//------------------------------//
// Prologue: Rise and Fall (Revised and revamped) 
// Story: Princess Luna and Luna's Lunatics 
// by TheNocturnalLoner 
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 Over a thousand years ago, years and years before Nightmare Moon made her debut, there were twelve divisions in the Equestrian Army. All twelve were conveniently numbered one through twelve. There were plenty of soldiers in the military and peace was present throughout all of Equestria. 


One day, a young Princess Luna approached her sister and asked, "Sister, may we have your permission to create a military division of our own?"


"Why would thou want to do that, Luna?" Celestia responded.


"So that we may prove to you that we have grown enough to manage something bigger than us. As well as forming our own royal guard so that thine shall not have to protect both of us. No offense my dear sister, the unit thou hast given us to use as our personal guard is most excellent, but they seem to lack enthusiasm for their assignment. If thou understand what I mean."


"Of course. It only seems fair as we already have one or two divisions dedicated to us. Do as thou wishes. You have my blessing my sister."


"Thank you my beloved sister!" Luna said as she gave her sister a big hug.


And so upon that day, the 13th Infantry Division was born. Since thirteen was the next number in the sequence, it made perfect sense that it became the thirteenth division in the army. From day one of the division's existence, Luna watched over it as carefully as a hen watched over its eggs. Princess Luna personally oversaw the training of all soldiers in her division as well as personally congratulating everypony who successfully completed training. 


Luna would not settle for less than the best. The training was the best in the military, and only about three out of every five ponies made it through to the end. The troops came to adore and admire the Princess of the Night, as they felt she truly cared about them and their performance. As a result, the division officially dedicated themselves to Princess Luna during the official unit activation ceremony, much to Luna's delight.


The entire division was issued purple armor and helmets with webbed crests. Princess Luna also saw to it that each pegasus warrior in her division was gifted with webbed wings. They were little more than cosmetic enhancements, but they also waterproofed the wings. This allowed her pegasi to fly with ease at extremely high altitudes and when their wings were wet.


The majority of the division consisted of pegasi, each the descendent of a great pegasus warrior who fought long ago. While there were a decent number of earth ponies, only a handful of unicorns were in the division. The reason for this huge imbalance of each of the three types of ponies was unknown. Although, racism and Luna’s disdain for nobility have both been raised as possible explanations.


At its height, the 13th division comprised of around ten thousand troops. Three brigades made up the division, known simply as; 1st brigade, 2nd brigade, and 3rd brigade, each consisting of around 3,400, 3,300, and 3,300 troops respectively. Each brigade also consisted of about three or four battalions. 


The 13th was ready, trained, and anxious to prove themselves. Little did anypony know, that they would get their chance far sooner than anypony could predict.









A disturbance in the far south quickly turned into a hasty and bloody conflict. Large groups of desert dwelling, nomadic ponies attacked the southernmost outpost and settlement on Equestria's border. 


Diplomacy with the nomads revealed that Equestria had encroached upon their ancestral lands, and that they would not cease until the settlement was erased from the map. Further negotiations fell out as the last ambassadors who were sent disappeared. Their heads were discovered the following day, stuck onto spears with blood dripping down through the empty eye sockets. 


Survivors of the nomad attacks described the strange ponies as being black and white with stripes along their entire bodies. Survivors also claimed the ponies were extremely fierce and hostile. One battalion from the 3rd Infantry Division posted in the area was decimated, as it was encircled and chipped away at mercilessly. Other units from the 3rd division began moving in to reinforce the settlement.


Celestia was outraged and demanded, "The immediate reinforcement of the southern colony and the deployment of a force of substantial size to deter or otherwise defend against aggression from hostile forces." 


The only problem was what division to send to the southernmost border? Most of the divisions were currently posted throughout the entire country and could not be redeployed elsewhere. The 3rd division was in the vicinity, but was becoming overwhelmed by the constant attacks and large area they had to protect. Two divisions were currently on standby for R&R (rest and relaxation/recuperation), but both had just rotated into R&R from a nine month tour and the soldiers were tired as a result. Three more divisions were being trained and formed, but it would be too late by the time they finished training and were deployed.


Celestia wracked her brain frantically for a solution to this conundrum. She could use the new 13th Lunar Division, but she wanted other perspectives on this matter. She sought out advice from her advisors, commanders, and even members of the representative body. Her advisors and the majority of the representatives told her to avoid using the new Lunar Division at all costs, while her generals and commanders stopped just short of begging her to send the 13th Division. 


