-2-
The group of unicorns summoned by Celestia’s will was still gathered in the throne room. It was sometime after dusk, and although the orange and pink colors of the setting sun still provided light, the majority came from the torches in the room.
Starfall watched several of the unicorns were shuffling out, but a few remained. Bastion, a fellow teacher of his was one of them. A red pony with a mane like the embers of a fire- Dynasty- also remained.
As for the others? He had forgotten their names by now, and didn’t quite care to recall them. They were here, so it seemed as though he had their attention. As expected.
The hours before hand had been filled with debate on how to run Equestria in Celestia’s stead. While their first words were heated, they managed to simmer to a less excited debate. They had been told that they were powerful enough as a group to raise the sun and the moon, provided enough time to recover between such magic. In Luna’s obvious state of mourning, they were to assist her by raising both sun and moon. In time, they would relinquish the moon to her, and later still, the sun. Starfall disagreed with that.
They further talked about the affairs of the Kingdom. To ensure Luna would be able to fulfill her duties as sole ruler, she would be advised by their same council. They would start by taking care of the normal decisions of governance and teach Luna these tasks so she would eventually take over. Despite this wish, Starfall was vehemitly opposed to letting somepony take over without many years of experience, and as far as he was concerned, Luna had none.
Protection of the kingdom had also fallen to them. Many strange and dangerous creatures still roamed unchecked in the wild parts of the world. While these areas were regularly patrolled, one thousand years of harmony seemed a thing of the past, and that it would not continue in Celestia’s absence without new guards and a more prepared force of ponies. Starfall agreed, but was concerned that while this was the council’s job, it could be taken back by the princess.
Which made him think, what was this council even for? There were almost no duties that they would retain after a year’s worth of training the foalish Princess, and then years more of blunder and disaster from her under their watchful eyes. Not to mention, the failure in leadership after they were dismissed would destroy everything they would slave to fix. Plus, her past spoke poorly of her acceptance by the world at large. Who could trust a Princess who once wished to be their tyrant? Not even a thousand years on the moon would change his mind. No, something needed to be done, and these were the foals who were smart enough to join him.
“Starfall, perhaps it would be a good time to become acquainted with each other?”
“Indeed,” he replied, “I do believe I was quite open about my opinions and goals during the meeting, but I have not learned nearly as much from any of you. Except Bastion, of course.” Bastion lowered his head at the praise, “and your name was...?”
“Guiding Light.” The mare bowed before Starfall, “I am from Germaney. Although I do not have much input, I do agree with your concerns. As do the rest of us gathered here.” There were some nods.
Starfall smiled casually. Not only had he won over a group of Unicorns, he had inspired them to begin forming on their own. He looked around the room. The rest of the guard was gone, as well as the other ponies that were present. “Oh?” He tried.
Bastion stepped forward, adjusting his coat, “We are willing to assist you in taking action. Princess Luna is not entitled to the throne. It would be as if Nightmare Moon had won long ago, if the Princess turned back into her now.”
“There is no way to take action quite yet. We may be displeased with our current situation, but it is the only one on short notice,” Starfall argued.
“Perhaps not,” Guiding Light countered.
Starfall raised his eyebrow in apprehension - and worry. He had wanted action, but he would have preferred to have it happen subtly. Not so openly and so soon. Though on the other hand, the longer they waited, the more likely Nightmare Moon would come and destroy their plans.
Conflicted, he watched as the red mare, Dynasty, opened the doors to the chamber. In walked in one of the guards, bowing his head to her before entering. She closed the door and followed close behind the guard until he stopped in front of Guiding Light.
“May I present to you the second in command of the Royal Guard. Lieutenant Storm Chaser.”
The guard bowed, “Lieutenant is sufficient.” Starfall acknowledged him with a nod.
“The Lieutenant’s brother was in Ponyville during Nightmare Moon’s return. He was with those that tried to apprehend her.”
“He died a week later because of her.” Lieutenant snorted, “That haughty princess must not be allowed to have the throne. My brother died to protect us from her alter-ego. Allowing Princess Luna to have that throne would betray all that he died for.”
