What Princesses Need
Part 12: Confidence
Luna sat a little dumb-founded on her throne, staring down at the hopeful couple before her. They had wandered into the night court at the stroke of midnight, by appointment, and asked for a wedding blessing. It was such an old tradition even Luna knew of it. In the olden days it was meant to be a blessing of fertility for the mare, and strength for the stallion. But they were so rare anymore that it really was a pleasant surprise for her. “You… don’t want to ask my sister to bless you?” she said carefully, rising from her throne.
“W-well, we thought it might be easier to see you, your highness, in the middle of the night.” The Stallion admitted. “My fiance and I wanted to start out right, and… and what better way than to get a blessing from one of our Princesses?” he inflated his chest a bit when the mare next to him nuzzled his chest.
Luna blushed just a little bit. Young love always got to her. It didn’t matter the era. Clearing her throat just a little, she descended regally from on high at her throne. Igniting her horn, she waited for them to bow. When they did, he touched both ponies with her horn, “We bless thee in the name of the moon, for fertility, for strength, and a happy union.” She said softly. “For strong foals, for a prosperous house, and a happy future.” The alicorn magic flowed into them. Really, it was just a simple luck spell, but the words meant more to them than anything. While Luna watched, they kissed passionately, wrapping up in each other. The Princess smiled daintily, and soon the couple left.
The Princess of the night wasn’t half-way up her dais to her throne when another appointment arrived. It was so strange-- Usually she was lucky to see half a dozen ponies in a night, but this night she’d seen well over a hundred! Unusually busy, with no discernible reason. Luna was sure there was one, but… to be honest she kind of liked it. It made her feel wanted. She wasn’t solving matters of extreme, world-changing importance, but there was plenty to do! She’d had a property line dispute, several wedding blessings, simple funding requests, a bold stallion wishing for a shooting star for he and his marefriend’s anniversary, several ponies wanting to join the royal guard… it just went on and on! Luna had never been so happy. Not in a long time. She relaxed into the role of gentle ruler rather well, when her ponies actually took the time to come and ask her about things. Being ignored was no good, but now finally things were being brought before her for judgement.
Outside in the hallway, beyond a few turns, Dr. Psyche was hard at work. He had a gaggle of ponies gathered, all of them recruited by mail, by posters, by messenger—all of them with disputes that had been awaiting a hearing in the Noon Day Court. He’d sent letters to all of them promising a much speedier settlement of their issues if they would but come to the midnight court. After all, didn’t Equestria have TWO Princesses? Half the ponies there were chatting amongst themselves, kicking themselves over and over for not thinking of this sooner. Of course Princess Luna had the power to settle disputes and such, she was a Princess! Just as much judge and super-power as Princess Celestia! Pffft, how silly were they? Good thing this Deep Psyche fellow was there with the proper paperwork to let them through the system that much quicker, what a nice guy! Some of them had been waiting weeks, others MONTHS, to get their important cases or other items heard in the royal courts. The Midnight Court was a new thing, not seen in a thousand years, but it did exist and function. They just had to stay up late enough to use it.
The caramel stallion Deep Psyche adjusted his bowtie with a smile, pushing his glasses up his nose. That would get the ball rolling. It would take a few weeks for word to spread properly. Amazing what raw, physical advertising could do. Stepping out of the line that he’d helped make and nodding to the solar guards that had the night shift, he clip-clopped down a private hallway and flopped onto a couch to rest. “Whew…” he said audibly, closing his eyes and rubbing them a bit. Interacting with Luna had flip-flopped his sleeping cycle, but he wasn’t about to complain. Not only had be been hoof-picked by a Princess, but he was helping the other. It was a huge responsibility. He pulled out his notebook to scribble for a bit. Building Luna’s confidence in the Midnight Court by spoon-feeding her ponies eager to see her would definitely help. It was a little under-hoofed, giving her Celestia’s run-off or overflow of ponies… but they were supposed to work together to run the country, so it really did work out for everypony. Trying to shrug off the mild stint of guilt, he flicked a fly away with his tail. Mumbling over his latest notes, he gazed down at the next planned event and moaned a little. This would be the hard part. “The audible letter.” He moaned, pressing his temples and trying to steel himself. The Midnight Court would be over in a few hours, maybe he could nap until then… he laid his head down wearily.
Princess Celestia leaned over him just as he was drifting off. “Doctor?” she said softly. Deep Psyche JERKED upright so hard he launched himself off of the couch and to the floor. “Oh, sorry about that.” The white alicorn smiled apologetically. “I received your message. You’ve decided on what my sister needs for treatment?” she leaned a bit, more than a little interested.
