//------------------------------// // Epilogue // Story: Lunaverse: Galaxy Rangers - Eternal Night // by Rixizu //------------------------------// “Thanks for coming to visit me, Spike,” Celestia said behind her glass window. In other booths, ponies conversed with their loved ones and friends, taking comfort in their presence. “Well, sure, princess.” Spike, her most faithful servant, said. “You’d get lonely otherwise.”  The dragon had visited her as often as possible, without fail. Celestia had always admired his loyalty towards her. While she adored Spike, Celestia often feared his attachment came from Stockholm Syndrome rather than genuine affection. During their first meeting, Celestia had treated him like a personal slave. After regaining her senses, she’d begun treating him better in a desperate hope to fix her misdeeds. It had patched up their relationship, but Celestia’s doubts and guilt remained. She hoped his feelings were real. Spike was her best friend. “How’s your new job going? Being the princess’s royal scribe sounds tough.” It was her dragon friend’s job to transcribe the minutes during meetings. His claws made him a quick writer.  Spike sighed. “The usual. Countless meetings and countless squabbling politicians. The Equestrian Parliament hardly seems different from the Night Court.” Celestia chuckled. “I’m not surprised. Ponies are still ponies. But it’s nice to leave the nobility hierarchy behind. It was a stable and useful system a thousand years ago, but it’s an antiquated system of government today. I am reading good things about Cadance’s abilities. She’s an excellent mediator.” The love princess has a talent for getting ponies to speak to each other despite the sharp contrast to their political beliefs. Something that usually required Celestia to pull some teeth with a sledgehammer to accomplish. Her sister had denied grooming the Cavallian princess to replace her one day, but she didn’t fool Celestia. She’d proven popular with the dignitaries from other nations also. Though, her work was cut out for her. The minotaurs weren’t pleased about her sister mad grab for absolute power, and the zebras were offended that Nightmare Moon had almost destroyed the sun, an object that they’d considered sacred.  “Yeah, I’m impressed with her, too. Though she won’t stop trying to hook me up with one of the new governors. Says we’d be an excellent match. She’s such a shameless matchmaker. I swear, she’s trying to hook up one half of her new government with the other!” They shared a laugh at this. “Maybe you should give it a shot. Cadance has excellent taste.” “No way! You’re the only pony I need, Celestia!” Spike replied. Despite herself, red burned on Celestia’s cheeks. Oh dear, she never realized how much she meant to him. She shifted uncomfortably, unsure how to accept that revelation.  Celestia coughed, embarrassed. “How about Trixie? Is she adjusting well to her new princess?”  “Oh, that?” Spike’s lips twisted into a smirk. “It’s super awkward between the two of them. Cadance is trying to be patient, but the Red Ranger’s abrasive, blunt nature gets on her nerves. Trixie’s trying to be nice, but it isn’t exactly working.” Celestia laughed. “Oh, dear.” “One subject they’ve often clashed about is you, princess,” Spike said. “Trixie doesn’t trust you and thinks your prison isn’t secure enough. Says you're given too much freedom and that you’re up to something.” “That’s Trixie for you.”  The Red Ranger’s paranoia was legendary. Of course, she was right, but Celestia would enact her schemes after Trixie’s lifetime. She contented herself with remaining in prison for a couple of decades. Clashing against the Galaxy Rangers had proven futile. Best to allow them to live their natural lives. Celestia had years to spare. Besides, after what happened to Luna, she deserved this punishment. Nightmare Moon was only meant to cause some mischief and discredit her sister, not threaten the entire world. Celestia was happy to endure her sentencing, for she truly deserved it. Despite everything, Luna deserved better.  “Cuffs, thank you for allowing me to speak with Spike longer than what regulation allows,” Celestia said to her guard after her visiting season had ended.  “It isn’t a problem, princess.” Cuffs replied, a grin on her face. “You deserve a reward for your good behavior. The warden had his fears, but you haven’t even spoken out of turn. You’re the most well-behaved prisoner I’ve ever had!.” Celestia gave a gentle laugh. “I am a princess. I have standards to fulfill. The warden doesn’t need to worry. My villainous days are long behind me.” Celestia allowed Cuff to lead her back to her cell. Of course, a cell wasn’t the term most ponies would use upon seeing it. It was spacious, with fine furniture sitting on a decorative rug. Several bookshelves lined the wall, filled to the brim with books. Despite her best efforts, catching up on a thousand years of literature wasn’t a simple task. Prison gave her plenty of free time to catch up on modern pop culture.  After waving Cuffs goodbye, she picked up a book containing the stories of Sherlock Hooves. Detective stories had gotten popular since her imprisonment in the sun, and Celestia was hooked. It was a shame the author, Sir Coltan Doyle, died before her freedom. She would have loved to speak at length with him about the character.  