Just before sunrise, Celestia and Luna are sitting in a private war room (not that it is often used for such). Luna has just explained her encounter with the entity known as Parallax. She leans on the table, the ring floating in a magical grip.
“I’m concerned about a creature that can invade even your dreams, sister,” Celestia says, “Perhaps we should inform Twilight and her friends of it.”
Luna shakes her head, “We do not need to concern them unless the creature poses a real threat. I would have handled it myself if it didn’t leave behind the ring.”
Celestia raises a hand and the ring floats over to her, “Yes, the ring. Neither of us can sense a means of control through it. That’s a good sign, but neither of us are perfect at finding deception.”
Both mares look away from each other. Luna takes back the ring and places in into her palm. She sits, weighing the ring. Eventually, she closes her grasp and stands up.
“One you have risen the sun, meet me on the practice field. I wish to see what this ring can do in a secure location.”
Celestia looks at her sister with a concerned expression, “Are you sure it’s safe to use?”
“Not entirely, I admit. However, you may prepare a letter to Twilight in the event I cannot control the ring. Please have some faith in my abilities”
Celestia looks into Luna’s steeled gaze and sighs, “Fine. I’ll meet you there.”
^ ^ ^
The ‘practice field’ is a large, open space between the guards’ training barracks and the armory. The entire training area is on the opposite side of the mountain from Canterlot and is off limits to any civilian. Most importantly, it is a secure location that the princesses can suddenly go to without arousing much suspicion.
The princesses walk alongside a dark green earth pony stallion with a black mane. The armor he wears is slimmer than what other guards wear and does not have the identity concealing charm placed on it.
“Thank you for allowing us access to the training yard, General Iron Hoof,” Celestia says, “We apologize for the short notice.”
“It is no trouble,” Iron Hoof replies, “Though, do I have permission to ask what you require the field for?”
“We are testing an artifact of currently undetermined power,” Luna answers, “Any further information will be dispensed on a need-to-know basis.”
Iron Hoof nods, “Understood. I assume that the Guard will not be able to comment on what they see here.”
“Correct. Please ready the null field just in case.”
Celestia and Luna walk out to the center of the field. Luna slowly removes the ring from a pouch at her side and holds it in one hand. She looks at her sister, who nods. Luna slips on the ring and is engulfed in a harsh, yellow light. A yellow and black bodysuit appears over her light armor, with the insignia of the ring appearing on her chest. The guards standing by the field all take a step back, not understanding the utter terror that grips them. Luna kneels, shivering.
“Are you alright?” Celestia asks, kneeling to Luna’s level.
“I am fi-aah!”
The ring starts to pulse with yellow energy. Behind Celestia, a shape begins to form out of yellow and inky black. She turns around and sees the shape turn into a replica of Luna, with a yellow sword in her hand.
“Parallax,” Luna growls, “What is this madness?”
The yellow bug appears and begins to chuckle to itself, “Hello, Princess. Glad to see you put on the ring.”
“So you’re Parallax,” Celestia observes, “What is this thing and what have you done to my sister?”
“What have I done? I haven’t done anything more than reveal Luna’s fear to the world. She has to defeat her fear in order to have full control over the ring. Princess Luna, time to face the Tantabus.”
“Tantabus?” Celestia whispers.
Luna slowly rises to her hooves, “I will explain everything later.” She then looks straight at Parallax, “Will there be any more tricks after this?”
“Of course not. I still need an ally, after all. Wait, you can only use the ring to defeat Tantabus. Magic won’t do any good.”
“Understood. Celestia, step out of the way.”
Celestia shakes her head, “I am not going to stand by and allow you to fight an entity such as this on your own.”
“This is not up for debate!” Luna snaps, “This is my problem and I shall handle it myself!”
Celestia sees the determination in Luna’s eyes and backs towards the sidelines with a sigh. Luna looks at the Tantabus and takes an unarmed fighting stance.
“Now, how to I work this thing?”
The Tantabus makes the first move, swinging the zweihander with a single arm. Luna leaps backwards, the tip of the blade barely missing her throat. The Tantabus swings with both arms next, too fast for Luna to dodge. She cringes as a barrier appears in front of the sword, causing it to skip across with a cracking sound.
“Okay. Is it activated by my will?”
Luna leaps back a good ten meters. She then focuses on a blade appearing in her hand. A curved dagger made of the same yellow light as the Tantabus appears in her left hand. She runs at the Tantabus and it swings downwards at her. She rolls to the side before the sword hits and leaps at its side. She stabs the Tantabus, but the dagger shatters.”
“Shit.”
The Tantabus shoves Luna back and sends her rolling across the ground. She props herself up with one arm and wipes some blood from her lip.
“Are you alright?” Celestia calls.
Luna slowly stands, “I’m fine. Time to forget the ring.”
Luna flaps her wings and flies into the air. Her horn and her hands glow. She points her left hand towards the Tantabus and fires a burst of magic towards it. The yellow mare takes the blast head-on, completely unaffected.
“Magic is useless, remember!”
Luna shakes her head and looks at the Tantabus, “I will not let you overtake me.”
The Tantabus spreads its wings and flies at Luna. As it swings the sword, a yellow gauntlet appears over Luna’s hand and blocks the blade. She takes a flap and kicks the Tantabus in the face. They both plummet to the ground, with Luna landing on top of the construct. She punches it in the face over and over.
“I!” Punch. “Am not!” Punch. “Afraid!” Punch. “Of you!”
The construct’s face is crushed. It fades away and Luna slowly rises to her hooves. She removes the ring and stares at Parallax.
“Did I pass your test?”
Parallax crawls over to Luna and looks her dead in the eye, “For now. But you should be strong enough for my purposes.”
“What are your purposes? Why would you be seeking allies?”
Celestia steps forward, “If you want the cooperation of the Equestrian government, you will tell us everything of importance.”
Parallax crawls away and ponders for a moment, “Fine. I will explain the best I can. I am one seventh of another entity who was brought here against its will last night. I am the entity of fear, while my brothers encompass greed, anger, hope, will, love, and compassion. Don’t trust them not to turn on me as soon as they find me.”
“If you don’t trust what used to be a part of you, then why should we trust you?”
Parallax chuckles, “You’re one to talk. You feared your own sister. I know my fragments, but I don’t know if they’ll be psychopaths. And if we get pissed at each other… imagine a war between seven alicorns. That's why we'll all be looking for allies.” While the princesses’ faces don’t change, Parallax glows a little brighter from their fear. “So, what’s the plan?”