//------------------------------// // Noblemares and Nightmares // Story: How Luna Adopted a Hatchling (Against Her Will) // by Hokusai3211 //------------------------------// Ahh, Finally, it’s been sooo long! How have you been, have you missed us? I missed you, I thought about you every year, every month, every second that we were not together. But it seems you don’t feel the same? You hardly visited us, once a month perhaps you’ll glance our way. Then you would be gone without so much as a second thought. WHY?! Sorry, I didn’t mean to yell like that. I just missed you, I care too much, that's all. But don’t worry, we’re not mad at you, it’s not your fault. We know who to blame. Who will get punished. This isn’t exactly how I planned for this, it's all progressing faster than I hoped, but you know what they say about the best layed plans of mice and gods. Oh but what’s this? You’re being sooo rude, when were you going to introduce us, two whole weeks and yet you haven’t bothered to present us to your new daughter. My, you have changed haven’t you. You used to tell us everything. But I see you haven’t even named her yet have you?  Well, don’t worry, we have a name and I’m sure she and I will be getting to know one another so very intimately. I know you say you don’t want me anymore. But obviously, you don’t mean that. Once we’re done, we’ll be together again, just like old times, one big family. My precious moon-child. But since you're here now. Since we have all this time, let’s take a trip down memory lane, for old times sake. A reminder of why you needed me. Hmm, what to pick, there's sooo much to choose from. Oh I know, how about this one, after all that’s how this whole thing got started isn’t it? How about one a night until we see each other again?  What, no you don’t want it? Is it too painful? TOO BAD! Anyway let’s begin, how did it start again… oh yes, I remember… Part Two “Luna, Lu, are you okay?” Luna cracked open one tired eye, she had just been having the strangest dream. Dreams of manors and young infant griffons. Overweight stallions and maids dressed like jesters. If she was being honest the whole thing was a bit too strange and convoluted for her tastes. Whoever had woven that dream desperately needed an editor. But still, there was something important about it all, wasn’t there, something to do with... “Lu, wake up, now!” Luna groaned, eyes still closed, she needed to find out what it was she was forgetting. There was an impatient growl somewhere above her as whatever had been calling to her stomped away, followed by blessed silence. Luna let a smile cross her face, soon replaced by another dream. This one was of cheering crowds, she sat in front of a parade of ponies in a guided throne of onyx, sapphire and black marble. The empress of the world, yes this was a much better dream.  Her sister sat next to her, joint empress. Albeit in an equally impressive, if slightly smaller, more humbling throne. Just to make absolutely sure every pony knew the real score. But instead of feeling the anointing oil, which to be honest smelled suspiciously like last week's leftover cooking oil. Luna felt a blast of Ice cold water splashed across her muzzle. She gasped, sitting bolt upright. The bright sunlight burned into her gaze. “What in the blazes!” Luna roared, tried to anyway. Caught with water in her nose and at that awkward age where the voice went from high pitched, to an octave that made dogs come running, instead she screeched out, “W-we shall see we thee tarred and feathered for this.” Then halfway through another line of threats she stopped.  She had not expected to see her sister, towering above her. Nor the weaponised scowl that was pointed like an arrow tip at her. But she had really not expected to see was tears brimming around her narrowed eyes. “Where have you been?” Celestia growled, hoof stomping on the grass, “I have been looking for you for nearly two days, I had to petition the guards across the whole city to look for you.” She said, wiping a tear away with one hoof and jabbing Luna's chest with the other. “I- we, what?” Luna mumbled, looking around. That was an excellent question. She didn’t remember where she was or what had been happening. Last thing she could remember was snippets of a dream, she was in some ancient manor, her sister had sent her off there perhaps? But that couldn’t have been right, her sister was standing right in front of her. “You had me worried sick.” Celestia chided, jabbing Luna hard enough to send her inching backwards. “I haven’t slept in days, worried you’d gone off to play adventurer and gotten hurt. Then I find you sleeping under a tree, covered in, what is that watermelon?”  Luna, whose grasp on reality at the moment was tantamount to a mountain climber who was dangling from a fraying rope and quickly realising that a buy one get one free deal isn’t always a good bargain, glanced down at herself. “What…melon?” She said, spotting red flesh and seeds across her fur. The floor around her was dashed with the green carcass of the giant fruit. Two thoughts bumped into one another at the same time, tried to cross, got mad and began fist fighting in her mind. One yelling that she had someplace important to be, that something about all this wasn’t right. The other, louder one yelling something entirely different. Sudden dreadful realisation did not so much strike her as climb to the top of the rope, cupped one ear to the crowd then dive elbow first towards her mind.   “Oh no.” She muttered, staring at the massacred fruit. “Oh no, oh no-no-no.” She said scrambling onto the floor. “It’s too late to prostrate yourself sister.” Celestia said, folding her legs in front of her chest and sticking her chin into the air. Luna grabbed at the flesh of the melon, trying to put them back together like some bizarre vegetarian jigsaw puzzle gone horribly wrong. She grabbed what might have been the top of the Mellon, or the bottom and began to mush the red flesh back into the rind. Which only amounted to small mounds of fruit flying onto the mud, her white toga and onto one ant who couldn’t believe its luck.  