> Who Rules? > by Nom_deCheval > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > Who Rules? > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Who Rules? by Nom deCheval Celestia walked through the gardens at dusk, heading towards dinner with her sister. Dusk and dawn were really the only times that the two sisters got to spend much time together, as night met day--or vice versa. Soon, Luna would be raising the moon and crafting the expanse of stars above them, creating the tapestry of night and allowing Celestia time to rest from her days activity. Approaching the table where they shared their meals, Celestia saw her sibling already sitting at the table, her form silhouetted by the setting sun behind her, traces of light shining through her mane of iridescent night. “A good day to you, little sister,” Celestia said with a smile and happy tone as she sat across from Luna at the regal, but intimate table. “I trust that you slept well during the day?” “I did,” Luna responded after a brief pause. “Was your day busy and productive?” Celestia let out a small laugh. “I suppose, so, yes. There is still bickering among the citizens of Phillydelphia over the proposed mares-transit system, but it’s only a matter of working out the details. It’s difficult to keep everypony happy.” “Yes. Yes it is,” Luna nodded. The servants brought out two plates of food for the sisters, each carefully crafted of the finest hay, oats, alfalfa and apples. The chef had a way of preparing these simple ingredients to make the most of their fresh and vibrant flavors, always creating something new for the two princesses to enjoy. During the meal, the conversation was typical. Celestia updating her sister on the day’s events, so that she would be aware of the status of the nation. Soon enough, the meal was finished. And the servants came to clear the dishes. “We thank thee,” Luna said, adopting the royal speech pattern for the servant. “It was delicious.” “Yes, wonderful as always,” Celestia agreed, and looked over at her sister. “We should be going.” “Of course,” Luna agreed and stood from the table. The two walked towards the palace proper. Celestia standing a full head above her smaller sister. Luna was larger than the average pony of Equestria, but she had not reached the full height of her elder sister. The guards they passed bowed politely, expecting nothing in return. The winged pegasus and earth ponies were the standard guards of Canterlot, but soon only a hoof-ful would be left for the night watch, with Luna’s own personal bat-winged guards coming to take their place. There weren’t enough pegasus that had gone through the magical transformation, dedicating themselves to Luna, to replace all the guards in the castle, so some of the more normal-looking ones worked during the night as well. Their destination was the grand balcony that overlooked the great plains of Equestria, the place from which the sisters would raise and lower the sun and moon. It was time for the sun to set, and the moon to rise. The walk was done in silence, which bothered Celestia. Luna was becoming increasingly distant lately, and she feared what might be lying underneath that quiet. Celestia broke the dead air when they reached their destination. “Are you ready?” She asked. “Of course,” was the reply. Celestia smiled, and bowed her head. This simple act was enough to begin the trek of the sun below the horizon. It was the effort of raising the sun back into the sky that took a display of power and ceremony. And it was the same for the moon, as Luna went into her trance. The dark blue alicorn spread her wings and beat them once, twice, and a third time, raising herself up into the orange and purple sunset. The colors surrounded her, leaving her nothing but a shadow in their light. But the light could not hold her down, and the shadows began to spread out from her form. At first, it appeared as though her wings were growing, first slightly, and then dramatically as they swept out over the sky from where she hovered. An aura of midnight blue seeped from her horn, surrounding her body, glistening silver on the edges. As the sun moved below view, Luna’s wings seemed to spread across all of Equestria, covering the land in a cascade of shadow, ranging from light blue to grey to deep midnight. The wings reached up into the sky, brushing against the roof of existence to paint the color of the night, taking the sky into a lovely shade of restfulness. Luna’s eyes glowed teal, fixed on the horizon, beginning the final act of this daily exhibit. Slowly, but with deliberate speed, the moon obeyed its mistress, rising from the horizon to take its place in the sky. Its gentle silver light shining down on the land below. With a final beat of her wings, Luna pierced that silver light and shattered it, reflecting it back into the heavens to paint the sky with stars. Celestia smiled. Her sister was so much better at this than she ever was during her absence. The white alicorn was able to create the same result, but she did not have the passion for the night as her younger sister. It was Luna who crafted the night, just as Celestia did the day. It was a joy to watch. As Luna lighted once again on the great balcony, Celestia walked up to her and spoke. “That was beautiful, little sister. A magnificent night.” Luna didn’t answer for a moment, until finally turning to look with cold eyes. “Thank you.” Celestia was stunned. There was such disdain in that remark that it caught her off guard. “Luna, what is wrong with you?” she asked, exasperated. “You have been acting odd for some time now. Is everything all right?” The dark blue alicorn started to walk into the palace, not looking at her sister when she answered. “It’s nothing.” “Nothing?” Celestia moved beside her, keeping pace. “We both know that isn’t true. I am concerned for your well being. You are my little sister and I want to make sure that you are happy.” A barely audible snort came from Luna before she answered. “No, you are worried that I will become Nightmare Moon once again. Don’t. It won’t happen.” “I wasn’t worried about that,” Celestia lied somewhat. “I’m just worried about you. Now tell me, what is bothering you?” Luna said nothing but kept walking. “You know,” Celestia continued, a playful tone in her voice, “I could command you to tell me. It’s my right as ruler of Equestria.” “Co-ruler,” Luna said tersely, looking sideways at her sister. Celestia smiled. “Yes, I know. I was teasing. Trying to get you to--” “No, you weren’t,” Luna interrupted. “You still think of yourself as the sole ruler of Equestria. I’m just somepony who came along and made your job easier for you!” The two alicorns stopped and looked at each other in the hallway that led from the great balcony to their private quarters. “That’s...not true,” Celestia said, confused. “You are my little sister, and an equal Princess of--” “No!” Luna interrupted again. “You think that you rule the nation. That you are the pony responsible for everything, while I simply act as little more than a night watch-pony for the land while you sleep.” Luna turned and began to walk away once more. “You know nothing.” “Luna!” Celestia said loudly, stamping her front hoof to the floor as sparks of daylight magic flared from her horn. “You are being petulant. I demand that you stop this instant and listen to me.” The shadows grew darker in the hallway. “You...demand?” Luna turned her head to look at Celestia first, before turning her entire body towards her sister. “Do not push me, Tia. This will not end well for you.” Celestia took a deep breath, gathering herself. Her face lightened before she responded. “I’m sorry, little sister. I became unduly frustrated. I do not want to push you to the point of violence. I could never bring myself to hurt you. It’s just that--” “Hurt me?” Luna broke in yet again. “Do you truly think that you can hurt me now, Tia? Is that what you really think?” The smaller alicorn stepped towards her larger sister. “Luna, please, this is becoming--” “A duel,” Luna interrupted one last time. “A test of our skills against each other. Might and magic against each other until the other yields. I claim this right as a Princess of Equestria.” “Luna, it is entirely inappropriate for us to duel,” Celestia answered calmly. “I do not wish to upset the citizens, or even the guards. There is no need to get them concerned, or worse.” “Then we will hide it.” Luna paced back and forth, her eyes fixed on Celestia’s. “I can create a magic that will craft an illusion that cannot be pierced by eyes or ears. We will be quite private. No pony will know but you and I.” The larger alicorn watched her smaller sister moving and staring at her with the look of a predator. Fear suddenly gripped her heart. “I don’t think this wise, Luna,” she said uneasily. “You will do this!” Luna stepped closer to her sister. “Or I swear by the night that I shall begin the battle at this very moment and