It was technically correct that the former Princesses of Equestria lived in Silver Shoals.
The more descriptive statement would be that their retirement villa was inside the township of Silver Shoals, nestled between the shoreline and a steep hill. As she glided in, Twilight couldn't help but be reminded of Canterlot Castle and how the two-towered structure ahead looked just similar enough to evoke the original despite the vast differences in size, location and building material.
Finding Celestia was easy enough - missing a massive alicorn sunning herself on the seaward deck would have required being blind. Rather than going to the front door and forcing Celestia to get up to answer it, Twilight simply landed beside her.
The former diarch's ear twitched at the sound of hooves on wood, but she let Twilight close the gap. It was only when the younger alicorn stood over her that she spoke. "You're in my light."
"It's my light now," came the sassy reply.
And both of them broke out into laughter.
Celestia rose from the lounge chair, wrapping hooves and wings around her former student. "Twilight, it's so good to see you! It hasn't been that long but I've still missed you so."
"I missed you too." Twilight nuzzled her former teacher without even realizing it. "I know I should come around more often to visit, but--"
"But duty calls," Celestia completed with a knowing smile. "I believe I may understand that burden."
Twilight blushed. "Speaking of burdens, I'm sorry to say this isn't a social call either. I need to ask you and Luna for advice about something."
Celestia pulled away from Twilight to turn inside. "You may have to wait a few minutes, then. Luna is currently out doing her rounds but she's due back any time now. A bit of tea while we wait?"
Following, Twilight gave a small nod to affirm the question. "Her rounds? Oh! Did Luna become a doctor? No no, it hasn't been long enough for her to finish the schooling. Maybe a nurse though."
There was... a rather deep sigh from Celestia at that. "No, Twilight. My sister is not a nurse. She's--"
The front door thumped open. Luna came barreling into the kitchen with a broad grin on her face and a dark brown uniform on her body. "Sister! Today was another glorious day in the-- Oh! Greetings, Twilight Sparkle!"
The Princess of Friendship stared for a moment. "You're a mailmare?"
Celestia's long and belabored sigh confirmed it. "Please don't ask questions. She's enthusiastic about answering them."
Luna lofted her cap onto a hook - then stuck her tongue out at her sister. "I'll join both of you in a minute. I just need to change out of my uniform."
As the dark alicorn left, the other two turned back to the kitchen table. Celestia floated a plate of scones to the middle before starting the kettle. "I should probably have asked before, Twilight, but how time-sensitive is this matter? You didn't seem in a rush but I know how affairs of state can be."
"No, not too much." Twilight lifted a scone in her aura, examining it. Apple-cinnamon, and she knew the particular scent of a Sweet Apple Acres apple by heart at this point. A brief pang of nostalgia ran through her. "From what S.M.I.L.E. was able to figure out, there's another two weeks before the cult meets--"
Celestia spun around. "Cult? Did you say a cult?"
Twilight frowned deeply. "Yes, I'm afraid. And it gets worse - they appear to be worshiping..." She swallowed roughly, voice full of shame. "Me."
Of all the reactions Twilight had been expecting, Celestia letting out a cheerful whoop was not one of them. Nor was the former princess shouting down the hall. "Luna! Hurry up! Twilight has her first cult!"
The Royal Canterlot Voice echoed down the hall. "HUZZAH! It is about time!"
"What." Twilight stared gormlessly at her old mentor. This didn't make any sense.
"It took longer than we had expected," Celestia explained without actually explaining what Twilight cared about. "Though I suppose your area of rule is a bit less showy than ours was."
Twilight blinked rapidly, trying to grasp what was going on. "Wait, are you saying that you and Luna had cults? And that you expected I was going to have one too?"
Celestia laughed, as a parent laughs when their child first realizes that the parent had once been young too. "Dear Twilight, if you don't have at least one every decade or two you're probably doing something wrong."
Before Twilight could question that further, Luna entered with a towel around her neck. "So! Have they yet begun sacrifices in the name of the Great Sparkle? You must give us details."