Celestia let her muzzle down a fraction as she opened her eyes a fraction and then glanced puzzlingly at Luna. “What are you doing?” Luna, who’s own eyes were now wide and frantic, grabbed her sister’s shoulders, “where is grandfather!?” “Walking the gardens last I saw him, that is hardly the point Lu-“ “-Walking the gardens! Whereabouts?” Luna interrupted with that manic look that one might get when they cut a wire on the bomb and see the countdown start to go faster. “Lu’ stop, you are hurting me.” Celestia winced. Before Luna could continue, something blocked out the very sun. Icy shivers tap danced down her spine as she turned to see who it was. He didn’t speak, he didn’t have to. His one raised brow spoke volumes, the omnipresent frown on his thick grey beard added at least three more chapters to that collection. The slightest twitch of sunken wrinkled head had the same effect as a slap to the posterior of a misbehaving little foal. In many ways, despite being nearly a hundred, Luna was very much still a foal in the eyes of this stallion.  It would have been bad if it was just him. But Luna could see behind him his ever present accompanying Arch-lords, the stallions who made the world. It went without saying that no mares were in this parade of council members. (1) “It seems that my granddaughter cannot stand still for more than twenty minutes?” The imposing stallion, the founder and king of Equestria said. Not to Luna, he never talked directly to her when he was angry. He spoke as though she wasn’t even there. “Stuck in her own little dream world perhaps?” “Mares minds often wander sire.” Said a well groomed stallion next to him. The Arch Chancellor, the loathsome little worm that was, as ever, glued to her grandfather's side. “They say it has something to do with that new fangled ‘science’ thing the alchemists are always talking about. Mares brains are uncannily like magpies apparently, hence the obsession with preening and Jewelry.” He smiled softly, looking over Luna’s shoulder towards her sister at Celestia who scowled back at him.  Oftentimes, such “facts” spoken by the mysterious “they”, usually came from deeply ironic sources, such as politicians that complain about crime rate, whilst stealing everything not nailed down to their desk. Or the religious figures that condemn certain sinful practices and then are later seen fleeing these sinful practices hastily down a drain pipe, at night, half naked. In this instance, it came from a stallion who wore enough jewelry to create his own gold standard economy and would send jealous tears down the eyes of any aspiring pirate.  But right now, Luna wasn’t listening. She was too busy pretending her hooves were the most interesting sight in the world and in doing so, also avoiding the glare of the titanic stallion in front of her. Her head throbbed, thoughts buzzing like flies. This didn’t feel right, something about this was wrong. But the feeling of guilt in the face of her hero swatted these other thoughts like, well like flies. “So, granddaughter, what do you have to say for yourself?”  Luna's head snapped back towards her grandfather. Even if she had an excuse, her words were mowed down before they could reach her tongue. Some of them gripped on for dear life, telling vowels and consonants to hold on, but it was too late. “I um, grandfather I-“ “-Its my fault grandfather,” Celestia said, moving between the two, “I broke her concentration, I spotted a most dreadful spider and nearly fainted, little sister was ever so brave and caught me, at the expense of her training.” Luna blinked, staring in confusion at her sister. Celestia wasn’t afraid of spiders, she would often handle them by hoof and leave them on pillows to scare her chambermaids. Their grandfather gave a derisive snort, shaking his head. “Foolish mares” He muttered, just loud enough, that only a few hundred pony’s including the gardeners across the castle heard him.  Finally he fixed his gaze onto Luna, “We told thee to let nothing distract you, thou wished to be a warrior, a strong leader, yet you could not let twenty minutes go without distraction, even those rock headed Minotaur could have done that.” Luna felt herself falter under his withering gaze. Her mouth was glued shut as she glanced at her sister who gave her an encouraging look. Slowly she found the strength to stammer out, “A-Actually, grandfather, we have been standing here for nearly two days no- “Silence” He snapped, “thine excuses demean us both.”  “Y-yes grandfather,” she said, going near ridged. Feelings of utter humiliation flooded her mind, the feeling felt strangely familiar. Both by her failure and worse yet, that her sister was as ever pulling her flank from the fire.  The perfect child that she was. “Do not make us regret your tutelage.” He warned. “Your king has had a hard enough time dealing with this pathetic rabble.” He said, looking over his shoulder at his Arch-lords, who pretended that he was talking about some other white robed and obscenely rich crowd of noble ponies. One thing to say about her grandfather, the stallion treated everyone equally…like dirt.  “I won’t, I am sorry my king.” Luna said bowing low. Finally after a long moment, his grimace subsided into a slightly less frigid frown. “Come, we have wasted enough time on your vanity. To the throne room, we have matters to discuss.” He said, turning away suddenly. Then just as suddenly he stopped and gazed up at a random tree tree. “Arch Exchequer, what happened to the nuts on my tree?”  “P-Pardon, your grace?” A stallion, so large and with so many folds that Luna sometimes felt an overpowering urge to rummage down the side of him for loose change, answered. “This tree was full of nuts just last hour, pray tell where are they now Silver Coin?” He said eyes shifting as though the culprits were still at large somewhere in the area.  “Your grace, um, with respect, you haven’t been in the gardens for at least a month.” The Arch Master Of Whispers answered for Silver Coin. Another venerable old stallion, who was in charge of the king's spy network. Hooded even in summer he moved forwards, a robed and obscured bird sitting on his wizened shoulder.  This was not for effect, as Luna had thought, but according to her sister,  it was mostly because unlike his forebears he was terrible at keeping crows and had lost the latest flock last year. In a panic instead he replaced them all with parrots which had been strategically dyed black and now he was praying no pony would notice. “Braaak, the lazy king, Braaak” said the “crow” on his shoulder. “Braak, the king has lost his nuts, braak” “That did not answer my question?” Luna's grandfather snapped staring daggers at the Arch-master of whispers crow, “tell me who has vandalised my tree?!” He growled, eyes shifting back to Silver Coin who himself shifted backwards into the crowd. Which had the effect of a wagon barreling down towards a crowd as the old heads of state darted for safety. “Well your grace, perhaps, em, well autumn is the time for foraging animals?”  “Ah, so you're saying the peasantry are to blame?” The king seemed to consider this for a moment. Silver Coins eyes widened. “What? No! I mean literal animals, squirrels and the like.” “Squirrels you say?” He said, his eyes squinting dangerously. He turned to a guard by his side and whispered something, then drew a line across his neck. The guard in question seemed perturbed. opened his mouth then closed it. Then quickly closed it as he realised it was either his life or the squirrels. Reluctantly he saluted.  Luna dejectedly followed behind, eyes still glued to her hooves. The subtle confusion of events was giving her a headache, all the while she was filled with shame and a subtle feeling of wrongness about all of this.  “Are you okay?” Celestia said, slipping beside her. “We did not need your butt in this sister.” Luna growled. “I think the term is ‘for you to butt in.’” She said calmly. “The only butts I needeth is my own.” Luna snapped, then stared at a gawking noblemare, “Have you nothing better to do?”  She yelled as the mare yelped and scrambled away hurriedly. “He was belittling you.” Celestia continued in that aggravatingly calm manner Luna loathed and admired. “And you were mothering us, I’m only one hundred years younger than you, you do not need to treat me like a foal.” “One hundred and fifty years younger,” Celestia corrected, “and I am not mothering you, now come here, you still have some melon on your chin.” She said, levitating a napkin towards Luna who batted it away. “He is our king, he belittles who he wants.” She snapped, though she did not mean to yell that loudly. In a quieter voice she added, “Please, do not ruin this Tia, you know how long it took to get grandfather to notice us.” Celestia was still focused on cleaning her, but Luna could see the small furrow of her brow, “I don’t understand sister, how is standing with a melon on your head supposed to help you with matters of state?” “Bah, matters of state.” Luna scoffed, “tis your job to do the boring part of ruling, I will be a warrior princess sister, and the melon would test my mental fortitude, for when I am in the thick of battle. Wearing full armour and charging down our enemies.” Celestia's eye roll was deliberate and long, “Oh, forgive me, I did not know we were using vegetation as armour these days, are we using cucumbers for swords now too?” Luna also rolled her eyes, but she could never quite get the same effect as her sister, no matter how many times she practised in front of the mirror. Of course her sister would not understand her grandfather's teachings.  Her sister had spent too many hours with poets and teachers and had unfortunately contracted “intellectualism.” This made her l go around thinking mad things like peasants were also ponies too and that there should be an equal opportunity among the species. Also she was saying things like changing laws on a whim and going around shouting at and chasing anything you don’t like with pitchforks, wasn’t a viable form of rule. Which would have made ninety percent of their grandfather's government functionally obsolete.  Luna blamed those old farts her sister hung around with. Those so-called deep thinkers, who would stroke their beards, stare up at clouds for hours and say things like “is a table really a table?” Ignoring the table's thoughts on the matter entirely. But still, even with her tragic mental defects, Celestia would be queen someday by right of birth. Luna on the other hoof had to make her name known some other way. If that meant charging down armies and getting stuck in glorious combat like the hero’s in her mountain of story books, well more fool Celestia. “Please sister, do not do anything like that again.” Luna whispered as they trailed from the castle gardens and towards the great hall of the throne room. “Tis just some light ribbing between master and pupil, hardly anything to go by. We can handle it. If we are to charge into spears, how would we be if words wounded us?” Celestia scowled, “First of all, my baby sister is not going to be charging into spears, not if I can help it.” Celestia said brow furrowed firmly, in a way that reminded Luna of their mother far too much for comfort.  “Do not tell us what to do, we are old enough.” “Spoken like a true one hundred year old.” Celestia said with a sigh, “barely a teenager, you're far too young to think such horrid thoughts.” “Am not.” Luna said, tilting up her chin. She ignored her sister's expert eye roll, “Secondly, no pony is immune to words sister, not fully. Words can cut deeper than any blade, especially from family.”  Luna let out an exasperated sigh, “Ugh, You’ve been hanging around those philosophers again haven’t you sister?” “So what?” Celestia said, suddenly taking a defensive tone. “I find it interesting, they say such interesting things about art and life.” “Yes, but they also say eating kale, swallowing oil of the cod and drinking one's own urine is the key to immortality.” Celestia gave her a deadpan glare, “There is nought more beautiful than an expansive mind sister.” “Oh really? Doth that also apply to large muscular stallions who clean royal pools, sister?” Luna asked innocently, apart from the fat grin on her muzzle. Celestia despite her near infinite poise nearly tripped over her two front hooves. “Who told you that?” She whispered harshly to Luna.  “Relax, your secret paramour is safe with us.” She giggled at her sister's reddening face, then stopped right as they reached the great chambers. They stood outside, as was proper, after all the whole point of royalty was to know when to wait for other royalty. Otherwise how would you tell which one could have you thrown in jail and which one could have your mane inconveniently cut below the neck with an axe.  