“Yes.” Dr. Psyche nodded, coughing a little and trying to regain his composure. “Yes, your Majesty. My tests have told me a lot, and we’re ready to move forward.”
“What can I do?” Celestia asked. “Anything?” she really wanted to be a part of it all. The white alicorn was like any older sister that truly cared. She wanted to have a hoof in making her sister better again.
“You’re not going to like the next bit.” Dr. Psyche said, scuffing his hoof on the marble tile a bit. “But it’s gotta be done, to make sure she gets all the way better.”
“What is it?” Celestia said.
“I need you to call off Shining Armor.” Said the caramel-colored stallion. Celestia’s brow rose and she opened her mouth to object, but the young doctor quickly added. “Luna needs to have at least a little interaction with Twilight Sparkle. She seems to at least slightly understand that what she did was wrong. I’m going to have her write a letter of apology, and then read it to Twilight.” He told her.
Celestia stared at him, just a little bit stunned. She wanted to forbid it. Forbid him from bringing Twilight Sparkle close to her unstable sister. But… the doctor had been helping Luna so far very brilliantly. She saw the slight upturn in mood, and the Midnight Court had been a little busy tonight when she’d walked past… “I…” Celestia fought a mental battle. “I…” POP! The solar alicorn flinched when a scroll suddenly blinked into existence in a flash of green dragon’s fire.
“What’s that?” Deep Psyche asked reflexively, looking up at her curiously. Celestia flipped the letter open, breaking the seal and unfurling it without a thought. She enjoyed Twilight’s reliable correspondence and all the profound lessons she… found herself… learning…? Celestia’s thoughts slowed and focused on the letter as her eyes raced back and forth across the page. “Princess?” he asked when he saw her face turn from amused to very, very perturbed. He’d never seen such a face on a regal creature like her. “Are you alright?” he put out a hoof to pull her out of whatever thoughts were upsetting her.
Celestia curled the letter into a scroll with a flick of magic, vanishing it to the private collection in her study. “That, Dr. Psyche,” She said it with royal authority, most of the pleasantness gone from her voice. “Was reason enough to bring Shining Armor back to Canterlot, and away from Twilight Sparkle.” She looked down at him, wings opening just a little bit aggressively. “Please, excuse me.” She waited for him to bow as protocol bade him to, and she turned with a snap in her step.
Deep Psyche stood there alone in the hall, scratching the back of his head. Something bad must’ve been in that letter… But! If it meant Twilight Sparkle would be easier to communicate with, he supposed it was a good thing.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
The Very Next Day…
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Celestia paced one way, slowly, then the other, at the top of her dais. The room was as quiet as a tomb. “Captain Shining Armor, step forth.” She looked down from her throne and platform at the pony before her. He was in full regalia, and took off his helm when she spoke his name. He set it next to himself and bowed deeply. No guards dared stand within twenty feet of him. Though the Princess had not flown into an audible rage—the ponies that saw her daily saw the signs. The stiffness of her wings, the snap in her hoof steps, and the mild twitch under one of her eyes. While the average pony may have yelled and screamed, only the keen eye could see true anger in Celestia’s face. Her face was a neutral frown when she spoke again, seating herself regally on her throne. “Please, explain yourself.” With a flick of alicorn magic, she conjured Twilight’s letter and put it under his muzzle to read:
Dear Princess Celestia,
Something terrible has happened. I thought I was being stalked by a Lunar Stallion, so my friends and I set a trap to capture him while Shining Armor’s help. What Shining Armor failed to tell us was that the Lunar Stallions are actually foals in disguise! I won’t pretend to know what that’s all about, I’m sure Princess Luna has her reasons for that situation—but we had him tied to a chair. Shining Armor and I interrogated him with mean words, food deprivation and ‘got your nose’ games.
I don’t know how to feel right now, Princess. I really did think he was stalking me to take me back to your sister again. I can still feel myself shaking. Please make sure the foal (I think Nightmare Moon called him “Melancholy”) is okay? I know you sent Shining Armor to protect me, under orders-- but he was taking things too far. I hate to throw my own brother under the proverbial bus, but if he acts like that I really shouldn’t have his protection.
I’ll understand if you want to punish me first, but please send somepony that will protect me and not actively try to harm anypony else in my honor. So long as Nightmare Moon stays far away, I’ll be perfectly happy.
