//------------------------------//
// Celestia 
// Story: Stories of the Changeling War 
// by SparrowFae 
//------------------------------//

	Celestia watched the setting sun, feeling it's slow descent and the subtle changing in the energies of the world. There was a slight pressure as well. Luna was nudging at her, eager to raise the moon and bring forth the night. Gently, but firmly, the white alicorn resisted, ensuring that the sun received the exact amount of time it should be allotted on this early spring evening. But it was not just for the sake of observing a more natural day-and-night cycle that Celestia delayed the sunset. She had a good idea why her sister was so avid. The war was heavy in her mind. It made her more hasty, more impatient. Celestia should have addressed her sister about it back when the tides of the war had turned, but it was not yet too late. 

Finally, the sun fell completely behind the horizon, leaving but a warm, pink glow in the western sky. The Princess of the Day relaxed, letting her magic dwindle as the world came into her sister's domain. Weariness clung to her like a blanket laden with water, but the physical plight of her body was far less disturbing than the implications that went with them. Equestria was changing. The hearts of her people were dark with the fear and hatred of a relentless enemy. Celestia doubted that Chrysalis knew just how grievous a wound she was inflicting. The invasion of her changelings had come at a delicate point in Equestrian history, interrupting plans that the Pony Princess had spent a millennium developing. Now the fate of Celestia's nation teetered on the brink of a cliff. 

With a sigh, the alicorn descended the steps to her throne room. The warm light of her sun was already retreating across the marble floor. She could feel her sister's familiar presence approaching from the west. The Princess of the Night radiated triumph and excitement. So she had recovered the Element of Generosity. It was a mixed relief. Celestia was fond of all of Twilight's friends and was pleased that Rarity was unharmed, but, if she was right about her sister's intentions . . . well, so long as the Elements were safe, there was hope. 

Soon the quiet throne room was filled with the gentle moonlight. It reminded Celestia of the nights she had spent here after Luna's banishment. She had often sat in her throne, gazing out the window at her sister's prison, opening herself to the pain of their separation. It was only fair. Luna's banishment had been necessary, but it had not been the younger alicorn's fault. Celestia deserved every ounce of the regret she had felt with every moon rise for a thousand years. 

Now she sat, staring out the window as she once had, but instead of pain, she felt fear. Fear for her sister, her pupil and her friends, and fear for all of her realm. For a centuries, she had indulged in complacency. Then Twilight and her friends had defeated Nightmare Moon and purified her sister, just as she had planned. She had allowed herself to believe that everything was under control. With Luna back to normal, they would finally be able to finish what they had started before the turning of the age. Only now did she realize the extent of her delusion. Luna thrived on war. It made a certain sense that her sister would have developed violent tendencies to balance out her own peaceful nature. But it was still problematic. 

A churning of magic preceded her sisters sudden appearance in the room, the midnight blue alicorn materializing in the flash of a teleportation spell. Celestia took a deep breath that she hoped her sister would not notice. The time had finally come to face her fear. 

"Greetings, Sister," Luna said pleasantly. 

"Hello, Luna," Celestia replied, "I trust your mission was a success?"

"You know it was." Luna's chiding was tempered by the fierce exhilaration in her eyes. "Has Twilight returned with the Element of Kindness?"

Celestia inclined her head. "They arrived earlier this evening."

"Excellent. They are all here. It is time we discussed our strategy for the final assault."

The Princess of the Sun took a deep breath. "Yes," she said, "We have much to discuss."

Celestia's stern tone was not lost on her sister. The blue alicorn raised an eyebrow. "What is your concern?" she asked bluntly.

Celestia thought for a moment, considering where to start. "You are . . . very eager for this battle."

"Of course I am. It is time we ended this threat to our realm once and for all."

"The major threat was ended when Twilight destroyed the Stone of Anguish. Without it's power, they are no more dangerous than they were ages ago. If that were not enough, you destroyed the majority of their remaining forces at Cloudsdale. The changelings are finished. Is it wise to risk more of our soldiers' lives trying to finish an enemy who can no longer hurt us?"

Luna's expression darkened. "You believe we should show them mercy? After what they did to Equestria? After what they did to you?" The scars on Celestia's neck twinged at the memory of the assassination attempt that had nearly succeeded. "We cannot simply let them inflict such atrocities without repercussion. We must have justice!"

"Is justice so important that we will sacrifice pony lives to achieve it?" Celestia asked calmly.

It was Luna's turn to take a deep breath. The younger princess took a moment to calm herself. "My sister. I understand your reluctance. But a thousand years of peace has clouded your judgement. You refuse to see the threats that lie outside our borders. Ponies are not alone in this world and the other races are not so comfortable in their positions. The griffons have been watching this conflict very closely, as have the lions of the south and even a few dragon tribes have been testing our defenses. If we appear weak now, then they will fall upon us eagerly."

