//------------------------------//
// Chapter two: A faction struggle 
// Story: The truth behind your Princess. 
// by Wheremymaresat 
//------------------------------//

	It was a few hours after my speech to the public, when my sister told me that it was finally time to raise the moon. I sat out on the balcony, and focused my magic solely on making the moon rise and the stars shine. I knew that the ponies would need their sleep, so I dimmed the moonlight a bit, and made sure the stars were few in numbers. I then watched the kingdom that I had grown to love as it slept in the embrace of darkness for the first time in seven days. and I could feel the elements' power was stronger than ever before. Celestia and I were happy with our way of helping everypony.
But not everypony was happy. There was a group of ponies who disliked the very idea of having princesses that ruled the day and night. They had been yelling threats at the top of their lungs earlier that day, and there were still a few protesters under the balcony, where they had finally gotten their much needed sleep.
The next morning, I was strained. I had never had to move something as large as the moon. And I had never had to continue slowly moving something for 12 straight hours before. I went to my room, and closed the door. My windowless room had no light, so that I could sleep in the day, when I needed sleep the most.
Before long, my sister came into my room, filling the room with outside light. I looked to her and rubbed my tired eyes. "W-what is it, Tia? What brings you in here before the night?"
She looked to me, eyes filled with confusion. "I-it appears that there are ponies who do not wish us to rule. While the majority seem to be relieved... There is a gathering in the mid-north of our kingdom. It's a troop rally, sister." She said. As she said this, my eyes shot open.
"They would bring war when we finally have peace?!" I asked. Celestia nodded, her mane began falling flat, instead of seeming to be carried by an unknown wind like it had been since we had received our powers.
I got out of my bed and walked out onto the balcony. Tia followed closely behind. She pointed to a clearing in the Everfree forest, where smoke rose from a large fire... No... Many small fires. As if a hundred ponies each lit a torch, and are now showing us their collective numbers. "I suppose peace will not be so simple. We shall prepare to defend ourselves. The ponies of Equestria might have to go just one more sleepless day, Luna." Celestia looked to me, as if she required confirmation. I simply nodded.
"I shall search for ponies who wish to help our cause of peace. But sister, please promise me that we don't have to kill anypony..." I said, sternly.
"Sister, I don't want to kill anypony either. I promise that using such brutality is the last thing I want." She crossed her heart.
I nodded and took off without another word. I had nothing more to say about the subject of war. I waved farewell to my sister, and flew towards one of the small settlements to the south. I saw Tia jump down into the colony that had formed under our castle at the base of the cliff.
After a few minutes of flying, I landed at the small settlement of The Apple.The settlers there were usually very good at engineering. Things like catapults, cannons, ovens, and automatic tools were what we needed, and I was sure that they could make these things both intimidating, and non-lethal.
Four engineers joined me, two earth ponies, a unicorn, and a pegasus.
I then found a group of farmers, living on the edge of the Everfree forest. They were strong and healthy from farm work, and I asked if they could grow enough food to feed a troop of 50 ponies. They agreed, and gave me four days of rations, consisting of apples, hay, bread, and water. Enough of each to feed 60 ponies for 4 days. I thanked them, and went on my way. I had my engineers head to the castle settlement to take orders from my sister, and flew over to a small area in the clouds, filled with great warriors, where I met Commander Hurricane, who let me borrow 30 of his troops, all of whom were sent straight to the Castle Colony.
I flew to a clearing in the forest, where a group of ten ponies were nursing a bird back to health. I convinced one pegasus to come with me, as we traveled to another small settlement. Where we met two ponies. A blacksmith, and a scholar. Both were unicorns, and they quickly ran to the castle when I told them of our predicament. 
I myself headed home. I got there and looked over the army I had gathered, as well as the colonists who had joined because of Tia.
I was now sure that if the need arises, we would be ready for A faction struggle.