Your Faithful Student,
Twilight Sparkle
Shining Armor felt so damned by the last sentence or two that he sank to his knees, ears wilted. He bowed his head, unable to even look up at Celestia. “I… I…”
“I know you thought you were following my orders and protecting your sister, Shining Armor.” Celestia said, a slight tension in her tone that made the other ponies in the room shudder a little. “But I cannot condone you holding another pony against his will, knowing the… circumstances.” She said it delicately, remembering how many ears were in the room. The true nature of the Lunar Stallions was secret, and she didn’t trust every single politician, squire, and handmaiden to hold their tongues. “And the fact that you did this despite the circumstances disturbs me even more. That stallion did not have the capacity to harm Twilight Spar--!”
“You sent me to protect her!” Shining Armor blurted, tears in his eyes. “I was just following orders!” he held up the sentence like a shield. One mare in a far corner, a maid that was responsible for bussing drinks, fainted. Nopony just interrupted Celestia like that! “I did what I had to, so nothing bad would happen to Twilight! If even one of the Lunar Stallions knew what was being planned--!”
Princess Celestia’s horn IGNITED rather aggressively. A zipper flashed into existence over the stallion’s mouth, zipping closed. “Captain.” She said a little less gently. “Do not interrupt.” Surely his military training had taught him better than that. One didn’t rise to the coveted rank of Captain of the Royal Guard by interrupting one’s superiors. Celestia seated herself regally once more, drawing a deep breath. “Perhaps it was wrong of me to send you to protect your own sister. While you are undoubtedly the most skilled unicorn in Canterlot, in protection magic and shielding spells… being too close to your charge clouded your judgement.” Shining Armor fretfully played with the zipper on his mouth. There was no little thing to grab and unzip himself with! Celestia sighed just a little, her mind racing. “Captain.” She spoke his title to draw his eyes up to her. They were afraid. “You are a shield, not a sword. I sent you to Twilight Sparkle, my most precious student, to protect her and nothing else. If something beyond your ability had occurred, you should have contacted me. Actively striking out against a foe was not in your orders.” She turned to one side, profile, and her horn lit briefly. The zipper came off, vanishing. Shining Armor gasped a few times, rubbing his lips. “Recite rule seventeen of the Solar Guard Oath Contract.” She bade him with royal authority.
Shining Armor licked his lips a little, recalling the proper rule, “Rule seventeen of the S.G.O.C: 'I shall never stray from my orders for any reason beyond harm to myself or any ponies in my immediate vicinity. My orders are my bond.'” He wilted even as he said the words.
“You’ve broken your contract, Shining Armor.” Celestia said with a neutral expression. “Not only have you been called away from your post because of your actions, but you actively harmed another pony in the process. He was not yours to capture or interrogate.” She said, recalling the scroll from the floor in front of him back to herself. “Even Twilight Sparkle seems disturbed by your actions.” He looked at the floor again, deflating visibly. Celestia could see him shaking just a little bit. There was a long and terrible silence. Ponies looked back and forth between Princess Celestia and Shining Armor. Had… had he really interrogated somepony? Why? They didn’t understand. Finally the white alicorn spoke her most damning sentence. “Take off your stripes.” She whispered.
Shining Armor flinched like he’d been punched in the gut. “B-but… Y-Yes, your majesty.” He bowed his head and slowly obeyed, peeling the rank insignias from his shoulders. The purple covering bits of his armor fizzled out of existence, and his armor suddenly seemed dull and featureless. Celestia took the two little markers, setting them next to herself by magic. “What is my punishment?” he said boldly, without looking up at his Princess.
“I don’t know the answer to that, Shining Armor.” Celestia said, the gentleness returning to her tone. Her eyes betrayed a certain weariness. “I’m going to deliver you to my sister, Luna, and she will decide what to do with you. After all, it is she whom you’ve wronged, when you think about it.”
Shining Armor looked up, aghast. “What?! No! NO!” guards closed in on him and he was dragged, kicking and shouting, out of the throne room.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
The Next Evening…
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Twilight Sparkle looked up, startled, when there was a firm knock on her door. She closed the book she’d been studying, warily leaning up to peer through the newly made peep hole. A Lunar Stallion’s breastplate blocked her view of the outside world. She moaned, pressing her forehead to the door. Then, gathering up her willpower, she pulled the door slightly ajar. “What do you want?” she asked the would-be stallion.