Stars shone in the sky when Celestia was ready to retire. She’d made it a habit of making each of her sunrises a spectacle and wanted to look her best, impressing the other prisoners with its artistry. Even the press had taken notice of the ritual, often taking pictures for the national papers. Celestia hid a secret smile. It wouldn’t be long until ponies entirely forgot her stint as Corona. She gazed out the window towards the starry night sky. Her sister’s night was lovely, as usual, though the number of missing stars saddened her somewhat. In her bid to defeat the Galaxy Rangers, she’d used too many of the Star Beasts. They’d eventually repopulate, but that would take many millions of years.  “Yes, it also breaks my heart seeing the night sky so empty.” A voice said, making Celestia jump, turning to discover a white unicorn standing beside her, also gazing out the window. “Greetings,” Celestia said, regathering her wits. “I didn’t see you there. Are you a new member of the prison staff?”  The newcomer appeared nothing like a prisoner or a guard. On her flank were three sparkling diamonds that shone in the dim light.  Instead of answering, the mare continued to gaze out the window. Much to Celestia’s surprise, the mare seemed genuinely heartbroken by the missing stars. Instead of pressing the newcomer, Celestia waited, curious why the mare had broken into her cell.  “No, darling. I came here to see you. My name is Rarity, and we have a grave matter to discuss.” The mare said, turning her attention towards the sun princess. Something about the mare seemed familiar. Then Celestia had it. “Aren’t you a resident of Ponyville? I seem to recall seeing you around.” Rarity beamed. “You honor me, princess. I am the proprietor of Carousel Boutique. I make my living as a dressmaker. Perhaps once you leave prison, you can sample my wares. I make some of the finest dresses in Equestria.” “Is that so? What would a dressmaker want with me?” Rarity returned her gaze back towards the night sky. “A warning.” Celestia blinked. “A warning?” “Oh, my brothers and sisters. You’ve fought so hard, but it’s too late now. The cracks have already begun forming.” “Sorry?” Had a madmare broken into her room? “The Star Beast, do you know what they are?” Rarity asked.  “They are beings of pure energy. Many provide light for planets so they can live.” Celestia replied. “Ponies know little about them beyond that.” “By design.” Rarity said. “Else their great work might become threatened.” “Great work?” “You ponies. You always mess with things you don’t understand.” Rarity’s mood darkened. “Never understanding the consequences if they’re disturbed.” “Who are you?” Celestia asked, becoming weary of her guest. “My name is not something that you ponies would understand. The ancient prophecies speak of a calamity soon to come. While obtuse, they hint the Elements of Harmony will be necessary to stop it. The elders sent me to this planet as a foal to aid the champions when they finally appeared. That was almost three hundred years ago. I am a Star Beast.” “What? But…” “You thought Star Beasts weren’t sapient and only a collection of energy? No, we are very much thinking beings like ponies.” Rarity’s expression hardened. “You stole us from the sky and twisted us into monsters.” “I’m sorry, I didn’t know.” Celestia’s thoughts reeled at this sudden revelation. She’d suspected her sun had a degree of intelligence, but this was beyond anything she’d ever suspected. “If I had known!” Rarity’s face softened. “That is ancient history. I am not here to condemn you. Besides, your actions created our sister Twilight. Even our wisest elders never predicted the emergence of a seventh champion.” “You speak of a calamity? What is it? How can we prepare?” While many considered her a villain, Celestia refused to allow anything to harm her ponies.  “It started the moment you created your first Star Beast monster. We exist not only to bring light into the universe. We also maintain its structure. True, we die, but we prepare another to take our place to maintain the balance. Your massive upheaval has destabilized our universe. Not enough to cause its collapse, but you’ve made the cosmos vulnerable, allowing outsiders to creep inside.” “Like Ithaut-daoth!” Celestia said in sudden realization. The monster had attempted to break into their universe to devour it until the Lyra, the Blue Galaxy Ranger, had stopped it. Rarity nodded. “And made it easier for Q to break its prison. But we fear worse will arrive soon.” What have I done?! Panic set in as Celestia realized the extent of the damage she’d inadvertently caused. She’d never meant for this to happen.  “The Rangers should know about this!” “They will, in time.” Rarity replied. “I’ve done my best to prepare them for the trials ahead. But they still aren’t ready. They will need your assistance if they are to succeed. You know ancient secrets they will need.” “Of course,” Celestia said, nodding. Already, her mind raced through many ancient magics she’d learned about over the millennia.  “They will need your help to restore the balance of the universe.” Much to Celestia’s shock, Rarity’s body began fading right before her eyes. “You wish to redeem yourself for your past sins? Prove it. The entire universe is on the line.” The mare completely disappeared, leaving Celestia all alone.