//------------------------------// // Chapter 2: The Conflict // Story: The War of Thunderstorms // by Zackautocon72 //------------------------------// Chapter 2 While knowing something like this was going to happen eventually, she was also confused about one other thing... Why would they think that? Didn't she prove to them that she wasn't Nightmare Moon anymore on Nightmare Night? This left her very confused. Celestia on the other hoof was completely enraged by the comments that had just been said by Roseluck. Celestia had also heard about Nightmare Night through not just Twilight's letter, but she also had heard it from Luna as well when she returned from Ponyville that night. Instead of confusion, Celestia was filled with anger. Her expression changed and she then began to give Roseluck what was coming to her. “What?! You were expecting me to kill my sister?!” She shouted this so loud that everypony within 100 yards of Sugarcube Corner could hear. “My sister has done absolutely nothing wrong! What could possibly be so bad that would make you want to wish for her death?!” Roseluck then turned to the other pony. “Hey, Ink-cloud, you got this right?” She said to the other pony next to her. The pony had dark blue eyes, a dark blue mane, and a white fur coat. Her cutie mark was a white cloud covered in blue ink spots. Why Roseluck had asked her to fill in for her was unknown to the Princesses, but they listened to what she had to say anyway. “Well for one thing,” Ink-cloud began “she raises the moon each night correct? And with night, there is darkness. And 'Princess' Luna's main power is connected to darkness, so that is a definite sign that she is still somewhat evil.” “Blasphemy!” Celestia roared. By this time a large group had formed around the table and none of the ponies at the table seemed to notice. If they did, they probably didn't care. “My sister has been rid of any evil that she would've had before. And the fact that your using her own powers against her like that, is cold hearted! My sister would nev-” “Yeah, yeah, yeah, your sister would never do something like that, sure she wouldn't.” Roseluck said, interrupting Celestia again. “But why don't you let Ink-cloud finish first before you speak again, Prin-cess.” She said this to Celestia in such a rude way, that Roseluck would've had her own head taken off. Ink-cloud then continued with her reasons. “Now lets not forget the fact that the reason Luna became Nightmare Moon in the first place was because of her jealousy toward you Celestia. Also because we ponies stay out in the sunlight and go about our business in the daytime. Because the children play in the sunlight and not the moonlight. Because we sleep under the moon and not the sun. Beca-” “SILENCE!” Luna had yelled. As she said this, her eyes glowed a bright white light and her face was full of anger and hatred. She then proceeded to use her Equestrian voice. “I HAVE NO SUCH PESSIMISM TOWARD MY OWN SISTER! THE PAST IS BEHIND ALL OF US AND IT WILL REMAIN THAT WAY!” The three ponies were silent after this as so was everypony else around the table. “Really?” Roseluck said with a questionable expression on her face. “If what you say is true, then we'll have to see it for ourselves then won't we?” She looked at her other two companions and then began to leave the table. “We'll see Luna... We'll see...” Before they could leave, Celestia had stopped them in their tracks with a stomp so hard, that everypony around them flew back a few feet. The other three didn't seem to budge and inch. Celestia, with anger and hatred in her eyes, glared at the three that stood in front of her and began to speak once more. “Give me one good reason why I should just let you walk away and trust that you won't do anything just to get at mine and Luna's throats.” Ink-cloud just smiled and said: “Because we're not your biggest worry Princess. There are more of us out there that are willing to go to the extreme. They won't stop until Luna is gone. Whether its through voting, or assassination. I'd keep and eye out for those ponies if I were you.” “I don't care if there are ponies out there that are worse than you or not.” Celestia said. “unless you're willing to accept my sister as one of Equestria's rulers, you stay away from Luna and I. Your actions are not acceptable under our rule.” Roseluck smiled. “Don't you mean YOUR rule? Luna is more like your pet than a second ruler.” With this comment, Ink-cloud, Roseluck, and their other companion burst out laughing. Luna became enraged and shot a powerful bolt of blue lightning at Roseluck, sending her flying through the walls of Sugarcube Corner and then