Both sides made compelling arguments, and created a stalemate in her mind. That is, until one pony who Celestia trusted a great deal commented on the situation. The decision Celestia reached was not well received by one Lunar Princess.


"Why won't thou send them!?" Luna yelled loudly.


"They are untested and we cannot afford to lose the colony in the south. We need experienced veterans to handle this situation, not giddy colts who have never seen combat."


"Just give them a chance! They want to prove themselves and they will fight with great ferocity. We hath faith in them and they will not disappoint us."


"Nay! They are not going and that is final!"


"Tia! Use thy head and listen to reason. Thou plan on sending a tired, under-equipped, division while thou hath one that is well rested, well-equipped, and ready to mobilize immediately. Send the 13th, they can handle this. We'll give them a speech before they leave and motivate them. They can accomplish anything if we motivate them."


Celestia let out a long sigh. She had to admit that Luna was right. The 13th was ready to deploy at a moment's notice and was well rested and stocked. She conceded and overturned her previous decision. "Thou hath made a good point. Thou shalt motivate thy division tomorrow before they shall march to the south. I'm warning you Luna, more than Equestria’s pride may rest upon this conflict. If thou should fail, our own country could be perceived as weak, and a ripe target for our more aggressive neighbors.”









The next day Princess Luna gathered the 13th division, and in her royal Canterlot voice, addressed them and began her short speech.


"My dear soldiers of the 13th Infantry Division! Thou all know the reason we hath gathered you! There hath been a large disturbance in the south of the kingdom. The Royal 3rd Division is being overwhelmed and are in need of immediate reinforcement. We have been given the glorious honor of pushing these nomadic infidels back into the barren wastes from which they came! The enemy we face is unknown and mysterious, but that shalt not deter us! They hath attacked our country and killed our fellow citizens. We shall make them pay! We hath watched all of thou train and and are most pleased with the result. It is our time to shine and show these savage whelps that Equestria is a place that should never be trifled with. We are most proud of all of thou and now thou must prove thy-selves, not to your fellow divisions, not to these uncivil nomads, but to thy country and thine Princess! We give all of thee our best wishes and royal blessing for a triumphant victory in the coming campaign. May your wings never fail you, your swords stay ever sharp, and may honor and glory become yours!"


As Luna finished, the division went into a frenzied state. The soldiers pounded their hooves against the ground, creating a large, deafening thunder that shook the ground. Her soldiers also all began chanting her name as one over the continuous hoof pounding. "Luna! Luna! Luna!" The division standard (flag) bearers began waving their flags back and forth frantically, displaying the vivid colors of the flags. 


Luna was overwhelmed with pride and awe as she witnessed this great spectacle. Thousands of ponies chanting her name and pounding their hooves onto the ground. While above the soldiers, the flags waved overhead and she saw several copies of her cutie mark staring back at her. For one of the few times in her life, she felt like she had accomplished something truly amazing.









Within a week, the division was on the southern border, thanks to taking a train. Upon arriving, the 13th took responsibility for the settlement and its surrounding area. The remains of the 3rd division regrouped and took charge of the military outpost and its surroundings. The nomads were aware that another large amount of ponies had just arrived, and became excessively wary and skittish.


Nomad attacks almost stopped completely due to the presence of the 13th division. Whenever a patrol was set out towards a nomad controlled area, the nomads scattered and ran when they saw anypony approach them. Even one soldier could send dozens of them scrambling away and out of sight. 


The appearance of Luna’s troops is what truly frightened them. With their fangs, gold eyes, and webbed wings, the nomads thought they were demons. Rumors among the nomads circulated that these so called “demons” were here to hurl them all into Tartarus for breaking tradition and waging unjust war.


Afraid, and doubting their capability to win the conflict, the nomad ponies prepared to make amends and return to peace. Or that was the plan until a mysterious mare appeared before them, offering military aid in the form of a small army of mercenaries. All she asked for in return was the total destruction of the 13th Lunar Division.


The nomads were suspicious of this mare and her reasons, but accepted her offer nonetheless. Bolstered with this large force, the nomads laid in waiting. Waiting for the opportunity to strike and take the Equestrians by surprise.