Luna didn’t know how one tradition had morphed into this one. But her grandfather had told her that knowledge of traditions as well as regular baths and money was what set one apart from the animals. Which left about three quarters of the population firmly in the latter in her grandfather's eyes. Despite it all, she felt a stirring in her chest, to see all this grandeur. To see that all these ponies were here because of one great stallion and the fact she was related to him was both an overwhelming honour and frankly terrifying at the same time. Finally they entered, taking a seat around the enormous circular council room. They stood waiting at their designated post as their grandfather took his seat on the throne. But as Luna watched him take his seat, her head throbbed, in that moment For a brief moment her eyes flickered to not one throne but two thrones, an onyx and a smashed marble white one, left crumbling on the floor she blinked rubbed her eyes and once more saw the singular throne. As it should be. “What did you say, Tia?” Luna turned. “I…didn’t say anything Lu.”  “Oh, must have been the wind.” Luna said, looking around and ignoring all the closed windows in the stuffy and near airtight room. “Are you sure you're feeling alright.” Her sister said, lifting up a hoof to her forehead. “I’m fine, just fine.” She said, giving her a much too eager smile. Perhaps that melon had been heavier than she had thought. She distracted herself by stared up at the magnificent king at the end of the room. Dazzling white fur, a regal bearing, blue eyes fixed and determined. He carried himself like a leader, a general, a ruler.  His sword which he held always around his back leg at all times, old and dulled. But with a history richer than any treasury. The hilt was intricately carved with illustrations of the unification of Equestria. Though it had to be said, a lot of Equestria did not particularly want to be unified, hence where the sword part came in handy. “Court is now in session.” Rang the croaky voice of the  court crier from behind the throne, despite his age his voice was still loud enough that half of the ponies present winced around him “Thank you.” Silver Coin said rubbing his ears as he stood up, which was a feat in and of itself given his size. “Your grace, princess of our great land and honourable members of the court, the first order of business is-“ “Presenting the Arch Exchequer Lord Silver Coin.” The feeble crier yelled a half second later. Silver winced, half crumpling the scroll in his meaty hooves, “Yes thank you court crier!” Silver said pointedly, looking over his shoulder, “Before we begin in earnest or ever graceful princess Celestia would like to address the court concerning something most important.” “Thank you Lord Silver Coin.” Celestia said, standing up by Luna’s shoulder, “If it pleases the court, I would like to start by proposing-  “-Presenting the princess of the Great kingdom of Equestria-“ “Thank you court crier.” Celestia yelled even more pointedly, there was half a second of silence as the court crier blinked, looked around as if he only just worked out where he was and sat back down before Celestia continued.  “Now that our king has finally returned after dealing a crushing blow to the forces of the Tyrant Sombra. We must turn our minds to the displaced victims of this most regrettable incident. I propose the immediate establishment of relief columns for the refugees.” Which got nods of agreement from half the court, mostly on her side of the room. “Also,” she continued, “whilst we are on the topic of public aid and domestic betterment. I would like to re-open the notion of a free state run public schooling for those that-.” And that got the other side of the room groaning and rolling her eyes. Even Luna internally groaned. Why was her sister so interested in reading? Most ponies considered books with suspicion. What use did a farmer have for education? If you asked them if they wanted education they’d probably respond with “Sure, do you fry it or bake it?” “With the deepest respects my princess.” The Arch chancellor called over the groans coming from his side of court. Luna was still relatively new to court. But she was already starting to learn that with respect was the equivalent of making farting noises at the speaker in question. “I do not think we should be rewarding treasonous behaviour?” “And what treasonous behaviour would we be rewarding?” Celestia said, with a deadpan glare. “Well,” he scoffed, “obviously the Crystal ponies were the ones that we fought against.” “Slaves to the tyrant.” Celestia corrected. “Not what I would call willing participants.”  The Arch Chancellor gave a nod, but the mocking smile never left his muzzle, “Very noble and innocent of you your grace, I’d expect nothing less from your gentle heart. But is it not every slave's prerogative to fight with the liberators against their masters whip?”  He gestured theatrically to the crowd. Luna had to give him credit, because nothing else nice could be said about the stallion. He knew how to command a crowd. “Is fighting against the oppressor not what our great king did when he civilised these lands from the Zebra, the Minotaur, the Griffon and all the other less refined species?” Luna watched as the ponies around the Arch chancellor began to cheer. “I mean, what next princess, giving them the vote, the right to representation in court?” He chuckled looking around the room for support.  Celestia made a show of flickering through her scroll, “Actually, Arch Chancellor that was on the agenda for tomorrow, wasn’t it Silver?” She said turning to the rotund pony who was mopping his head with his toga. “Yes your highness, I believe it was right next to the inquiry over the missing funds, the ones that were given to raise troops against the Tyrant, I can't seem to remember the name of the pony we gave them to though.” Celestia tapped her chin in mock-thought, “Do you know neither can I, I think it rhymes with March Hancelor, or something like that?” Luna stifled a giggle, her sister was no warrior, but she could wield words more devastating than any blade.  “What is this, petty threats, your highness this court is here to deal with matters of importance?” The Arch Chancellor balked, his smile faltering for a half second. “Is stealing from the king's treasury not important?” Celestia asked innocently as if the answer to that eluded her. “Enough,” their grandfather sighed, “Celestia, you and the Arch Chancellor can debate your little pet projects outside of my Court. We are summoned here for another matter.” “Yes, my king.” They both said with equal reverence, smiling at one another whilst also staring at each other as if their eyes could delete one another from existence. Luna shook her head, the court still baffled her. This game of word daggers was not her place. She would meet her enemy headlong, not with smiles.  “While we are on the topic of coinage,” Her grandfather continued, glancing now at Silver Coin.  “Perhaps you can tell me why it is that one third of my kingdom is refusing to pay taxes?” Silver coins' jowls rippled as he stood back up and sputtered, “Um, well my Lord, Um, well I think it has to do with the fact that they are not happy about the high war tax.” “Why, how much are they paying?” He asked. “Well…all of it.” “All of what?” “All of the tax, they’re paying for all the liberation of the Crystal empire, don’t you remember my king you decreed it yourself?” The king looked for half a second unsure of himself, then added, “Yes of course I remember, but I did the same thing to those Zebras. Do you see them complaining?” “Well sire, that might have been because you sent a garrison of the solar army to their tribal elders homes. A garrison that we funded by taxing the western province.” “Well then, tax the northern province and send an army to deal with these new ruffians, I hardly see why this is such a conundrum, you're supposed to be the money stallion, why is this so hard for you?” He growled. Silver nearly dropped his scroll as he fought to write down the new proclamation. “Um, yes your grace, of course your grace, how foolish of me.” Silver Coins said with a smile, even Luna could tell was strained.  So stupid aren’t they? Bickering and talking endlessly and never getting anything done?  Luna yelped standing upright and glancing behind her. The voice felt as though it had been whispered in her ear. But she could only see other words staring at her. “Something to say?” The king said, brow furrowed as he turned in Luna's direction. Luna's eyes fixed back onto the court, everypony was staring in her direction, she glanced around wondering what fool had disrupted her grandfather in the middle of talking and it took all of three seconds to realise it was her. “What would you like to add, say it?” Her king said, his eyes narrowing. Luna gulped. She had no idea what they had been talking about and even less what to say.  Don’t be a mute now. She heard a voice say somewhere in the distance. “Well, um, I, that is we, were thinking, Perhaps um, your grace could bring the taxes down slightly if it is not too much trouble?”  Much to Luna's horror, she realised that those words had come from her own mouth. “I mean,” she spluttered on, mrs mind and mrs mouth now working independently from one another, “if we taxed them less, then…” Luna's eyes gazed around at all the leering faces as she desperately willed herself to shut up. “Then perhaps they would not be… so…mad.” Silently all eyes shifted from Luna back to the king, like sailors evaluating if they should sail towards the storm or jump ship, throwing the mare and foals out of the way in the process. They didn’t have to wait long. The king inched forwards in his throne, his features unreadable and more frightening for it, “and what then dear pupil? Would you have me look weak and encourage others to do as they have, show leniency for one and watch as they all bite the hoof that feeds them? Invite all of Eques into open rebellion?” He said calmly. “Please use your mind before your tongue waggles, foal.” Luna opened her mouth then shut it. The words felt like a physical slap to her muzzle. She barely heard the words next to her, or her sister's hoof on her shoulder as she spoke for her “Grandfather, if I may, of course my little sister would never suggest anything that would make us look weak.” Luna turned to see her sister standing next to her, calm and self assured. The opposite of herself, “I believe that what she was suggesting is that perhaps we could drop the tax rates for the other provinces as an example. That way, it will be seen as a reward for loyalty.”  Luna found just enough saliva to gulp, had she meant to say that? It didn’t sound like what she had said. But she was too busy staring at everything but her grandfather's lingering eyes to notice.  “It would be an incentive to the soldiers, some of whom are from those provinces, your grace.” Silver Coin added loyally.  Their grandfather's stare didn’t so much as freeze time, as it made time whistle innocently, walk backwards out of the room for an extended smoke break. “Fine, Arch Exchequer, see it done, now back to the proper task at hoof.” Luna finally felt herself breathing again, she caught her sister's calm smile, holding for a moment as she winked at her. Luna supposed it was meant to be encouragement, a job well done. But Luna could see it for what it was, pity.  Pity for the poor little brat, stupid little sister, don’t worry big sister has you. She made you look weak. “Now then.” Her grandfather asked, turning back to the court. “Who are these so-called rebels?”  The Arch Master of Whispers slowly stood, his “crow” squeaked and flapping its blotchy black and green wings. “As far as my spy’s could tell your highness, they are members of some barbaric mountain tribe or pride as they call themselves. Pride Sternclaw, Pride Feather Fair and the largest are led by some Pride called Novabane.” “Odd sounding pony names?” The Arch Questioner asked beside him. “That’s because they’re not pony’s, the rebels are, well, griffons.” The Arch Master of Whispers admitted slowly. The king snorted, “Griffons? Those flea bitten overgrown hens, what do they think they can accomplish with this?” The Arch Master of Whispers looked shifty whilst underneath a hood which was impressive and seemed to explain why the pony underneath lost vast quantities of coin at card games. “They’ve already overwhelmed our relief force sire. They’ve taken the castle and our calling the other tribes to arms against you,” he said then added, “of course illegally and foolishly your grace,” “Is that all?” The king said, looking almost bored. The Arch Master of Whispers seemed to hesitate, “Um, well some of them have taken to calling themselves independent now sire,” he looked around nervously. “T-they say you are a tyrant, my king and have named one of their own as Emperor.” “Braak the king's a tyrant, Braak!” The ‘crow’ parroted.  The king narrowed his eyes at the bird, then whispered to the guard next to him. The guard looked at the crow and with a dejected sigh began to write on a steadily growing list, “You take the savage out of the mountains but you cannot make them civilised.” Her grandfather said aloud, shaking his head. Luna had been watching all this with a furrowed brow, she could hardly understand. Her grandfather had given them everything, maternity, civilization, pony culture! What more could any creature want? They were living in caves before he had come, well apparently anyway. At least that’s what the historians said, and they worked for her grandfather, so of course they would tell the truth of the matter.  