“Now Daniel, I want you to wait in mommy’s room and, draw for a bit while your auntie and I have a talk over in the next room.”
Daniel nodded, and with a small quill moved to the rather large desk. At first, he had an issue sitting on the chair provided due to Luna’s larger size but, a small nudge from Luna’s muzzle and he was perfectly fine.
Luna smiled at this but, it quickly faded as she closed her door.
*I truly hope I can keep that smile on his face* Luna thought, nervousness playing her mind as she slowly trotted to the nearby room next door containing her sister.
As she reached the doors to her sisters chamber she used her magic to open it slowly trying to put on a brave face to confront her sister should their conversation not go well.
When she entered the room she noticed that her sister was as she always was during this time of night before sleeping, planning more battle strategies against the monsters outside the castle walls.
“S-Sister I am here are you busy?” Luna asked, trying her best to be strong in front of her older sister.
Celestia stopped her quill writing placing it back in it’s ink bottle for later use.
“We are always busy Luna you know that by now.” Celestia said, rather coldly without turning to her.
“I know, believe me I do but-“
“Then you Luna should know that we nor the council have time to deal with this new....thing you brought into our home what is it?” Celestia interrupted turning and unfolding her large wings to emphasize her seriousness on the matter.
Luna’s eye twitched at Those words “What did you just call him?” She muttered, darkly under her breath.
“It’s not a him Luna WE don’t even know what IT is you can’t just bring an unknown creature into our palace ESPECIALLY if that creature was found in the enemies b-“
Celestia was stopped in the middle of her lecture by Luna lifting her by the neck with her magic and pinning her to the wall in pure anger.
“HE IS NOT SOME SIMPLE CREATURE!!” Luna yelled, the strength in her voice heard all around the castle and even by some passerby’s that happen to be near the castle.
“HE is a kind and gentle boy who has had nothing but, immense pain, and agony in his life. However, despite that he is sitting in my quarters drawing and hoping that you will like him.” Luna continue, her voice slowly lowering itself along with her sister as she released Celestia from her magic.
Celestia stayed quiet letting Luna speak while rubbing her neck and looking at her with slight anger.
“Despite what you or the council thinks I WANT this boy to be MY SON, and as his Aunt YOUR duty is to protect him just as much as I will if you even attempt to take him from me!” Luna stated, looking her sister dead in the eyes all worry and fear that previously plagued her mind gone without a trace.
Celestia did not waver in any way keeping a stern composure as she spoke, “I will NEVER accept that THING as my nephew and I know the council and myself will agree that it does not belong here where it could potentially harm our subjects.”
“Does HE look like he could harm anything Celestia, he’s still malnourished and on top of that when we found him he was nothing but, a withered shell totally afraid of us he could barely even say a few words. Even the files we found about him suggest tha-“ Luna stopped in her tracks realizing what she had just said, but looking at her sister she saw that she noticed as well.
“What files....” Celestia said darkly, trotting till she was right in front of her sister using her naturally tall stature to intimidate Luna.
Luna sighed replying in the same tone as her sister, “.....When we found HIM some of the guards found files that were mainly about him however, most of them were burnt beyond recognition. There were literally dozens of files but, just about a quarter of them survived and those on there own was enough to show me he was harmless.”
Celestia narrowed her eyes, trying to see if anything her sister just said was a lie but, to no avail she knew Luna better than that.
So, she sighed “Show me the files Luna and then, and ONLY then will I attempt to help him if I am persuaded as you were.”
Luna perked up by this her eyes gain a shimmer of hope as she quickly exited the room.
She needed to find her.
She needed to find Vinyl Scratch.
————————————-
It was a surprise to Vinyl, she hadn’t expected Celestia to react as she did but, she supposed that in war you can’t be too careful.
She quickly trotted towards the chamber of the princess of the sun with a decently sized file and, quickly and loudly knock on the door three times.
The door opened quicker than Vinyl expect, as instead of the facing the Celestia she was met with Luna’s slightly disheveled muzzle.
“G-Good evening your majesty, you requested these?” Vinyl asked, holding the files in her magic and slowly levitating them over to the princess who quickly took both her and the file in her magic.
