//------------------------------//
// Frozen Platinum 
// Story: Ask Not The Sun 
// by LunarSacrament 
//------------------------------//

Celestia walks through a hole in the old Capitol walls, a chill swept over her from muzzle to tail. This was once a great and thriving city built upon magic, the nobility,  and learning. Now it's broken streets and even more broken homes gave it the feel of a large and vast tomb. The wind outside was muted but that only served to make the clack of her hooves even louder in her ears. She could not help but take a moment to admire it however,  for this place was older than even herself, older than the Tree of Harmony. Older than all of Equestria. It’s was from here the line of Platinum began, and was the very last place to see unicorns reign. It showed in the precise and intricate carvings on the stonework arches. And in the few gemstones left sitting in place, a sign of wealth long past. 

She finds a mostly intact home to rest and eat in. The smell of cold and ice joined by that of rotten wood, old tables and chairs most likely. Not a pleasant smell by any stretch but welcome none the less, reminding her more than just snow existed still.



How long have I been gone? she wonders, for she has stopped counting days. Stopped feeling for the passing of sun to moon. For it made her heart ache for her sister. She hopes both Luna and Moonstone are well…or is it Moonshine? She can't remember… It should frighten her, that she has forgotten, but it does not. Celestia has long resigned herself to the idea she will never return home. What would it even be like? She does not remember the feel of a bed, or even the feel of warm air in her lungs. It doesn't matter, all that matters is Twilight. If I do this I might see her again.

Celestia shakily makes it back on her hooves and heads for the center of the city, the Castle Platinum. 



Clack, clack, clack! That was much louder than it should have been. She stops and listens, silence. Nothing but her heart beat in her ears. No wind, not even muted and distant anymore. Celestia’s heart begins to race, thump-thump, thump-thump, so very loud. Quiet, you foolish thing! The thought is frantic. Every instinct within tells her to run, run until sound returns to the world. But she presses on, ignoring it and her far too loud steps, her heart hammering like a drum in her chest. Her body singing a song of pure fear.

Finally with steps feeling heavy as lead the great walls of the Castle come into view, and surrounding it the largest group of Feeders she has ever seen. All are unicorns, the dead of the city, mares, stallions and foals alike. Her ears drop as fear permeates her entire being. No…No! How am I to get past this Twilight!? They will tear me apart! The anguish is almost to much to endure. To have come so far, so close! The Sunstone grows warm against her chest. Extra magic…oh Spike, thank you. It's risky, oh so very risky and Celestia is so very tired. But it should- no it must be enough. 

Carefully she shuffles forward. She must get close for the plan to work. Mere feet away she stomps her hooves against the ground, emitting a sound like thunder in the deafening silence. All frozen grotesque eyes turn toward her, growls and shambling cracking movements.

Her horn ignites, the Sunstone glows like the sun itself, and from her horn spews a torrent of fire. Burning, and blazing through the chilly wind, melting all in its path. It strikes the contingent of Feeders, roaring through their bodies. Howling unnatural screams rising in its wake. With what little strength she has left Celestia follows her fire at a gallop. Tearing, sliding and slipping through the broken gates of the Castle, she uses the very last bit of extra magic to tear down the stonework above. Trapping herself within. 



The Sunstone no longer glows, its warmth gone. She heaves in desperate, tired breaths. It's dark inside, the only light faint from high windows with no glass to fill them. Her heart slowly calms, she breathes in slow, deep, lets it out even slower. 

There is still no sound other than herself as she carefully makes her way through the old halls. The Throne Room can't be far, I'm almost there Twilight!



The doors to the Throne Room are impressively large, carvings of Princess Platinum herself on each. They are also shut tight. Celestia raises shaking onto her back legs, slamming against them with all of her might. They do not budge. She feels hot, burning tears slide down her muzzle. Leaning uselessly against the right door. Please, please open, I must get through! Please it's all she has ever asked of me I must I must! But her desperate thoughts do nothing to sway the cold stone. Anger, hotter than her tears, hotter than fire rushes through her from the tip of her hooves to her ears. 

“I am Princess Celestia of Equestria and I demand you open to me!” It is the first time in perhaps a century that she has used the Canterlot Voice. 

“Very well, Princess.” A whisper-y voice from beyond the doors calls, in a sneering mocking manner. 

The doors finally give way and she gets a first look at her for. “No!...NO! You cannot…How DARE YOU!” She cries at the tall, regal figure of the Alicorn on the Throne. 

“Hello Auntie Tia!” Says the reclining figure of Princess Mi Amore Cadenza.