will everypony hate me now?  Will they cower in fear as I pass them in the streets?”  She buried her head in the cloud once more, fighting back tears. Luna gave her sister another affectionate nuzzle. “I know it’ll be extremely hard, but you must face your subjects.  You have to admit to what you’ve done.  At least that way, there’s a chance for forgiveness.” Celestia shook her head.  “What would I say to them?” “I can’t decide that for you.  But if you say nothing, then they will only fear you.” “And then revolt, eventually...” Celestia whispered.  She couldn’t picture it.  Her subjects were so loyal, so happy with her, she couldn’t bear the thought of them hating and rising up against her.   A faint smile graced Luna’s lips.  “There will never be a revolt.” Celestia pulled her head up and turned towards her sister with a confused look.  “What do you mean?” Luna chuckled.  “I don’t think you realize how powerful we are.  Tell me, what would a revolt against the bearers of day and night accomplish?  What if they somehow did manage to murder us?  Would the rest of the unicorns be able to progress the day like they did in the past?  Or would that power die with us?” The sky was beginning to fade into glorious shades of orange and violet as the sun dipped towards the horizon, the light dimming over Equestria.  Celestia’s eyes widened in realization of her sister’s words.  “I-I never thought about that before.” Luna nodded.  “Don't think about it too much, simply keep it in the back of your mind." She then stood up, spreading her sapphire wings. "But it’s getting late.  I must prepare to raise the moon in an hour’s time.  Are you feeling better?” Celestia stared out at the setting sun, in deep thought.  She dropped through the clouds, gazing down at the scorched earth below.  Every soldier had gone back to their respective cities, leaving the land empty and barren, a dark stain upon the earth.  She sighed, and shook her head after she rose back through the clouds.  “No.  I need to think some more.  I’m sorry, Luna.  I promise, I’ll try to get ahold of myself soon.  I won’t leave you to rule alone.” “You have my faith, sister,” Luna said, as Celestia rose to join her in the sky.  “Remember, I’m always here for you.” The two soared into the fading sky, back towards Canterlot.  As they approached, they said their goodbyes, before heading back towards their respective rooms of the castle.  Celestia activated her horn and opened her suite window before soaring through it.  Her muscles suddenly felt extremely heavy, as if somepony had filled them up with lead.  She trudged over to her bed and collapsed onto the soft mattress.   Before she could close her eyes, however, the door swung open and in trotted Silver.  “Good evening, Celestia!  How was-” she froze upon noticing the Sun Princess collapsed on her bed.  “Celestia?  Is everything alright?” Celestia rolled over and gazed into Silver’s concerned eyes. Her own face was limp and lifeless.  She sighed.  “I’ve had a very long day, Silver.  Please, do not disturb me for the rest of the night unless it is absolutely necessary. Call my sister should anything come up.” Silver, I murdered dozens of ponies today.  Please, don’t hate me.  Don’t fear me. The maid nodded, taking a step backward.  “Of course.  My apologies, I should have realized you would be tired after returning from such a long trip to the marshlands.  How did negotiations go with the troops, if I might ask?” Celestia blinked a couple times, the mare’s innocent words piercing her heart. The negotiations went well.  The battle was completely averted. She sighed, before closing her eyes, trying to hide the tears that were forming.  “I’ll tell you tomorrow.  Please, I just want to rest right now.” Silver took another hesitant step back towards the door.  “Princess, are you okay?  Do you want to talk about anything?” “Tomorrow, Silver.  Please.  I need to sleep.”  Her voice cracked, a light sob escaping as she spoke. The mare slowly turned back towards the suite entrance, but she turned her head back to stare at Celestia’s wet cheeks and drooping mane.   “Of course, your highness.”  She trotted out of the room, closing the door behind her. Celestia shifted about in her bed as the sun dipped over the horizon.  She begged for sleep to come, but she couldn’t stop the thoughts pounding in her head, refusing to let her drift into dreamland, where she might escape her torment. My power. My people. My invincibility. My purpose.