On one scorching summer morning, a pair of Lunar soldiers ran out into the sandy wastes. Their purpose was to scout out the nomads, as no contact had been made with them in over a week. Fearing something diabolical, command had decided to see what those pesky desert dwellers were up to.


The two scouts ran up and down the usual patrol routes, and found nothing, as usual. Spurred onward by orders, they abandoned the routes and the safety of being in the settlement’s immediate area. They plunged deeper and deeper into the desert, occasionally looping around to make sure they covered every dune and hill in the area they explored. 


By now, the familiar settlement was just a heat distorted visage on the horizon. Realizing how far they had traveled, they wondered how they still had found nothing. The sun had reached its pinnacle, and its oppressive heat was making the scouts extremely uncomfortable in their armor. They were about to turn back and cross the sea of dunes to return to the settlement, but they reluctantly decided to check over the last hill in front of them.


They fell onto their bellies as they slowly crawled up the sand dune, being careful not to make too much noise. Upon reaching the crest, they peered down unto the other side. Their eyes widened in disbelief as they tried to process what they were seeing.


After the hill they sat on, the desert evened out into a large flat plain, dotted by the occasional cactus. What occupied this large stretch is what made them gasp in shock. Tents as far as the eye could see met their gaze. Many were of the strange nomad design, while the rest took a more familiar shape, like those used by the Equestrian military.


Hundreds of nomad ponies could be seen milling about, their black and white stripes seeming to blend them all into one large congenial mass. Other ponies were present as well, their coats being of many varying colors just like normal ponies. The one thing they shared in common, was the golden-bronze armor they all wore.


Terrified of their new discovery, they quickly decided that they needed to return to base immediately and report this. As they were about to climb down, a nomad suddenly looked up at their hill and spotted them. For a tense moment, time stood still, as both parties only stared at each other in fear. The silence was broken by the nomad finding his voice and shouting.


“Demons!”


The two Lunar scouts were gone. They slid down the hill, trying to start running while doing so. By the time they reached the bottom, both were at a full gallop as they raced toward the glistening beacon in the distance. The settlement.


Moments later, the two scouts found themselves with company. A group of six nomads accompanied by two of the bronze-armored ponies were in hot pursuit. One of the bronze-armored ponies was a unicorn, the other a pegasus. During the chase, the nomads were whooping and shouting, while the unicorn and pegasus remained stoic.


Nodding to each other, the pegasus spread his wings and took flight. He winged his way closer and closer to the two fleeing scouts. His wingblades shimmered brightly in the desert sun, highlighting his ill intent.


Looking over their predicament, the two scouts devised a quick plan. The pegasus would distract the group while the earth pony would escape. The pegasus volunteered, even though he knew he was likely to die. He pushed that thought out of his head as he remembered his mission. This information had to get back to headquarters, no matter the cost.


Bidding his comrade farewell, he spread his wings and rose to meet the other pegasus. He attacked the bronze-armored pegasus with his own wingblades, knocking him off balance as blade connected with blade. The other pegasus tumbled in the air, and withdrew to regain his bearings. 


While the pegasus was temporarily indisposed, he made a couple of quick swooping attacks at the earth-bound members of the party. Dodging magic attacks and the jabbing of spears, he managed to get one nomad. The sand turned red as he bled to death from the fatal wound.


The earth pony scout had escaped by now, lost in the sea of dunes as he made his way towards the settlement. Still, the pegasus fought on, for he wanted to make sure that they would not get to his comrade. 


The bronze pegasus was back, and flew in a large lazy circle around the Lunar scout. The nomads and unicorn sat below, waiting for him to make the first move. He sat still for a minute, considering his options as his opponents quietly waited for him. He took one last breath as he dove straight for the unicorn.


The pegasus bolted after him, hot on his tail, while the unicorn began firing magic attacks at the Lunar scout. Dodging and weaving, he avoided them all and closed the distance. He collided with the unicorn, and the two tumbled across the desert sand for a brief moment, creating a dust cloud. As the cloud dispersed within a few moments, the Lunar scout emerged over the broken form of the now dead unicorn.


Enraged, the bronze pegasus bellowed as he came down like a speeding bullet upon the Lunar scout. His hind leg connected with the scout’s head in a furious kick. Thrown a couple of feet, the scout could only stagger weakly and attempt to stand back up. He never got the chance, as the nomads descended upon him and ran him through with their spears. Satisfied, and knowing the other scout was impossible to find at this point, the surviving nomads and the pegasus returned to their camp. Bearing the bad news of what had transpired.


