//------------------------------// // The Price of Loyalty // Story: The Memories of Star Light: The Untold Origin of Nightmare Moon // by NeonGlow //------------------------------// There were very few who were considered part of the royal court; the royal captain of the guard, military generals, consultants of various fields. However the ‘Imperial Regent of Astrological Arrangements’ (as Celestia put it), or Luna’s helper (as Luna put it) was a new addition to the court. Estella looked in the mirror at herself trying to brush away nervous thoughts. It didn’t help when Luna walked in twirling a black rose as if this were an ordinary day. “Luna I’m so glad you’re here.” Estella said hugging the princess. “I’m just so nervous.” Over the course of the last few day the princess had become very close to her new assistant. At the same time Estella had become more comfortable with the idea that she would be the assistant to her idol, and also friends. If some pony had told her something like this was going to happen she would have never believed them, or fainted again. Estella had gotten over her fainting spell, but there was still so much that surprised her. “You should not feel so uneasy, you look beautiful in your uniform.” Luna said trying to lift her spirits. “I look like a guard.” Estella returned. Both statements were very true. The helmet was a bit much for an advisor, but the metal crest that fell over her chest was beautiful. The crescent moon on the crest shimmered every time Estella turned and her hair flowed beautifully over the helmet making her appear both strong and elegant. It was not something Estella would have personally chosen, but Luna thought it was befitting and it was her opinion that truly mattered. “You look beautiful.” An sweet voice said. Celestia walked and Luna tried not to show any malice though she was quickly growing tired of her sister walking in on her conversations. Celestia turned to address her sister. “Luna, they need you downstairs discuss seating for the extra guests. We had a far larger turn out than expected.” “Really?” Luna asked excited. Luna was overjoyed that an event she had prepared could attract such a following. Celestia often brushed off the idea of such glory, but not Luna. “You’ll be fine Estella. I’ll see you at the ceremony.” Luna said trotting out of the room gleefully. Celestia shut the door behind her sister and turned back to the unicorn. Estella was now nervously brushing out her ruffled mane straight. Celestia stepped on to the podium next to her and spoke more to the reflection in the mirror so the pony would not be so nervous. “You really do look beautiful.” Celestia said honestly. “Oh thank you.” Estella said continuing to brush out her hair uncomfortably. “You know if you want to leave no one will blame you.” Estella was shocked by what she just heard. She took a step back from the princess and looked at her even if Celestia wouldn’t look back. “What?” “You do not have to be Luna’s regent. It is a big job and we understand if you do not want it. Luna is so young. She has a habit of pushing things on other ponies. She believes it is an entitlement of being immortal.” Estella could not even bring herself to say anything to that. Celestia only continued. “You will be left in charge of the observatory project and have employment there when it is finished, but if you want to walk away we are telling you it is alright. Better now than later. All Luna really wants is the attention.” Luna forgot her rose in Estella’s dressing room. Rather than pluck another and make all the bouquets off quilter she went to retrieve it.. She froze down the hall as she heard her sister. Rage boiled inside her. Her own sister was trying to embarrass her, in front of her own subjects. The rage seemed to bubble to the surface and present itself. This was a rage she had felt many times before. Before it was cold and dark, but now it was boiling over like a boiling pot. Luna would have been afraid if her rage did not blind her. The black stain that surrounded Luna’s cutie mark began to spread, eating away at her purple coat. However, it subsided when a second voice spoke up. “Never,” The darkness began to sink back at the sound of the soft voice. Luna crept into the dark and listened from beyond the door. At first she had to lean in to hear clearly, but then it got louder. “Luna is my friend.” Estella said proudly. She stepped between Celestia and the mirror forcing the solar deity to look her in the eyes and see the true reflected in the gold. Peering in the crack Luna could see that her sister step back, almost afraid. “No matter how scared I am I am not going to make a fool of her by walking out on something she worked so hard on. Whether it was for herself or not I do not care because it makes her happy. I may not have the sisterly bond you have but I know when something is going to hurt her.” “You do not,” Celestia began. “And another thing,” Estella interrupted. “I have always considered you lucky. Not just for having Luna as a sister, but the simple fact she allows you to exist.” Luna covered her mouth so they couldn’t hear her gasp. No one had ever talked that way to her sister before. Or stood up for her. A less pony would have cried, but Luna feared her discovery and held back her emotions with all her strength. It did not help that Estella went on. “Everyone thinks you are so much stronger just because you are the older sister, but the truth is the sun is just another star. Sure, it is a lot closer, but a star all the same. Luna could easily replace you and yet she does not, Maybe it is because she loves you or she just does care. You should be grateful to her and here you are trying to spite her. As far as I am concerned you can take your jealousy and go burry it somewhere. I am her friend and after today I‘ll be her regent too.” “You do not understand the forces your tampering with.” Celestia said frowning. “If you truly care you will walk away.” “Celestia, today I am to swear my utmost loyalty to Princess Luna and I intend to. And thing that threatens her I will protect her from it. That makes you just as much my enemy as any pony else. The saddest part is I find you the most vile.” Celestia could have ended the foolish little unicorn at that moment. She could have banished her, tortured her, killed her. Luna covered her eyes afraid of what would happen. Rather than do any harm to her Celestia merely turned away and shook her head. “You have made your choice then.” Luna used her magic to conceal herself in the shadows as the door swung open and Celestia marched out into the hall. To her dismay a bluish gray magic grabbed the door and slammed it shut behind her. Celestia kept on walking as if she was unscathed by the event. Luna could tell deep beneath the surface her sister was badly wounded. Once she was gone Luna stepped out of the shadows . Leaning around the corner to see if her sister was really gone Luna entered the room. Estella was now laying down on the platform in front of the semicircle of mirrors. She was breathing deeply, a technique the doctor had taught Estella to keep her from passing out. She continued to brush her hair anxiously, most likely not thinking about it any more. “Are you alright?” Luna asked. “How much of that did you hear?” Estella returned. “Enough,” “Then you know I am probably going to be executed.” “No you will not, if anything Celestia respects your loyalty. If not I am at your defense.” Luna said taking the brush in her own magic. She put it on the far table across the room. “Stop that before you go bald.” Luna stepped up on to the platform and helped Estella to her feet. When she was standing the two smiled at each other. Without a word Luna hugged Estella tightly. A single tear streamed down her face. “Thank you.” “Think nothing of it.” Estella flicked her head at the window. “Now come, your adoring public is waiting on you to raise the moon.” Luna smiled and dried her eyes the best she could. As the trumpets sounded the two walked out together. With their bond stronger they were brought together as both friends and sister. Celestia did not stay for the procession following. After such a conversation she could not bare to stay. The unicorn was too loyal to see the storm brewing as the stars fell, all the ponies were blind to see the danger. In her lust for her subjects love Luna was also blind. She was flying so high and she could not see that her companion lacked a pair of wings.