all the castle will know.” Their eyes locked. “You will do this, Tia!” Celestia sighed, lowering her gaze. “Very well.” “Excellent,” Luna answered, stepping backwards. “We will meet in the large garden at the center of the hedge maze in two hours. That should give me time to prepare the spells properly.” “Tonight?” Celestia gasped. “You want to do this tonight?” “Yes. Why wait? The sooner this is settled, the better. In the meantime, I’m sure you have things to do, Princess.” Luna’s tail twitched violently as she sauntered off towards the throne room of the castle, her hoofbeats clipping in the cold night air, leaving Celestia alone. “Oh Luna,” she said with a faint sob, “what has happened to you?” * * * * * Time passed quickly. Too quickly for Celestia, who was still trying to understand what had happened to her little sister. Siblings always have a rivalry with each other, but this was something more. Was it possible? Was Nightmare Moon already returning? Celestia shook her head, clearing out that thought. No. The events that led to the creation of that monster had been well gone over. The path that made it possible locked away. There was no chance that this was a recurrence of past failings. She walked through the maze with practiced familiarity. Every crook and turn of it perfectly memorized. Her mind was still wrapped on the thought that Luna--her own little Luna--had challenged her to a duel. She mindlessly passed guards, who bowed their heads as she passed, giving them the rote response of a nod of her own regal crown. A shimmer passed over the alicorn, letting her know that she had reached her destination. Pausing for a moment to study the spell, Luna had indeed done an admirable job. The magic shell she placed on the area would keep the sights and sounds located within, as well as causing any passers-by the urge to keep moving past this location and not enter. A very complex spell. Celestia moved the few steps remaining to the open garden at the center of the maze. A lovely adornment of plants and flowers was arranged by some of the best botanical experts in all of Equestria. And standing in the center of the garden was Luna. She held her head high, staring at Celestia as she entered the grounds. She didn’t move or speak, save for the swishing of her tail back and forth. The elder mare paused, taking a deep breath, and then walked to face her little sister directly. “Luna,” she began, “I implore you, do not do this. I apologize for any perceived slight that I may have placed upon you. It was not done in malice, I swear, little sister.” Luna stomped her hoof slightly, digging at the ground. “Are you ready?” Luna asked. A heavy sigh escaped Celestia. “I suppose we should set up rules before this happens,” she said, resolving herself to the coming duel. “Agreed,” Luna answered. “This is a duel, not a combat. We will battle until one of us yields to the other. No attempt shall be made to permanently damage the other or draw blood. If blood is drawn, the duel is ended.” Celestia smiled. At least her little sister hadn’t gone too far. “Agreed.” Luna looked up at her sister, her eyes narrowing. A ball of starlight appeared in the sky, roughly the size of a large melon, and hovered in the cool night air. “When that touches ground, the duel will begin,” Luna stated, and then turned to gallop a few yards away. Slowly the ball began to drop. Celestia eying it carefully to make sure that she was prepared, while Luna kept her eyes focused on her sister. As the ball got closer to the ground, the elder alicorn’s eyes shifted to meet those of her younger sister. Such intensity from the dark blue mare. Such a deep sense of power behind them. Fear crept into Celestia, staring into those cold, teal eyes. The starlight orb touched the ground and burst, signaling the beginning of the duel. Celestia was startled as the ball burst, causing her a pause, a sensation her sister did not share. Luna’s form shifted, her wings unfurling to their full size as a wind of icy blackness swept across her, enveloping her completely and taking her from Celestia’s view. The Sun Goddess was quick to respond, spreading her wings and sending a mist of light from her horn. Her powerful wings beat, and spread the mist across the pitch field that shifted in front of her, hiding her sister. As the light came into contact with the darkness, it dissipated the night and brought the field down, revealing what lay beneath--nothing. A strong blast struck Celestia from behind, sending her sprawling across the garden. Her wings caught the air and steadied her, turning her in flight to see Luna charging to follow the blast, leading with her horn. For a moment, Celestia feared that her little sister was trying to impale her, but that was short lived, as another ray shot from the dark blue alicorn, again striking her larger sister and sending her sprawling. The two blasts had staggered Celestia. Luna was attacking more viciously than her sister, and seemed very intent on ending this quickly. Another blast shot from Luna’s horn, but this time Celestia was able to put up a shield, absorbing the impact. Celestia again unfurled her wings and with a mighty beat, sent herself into the night sky. Luna reciprocated, flapping her wings to bring herself onto the same plane of combat as her sister. Seeing this, Celestia took action. Diving down, she brought herself to a stop in front of Luna, and, holding herself in place with her magic, began to beat her wings out, sending powerful buffets of wind down on the smaller alicorn. Luna tried, but was unable to resist the mighty wind, and found herself being blown back to the ground. Turning at the last moment, Luna was able to bring herself down to a solid landing, spinning around to see her sister descend upon her. The Sun Goddess fell from the sky, striking her sister, using her wings to slow her approach to lessen the impact. The blow sent the younger sibling sprawling, tumbling across the ground. She leapt to her hooves, shaking her head to clear it, looking up in time to see Celestia once again coming upon her. With a flash of light from her eyes, lightning shot from Luna’s horn into the sky, and then came down twice as powerful between the two sisters. The thunderclap was loud enough to stagger Celestia, causing her to leap backwards to avoid the dangerous power of the attack. The light from the electric attack would blind most, but as the Goddess of the Sun Celestia was used to staring into something much, much brighter on a daily basis. She saw her sister flashing through the garden, moving with dizzying speed, attempting to come around behind her once more. Celestia reacted in a flash, a resplendent light surrounded her and seeped into the ground. A golden glow appeared in the earth, and shot along, appearing just below the surface, leaving a line of shining light behind it as it mirrored Luna’s movements, catching up to the flying alicorn. Finally reaching their target, the light exploded into the plants of the garden, sending up vines that enveloped Luna’s body and trapping her in their grasp. Her hoofs, wings and head were surrounded, locking them in place. Celestia came running up to the trapped alicorn, a pleading look in her eyes. “Luna, please?” The trapped sibling simply smiled at her sister. Six balls of starry night fell from the sky, encircling both of them. “What...?” Celestia’s voice trailed off as her sister faded from the vines and tendrils of energy shot out from the globes of darkness. Blue lightning surrounded Celestia, racking her body with a jolting sensation, causing her to lurch and twitch uncontrollably. Celestia felt herself slip to her knees and then fall to her side, darkness overtaking her. Blinking her eyes open, the Sun Goddess felt disoriented. Her vision was blurred and a ringing filled her ears. Slowly, the world came into focus, and revealed her situation. She was lying on her side, staring up into the teal eyes of her sister, Luna, who stood above her, looking down. “Yield,” Luna said coldly. “What? Luna, how did--” Celestia’s words were cut off as her sister moved one of her forehooves to stand on the elder alicorn’s throat. Celestia’s eyes bugged out as her airway was constricted. “I said, yield,” Luna was not asking, she was commanding. “I...yield,” Celestia rasped out as best she could. Immediately, Luna took her hoof off her sister’s throat and turned to leave. Celestia brought her own hoof up to rub the area, her eyes still watching Luna. “Luna, what was that all about?” She asked. “Go to sleep, Tia,” She answered, not turning her head. “I have things to do.” Luna swished her tail back and forth, and Celestia could not help but notice the sway of her sister’s flank as she walked away. * * * * * Celestia woke from her sleep with a start. Her coat was matted with sweat, and the sheets felt cold to her. She turned to look at the sky, seeing the moon hanging low on the horizon. It was just