Despite the vast number of wild and confused thoughts going through Twilight's head at that very moment, one of the more unlikely ones was what finally fought to the surface. "Never call me that again," she tensely asked Luna. "You make me sound like Trixie."
"The Great and Powerful Trixie," Luna helpfully corrected as she pulled a delicate pink teacup out of the cupboard.
Twilight pursed her lips as her face went red, trying not to shout.
Celestia broke out laughing again. "Twilight, you really should relax. You seem to think that this is a terrible crisis - it's not. It is, in fact, entirely expected and natural."
"So I should just be fine with having a cult worshiping me? Letting them be and doing who knows what in my name?" Twilight pawed the tile uneasily - she didn't like a bit of that thought.
"Oh no, you should crush them completely," answered Celestia - much to Twilight's continued confusion. "As brutally and quickly as possible."
Luna - who had picked up a scone in the meanwhile - snorted with loud derision.
The two sisters appeared about ready to argue - but Twilight interrupted them first. "Can you two please start from the beginning? I'm completely lost here. I just found there's a dark cult that worships me and reads books in the woods, and you're both excited?"
Luna, instead of helping, started to giggle. "Reads books in the woods. That's so you."
Celestia cut in before Twilight could work herself up worse. "Setting that aside for the moment, the reason my sister and I are as relaxed about this as we are is because it's perfectly normal. Consider it from the average pony's perspective - we're immortal beings of unique appearance and with great enough magical power that we have control over celestial bodies and the forces of the cosmos. Is it any surprise that some ponies would see us as divine figures?"
"In the old days," Luna said, sitting across from Twilight, "When Equestria had just begun, it wasn't uncommon. We never encouraged such things, but nor did we shy away from it. By the time of my banishment, both of us had followers of a significant size." She paused before adding, "As did Starswirl."
Quickly, Celestia interrupted with a correction. "Starswirl had a number of students who worshiped the ground he walked on in the more traditional sense."
"Wizard groupies," Luna smarmily clarified. Twilight blushed and decided to look intently at her scone. "Your idol's proclivity to collect swooning students aside, the worship of an alicorn was simply a thing that happened at the time."
"Until Nightmare Moon," Twilight half-questioned. She had a guess about where this was going.
Celestia nodded. "Yes. Until Nightmare Moon."
Things went awkwardly silent - only to be finally broken by the kettle. All three startled at the noise, but it was enough to shatter the somber introspection. Celestia lifted the kettle from the burner and continued. "After the banishment, many of Luna's followers turned down a dark path. I tried for a time to steer them from it, but most would not be swayed. Just as with Luna, the good intentions and reasonable points behind their actions became twisted."
The eldest alicorn paused, leaning over to hug her sister. Luna's previous joviality had drained away and been replaced by shame.
It was smothered completely under a second hug as Twilight came around the table to join in.
In time, the three broke apart and Celestia poured out the tea before picking up the tale once more. "In the end I had little choice but to crush those who worshiped the Nightmare. A few who had fallen too far were placed into Tartarus, but most thankfully went back to quieter lives once I had disbanded their organizations and handed out more lenient punishments." She paused to sip her tea. "The experience soured me on being worshiped as a whole. I'm still a pony - and what happened with Luna reminded me of how fallible I am. It took several generations, but I broke apart those who followed me as well."
"Soooooo you both had cults that worshiped you but you broke them up because you didn't like having an ego?" Twilight cocked her head to the side, trying to make sure that she was taking the proper moral from this.
"And that such things will go bad," Celestia noted.
"Can go bad," was Luna's correction.
"Will," came the quick counter. And Celestia sighed. "As you can see, Twilight, we've had a long-standing disagreement about this since Luna's return. She feels that there is no harm in such worship - that it is merely a way for ponies to express themselves and their views."
Luna picked up another scone and spread a bit of clotted cream on it. "And she is of the mind that even the ones formed with best intentions are corruptible and in time inevitably slide towards darkness." She popped a chunk of baked good into her mouth - and continued despite the heinous etiquette violation. "Thus 'tis better to break them early, before that path can be trod."