The scout ran without pause. Only when he was within the safety of the settlement did he bother to slow down. Between tired, ragged breaths, he told his fellow soldiers of the nomad and mercenary camp, as well as the sacrifice that their brave comrade had made. Shocked by the news of reinforcements acquired by the nomads, the information was quickly passed up the chain of command. It even went so far as to reach Luna’s ears.


Luna’s reception of the news was dulled, as if she had suspected such a thing all along. Ordering caution, she gave her permission to proceed with the planning and execution of an attack. All the while she quietly mused to herself, thinking about matters of the past.


The 13th Lunar Division assembled, and prepared to march for the camp. The plan was simple. Take two brigades of the division, and leave the last to guard the settlement. The attacking force would descend upon the enemy encampment and obliterate it. While the defending force would watch over the base and make sure it was secure.


Formed up into rank and file, the attacking force marched into the desert. Led by the earth pony scout, they came to the spot where the camp was located. It was empty.


All the tents were gone, as were the nomads and mercenaries. The only thing that indicated there was a large camp here was the huge amounts of churned up sand, and some small fire pits and rings.


After this disappointment, the Lunar army prepared to march back to the settlement. Suddenly, loud war whoops and shouts were heard as nomads and mercenaries appeared from the dunes on all sides. They descended upon the Lunar force and encircled them, trapping them in the desert. A fierce and bloody battle erupted in the sands.


Swords and armor clashed against each other. While spears, arrows, and magic attacks flew through the air. The screams of the wounded and the dying were enough to drive anypony insane. Blood splattered everywhere and painted the sand and many ponies an evil red. 


The nomad fighters stood little chance against the elite soldiers of the 13th, and hordes of them fell. The mercenaries fared better by far, for they had received proper military training. Still, many on both sides fell as the battle progressed. Every time the nomads and mercs tightened their circle around the 13th, they were rebuffed. 


After a couple unsuccessful hours, the nomad forces with their mercenary allies broke contact and withdrew into the dunes. With losses higher than what they wanted to accept, the 13th begrudgingly pulled back to the settlement. There was a problem though, it was currently under attack.


Another large force of nomads and mercs had attacked the settlement while the bulk of the 13th were away. The remainder left on defense was holding, but just barely. A large number of mercs and nomads suddenly appeared and bolstered their attacking brethren. With horror, they realized the ones reinforcing the attackers was the large group the bulk of the 13th had engaged in the open desert a few hours prior. With the situation becoming dire, with nomads breaching the walls of the settlement, the rest of the 13th plunged into battle once more.


They swung upon the rear of the nomad forces, who were focused on attacking the walls of the settlement. Chaos filled the battlefield as the armies clashed once more. The front lines disintegrated and ceased to exist, as the battle turned into an all out melee with forces on both sides mixing and entangled within each other.


After hours of fighting, and numerous casualties on both sides, the two armies broke their engagement. The nomads and the mercenaries pulled away from the settlement, towards the desert. They tried to form up in a semblance of order, but failed to do so with the untrained nomads panicking and running about haphazardly. 


The 13th was able to regroup and fell into formation with practiced military precision. As one, they marched toward their scattered foes. Seeing this, the mercenaries knew they stood no chance now. The 13th outnumbered them by a hefty amount and were well organized, while their own forces were scattered. Avoiding a senseless massacre, they turned tail and ran into the desert. Their floundering nomad allies trailing behind them.


Shouts of joy and victory emanated from the 13th division. They had won their first battle.


That night the soldiers celebrated their baptism of fire and partied well into the night. Much drinking and yelling were to be had. The news of this victory was sent to Canterlot and many soldiers praised the scouts who had found the enemy encampment. 


Several toastings were made that night. Many were for the memories and the families of those who had fallen. While many hundred more were made praising Princess Luna for her blessing and the great care she had shown in training and inspiring them. Luna had given them a chance to prove themselves, glory, and victory. They felt that their devotion and praise to her was the least they could offer.