Celestia flinched. Her sister was right. She had been neglecting to consider foreign affairs for quite some time. But her sister's intimate understanding of the predator nations' spirit was disconcerting. "What do you intend to do then?" she asked.

Luna showed her teeth in a grin that made Celestia want to cringe. "We will use the power of the Elements to crush them once and for all. That will send the message that ponykind is strong and that we will destroy anyone who dares to threaten our homeland."

The Sun Princess was aghast. She had known that Luna planned on using the Elements, but she had always assumed that she would simply perform another banishment. Perhaps she would be more forceful, but she had never considered that her sister could possibly be so deluded. No, Luna had been there when the Element's were forged. What was she thinking?

"You . . . You know what might happen if you use the Elements for pure violence," Celestia said. Luna didn't respond, merely staring at her sister with something utterly terrifying in her gaze. She knew. She knew that using the Elements for destruction, for creating chaos and discord would disrupt their connection to the magic of Harmony and put them into dormancy. Possibly forever. She knew, and she didn't care. Or worse, this was what she intended. "Why?" she whispered. 

Luna looked away. "I am sorry. I should have told you sooner."

"After the years of planning. After everything we've been through. You want to give it all up now?"

"A thousand years is a long time to think, sister," Luna said. Celestia winced at the bitterness in her sister's voice. "And I did think. I thought about the dangers of this world. The sorts of things that put me on the moon. Things that could rival even our power. It led me to believe that our plan was misplaced." The Princess of the Moon turned back, meeting Celestia's eyes with an unflinching gaze. "Mortal ponies cannot possibly withstand the darker forces of the world without us. Equestria needs its rulers. We cannot leave."

Celestia gaped at her sister who stared stonily back at her. "You can't possibly believe that," she said desperately, "Not after everything Twilight and her friends have done. Surely you see their potential."

"It is not about potential!" Luna snapped. When she saw how Celestia withdrew from her anger, she visibly took more control over her emotions. "I know you have always wanted to pass on the mantel of power. But look at how much good you have done. Ponies are stronger now than they have ever been because of your guidance. Equestria needs you. I am sorry, my sister, but in time you will realize that I am correct. Please, do not let this matter trouble you. All will be well."

Celestia didn't answer. She couldn't. Her sister delivered her arguments with the passion of one who truly believed in her own words, but the elder Princess saw through all of that to the true reason behind Luna's defiance. After the defeat of Discord, the sister's had agreed that they should rule Equestria temporarily, eventually passing on their position to others. But in the years of her imprisonment, Luna's mind had changed. She wanted to keep her power. No amount of reason would convince her of her folly. 

When the Princess of the Sun remained silent, Luna turned away reluctantly. "I must make preparations," she said, "It is for your own good, sister. And the good of all Equestria. But I am truly sorry." And with that, the younger alicorn departed through the large, double doors on the other side of the chamber. 

Celestia sat quietly in the darkness. It had been a long time since she had devoted so much focus to a problem. Not since the days after trapping Luna on the moon had she needed to think so hard, but it still came as naturally as it did during their struggles with Discord. Luna likely did not even realize her true reason for turning away from the original plan. Until she did, Celestia would not be able to sway her. One option was to simply allow Luna to carry out her misguided plan and experience the consequences for herself, but the elder Princess could not foresee what exactly those consequences would be. It would also be irresponsible to put the ponies of Equestria at risk in such a way. Celestia would have to interfere with Luna's plan, and quickly. 

From what the Sun Princess had gathered, the Equestrian army and navy would be transported in its entirety to the Frozen North where they would engage the remainder of the changeling swarm. That would happen in three days, once the pony forces all returned from the Galloping Gorge. Celestia had three days to interrupt the course of events that her sister wished to put in motion. Three days before it was too late. 

No doubt Luna would have found a way to bend the power of the Elements of Harmony to her will. They would not easily allow themselves to be used for destruction. They would also only respond to their corresponding bearers. So. Luna would need to instruct Twilight and her friends in order to achieve that end. That was the first link at which Celestia would strike. The white Princess rose from her throne and ascended the stairs to her tower bed chamber, already deciding on the exact words she would use to convince her pupil not to join the attack on the changeling stronghold. 


* * *


It was early the next morning when there came a knock at Celestia's chamber door. 

"You wanted to see me Princess?" said the Lavender unicorn as she entered. 

"Twilight, please come in. Have you eaten yet this morning?" Celestia replied cheerfully, gesturing at a tray of toasted oats and day lilies. Twilight gratefully came to sit opposite the Princess and took a few bites from the tray. "I trust you are enjoying your reunion with your friends?"

The young unicorn paused only briefly, but Celestia had known her long enough to realize what that meant. She had to take a moment to think because she didn't know what to say. "Honestly . . . It's like I don't even know them anymore. So much has happened, and we didn't get to experience it together. It's made them all so different. Me too I guess."

