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// Chapter 4: An Idea Takes Root 
// Story: The Problem of Evil 
// by Quixotic Mage 
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With mixed feelings Luna watched Twilight leave the court alongside the griffon ambassador.  On the one hoof it was a pleasure to feel a lessening of the tension that had plagued the court since its beginning earlier that morning.  On the other, a feeling of dissatisfaction still lingered within her, as though there were words between them left unsaid.

Still, she thought, as Sunlit Rooms led her to a sitting room for her after court tea, I was not wrong in what I said to Twilight.  Though perhaps I was overly harsh considering how helpful she has been in this trying time.  But she should know her place.  Success always follows from obedience to us immortals.  That is their purpose and never has a country succeeded that went against our will.

Sweet smelling steam filled the comfortable chamber as Sunlit bustled around preparing tea, a soft lemon blend to fortify the drinker for the afternoon.  Luna felt her muscles relax at the scent and allowed her thoughts to drift as they would.  Or no, wait.  I remember hearing about one group of ponies that struck out on their own long ago.  What did they call themselves?  Ah yes.

“Thank you Ms. Rooms,” Luna said aloud as the pegasus placed the teacup on the table before her.  “Would you kindly go down to the archives and request that they send up a book for me?”

Sunlit dipped her wings in a bow.  “Of course, princess.  A tale of friendship, perhaps?  An account Starswirl the Bearded and the great feats he performed in your name?”

“Actually, I desire a historical account.  Tell them to find me a reference on the Ancient Atheneighians.”  Luna took a sip of tea as Sunlit made to depart.  “Just an overview, please,” she called after her.  “I don’t have the time to embark on a proper research mission.”

“Understood,” Sunlit acknowledged as she departed on her errand.

Sighing, Luna leaned back into her chair and drank deeply from her tea, letting the sweetness roll across her tongue.  Perhaps this will improve my disposition.

The Princess of Night’s thoughts turned again to the problematic purple pony.  Now that I think on it, Twilight has, in fact, not been all that helpful.  She aided me in that second court, but that was the sole action that would normally be considered helpful.  And her first action was to attack me in front of the court and lead me on a chase through the depths of the castle.

Luna smiled wryly.  To be fair, considering how I was feeling when she challenged me, it was more like an excuse for playful roughhousing than an actual attack.  I suppose I should give her credit for that, even if it was unintentional.  And it is reassuring to have another pony that remembers my sister.

She shivered despite the warmth of the room.  I have had enough truck with true madness, I’ve no desire to suffer gaslighting on the subject of my sister’s existence. I owe Twilight for reassuring me of my sanity, at the very least.  Her ideas are intriguing, even if they are wrong, and I think we could get along if only she did not remind me so much of Sombra.  That anger of hers I saw the first day, the obsession with Celestia, it’s worrying.  It doesn’t mesh with the way Celestia described her student.

As Luna mused a royal guard respectfully poked his head in the door.  “Pardon your highness but Duke Fancypants has requested a casual audience with you.”

“What—who?” Luna glanced up, startled.

Unflappable the guard replied, “An audience, your highness, with Duke Fancypants.”  From his tone one received the impression that, should Luna continue asking the question, he would continue replying in exactly the same way for as long as it took.

Fortunately for him, Luna pulled her mind back from the woolgathering.  “Right, send him in,” she said, stretching for a suitably royal voice.

“Very good your highness.”  Though his words were as free of inflection as ever, Luna couldn’t help but think that he had chosen that specific form of acknowledgment as a subtle bit of mockery.

Impudently, she stuck her tongue out at the guards retreating back.  Thus, the first sight that greeted Duke Fancypants as he walked in was his ruler sticking her tongue out and making a funny face.  Embarrassed, she dropped her gaze to the floor and schooled her features.

When she glanced upwards she found that Duke Fancypants had abandoned his dignity and promptly stuck out his tongue back at her.  Catching her eye he broke into a deep belly laugh.  “I must say your highness, I think this new greeting is a capital idea.  Why I suspect the whole court would be vastly improved if it were standard operating procedure.”

Laughing along, Luna gestured to the seat beside her.  “It’s a pleasure to meet— see you again Fancypants.  Let me get you some tea.”

“Oh I couldn’t let the princess serve me,” he protested as he seated himself.

“Nonsense.”  With a quick application of telekinesis and a small heating spell a gently steaming cup of tea was settled before the good duke.  “Now what brings you by?”

