Luna slowly walked back inside, with her usual graceful steps, and tried to get some rest, even though it was nighttime. Sleep came soon enough, and the castle finally fell silent. Day came swiftly, sounded by Spike’s loud footsteps coming through the halls.
“You’re finally awake. Luna wants to talk to you, you should go see her when you’re ready. She’s in the throne room.” Spike said, as Sol crawled out of bed.
Aqua was already awake, he always woke up early. He quickly fixed his hair, and trotted out towards the throne room. Of course Amethyst was still sleeping, but he let her sleep. She’d be more deadly than a dragon if he woke her up this early. The palace was just as dark as before, but he figured it was early in the morning, based off of when he slept. Her snoring could be heard from the halls. Sol fluttered his wings, and hovered to the throne room. The smell of food cooking filled the room.
“I hope you all have slept well, Spike has something to tell you." Luna said.
“I’ll wait for Amethyst to wake up.” Spike said.
“She should wake up by the time she smells food.” Sol said.
“We can discuss our plans over breakfast.” Luna said.
Luna headed down to the dining room, where the others followed. A loud yawn was heard, as Amethyst awoke, and followed the smell of food, her mane still a mess. Her eyes were half open, she still looked asleep. They entered a large dining room, with a very large table stretching across the center of the room. Everypony but Spike sat down, Spike couldn't fit in the seats. Luna took her seat at the end of the table, in a chair with a crescent moon on the top. At the other end was one with a sun. Everypony sat near Luna, Spike on her right, everypony else to her left. A mare came in, with several plates of food on a cart.
“So, as the princess said, I have an idea.” “ As I was looking through the library, I began to think where did Celestia channel her power from? How was she chosen? Princess, would you know?” Spike said, taking breaks in his speech to eat.
“I would. We were both taken to a strange chamber as young children. I remember the two of us being bound to day and night.” Luna said.
“Would it be possible she left any clues there? We’ve searched every corner of the castle, and found nothing.” Spike said.
“Maybe, but I have no idea where it is. We were taken there thousands of years ago. Celestia knew, father told her. But I never did.” Luna said.
“Nothing at all?” Spike asked.
“The only moments I remember where my coronation, which happened late in the night, and Celestia’s in the day. She grew her horn that day, too. I remember her bright pink mane, and how it changed in the flames.”
“Flames?” Sol asked.
“Bright flames. Brighter than you’ve ever seen. They surrounded her, marking her soul.”
“Wouldn’t they hurt?” Sol asked.
“I don’t know, I never experienced it. She didn’t seem to be in pain though. Our father looked so proud of her. I was, too. “ Luna said.
“So, how were you crowned?” Aqua asked.
“I took the place of our mother. The light was completely smothered around me. I have no idea what was going on past that, I couldn’t see anything. but then, a spark. A bright little star. Then more appeared, and more still. I could begin to see, our mother’s face watching me. My father was nowhere to be seen. I looked to my sides, and saw large feathery wings. Learning to fly was quite a challenge.” Luna said.
“So why did you two replace them?” Aqua asked.
“My father had fallen ill.He named Celestia his heir, being the older of his two children, and much more suited to the sun. I became princess of the night, being the second oldest, and the only other child. Our cutie marks were granted that day as well.” Luna said
“You said he fell ill, of what?” Aqua asked.
“I don’t know. he just seemed...weak. He had a hard time standing, and needed our mother’s help to walk. She seemed vaguely aware of what was happening. He continued to get worse, and was eventually bedridden. We all knew what was going to happen soon enough. He passed, and his throne was given to Celestia. Our mother passed on rulership to me before her passing. Does any of this help you, Spike?” Luna said.
“It does. If we can find this chamber, we may find the answer.” Spike said.
“Any other ideas? We still have no idea where this thing is.” Amethyst said, still eating.
“I can think of a few places to check. we need somewhere relatively close to Canterlot, but not often gone to. Maybe Celestia would have left something relating to the location of the chamber?Princess, with your permission, may we check her belongings?” Spike said.
“Of course.” Luna said.
“Come with me after breakfast.” Spike said.
They finished up their meals, which comprised of whatever food was saved before the collapse, and followed Spike upstairs. He lead them to a locked door, alone in a hallway.
“This hasn’t been opened since her passing. Luna wouldn’t allow anypony in until recently. She must really believe you can find something.Luna could never bring herself to enter, and I can’t fit. So search away.” Spike said, opening the door.