She felt that shame from before flying something in her stomach and with nothing to turn to, it distilled into anger at this ungratefulness disregard for her grandfather's gift.  “This Novabane figure, they’re the one that gave those Zebra tribes a good thrashing, right?” The Arch Chancellor added loudly, “My king, why not make them fight the griffons instead, let the zebras earn their stripes for a change.” The court erupted into nervous laughter. But it was subdued when Luna's grandfather struck his throne with his hoof hard enough to crack the stone it was carved from. “This rebellion must be crushed!” He roared. “I will not have insubordination. I will see those traitorous beasts strung up like the animals in their barbaric meat markets. We should have wiped them off the face of this land when we had the chance.” Celestia stood up, hurriedly, “My King, they are some of our finest warriors, trackers and inventors. There is no need to set such an extreme example.” “I have to agree, sire, compared to the other rebellions we have faced, it would only take a small contingent of men to put down this rabble.” The Arch Master of Whispers added. “Then I’ll lead the soldiers and will have this finished by winter.” The king said standing up from his throne. “With respect your eminence,” Celestia said, with more backbone than anyone else seemed to have, “you are needed here at home, to deal with the remainder of Sombras armies.” “Are you suggesting that I am not up to both?” He snapped. Luna felt herself wither under the stare and was amazed to see her sister meeting his glare. Even if her sister's hoof was clutching tightly onto her own. “The opposite,” she said, “If anything, such an endeavour would only bring your glorious name down. Perhaps somepony else can… earn their stripes as the Arch Chancellor stated.” “Bah, and who would you suggest granddaughter, have you some noble warrior under your frock?”  “My Lord, perhaps one of your grand sire’s would like to earn her spurs?” The arch Chancellor said, his smile widening. Luna blinked, considering that for a moment. That did not sound like a bad idea at all. “That's outrageous!” Celestia exploded into a flurry of words. But Luna wasn’t listening. In her mind she was considering what the Arch Chancellor had just said..  There it is, finally the time to prove yourself. To show them all. Luna watched them as the court rerouted into chaos on both sides. She had been training for nearly ten years for this moment and now it was right here in front of her.  “Perhaps the Arch Chancellor would like to levy the troops he had been paid to supply in the first place.” Celestia yelled over the cacophony of the court. “With respect your grace, perhaps matters of war should be left to stallions who know about it.” The arch Chancellor retorted. “The arch chancellor should not dismiss himself so quickly.” Celestia sneered. “My king, this is utter slander I-“ “-We will go. We will do it.” A voice said softly, but firmly.  Among the yelling it was like an arrow through the cacophony. Pony’s stopped their bickering, the chorus of arguments whittled down to stunned silence as all turned to the voice who had said it. Luna found herself standing up once more. This time her mind was clear, not fear, but something else, excitement, a giddiness. This time she had meant what she had said. All the lords to a stallion looked at her wide eyed and open mouthed. None more so than her sister who looked as though she had seen death itself behind Luna.  “No,” Celestia said slowly. But Luna hardly registered her voice. She was already drunk on the possibilities. In her mind all she could see was the glory. The prestige, this was it, this was how she would earn her name. Seeing eye to eye with her grandfather. Being the light that shines half as bright. The moon to his blinding sun.  “It is as you say, a small rebellion,” Luna continued almost light headed, “A feat even a mare of your blood could handle, seeing as no stallion is brave enough to.” She said, glancing at the Arch Chancellor who despite his light grey fur turned a satisfying shade whiter.  Oh is this what your sister feels when she shakes the old fool down. We could get used to this… “Send me my king, we will deal with these, these rodent chasers.” Her grandfather was motionless for a long moment, as Lords of the hall contemplated ducking under benches for cover. But then he did something no pony had ever seen in all their lives. Not since the death of his first wife, whom the very castle was named after. He started to laugh.  “Rodent chasers, hah! You hear that?!” His laugh was harsh, like chalk being kicked down a well of backboards. But it was like a sweet orchestra to Luna's ears. Even as the other lords began to laugh along with him she focused on her grandfather's discordantly melodic chortle. He stopped almost as quickly as he started, staring at Luna for a long moment, slowly, like a jeweller appraising a stone to see if it was a diamond or a broken bottle, he nodded his head. “If that is what you wish perhaps it is time for you to—“ “-No, I won’t allow it!”  Luna blinked and turned to see her sister standing there. Of all the ponies that would stand between her and her destiny, she did not think it would be the mare she trusted more than anyone else. “Your grace.” The Arch Chancellor said slowly, “your grandfather was of a similar age when he first went into-“ “Shut up!” Celestia snapped with a sudden anger that made ponies around her flinch, “do not speak again if you wish to keep your tongue!” She snarled at the Arch Chancellor who gasped along with every pony else in the court. Even Silver Coin seemed to flinch. But Celestia didn’t care. “Celestia!” The king barked but it was as though her sister was possessed. “I will have order in my court.” “Tia, what are you doing!” Luna whispered harshly, but her sister was not listening. “Grandfather please, not her.” “She will have to do this soon enough.” Their grandfather said, “It will fall upon her shoulders one day, that is the burden of royalty, do not shame your sister for having the courage to start now.”   “B-but, she can’t go into battle. She is-“ “-she is what?” He asked. “Yes sister, I am what?” Luna parroted, unable to comprehend why her sister would do this to her, in such a public forum. To snatch such an important moment from her hooves.  Celestia didn’t look at Luna, she kept her gaze on her grandfather, she looked almost pained. “She’s just a foal.” She’s jealous of you, she’s afraid of you, her only sister, her only rival! “Tia, why are you doing this to me?” Luna said, feeling like her sister had ripped out her heart. To argue against her in private was one thing. But to destroy her public image in front of every pony. They were supposed to be a team. “Luna you can’t, please see sense. It’s one thing to talk about it, but you're still too young to fight, you could be killed!” Her sister's eyes were wide, tears trickling down her face. Ah, here it is, my favourite part. “Don’t you trust us?” Luna tried to say, wanted to say, was supposed to say. But she only got about halfway before something stopped her.  All the voices, all the sounds, all the figures in the room halted at once. But that wasn’t what made her stop. No, the reason she stopped was because at that moment it felt like something had just pecked her flank. She turned half expecting to see a bird, perhaps the master of whispers crow. Looking around at her side and saw nothing. All the room had frozen as though time had simply stopped, as though the hands of fate had fallen asleep on the remote.  Then she turned back toward her sister and nearly yelled. In front of sat the body of her sister. But the head of, what looked like a griffon. “Tia…who gave you permission to turn into the enemy?” Luna asked. Ignore it, focus back on your king! Focus back on what your sister has done to you. Luna was stuck between sheer bewilderment and something else. Something that had been bothering her since all this started. “Oh, I’m…I’m dreaming.” She said slowly. This perhaps should have been obvious to the princess of the night.  Save for the fact that she had not had a dream of her own for nearly a millennia.  And for good reason.  “Chirp.” was her only response. Then, she felt the pecking on her forehead and suddenly Luna felt herself being dragged back into a different nightmare all together. It said something to how the night princess life had progressed in the last two weeks that when she woke up to the sight of a griffon staring at her her first thought was not to sit bolt upright, light up her horn and turn it into many different griffons across a wide area. But that might have also been because she was in far too much pain to move her eyelids, let alone assume a battle pose. She stared up at the little ball of fluff and feathers that was her sister's griffon. She watched as the little griffon let out a series of chirping sounds and much to Luna's chagrin began nuzzling into her face. Luna did little more than blink back in response. Slowly Luna lifted herself upwards, her heartbeat fluttering around her rib cage like a caged animal, skin slick with sweat. She glanced around for signs of danger and found nothing but trees and soft moss. Her mane was matted against her muzzle and it took a moment for her hooves to become steady enough to push it back off her face. She glanced around, looking at what she thought was the wall of her room. Which had a lot more bark on it than she had remembered but it was an old house to be sure and nature did odd things with time. She watched as a few bats flew past her. Obviously that blasted mare must have forgotten to close the window. The hog, snuffling at the dirt was a little harder to explain. But not impossible, some of her sister's pranks had extended to much worse, swapping pillow stuffing with anvils and even one time a dragon, though she “claimed” that one was an accident, like Luna was born six generations ago.  But even so, she doubted her sister would have replaced all the floor with dirt and more importantly, removed the roof off her room. Even for her that might have been going a little too far. She felt the chill of night against her sweat soaked fur and felt something rustling against her fur. She went rigid and of course she didn’t yelp, she was above yelping, she just made a noise that sounded very similar.  She glanced down and remembered the ball of brown and white fur and feathers that was starting to become depressingly familiar to her. It let out a little yawn, it's unnatural tiny beak let out the smallest chirping noise before nuzzling against her leg. Luna glanced back around her. Not a soul in sight, except for the pig. But thankfully it seemed to be too busy looking for truffles to notice her.  Slowly, she came to the conclusion, she was clearing just in a dream, of course she was. A dream just like the one she had awoken from. One simple pinch and... “Ouch,” she muttered, then her eyes widened. “No no, perhaps I just didn’t pinch hard enough.” You could never pinch yourself too hard when dealing with the Dreamscapes and occult magic. Everypony knew that. But after the third pinch she was starting to believe she was awake.  Unlike any other pony that found themselves alone, cold and in the middle of a forest. That part was the least of her concerns.  “Oh no.” She cursed, dreams, she couldn’t be having dreams! She had locked hers away for good. Locked them away with- She paused, finally understanding the strange feeling across her head.  She felt her throat go dry. No this couldn’t be, she must be hallucinating. Glancing around she caught a stream of water, calmly but with a pace that would have made a cheetah take pause and consider its speed bolted towards it. Her moons light reflecting her face and also her worst suspicions. She grabbed at her mane and actually felt hair there. She glanced not at the ethereal magic. But hair white as the moon itself, a normal mane, well normal by pony standards, it was still excellently oiled and maintained because after all she was a mare of standards. But that was not really the point.  “My magic, tis gone?” She said in a disbelieving tone, gripping her mane as if she could wring some of it back like a wet mop. This was not just bad news in a literal sense, that being that she was without means of one of her six senses after all, she had been trained to take out a small platoon with nothing but a toothpick and frying pan.  