“Well, I am given to understand that I have you to thank for having an aid mission dumped on my withers.”  He took a cautious sip of the tea.  “Oh I say, that’s rather nice.”

“What do you mean?” Luna asked.

“Blueblood wouldn’t know the first thing about how to put together an aid mission, but he knew that if he failed your Archmage would be all over him.”  Fancypants’ tone took a turn for the smug.  “It cost him quite a few favors to be rid of it, you know.”

“In that case, you are welcome, and I’ll be sure to find a good use for the favor you then owe me” Luna shot back.

“Princess you know I would do anything for my esteemed ruler.  Therefore, it is very insulting to imply I might owe you a favor when I am yours to command.  In fact, I believe you owe me a favor for the insult you have tended my honor.”  Fancypants parried.

“A Duke such as yourself could not be so fragile as to take offense from a statement of fact.  Surely your honor instead demands that you err on the chivalrous side of debt rather than forcing your princess to shoulder it.”  Luna was grinning unabashedly now.  This was the part of court she had enjoyed all those years ago, the witty banter back and forth with the few that dared brave the Night Court.  Not the endless rules-lawyering that characterized the court Celestia had made and in which Twilight flourished.

Fancypants met her grin with and answering smile.  “So be it.  I will shoulder this burden for your majesty, I conceded the round to you.”  It was remarkably difficult to bow while seated but Fancypants was nothing if not an accomplished courtier and he made it look elegant.

For a moment Luna preened under the acknowledgement of victory.  Then the possibility crossed her mind that he had purposely lost as a demonstration of his superior magnanimity.  She peered at him closely trying to discern if that was the case.  His enigmatic smile gave nothing away.

Setting the game aside Luna turned to more serious matters.  “You will perform this duty well, yes?  I would hate for an equinitarian mission to go awry.”

Sobering as well, he nodded.  “I will see to it that the best aid we can offer will be sent to the deer.  Though I do hope I’m not sending aid to what will shortly be an annexed people.”

“Blueblood’s proposal?” Luna asked.  “Fear not, I promise that I will not allow it to come to fruition as it stands.”

“The promises of a princess are a dependable thing indeed,” he said carefully.  “But if you might share some specifics it would further put my heart at ease.”

“I have set Twilight Sparkle to that task,” Luna said, fudging the truth only slightly.  “You will have to speak with her to determine the course of action she has chosen.”

The Duke frowned and seemed about to question her further when the door opened and Sunlit Rooms returned, bearing a weighty tome.  “I have brought the history of the Ancient Atheneighians, as you requested your highness.”

“Excellent, thank you Ms. Rooms.  Please set it down over there,” said Luna, indicating the table.  Sunlit Rooms deposited the book with a heavy thunk and stood at the ready in case her services should be needed further.

“Odd to see somepony as old as you reading history,” commented Fancypants, peering over the table at the book.

“Twilight Sparkle and I had a disagreement.”  Luna flipped open the book and began scanning it absent mindedly.  “I felt the need for further research to clarify the issue.”

“I doubt that my own poor council can add to the wisdom of the princess or the Archmage.”  Fancypants spoke without a trace of sarcasm or irony all the more impressive for the obvious falsehood of his statement.  “So if your highness has no further need of me, I shall take my leave.”  He stood and made to depart.

“Wait,” Luna commanded, raising her eyes from the book.  “Now that I think of it the perspective of a member of the Noble String might be valuable on this topic.”

“Oh?”  Fancypants raised an eyebrow in surprise but settled back into his seat.  “My brain, such as it is, is at your disposal, princess.”

 “Twilight and I were discussing immortal involvement in the lives of mortals.  I put forward the position that political power naturally flows from the overwhelming magical power possessed by us immortals.  She,” and here Luna could not refrain from putting an angry inflection on the pronoun, “believed that mortal ponies should have a right to control their own lives because an immortal’s power does not necessarily convey the capacity to govern wisely.”

Luna let out an undignified snort.  “As if Blueblood did not put the lie to the belief that mortals know how to govern themselves every time he appears before the court. What do you think, Duke Fancypants?  You may speak freely, I will not be angry even if you don’t take my side.”

“An interesting question.  It is reassuring to know that even the princess and Archmage occasionally consider the rationale behind the power they hold.  Give me a moment to think about it, please.”  Fancypants quietly sipped his tea and let his gaze wander while he thought.  Luna waited anxiously for his response.  She had hoped he would agree with her immediately, though she had enough self-respect to want his sincere opinion rather than a pleasant lie.