He seemed to wilt at her words, but threw his chest out to announce. “Her Majesty Princess Luna wants to see you!” he’d clearly been fed this line, and was parroting it for her.
“No!” Twilight shrieked. “Tell her to go away! I don’t want to see her, or any of you!” she slammed the door animatedly. There was a silence, and the Lunar Stallion stood there staring at the door. He looked over his shoulder, mouthing ‘now what?’ at the others. They made wild gestures, and he nodded firmly. Turning back around, he knocked firmly again. Twilight, against her better judgment, opened the door a few inches again. “What?!” she demanded. “Stop harassing me!” she was getting more and more upset. To placate her, the pony stepped meekly back off of her doorstep.
“Princess Luna has been real sad lately.” He told Twilight. “She wrote you a letter, and doctor Psycho wants her to read it to you out loud.”
“Doctor Psycho?” Twilight said, brow going up.
“Doctor Psyche, thank you.” A stallion further out in the darkness said. “Forgive the intrusion, Twilight Sparkle.” He emerged into the light that Twilight’s windows were giving off. Twilight studied him critically. He was clean, groomed, and had a cutie mark of a brain with a question mark on it. “I’m Princess Luna’s therapist. Could you spare just a minute, to help our Princess get better?” Well jeez, when he put it like that--- she slammed the door again. Buck them all! Why couldn’t they just let her be?! “Miss Sparkle!” The caramel stallion stepped up onto the porch, past the pony that had knocked on the door. “I know you’re hurting! I do! You yourself may need therapy for what’s happend! But right now I’m more worried about Princess Luna!” he said it with such complete honesty Twilight was dumbfounded. She stared at her door, almost able to see the stallion on the other side as he knocked animatedly. Her brow lowered angrily. “She has to confront what she’s done before she gets well again, and to do that I need you!” He knocked more firmly. “Please! Please just open the door and stand there, you don’t have to do anything else!” he promised.
Twilight considered, but turned her nose up. She didn’t have to do ANYTHING for the mare that tried to… tried to… she shuddered, her throat constricting. She shuddered again, squeezing her eyes shut and breathing a little shakily. She hadn’t told Spike, or the others, for that matter, all the little details. She had a tiny, tiny little pair of marks on her lower pelvis. Nightmare Moon had all but MARKED her, in a very private area. With those curved… terrifying fangs! She whimpered a little, then stomped away from the door.
Suddenly there was more knocking, but lower on the door. “I have a Crunch-licious!” promised a small voice outside. Twilight stopped. Who was that? “Please come outside?” it said hopefully. The purple mare came to the window, looking outside. On the ground was a Lunar Stallion’s helm, and on her doorstep next to the doctor was a peach-colored little colt with a candy bar. He was waving it at the door, as though the deliciousness would seep through the wood and tempt Twilight Sparkle outside. She stared. They really were foals.
In the gathering of Lunar Stallions, another suddenly pulled his helm off. Before her very eyes, he shrank down onto a powder blue little unicorn with bright red eyes. “I’ve got a bag of marbles!” he shouted bravely, running forward and putting it on the doorstep. When no Twilight emerged, he jingled the bag a bit. “There’s even a cats-eye in there! Please come outside!” his tiny, shrieking voice crackled like a stallion in puberty.
“I’ve got this super rare Yugimon the Gathering card! Mint condition!” Another foal emerged bare-headed from the herd of stallions and placed his offering in front of the door. Twilight stared, her mouth slowly going agape. “Please come outside?” he begged for his Princess. One by one, until the herd of armored stallions was moving as a unit, they piled offerings up onto Twilight Sparkle’s doorstep to get her to open the door and come outside again. Trading cards, crayons, candies, marbles—anything of value they had on them. They wanted so badly for Twilight Sparkle to like them, so Princess Luna could be happy again. A massive pile of magic helmets lay to one side.
The doctor stood stone still, positively flabbergasted at the scene. “You’re all colts! Little colts!” he shrieked, pointing at them in disbelief. The herd of little ponies romped around him, penning him in and pulling him away from the doorstep. They didn’t want him touching their pile of cool stuff, after all, that was for Twilight Sparkle.
The doorknob turned, and the doctor whipped around quickly, stepping back. Twilight stood, silhouetted by the light coming from inside the library behind her, in the doorway. “I… just have to stand here?” she said quietly, looking down at the children’s toys piled in front of her. The herd of little ponies looked on, beaming. Dr. Psyche nodded quickly, and turned. He made a gesture at the deepest shadows nearby.
