//------------------------------// // Downtime // Story: House of Sun // by Riossumari //------------------------------// Luna kept staring at the statue, “Was he really that bad? I only know a little about him, Mom’s only just recently let me into the restricted section of the castle library.” Twilight asked. Luna began to walk away from the statue, Twilight following close. “Twas a powerful a foe, Discord commanded magics the likes my sister and I hath never seen. If not for the elements of harmony we may never have bested him.” Luna said. Twilight thought for a moment, “The elements of harmony? I’ve heard about those before...what are they exactly?” she asked, Luna looked at Twilight a little surprised. “Tia never spoke of them? Surely, she keeps them somewhere safe in the castle?” Twilight shook her head. “Hmmm, perhaps she wanted to keep them secret. So that no pony might abuse their power, We have faith Celestia would not just carelessly leave such powerful magics unguarded.” Luna said as she and Twilight entered the castle. “The elements of harmony are Equestria’s most powerful force, created many centuries ago by StarSwirl the bearded himself. Celestia and I used them to defeat Discord, afterwards we kept them safe in our castle hoping a time to use them again would never come.” Luna stopped for a moment and looked at the ground, her face turning sad. “Then...We did something horrible, something that forced Celestia to...” Twilight put her hoof on Luna’s shoulder and reassured her, “It’s okay, you don’t need to say anymore. You’ve told me more than enough already.” Luna smiled back. “TWILIGHT!” a voice shouted, she turned to see Cadence run up to her and immediately hug her lifting her off the ground. “Cadence! I hate when you pick me up like this!” she snapped, Cadence set Twilight down and smiled back at her. “You’re never gonna believe what happened! I was in town with Spike when we...” Cadence trailed off as she took notice of Luna standing behind Twilight, she gasped covering her mouth her smile visible even behind her hooves. “She’s awake...” she whispered to Twilight, “Here we go...” Twilight thought as she rolled her eyes at Cadence’s excitement. Luna stepped forward looking as proper as possible, “Greetings, we are most pleased to meet thee.” she held out her hoof to greet Cadence. “Strangers shake hooves, family hugs!” Cadence said as she hugged Luna tight, Luna was taken by surprise by her excitement. “Oh, of course...my apologies. We did not mean to offend.” she replied, Cadence stepped back and looked at Twilight and Luna confused. “We?” Twilight laughed as Luna blushed a little, “She’s been gone a thousand years, she just needs some help readjusting. I was hoping you’d help with that Cadence.” Twilight said. Cadence smiled and eagerly agreed, she was looking forward to spending time with her aunt. Before Cadence could say another word though Spike leapt onto her back covering her mouth, “Don’t you say it! Don’t you say another word Cadence!!!” he shouted as Cadence staggered around trying to get him off of her. Luna gasped in shock her gaze turning angry, “Foul creature release her this instance! Tis, a member of the royal family you assault!” Luna announced, a dark blue aura enveloping Spike and lifting him into the air. “No, wait! It’s okay! That’s Spike!” Twilight frantically explained, Luna looked at Twilight then Cadence who nodded in agreement. “Oh...um, nice to meet you finally. I’m Spike, but you already know that I guess.” he said as he floated upside down in the air. Luna gently set Spike down onto his feet, “Oh...my apologies, We did not recognize you.” she said. A moment of awkward silence slowly filled the hall before Twilight spoke up. “So what was it you were trying to tell me before Cadence?” Twilight asked, Cadence went to speak but Spike stepped in front of her pointing at her an angry scowl on his face. She let out an annoyed sigh and leaned down towards Spike, “Alright, but you owe me. And I want all the details if something happens, deal?” she whispered. Spike rolled his eyes and whispered back, “Fine, deal.” he shook her hoof in agreement and then waved goodbye walking off with a smile. Cadence cleared her throat and looked at Luna and Twilight, “So, what was it you wanted my help with Twilight?” she asked. Celestia sat in the meeting room, the royal guard generals and her advisors sat around the table in the center of the