Starfall looked on with confusion, “You are but one of the guard. The others will-”
“Only a few respect Princess Celestia’s decision. I can convince most of them to join us. I have done so with the captains already.”
Starfall bit his tongue. This was too well orchestrated, nopony could have pulled this off in a few hours. “See what you can do,” he started cautiously. Control was key, “We will meet before dawn, to assist Luna with the sun. I will decide on how and when to strike.”
The other ponies nodded and each took a bow before him. As they left the chamber through their respective exits, a wicked smile played on his face. The alicorn would suffer for her sins... and he had an idea on how.
--*--
The moon could barely be seen behind the clouds that plagued the sky. A gloom hung over Canterlot following behind a lone figure in the clouds. Princess Luna sat above the haze, staring into the stars above. Her light colored hair flowed behind her, underlining the crescent moon in the center of the sky. The wind that carried it ruffled her coat, trying to stab at her with the cold winter air.
She stretched her body out onto the cloud and buried her head in her hooves. While she was still wrought with grief, she had no tears left to shed for her sister.
Why? She thought, Why did you have to leave now, of all times? Couldn’t you have pushed it back for a few hundred years? Luna shook her head. She know that the Eversleep was never predictable. You knew when the time came, that it was upon you. She would know.
“Princess?” came a voice from behind her. Luna felt a soft landing on the cloud behind her, accompanied by the jingling of pieces of armor.
“Yes, Sky Shroud?” She asked. Her hooves dug into the cloud as she lifted herself to look at him.
“I wanted to let you know that the time for the Coronation has been set. After dawn you will be required to sit in the throne to accept the crown.”
A long pause passed between the two of them. Luna’s gaze passed to the moon above her, which was slowly inching its way towards the horizon. Sky Shroud shifted in place, a bit nervous, and paranoid from the conversation after Celestia’s will. He had been preoccupied with it all day, fulfilling requests and duties within the will. He had to go all around Canterlot for supplies and services, and even out to other towns just to complete specific requests. The more free time he had between mindless tasks, the worse his anxiousness became.
“Is there something else, Sky Shroud?” Luna spoke again, moving her eyes to lock with his. Pain was reflected in her eyes. She couldn’t handle another betrayal, not even from somepony she barely knew.
Sky Shroud trotted to her side, “I am... uncomfortable with the council. I fear that they will simply use their new powers to enhance their personal goals and desires.”
Luna rested her head against his side. “It will be fine.” She didn’t quite believe that herself, but she was willing to trust her sister. Celestia only wanted the best for her, even if her banishment was a blemish on that record. “I trust my sister’s decision.”
Sky Shroud nodded. “Yes, Princess.”
Luna giggled a little. Sky Shroud was still too formal for her tastes but she found it amusing. She spread her wings and walked to the edge of the cloud she was on. “Please accompany me to the castle Sky Shroud.” She lifted off of the cloud, “And thank you.”
“As you wish, your highness.” He trotted to the edge and took to the sky, side by side with Princess Luna.
The rest of the evening passed uneventfully. There was a nervous air among the denizens of the castle as dawn began to show its beautiful colors on the horizon. The castle’s many cooks walked from their homes to the kitchen in the castle, filling the air with the scents of fresh fruit. The newly appointed advisors began to move through their guest chambers to the throne room. All throughout, Sky Shroud guarded the Princess as she roamed the halls for her coronation and burial rites for her sister.
He was nervous - clearly so. Not once did he pay attention to anything but Princess Luna and her safety. A few pots fell in the kitchens and he rushed to her side like a foal. Anypony else would have looked first. The princess just giggled at his actions, but he thought very little of it.
Eventually they made their way to the throne room, standing outside the doors until the appropriate time that they would enter in procession.
“Princess? Where is your crown?” Sky Shroud whispered.
“Oh. It was needed for the coronation ceremony, so I had to relinquish it. Only for a little while.” She smiled sheepishly. Sky Shroud could tell she was barely holding it together.
He nodded in understanding. But that made him paranoid. Who had her crown? Would it be enchanted with evil magic?