through four other buildings. When Luna realized what she had done, she turned to face the crowd of ponies that were still gathered around them. Many of the ponies began to back away or just leave Sugarcube Corner altogether. Luna had felt horrible for doing this and tried her best to ensure everypony that she meant no harm. “I... I am so sorry... I didn't mean...” before she could finish, many ponies among the crowd began speaking. “Why would you do that?” asked Carrot Top. “What kind of a princess are you?” questioned Bon Bon. “I thought you had changed.” stated Cloudchaser. “Was Nightmare Night just your cover-up?” asked Daisy. More and more questions arose from the large crowd. Some tensions were rising, ponies were staring at Luna and whispering about something, and some began to scream more questions at her. Luna was frightened by the sight before her and could not take much more. But she wasn't the only one who had had enough. Celestia's horn glowed bright with magic and in one flash, Celestia, Luna, and Twilight, (for some reason) were teleported back to Canterlot castle. They appeared in front of the main doors from which they decided to fly to the top of the castle. There they knew that no harm in any way, shape, or form would get to them. “Why did you do that sister?” Celestia asked in a worried tone. “You should've known that if you reacted like that, then something terrible was bound to happen.” “I didn't mean to, I just... I wanted to...” Luna stopped talking and then bowed her head down in shame and guilt. She knew there was no point in trying to talk to her sister about such an event in hopes it could be fixed so easily. “Forgive me sister. I should have told you about this sooner.” Surprised by this remark, Celestia asked her what she meant. Luna then proceeded to tell Celestia and Twilight about the few times she had gone to Ponyville and in which some of the citizens would look upon her in disgust. Celestia felt horrible for not asking Luna about this sooner; Twilight the same. “I apologize for not seeing to this beforehand Luna.” Celestia said grimly “I should have been there to help you.” “It's not your fault. You didn't know and I didn't tell you. If anypony is at fault here, its me.” The two then made up for their faults and then refocused at the issue at hand. Twilight at this time, had finally decided to speak up and ask: “What do we do now?” Celestia walked over to the rail and looked over the land below her. Luna and Twilight then joined her, each on a different side of her. They all stared at the small town below until Celestia finally spoke. “I'm afraid there is not much we can do right now. All we can do, is hope and pray that this will blow over. If not, we'll have to try our best to control it.” Shocked and confused Luna then began to question her sister. “But why? Why would we let them do this? You saw how they acted towards us. They even challenged your leadership sister. We need to-” “No!” Celestia said. “Some of those ponies have already made up their mind that we are the enemies right now. No matter what we do, they won't listen to us. If we try to stop this with force then they'll become even more convinced that we don't deserve the title as their leader. In fact they might even try to overrun us with their own force. I hate to say it Luna, but our subjects have changed. Some of them see evil inside of us now and there is nothing we can do about, except stay away from those who do not trust us, and keep close to those who listen to what we have to say.” Luna, understanding what had to be done, closed her eyes, bowed her head once more, and began to cry. Celestia tried her best to comfort her, but she could see that there was no point. “I'm sorry Luna. But until things clear up, we cannot leave the castle. Twilight, it would be best if you stayed here as well.” “Of course Princess. I understand.” Twilight nodding her head one time. Celestia then looked at her sister. Luna, with tears in her eyes, looked up at her sister. The two shared a hug and didn't think about anything in the world. This certainly wasn't a day that Luna was asking for. Although it was pretty obvious that this was a horrible event, she still felt that the worst was yet to come. For some reason she felt that some of the ponies might even be against Celestia. But she just pushed aside these thoughts for the time being and tried to think about the time when ponies loved her. When she was respected by everypony despite what had happened in the past. She tried her hardest to concentrate on such great feelings, because she felt... it may be the last time she could ever feel those feelings again.