Finally, his gaze focused and he spoke.  “I would argue that the members of the Noble String already do wield power,” he replied seriously.  “We are fortunate enough to have resources that can influence you.”  He held up a hoof to forestall her protest.  “True, you could overrule us, but our control over the economy and shared responsibility for the military mean you and the rest of Equestria would face serious consequences unless you were willing to completely dissolve the mortal Equestrian government.  We are, in many ways, a rare exception to the traditional one-sided power dynamic between mortals and immortals.  An ordinary pony might give you a different answer.”

Luna hummed thoughtfully.  “Hmm, perhaps.”  She turned to Sunlit Rooms.  “Ms. Rooms, I’m sure you have been listening.  For the purposes of this conversation you are closer to an ordinary pony than either of us, what do you think?”

Sunlit Rooms looked like a mouse that had just stumbled upon a snake. “Me your highness?  You want my opinion?”  She made a visible effort to gather her courage.  “Well, I um, I think that Duke Fancypants is correct in saying that ponies already have control over their own lives, but I think he’s incorrect about which ponies that is.”  The other two gave her confused looks so she searched for the words to explain further.  “If you think about it, the Noble String already interacts with you, Princess Luna, very often.  You often give them commands that they have to follow, like with that aid mission.  If anypony has their lives controlled by an immortal it’s them.  Most ordinary ponies will never meet you so you have few opportunity to order them around.  Your decisions through the court affect them, of course, but as long as you don’t make drastic changes most ponies will go about their lives never having been ordered or controlled by you at all.”

“Interesting,” Luna mused.  “Between the four of us there are four opinions, though the both of yours are rather similar.”

“If I may, Princess,” Sunlit Rooms spoke hesitantly.  “I think your opinion and the Archmage’s are similar as well.  From the way you described the argument it sounds as though you both place yourselves on the side of power.  You just disagree on how much power you each should wield.  I can’t imagine the Archmage was actually suggesting that you listen to the nobles more.”  She offered a shy smile.  “Her opinion of the nobles is well known, present company excluded.  Perhaps the two of you are more similar to one another than either of you is to an ordinary pony such as myself, or even a noble like Duke Fancypants.”

The Duke nodded his agreement.  “Yes.  The Archmage has defeated Discord and the monster of the Everfree with the Elements of Harmony.”  Luna assumed that the ‘monster of the Everfree’ was what the Nightmare had become after Celestia had cast her memory spells.  Fancypants continued, “That’s why it is a pity to see the two of you in disagreement, though I suppose that goes to show you how close you are.  One does not feud with one’s inferiors, after all.”

“You have the right of it,” Luna conceded.  “But a mortal of similar standing with an immortal is itself a source of concern.  It has caused catastrophic damage in the past.  Ah no,” she said in response to their worried looks.  “That, at least, I can say with confidence is my worry, and should it become a problem it will be my responsibility to deal with it.”

“If you say so Princess.”

“I do, Ms. Rooms.”  Luna stood and tucked her book on the Ancient Atheneighians under one wing.  “You have both been most helpful.”

Catching the cue to leave, Duke Fancypants and Sunlit Rooms stood as well.  “I’ll send word once the aid mission has departed.  A pleasure as always, your highness.”  With a final bow Duke Fancypants made his exit.

Lost in thought, Luna walked the path to her study.  Sunlit Rooms followed along behind because her office, at least since Celestia had disappeared, was a small offset just outside of Luna’s study.  Well trained in the moods of a princess she recognized the other’s desire for quiet consideration and the walk was silent save for the clip-clop of their hooves on the castle’s stone floor.


***


Yawning widely, Luna set the book down.  The Ancient Atheneighians had been a fascinating people.  They had a form of government they called “democracy”, wherein each citizen could vote directly on the laws that governed them.  Every citizen could make their opinion known but no one opinion dominated the others, as hers and Celestia’s did in the Diarchy.

It would never work in Equestria, of course, the country was far too large to poll everypony prior to any decision.  Still, Luna had begun to see that there might be some value in allowing the common pony to have some say in the rules that governed their lives.  When she imagined a pony such as, say, Sunlit Rooms, having some sway in the government it didn’t seem so bad.

Luna had spent the first part of the afternoon skimming the text, and as she had done so an idea had begun to form.  It was one of those ideas which seemed mad at first blush, but simply wouldn’t be dismissed out of hoof.  So she had gone back over the book, quill and paper in hand, taking notes on the relevant passages and bits of history.