The doors opened and he was jarred from his thoughts by the procession of trumpets that ushered them into the room. Guards stood on either end of the red carpet that they walked upon, each with a crossbow in hoof. Before Sky Shroud was able to react, the guards moved their crossbows into a firing position aimed above Princess Luna's head. They fired, and as the bolts got closer burst in to showers of rose petals that fell all around them. Surrounding the throne was the Council of Sun and Moon, all dressed in their finest clothes. Sky Shroud eased a little as the guards reloaded once more. When Luna reached the front, she sat in the chair. The council shuffled around to stand before her, Starfall in the front. The guards behind Luna aimed high in the air and fired.
There was a loud bang as the bolts turned into fireworks, spreading light into the chamber. Sky Shroud watched them reload and then turn to attention. He didn't like that, though he assumed it was for afterwards.
Starfall stepped to the front of the hall. "Fillies and gentlecolts. We are gathered here on a somber day, for a wonderful and joy filled celebration. As the last alicorn in all the land, Princess Luna, you are the only heir to the Kingdom of Equestria. As such, you will be required to take on all of the duties that the title entails. Are you willing to take Celestia's place, which she has left for you?"
Luna smiled, "I am."
He looked to the left of Luna. Standing there was a guard in silver and black armor adorned with trinkets of gold, bearing the royal seal of Equestria. His mane and tail were a brilliant golden yellow, and his coat a light silver-gray.
"And do you, Captain Ironhoof, Commander of those sworn to protect the leaders of Equestria, and the country they serve, pledge to continue serving until blade, bane, or old age take you."
“I do." The captains voice was rough and rolled over the room like passing thunder.
"Then by the power vested in the council by Princess Celestia, reaffirm your crown, unless any pony wishes a challenge." He lowered the crown onto Luna's head with his magic, adjusting it slowly. He readied his magic to be cut loose, "as representative of the peoples will, I hold peace... No longer."
Luna was immediately assailed by pain emanating from the crowd closing her eyes and falling to the floor. She quickly filled the crown with her magic, causing it to explode. Before her eyes opened, she was able to hear several soft thuds from in front of her.
Sky Shroud stood valiantly with more than ten different crossbow bolts lodged in his body. Dizziness began to take hold, blood leaking from each wound. A few guards rushed in fron of him to protect Luna, blocking or taking another volley of bolts. Captain Ironhoof moved towards Starfall, drawing a knife from beneath the armor hanging above his neck. It left him exposed and the Leutenant filled the gap with a bladed wing, cutting across the Captain's neck.
"Nightmare Moon will never rise again to threaten Equestria! Destroy Luna! Destroy the betrayer!" Starfall shouted.
Sky Shroud felt the adrenaline kick in and grant him strength despite the loss of blood. He nudged Luna to wards the windows, the other guards fighting for the retreat, or clearing a path for the escape.
"No!" The husky unicorn shouted. He popped in front of Luna and Sky Shroud gathering magic around the remaining protectors. Another unicorn popped into the group binding her magic to the group and hurling spells at the attackers. She was overwhelmed by the forces she controlled and a perfect shot dropped her to the ground.
The room exploded with arcane energy shattering support beams and sending floor tiles into the attackers. Dust billowed into the room covering the sunshine and commotion from any kind of observation.
"Clear the hall!" Starfall shouted. Angry fervor consumed him from those who did not support his mission.
Wings beat furiously to push the smoke out into the clouded sky. The other council members used their magic to increase the speed the guards were beating their wings.
Eventually the dust billowed from the room leaving behind the bodies of fallen combatants and the stains of blood from the melee. Only one of those bodies belonged to a unicorn.
Starfall screamed in frustration using his magic to hurl some of the tiles at the corpses.
"Perhaps we should clean this now so we can induct the true ruling council?" Lieutenant offered.
Starfall eased slightly. "By noon," he said.
"Yes, sir."
--*--
The storm over Ponyville picked up it's fervor dropping snow and ice onto the town. With the weather patrol just doing their best just to keep the storm from getting worse, there was no one able to keep up to with the snow on the ground and the houses.