Twilight looked back and forth between the two former Princesses, a frown etched deep on her face. She had been hoping for advice, but this wasn't helping. "...What about Cadence? She's an alicorn too, when did she have to deal with this?"
"Your sister-in-law found a third path which, I fear, would not work for you." Celestia shook her head gently. "She chose to steer the cult she found by portraying herself as an avatar of the Crystal Heart. She became merely the stand-in for it and their worship strengthens the Heart and thus her Empire."
That did seem like a very Cadence way to handle things, but Celestia was right. That didn't help Twilight very much. She didn't have a massively powerful artifact that fed off of love to aim the cult at. Unless she did.... "Well, they like books. So what if I--"
Celestia cut in before that thought could be completed. "Twilight, I want you to think back to your singular overdue book and the adventure you had returning it. Now imagine how that would have gone if the library were staffed by religious fanatics who consider each book a sacred object."
Barely able to suppress her snickers, Luna added, "Imagine the late fees!"
Twilight's face fell.
"My advice," Celestia offered, "Is to squash this one immediately. If you decide to take a different approach later, I assure you from experience that another will appear in due time. But you are unprepared to deal with this now, my former student. And I know you're never happy with making a large choice that you rush into without proper..." She smirked with amusement. "Research."
Luna waved half a scone at Twilight. "And my advice is to leave them be. You are the Princess of Friendship - to go in and punish ponies for having an enthusiastic hobby of their own free will is anathema to who you are. You will grow used to adoration in time, Twilight. There is no avoiding it in the role you have chosen. Accept it with grace and use your position to steer them true."
Letting out a deep sigh, Twilight nodded. "Thank you - both of you. You've both given me a lot to think about. I'm sorry that I disturbed your retirement for something like--"
"Twilight, if you think you're about to leave and brood about this you are sorely mistaken." Celestia poked her purple friend with her teacup. "You've dealt with business, and now I fully expect you to stay for lunch and tell Luna and I all about how things have been for you lately."
Slinging a companionable wing across Twilight, Luna beamed. "Indeed! You have been most lax with your letters and we demand a full accounting of how all of our friends in Canterlot and Ponyville have been doing."
And just like that, the threatening malaise lifted from Twilight's brightening face. "I suppose it would be rude if I didn't. Rarity practically demanded I pass along her well-wishes next time I saw you."
"Do so. And tell us as well of the Apple newlyweds!" Luna winked playfully. "I am most curious how they have settled in."
And so the next few hours passed just as Twilight liked them - with friends.
I like that Luna and Celestia offer counterpoints! It gives Twilight more perspective while still requiring her to make her own decision. I have some cult worship stuff in my own fan stories, but I also have some elements of my own Christianity that make such worship complete anathema to the pony in question. Twilight may not have such reservations, requiring her decision to come from other factors. Regardless, one question I have is that if the cult seems reasonable enough, would Twilight be able to talk them into realizing that she ISN'T actually a deity, but that their practice of learning and garnering knowledge is still noble? Would some of them be open to that if it would still please their princess, or would too many of them be locked onto the idea their study is only worthwhile if it gains them better standing with a higher power?
Excellent writing, and I look forward to seeing how you move forward!
(Also, Mailmare Luna is THE BEST)
Oddly enough, I could actually see Luna becoming a MailMare.
Also, I don't know why but I feel like a familiar face will be part of the cult. My money is on either Sweetie Belle or Ocellus. Don't know why, just seem the most likely to join a cult... In a good way.
Also, what's the difference between a religion and a cult? As far as I can tell one is usually a bit bloodier than the other, so unless they do something weird like have sex with books wouldn't it be a religion?
I feel like she isn’t going to disband the cult...
Also, the chapter naming method. Goddamn, it’s the Scientific Method!
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Maybe Ocellus founded the cult? Specifically because her research showed that cults surrounding Alicorns are the norm and expected and wanted to gentle Twilight into the idea by making her first one easy to deal with and mostly harmless?