Twilight’s heart and throat constricted fearfully. Luna emerged from the blackness, head submissively low. She barely dared to look at the purple mare, she was such a pathetic-looking creature. It crossed Twilight’s mind that yes, she did look like a therapy patient with a face like that. She looked ashamed and very vulnerable. The dark alicorn was sheepish, looking about herself as the herd of colts gathered around her and seated themselves. One of them, a little unicorn colt called Pen Maker, leaned into his tiny saddlebag and got the letter. Princess Luna had written it herself, but he’d been given the special job of carrying it all the way to Ponyville with them. He leaned up and Luna took it gingerly.
Dr. Psyche watched Twilight Sparkle the entire time. The poor mare looked ready to bolt. It wasn’t everyday that somepony was directly confronted with their molester. She was being very brave. Very, very brave. Was she trying to prove something to herself? That she could stand up to her aggressor and still be left standing when things were over? He stifled himself, trying not to analyze the harassed mare too much. He was here for Princess Luna. Perhaps another day Twilight Sparkle could receive help from him. For now, it was time for Luna to heal. One case at a time, he coached himself. Trying to maintain a level of professionalism, he heaved a steadying breath and stepped off of the doorstep and to one side. He didn’t want to obscure anypony’s view.
Princess Luna looked meekly at Twilight Sparkle. Those eyes. They accused her. They feared her. Just like so many eyes before them, but on a more personal level. She felt her back legs shaking, and the confidence boost she’d gotten from the Midnight Court began to fizzle out. Swallowing quickly, she noisily unfolded the letter that she’d written. Clearing her throat. “T-To Twilight Sparkle.” She recited, holding the page up to hide her face. “We art sorry for what happened in the cave some days ago. We are not well, and are seeking professional help at this time. Perhaps after time has passed and we art well again, we might become friends.” Luna perked her ears, looking up to see if Twilight was still there. She was. “We know thou may not ever forgive us for what happened, but we wish thou to know we’ve seen how sick and wrong it was—we wish to make amends in any way we can, if thou names it in the future.” She paused again when a lunar colt nuzzled one of her shaking legs. “Thou deserves a better Princess. We shalt be better. Luna.” She finished out with her name. It was a short little note, but she meant every word.
There was a long silence as Luna clumsily folded the letter and gave it back to Pen Maker, who put it back in his little pack. Twilight stared, unsure of what to do next. “That was all, Twilight.” Dr. Psyche stepped in before anything fell apart. “Thank you for helping us.” he smiled brightly. Twilight felt her left hoof moving, and she slowly closed the door. There was an INSTANT scramble by the foals to recover not only their helms, but their valuables. Finders keepers losers weepers! Luna stood there, a little stunned at herself. Her doctor appeared at her side, smiling grandly. “That was very good, Luna!” he praised her. “That was very brave of you. I’m very proud.” Luna smiled faintly, but looked at the door that hid Twilight Sparkle. She had so, so much more to say. Please forgive us, we shalt give thee anything! Anything at all! We art a monster, being tamed, please do not cast us out! But no… no the little letter she’d had was all she could bring herself to say. “Wait until we get back to Canterlot, your sister will be glad to hear about your progress!” Deep Psyche said, grinning. “How do you feel? Any better?” he asked.
“A little.” Luna said in earnest. “Saying it to Twilight’s face made it count for more, we think.” She said it slowly, as though unsure of herself. Her therapist smiled and nodded. She was beginning to understand. And a patient who understood could begin to heal.
Inside, Twilight Sparkle was writing a letter to Princess Celestia. Spike had already gone to bed, so she had to do it herself. That and, well, it was a personal subject. “Dear Princess Celestia.” She was quietly reciting, even though she was the one writing it. “Princess Luna came and apologized to my face today. That was very brave of her, I think…”
End of Part 12
Aww... those Lunar Stallions...
Also, first..?
I think Cadance is gonna be foal-sitting for a while longer...
Great chapter! And for that matter, amazing update speed! I appreciate it quite a lot.
The depiction of the therepy seems very realistic, and I like where it is going. Also, the Lunar Stallions are a stroke of pure genius. Anyway, I look forward to seeing more soon!
I don't know how to respond to this chapter.
In terms of emotion I mean, the chapter itself was very well written.