The 13th had suffered many casualties, but not nearly as many as the nomads and mercenaries had. The nomads realized they could no longer confront the Equestrian army head on or they would lose massive amounts of soldiers. Instead, they resorted to small hit and run strikes against various targets. Several nomadic base camps were spaced throughout the nearby desert and they would often appear from the desert, raid a settlement, and disappear before soldiers could react. The Royal Army commanders knew they needed to find these bases and destroy them, but how?


When news of the victory hit Canterlot, it made many a pony jump for joy. The princesses were especially happy at the good news, and Luna was ecstatic. The great news spread throughout the rest of Equestria rapidly and the whole country was in a joyous uproar. In celebration of this victory Luna made a new constellation, named “Triumph”, and made the moon shine brilliantly in the night sky for several nights afterward. 


The soldiers in the south saw the beautiful moon the next night and saw it as a sign from Luna. To honor their Princess of the Night, they stayed up all night to gaze and marvel at the magnificent night sky and the bright moon.


From the brilliant display of the moon at night, the commanders of the division had an idea. Since they could not approach a nomad base by day undetected and without them all running away and setting up elsewhere, why can't they attack at night by moonlight? 


The next week was spent doing night time search and destroy missions. They found, attacked, and destroyed several base camps. Very few nomads and mercenaries escaped such attacks, and most were taken prisoner. One nomad had this to say to his captors. 


"You are all mad. Only demons and monsters attack in the night. You serve the moon and it glows brightly for you to carry out your evil deeds. You call it "Luna" and you are its servants. This is madness! You are all lunatics! Your brains have been addled by this Luna!"


From this, the nickname "Luna's Lunatics" was born. It was adopted wholeheartedly by the soldiers and became a distinct part of their legacy.


After a few more months of fighting, the nomads had had enough. They brought themselves to the negotiating table and surrendered. They had lost several thousand of their population and were fearful their people could die out if this war persisted for much longer. Not to mention, that their mercenary allies and the mare leading them had mysteriously disappeared one night. The nomads promised to never attack Equestria again as long as Equestria did not expand further south. 


Celestia fully embraced these terms and signed the peace agreement. With the war finally over, the nomads disappeared back into the sands from whence they came and the 13th Lunar Division or "Luna's Lunatics" celebrated their victory once again.









Years and years after their first victories, the 13th division was one of the most well known divisions in the entire army. It was also one of the most prestigious and exclusive. It was the dream of many a soldier and officer to join this elite group of soldiers, who had an impressive record of winning almost every battle they fought.


The 13th division was also the only way to join Princess Luna's personal guard. Many wished to have the privilege of serving Luna personally, as this time was the height of her popularity with the pony folk.


Princess Luna had a small group of the most elite of the 13th's soldiers who served as her permanent personal guard. While at the same time, she also gave every qualified member of the 13th the opportunity to serve under her as a temporary guard for a short period of time. No pony passed up her offer. 


Luna used this mix of permanent and temporary guards to maintain a close relationship with her guards and soldiers. As well as to continuously gain fresh insight as to what was going on in the division from both officers and enlisted personnel. This tactic was effective as it kept her in high regard with her division and her subjects.


During this time, it was not uncommon to swear loyalty to the princess the division was dedicated too, so all soldiers in the 13th pledged their allegiance to Princess Luna and Equestria. Some ponies (politicians especially) thought that Luna was secretly trying to shift the balance of power in the kingdom. They saw that the only division that was dedicated to the Night Princess, was also the most well-known and best trained in the entire army.


In the meantime, Luna had received approval from her sister to create another two divisions that would be trained and formed to the same rigorous standards as the 13th. Opponents of Luna quite openly accused her of trying to take over the government. Stating that a total of three fanatically dedicated divisions could seize the capital and support a coup of the kingdom.


Princess Luna and Celestia both denied these claims and claimed to be in good standing with each other. They are sisters after all. Celestia also publicly announced that she approved the commissioning of these two divisions herself and said, "After seeing how the 13th turned out, it would be a great asset for the military to have more divisions like it. As for a coup, how could that happen? We are sisters, and we share our power equally.”


Even so, Princess Luna had begun to feel resentful and bitter towards her sister. Regardless of her great accomplishments and military prowess, It was well known throughout Equestria that many thought she was playing second fiddle to Celestia. They thought she was a pawn. A pawn under the influence and control of her elder sibling, who could never fully achieve greatness on her own.