Now the waning light reminded the princess that is was time for her to raise the moon.  And set the sun, as she had nearly forgotten.  Only a few days had passed since the burden had fallen on her and it had not yet become routine.  Neither had it ceased to cause a twinge of pain as the princess extended her control over her sister’s charge.

She let the familiar mantle of the moon wash over her and then gently reached out and pulled the mantle of the sun around her.  The sun was not hers, and reaching out to it felt like being cradled in the warm embrace of her sister’s wings, comforting and yet agonizing in the reminder of Tia’s absence.  Luna spared herself a moment to enjoy the comfortable side of the feeling, to indulge in the fantasy that her sister had returned and was going to make everything okay.

Sighing, she let that pleasant thought fall away.  Truly, she did wish to assume her rightful responsibilities as co-ruler and immortal, to surpass the limitations of the title ‘little sister’ and become a ruler in her own right.  Surely she could not be faulted if, for just a moment, she dreamed of being taken care of?

Eyes glowing brightly, haloed by the stylized moon and lit from behind by the embers of sunrise at the tips of her ethereal mane, Luna, Princess of Night and Day, grasped the sun and moon and spun them past one another, across the horizon’s barrier.  With an effort of will she brought forth the vast majority of stars at a single stroke and nestled the dark sphere of the new moon among them.  Perhaps by the cycle her sister had kept during her absence it should have been a waning gibbous moon, but Luna was more mercurial and this particular evening the darkness of a new moon matched her mood.

Then, slowly and with great care, she focused her will upon four individual stars.  The four closest to the moon, the four that had kept her company in her long exile and aided in her escape.  There was a debt owed these stars, she knew, that could not be repaid.

Still, it was worth trying.  Every night she took the time to place them just so, to bring them out as individuals rather than as a part of the greater whole, to bestow upon them the care and blessings she had to give.

At last it was done.  The white light faded from her eyes.  For a moment her study seemed unfamiliar, too quotidian and yet, somehow, false, like the shadows thrown from a magic lantern on a screen, real until the hoof moved and the shadow changed form.

The door creaked open and Sunlit Rooms peaked her head in.  “Shall I have your dinner brought up to your study, your highness?” she asked.

“Still here, Ms. Rooms?  You are quite the hard worker.”  Sunlit blushed at Luna’s praise.  “Yes, please have dinner brought up and, since you’re still here, have the chefs fix a dinner for you as well.  Unless you have other plans?”

“Your highness I couldn’t—“ Sunlit’s blush deepened as her stomach rumbled.  “I would love to eat with you.”  A sudden thought perked her up.  “Perhaps your highness would care to have a cake sent up?

“Why would I…”  Luna took in the barely concealed eagerness on Sunlit’s face and barely suppressed a chuckle.  “Oh, I don’t know,” she teased, “I’m in the mood for a fruit salad, or maybe a small cupcake.  It wouldn’t do to have too many sweets.”

Sunlit’s face fell into a hangdog expression and Luna swore she could almost hear a whine coming from the smaller pony.  “Alright, alright,” she laughed.  “Have them send up a cake too.”

Perking up, Sunlit Rooms’ wings gave a little flitter of delight.  “At once princess,” she called, rushing from the room before Luna could change her mind.

A smile stayed on Luna’s lips as she collected and sorted the notes she had made.  The pegasus’ enthusiasm for cake made Luna a tad nostalgic.  Celestia was well known as a cake enthusiast and since Luna’s return they had often shared an evening meal seasoned with sisterly chatter.  Sunlit Rooms might not have been Celestia but it would be nice to share a friendly evening meal with another pony.

Now that was an odd thought, Sunlit Rooms as a stand in for her sister.  Sure they both loved cake but they really weren’t that similar.  Except…

Luna sat back from her notes, thoughts racing.

Except both ponies had a white coat, a sun related cutie mark, and worked in government.  Sunlit had spent much of the last day acting as a go between and attempted peacemaker between Luna and Twilight Sparkle.  As evinced by her contribution to the earlier discussion she was capable of incisive commentary into the nature of power dynamics in the Equestrian Court and society in general.

The cutie mark and coat could have been coincidences, and liking cake was hardly uncommon.  Her insight into government could easily have been due to her position.  Still, Luna couldn’t help but wonder.  Despite her skill with magic, Celestia always had loved to fly and often said that she would sooner give up her horn than her wings.

