//------------------------------// // Chapter 8 // Story: A New Dawn // by Foals Errand //------------------------------// Celestia lay beside Twilight’s bed every so often glancing up to check that she was still sleeping fitfully. She glanced over to see Luna covered in sweat, her head resting upon the window. Celestia frowned at her poor baby sister. She had thrown up once the sun had been set. Oh Luna, another thing I will somehow repay you for… if only it wasn’t taking so long to get everything set up. Celestia’s ear flicked at the sound of hooves rushing toward the door and stood up casting a glamor over Luna to make her vanish from sight. She stared at her remaining guard who opened the door before the pony opened it themselves. She frowned to see it was Feather. “Feather? What is it that had you galloping here?” Celestia frowned.  “We have a mole somewhere in the Guard Princess.” He swallowed back the deep breaths he was taking as he levitated a newspaper over to her.  Celestia took it instantly within her magic and frowned. Luna hasn’t left mine nor Twilight’s side since the spell was cast this morning. And I highly doubt she would have… She trailed off as she read the full article. “No, no mole in the guard, just an idiot nephew who is incapable of keeping his muzzle shut it seems.” She shook her head, the newspaper going up into a controlled flame falling to the floor nothing but cool ashes. “Alright, how is the populace reacting?” “It uh, could be worse? I mean luckily no pony believes the world is ending or anything?” He paused “well, at least not that I saw. But, the sun setting at the right time likely helped with that. There is however a problem.” Feather mentally winced his Princess was going to be more than a little furious. “Oh, and that is?” Celestia raised an eyebrow at the warning signs her guard was showing. “We… er have received word that Captain Shining Armor and Princess Mi Amore Cadenza are on their way home after cutting their honeymoon short after seeing the article you just burned. They are expected within the hour.” “Of course they are… What else could…” No, don’t even think it, Celestia, calm even breathes. She shook her head dismissing both guards to wait outside. Once she knew they were far enough away from the doorway she summoned a pillow and bit into it screaming. “Nightmare is a bitch when it comes to controlling your emotions isn’t it?” Luna chuckled from where she was still glamoured.  Celestia snorted, undoing her spell. “It will take time to get used to that is for certain. How are you feeling?” She walked over touching her horn to Luna’s. “Better, but I swear to the Moon above Celestia Twilight HAS to be well enough to raise the sun in the morning. Otherwise, Nightmare tinged magic or not you must!” Luna levitated a glass of water over and drained it in mere seconds. “I understand Luna.” Celestia nuzzled her gently and smiled thankfully as Luna responded in kind. “Well, if Twilight isn’t up to it at least Cadance will be here.” “Ah, yes… How are you planning to send them away to finish their Honeymoon?” Luna shook her head knowing that Celestia’s heart was in agony at the fact she was disturbing the two lovers. “I’m hopeful that once the court rules that the Truth Stone is enough evidence that I am simply a differently shaped Celestia and…once he gets over Twilight Sparkle sprouting wings, that I’ll be able to order him back to that island with Cadance. He’s always good about following orders. Unless it involves Twilight Sparkle.” She shrugged her wings. “I’d say I have a fifty-fifty percent chance of convincing him without temporarily banishing him to that island.” “That high?” Luna smirked before there was a knock on the door and Dr. True Thought poked his head in.  “We’re ready for the use of the Truth Stone Princesses. I’m aware that we must do it nearby Twi er Regent Twilight Sparkle due to the spell upon you both Princess Celestia. So I am going to round a hoofful of witnesses including the young lawyer who has been working on this case since he arrived three hours ago. He asked that you may excuse him for taking so long to introduce himself but he wanted to go over the facts before speaking with you. I’m certain you understand?” “Yes, very understandable, as for witnesses may I suggest Both of my loyal guards Feather Fall and White Noise as well as Doctor Red Mane?” Celestia considered a moment debating with herself. “There is also a Lunar guard fresh out of the academy who treated me as a pony while I was in the dungeon A young Moonbeam. I think she would be excellent to round out the witnesses. Feather if you could retrieve her?” Celestia turned to the pegasus who saluted in response. Luna smiled up at Celestia. “You realize what a kind word from you and being asked to bear witness to this will do for the young mare’s career?”  “Of course I do, if she was not already a lunar guard I assure you I would snatch her as one of my own.” She gave Luna a final nuzzle as her sister got back to her hooves. “I think she would be an excellent personal guard for you, Sun knows you could use one which doesn’t flinch when they see you.” “I- yes you are right Tia, I’ll watch to see how she responds during the questioning and consider your suggestion.” She grinned as Celestia rolled her eyes “I promise, you worry far too much.” A snort escaped Celestia’s muzzle as she shook her head as a knock was heard on the door. She stood straight and swallowed hard. “It’s time.” Twilight blinked sleepily as she heard multiple voices around her she winced as Dr. Red Mane became visible. “I’m sorry Twilight Sparkle but I had to awaken you. Dr. True Thought is about to use the Truth Stone to clear Princess Celestia of being the Nightmare. We need you to be a witness. Once the questioning is complete I will send you back to sleep.” “Anything for Celestia…” Twilight mumbled and smiled at the black blur she was certain was Celestia. “Pain and sleep can wait.” “I don’t know if that is necessarily the best way to look at this but, ah he's here.” Red Mane glanced up as the glowing flat stone was placed in the middle of the room. She raised the head of Twilight’s bed allowing the mare to watch. “Have all the witnesses been gathered?” True Thought turned his attention to Luna who nodded. “Please state your names for the record of the truth stone.” “Foggy Notion, I am Princess Celestia’s attorney in this matter.” “Dr. Red Mane, I am the Princesses’ personal physician.” T-Twilight Sparkle Student of Princess Celestia and Regent to the Sun.” Twilight’s voice was barely more than a whisper due to the pain. “Moonbeam, I am a Lunar Guard.” “Feather Fall, I am a Solar Guard, one of Princess Celestia’s personal.” “White Noise, I am a Solar Guard also one of Princess Celestia’s personal.” “Who has requested the use of the Truth Stone?” True Thought kept to the script making certain there would be nothing that the prosecutor could object to. “I Princess Luna Diarch to Equestria have requested it.” “Will the pony who answers to the name Princess Celestia Invicta Everfree place their front right hoof upon the truth stone.” He paused as Celestia calmly placed her hoof onto the plate like stone. “I will begin the questioning at this time. Please be aware that from the moment that you placed your hoof upon the truth stone you will be forced to tell the truth.” “I am aware,” Celestia responded her voice almost had a dreamy yet monotone to it. The sound caused Twilight and Luna’s ears to pin back. The faster this is done the faster that I never ever have to hear Celestia sound like that. “Are you Nightmare Moon or any such form of the Nightmare?” “No, except in body.” “Can you explain that statement?” “I foolishly invited the Nightmare in, I was fooled as Luna was many years past. The creature told sweet lies when you are beyond the care of understanding what she truly meant.” “You say told don’t you mean tells?” “No, told I killed the beast within my own mind using the magic of friendship. As it died it cursed me.” True Thought glanced over at Red Mane and mouthed ‘Magic of Friendship?’ The unicorn shrugged and True Thought rolled his eyes Put a horn on em and… I’ll never understand. “Explain the curse.” “As she died she cursed me that my ponies would always fear me as I would always look like her. That I would physically be her.” “What are your plans?” “To retake my proper throne, Assist Luna in ruling, date Twilight Sparkle, and marry her someday.” Twilight squeaked from the bed and passed back out. Luna watched and cleared her throat. “Would it be possible to cut…that last little bit?” “I, er Princess Celestia Invicta Everfree, please step off the truth stone.” He turned to the Princesses and winced “I’m afraid I can’t it would show tampering with the magi recording.” “O-oh, dear…” Celestia whispered before her eyes also rolled back Luna, and Redmane barely caught her before she bonelessly dropped.