Most ponies were simply trying to enjoy a day at home with their families. Mothers and fathers played with board games with their fillies or colts, trying to forget the events of yesterday. But in the library, Twilight had fallen asleep face first in a book sprawled out on the floor. Ink was spilled out all over the floor, partially dried on the wood and on some of the table nearby.
A muffled snap startled her from her unintentional sleep, and she looked around mumbling incoherently. She noticed the ink on the floor and groaned. Magic covered her horn and cleaning supplies flew into the room from the kitchen.
Outside, the source of the noise was surrounded by a newly scorched hole in the snow. The hot dirt sizzled, bellowing steam into the air. In the center stood Luna, Sky Shroud, the assisting unicorn, and two guards, each with a bloodied weapon in their teeth.
“We must hurry Princess,” the unicorn stallion panted. It was clear that a spell like that was not one he could repeat without rest. Sweat beaded on his coat started to freeze in the temperatures. With the guards on either end he lifted Sky Shroud and began a careful trot to the nearest building.
Luna flew ahead pounding her hooves on the door, “Please help! We need help!” Her voice wavered between bursting into tears.
Twilight shot up into the air at the unexpected noise and bolted across the room to the door. She yanked it open, “What’s happ- Princess Luna?”
Without a second thought she entered, “No time. Get whatever medical material you can get your hooves on.”
“Why, wha- oh Celestia.” Luna’s other companions entered the room with Sky Shroud, blood dripping all over the floor.
Twilight flung what ever books were around to the farthest corner of the room and trotted into the bathroom. In the meantime, Luna used her magic to remove the armor around Sky Shroud’s body, placing it to one side. Sky Shroud began coughing.
“Stay with us, comrade.” The grey unicorn said softly. He had retrieved a wet washcloth from the kitchen. It dabbed at the area around the crossbow bolts wiping the dried blood from his coat.
“Stormbreaker... Luna... It’s too late for me now,” he managed speech in soft tones. His body was losing feeling fast. Darkness began to shade his eyes.
“Sky Shroud...” Luna began. Even in his last moments he could see the pain of betrayal in her eyes; the doubt, the second guessing... it was all leading to tragedy.
“Do not lose heart, your majesty.” Sky Shroud used whatever energy he had left to keep clear words, “If you do, you will prove Starfall right. That wouldn’t be who... I died... to save...” His eyes closed fully now, and his last breaths came slower. He opened them slightly, raising one hoof to Luna’s own. He could see Twilight working whatever magic she had into the wounds. Luna was crying now, but he smiled and looked her in the eye. “You wouldn’t be... the one... I fell in love... with...”
Luna continued supporting Twilight with her own magic, but it wasn’t helping. She screamed in her head knowing that she had let down a friend... a friend who had loved her. She grabbed his hand. “Sky Shroud... don’t leave me. Please...”
His eyes closed once more, and he slipped from the world into eternal sleep.
Everypony watched her sob in silence, each lowering their gaze to their fallen friend. Twilight was the first to move, sitting besides the princess. Unsure, she tried to comfort her, placing her neck underneath Luna’s. For a moment nothing happened, and Twilight was scared she had done something wrong. But Luna lowered her head onto her shoulder, burying her face in Twilight’s mane.
The tension eased slightly, and the guards went about cleaning the mess of blood and fur on the floor. It was a slow process as much of the damage had soaked into the wooden floor. A clean white sheet slowly materialized above the body from the magic Stormbreaker weaved. With Stormbreaker exhausted and Princess Luna barely active, they took frequent breaks so that he could recover.
By the tine they had finished preparing his body it was already dusk. The storm outside had finally been cleared. Through the clear skies, the bells of far off Canterlot rang, signaling the new leadership had taken their place. Outside the weather patrol was already cleaning snow off of the roofs having them fall in heavy loads below.
Rainbow Dash was on her last stop before going home to sleep: Twilight's House. She had gone first to Fluttershy's cabin, knowing that she was too far out of the way for normal snow control. It didn't take too long to clear the snow off which allowed her a chance to try to find Applejack. There was no need to worry as she and Big Mac were plowing the road into town.
