//------------------------------// // Prologues are in Bloom // Story: Celestial and Luminescent // by Tygron //------------------------------// Crap I just shined this damn armour too.... It was definitely not Wrath's most professional thought in combat and certainly not the most useful that he could have had considering the circumstances, but still it was annoying that so much work was going to waste. And hell there were worse things that he could be focused on like what it looked like he was fighting. He was in a hideous mass of wings and hooves fighting for his life and the damn things didn't even have the decency to look like what they actually were, it was just odds that kept him from actually hitting his best friend and partner. Too many enemies and not enough friends around him, he was in the middle of a massive furball bigger than any he had ever been in before and considering what the Night Guard did that was saying something. Cuts with the blades hidden on his wings kept back some of the doppelgänger, kicks and headbutts took others out of the fight, facing mirrors of himself and his best friend, Wrath fought out of duty to what it looked like was trying to kill him. It was his duty damn it. Vengeance had been with him back in the academy.... damn did that feel like a long time ago. He had a wife and foal back home and Wrath was not going to make either of them cry. The tight loop he pulled to get away from a rather close bite cut his wings though the wings of two enemies and he hardly had the time to see them dive out of control before his field of vision was blocked by a wall of enemies.... he assumed. Damn there must be more than a hundred here. He took another swing dodging, ducking, weaving. He found his whole life centered in this moment. He didn't know how much longer he would last, too many... too much work..... He fought on. It was his duty. He struck the face of the pony he was there to protect. Too small. And if I can touch it it's not her. He told himself the dozenth time since this fight had started. I wasn't able to touch her when we spared she would never get hit by a kick like that. A blue mane fell from his view and he was right back to work punching himself in the face that should not feel as good as it does, if he survived this he might need to see that therapist about his rather poor self image, fighting himself was pretty cathartic though.... Huh I need to spend more time at the gym too it's been only 15 minutes of non stop fighting and I should really be better prepared. He certainly wasn't ready for what came next. A voice loud enough to crack stone echoed like thunder all around him calling words he hoped he would never hear again and had never expected to hear in the first place. "NIGHT GUARD! OMEGA 13!" The Night Guard hadn't been body guards in his life time, and hadn't been for 40 generations before. The only reason that he knew the tactical doctrine was that he had studied it less than a year before when he got this post. The order frightened him. He could not put out the instinctive desire to follow the order, the voice and the pony behind it demanded loyalty on a subconscious level, but omega 13.... It was a simple combat doctrine, and one he had hoped to never hear. “Attempt to move away from all friendly units. Engage in combat only with forces that attack you. Once clear approach friendly forces only if units identity can be confirmed. Remain evasive and alert until all clear is given and confirmed.” The pegasus's wings twitched trying to follow the order even as his heart hurt, he was being told to bug out but it was his duty to guard her.... Vengeance was always the more level headed of the two and, Wrath always thought, the better soldier. “Confirm Omega 13!” Thank the Sisters Venge knows what he's doing. It must have been one of these Changeling bastards, she would never give that order. The confirmation will have... "CONFIRM OMEGA 13! FIREWIND!" The exact right code phrase....Oh shit. It was no longer time to be contemplating an order. Wrath was going to be in the middle of a ball of chattering ugly in a minute with his number on it. He spotted the closest spot of blank sky and bolted... Feeling like a traitor the whole time. It was his duty, he told himself as he quickly got out of the edge of the fight and when he checked to see how many had followed he didn't see anything. He slowed and looked back, he saw a single Vengeance flying out of a now rapidly shrinking ball of “ponies” She's still in there, she just tried to save... Lightning struck down from the clear blue sky into the centre of the writhing limbs and wings, and for the first time in more than a thousand years, the moon danced. She danced with a partner, a blade that flickered around her body. It was a rounded off razor spinning around her body rotating around her neck flicking out to the edge of a hoof as she would spin. It looked as though lightning and quicksilver were flowing from her horn striking the changelings that came for her. She whipped her head directing the living quicksilver weapon that reached and grabbed twisting in impossible ways electrocuting those it gripped and throwing them bodily into their fellows. She span and bucked in time with music that only she could hear, the blade flashing around her body.... No flash was the wrong word, almost the exact opposite of that. Where the blade cut froze, but more than that the blade cut through light