...and now I'm imagining all the Student Six are part of it, and imagining Yona happily bellowing the cult's chorus chants. It is hilariously adorable.
Edit: Actually, my first thought on reading the first chapter was that the 'cult' was a desperate teacher's attempt at making 'good study habits' seem 'cool' to the 'youngins' that got out of hand.
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Definition-wise, the difference between 'cult' and 'religion' is largely down to recognition/acceptance and (to a lesser extent) size.
I agree that Twilight probably won't disband it, at least not right away. After all, as Celestia herself pointed out, Twilight doesn't like acting without knowledge, so I see her "researching" cults (probably by infiltrating some agents into it) for a while before taking any definitive action.
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I would argue cult is more a stage of a relegion's development and of it evolves beyond that is partly dependant of the practices they chose to adopt. Things like homicide, genocide, eugenics, world conquest or attemps to triggering the apocalypse are signs it's no going to get past the cult stage or has reverted to the cult stage.
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So, a teacher wanted to make learning cool... and they decided to use books.... *GASP* Rainbowdash founded the cult!
Careful there Twiggles, Derpy might hear your derision
Hmm does that mean that Luna spends her time, well, shipping?
I don't think you need to.
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I agree, especially as I know there are some religions out there that are widespread enough and similar in structure to that of other major religions but are still referred to as "cults" nonetheless. usually by the outsiders looking in. I'm sure what outsiders would view as a "cult" would more likely be viewed as a "religion" by the members of it, though. In some instances, I've seen the two terms used almost interchangeably.
The only real significant difference between the two terms, then, is that "cult" typically bears a negative connotation that "religion" typically doesn't. So I guess it depends on if you want to spin them in a negative light or not. If so, then "cult" is probably a good word to use. If not, then refer to it as a "religion."
Man, I really, really hope this story doesn't die after the first few chapters!
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....You've given me an idea for a later fic, and I fully intend to blame you for it.
Look on the brightside Twilight.
What's that Spike?
You can always make Celestia and Luna do the dirty work for you, like they made you do their dirty work for so long. And if you don't want to get rid of the cult, well, who are they to tell you what to do now?
... Squee.
It was a glorious day, back then. A new princess was about to be crowned, one that brought an era of friendship. But a pony, basking in the glory of their new leader, thought:
"We could make a religion out of this."
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The difference between a religion and a cult is about 100 years.
Someone needs to make a picture of Derpy and Luna out delivering mail together.
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No joke, those two in a buddy comedy is on my current to-do fic list.
Choked on my muffin from the Mailmare Luna bit 😂😂 it makes so much sense though lol!
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That and cultural acceptance. Christianity was a cult until Constantine said otherwise.
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I shall bear it with pride
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The main difference, based on what I've seen, is that a lot of cults are built around a central living figure, and usually collapse after they die. They target the vulnerable amongst us, exploiting and abusing their congregations. They have rules that tend to isolate people from their friends or family, replacing their support structures and making them skeptical of outside influences trying to reach out and help them. The central figure isn't always the real leader of the cults either, Scientology's original founder was replaced by someone else who basically kicked out the founder's family from their positions within the cult. Another example is Rajneeshpuram, covered in this video by Frederik Knudsen.
This is basically the reaction I was expecting
It's not quite the same situation, but Twilight could take some notes from Rainbow Dash.
So Celestia and Luna still live a life of luxury in their vacation palace, but still do volunteer work...
How did I guess this would be a good ending for them?
i can't help but see twilight reforming her cultists
turning their goals towards a more positive direction
Mailmare Luna is adorable.
I really like it so far, keep up the good job
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You beautiful, beautiful bastard
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......... Spell Nexus!
*Quickly hids in bombshellter*
You handled the two sisters well. I am very much looking forward to seeing what happens next.