room. A large map of Equestria was printed across the table, “So there’s been no word from Queen Novo still?” she asked. One of her generals stepped forward handing Celestia a small folder, “No you’re highness, and the Storm King’s occupation of Mt. Aris continues. If left unchecked I’m afraid his forces may grow bold enough to move on Klugetown. If that happens your highness, the Storm would be in the ideal position to make an attack Equestria itself.” he explained. Celestia looked over the papers she had been handed, the Storm King had only risen to power a few years ago but was always content with the island nation he had. What made him so bold she wondered, “It seems I have little choice now, dispatch a small military force towards the southern borders. And continue to monitor the Storm King’s forces, engaging the enemy is to be an absolute last resort. If possible I would prefer to negotiate a cease fire rather than subject every pony to another war.”The soldiers quickly dispersed as Celestia sat by herself in the room, she looked over the map and thought about who she could turn to for allies. As peaceful as Equestria was she had made little effort to better relationships with the other creatures of Eqeustria other than the Hippogryphs, and they were in hiding now. Was war inevitable? She thought, she’d just gotten her sister back and she’d kept Equestria safe for a thousand years, what could she do now that she hadn’t already? Spike paced outside of Canterlot Carousel nervously a small bouquet of sunflowers in his hand, “So, um...Sweetie Belle, I was just passing by and I thought maybe you’d like these flowers I had just lying around?” he said. He shook his head and thought, “Hey Sweetie, got you some flowers.” he said pointing at the air rehearsing. He face palmed and groaned annoyed, he realized he’d been pacing outside for more then twenty minutes now. He took a deep breath and finally approached the door knocking on it, he stepped back and smiled, standing up straight. The door opened to reveal an older unicorn with a curled purple mane in the doorway, Spike’s smile faded. “Wow...she’s gorgeous...”he thought, he shook his head angrily. “NO! Your here for Sweetie Belle!” he thought. “Is there something I can help you with darling? I’m afraid the boutique is going to be closed for at least another day.” she said. Spike cleared his throat and smiled again, “I was wondering, if maybe, Sweetie Belle was here?” he asked holding up the flowers in his hand. The unicorn gave him a coy smile and looked behind her, “Sweetie Belle, I believe there’s a young gentledrake caller here for you.” she said. “What’re you talking about Rarity?” Sweetie said as the door opened more to reveal her standing next to Rarity. She looked at Spike seeing the flowers in his hand and smiled, “Spike! Are those for me?” she asked. Rarity walked to the other side of the room and sat down leaning against a table smiling while watching the two. Spike handed her the flowers blushing a little bit, “I thought it would be nice to see you again is all.” he said. Sweetie hugged the bouquet tight, “There so pretty, and they smell nice too.” she said. “So umm, are you doing anything tomorrow? I thought maybe we could go get some ice cream or something.” he asked, Sweetie looked up but then her face turned sad. “I’d like to, but...I’m only here today with my parents to help Rarity move her stuff. We’re going back to Ponyville tomorrow morning.” she replied, Rarity stood upright her expression getting concerned as she listened to the two talk. Spike also became upset as he heard the news, “Oh...I see.” he said. The two sat silent before Sweetie spoke up, “But we can still write to each other, right? Being pen pals is still good, isn’t it?” Spike smiled, “Well, yeah of course it is! And it’s not like I can’t come see you eventually right?” he replied, Sweetie nodded in agreement. Rarity watched the two talk and began to think to herself, “I can’t let this end here, its so adorable. Sweetie Belle has a crush on some pony. Worse yet, what if this is the love of her life? Am I just going to sit by and let it end this way? No! I refuse to let that happen.” Rarity stood up and walked into the back of her shop, her parents unloading the last of the boxes containing her things in the backroom. She walked up a smile on her face and asked “Mom, Dad, I was wondering if I could ask you something. About Sweetie Belle...”