itself, a shadow that could not be seen through dashed along the line of the cut as a physical presence. Despite the Blessing of the Sisters Wrath was swallowed by the darkness created by the blade and could not see his own hoof in front of his face in the instant that it passed over him. And as his enchanted eyes readjusted to having light again he saw that it was all over. Frozen, cut, unconscious and smoking more than ten dozen changelings fell to the ground far below. And what he hoped was Vengence was coming over to him. “Shadow.” "Uh oh. What's the countersign!?! Uh beam? I think... Is that right? I swear I'm not a changeling.” Vengence flew over and bopped him on the head, silently flapping his leathery wings. “Yeah it's you. Your head's still hollow and you can't remember 5 words. No matter how much you try.” Once he was able to push his friends hoof off of him and give him his best glare he thought back to the fight they were in less than half a minute before. “Did you think we would make it out of there?” Vengeance looked over some of his cuts and bruises nothing too deep but certainly enough to slow them down sooner rather than later. “No. I really didn't. I.... I was starting to think about last words.” They had faced down a full grown dragon in the past and Wrath had never seen Vengeance this affected. He was certain that he saw his normally stoic friends forehooves shaking.... Wrath hadn't had time to be scared in the fight but he checked the cuts and bites on himself, the pile of changelings below them, and his partner, who on certain occasions Wrath had made jokes about being a machine in the past, totally shaken.... He had never been as scared in his life, fortunately friends can really be your rock when lost at sea. “Time to get back to work. Probable primary subject spotted, making contact.” Vengeance moved towards Luna and Wrath followed close behind. “Lightning.” “Crash,” her blade had disappeared but the whip that she had been using was now wrapped around her mid-section like a belt. “Come. You will have to gather as much of the guard as you can and do as quick a sweep as you can..... and I'll have to make sure Chrysalis doesn't come back.” “Are we expecting the changelings to leave soon?” Wrath was afraid this was going to become a siege. Hiding in the castle constantly checking everypony, continual paranoia until everything fell apart, but her confidence gave him hope. Her eyes looked down to the audience hall and seemed to notice something. “They'll be gone in just a couple minutes. You get the guards together and make a sweep of the castle no need to bother Shining Armor on his wedding day. Now go. I have to catch that bitch on her way out and give her her gift for being kind enough to come to the wedding.” *** The second wedding went off beautifully.... Or so we were told. Celestia thanked us personally for looking after Luna and seeing to organizing the guard after the attack. Luna told us to take the credit which I can tell is still chafing Vengeance as we escort Luna through the castle. “I still say they should have waited for you before they started the reception.” “I certainly would not have delayed them, I am surprised I was able to make it back to see the first dance after catching Chrysalis on her way out.” Luna was still smiling as we step out onto one of the battlements of the castle where several guards come to attention. “You may fire when ready Commander. The newlyweds are on their way to the honeymoon.” The Commander simply saluted and gave the order and as we turn to walk away from the artillery team. The fireworks spiraled into the night sky, just brief slashes of light to the ponies below I glance back in time to spot a heart shaped explosion and shake my head. The Princesses are right of course, ponies need to be distracted from thoughts of the invasion. It just feels kinda ridiculous while I've got bruises stiffening up and all these bandages on. As we head to the Tower of the Moon I notice Luna's smile falter, “Did you enjoy the party Princess?” “Oh yes it was quite a nice party. Of course anything's better than the Grand Galloping Gala, too damn formal for my taste.....” What was left of her smile turned sly, “Speaking of formalities.... We have stood together in combat you two certainly have the right to just call me by name alone.” “Of course Princess. We'll keep that in mind Princess.” We had quite a bit of practice saying that in unison and as usual it got a laugh out of her. “I was merely curious Princess it looked like you were holding yourself back.” “Well yes it may not have been the Gala but still We decided that my type of dancing is not 'fit for polite company.' Prudes....” Luna dancing.... I had never seen something as beautiful and horrifying. Her speed, strength, grace.... it was perfection and I could only stand as mute witness. Vengeance and I had only gotten in the way.... Best to just get rid of us, not much use to somepony of her skills. We were silent as we approach Luna's chambers and finally she stops and casts a questioning gaze at us. “Something wrong?” Vengeance finally said what had been keeping him quiet all evening, “I am sorry Princess our service was entirely inadequate today. We... We failed in our duty.” I saw Vengeance starting to look out the window of the tower, as I looked down at my hooves... Neither of us could look at our beloved Princess. “You did very well my little ponies, you stood by my