//------------------------------// // Days Long Gone. // Story: Music of the Night // by CharlieOist //------------------------------// Days Long Gone . Twilight watched in amazement as shadows, shaped like ponies, stepped from the walls, stretching noiselessly. Then, suddenly, it was daytime, and Princess Celestia’s voice rang out. “Let the Day Court begin!” Celestia called from her now-whole throne. Twilight thought she seemed… younger, somehow, less wise. As a young brown mare stepped forward to speak to the princess, who smiled kindly down on her, Twilight took the time to examine her new surroundings. Banners, with the old Equestrian Empire symbol of the two princesses circling the world, flew from the rafters. Sunlight streamed in from the windows, which had seemingly been reopened. A red carpet led from the throne, leading to seven doors, six lining the halls and the door to the Grand Entryway, which was just closing, allowing her to see a line of ponies waiting to see the princess. Two guards stood at the door, their golden armor shining in the light. More guards lined the throne room, their faces devoid of any expression, their eyes scanning the room every five seconds. Princess Celestia sat on one of the two thrones in the room, her mane flowing behind her as she listened intently to the brown coated earth pony mare. On her right sat a pony Twilight couldn’t identify. The pony was obviously a mare, and was obviously bored. Her coat was light blue, and she continuously played with her blonde mane, twirling it about her hoof, sometimes biting on it, as she stared out the window. She gave a sudden yelp as a strand of her mane was surrounded by a deep blue aura and tugged. She turned offended eyes to the pony on Celestia’s left. Twilight followed her look… And gasped. “Starswirl the Bearded!” She almost shouted. Indeed, the pony sitting on Celestia’s left-hoof side was none other than Twilight’s hero, Starswirl the Bearded. Dressed in his usual robe, with bells adorning it, the grey unicorn stallion was glaring at the other pony on the other side of the throne, who seemed to shrink under his gaze. She turned her attention back to the mare who was laying her case out before Celestia. (Twilight only dimly understood it. Apparently, it was something about a land dispute.) Starswirl nodded once before looking back down to the pony at the foot of the throne as well. Suddenly, Twilight felt a tap on her shoulder. “Amazing, isn’t it?” Twilight shrieked and jerked her head around, her horn lighting up with a lightning spell. Nightsong held up his hooves in mock surrender. “Pardon me, miss. I didn’t realize how engrossed you were in the memories.” He nodded towards the throne. “Quite something, isn’t it?” “Wh- Where are we?” Twilight got out as she tried to calm her breathing. “Not where, my dear, but when. The shadows have recreated a day sometime in the past, before Nightmare Moon. I wonder what day it is, exactly?” Nightsong stepped forward, looking around in wonder. “Does it matter?” Twilight stepped forward as well, looking at the black unicorn curiously. “You seem to know a lot about shadow magic, Mr. Redtail.” Nightsong smiled. “I dabble.” He turned his attention back to the throne, where Celestia was talking to Starswirl and the other pony. “I suppose it doesn’t, so long as it’s a routine day. Oh well. Might as well get comfortable.” He walked over to one of the windows, sitting down in front of it and pulling out some paper, a quill, and an ink bottle. He patted the area beside him with his hoof, motioning Twilight over. They sat and watched as a day of life for the Everfree Castle of the past unfurled before them. 7:45 am: Celestia begins Day Court. Ponies, presumably nobles, file in and sit themselves on stuffed chairs around the room. Guards begin allowing petitioners into the throne room, where the Solar Princess hears cases from all over the empire. 8:00 am: Celestia orders refreshments for herself and her advisors. The nobility have been quiet so far, seeming content to let the princess handle matters while they observe. 8:45-10:00 am: Day Court is interrupted as Church of the Burning Sun priests and priestesses enter to perform daily worship. Nobility is sent away. Many do not return. Note: Celestia’s eyes seem to roll a lot during this. 10:00-11:00 am: Day Court resumes. 11:00-12:00 am: Celestia closes Day Court, and leaves for the dining hall to eat with her sister. Note: Luna is already beginning to show signs of corruption. She glares daggers at Celestia when the Solar Princess is not looking. The entire meal seems awkward, as Celestia tries to drag her sister into conversation, and Luna keeps silent. Finally, the meal breaks up, and Luna returns to her bedroom. Must see about finding a date further back, when both Celestia and Luna were happy. 12:00-5:00 pm: Celestia wanders around the old city, trying to seem as normal as possible, helping out citizens where she’s able, though the Royal Guard is never far behind, and their hooves never leave their weapons. Note: It is about this time the Twilight leaves, begging exhaustion. I can imagine… 5:00-8:00 pm: Celestia and Luna hold Evening Court, where more pressing problems are brought. Ponies barely glance at the Pirncess of the Night, mostly, though several of the nobles nod to her. I recognize some of them as supporters of Nightmare Moon. These nobles always address Luna with their concerns, preferring to ignore Celestia. It doesn’t seem that she notices. 8:00- 9:00 pm: Court is closed for dinner. This goes the same as lunch. 9:00 pm- 12:00 midnight: Luna holds Night Court. I’ll stop here. It’s obvious the data past this point will be tainted. Nightsong put down his quill and rubbed his eyes. He hadn’t slept in two days, and the spell had taken a lot out of him. With a sigh, he released the spell. The old throne room disappeared, and the modern version of it reappeared. The shadows that had created the memory stepped back into the walls, disappearing into them just as silently as they had appeared. Nightsong levitated his notes to reread them, then nodded and stored his writing material under his cloak once more. He walked towards the tent he had set up the night before, then stopped. He glanced back at the throne and sighed. He cast one last spell, and another shadow appeared before him, swirling into a whirlpool before finally settling at his side as a little fox. He smiled as he lifted his hoof to pet it. The shadows felt cool against him as his hoof passed through the creature, which then proceeded to rub up against his flank. He sighed, and together the two of the walked towards the tent, closing it against the cold air inside the castle.