before morning, and her duty would soon be at hoof. She shifted her weight and rose to her hooves, standing on all four legs while taking in a deep breath to get her orientation. The dream was vivid and disturbing. Her thoughts stayed on Luna and the events of the previous evening. Luna had acted so...differently. It had Celestia concerned, and more than just a little frightened. The Sun Goddess moved to her bath, using her magic to light candles as she entered. She stood in front of the large mirror and stared at herself. She certainly did not look the part of the grand ruler of Equestria at the moment. Her coat and even her magical mane were disheveled, causing her to look less than her normal regal state. She drenched a cloth in water, and wrung it slightly, the golden glow of her horn moving the item around. The cool of the cloth felt good on her face as she let it rest there for a moment. She pulled it off finally, and stared back at her reflection. “Ah, Tia,” she said to herself aloud, “what are we going to do? What can we do?” Without turning her head, Celestia magically pulled the cord that summoned her hoof-maidens to help her bathe. After only a moment, two earth ponies--one grey with a blue mane, the other light yellow with a teal mane--came into the room. “Good morning, Your Majesty,” the one with the teal mane said as she moved over to the bath, drawing water immediately. “I trust that you slept well.” Celestia only nodded. The other pony moved to gather salts and oils for the bath, saying nothing. In a matter of minutes, the bath was prepared, steam rising into the cool air of the morning. The white alicorn stepped into the water, settling down gently as it rose to meet her, finally coming to rest about halfway up her side. She let out a relaxed sigh, as the warmth covered her. The two hoof-maidens immediately went to work, bringing the water up and over her body, rinsing her down with the soothing salt that had been added to the bath. The teal-maned one stood on Celestia’s left, and the Sun Goddess glanced at her while she worked. Her mane matched the color of her sister’s eyes, and her mind went back to the previous night once more. Luna was staring down at her. Her eyes intense and intimidating as she looked deep into Celestia. The dark blue alicorn stood over the white mare’s body, stunned and helpless, holding the Sun Goddess’ fate in her hooves. Her forehoof raised up, and moved onto Celestia, holding her down with attitude more than strength. Force of will over force of arms. Luna looked down at her sister, lying prone before her, and Celestia felt the other mare’s hoof roaming her body for a moment, before stopping. A voice spoke to her. “Do you need anything else?” A gasp escaped Celestia’s lips. “Your majesty?” The earth pony’s voice shocked Celestia back to reality. “We’ve finished. Do you need anything else?” “No,” she answered, regaining her senses. “No, of course not. Thank you.” She stood and stepped from the bath, the two ponies immediately gathering towels to dry the noble alicorn’s coat. Once she was dry, Celestia moved in front of the mirror once again, and slowly levitated the crown resting on the dresser to her, setting it lightly upon her own head. * * * * * “Good morning, sister!” Luna said as Celestia walked up to the table, with an enthusiasm that surprised the elder mare. “I hope you rested well.” “I...did,” Celestia answered hesitantly. “Excellent. Well, there is little to report about the night’s events. You already know everything important that occurred,” Luna said with a smile. Celestia smiled back. Despite the obvious comment, she was happy to see her sister looking so pleased once again. “I must say, it is good to see you smile once again, little sister.” “Is it?” Luna answered, her eyes narrowing slightly. “Yes. For a while there, I feared that you were traveling down a dark path, but seeing you in such good spirits is raising my own.” “Well, don’t let them get too high, Tia.” Celestia pulled her head back at that comment. “What? What does that mean? Did I say something to ruin your mood?” Luna laughed slightly. “Eat your breakfast, dear sister. We have duties to perform soon.” It was true. The bath had taken longer than normal, and the time when day was to replace night was rapidly approaching. Celestia chose to ignore the words hanging in the air and went to eating her meal, the rest of which was spent in silence. When the meal was done, it was Luna who broke the silence. “We should go.” Celestia smiled and nodded, standing from the table, and stepping towards the hallway that led to the grand balcony. Luna trotted up beside her larger sister, smiling the whole time, her pleasant mood apparently returned. “I’ve been thinking, Tia,” Luna stated, “perhaps I should practice raising the sun, myself.” Celestia’s eyes shot wide, as she turned to look at her younger sibling. “What?” was all she could muster in reply. “I mean, you learned to raise the moon and craft the night. It only seems proper that I learn to do the same with the sun.” Luna turned, her teal eyes almost glowing in the dim of the fading night. “Just in case.” “Oh ho ho ho,” Celestia laughed. “I don’t think so, little sister. At least, not for a while, yet.” “Why not?” Luna answered, her smile fading. “Well, for one thing, there is no need,” Celestia answered. “You learned to raise the night.” “Yes...” Celestia considered her next words carefully, “but I didn’t have a choice.” “You didn’t?” Luna answered. “Oh yes, I suppose not. Not after I was banished to the moon.” Celestia sighed. “We’ve been over this, Luna. I had no choice. You admitted that yourself. The magic that created Nightmare Moon drove you mad, and threatened all of Equestria. I only did what I had to.” “Of course,” Luna answered, gruffly. “And...you are right, of course. At the time there was no way to restore me, so it was either death or banishment, and I do thank you for making the choice that you did.” Luna looked up at Celestia, a serious look in her eyes. “But that doesn’t mean that I can’t try it. You crafted the night for a thousand years, and I only want to try to raise the sun once. You can’t even agree to that.” “It’s not that, Luna. You can craft a night far more beautiful than anything I was able to do. It is your nature and your calling. I was only a pale imitation of you while you were gone. And having done both, well, I can say that the night requires artistry, while the the sun requires a greater strength and will.” Luna’s jaw opened. “Are...are you suggesting that I don’t have the power to raise the sun?” “No, no,” Celestia said, realizing her words suddenly. “It’s just that, well, you are still growing into your power, and...” “Yes. Yes, you are,” Luna answered, all traces of her happiness disappearing. “Even after our duel, you still think that you are the more powerful mare, don’t you?” “Luna, I--” “Answer me!” The dark blue alicorn stopped in the hallway, staring down her sister once again. The same fear that struck Celestia less than a day ago was back in her heart. “I...” She took a deep breath. “I am the elder, larger sister, Luna.” “But what about last night?!” Luna exclaimed. “It was...impressive, to say the least. That you had the foresight to craft those orbs and lead me to them was ingenious. And they packed quite the wallop.” “I did NOT create those before our battle,” Luna responded. “Oh,” Celestia answered. “Well, I just assumed that, since you prepared the grounds, you took...extra precautions.” Luna turned and started walking towards the grand balcony once more. “Come, Tia. We still have work to do.” Celestia moved in behind her sister, a dark feeling of dread coming over her. The words spoken between them just now seemed to have set something in motion once more. Reaching the grand balcony, Luna sat to the side, and looked at her sister. “Are you ready?” Celestia smiled down at her. “I am.” Luna dropped her head down, and the moon obeyed, moving slowly below the horizon. As it did so, Celestia spread her beautiful white wings and with great power behind them flapped herself into the dim lit sky. Three times she beat them, raising herself to the horizon before stopping, her body seeming to hover in the air for a moment. Thrusting back her head, Celestia extended her fore and back legs almost straight, while her wings flared out to their full, impressive span. A flash of magic from her horn was almost lost as the sun appeared behind her, silhouetting her body in the light. The rainbow colors of her mane highlighted by the brilliant light. The dawn had arrived. Celestia glanced down at the balcony, and slowly brought herself to the ground, smiling. Luna, however, did not smile. “The same as always,” Luna said. “Never any change.” “Oh ho ho ho,” Celestia laughed. “I already told you, little sister, yours is an artistic talent. The sun requires more raw power than finesse.” “I see,” Luna answered. “Luna, you still