Her grandfather's training was nothing if not efficiency splashed with rampant paranoia. But her magic had not just been to defend herself, it had been to defend others. To keep back things that should have stayed well enough away in place. She was a warden, A warden who had lost her keys and she had a dreadful suspicion someone or something had broken loose… “No, no we can rectify this, what did that griffon say, temporary, yes it must just be a temporary thing. You're an alicorn for goodness sake pull thyself together.” She convinced, slapping herself across herself. She was about to slap herself a third time when she felt something brush against her forelegs. She glanced down in between her front hooves and spotted the tiny figure giggling at her reflection in the quiet stream. The cub who had followed her towards the stream and was testing the waters with her little talon. Splashing the water with a determined look on her face. Oh Right, if things were not bad enough, she still had to deal with her sister's little pet as well. Nothing was ever simple was it? “Stay here.” She commanded slowly to the cub who blinked back up at her, paint brush tail wagging back and forth. “we will be back momentarily.” She turned to leave and felt something latching onto her hoof.  Luna pulled away on instinct. “We are not a toy.” She snapped, shaking the griffon off. The hatchling gave a mewing protest, talons making a grabbing motion and then much to Luna's annoyance began to cry. “Oh for the love of, crying is for the weak, get ahold of thyself. Arggh, where is that blasted jester when you actually want her.” She growled to herself as she glanced around. She took a more considered glance around at her surroundings for the first time. Nothing of this place looked familiar, the manor was surrounded by fields as far as the eye could see, not forests if this could be called a forest. The only thing her eyes could see now was trees. Well to call these hulking monoliths where related to trees, was to suggest that an elephant and an anteater was of the same family purely because of the nose.  The trunks of them were enormous. Each one the size of a small room of the place, which Luna had been informed was about the size of a commoners house, or citizen as they where now supposed to be called. How the plebia- citizens lived in those she would never understand. She had only seen trees like these once in her life. But that had been thousands of miles from where the manor had been and nearly two thousand years ago besides. A memory she wanted to leave well enough in the past. She tried to focus on the nagging sense of familiarity in the back of her mind. But her thoughts were interrupted by the wailing of the infant in front of her.  She couldn’t concentrate with that infernal racket. “Will you cease those noises already?” She yelled. Which only made the infant kick and wail all of the more. She frowned. Closed her eyes, muttered a prayer to the fields above. “Fine, if you will stop that deplorable squawking, and only this once understand?” She said, Reluctantly she offered her hoof back to the hatchling, who suddenly stopped crying and latched on tight. She brought it up towards her back, images of pin cushions flooded her mind as she felt the little thing latch on. But to her surprise, the griffon's claws did not dig in as they clutched her fur, nestling comfortably on her back.  Still, she had to wait for the shiver of revulsion to stop her back muscles from spasming. But even that was not as long as it once was. Luna glanced again to make sure no pony saw her moment of weakness, she had a reputation to keep after all. Then slowly she unfolded her wings. She landed high above on one of the enormous branches. Breathing hard, she felt her legs give out as she collapsed against the thick branch. She was still weak, weak and drained. “Just need to catch my breath.” She panted out to no pony in particular. But got a chirping in response. She lifted the griffon from her back and stared at it.  It got no better with familiarity. But at least it was small. She could handle that if nothing else. She glanced at the tree around her and moved towards one of the few small holes that yawned open in the great trunk.   “Bird stays in hole, yes?” She said slowly as she lowered the griffon into the little alcove. “Thou will stay here, while we deal with something.” “Chirp.” “Look, tis not us, tis you, thou cannot be so clingy. I know your kind can't help but chase after pretty things and objects. We understand your kind’s nature, tis like telling a dog not to sniff.” She said nodding sagely, “But you must stay in that hole.” “Chirp?” “Just, here, play with this.” She said, pulling off a twig from a branch “Make a nest or whatever your kind does.” she held it out to the cub who simply stared at it blankly.  Luna turned and walked to the other side of the giant branch. “When we get out of here sister, we will be having a long long talk.” Luna muttered darkly. “Just as soon as we find out where here is. But first things first.”  She closed her eyes, feeling the light of her moon upon her fur. If the moon was raised at least that meant it was still the same night… at least in theory. At least she desperately hoped that was the case. All she had to do was focus on her magic, focus on the moon and the stars. She was the alicorn of the night after all. She didn’t have her magic because of tears in reality.  Her magic was the night itself. She felt a small buzzing at the base of her horn. Yes that was it, she was divinely given her powers. Some stupid little rune was not going to take her magic away. She could push through this. She was above petty trinkets, griffon stone, hah! Like anything they could make could interfere with the divine magic of her kind. What could they possibly make that could harm the great and mighty alicorn of the nig- …What, back already? Well, this is awkward…I didn’t think you’d pass out so soon. Let me guess, instead of opening the door you tried to smash it to pieces. You never learn do you? Always think you're stronger than you are. But that’s what I love about you. Well, this has left us in an awkward state hasn’t it. I didn’t even get a chance to prepare. But not to worry, after all we’re just getting started. So many more memories to enjoy. But since you are here now. Why not.. Yes! Why don’t we watch it again, oh what fun that would be. No, you don’t want to be reminded of your great shame over and over? WELCOME TO MY WORLD. “Luna, Lu, are you okay?” Luna cracked open one tired eye, she had just been having the strangest dream…