At the same time, less and less ponies were enjoying the night, and many wished the days were longer instead of night and day being the same length. These things angered and insulted Luna, who took them personally. Bitterness, resentment, and hatred filled Luna's heart and soul, taking a firm root in each. Bitterness and resentment, for the ignorant and ungrateful subjects whom she ruled over. Hatred, for her sister. For Celestia always outshined her no matter what, and was often credited for things that Luna had done.


The powder was primed, and the fuse was set. The only thing needed, was the spark to set it all off.









The 13th division was stationed in Canterlot for some R&R, and it was just like any ordinary day. That was, until Princess Luna visited the Royal barracks. 


She approached the 13th’s commander and said, "Gather the troops, there is something that must be done." 


The commander thought something seemed different about Luna. She didn't look any different, but he sensed her attitude was off and her voice sounded harsher and colder than usual. Being a military colt though, he didn't say or ask anything. 


"Of course, your majesty." He replied as he bowed before her. 


"Good, make sure they are ready for combat by midnight." She said icily as she trotted out of the room. 


The commander’s mind was filled with suspicions that threatened to drown out all other thought. What could she possibly be planning? Please, Luna, dearest princess, do not take a course of action that could very well lead to self-destruction.









At midnight that night, all the troops were assembled in formation wearing full combat gear. They all stood there waiting for Princess Luna to come and meet them. An hour passed, but nopony dared to break formation, in case this was some discipline drill. Shortly after the first hour of the new day, a messenger ran into view and delivered a message to the commander, then ran elsewhere. 


The commander took the message in his hoof and unrolled the scroll. Inside were orders to invade the castle, and strategically place units all over the city, to prevent anypony from entering or leaving. It also detailed the seizure of the representative body and the military command structure, so as to effectively paralyze the government and prevent it from acting. The instructions also ordered the subduement of those who resisted, or threatened to impede them from carrying out their orders.


The commander was shocked as he read through this, and thought that Luna would never order something so aggressive and controversial. He was proved wrong and his fears seemed to be realized as he saw the Royal Seal and Luna's signature on the bottom of the scroll. These alone proved that this order was authentic, and had to be carried out. He sighed and ordered his soldiers to do as the scroll said.


And so, in the dead of the night, ten thousand Lunar soldiers rushed through the streets of Canterlot. All had their objectives and proceeded to carry them out. The occasional pony who was still up this late gasped at the sight, and grew frightened as they saw the city gates forcibly occupied by Lunar soldiers. Many thought and feared the worst, especially after patrols of Royal guards were seen being detained by members of the Lunar corps.


The outer walls and gates had been secured, which left only the interior and the castle left. Standard Royal guard units were in a panicked frenzy, unable to decide what to do or what was going on as the Lunar corps detained hundreds, if not thousands of them.


Making their way to the castle, the 13th forced their way inside, rushing past confused and alarmed guards and staff. Their destination was the throne room as they made a beeline straight towards it. Solar guards attempted to bar their entrance, indicating that Celestia was currently in the throne room, but were battered aside as the tide of Lunar soldiers surged through the doors.


Upon entering the room, the soldiers were greeted with the sight of the two alicorn monarchs of Equestria. Princess Celestia, the white and pure, was talking with her sister as the large group forced their way in. Surprised and startled, Celestia paled at the sight of the large armed group before them, while Luna merely smiled.


“Wh- what is the meaning of this!?” Celestia stammered, her eyes darting back and forth from Luna to her soldiers.


“A most excellent execution.” Luna merely stated, turning toward her Lunar soldiers and ignoring her sister. “Thou all hath performed admirably, and it is apparent thine loyalty has not wavered. I declare this “Emergency Government Seizure” drill a success. Thou may all stand down now.”


The soldiers did so, and the Solar guards were allowed back up, albeit with much cursing and grumbling.


Celestia exhaled in relief, and her normal calm demeanor returned. “Luna, don’t do that again without giving prior knowledge. Thou hast startled me most severely.”


Luna shrugged and said ominously, “Thou must be prepared for anything, sister. Everything and anything.”









As the next couple of weeks passed, several more of these drills took place. Some were during the night, others during the day. They became so common, that nopony was surprised when they happened anymore. They were more annoying than anything else, according to politicians anyway. So when one happened on a particular night, nopony thought anything was awry. Oh how wrong they were.


As per usual, the city had been secured and a small force had entered the castle. They walked, rather than ran, as they knew there was no urgency. That quickly changed as they heard shouting and sounds of a struggle from behind the throne room doors. 