sound upset.” “You still think that I cheated.” “I never said that. I was impressed with your planning and ingenuity. Not cheating.” Luna walked up to her sister on the balcony and glared at her. “Fine. Then we will settle this another way. No duel. No combat. Simply a matter of raw power. Magic to magic. Direct and to the point.” Celestia felt a familiar fear grip her. “L-luna...no. No, we can’t do that.” “Why not, Tia? Afraid you will lose again?” “No...no. It...it’s not that. It’s just that...” Celestia found herself at a loss for words. “And just so you know that I didn’t have time to prepare for it, we’ll do it now. Here.” “What?” Celestia exclaimed. “I do not want you arguing that I had an unfair advantage over you,” Luna answered, and then continued with a mocking tone. “Now, do you want to hide us, or is that not something you are capable of doing?” An overwhelming sense of dread fell onto Celestia. She knew that she couldn’t back down from this, and only hoped that things fared well. “I...can hide us,” Celestia said, as her horn glowed brightly, creating a momentary sheen to the air, masking the alicorns from any outside perception. “What...what are the rules?” Luna paced back away from her larger sister. “Simple. A force of magic, pushing straight out. The energies meet in the middle and we determine who is the stronger.” “Like the game young unicorns play,” Celestia answered. “Yes. But we aren’t children, Tia, and this is no game.” Celestia felt her heart catch in her throat. She could feel the blood pounding through her veins as the fear reached a new peak, but it was far too late to back away now. “Very well. When do we begin?” Celestia asked, moving to a point on the balcony across from her sister. “You determine,” Luna said. “I wouldn’t want you to think that I cheated on that, as well.” She nodded in response, and a ball of golden light appeared between them, a reflection of what Luna did the night prior. “When it reaches the ground.” The dark blue alicorn nodded in agreement, and wordlessly, the orb started its trek towards the floor of the balcony. In the Sun Goddess’ mind, time seemed to come to a stand-still. After what happened last night, she wasn’t sure how she should react to this coming contest, and knew that Luna was far more than she originally thought. Had become far more powerful...somehow. The fear all but took over her mind. The moment the glowing ball touched the ground, a dark blue silvery energy erupted from Luna’s horn, heading straight at Celestia. The elder mare reacted slower, her mind snapping back to the moment a fraction of a second later, but still quick enough to send a blast of brilliant golden sun energy back to stop Luna’s blast. Everything froze. The energies clashed--not directly in the middle, because Luna reacted quicker--but still between the two alicorns. Stunning energies the color of dawn and dusk flickered in the middle of the battle, cascading a glow over the entire area. If anypony had been able to see it, they would have been in awe of the astonishing power displayed. The two sisters could not truly see each other through the blaze, but they could still sense the other and feel the tension. The energy from the conflict continued to grow, sparks of pure magic raining down on the ground and crawling up the walls of the area. The balcony took on its own luminescence, even in the glow of the morning sun, the magic permeating the stone itself and causing the ground to almost appear ethereal. The center of the blast remained unmoved. The two energies met, mingled, and shed their combined power to the surrounding area, but neither gave way to the other. Neither alicorn knew the exact amount of time that passed, but it was measured better in minutes than seconds. The walls and floor of the castle seemed to creak under the strain of holding back the combined might of the two goddesses. Celestia noticed the building’s response, but she couldn’t be sure her sister was that concerned. Without warning, things changed. Luna thrust her head forward, her eyes blazing teal energy as a blast twice the size of her previous efforts flashed forward, bypassing the golden light of Celestia and slamming into the Sun Goddess. The white alicorn was sent tumbling, head over hooves, landing against the railing of the balcony with enough force to knock the wind from her. Celestia lay motionless for several seconds before raising her head to see her sister once again standing over her prone body. A shudder ran through her at the sight, and she slowly spoke. “I...yield.” Luna smiled. “Not good enough.” She extended her left forehoof out, placing it directly in front of her sister’s muzzle. “Kiss it.” “What?” Celestia froze. Her body tingling as she stared at the hoof in front of her. “We think,” Luna stated, adopting the royal speech used when addressing subjects, “that thou should kiss our hoof. As a sign of...deference.” Celestia swallowed hard. Her lips trembling as she stared up at Luna, whose teal eyes seemed to burn down straight into the white mare’s soul. Slowly, she extended her lips, and pressed them against the dark hoof of her sister. A jolt of electricity seemed to go through her when she did, igniting a fire in her nether region. “Excellent. Now our victory has been doubled,” Luna said, and then turned to walk back into the castle. Celestia watched the dark blue alicorn walk away, her flanks shifting from side to side as she did. Suddenly, Luna stopped, her tail flipping up into the air, allowing Celestia a clear view of her sister’s marehood. The light from the battle was fading from the stones of the balcony, but there was still enough to show a glisten from between Luna’s legs, revealing a dampness to her plot. “Oh, and sister,” Luna said, looking back, “thou willst need to raise the moon and night this evening. We will not be at dinner, we’re afraid. We have...things to do. But we will call for thee when thou art needed. Understood?” Her eyes were still fixed between her sister’s haunches, staring at the wet slit that was being so clearly presented. And Celestia could feel that same wetness being reciprocated in her own genitals. “Dost thou understand, Tia?” Luna repeated herself. This time, Celestia was able to pry her eyes off her sister’s sex, and look at Luna’s face. A broad smile was on the Night Goddess, and her eyes had unnatural intensity. “Yes. Yes, of course,” was all Celestia could manage to say. Luna swished her tail, the light of the stars dancing in it as she moved, her body swaying with the motion. And Celestia watched her walk away until she was gone from view before even trying to stand. * * * * * Celestia awoke. Her eyes opened the moment the guard stepped into her bed chamber. For centuries she had the room prepared so that she knew immediately if anypony entered the room, but she kept that fact hidden from everyone, even her most trusted servants. It’s not as though her sleep was restful, in any case. She feigned sleep until the guard reached the bed. “Y-your Majesty?” The guard spoke uneasily. “A thousand pardons, Your Majesty, but I bear a request from Princess Luna.” Raising her head up and smiling to ease the guard’s mind, Celestia spoke. “Of course, don’t let it worry you. What is the message?” “She has...requested...your presence in the throne room, Your Majesty.” The guard spoke with great concern in his voice. “Immediately.” The princess raised an eyebrow. “Is there something wrong?” She sat up in bed, looking at the guard for more information. “I...I think you need to go, Your Majesty. Please?” He bowed quickly and trotted to the door, trying not to look as though he hurried away. “Please?” Celestia echoed the guard’s final word aloud. Concern immediately grew in her and she rose out of the bed, taking a brief moment to stretch before turning to the nearby table to magically bring her crown to her head. She exited her quarters right away, walking down the long hallway towards the throne room. The normal Royal Guard lined the hallways, and not Luna’s own personal guard, which was not unusual as they tended to stay near her every night. But the faces on every guard was one of deep concern, their eyes following her with a look that bordered on fear. Seeing that and recalling the guard’s final word to her, Celestia quickened her pace. The great twin doors to the throne room were closed, but two of Luna’s personal guards opened them as the Sun Princess approached. Stepping just inside, Celestia stopped short, staring slack-jawed at the sight before her. Sitting on the great throne was her sister, Luna. At least, she surmised that was her identity. This was a full-grown alicorn, easily the size of Celestia if not slightly larger, but still with the dark blue coat and the teal eyes, along with a full mane and tail of cascading stars floating in an ethereal field of night blue, as well as the familiar cutie mark of the crescent moon on a black field. Her