Sol, Aqua, and Amethyst entered. The room was eerie. It hadn’t been touched in years. Dust piled on every surface it could manage to get on.
“If there’s anything left to find in the castle, It’ll be in here.” Spike said.
A once elegant nightstand was next to her bed, now dusty and in poor shape. It contained various small items, but nothing of importance. Amethyst checked the closets, which contained various elegant dresses, which Celestia once wore to diplomatic meetings and the like. Aqua began to search her bed itself, not finding much of anything. Her room was rather empty, not having much to search. Sol began to search behind whatever he could find, like the mirror on the wall. He lifted it up, looking for something attached to the wall. But nothing was there. They searched anywhere something could be, but found nothing of importance. Sol touched his hoof to the wall, and in frustration hit it.
“There’s nothing.” Sol said.
“Well, it was worth a shot.” Spike said, disappointed.
As Sol walked away, however, he felt a slight vibration. The wall began to slide, and a sun mark appeared. The wall slid out, and a small compartment revealed.
“Huh?” Aqua said, confused. “I already checked there.”
“It must just need to be hit.” Amethyst said.
Sol rushed over to it, and searched the inside. Within was a note.. Sol read it aloud.
“My dear Celestia. It is of utmost importance you do not allow anypony else to see this note, not even Luna, or your mother. They cannot be trusted with this information. I entrust this to you alone, my beloved daughter.”
“What?” Spike said. “Not even the queen?”
“I’m sure you remember the night of your coronation, and I’m sure you know, I won’t be around forever. You will take my place my precious Celestia, and keep this land alive and beautiful. I’m sure you will do well. But, please, meet me down by the waterfall. I have something to talk to you about in private.”
“The waterfall?” Aqua said.
“Sounds like we should check there next.” Amethyst said.
Spike nodded in agreement rather uncomfortably, as he was having difficulties fitting in the halls. They headed back to the throne room, carefully closing the door to the room on the way out.
“Princess!” Spike called out.
“Yes? Did you find something?” Luna asked.
“We found a note. From the king.” Spike said.
“Father?” Luna asked.
“He mentioned something about a waterfall. Whatever it was, it was important enough that Celestia hid it away.” Spike said.
“But why would she hide it?” Luna asked.
“The king said to not tell anypony.I’ve go the note, if you wanted it.” Sol said.
Sol gave her the note, and she read.
“If this is true, we have to check there. We don’t have any other leads.” Luna said.
“Right. We should head out.” Spike said.
Aqua, Amethyst, and Sol went to go retrieve their environment suits, as Spike and Luna headed out. They regrouped outside, before leaving the castle walls.
“I knew father prefered Celestia to me, but to hide something so important?” Luna said.
“Why did he like her so much more? You seem like a great Princess.” Sol said
“I was never a natural born leader, like her. She was bound to the day, which he valued more than the night. Perhaps most importantly, she was his heir.” Luna said.
They continued on the roads down to the waterfall, which was completely frozen, now more of a lake with a river above.
“I don’t see anything out of the ordinary.” Spike said.
“Why did he have to be so cryptic?” Amethyst asked.
Aqua walked up to the ice, and focused. He shut his eyes, and lay his hoof on the surface of the lake. The center of the pool began to melt, even though it was much below freezing.
“You can control water?” Luna asked.
“My name isn't Aqua for nothing.” Aqua said.
The ice now melted, a strange, disk like object could be seen at the bottom of the pool. It shimmered brightly, made of some sort of metal.
“What is that?” Sol asked.
“Some sort of metal.” Aqua said.
“It might be important.” Spike said.
Aqua nodded, and without warning, lept into the lake. He would normally be much more cautious, but water was his domain. His horn flashed, as he shoved the disc aside. A small hole was underneath, about the size of Aqua. Aqua was quite at home in the water, and effortlessly swam down into it. The tunnel curved twice, and headed back up. Aqua emerged, within a pitch black chamber. He flicked his light on, the light from the city not reaching here, and he began to search.
“Are you okay?” Sol asked through the radio.
“Where are you?” Amethyst asked.
“I’m fine. It might be a bit of a swim for any of you though. I’m in some sort of chamber, let me see if I can open it some other way.” Aqua said, as he emerged from the pool of water.