side in impossible odds and followed orders when they were given. I could ask no more of anypony in the Shadow Guard. I am very proud of you.” “We ran.” I spat out as I brought my eyes up to meet hers, “You.... We weren't able to help you and we had to run.” “Yes you did. You ran like scared little foals.” She smiled so soothingly at us I couldn't keep a smile from my face, “And I could not be more proud of you. There are times I'm going to need you to do things you aren't comfortable with and very often that will be abandoning me. Should I lead Our armies again in a full battle I may send you away to engage enemy commanders while I stand where the fighting is fiercest. You must be willing to leave me to my foalish decisions no matter how you feel.... My sister and I are used to being alone with such burdens....” though Her face had darkened during her speech a sly grin came to her face very quickly “.... My sister is alone....” Vengeance and I knew better than to interrupt Luna's scheming and so we just glance at each other slightly worried about what might come of our Princesses prank when it was directed at her sister. It was now a full grin on her face when she seemed to get together her plans and turn her attention back to us. “Consider yourselves at liberty, I know you had delayed a leave in the face of the pre-wedding threat. So consider yourselves off for two weeks.” She held up a hoof to stop an argument that we were to shocked to give anyway. “I'm sure that the castle guard is more than sufficient also Smiles and Meadowlark are available for any travel I need. Now I need to go check security in the Tower of the Sun.... and the old observatory.... ” Vengeance and I looked at each other rather confused as the Night Princess fairly skipped back down the hall away from us. Silently we decided that it was best to leave before we got caught up in whatever silly plan our Great Lunar Goddess had got into her head. *** A Princesses work was never done. Once she had returned from her... “errand” Luna sat in her study and began going through her paperwork. It was while going through the legal wording on a particularly tricky request that she noticed that she had been joined by somepony, and considering what she had been up to less than an hour ago there really was no question about who it could be. A few moments of feigned ignorance before, “Ah-hem” a quite polite interruption. “Oh hello 'Tia, finally ran out of foreign dignitaries to greet?” When last she had seen her sister it had been in at the official royal party with a giant cue of important well wishers. Now though as she looked she saw her sisters usual benign smile had a bit too much actual humour behind it like she was waiting for the punchline of a joke..... Or visualizing how to torture somepony who was really annoying her. “Yes I was finally able to break away from the party, it may have gone faster if you had stayed... instead you left early. And I was left to be tortured until almost everypony I had wanted to speak to had left.” “It probably didn't help that everypony who we know was involved in the wedding and probably exhausted after putting together two in a day. I am honestly sorry I left you to the wolves like that, but even with the night court out of session this evening I feel I'm hardly making a dent. An entire night just going through paper work and I'll probably still be a month behind.” “I certainly know the feeling,” her smile wavered as she looked at the pile beside the Moon Princess, but it came back as she half turned away from her sister. “Well I shall leave you to it... Though I feel I am forgetting why I came here... Ah yes, there happens to be somepony in my bed.” A royal eyebrow went up as she looked at her sister expectantly. “Oh well,” Lunas surprise was written all over her face, “that is awfully forward of them. I have to be impressed with such a bold and courageous move.” “I might feel the same, it's hard to think that though when my visitor is snoring quite adorably. I would think that pure adrenalin and nerves would keep them awake if they had just crept in.” “Well it is quite late perhaps they were so tired after such a busy day they had laid down to rest their eyes and fell asleep instead.” “Luna, you know how well warded my chambers are. And then the normal guards....” “Yes all the more impressive, that they had the skill to get in. Magically powerful, intelligent, inquisitive and very confident you have to tell me who your little pony paramour is....” While she was able to maintain her coy smile, Luna fought with all her life not to laugh at her sisters now very unamused face. “Luna why is my personal student asleep in my bed?” “Well it seems to me she...” “Luna!” “Sigh,”she said to her buzzkill of a sister. “Well I thought after you had had such a long and trying day and what with the way those changelings captured you, you might need some company for the night dear sister.” The sincerity of her sister brought a much put upon sigh to Celesias lips, “And so you decided that you would teleport Twilight into my bed without either of our consent?” “Tia I am shocked that you would think I wouldn't ask her! You are my only true family and I would never set you up without finding out your suitors intentions.” Even while acting offended Luna's eyes were firmly focused on her sisters reaction. “Oh?” Thousands of years of royal encounters had hardened Celestia's poker face considerably but