Okay, Luna thought, let’s conduct a little thought experiment.  Imagine for a moment that Celestia wanted to step back and let me take the reins of government.  She might find it hard to simply give up the position she had held for so long to a relatively untested pony who had been away for a very long time.  She might decide instead to disguise herself, take up a position nearby so she could guide events all while letting me think I’m on my own.

Wracking her brains, Luna tried to remember if she had ever met Sunlit Rooms before Celestia’s disappearance.  Unfortunately, other than Twilight who had made a rather large and rainbow shaped impression, Luna simply had not paid much attention to the myriad functionaries that danced attendance upon her sister.

The more she thought about it, the more Luna felt her anger rise.  It was exactly the sort of Machiavellian manipulation Celestia preferred.  And the plan was all too easy to see now that she looked for it.  Celestia would watch and when she had decided Luna was tired of the freedom afforded by her absence, or if a problem arose that required her expertise, the princess of the sun would return in all her glory and undo the memory spell currently in place.  In the resulting furor who would notice if one of the royal secretaries happened to disappear?

Grinding her teeth, Luna cleared aside her notes with her hoof, not trusting that she could keep them uncrushed if she used telekinesis.  Breathing in, she brought a hoof to her chest and gestured away as she exhaled.  Her anger flared back up as she remembered that this was one of Celestia’s favorite techniques for emotional control.

Still, it was effective and after a few more repetitions she felt more in control.  There was no proof yet, she reminded herself, and it would not do to upset an innocent pony’s life because of her paranoid suspicions. No, she would use this dinner as an opportunity to learn more about Sunlit Rooms’ life and, if she was in fact Celestia, try to trip her up.  If the dinner was inconclusive then perhaps a bit of clandestine investigation was in order.

Satisfied with her plans Luna returned to her review of her notes, eagerly awaiting the dinner that was to come.


***


Luna was waiting when Sunlit Rooms returned with the food, as well as a large and delicious-looking cake.  For the first few moments the only sound was of two ponies relishing the castle chef’s fine cuisine.  Then, in a casual tone, Luna spoke up.

“It occurs to me that I know far too little about you considering how much time we’re spending together.  And I have been reliably informed that an exchange of personal information is one of the best ways to make friends.”

Sunlit squeaked and almost dropped her spoon.  “F-friends?  Me?  With the princess?  Oh no, I wouldn’t presume so much.  I’m just a lowly assistant.”

“Nonsense,” Luna declared.  “I shall not lose an assistant by gaining a friend.”  Sunlit shifted uneasily in place but did not reply.  A reason for the other pony’s unease occurred to Luna and she hastened to clarify what she had meant.  “Worry not, I will not order you to divulge your darkest secrets or any such thing.  I merely wanted to know more about you.  Have you any family, for instance?”

“Oh, is that all?”  Sunlit perked up immediately.  “I guess the tabloids were wrong,” she whispered to herself.

“What did you say?”

“Nothing!”  Sunlit laughed nervously.  “So you wanted to know about my family right?  Well there’s my Ma and Pa out in Cloudsdale.  They’re both fog farmers.  They’ve got a nice crop of cloud seeds they plant each year and harvest once the mist bushes come in.  They wanted me to take over the family farm but it turned out I had a different calling and here I am.”

“They sound like nice ponies,” Luna commented.  “Do you have any siblings?”

Sunlit’s face clouded over.  “Yes, I’ve got a little sister.  Though we’re not getting along well right now.  She’s at that age where she needs a little space, I suppose.”

That sounds a little suspicious.  Time to push a little further, Luna thought.  “A headstrong young filly? What’s her name?”

Sighing, Sunlit Rooms hung her head and answered, “Selene Moonchild.”  Luna choked back a laugh while Sunlit Rooms just shook her head.  “I know, I know.  My parents went through a period of sampling their own wares and they were rather enamored with you at the time.”

This must be a jest.  But no, poor Sunlit Rooms looked entirely and embarrassedly serious.  It was hard to imagine Celestia choosing so outrageous a lie.

Unless that was exactly what Celestia wanted her to think?  Luna was rapidly coming to the realization that recognizing a slip up would be difficult considering what Sunlit Rooms was willing to say with a straight face.

Luna changed her angle of attack, in hopes of better luck.  “If you’re parents are fog farmers, then how did you get that cutie mark?” she asked.  “It seems to run counter to their work.”

“My cutie mark?”  Reflexively, Sunlit wiggled around to take a look at the sunbeam that adorned her flank.  “It represents the disinfecting power of sunlight on bureaucracy.”