Right in the feels man... dl.dropbox.com/u/31471793/FiMFiction/emoticons/misc_Vinyl_sad.png
It was adorable since the lunar stallions helped Luna
More, I need more of this
Ohman. The feelings and emotions. I really don't want to cry myself to sleep over ponies. Pathetic, yes, but I know where this angle plays from. Both women I've ever been close to romantically were victims of rape and abuse. Super damaging stuff. They never really ever recovered, and I wasn't strong enough to stick through it with them...
So many regrets...
I was wondering for the longest time about the lunar stallions, I mean you alluded to it in earlier chapters, but I thought they had the mind of a foal, not that they were still foals. As usual, great story, wonderful writing and emotional storyline. Always good, always high quality, and I need to sleep.
wow! i just found this story today and i get treated to an update. great story! 1 more fan was made today.
Edit well i found this around 1 in the moring so i guess i can call that today
Aargh right in the feelsheart:
aww those wona stalions are soooooo adorable!
All that has to happen is for Nightmare Moon to come out, apologize, and explain herself, or have Psyche explain to twilight.
FINDERS KEEPERS!!!!!!
FAUST DAMN IT TWILIGHT! BE NICE TO YOUR F*CKING GODESS! KNEEL BEFORE THE TRUE RULER OF EQUESTRIA!
...nice chap, keep it up. I hope Luna and Twilight will become friends again very soon. Like next chapter soon.
The road to recovery is a long and arduous one, but at the end of the journey one can expect to find great things waiting for them.
1140684 Agreed
lunar stallions, so much cute
I swear i always go D'aaaw everytime one of those Lunar Stallions does something. i saw Shining getting stripped of his Solar Knighthood coming, and i'm interested in what Luna will do with him. i also can't wait to see what Twilight wrote.
is it strange that i have goosebumps about it? no? good
I feel a bit, just a bit, sorry for shining. And also the part with the lunar stallion? Unmanly tears were shed. many many unmanly ones.
WTF is Luna THINKING!? She's dressing up ORPHANS as SOLDIERS and sending them out into the world! She is clearly ill, and she interacts with them on a daily basis! What the fuck!? Author, you need to address this now. Luna has created child soldiers. No if, buts or maybes, these are child soldiers.
Shining Armour, on the other hand, was well within his rights to interrogate an enemy combatant, and has done nothing wrong.
What the hell? Is everyone going to ignore the fact that Luna, who WAS GOING TO RAPE TWILIGHT, is being treated as some sort of victim, and anyone who shows even the single most bit of intelligence is being demonized! And don't give me some crap about 'she's just misunderstood' she is DANGEROUS! The only thing stopping her from kidnapping Twilight and forcing herself upon her again is a rather shaky promise.
And now Celestia has gone up and said, "I know you were following orders and protecting your sister, my favoured student, and someone who was almost raped not two months ago, but I don't like how you did it and now I want you to go to my criminaly insane, unstable sister and do whatever punishment she asks."
Secondly, is there anypony else there at the reading of the letter? You do NOT put a criminally insane potential rapist in THE SAME ROOM AS THE RAPE VICTIM without some protection!
Edit: Due to the mass of notifications I'm getting, let me clarify. I AM NOT SAYING THAT LUNA NEEDS TO BE BANISHED. Luna/NMM is ill, and needs treatment, however, it is unreasonable to expect her to be perfect. Whatever her belifs may of have been, she still nearly raped Twilight, and certantly would have if it weren't for Shining Armour. Luna/NMM is dangerous and the whole situation with The Luna 'Colts' creeps me out.
FYI, the Luna Colts do not count as protection.
1140723 I'm pretty sure that's, like, a complex or something.
Aaaahhhhh! My heart! Those lunar stallions....too cute! "Dies"
1140671 What? Hu.. bu where the hell did you get that vinyl emoticon?
1140859
Is she sending them out into combat situations? No.
Is she giving them orders that you wouldn't give to a child? Maybe.
Is she treating them like actual children instead of soldiers? For the most part, yes.
The main difference between what Luna is doing and what any warlord who uses child soldiers is that Luna clearly cares for them. It's quite clear from the way she and the foals interact that they are one big dysfunctional family.
Nightmare Moon may be evil, but she falls into Lawful Evil, if I'm not mistaken. She's the kind of villain to keep a promise, even if it's only to psyche others out. And the only reason Luna went Nightmare Moon in the first place is because she didn't feel loved.
As for the whole "Why is Luna the victim" thing, you do realise that most people who commit sexual crimes were themselves sexually abused? I'm not saying that's the case here, but we may never know.
1140859
Oh the things I can say the to. But I only wish to hold my tongue for now.
you make me sad.