against her sister it was still almost useless. “Twilight actually said?” Luna couldn't hide her smile as her sister trailed off this was just so cute. “Well she may have been asleep at the time but she was quite clear about her desires.” The Night Princess's admission brought back Celestia's focus. “Luna did you let Twilight know that it was actually you and not just a dream?” “I do not see how you can call it just a dream. But you may be right that it... Slipped my mind.” Celestia's frustration was very noticeable. Luna waved away her offence like it was nothing to be worried about “Come now it's not like it's anything I hadn't seen before.” Celestia's eyes widened “Have you been spying on our dreams?” “Spying has such a sense of malice attached to it.....” “Good night Luna. Twilight is going back to her own room.” Celestia sighed as she turned to leave. “Oh please no!” Luna's cry jarred her sister as she tried to walk away. “What?” the sun princess was totally confused by the dire sounding plea. “Sister it was very entertaining watching the 'will they won't they' back and forth and you two really are adorable trying to act like you're not into each other, but it's getting old.” Celestia blushed at the stern tone her sister was taking with her. “I say this in the name of all of Twilights friends, all the guards, all the members of court, all the citizens of Canterlot and Ponyville, and as the Princess of the Night..... Screw her and get it over with so we don't have to be tortured with your constant flirting.” “We will deal with it in our own time Luna.” The day had taken it's toll on the solar alicorn and some of her age showed on her face. “Now I am tired and I want to get to sleep so promise me that you will not teleport anypony into my bed without my permission.” “I promise sister.” Luna sighed “Goodnight then.” The royal sisters embraced a little longer than they normally did. “You are sure you are well 'Tia? You might want to think about keeping Twilight a few hours...” “Oh quiet you.” *** Luna was sitting upon the south facing terrace looking over the west edge as the moon sunk toward the horizon, it was her tendency in the early morning to come here and set the moon in the company of her sister. She had arrived a little early this morning and her walk though the lonely silent halls had sent her mind through old memories. Long opulent halls of polished stone, thick carpets, patrolling guards... It was all so familiar and then so wrong. A thousand years had brought so many changes, the polished stone was just a bit too regular to be natural, the carpets design so different from anything she had seen in her old life, armour thinner but sturdier on all of the guards thanks to metalworking advances..... And then there's just the design of the building itself. The Night Princess stared at the glorious edifice of Canterlot Castle, the castle gleamed even in the silver light of her moon. The high towers that overlook of the plains below and the overhanging castle grounds were truly glorious, and she was not sure that she would ever be used to it. Her gaze swept down the stones placed perfectly down all the way to where they hung over the lower mountains peaks and out down to the lower plains spreading below... and sighed. “Is there something the matter Luna?” The lunar princess smiled wistfully at her sisters question. “I'm thinking about home I suppose.” “Oh,” Celestia moved next to her little sister wrapping the younger alicorn in a wing. “I'm sorry about that. After the incident it was just too hard to think about rebuilding.” “The old palace took the brunt of that fight.” Giving a sly smile to her sister as she leaned against the white mare. “So much of it wasn't even in this dimension any more after that....” She shook her head. “I had to apologize to several extraplanar beings for masonry falling on them..... and then I didn't really have anypony to share a palace with so it's not nearly as fun.” Well isn't that a suspicious smile. “I know 'Tia this is a glorious place but I think it's just thinking about everything that's different.... A thousand years all gone by and I find myself with no home trying to build friendships and after far too long I am finally able to communicate with other ponies normally.... most of the time.” Both sisters softly laughed at the memory of the last time Luna had dipped back into the 'Royal Canterlot Voice' “Poor Shining Armor looked like he was going to piss himself.” “That poor colt would never survive in my Shadow Guard.” A light smack from her sisters hoof made Luna decide to keep the conversation light “I must say you are a little later than usual. So while I was observing 'modern' Equestrian architecture what were you up to?” “Ah yes, well it's an interesting story...” The solar diarch moved to the other side of the terrace staring out east Luna barely saw the smile spreading across her face as she turned away. “You see after I left you I went to my room to sleep alone....” The sisters horns glowed in the pre-dawn shadows. One let the night make way for the coming of the others dawn. As the light spread across the land Luna looked over at the glorious dawn and her glorious sister. The goddess of the sun looked at her with eyes full of accusation but even an ancient alicorn with generations of political experience could not keep the smile from her lips, “but you see I was late because I woke up in somepony else’s bed this morning.”