face was full of confidence and she all but radiated power sitting and looking down on her elder sister. “Hello, Tia. I’m glad you made it,” Luna said. “Luna...no,” Celestia almost whispered. “Oh, do not fear, my sister. I have not reverted to the evil of Nightmare Moon. I have simply...evolved.” “H-how?” Luna turned to the four servants near her, all her own personal guard. “Leave us. Clear the room,” she commanded. They bowed and walked towards the door. The remaining two guards, both from the day watch, looked towards Celestia. The white alicorn nodded and forced a smile, assuring them that this was all right. As they exited, the door was closed behind them, leaving the two sisters completely alone. An aura of night magic appeared over the head and neck of Luna, and shining black armor--strongly resembling that of Nightmare Moon--appeared on her. This was not made of metal, though, but rather seemed to appear to be some slick substance, looking like water in the night. At the same time, a shimmer filled the room, sealing it from unwanted eyes or ears. Luna looked up at Celestia and smiled. “Approach us,” she said, adopting the royal speech pattern. After taking a deep breath, the elder sister moved over to the throne, standing closer and taking in her sister’s new form more completely. It was lean and taut, well muscled and athletic. An impressive figure. Fear began to well up inside Celestia. “Kneel,” Luna commanded. “W-what?” Celestia stammered back. “We are telling thee to kneel before thy Night Princess,” Luna explained, calmly. “Luna...what have you done?” she ignored her command. “What have we done?” Luna laughed. “Oh, Celestia, thou canst not tell?” The proud mare stood and spread her wings, turning herself slowly around to show her new body. It was impressive, even more so than it appeared when she was simply sitting on the throne. “We only allowed nature to follow its course. The course that it SHOULD have followed over the past, oh, thousand years.” Celestia raised an eyebrow at that statement. “That’s right, Tia. For the past thousand years we were trapped in the moon. We do not hold thee responsible for that, as it was our own actions that created that issue.” Luna said calmly. “However, we do feel cheated. During that time, our mind was very active--even muddled through the haze of being Nightmare Moon. We do not recall every moment, and there is much of it that we do not wish to recall, but since our return and restoration, these memories have been coming back to us. “Much of our time on the moon was spent thinking. Thinking of how best to use our magics. Thinking of how best to--well, how best to defeat and humiliate you, dear sister.” Celestia started to speak, but Luna didn’t give her enough time to respond. “And since our return, we have been feeling...inadequate. Our mind has been catching up to the time spent on the moon. A thousand years of memories and maturation, only to be...trapped...inside a child’s body.” Luna sounded forlorn. “So, we have spent our nights studying. We know the mistakes we made as Nightmare Moon, and we will never go down that path again, but we wanted to learn new magics. Our natural abilities with illusion and the spells needed to create our personal guards leant themselves to transformation, and though it took time, the spell has finally...matured. Dost thou like the results?” Realization struck Celestia. “Hormones. The way you’ve been acting lately. Your hormones were out of control.” “A sad side effect, really. We imagine that it will continue for a while longer yet, but there is little that we can do to prevent it.” “But why not tell me, Luna? Why keep this hidden?” “Dost thou truly think thou would have let it go unchecked? Considering what has happened with our magic use in the past? No. We had to do this without thee knowing. It is not as though thou left any important duties for us to perform during the night, anyway.” Those last few words stung Celestia. Luna was right. There was little for Luna to do at night while Celestia slept. The Sun Goddess had become accustomed to dealing with all the affairs of state during the day, and then resting after raising the night. Now, all Luna had was herself--and her thoughts. Celestia stared at the new Luna. She was the prime example of equine beauty, and the pride she showed in her new body only exemplified that fact. The white alicorn felt her blood race as her thoughts turned to something very improper. She shook her head, clearing it. “I’m sorry,” she said. “You’re right. Little sister I--” “STOP CALLING US THAT!” Luna bellowed in the Canterlot speaking voice suddenly, causing Celestia to stagger back a step. The dark blue mare stepped forward, pressing her advantage. “We are easily thine own size now, if not greater than thou. And yet, thou cannot see what we truly are. Thou only sees us as ‘little.’ We are tired of being ‘little.’ Thou still dost not understand this at all!” Luna stepped towards Celestia, who walked backwards from her sister, keeping the distance mostly relative, but failing somewhat as her darker sibling moved steadily closer. “This has ever been about only one thing: respect. Thou hast never shown any respect towards us! When we became upset about the mortal ponies ignoring our night, thou felt the best response was to help us...deal with the issue. Help us understand the thoughts of the ponies. Thou NEVER tried to understand our thoughts, only to bring us more into line with thine. And it drove us to dark magics, and Nightmare Moon, and banishment for a thousand years. A THOUSAND!!” Celestia staggered again, losing her footing and falling to rest on her haunches as Luna came directly up to her and stared down at her sister once more. “Well, now thou hast no choice. We are forcing thee to respect us. We are showing thee that our time on the moon was spent learning something.” Luna smiled. “We could see the fear in thy eyes when we battled. Thou knew thee were overwhelmed by our power and thou feared us. It was...wonderful. “And what’s more,” Luna said, a seductive tone entering her voice, “we could sense thine excitement.” Celestia’s eyes moved away from Luna’s, suddenly unable to meet her gaze. “Oh yes, dear sister, we could smell it on thee. Thou verily reeked of musk. It was as though thou were in heat. Thou were attracted to our power, as thou should be,” Luna said suggestively. “And we would be lying to say that seeing you lying at our hooves did not ignite a fire inside us as well.” Luna leaned in and spoke softly towards Celestia’s ears. “So, firstly, thou will bow before us, and then thou shalt pledge thyself to our whim and servitude so that thy more...primal...urges might be sated.” Luna raised her head back up and looked down at her sister’s lowered head. “And thou shalt NEVER again refer to us as...little.” There was a silence that filled the room. Finally broken by a deep and heavy sigh escaping from the white alicorn. “So be it...” the white mare said softly, and at that moment Luna’s face began to spread into a wide triumphant grin--until Celestia looked up and finished her sentence. “...SISTER!” A magenta fire burned in the Sun Goddess’ eyes, a heat reflecting the orb she represented. So strong was that final word and the look on her sister’s face that Luna jumped backwards. Celestia slowly stood, her eyes boring a hole into those of her sibling. Though they were now of equal size, it somehow seemed that Celestia still towered over her younger sister. Her head was held high and she looked down her muzzle at the mare who had just stood over her. “You have never understood me, either, SISTER. I have ALWAYS respected you. I have always known your potential and admired what you were able to do. You have skills and talents that I will never know.” Celestia took a step forward, and Luna skittered backwards, reflexively. “But it wasn’t enough for you, was it? You wanted what I had, always. Then and now, both. You are a foal. Do you really think that what I have is something to be desired? No. I spend all day dealing with matters of pettiness and jealousy. “And the fear you sensed? Yes, I admit it, I was afraid--but not in the way that you think. I was not afraid of you, I feared FOR you, SISTER.” Celestia continued to move towards Luna, who stumbled backwards herself, soon finding herself pressed up against the base of the royal throne. “Do you think that I spent the past thousand years doing nothing? I was suddenly the sole ruler of all of Equestria. Having a kingdom ruled by two goddess’ suddenly reduced to a sole figure on the throne seemed an open invitation to others to invade, so I had to become more than I was.’ Luna scrambled onto the throne, pushing herself to the back of it, staring into the eyes of the powerful goddess who stood before her. “I had to let everypony know that Equestria was stronger than ever. I had to show them that invading our lands was to attack the harbinger of day and night and the consequences involved. I had to teach them to fear the sun. Oh, I didn’t hurt anyone. I simply showed them what I was capable of doing. The true power of a goddess. “And what’s more, I had to teach myself to raise the night. I wasn’t lying, SISTER, I have always thought you did a better job of it than me, but then, I was never meant to do it, was I? NO. I had to teach myself to do that so night could continue.” Luna’s hooves were searching the throne for a good footing, should she need to defend herself--or run. The initial surprise of Celestia’s verbal assault was fading, but the younger mare was still uncertain as to what would happen. “So yes, SISTER, you did see fear in my eyes. Fear that I would hurt you! Fear that you were going down the path to becoming Nightmare Moon once again! Fear that I may have to once again banish you, or worse, strike you down! Because while you spent all that time on the moon thinking of ways to defeat me, I spent that same time learning to become something so powerful that no pony would dare attack our home.” Celestia leaned in, staring straight into Luna’s eyes. “Do you understand, SISTER?” “Yes,” Luna said, a tone of true understanding in her voice. “Good.” Celestia pulled back away from her sister, her voice lowering in intensity. “Then, as to that...other matter.” She took a deep breath and continued. “You were not the only pony who was alone during the past thousand years, Luna. Because I was now the ultimate power in all of Equestria, that meant that I could have no vulnerability. There could be no pony in my life with whom I could share a tender moment. That I could find waiting for me at the end of the day, ready to share their life with mine in every way. I could not have that...weakness. I could not have something--somepony--that others could target so easily.” Luna moved forward on the throne, sitting on it more properly as she listened to her sister speak. “And what’s more, I could not take a mortal lover. They are frail creatures compared to us, Luna. In the throws of passion I could easily lose control and hurt--maybe even kill--one of them. I could never live with myself if that happened.” Celestia’s eyes moved away from her sister, looking around the room at nothing in general as she spoke. “And a monster or dragon or some other such lover was out of the question. Too much scandal, by far. “To make matters worse, the rumors started floating about the castle that I took pleasure in my students. ‘Molestia’ I heard some people calling me, implying that I forced myself on those fillies against their will. I know that some students heard these rumors and tried to get them stopped, but once a rumor like that has started it will never truly go away. So, I let the rumors continue and I stayed alone.” Celestia turned to look at Luna once more. “And then you challenged me to a duel. And I felt your power. Saw how strong you truly have become, and I felt...something. It wasn’t something that I understood at first, because I haven’t let myself feel it for so very long, but it was there and it was strong. Is it wrong? Wrong to think that of your own sister? Maybe. But there would be no scandal, only whispers. There would be no danger, only...excitement.” Celestia moved directly before the throne, standing in front of Luna who sat upon the regal chair. “I have to maintain such tight control of myself every day. I rule this country and mediate the problems of thousands of thousands who look to me for guidance. I can show no weakness. I can shirk no responsibility. It is a burden. “When I saw you standing above me, you were the pony in power. You were the pony in control. And yes, I felt aroused. Your strength and power. Your control and dominance. You say that you felt a fire when I was at your hooves? Well, you were not alone in that feeling.” Slowly, Celestia lowered her front legs, bending them to touch her knees to the ground. She splayed her wings wide out to the sides and lay them flat on the stone. She lowered her head, bringing it down until it too touched the floor of the throne room. “And I pray that you still feel that way, my Mistress. My Night Goddess.” Celestia’s eyes shifted up to look at Luna with a sense of pleading. Luna in turn looked back at her, first with a sense of confusion over what had just happened, but with a slowly growing realization. A smile began to build as she spoke. “We will accept thine prayer, if thou again kiss our hoof in supplication,” the dark alicorn said as she stretched forth her left forehoof. Celestia smiled and brought her lips out, kissing the hoof gently. And then quickly nipped at it with her teeth. “Thou still seems to have a bit of wildness to you, mare,” Luna spoke, taking the hoof Celestia just kissed and bringing it under the white alicorn’s chin to raise her head. “We shall have to break thee of that.” “If you think you can, Mistress.” “Art thou challenging me?” Luna said, her smile growing. “Thou will regret doing that.” Luna raised herself up from the throne, her hoof still under Celestia’s chin, forcing the white mare to stand. The Night Goddess was face-to-face, at the same height as her sister, for the very first time. She smiled. “Thou dost not get to stand before us,” Luna said as she reared up on her hind legs, suddenly shifting her sister’s weight and forcing her over onto her back. Before Celestia had a moment to adjust, the Night Goddess fell onto her, pinning her to the ground with her body. The eyes of the two alicorns locked, staring directly into each other’s souls. Luna grasped Celestia’s head with her magic, and forced it still as she thrust her head down and kissed her sister with wild abandon. A soft moan escaped the white mare as a foreign pair of lips massaged hers apart, making room for the tongue that darted in behind them, into Celestia’s mouth. The two tongues wrestled, the invading tongue always maintaining the upper hoof. At the same time, Luna shifted herself, placing one of her rear legs between the open pair of her sister’s. Slowly, she began to grind herself down, until her own wet marehood was pressing against the drenched slit below her. Breaking the kiss, Luna raised herself up on her forehooves to look down at her sister while her body was thrusting against her. “Dost thou feel it, slave? Thou art dripping with desire. Soon, thou shalt erupt from our lunging force.” “Only after you do it first.” Luna laughed a sinister laugh. “Oh no. Thou will succumb to us. Thou will spill thy seed upon us, unable to control thine self. We control thee now, for we are the better mare.” “I...I am the elder, more powerful mare.” Celestia’s voice was already becoming ragged with desire. “Yes, we know.” Luna’s powerful gaze glared down as she spoke. “Which will make our victory that much sweeter.” Celestia was lost in passion. Her sister’s words and actions were driving her mad. “Dost thou like this, Tia? Dost thou enjoy the feeling of thine own sister rutting against your sex? Thou may be powerful, indeed, but thy cunt betrays thee. We can feel it yielding against us. Begging for us to drive thee over the edge and make thee cry out.” Luna increased the tempo. “How many have called out thy name tonight, sister? How many in the throws of passion have screamed the name of Celestia as they came? How many mares reached ecstasy with thine name upon their lips? And how would they feel if they saw thee lying beneath us, being fucked like a common street whorse?” Her thrusts became smoother, riding up and down Celestia’s slit, both of their clits rubbing against each other with every motion. “Tonight, thou shalt cry our name. In a few moments, when thou dost cum from our magnificent cunt gracing thine, thou shalt call out the name of thy Night Goddess.” Luna’s breath was becoming more rapid, and Celestia’s was erratic, her eyes all but rolling back in her head as she tried to force herself to stare into the teal eyes bearing down on her. “Know that we are thy better, Tia. Realize that thou enjoys the knowledge that thou wilt serve us carnally whenever we wish. And admit that thou art doubly excited by the fact that we art thine own sister.” A loud moan escaped from the white alicorn. “Thou claims to have heard thine self called ‘Molestia’ by those beneath thee. Well, imagine now that thou shalt begin to hear them call thee ‘Incestia’ instead. They shall look at thee and know that thou hast been....” Luna began to slam into the drooling mare beneath her with every word. “FUCKING! YOUR! SISTER!!” The world went white for Celestia. Her every nerve exploded like never before as she came, spraying her cum all over the body thrusting against her. And she screamed as she came. “GODDESSSSSS! LUNA, YES!! Yes! Yes!” The dark blue mare’s thrusting subsided quickly, moving to a slow grind, and then finally stopping completely. Pulling herself off of her sister, Luna moved back to the royal throne, leaning back in it