1140888
He's made of wood; and there for a witch.
Meaning it be witchcraft!
Meaning: Burn the witch!
YAY UPDATE!!!!! Why did it show up two hours later for me?
1140910 1140909
We all know this won't go wrong because 'Luna is always right' and anyone who disagrees is a big meanie.
But I'm still right. These are sill child soldiers being used to assist a Criminally Insane Rapist. Am I the only one who is appaled at this?
1140951
Said criminally insane rapist is undergoing therapy and is showing incredible signs of improvement. Also, it was only attempted, nothing actually went into places.
Those "child soldiers" are giving her a sense of family and loving that she doesn't get from anywhere else. And she's giving them a sense of family as well.
1140951
Not what is being said.
More or less, it is just like some foals playing dress up, and to them it's mostly just a game. And I don't see them going around and trying to slay 'The-Dark-Lord-Of-Time-Space-And-A-Hell-Of-a-good-cook'
1139261
THANK FUCK someone else gets it!
Yugimon
Yu-gi-oh and Digimon
images3.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20120704223347/thefanfictionwikiofgtfandphazon/images/7/7b/Mother-of-celestia-6281_preview.png
1140859
As far is I see it the lunar guards are play acting guards. Yes, they are lead by royalty but infact have no purpose or duties (it gives them something to do out of education time) What says they don't take off the helmets and go be amongst their chronological peers.
As for the attempted rape, yes it was that, but it was done by nmm not Luna and blame should be given accordingly. It's like blaming 'shy for dumping the water on twi's head in the discord episodes, she(Luna) had no control over her(nmms) actions.
That's why twilight is also acting the way she is, because she doesn't know about the dissociative identity disorder and therefor with her knowledge is quite rightly fearful of the princess of the night.
As for shining he was to close to the issue. Medical professionals along with others are not allowed to operate on/interact with in a official capacity immediate family, a similar protocol should have been in place.
TLDR: nmm is dangerous not Luna and is under close oversight when she is the dominant personality.
1141007
And I'm sure it's a game. After all, it's all fun and games until someone gets hurt right?
i128.photobucket.com/albums/p192/kitty_anime_luvr/Tumblr%20GIFs%20and%20Pics/tumblr_m41hitGu6P1qe4w2s.gif
I was sad the whoke story, Celeastia really fucked Shining over, and Luna was so... Saddening. Although, Dr.Psycho was funny as hell.
1141028
I agree. However, they stopped play acting as guards when they were sent out to spy and preform reconnisance on Twilight. They are under the command of Luna, but they still follow the orders of NMM.
And they don't take off the helms. Rerember when Twilight was down by the train station? Chapter two, I think?
Whole story
Celestia
1140951
Dude.... you're also kinda looking past the fact that these foals were orphans who were given a home, and allowed to play as big brave soldiers until they're adopted. and not to hate on anyone, but the others do have a point, since Lunar stallions are not used for anything besides what Luna may ask of them, or what they eventually do on their own.
And the statement about Shining Armor getting reprimanded about interrogating an 'enemy' when he KNOWS the 'enemy' is only a child? errr... that kinda does deserve the punishment. If you had a child, and he was acting as a spy, but someone else thinks he's a real spy and decides to interrogate him by torturing him, I would hope to think you'd be pretty damn upset at that.
On the matter of Luna nearly raping Twi... I do believe people with a multiple personality, the personalities are considered different people, therefore it really is only Nightmare Moon wanting to do that. Luna had no idea until she was told. But even then, Nightmare was portrayed to be sorry as within a 1000 years, that was considered the 'norm' so again, while it's considered rape now, it wasn't back then. I may be wrong, but it's how I see things.
And to answer your final question.... Deep Psyche and ALL of her Lunar stallions were present during the letter reading, and we all know the Lunar stallions only want to see Luna happy since she is posing as their mother figure, and Deep Psyche wants to help Luna.
While I respect your opinions, I personally hope you see the the points I am trying to make.
1140771
That wouldn't have been a good idea. Twilight is already scared enough of Luna, who wasn't the one in control. Even though Nightmare Moon didn't mean to hurt Twilight, she's still the one that was in control, and would have Twi closing her door and locking herself in the basement.
1141061
I kinda felt like that was a field trip/the office goes out for lunch sort of deal. As for the spying, that does imply more militaristic operations but then again get some walkie-talkies and then go nuts acting out spy movies. It depends on how "the mission" was framed in its presentation.