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I've been following loosely several YouTubers that have each been part of various cults. The best one for helping figure out if something is a cult rather than merely a religion imo is TellTale Atheist. He's a former Jehovah's Witness so he has insight there, but a basic breakdown (which doesn't do the subject justice) is that a cult is based around how much they can control their followers. How much something is considered a cult can be extrapolated from the B.I.T.E. model which stands for Behavior Control, Information Control, Thought Control, and Emotional Control.
As a general rule you can be one without being the other, though there does seem to be a lot of overlap with religions than not. Examples of non-religious cults can be found in the way some MLMs operate.
Honestly, I'm not nearly well enough researched on the subject to truly give you a proper answer, but again I believe "TellTale Atheist" has a video that specifically is about explaining the difference.
This is amazing. Twilight sassing Celestia, especially retiree Celestia, is always a delight to see.
Luna going postal is amazing, one of those ideas I'd never considered but seems obvious in hindsight. I can only imagine how Best Pony would react if she learned of that career change.
"Her own cult is minor, but still quite respectable for a mortal."
"I'm having trouble processing all of this as it is, Luna. I don't need you adding more to the pile."
"Nothing would've changed. That's how the Canterlot library system already works."
Brilliant work with how each of the other alicorns handle worship (other than Flurry Heart, but I imagine Cadence has kept the propitiation of the Queen of Winter to a minimum. Or redirected the worship to the Whammy.) Definitely looking forward to seeing how Twilight chooses to handle her followers.
Tracking! I wanna see where this thing goes.
[quote"The experience soured me on being worshiped as a whole. I'm still a pony - and what happened with Luna reminded me of how fallible I am.]Poor ponies, if only they could be as perfect as I am.
I shall expect a gigantic cult which burninates all the heretics once I have ascended to Sephiracorn Level 3.
orig00.deviantart.net/39b8/f/2012/139/0/0/ponyball_z_by_thealjavis-d50de5l.jpg
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ALL Religions are cults, more or less. They're just big and out in the open.
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"CULT CHANT! CULT CHANT! NOT VERY LONG, START AGAIN! CULT CHANT! CULT CHANT!"
I absolutely adore this so far, but I’m going to have to dock your points for not including all the juicy gossip at the end.
The idea of Mailmare Luna makes me smile.
*cackles* Well, the cultists first needed to research how to make a cult and all the appropriate trappings. I'm sure all prospective members had to submit a report on historical cults with proper citations. Then they had to debate which would be appropriate to adopt or adapt. These things take time.
She would be the Knowledgeable Sparkle.
Gee, I wonder why Twilight blushed? /end sarcasm
Mailmare Luna is adorkalbe in a major way & this story is staying pretty fuffy. I must say, I was worried about a Frank Herbert "Dune"-esque release of the god head.
Spoiler alert: Twilight interrupts a cult meeting and forces all the ponies to enroll in the School of Friendship.
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It reminds me of Doug from King of Queens. Except Luna actually LIKES her job.
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Awesome! I was going to suggest that if nobody else did. After seeing those two mailmares together in that Starlight / Trixie road trip (I forget the name) it seemed a natural next step!
Mailmare Luna is soooooo adorable!
"You're in my light."
Celestia "Diogenes" of Sinope
Came here from the contest!
Mailmare Luna makes sense in Fanons where she made the mail system.
----
Typo:
hobby of their own free is anathema > hobby of their own free will is anathema
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Thanks for citing the typo! Correction made.
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I think this might be interesting to you then.
I'm enjoying this, although I know I'm a bit late to it. I'm a little surprised by the former princesses' opinions on worship; I would have thought that Celestia would be the more lassez-faire of the two.
A small grammatical correction:
That should be "tell Luna and me," by standard rules of grammar, which I'd expect Celestia would follow.
I’d say wait for corruption. Less chance of being labeled a tyrant that way.
Celestia's long and belabored sigh confirmed it. "Please don't ask questions. She's enthusiastic about answering them."
"B-but it's all about the process...!!"
Heh!
Hold on! Are there some deeper implications here?
Good chapter!
I enjoyed reading it.