Vinyl was startled at this and looked quickly at her surroundings as most do when in a new environment. The room was quite inviting all things considered but, Vinyl senses a deep tension in the room as she turned to see both Princesses side-by-side.
“Y-Your majesties!” Vinyl slightly shouted, as she bowed to both monarchs.
Celestia raised her hoof dismissively, allowing Vinyl to raise her head and face them.
“Princess Luna tells me you have files on this....BOY....we are discussing?” Celestia asked, sternly and coldly to the young guard.
“Yes, your highness I have them here.” Vinyl answered, quickly and swiftly as she was taught to in training.
“Please, read them aloud to myself, and my sister.” Celestia requested, waving a hoof in Vinyls direction as if giving her the floor to a case.
Vinyl nodded, opening the file and reading exactly as it said.
————————————
Subject: DS-17
Gender: M
Age: UNKNOWN
Description:
So far, studies show that the creatures toleration to pain increases with every test put to it.
The creature seems to react quickly when in pain or when i need of food or water.
As most creatures in these lands he-
(The majority of this file was burned and is unreadable.)
-and its digestive and immune system is much like any other creature (Note: Studying the creatures teeth and its natural eating habits leads to believe that it is Omnivorous in nature and requires a stable diet of meat however, will be denied to see how his growth is affected.) after sedating and operating on the creature we found many arteries and organs similar to that of ponies this may prove useful when testing chemicals however, we will wait till we have more information before further study.
———————-
Vinyl, much to her distaste and disgust continue for a good hour or so reading more and more files such as these with very little changes in them.
Celestia while still baring her stern look, Luna could not help but grind her teeth in anger at the pain they must’ve caused her child.
“May I see those commander?” Celestia asked, still not showing any emotion.
Vinyl simply nodded, gently using her magic to pass the files to Celestia.
Luna all the while felt uneasy, both for her son and for what she might have to face if Celestia was against helping her.
However, her worry subsided when she heard Celestia sigh as if in defeat looking to her with an unamused face.
“Are you certain that this....boy, won’t harm anyone?” Celestia asked, this being the SECOND time she actually addressed Daniel as a proper being.
Luna nodded sternly, her eyes more determined than Celestia had ever seen them.
Giving a large sigh, Celestia nodded her head her face for the first time changing to a very tired expression as she spoke.
“Fine....fine, i-I’ll help you sister.”
Luna was absolutely thrilled but, before she could say anything Celestia rose her hoof silencing her.
“I said “I’ll help you” that doesn’t mean the council will agree with this Luna they are above us in everything, and even with my help I can only bring you so far you have to come up with a stronger argument than this if you really wanna keep him.”
Luna’s head fell, the happiness that filled her knowing that her sister is on her side diminished with the thought of the council having the final say.
Celestia saw this and placed a caring hoof on her sisters shoulder, causing Luna to look up at her elder sister hopefully.
“We can manage my dear sister, I will not let them take my only nephew after all.” Celestia smiled at Luna, which seemed to cheer her up quite a bit, and caused her to chuckle.
“Yes, I suppose your right....”
“I know I’m right, trust me sister everything will work out....just have faith.” Celestia said as she nuzzled Luna lovingly.
Luna nodded, “Yes, sister.”
It was a beautiful moment between the sisters, a moment that they haven’t shared in a very long time.
“Well then, how about we go and see how....Daniel is doing, I think it’s time I properly introduce myself to my little nephew.” Celestia said, warmly to her sister.
Luna nodded, “Oh! Yes of course, Vinyl could you be so kind as to get some food for Daniel? He didn’t get the chance to eat.”
Vinyl bowed, happy to see things worked out....for the most part.
——————
As Vinyl left to the kitchen to gather some food, Luna and Celestia continued on to her quarters in relative silence.
“I’m pleased that you finally accept Daniel now Celest-“
“Don’t get me wrong Luna.” Celestia suddenly interrupted, stopping in the middle of the empty hall.
Luna looked back at her sister too surprised to speak.