Ok, that has to be a lie.  Luna’s skepticism must have shown on her face because Sunlit Rooms suddenly looked hurt.

“It’s true,” she protested.  “Would you like to hear my cutie mark story?”

“Please,” Luna said, rubbing her eyes with her wings.  She no longer expected to pick truth from falsehood, but the story promised to be interesting at least.  And perhaps she’d at least gain a bit more insight into Sunlit Rooms’ character, regardless of whether or not she was in fact Celestia.

Sunlit took a deep breath and began her story.  “Back when I was just a foal my class took a field trip to the mayor’s office in Cloudsdale.  As part of the tour we were supposed to meet the mayor and have her explain some bill she was working on.”  She waved her wings dismissively.  “You know, one of those ‘show the foals how government works’ things.”

“I have heard tell of such things,” Luna acknowledged, blushing.  When she had first returned Celestia had sent her on several such tours to reintroduce her to the process of government.  Being the only grown mare, let alone alicorn, on the tour had been embarrassing, but it had been fun to see little Pipsqueak again on the Trottingham tour.

“That day she was explaining a bill closing a public park.  The fillies and colts in my class really didn’t like the thought of a park closing so I was paying close attention to her explanation.  Whenever anything didn’t make sense I asked a question.”  Sunlit sat back, a satisfied smile gracing her lips.  “She started off with that condescending tone public official’s use around foals but pretty soon she got too angry for that and was gritting out one word answers.  I think the only reason she didn’t just stop answering was because the tour had passed the royal auditor’s office while I was pestering her and he was listening in.”

“What happened in the end?”  Luna asked.  “Did you find some flaw in the bill?”

Now it was Sunlit’s turn to blush.  “Ah, actually I stormed up to her, swiped the bill from her hoof, stalked over to her filing cabinet and began comparing the forms.  It turned out she was closing the park under false pretenses to sell the space to a noble that was a distant relative of her husband.  She was arrested by the guards and the royal auditor offered me a job on the spot.”

Luna just stared at her.  “You got your cutie mark for getting your mayor arrested?” she asked, disbelieving.

“Not quite,” Sunlit said, getting into telling her story.  “That just got me a summer job with the royal auditor.  Working together we uncovered proof that almost every single official in the ex-mayor’s office was corrupt as well.  The auditor thought he’d have to go back to Canterlot and get backup to arrest them all.  I thought that would take too long and give them too much of an opportunity to cover their tracks, so I came up with a better plan.”  The white pegasus grinned and there was a hint of mischief to it that Luna had not seen previously.

Bracing for further unbelievable revelations Luna asked, “What exactly was this plan of yours?”

“Remember, this was in Cloudsdale.  The town hall, containing the office of the ex-mayor and all her corrupt underlings was made of clouds.”  Luna nodded, not seeing where this was going.  “A creative interpretation of an old law let me get the building condemned due to an infestation of vermin.”

“You didn’t,” Luna gasped.

Sunlit nodded.  “I did.  Clouds are easy to build with so if there’s a problem with a building we just get rid of the building.  I used a giant lens and burned down town hall with sunlight.  That was when my cutie mark appeared.”

“Huzzah!”  Luna cheered.  “I thought the great tradition of burning corrupt courtiers alive had disappeared.  I am heartened to see I was wrong.”

“I didn’t kill anypony!” Sunlit exclaimed.  “They were given fifteen minutes warning to get out and weren’t allowed to bring any paper with them.  I burned down all the files they kept so that the original uncorrupted files had to be brought from Canterlot.  It kept them from doing any further harm.  The files were brought by the replacement officials and a contingent of the guard came as well to cart the criminals off.”

“That is far less exciting,” Luna pouted.

“I’m sorry that my cutie mark story about burning down town hall wasn’t sufficiently action packed for you,” Sunlit said dryly.  Her eyes widened as she suddenly remembered who she was talking to and she clapped her hooves over her mouth.  “Your highness, I’m so sorry.  That was disrespectful of me.”

Luna waved it away.  “Worry not, in private I see no reason for excessive formality.”

“In that case,” Sunlit began hesitantly, “do you mind if I ask you a question?”

Luna returned the bulk of her attention to her neglected meal.  “Ask away.”

“Why hadn’t you heard that story before?  That was what got me hired as your secretary after all.”

“Would you believe that I have other courtiers do most of the hiring?” Luna responded, thinking fast.