deeply, splaying her legs out to obscenely present herself. “Crawl to us, slave. Come and clean thine Mistress,” she said lustfully. Celestia looked at the sight before her. Her sister’s glistening plot on display, the pink flesh standing out against the darker coat surrounding it. Without a second thought, the Sun Goddess rolled over to her belly and pulled herself along until her muzzle was directly before her prize. With great tenderness, Celestia extended out her tongue, licking gently along the outside of Luna’s cunt, tasting her own juices soaked into the coat. The taste of her own cum forced a moan of pleasure from the white mare, who began to lick more earnestly. “Yes, slave, clean us,” Luna said from above. “Take all of thine juices from our coat, and then coax our own with thy tongue.” Taking the cue, Celestia moved her tongue down to the lips of her sister’s pussy. Spreading them apart with her tongue, she slowly began to lick up and down along its length. The sweet, warm taste of Luna’s cunt struck Celestia’s mouth, and again she let out an unsolicited moan. “Mmmmmmm, yes. Thou dost that well, slave. We think thou might have more practice than thou hast admitted.” Celestia’s tongue circled the hard, engorged clit at the top of Luna’s opening. The moment her tongue finally touched that delicate bud, Celestia felt both of Luna’s rear legs encircle her head, forcing her muzzle down completely onto the soaking wet slit. “Eat us!” Luna commanded. “Get thy tongue inside us and make us cum, slave!” The elder mare obeyed, forcing her face down to cover all of Luna’s plot. Her lips teased at the clitoris while her tongue probed deep inside the wall of the vagina. She could feel her tongue pushing against and being squeezed by the tightness of her sister’s opening. Luna’s forehooves came down, grasping the side of Celestia’s head as she bucked her hips out, pushing herself onto the length of her sister’s probing tongue. It didn’t take long, as she was already aroused by the pussy grinding she performed on her own sister, and Luna erupted onto Celestia’s face. “YES!!” she screamed, all of her legs clamping down, pressing Celestia tightly against her, cutting off the white alicorn’s air supply. “Yes! Drink it! Swallow every single drop that comes out of our cunt, slave! We do not want to see even one spot on the royal throne!” Luna bucked her hips multiple times, releasing more liquid with each thrust--and Celestia took in every drop, as her Mistress commanded. She could feel the warm liquid sliding down her throat, and savored the taste of it. Finally, Luna relaxed, and Celestia raised her face up, taking in a deep breath of air, smelling the raw sexuality of her sister as she did so. The Night Goddess’ head was thrown back in pleasure, but she brought it back to look down again when she felt her sister lift her own away from her glistening flower. She used magic to grab Celestia’s head and hold it in place, her eyes locking with her sister’s once again. “We did not tell thee to stop, slave. Get back in there! This night is far from finished.” Luna forced her sister’s head back between her legs, even as Celestia’s reply was cut short. “Yes, Mistre-ffff.” “Though, thou have pleased us, and thus deserve a reward for thine efforts.” Magical bindings appeared, black and wet-looking, like the chest and headpiece on the Night Goddess. They wrapped around Celestia’s wings, pulling them together and stretching them straight up towards the ceiling of the room. A strap then went back and circled the base of Celestia’s tail, pulling it up, away from her body, putting her marehood on clear display. “There. Thou art now trussed up like a proper whorse,” Luna said, eliciting a moan from her sister, “and as such, deserve to be treated as a proper whorse.” Another dark shimmer appeared behind Celestia, and a phallic-shaped object of wet-black materialized, hanging in the air, held by Luna’s magic. It moved to place itself against the white mare’s plot, and began to slowly rub up and down along the slit. Celestia’s eyes shot wide, and, with a gasp, she pulled herself back away from her sister’s marehood. “When was the last time that thou were properly fucked, slave?” Luna asked. “Too...too long, Mistress,” she answered in a breathless voice, her haunches moving in rhythm against the magical dildo. “Oh, really?” Luna smiled. “Well, then perhaps thou should BEG for us to remedy that, no?” “Please...” Celestia whispered. “Please is not good enough, whorse. Thou needst to BEG. Thou needst to tell us exactly what a whorse like you wants done to them.” Celestia’s mouth was already hanging open. A small line of drool was trailing its way down from her lips and onto her sister’s already wet vagina. The black dildo was rubbing itself along her plot, driving her mad with desire, and she fought to think of the words to say aloud. “Please. Please...fuck me. I beg you, Mistress, fuck me,” was all that the white alicorn could muster. “And if we do?” Luna asked. “What can thou offer us in return?” “Anything,” Celestia answered immediately. “Admit that thou art our slave. Tell us that you are our property to do with as we please, and we...MAY...consider giving thee what thou hast asked for.” “Yes,” Celestia gasped. “I am your slave. Your bitch. Your whorse. Anything you want.” “Really?” Luna answered, and magically moved the head of the dildo to the lips of Celestia’s cunt, pushing them apart without penetrating her. “And if we want the throne?” “It’s yours!” Celestia exclaimed, her eyes closed tight in desire. “Please, please just...fuck me.” “Very well.” The dildo slammed hard into Celestia, causing the elder mare to cry out in pleasure, the sound echoing off the hard walls of the throne room. Luna stifled the cry by once again grabbing Celestia’s head with her forehooves and forcing it onto her cunt, to which the white mare instantly responded by starting to lick the sensitive bud presented to her. “Yeesssss,” Luna hissed at the sensation against her wet sex. She magically thrust the dildo with careful deliberation into her sister’s cunt, slowly working the mare up to a new level of passion. Shifting her forehooves, Luna moved them to grasp some of the elusive and shifting parts of Celestia’s magical mane. Like her own, it felt like an unnatural substance, solid yet almost not, with a softness far beyond anything else in all of Equestria. She took those two hoof-fulls of mane and brought them up to Celestia’s horn, wrapping her hooves around it as best she could and, using the mane as a slippery medium, began to move her hooves up and down, sliding along the ridged surface. The feeling of her own magical mane being used to tenderly stroke her horn was a new experience for Celestia. Her body shuddered, and she redoubled her efforts on her sister, using this new passion as fuel to try to give the same level of pleasure that she was feeling back to the giver. “Thou likes that, then?” Luna answered, her voice somewhat breathy. “Show us how much. Lick our tailhole.” Without a moment’s hesitation, Celestia moved her tongue from the slippery slit of Luna’s cunt to the puckered hole next to her tail. She began to lick and probe the delicate opening, her tongue playing with it softly. As soon as Celestia moved her tongue, Luna quickened the pace of both the thrusting dildo and her hooves on her sister’s horn. And in response to that, Celestia took her tongue and thrust it inside Luna’s tailhole, opening it as wide as she could. Her tongue began thrusting in and out, doing the best she could to mimic the driving sensation she felt behind her. Luna let out a deep moan of her own. “Well...” Luna said, her voice heavy with lust, “one good turn deserves another.” A second, smaller black phallus appeared behind Celestia, slick and wet, and moved directly to the white mare’s tailhole. It pressed against it softly, waiting for a response. When Celestia moaned from the sensation, Luna knew that it was safe to proceed, and gently pushed the dildo into her sister’s ass. Celestia’s whole body shook, as she lunged her haunches backwards, trying to match the alternating pace of the two dildos ravishing her from behind, and the hooves working her horn, while still trying to focus her attention on using her tongue on Luna. It became a mass of action, Celestia no longer certain which part of her body should be doing what, going only on instinct and desire. “You’re mine, Tia!” Luna rasped, her mind no longer remembering to use the royal tone. “Now and forever, you are my bitch and plaything. I get to use your body whenever I like. Maybe I’ll use it daily, or maybe I’ll make you wait for days on end, hoping that I’ll come to you in the night and take you. Perhaps I’ll just tease you every day, getting your hopes up, thinking that you will be able to touch my now perfect body, and hoping that I’ll do the same to you. I get to decide. I control your lust. “And there is NOTHING...you