“Luna, so far all that you have shown me is a couple of files that show that he was a subject to some kind of experiment. However this isn’t enough to prove that he ISN’T dangerous, nor does this give any reasonable or productive reason as to why this child should be here under any care much less under the care of someone of such high status such as you or I.” Celestia begins to trot passed Luna stopping in front of her sisters door which held the child in question to look towards Luna once again.
“I’m only helping you because the only thing I can do to somewhat convince the council to agree to this is to do either one of two thing, one is to continue the testing that the enemy was attempting to better understand both the boy and what the enemy has planned for us and our allies.” Celestia had a serious tone as if this option was the only one that she cared for and this infuriated Luna to her core.
“OR, we have him trained to help us fight the enemy and stomp away his trama with new ones that guarantee his alliance with us and prove to both the council and I that he can be useful. Either way, he must PROVE himself in order for anything to be done.”
Luna’s eyes widened, on one hoof she was more angry than anything she had ever experienced however on the other she knew her sister well enough that she was telling the brutal truth and the thought of her losing Daniel was enough to stun her into listening to her sister further.
Celestia sighed, seeing the internal struggle plaguing her younger sisters mind. “Sister, believe me I take no joy in this however these are the only choices we have.”
Celestia began to walk once again but, passed the room that contained the boy in question. “The council is currently on other duties however, so you have at least another week to get some kind of case going. As I said I will assist you but, in the end it’s the councils decision. I wish you and that boy the best, try and enjoy the time you have.”
Luna was in a state of shock, she couldn’t move due to the immense pressure now placed on her mind as she thought completely unaware of the fact her sister had taken Daniel’s file in her magic.
*What am I to do, if this comes to pass daniel may be imprisoned, or worse.....* Luna shook her head of the horrific thoughts about to flood her mind.
*NO! I won’t let it come to pass at the very least I want him to live his life in relative peace. I will defend my son till my final breath, no cost is too great.* Luna was about to continue her internal rant when she heard hoof-steps coming into the hallway.
“Princess Luna, I thought you and Celestia were already in your quarters with Daniel.” Vinyl said, slowly walking towards Luna while levitating a large platter of food from the mess hall.
Luna shook her head and forced a smile onto her muzzle as she looked at Vinyl. “Yes, well my sister had....duties.... to attend to and had to leave before meeting Daniel.” She stated, trotting up to the door and with her magic opening it slightly,
“Please, come in I-um we could use with some friendly company.” Luna gestured to the room putting a small emphasis on the word ‘friendly’.
Vinyl looked at the princess with a neutral expression, immediately sensing the princesses panicked tone. All she could do was nod and smile, “Yes, of course your highness.” She said, trotting into the room food following close behind her.
Luna was about to drop her smile when she felt a hoof on her shoulder looking down she saw Vinyl giving her a sympathetic smile, which she returned with a small genuine smile of her own as they walked into the room together.
It would be a long night for them both.
———————————————
Celestia had long since left the hallway that she and her sister ‘discussed’ the creature named Daniel and now, she stood in an unknown part of the castle which led to a large laboratory.
“Ah, Princess what brings you back to our lab?” Asked a very old looking unicorn, adorned with a lab coat and glasses.
“Oh...hello doctor, Yes well I have a very serious reason for coming here once again.” Celestia stated seriously, using her magic to levitate a file she had recently been given by her sister and Lunar guard.
The doctor looked at the file curiously, only to look up at her in shock and fear, bowing to the sun goddess for his life. “Y-your highness I-I didn’t realize that we left these behind i-it was my mistake!”
This however was a mistake, because when he did Celestia used her magic to lift the doctor by the neck choking him and, bringing him closer to her.
“This MISTAKE, is now sitting in my sisters bed chambers enjoying a good meal!” She snarled, tightening her magic around the doctors neck.
“P-please y-your majesty I-it won’t happen again.” The doctor choked, those being the only words he could muster.
“I know they won’t....” Celestia said darkly, swiftly snapping the doctors neck effectively killing him.
Dropping the now lifeless body to the floor she turned to a dark corner of the room where dark green eyes looked in the background a witness to the whole scene.
“You know what to do....” Celestia sternly said, turning quickly and walking back into a more known area of the castle.
As she did this the body belonging to the doctor was pulled by a strange magic into the darkness where the dark green eyes were.