Rushing to the door, they heard Celestia shouting at somepony. “Stop this at once! What on earth has possessed thou to do such a thing!?”


“You!” Another mare shouted back, her voice sounding familiar to the Lunar soldiers outside the door. “Thou art a tyrant and oppressor!”


The fighting continued as the reverberations of the magic attacks shook the very castle down to its foundation. 


Pounding on the locked door, the commander shouted, “Open this door at once!”


“Hah! Thine time hath ended!” The mare behind the door triumphantly stated.


“Princess Luna?”


“Yes, ‘tis I. Help me, mine own soldiers, for my sister hath attacked me! She wishes to usurp my position and rule the country all by herself!”


“Lies!” Celestia interjected.


“Silence, traitor! Thou shalt burn in Tartarus for thine betrayal!”


The attacks continued once more, and the Lunar soldiers hastened to open the doors. They could not believe their own ears had accurately recorded what had been said. How could such a thing be happening!? Regardless, they had a job to do, and a princess who needed their help. They threw themselves at the door, battering it as one giant living ram. 


After a tense couple of minutes, with the magic battle raging all the while, the lock on the doors finally gave way. The doors flew open as the soldiers rushed into the room with weapons drawn, ready to aide their ruler of the night.


What they saw, made them stop dead in their tracks. Princess Celestia was engaged in a magic duel with another alicorn who had to be Luna, but she looked completely different. She was now the same size as Celestia, instead of slightly smaller. Her coat was no longer a dark blue sapphire, but now a very dark shade of cerulean. Her eyes were different now as well, containing cat-like irises to make her look like a fierce predator. On top of it all, she wore light blue armor.


Her guards were unable to move. They were only able to gawk at this strange sight in front of them.


Looking over to the door, the alicorn who had to be Luna cried out, “My soldiers, aide me! Attack the Princess of the Sun!”


Dumbfounded, they did nothing.


“Imbeciles! I gave thou an order, carry it out!” Her true voice had emerged now, harsh and cold as ice.


“Who are you!?” The commander questioned. “You are not Princess Luna, even if you do look similar to her. As such, we shan’t take orders from thou!”


“But I am your beloved princess!” The dark mare sneered. “I was Princess Luna, but now I am so much more. I am Nightmare Moon, and the world shall learn to fear my name as I shroud it in night eternal!”


“How?” Celestia asked, tears forming in her eyes. “Why?”


“Why!? How!? Only now you ask these questions!?” Nightmare shouted. “It is thou who is responsible for this transformation. Thou hath treated us as second rate, and hath stolen the light from us in your selfish endeavors! We art viewed as a pawn, a pawn doomed to lay in the shadow of the one who guides us. No longer! ‘Tis you who hath caused us to turn to the bitterness and anger in our heart. Thou hath created this monster, now find thine own courage and face it!”


“It’s true… all of it is true…” Celestia stated sadly as tears started to trail down her cheek. “I-I-I saw the signs, but… I did nothing… I knew how the public saw you, I knew how you were feeling undervalued, yet still I did nothing. I’m a horrible pony and an even worse sister for letting this happen…”


“Confessing won’t change anything now, it’s a bit late for that!” Nightmare yelled. “Thou all heard her confess, now seize her and throw her in the dungeon!”


Still the Lunar soldiers sat unmoving, unwilling to believe what they just heard. Unwilling to believe that their princess had been turned into a monster.


“Do! As I command!” Nightmare Moon screeched, as a blinding flash of light blinded everypony for a few moments.


When the light faded, several Lunar guards looked… peculiar. Their eyes had been glossed over and were a pure white.


“Seize her!” Nightmare commanded.


As one, the guards with glossed over eyes pivoted toward Celestia, drew their weapons, and advanced in a battle ready stance. Hastily, their comrades tried to block them from advancing while the commander started shouting orders at them to stop. Undeterred, they pushed on, disregarding their friends and commander.


Realizing that they had been possessed, the remaining soldiers could think of only two ways to stop them. Attack and possibly kill their comrades, or defeat Nightmare Moon. Some attacked their possessed brethren, and were surprised when they fought back. The others surrounded Nightmare moon and began an effort to subdue her.


