//------------------------------//
// The First Day Ch.15 
// Story: A Time Before 
// by Blue Turtle 
//------------------------------//

	
Celestia woke up. Her eyes were normal and yet not. The eyes of a killer looked around the room.

Perfect. It's dark... Celestia though as she wobbly got up. Her body ached for some reason but she didn't care. She stumbled out of the room. She practically fell down the stairs. Celestia got up slowly got up.
"Miss are you ok?" The one guard posted there said.
"I'm perfectly fine." Celestia said with an insane grin. The guard looked at her with confusion for a moment.
"Miss-" The guard said behind Celestia dived around him. She put her hoof around his neck and pulled tightly until he passed out, all the while Celestia humming an old lullaby. Though it was so off putting. Celestia dropped the guard and stumbled away. Still humming a lullaby. Celestia saw the crowds of ponies around the Throne room and shook her head. She straightened out for just one moment. Ponies cleared out of her way as she walked elegantly by. She disappeared into the darkness and lost it again."Darn.. I don't think I could have kept that up much longer.. so uncomfortable..." Celestia said in between heavy breaths. She walked through the various hallways, corridors and rooms. Each time straightening up around ponies only to stumble around again. She could see well enough except her vision occasionally blurred and anything she heard was "soft" but also loud. Celestially walked down one hallway. Stained Glass told to the story of When Galaxia and Nebulis left. The moonlight showed the colorful shadows as she walked along. Celestia stopped to look up. It was the second to last scene; Nebulis shielding himself from Galaxia's blinding light. Galaxia's wings were spread wide, showing down light. Celestia's eyes looked around the stained glass. She sighed and stumbled in the darkness. There was little light in most of the hallways and the brief light from the moon messed up her adjusted eyes. Celestia walked up to a turn, The catacombs being to the right. But she heard a group of ponies talking and she immediately straightened up. She looked around to see no pony there and guessed there was somepony around the corner. She grumbled under her breath and poked her head around the corner. Four guards stood in front of the catacomb doors. Celestia took a deep breath and walked out from behind the corner. 
"Good evening Princess. I see you've recovered." The Guard said politely.
"I have. Thank you. I hate to bother you but I need to get in there." Celestia said.
"Sorry Princess no can do. Levier said no one was to be allowed in the catacomb during the night court tonight." The guard said.
"I doubt she meant me; After all I am princess." Celestia said, her voice was smooth.
"She has a point." The guard next to him said.
"Hm.. alright." The guard said, Celestia opened the door and walked through. She grinned once more as they closed the door. She stumbled around the dusty hallways. It was brighter in there than it was in the actual castle. After about four hours of walking Celestia finally found what she was looking for.
"The symbol of Harmony..." Celestia said quietly.