“I know that isn’t true.  You make it a point to at least check up on everypony we hire.”  Suspicion crept into her tone.  “There’s no way you would have missed that when you looked into my background.”

Sufficient authority would almost certainly put an end to the uncomfortable questions, but Luna was loathe to squelch the spark of independence Sunlit Rooms was displaying.  She settled on telling the truth, or a part of it at any rate.  “Certain arcane events have taken place which are influencing memories.  Rest assured, Archmage Sparkle and I know well what has occurred and will resolve it post-haste.”

“Is that why part of why you and the Archmage are fighting?” asked Sunlit Rooms, still suspicious that something was amiss.

“Not exactly.”  Luna struggled to find the right words without giving away too much.  “She and I have different perspectives which, when forced into close contact, lead to conflict.  I am confident she will come to see my point of view.”

“Perhaps, your highness.  But I can’t help but think you might make better progress working together rather than bringing her to heel.”

“I will take you recommendation under advertisement,” Luna said, with a hint of rebuke.

Visibly flinching back, Sunlit Rooms’ posture became as subservient as it was possible to be while still sitting at the same table.  “I-I’m sorry your highness.  I only worried, I mean, if there is any way I can help.”

Sighing, Luna shook her head.  “I accept your question in the spirit of concern in which they were meant.  I don’t think there’s anything you can—“ she broke off as her earlier suspicions came back to her.  “Actually, there is something you can do.”

The white pegasus looked up hopefully.  “Anything your highness, just name it.”

“I want you to tell me if this name means anything to you.”  Luna watched the smaller pony closely, looking for any sign of recognition, as she spoke.

“Celestia.”

Nothing.  Not a hint that the name meant anything to her.  On the one hoof, Luna was pleased that her sister did not appear to be playing her for a fool.  On the other hoof, she had gained a new appreciation for the joys of sharing burdens and would have liked to pass the burden of a ruler along.  On the third hoof, Celestia was a master of self-control and might have steeled herself to show no reaction.  On the fourth hoof, and wasn’t it nice that ponies had four hooves so she could track so many reactions, it hurt seeing that Celestia, Princess of the Day and lone ruler for 1000 years, had been forgotten by the ponies she so loved.

“I’m sorry princess,” Sunlit Rooms said apologetically, confirming what Luna already knew.  “I don’t know that name.”

Forcing her emotions aside Luna waved a wing casually.  “It is no matter, I would not have expected you to.”  She turned to the final dish of the dinner, the much desired cake.  “Now I believe we have one final dish to take care of.  Your princess commands you, eat until you are sated and pay no heed to either diet or health!”

“Yes, your highness!”  With a gleeful whoop Sunlit dove right in, Luna fast behind her.

It was a good cake.


***


This was the last of it, Luna resolved.  Regardless of what her current effort turned up, she would be content and pry no more into the affairs of a pony she was rapidly coming to like.

It had been easy, of course.  Following the meal she had dismissed Sunlit Rooms for the evening, watched her fly off to her home, and then turned to smoke and followed.

There were easier ways to follow a pony, invisibility, tracking spells, even dreamwalking.  But no, Luna shuddered, no dreamwalking.  Not now and perhaps never again, for that way risked the return of the Nightmare.  Smoke felt right, instead.  It allowed her to follow leaving no trace of her passing, save to those rare few ponies that scanned for alicorn magic.

Twilight was one such pony, she recalled as she followed along on the night breeze.  She would have to have been prepared for alicorn magic to have wards that were effective against Celestia’s memory spell.  Luna wondered if Twilight had placed those wards before Luna had returned, back when the only alicorn Twilight had known was the teacher she adored.  Or had those wards been placed specifically in response to Luna’s own arrival?  There were disturbing implications for either case.

No matter.  She set aside that curiosity for the time being.  Instead she gazed ahead to the pony she was followed.  Sunlit Rooms.  She seemed to be a determined and intelligent secretary.  Was she a loyal master of paperwork or deceptive but caring elder sister?  An answer was sought and an answer would be found.

On Luna followed, through her night.  Enjoying the strains of the music and laughter and slurred speech that spun up in ribbons from the windows and doors that still spilled light into her dark evening.  Mirrored above by the cold strains of clear music that sang, always sang, from her stars overhead.

And there she was, a sunbeam in the night.  Even in the dimness Sunlit’s mark shone with a small radiance all its own and Luna followed, a cloud of dark portent.  The princess of night felt discomforted at how easy it was to slip into the mindset of a creature of darkness, stalking the little lamb of light that had wandered too far afield.