It was worse than Celestia feared. The bond between the six friends was vital to her plan. She could not allow them to fracture. "I know how difficult this must be for you, but you must believe that your friendship can be repaired." Twilight looked dubious, so the Princess added, "Think of it as another learning opportunity."

Twilight's demeanor improved slightly at that and the two ponies ate the rest of their breakfast in silence. It was a decidedly pleasant experience for the Princess. She had not dined with her apprentice in nearly four years and she had forgotten what good company the unicorn was. The lavender pony still had the same aura of curiosity, but her wonder had been blunted. She was also more anxious, though she hid it well. The only thing that was truly missing was the young mare's sense of innocence. The past nineteen months of war had taken their tole on the poor girl. And Celestia was afraid that the coming weeks would be just as difficult, if not more. 

At length, the two mares finished their breakfast and Twilight rose to leave. "Just a moment please," Celestia said, "There is something else I need to discuss with you. Something very important."

"What is it?" Twilight asked dutifully. 

"My sister has informed you of her plan I presume?" 

The unicorn nodded, saying, "She wants to use the Elements of Harmony to defeat the changelings again."

"No," Celestia said gravely, "Luna would use the Elements to destroy the changelings."

"Is that even possible?" Twilight asked. There was an unnerving amount of intrigue in her voice.

"It is. However, my sister has not considered the full extent of the possible consequences. It is not in the Elements's nature to cause destruction. To do so will take great effort on your part. And it may harm the Elements in the process."

"But the changelings would be gone? Forever?"

Celestia was momentarily dumbfounded by her pupil's attitude. She had never before been so numb to the Princess's implications. "Yes, their entire race would be eradicated. It would be a terrible tragedy."

"I'm sorry, Princess, but I have to disagree. The changelings have done so many terrible things. And not just to us. They've been a plague on every race at one time or another. If we have an opportunity to stop them once and for all, we have to take it."

Celestia recovered quickly from the shock of her student's disagreement. She had been sure that Twilight would see the danger in Luna's plan. "What of the Elements of Harmony?" the Princess pressed, "Such a misuse of their power could damage them permanently."

"Even so," Twilight said cautiously, "I've read every book we have on the changelings. I know what sort of horrors they put their host civilization through every time they feed. We can't let that continue, even if we lose the Elements. Besides . . .  I'm not so sure we actually need them anymore. It wasn't the Elements that stopped the changelings during the invasion. The power of Cadance and Shining Armor's love did that. And that's not the only source of power we have. The Stone of Anguish wasn't the only artifact in this part of the world. My research even turned up a few that are probably within Equestria's borders. There's a good chance we can find those, so sacrificing the Elements might not be as bad as you think."

Celestia couldn't believe what she was hearing. Independence of thought was an excellent quality, but the young mare had certainly chosen a poor time to learn that particular lesson. Still, the young unicorn had always been unwaveringly loyal. Even now she was not being truly defiant, but rather expressing her point of view, presenting a rational argument. But she would bend to Celestia's will if the Princess commanded her to help in thwarting Luna's plan. That would be the easiest way, the safest way. 

No. The consequences of that action were clear. If she force Twilight to obey, if she robbed her of her ability to choose, their relationship would change. They would no longer be teacher and pupil but ruler and subject. Faithful student would become faithful servant. Celestia needed Twilight to be more than that.

The Princess forced herself to look directly into her student's lavender eyes and speak with the utmost conviction. "Very well. I trust your council, Twilight. And I trust your ability to resolve any complications that may arise."

The unicorn looked queasy for a moment, but her apparent anxiety soon faded into a stony, calculating mask. "Thank you, Princess," she said, "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have plans with my friends today. Pinkie Pie wants us to all spend time together before the deployment."

Celestia nodded and watched silently as her student exited the chamber. The alicorn's mind immediately set to work sifting through Twilight's words for each point of logic she had presented. Everything she had mentioned was true. The changelings were a pox on the world, bringing nothing but pain wherever they went. Wiping them out would be a boon to all sentient life. And there were artifacts other than the Elements of Harmony, some which were much older and far more powerful, which could be harnessed. Slowly, an alternative to the future Celestia had painstakingly prepared began to take shape. All nations would rest easier with the changelings gone. Ponies would be even stronger than before. Other animals would look up to them. It was a future full of greatness.

But it was the wrong kind of greatness. The spirit of ponykind was already changeing, twisting into something hungry and restless. Celestia could already feel it happening. The hatred they felt for changelings would linger and find new targets. Conflict would arise simply because ponies would not be able to relinquish the power that came through force of arms. There would be no more balance, no more harmony, no more peace. Thousands of years of progress would vanish in the course of a generation. 