Apologies to Aegis Shield if i overstep ... I love this story (and the Lunar Puppies) even if some unfortunate things happen to some very nice ponies ...
The Lunar Puppies are Not soldiers. They are not Actual Guards. They are children playing dress up. No more and no less.
They are no more soldiers or guards than i was a 7 year old Batman as a boy in the seventies. (or a fireman or a cop or a cowboy etc .)
Shining knew perfectly well that he was interrogating a TEN YEAR OLD CHILD not a combatant, not a hostile. A Child. He was wrong and his actions were a disgrace to ANY branch of service.
Luna is suffering Severe mental trauma. Multiple personality disorder is not something to be taken lightly. Luna is dangerous. Nightmare Moon is much more dangerous. A sociopathic (potentially) goddess with the power to sink the world in eternal night? It might be best to treat her with kid gloves .. so she wont .. you know ... sink the world into eternal night? maby?
Shining physically assaulted what he knew was children on many occasions. He tied up and mentally tortured a ten year old child. Celestia essentially forced him to report the person responsible for the children he assaulted. How will she respond? Force him to take responsibility for his moral failures and apologies to the children would be a good start IMHO.
1141072
I agree with most of those points. Most. It's your opinion, and I'd say that normally they are fine. But the Lunar 'Colts' are being given uniforms, and are being guards, end of story. One more thing, note that I said interrogation, not torture. I myself could come up woth worse things off the top of my head. I fail to see how playing Got Yer Nose and refusing to give dinner can be considered torture.
To give you an idea, it's as if you take three year olds, use magic to make then grown ups, and then give them police uniforms. I fail to see how this could end well.
1140723
I know that feel bro... I know that feel...
It's like you wish you could just take their pain away in an instant. But all you can do is just be there for support, wipe away tears that were shed, provide comfort in the middle of the night, or wait outside the therapist's office... praying for a breakthrough. It never feels like enough in the end, but every little bit helps more than you'll realize.
1141042
Yes, And as for the foals, Shining Armor did the hurting.
As far as I know soldiers are not treated nicely when they step out of line.
And that's what he did; Failing to do a mission and clouded judgement, and acting out of role.
I've heard of people getting stuff like like whipping lashes for far less then that.
And somewhere in that I find that I may or may not have missed to mark and or miss read something you posted.
Feel free to shed some light on that.
And to be frank I was thinking he would have gotten Disowned as a guard.
1141111
Yeah I see you're point of the Fake image of a cop.
But in terms of the torture, I do believe eating a kid's favorite food when he's hungry in front of his face while he is tied to a chair is pretty bad when it's being done intentionally to the child. While it wouldn't be as torturous to an adult, to a kid who doesn't really know any better? that's pretty harsh. And the Got Yer Nose game? again the kid is clueless that it's fake, and isn't being told that it's supposed to be a harmless joke. I would think that's kinda mentally damaging to the child seeing as kids at a young age are REALLY impressionable. If you were to go up to some random kid on the in a park (which I HIGHLY advise against) and do the Got Your Nose trick, and he doesn't know it, they will either freak out and demand you give it back, OR run back to their parents freaking out that someone has their nose.
1140859
Actually, the only thing stopping it from happening is that's not what Nightmare Moon wants.
Nightmare Moon is Luna's more base desires. She wants Twilight Sparkle to be her lover. However, she's from one thousand years ago, when the rules of what was proper for Royalty was completely different. She is from a time where she could simply lay a claim to a pony, and that would prevent that individual from ever being married to someone else.
Celestia, by her own admission, did this. And quite likely did the same thing Nightmare Moon did to Twilight.
That's why Nightmare Moon is, in chapter 6, reading up on modern dating.
1140859
Nobody is being demonized in the story - and that's the point. Demonization completely kills the hope of recovery. To believe someone is a monster is to destroy all hope of harmony with them.
It has seemed to me the entire time that what sank this ship was a misunderstanding, not an evil. Not only did the event not progress to rape, Dr. Psyche has by this point discussed it with both Luna and Nightmare Moon. He has enough context to understand that neither of them desired to molest Twilight Sparkle in any way. He also lacks evidence that would imply either of them is lying. In that circumstance, it is a sound exercise of professional judgement for him to attempt rapproachment between the two. Having 'protection' on hand would make the encounter more difficult for all parties. In a circumstance worse than this, it is a necessary precaution, but these circumstances are not those ones.
You need to put down your brimstone complex. People with problems need healing, not hatred.