When her feet touched down outside of the library, she immediately regretted not going there first. The ground behind the library was absolutely destroyed. A solid trail of red stained the snow leading to the front door. Her mind went into overdrive: Was somepony hurt? Did Twilight get hurt doing magic? Did somepony else try to hurt Twilight?
She sped around the library and plowed down the front door. "Twilight are you- ok...?"
Just entering the room was Twilight, a towel being shuffled around her mane. She stared at the pegasus for a moment, then turned her gaze at the door beneath her feet. "Uh, Rainbow Dash?
Her words spurred the rainbow pegasus into action, lifting the door back onto it's hinges, closing it quietly. "You're not hurt? But what about the trail of blood outside, and the crazy magical duel you had?"
"Rainbow, you're starting to sound like Pinkie. There was no fight, at least not here anyway." Her ears flattened to her head.
"So... what about the crater outside?"
"Look, I'll explain later. Now's really not a good time. Especially after what happened."
Rainbow Dash raised an eyebrow at that. Twilight was practically bawling louder than Luna was yesterday when... "I dunno Twilight. You were practically gone after the procession yesterday."
Twilight had no reasonable way out of that explanation. The letter was very specific about her silence. "I cant really explain why. I'm sorry."
There was a brief silence between them. The emptiness of the room was a huge contrast to half an hour ago. A light knock at the door broke the silence. The door swung open, and Rainbow turned to leave.
"Princess Luna?" she said in bewilderment.
She looked at her for a moment in confusion. “You’re the Element of Loyalty. Your name was..”
“Rainbow Dash,” the violet mare butted in. “Listen Rainbow, the Princess and I need to discuss something in private. Celestia wrote a letter to me before she died and judging by what’s going on, its imperative that I get information from her.”
Luna looked at the two of them, wincing at the mention of her sister.
“Oh, and you don’t think any of us are important enough to know what you’re up to? Or that we aren’t nearly as hurt as you are by what happened?!”
Luna bit her lip and backed into the wall by the door, “Celly’s not... she’s still...”
The words bit deep into Twilight. Her rage began to boil over, “You have no idea what I’m going through! You weren’t practically raised by her, or even taught like her! I LOVED HER LIKE MY OWN MOTHER!”
Twilight lunged at Rainbow, slamming her into the door. Rainbow beat her wings and kicked off of the door sending Twilight flying into the bookcase. She zoomed across the room, but Twilight was expecting it. The only thing Rainbow saw was a blur of violet before two hooves connected with her chest. While the pegasus was trying to recover, Twilight leaped on top of her, pinning her to the floor.
“Stop.” Luna said with very little conviction. Her mind was racing. Using magic to break the fight might hurt one of them. But she had to do something. The two ponies rolled into the writing desk, knocking the contents all over the floor beside them.
“STOP THIS!” Luna shouted.
The two of them stopped. They panted heavily, and Twilight was close to crying again. Twilight looked horrified at what she had done and backed up into the wall. “Oh no. I didn’t... no, but...” she babbled on.
Rainbow stood shakily a similar expression of shock on her face. “Its... its ok, Twilight. I’m sorry.”
“No, no. It’s not okay... I just hit you. I wanted to h.... No, no, no, Celestia no.”
Luna walked across the room to Twilight as she stood paralyzed. A sound crack resided in the room, and Twilight slumped to the floor. “Snap out of it, Twilight Sparkle. At least twenty other ponies lost their lives today over Celestia’s foalish thought that anyone would trust me like she did. If I could wake her up, I would do it now, but she’ll be sleeping for the next thousand years.”
The hoof mark glowed a bright red under Twilight’s coat. She teared up and shied away from Luna, fearing another blow was coming. Instead, the alicorn simply kneeled in front of her and nuzzled her in apology. Twilight accepted it in kind, crying into her shoulder softly.
Rainbow Dash looked at Luna for a moment.
“She’s not really dead Rainbow Dash,” the Princess said once more, “She’s fallen into the Eversleep.”