When Royal guards came rushing in the throne room from hearing the large ruckus, they were greeted by a rather strange sight. A group of Lunar soldiers were fighting against each other, while the rest were surrounding and being repelled by a dark alicorn mare. At the same time, this mare was engaged in magical combat with Celestia.


“Yield, Celestia. Thou cannot match my power, for the bitterness of your sister’s heart fuels it ever so greatly!”


“Do not force me to use the Elements, Luna. I will if I must!” Celestia shouted through her tears.


“Hah! I doubt thou could! The elements would have to disown me for that to work!”


Suddenly, the Elements of Harmony appeared, with three circling around each ruler. The three around Nightmare Moon peeled away from her, one by one to circle around Celestia.


“It appears they have, sister.”


Nightmare Moon’s look grew fearful, as did her tone of voice. “Thou wouldn’t, thou can’t, we’re your sister!”


“Thou are, and that’s why this hurts mineself greatly. I’m sorry Luna, please forgive me. I hereby banish thee to the moon!”


“NO!” Nightmare shrieked, as a blinding light enveloped the whole room. 


After the light faded, the possessed soldiers were back in their normal state, with some minor confusion. Looking out upon the moon, one could now see the sight that would be known as; The Mare in the Moon. Exhausted and saddened, Celestia fell to her knees as she began to sob. 


“Well, this can’t be good news for us, considering what just happened.” The commander of the 13th said, as Royal guards surrounded him and his soldiers.









The Nightmare Moon fiasco came as quite a shock to everypony. It came without warning and it had happened so suddenly. The one who was hardest hit by this was undeniably Celestia herself. She regretted what she had done but hated to accept that it was a needed course of action. Celestia spent the next week moping in the palace, not speaking to anypony or venturing outside. Worse still was the damage to Luna's once prestigious reputation, and those who were associated with her directly.


The 13th division was heavily criticized for its actions on the night of Nightmare Moon's coup attempt. No mercy was shown to them, even though this all happened under the pretense of a drill. All major entities, civilian and military, dropped all affiliation with Princess Luna like a hot brick. Even the two new divisions that were trained up to par with the 13th rescinded their position to dedicate themselves to Princess Luna. All but the 13th Infantry Division removed any trace of being involved with Luna.


The now severely anti-Luna government took immediate and drastic action against the 13th division. The whole division was slashed and reduced to one brigade. The loyalty of every member of Luna's personal guard and the entire division became questioned. Most senior officers in the division, including the division commander, "retired". As for the troops, most were discharged, while those who stayed in military service were under constant surveillance. 


Training, discipline, and pride in the remainder of the 13th division dwindled as the months and years went by to almost non-existent. The only things the 13th were trusted with were to guard the empty part of the palace where Princess Luna used to live, and other places of "utmost secrecy" such as the cellar. 


The politicians and the military did their best to put the 13th division out of sight and out of mind. They succeeded, as the 13th faded from public knowledge and memory. The only ones who remembered it now, were the politicians and military who used it as their horrible joke.


Two hundred years later, the 13th was briefly mentioned in a nation-wide expenditure cut. The government deemed that it was too expensive to maintain a brigade sized force in a non-combat role in Canterlot, especially since one combat capable division was already posted in the city, the 1st Infantry Division. The plan called for the permanent disbanding and deactivation of the 13th Infantry Division. 


Just as this particular bill was about to go through, Princess Celestia intervened. She proposed that the bill be amended so that the 13th division could be reactivated if needed and prevented it from being disbanded. Celestia also suggested that a unit of not more of 100 soldiers from the 13th shall always be in service, to perform ceremonial and honor guard duties.


The politicians argued the point of why they should even keep that many soldiers in the 13th division. Princess Celestia remained firm and would not budge on the issue. Grudgingly, they passed the new amended bill. The 13th was again reduced, but it was saved from total destruction. Nopony knew why Celestia was so opposed to the liquidation of the 13th division. Many assumed it reminded her of older times, and of her sister, and that she did not want that link to the past to disappear.


Those reasons were only part of the truth. For she was wise enough to know that when or if Luna returned in the future, she would be in a world where everything and everypony she knew would be gone. Celestia hoped that Luna would return one day and know that her sister had saved something of hers, so that she would have at least one familiar thing in the cruel unforgiving world of the future. She thought of it as a way to make it up to Luna of sorts. Unfortunately for Celestia, and the 13th division, that day would have to wait for another 800 years.