can...do...about it.” Luna came, her juices spraying out onto Celestia’s face and mane. At the same time, the white alicorn bucked wildly, finally reaching her own peak and covering the magical phallus inside her with all her own liquid. Most amazingly, though, was that a gold-tinted blast of magic erupted from Celestia’s horn, spraying out into the air, lighting the room in a soft, brilliant glow. Both mares screamed in passion, their voices mingled in the moment, and both feeling the unifying cry. They bucked and spasmed against each other, the emotion and the physical sensation overwhelming the pair of goddesses. Slowly, their senses returned to them. Celestia, overwhelmed by the horngasm and orgasm felt exhausted, and more relieved than she remembered in centuries--perhaps ever. Keeping her head in contact with her sister’s stomach, she stretched herself up, climbing up to place her head on Luna’s chest, stroking the black harness covering it with her cheek. “I love you, Luna,” she sighed, a huge smile on her face. Luna reached down, and began to stroke her sister’s mane with her hooves. “And I love you, Celestia.” Luna smiled. The dark blue alicorn knew the situation now. It was clear to her. Her sister was everything that everypony thought. She was the Sun Goddess, the true and rightful ruler of Equestria and all its ponies. The promise of the throne was not something that Luna would honor. She knew that promises made in moments of lust were not binding, but at the same time, she no longer lusted for the throne. She knew to whom it belonged. Celestia ruled all of Equestria. But at night, it was Luna who ruled Celestia. * * * * * EPILOGUE The night air was filled with laughter. Both Luna and Celestia shared the moment at the dinner table, laughing over something that had just been recanted. “...and even with that in mind, I feel that it would be a good idea for you to be the pony to visit Ambassador Darkclaw, Luna. He needs to be reminded that this kingdom is under the rule of two goddesses, and not just the one.” “I will,” Luna answered with a smile. “Has he been making threats?” “Oh ho ho ho, no,” Celestia laughed, “but he’s the most vocal of all the ambassadors, so a display of force to him goes a long way to keep the others in line.” It had been some time since Luna and Celestia first spent a night of passion together, and their relationship had strengthened every day since. There was no tension at dusk or dawn, and more and more responsibility was being ushered Luna’s way. A true sharing of power. Luna’s new physical appearance took many people off guard, both inside and out of the castle. Word quickly spread across all of Equestria, and rumors of Nightmare Moon’s return still needed to be quashed from time to time. Nonetheless, the two sister’s lives were never better. “Tia...” Luna began, shifting some food around on her plate with her hoof. “I’ve been thinking...” She paused waiting for her sister to respond. “Yes, Luna?” “I...would like to get a pet. Such as you have.” Celestia raised an eyebrow. “Like Philomeena? You want a phoenix?” “No, no,” Luna corrected. “Your other pet. Twilight Sparkle.” Celestia closed her eyes for a moment, stifling a laugh. “Protege, dear sister. Twilight is my protege.” “Semantics,” Luna said, waving her hoof in the air, dismissively. “I still want one.” Celestia thought for a moment, before responding. “All right. What brought this on?” She asked. “Well, I have been thinking, and I’ve already found somepony whom I feel could be great and powerful, and I had...an idea.” “What’s that?” Celestia asked, curious. “A wager. A...duel, of sorts, between my pet and yours.” “Protege,” Celestia corrected again. “Whatever. Still, I think that it might prove to be an...interesting...challenge.” Celestia turned her head to the side slightly, still keeping her eyes fixed on her sister. “What did you have in mind?” Luna smiled. The End > Bridge > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Okay, I kinda messed up. I should have put the continuation of this story here, but it’s actually it’s own multi-parter called Who Rules?: The Wager. This is a bridge to that story. No clop in this bit, just plot. Please, follow through to that other tale. Sorry for the mixup.) Bridge. by Nom deCheval She entered the throne room as quietly and reverently as she could. For the two months that she had been studying at the castle, she had done her best to learn everything that The Princess had to teach. Sat by her side as she lectured. Stood watch as she performed her own miraculous feats. Stayed awake to study when she was on her own. There were very, very few that she considered close to her, but The Princess was more than that. The Princess was everything that she aspired to be. Everything that she hoped she could one day reach. And even though The Princess was expecting her, she always felt it best to enter quietly in case she caught her in the middle of something. And there often times seemed to be something, even if she could never figure out what it was. Curiosity was getting the better of her, and she hated it when ANYTHING got the better of her. But The Princess did things at night sometimes. Things that she hadn’t been able to see or hear, but she could just...sense it. There was almost too much of nothing happening for there to actually be nothing happening. Of course, she would never directly confront The Princess about it. That might jeopardize everything she had been working towards. She did have her own plans and ambitions, after all. Peeking around the corner, she saw The Princess off to the side of the room, studying a book or paper of some sort. Good. The Princess was here and she was alone, which meant that this was a good time to show up--even if she was supposed to be here almost ten minutes earlier. She stepped out into the room, holding her head up high, not making a dramatic entrance, but not hiding herself anymore, either. Still, she waited on The Princess to speak first, rather than disturb her reading. “You’re late.” The Princess said before she could take four steps. “Am I? I thought that this was the correct time.” She lied. “You’re lying. I don’t know why you continue to do that around me.” “Princess, I hold you in the highest regard. You have been nothing but kind to me and advanced my magics considerably since I first arrived.” “Have I?” She saw The Princess smile. “Well, I can’t take all the credit.” “All? Perhaps not, but you can know that it is your guidance that has taken me to the next level. Made me think of magic in ways that I’ve never considered before.” “Good. I do try.” “If I may ask, what is it that you are reading so carefully, Princess?” “This? Oh, it’s...an agreement...that my sister and I have been working on. I wanted to make sure that everything was in order with it before I finalized it. And it certainly does seem to be exactly what I hoped.” A pen appeared out of nowhere, floating down to the parchment on the table. It scribbled across, leaving behind the name of The Princess, magically binding the document. With sudden drama, the paper floated into the air, coiling itself into a scroll, and disappearing with a magical implosion. “And so it begins...” The Princess said softly. “What begins, Princess?” “Hmm. Oh, nothing you need to be concerned about. But there is something that we need to discuss.” “What’s that?” “You’ve been studying here for over two months now, and my sister and I both agree that it is time to let you stretch your wings--so to speak. Give you an assignment to call your own. Do you think that you are up to that?” “An assignment?” Her eyes lit up and she primped up her head in anticipation. “Just tell me what it is, and I will do it!” The Princess laughed. “It’s nothing so dramatic. We want you to go and handle something for us in Ponyville. I believe that you are familiar with the place?” “Ponyville?...” Her voice trailed off as she thought of that town. Of the ponies that lived there. Especially...her. “Yes, I know the place.” “And you know of Twilight Sparkle?” The Princess asked. “...I do.” She answered. “Well, do you think that you are equal to what she can do?” Her eyes bugged out. “Equal? The Great and Powerful Trixie is more than her equal! I would say that I am the greatest magician in all of Equestria.” She looked at The Princess, who smiled looking down at her. “Er...mortal, magician, anyway. Trixie meant to say ‘mortal magician.’” The Princess was genuinely smiling. It always amused her to hear the little unicorn talk of herself in the third person. It was so...cute. “Well then, let me tell you what you are going to be doing.” Princess Celestia told Trixie, laying out her assignment for the coming future. All the while a thought kept running through The Sun Goddess’ mind: If Luna finds out about this, she’s going to be very, very angry... Continued in Who Rules?: The Wager (On sale now!... Well, readable. For free. Here.)