//------------------------------//
// Standing Before the Night Court 
// Story: Per Speculum in Aenigmate 
// by Shrouded Lunes 
//------------------------------//

To say I was seething would be like saying Celestia raised the sun. My horn itched like crazy. And, if the magic dampener at its base wasn't a constant reminder of my capture, then the assortment of guardsponies around me certainly would be.

But now was not the time to let my anger control me. Now was the time to scheme. Thus far, it seems as though Vice Principal Luna's counterpart seems to be in charge. If the Vice Principal was any indication, that meant I was going to be up against someone very logic-driven. And given the wards around the mirror, as well as this massive guard presence, that certainly seemed to be the case.

'Something has happened here. And I aim to find out what...'

I blinked slightly as one of the guard's nudged my forward. Was I really even remotely curious about what was going on back home? I came here to get the tools to burn this place to the ground and rule it in Celestia's place. So, shouldn't I be working with whoever might be looking to depose her? Shouldn't I be thanking this Princess Luna if she did just that?

"Come on, keep a move on, Bright Light!"

I grumbled slightly. "I'm going, I'm going. Throne room, right? I know the way."

I looked behind me at the Night Guard that was goading me. He seemed a little unnerved that I knew where we were headed. In fact, so did most of the guards. What? Surely the castle had been open to the public, even if just for going to the throne room for Day Court. It shouldn't be that hard to figure out one's way...





"You will speak when spoken to. Keep your answers clear and concise. And, if the Princess is feeling merciful, maybe a terrorist scum like yourself will see the rising of another moon."

I was really beginning to hate that guard pony. No questions asked, he took his job seriously. Probably a fresh recruit on his first assignment. I watched as the forward guards opened the large doors into the throne room and couldn't help but gasp slightly. There were no indications of Celestia's cutie mark anywhere, only a white crescent moon on black starscape that I presume must have belonged to Princess Luna.

"Your Highness, General, we have brought the prisoner, as you requested." I felt my forelegs knocked out from under myself, forcing me to practically fall into a bow as the rest of the guards knelt.

"Thank you, Private. You may leave."

"B-But, General..."

"We will not state Our demands a second time, Private Chaser. Leave."

The guards nodded sheepishly, quickly retreating and leaving me in the middle of the throne room. I looked up in confusion, watching as this unknown Princess descended towards me. It was only then that I noticed another alicorn in the room, the purple replacement Celestia had found for me. My blood started to boil once more, being reminded of my original goals... only to feel them falter slightly as I felt a wing wrap around my barrel. I'd gotten tunnel vision, completely focused on the new alicorn that I'd somehow lost track of the biggest threat.

"We have missed you, dear Sunset."

'Wait, what?'

I blinked in confusion. I'd never met this princess in my life, so how could she claim to miss me?

"When you disappeared all those centuries ago and never returned, We were certain that you had died."

'OK, really. What's going on here?!'

My mind started to whirl a little. I'd only been gone a few years. Even accounting for the apparent temporal disassociation between the two planes, I should only have been gone for a decade. Maybe two. But certainly not decades.

"We are afraid that We have some foul news about your mother, dear Sunset. Though, it pains us to say this."

My mother died shortly after I got accepted into Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns. So, why would she just now be having foul news? If anypony here was like a mother to me, or at least had become like one, then it would have been Celestia. And there is NO way I'm going to be calling her 'Mother Dearest' any time soon.

"Mother... N-Now might not be a good time..."

'So, the little usurper is this Princess's daughter, then?'

I steeled my expressions once more, looking towards Princess Luna. The more I learned about what was going on, the better I could formulate a plan.

"After you disappeared into the portal, Our sister became greatly distraught."

'Sister?'

"When the days turned to weeks, she retreated to her room, seeking the least amount of interaction possible."

'Vice Principal Luna announced herself as Principal Celestia's sister, didn't she?'

My poker face must have been failing. The mix of rage and confusion that I felt swirling in my stomach surely must have been showing, given the worried look I was noticing on the purple alicorn's face.

"When We tried reaching out to her, We regret that We were too late. She was too far gone in her grief, calling herself Daybreaker. She attempted to wrestle control of the diarchy from Us, claiming to need no other beside her. There were none that shone as bright as her, she swore. None but her lost daughter."

'She is not suggesting...'

"Whatever providence brings you before Us today, Sunset Shimmer, We are most happy you have returned now. Your mother's thousand years of banishment comes to an end in but a few short days."

'WHAT?!'

The world started to spin, ever so slightly. This was too much. Equestria had gone made since I was last here, that was the only explanation. Or, this was some elaborate, crazed Pony Fool's Day prank in the complete wrong month. My mouth was dry as I opened it to speak, barely squeaking out my words.

"Princess Celestia is..."

I noticed Luna smile as she cut me off.

"It pleases Us to know you still desire to refer to your mother by her crowned name."

The world faded to black at that remark.





I blinked awake, laying on the very comfortable bed. At first, I thought I had the most lucid dream I'd ever had in my life. But it was ridiculous. The idea that I would return to Equestria, only to discover that Celestia was my mother? And that she had gone power hungry and mad after my departure? That made no sense at all. I mean, I remember reading the pleading messages from her in our journal, begging me to return home. It was almost a nightly letter for weeks, if not months. Eventually they stopped... Was it... Could it have been because she'd finally gone mad?

"Ah, you're awake. Just a moment, I'll go get the Princess."

I watched as a maid rushed out of the room. An Equestrian maid. Meaning I was in Equestria. So, at the very least, coming through the portal had been a reality. Just how much of the rest of true would have to wait until later to sort out, as I heard the doors to the room I was in once again open to reveal Princess Luna.

"We are terribly sorry, dear niece. We thought it best to bring you up to speed quickly, what with your banished mother's ever-approaching return. Clearly it was too much for you all at once."

"Ya think?"

My hoof quickly snapped to my snout, smacking a bit harder than I had intended. Having hands instead of hooves for so long, I had forgotten how much certain actions could hurt. But, whether it bothered Princess Luna, she gave no sign. She simply smiled and continued to talk.

"We will discuss this more tomorrow, as you clearly need time to rest and process everything you have been told today. We have but one question We wish to ask before leaving so that you may retire for the evening, dear niece. What happened to your wings?"