It was not quite certain. Perhaps Twilight would even succeed in steering them away from the edge. But Celestia had waited so long and sacrificed too much to leave the fate of Equestria in another pony's hooves while there was still something she could do. And there was one last thing she could do.


* * *


Celestia shivered as she strode through the crystal caverns, the same caves that Crysalis had used to imprison Twilight and Cadance during her initial attempt at invasion. It was cold and damp, but that could hardly bother the Princess of the Sun. What really gave her goosebumps was the aura of fear and suffering that pervaded the abandoned mine. It had been the site of great cruelty, cruelty inflicted by ponies upon their own kind. 

Greedy, powerful unicorns had once owned these caverns but did not have the means to unearth the crystals on their own. So they exploited the poor and desperate, offering wages that would barely sustain their work force. The early years of Equestria's history was filled with similar stories. It still pained Celestia that she had not been there to help those ponies see the error of their ways, but, at the same time, she was glad that she never had to witness that horror. Now it seemed like she might have to face that same evil in the future. But only if she failed in the task that brought her down into these caves.

Finally Celestia found the spot she was looking for. Shattered and melted crystals were strewn everywhere, Twilight's doing. When Crysalis had trapped her down here, she had cast a two-way scrying spell so that she could taunt the young unicorn. It clearly had the desired affect. Twilight must have been very angry to cause so much destruction. The Princess just hoped that her student's outburst hadn't disrupted the subtle, magical signature that Crysalis had left with her spell. 

Closing her eyes, Celestia sent a tendril of magic toward the translucent wall of the cavern. She smiled as she sensed the faint remnants of Crysalis's spell. The Princess scanned the tattered weave of energies, rebuilding the pattern in her mind. Then, like an expert seamstress, she stitched the spell back together, reinforcing it with her own magic. Abruptly, the spell snapped back into existence.

The cavern wall suddenly began to glow with a green light. When Celestia looked into the crystal, she could see a large, broken throne flanked by a pair of flickering torches. A surprised snarl emanated from the throne. 

"Who dares-- Oh, of course it's you. What's the matter, Celestia? Is your faithful little student such a poor spy that you had to come find me yourself?"

"I am not here to spy on you, Crysalis," Celestia responded coolly. 

A pair of pale green eyes appeared between the torches. They stared directly into Celestia's, burning with hate. "Then what do you want?" the changeling Queen demanded. 

"I must inform you that you are in great danger. My sister intends to use the Elements of Harmony to destroy you and your people. There is still time for you to escape, but you must act quickly."

With the languid grace of a spider, Crysalis descended from her shattered throne, moving closer to whatever surface through which she was speaking. At this new angle, the light from her torches glinted off her carapace, revealing her expression. Her mouth was set in a horrible rictus that revealed every one of her pointed teeth. Strands of gossamer hair hung over her face and floated wildly about her head. 

"Oh dear," the Queen purred. Celestia bristled at her evident sarcasm. "The Elements of Harmony. Such a deadly and terrifying weapon. Hahahaha! Honestly, Celestia. Do you really expect me to fall for such a pitiful ruse?"

"This is no trick!" the alicorn boomed, "I am giving you a chance to save yourself. Please, you must leave before my sister arrives or--"

"Or what?" Crysalis interrupted, "I know what the Elements were designed to do. They can't be used for destruction."

"How did you know that?" 

"I know a great deal more than you think. Twilight Sparkle isn't the only one who has a fondness for history. And my library is bigger."

"You're wrong," Celestia said. Crysalis's smile had faded into a rather bored expression, but her eyes still danced with a confidence born of her hatred. "The Elements are more powerful than you can imagine, and my sister knows how to bend them to her will. She will destroy you."

"That's impossible. Using the Elements for destruction would--" Crysalis trailed off. Celestia blanched as she saw the realization dawning on the changeling's face. "Would damage their enchantment. Quite badly. It could even destroy them, couldn't it?" Celestia was silent. "So that's your reason." Chrysalis sneered, "You're afraid that your precious Elements will be destroyed, just like my Stone."

"My fears are irrelevant. If you don't retreat your entire race will be killed. Surely you see that?"

"What I see, dear princess, is an opportunity. One that you have so graciously provided. It would be rude if I didn't make the most of it." Celestia felt a strain on the magics that shaped the scrying spell. The changeling was breaking off her connection. 

"Crysalis, wait!" the alicorn shouted

"So sorry. I'd love to chat, but I have preparations to make. Ta ta!" 

With that, the fabric of the spell unraveled, leaving Celestia alone in the dark silence of the crystal caverns. The weight of her failure nearly robbed her of breath. Fate seemed to have conspired against her in every way. No one, not even Twilight, would stand with her in her attempt to preserve the harmony and peace that Equestria had enjoyed for thousands of years. 

For all of her life, Celestia had felt the gears of time turning, but this was the first time it felt like she was being crushed between their cogs.