"Soon we will be in Harmony sister... I promise..." Celestia said. Her hears picked up the sound of hooves running down the hall.
"Quick we have to catch her!" One pony yelled out. The chorus of voices going "Yes Sir!" echoed down the hallway. Celestia was smart though. Carefully she made it seem like one of the walls had collapsed ages ago. She hid behind the pile of rubble she made and waited.
"Where'd she go? I thought I heard someone come from this way!" A Guard said, looking over the rubble; At least attempting to.
"These hallways connect so I guess we just heard an echo. Spread out men and find Celestia!" The captain shouted. The guards ran out in twos until no pony was there. Celestia smirked.
Too easy... Celestia thought before giggling. Celestia looked at the symbol again. She pressed on it and the stone began to slide out. She walked inside the dusty room and the doorway closed. Leaving no trace the alicorn had been there. Celestia lit up the torches in the room with a brief spell. The large circular room was large; In the center were two mannequins. Both wore suits of armor; One gold and one blue. Both were rather elaborate but Celestia didn't care. She walked up to the golden armor and a spell came from her horn. It wrapped around the armor and lifted it over to her. She felt the power radiating off it.
"Aurinko. Thank You once more." Celestia said softly. The pure anxiety made all the pain she experienced before seem like it was all for this moment. Celestia smiled lightly and began to put the armor on. Finally slowly putting on the helmet; Waiting for the worse. She watched her own skin begin to turn black. Her mane and tail became pure fire. Celestia smiled.
"This is the Sun's power? Amazing..." Celestia said. She walked forward and a spell blasted the wall. She shielded her self.
"She's in- here..." The Captain of the guard said. Celestia smiled down at him; Though it was more of an insane grin. He blinked. The air was already becoming hot. It felt like being inside an oven around her. The guards looked at her. The roar of fire made it impossible to hear anyone. Celestia glared at them; Her blood red eyes full of hatred and rage. Not only had her power increased but also her height (Aurinko said that her body would not be able to hold such power)
"Out of my way fools." Celestia said to them. They nodded and quickly scurried out of the way. Celestia walked back, and out of the catacombs, but instead of opening the door she blasted it open. Celestia looked outside. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She walked back to the room where the night court was being held. She pushed open the doors. All eyes darted to her. Levier stared at her form the top of the room.
"Y-You couldn't have... You would have... But..." Levier struggled to speak. Celestia took a few steps forward.
"Bow before the Sun's power. MY POWER!" Celestia yelled out. Levier closed her eyes. Ponies understood what Celestia said though none of them knew it was her. Ponies knelt down to bow, Levier looked at the monster. Celestia was taller than her, if not by much. But the power difference was so large Levier knew there was no chance of her winning.
"I will bow to you." Levier said, lowering her head.
"Good flower. You know to bow to those more powerful than you." Celestia said.
"The night court is over. Everyone go home." Levier said shakily. Celestia looked down on her.
Levier looked up to meet Celestia's gaze.
"I am renaming myself. You will now call me... Radiant Malevolence. Celestia is no more." Celestia said calmly.
"Yes Radiant Malevolence." Levier said quietly.
"I request you to give me any information you have flower. I will finally have Luna." Celestia said in a commending voice.
"Right away." Levier said. She walked away as quickly as possibly. The heat coming from her was unbearable.
"And to think she was my caretaker. It is a shame she fears me." Celestia said with a disappointed tone. Celestia sighed. The guards stayed away from her as well.
It's not like I can't take care of myself Celestia thought quietly. Celestia thought for a few moments. The amount of power coursing through her was amazing but it felt dull in the moonlight. She examined her hooves, looking at the slightly cracked skin. It was much like the area around her eyes; The cracks were filled with lava. She sighed. The air grew hotter as she did.
Levier came down the hallway. She walked back into the room.
"Here. We traced his movements. He's most likely hiding out here." Levier said, pointing to a mountain. Celestia grinned under the helmet which covered most of her head. The armor covered most of her actually.
"So this is where the monster is hiding..." Celestia growled. Levier looked at her in fear as the monster screeched. The mere sound distorted the air around her. Celestia burst the ceiling, leaving a giant smoldering hole. Levier looked up to see the SUn rising with her.
"The embodiment of the Sun...." The words flew out of Levier's mouth.
"Levier! What was that thing!" A servant yelled.
"Radiant Malevolence..." Levier said.
"W-What do we do?" The Servant asked.
"I-I don't know..." Levier said softly but her voice was shaking. Night became day in a matter of moments. Celestia darted across the sky, leaving a trail of smoke. She disappeared into the fiery red sky. Hours passed and any everypony was scrambling.
"Discord was spotting on North Ridge Mountain!"
"Radiant was spotting a 100 miles off of CloudsDale."
Information like that was tossed around constantly until one pony cried ut.
"Levier! There's a Huge crowd of people outside the castle courtyard! They request you to speak!"
Levier got up and walked as calmly as one could when facing a possible riot. She looked at the gates; Hundreds apon hundreds of ponies stood there.
"Levier what's happening! It's two in the morning? Why is the Sun up!"
"What was that THING flying?!"
"Where's Luna!"
"What's going on?"
"Why hasn't anypony stopped Discord!"
A group of four teenage ponies broke through the crowd.
"Where's Celestia!" The pink one cried out.
Levier explained as best she could. Each word became harder to say. Each word disheartening the ponies. Especially the four young ponies.

"Celestia stole a set of cursed armor from the catacombs. I don't know what possessed her to do so. But I believe it is revenge. Celestia must have found out what Discord has done in the past. I bet she took it upon herself to stop him but had no idea what would happen to herself. As for Discord I fought him and lost. Discord ran out but did not retreat. He merely just laughed and left... after taking Luna. I suppose the toll for regenerating so much was her sanity; Isn't that correct Nebula? You said there was a toll for regenerating so much. You were right."

Levier seemed tired. Small brown streaks were already forming in her mane. Nebula looked at her, Horrified.
"Y-You have to be lieing! T-That thing couldn't been Celestia." Wind Song said, A defeated look started to show.
"I'm sorry. But... That's the truth..." Levier said, biting her lip. Silence. Only the occasional hoof tap of cough. Pony's shifted their weight uncomfortably. Spark SHower looked down.
"What now?" The grey pegasus asked quietly.
"we stock up. Pegasus ponies; Make sure there's enough water, Gather what you can but do NOT strain up resources for plants. Earth Ponies; Save up seeds and start harvesting crops. Unicorns; Help out anypony who needs it. We need all the help we can get." Levier said, sounding almost commending.
"Yes ma'am!" The crowd dispersed. That order was directly sent to every city in all of Equestria.