No!  Luna tightened the cloud form she wore, brightening the stars that dotted her ephemeral body.  This was, perhaps, an invasion of privacy, but it was not an atrocity on the level of the Nightmare.  And after this it was done.  If she found nothing she would pry no more, and if she found her sister then no invasion had taken place, only the uncloaking of deception.

While Luna was drifting Sunlit had reached her home, a small apartment in one of Canterlot’s poorer districts.  Not quite a slum but not a place of wealth either, an odd place for a pony that drew a palace salary to live.  That mystery, however, was not Luna’s business.  She settled into place, a dark cloud hovering out of sight, and waited for Sunlit to sleep.

Unsurprisingly, Sunlit Rooms was a morning pony and even as Luna watched the light clicked out.  The sound of light snoring drifted out the open window to where Luna’s ears would have been.

Drawing again on the power of an alicorn Luna pushed Sunlit deeper into the Dreaming.  She could not, would not, go herself.  As a kindness, though, she could and did give joyous dreams to the sleeping pony, of sumptuous cakes for the eating, of a thousand bureaucratic Gordian knots waiting for her sun-blessed wit to cut them through.  And if, in one of those dreaming worlds, Sunlit found herself rejoicing at regaining family ties long thought sundered, who can say if that happy vision came from the dreamer or the mistress of the Dreaming?

Into that room came Luna and with an effort of will her body coalesced out of the smoke.  For a third time Luna called forth the power of an immortal, calling like to like, looking for a trace of her sister.  Her eyes glowed with true sight and her vision swept across the room and found… nothing.

Luna waited for a heartbeat… two… three.  Still nothing.

Tension eased from her shoulders as she moved to end the search.  There did not appear to be any evidence that Sunlit Rooms was secretly Celestia, and Luna was glad of that fact.

At the last possible instant before Luna let the true sight fade from her eyes, a glimmer of magic sparked in her peripheral vision.  Not near the sleeping pony, but on her writing desk, stashed in one corner of the tiny studio apartment.

Slowly and with leaden hooves, Luna trod over to the desk and looked down at the shimmering rectangle of immortal magic revealed to her sight.  A note, cloaked in the power of an alicorn.  With great trepidation she uncovered the envelope and brought it up to her eyes, reading easily even in the dim light.  On the front of the envelope these words were written:

To Princess Luna, Ruler of the Lunar Monarchy

Opening the enveloped she found a letter reminiscent of the one she’d been left less than a week earlier.

Dear Princess Luna,

I am glad, my sister, that Equestria stands strong as ever under your rule.  I look forward to the world you will make as your path diverges from mine.  I am glad, too, that Twilight Sparkle remembers me and has come to aid you in your rule.  She is my faithful student and I am surprised and proud that her spells held fast against my working.  I hope you will resolve your differences with her.  Though you can prevent it, if you will, I have long since set her on the path to joining us.  She still has trials to face, to be sure, but I believe in her.

It would relieve my heart to know that you had an immortal companion with whom to pass the ages, for I fear that I might not return.

You are reading this letter because you suspected that Sunlit Rooms was myself in disguise.  You searched for alicorn magic and I managed to place some part of myself in front of you.  I will tell you honestly, Sunlit Rooms may be Celestia, I am not sure.  All I know is that I am not wholly Celestia.  

I am merely what remains of her immortal magic.

It turns out we were not meant to be sundered from our immortal selves.  I cannot feel my body and am not sure if it even exists anymore.  Perhaps my mortal self is out there, somewhere, just as confused as I am.  Perhaps it is even the pony that sleeps in the room with you now.  I don’t know.

I now exist only in my own nebulous immortal magic and whatever remains of me within the mantle of the sun.  You carry me with you, always, though in a more literal way then I might have hoped.

I… I want to ask you for help, dear sister, but I fear that I do not have the right.  There is a painful parallelism in our current situation: you must learn to rule alone and I must escape a terrible magical prison.  

I will see you again.  I will!

But I feel myself… drifting. 

If I drift too far I am not sure I can put the pieces back together again.

In the end it doesn’t matter.  You have proven that you can handle the sun and moon, and you will learn to rule in time.  I am not needed anymore, not as I once was.  So I know that if I fail to return, I leave Equestria in good hooves; yours and perhaps those of my faithful student.

Be strong Luna, be light and darkness both.

Farewell,

Celestia