“AH!” Celestia exclaimed as she woke with a start, the fur on her face stained with tears. “What? Was I… Crying?” Celestia wondered as she dabbed her face with a hoof.
“Princess Celestia. Is everything alright in there?” The door guard asked as he knocked on the door to the princess’s bedchamber.
“Yes.” Celestia said, wiping her eyes as she got out of bed. “Yes, I’m fine.” She said, looking out the window as the night sky. “What time is it?” She wondered to herself as she glanced at her clock. Celestia gasped in surprise when she saw the time. “It’s almost time to raise the sun!” She exclaimed as she rushed to prepare herself. “I must have slept through the alarm!” She thought as she hustled to get her mane under control.
“Princess?” The guard asked again, chancing to open the door this time. “Are you sure everything is okay?”
“Yes.” Celestia said again as she finished with her mane. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to worry you.”
“It’s almost time for the raising of the sun.” The guard said. “I was trying to decide whether or not to wake you, but you seem to be on top of things as usual.”
“I appreciate the consideration.” Celestia said with a smile. “Rest assured that all is well.”
“Of course, princess.” The guard said with a bow before stepping aside for the princess.
“If you’ll excuse me, I’m needed in the courtyard.” Celestia said as she walked past the guard.
“Yes, princess.” The guard said as he stood up and retook his post. “Have a wonderful morning.” He said as Celestia walked around a corner and out of sight.
“And how is the princess this morning?” Heart Murmur asked as she appeared next to the guard.
“Healer Heart Murmur!” The guard exclaimed, jumping briefly. “You surprised me.”
“And you call yourself a guard.” Heart Murmur sighed. “Are you going to answer my question or not?”
“Er. The princess is well this morning. She seemed a bit rushed, but rested nonetheless.” He said.
“Just as I thought.” Heart Murmur said. “Now that her sister is okay, I expected that would happen.”
“You did?” The guard asked.
“But of course.” Heart Murmur said with a nod. “It would only make sense. Without having to worry about her sister, the princess is bound to have more restful nights. At the same time, the stress of the past week would have caused her to need a bit more sleep than usual.”
“Well… Okay…” The guard said. “But I’m not sure why you needed to explain that to me.”
Heart Murmur sighed. “Honestly, I don’t know why I even bothered. It would just be much easier to do this instead.” She said, her eyes glowing with a sinister blue light as her horn lit up green.
“What the- AUGH!” The guard spasmed briefly as a magical shockwave knocked him off his hooves.
“Heart Murmur? What is going on here?” Princess Luna asked as she approached the fallen guard.
“P- Princess. Help.” The guard groaned as he looked up at Luna.
“I’m just getting a few things set up.” Heart Murmur said. “Have you done your part yet?”
“But of course.” Luna said. “Come now, and do your Queen’s work.” She said, turning to the window with a smile.
A few moments after her summons, the window opened to make way for a single changeling.
“Wh- What?!” The guard sputtered. His eyes went wide in fear as the changeling hissed.
“No need for the dramatic fear game.” Heart Murmur said, silencing the changeling with a wave of her hoof. “Just hurry up and do your job.”
The changeling sighed lightly before engulfing itself in green fire, revealing itself in the form of the fallen guard. “No!” The guard shouted. “Princess Luna, what is- UGH!” The guard grunted as Luna blasted him with a ray of magic, knocking him unconscious instantly.
“Now then, princess.” Heart Murmur said. “What was this guard’s name? His replacement will need to know the basics.”
“I believe his name is Star Sentinel. He’s a newer recruit. My sister likes to give the rookies a chance to guard her personally. She claims it improves morale.” Luna said, waving a hoof dismissively.
“And to think that the ruler of this land is so careless with her personal guard.” Heart Murmur said, shaking her head lightly. “No matter. Soon Equestria will have a new, far more capable ruler. The pieces are already in place throughout Canterlot and Ponyville. Very soon, our Queen’s rule will be undisputed.”
“I will take care of this little pony.” Luna said, levitating Star Sentinel in a blue and green magical aura. “We wouldn’t want anypony to suspect anything.”
“Very well.” Heart Murmur said with a nod. “The sun will be rising soon anyways, and you will need to get ready for tonight.”
“Of course.” Luna said as she cast an invisibility spell on Star Sentinel and flew out through the window, still carrying the guard in her magic.
“It’s only a matter of time now.” Heart Murmur said, turning to face Star Sentinel’s replacement. “You have received your instructions, correct?”
“Of course, Heart Murmur.” The changeling guard said. You will be making important visits to the princess over the next several nights, and the two of you are not to be disturbed.”
“Perfect.” Heart Murmur said as the sun rose in the distance. “Just play your part correctly, and all will go as planned.”
“Yes. For the Queen!” The changeling said.
“Indeed.” Heart Murmur agreed. “For the Queen.”
“And?” Luna asked as she walked her sister to her room. “How was Day Court?”
“I was pleasantly surprised when Big Macintosh from Ponyville arrived with good news.” Celestia said.
“Oh? Has there been yet another crisis in Ponyville?” Luna asked.
“Not really.” Celestia said. “Just some recent reports of animals acting strangely. It seems to have stopped now though. Surprising though considering he was just here yesterday about it.”
“Strange animals?” Luna asked. “I’m sure it was just a passing illness among the livestock or some such.”
“I suppose that must have been it.” Celestia agreed as they approached her door. “Well, best of luck to you with the Night Court tonight, Luna.”
“Oh, I don’t need luck.” Luna said. “It basically takes care of itself as is. After all, not many ponies are even up that late.”
“True enough.” Celestia said as she turned to her guard. “Good evening, Star Sentinel.” Celestia said with a smile. “Has your day gone well?”
“Of course, princess.” Star Sentinel said with a bow. “Your chamber awaits, princess Celestia.”
“So formal tonight.” Celestia said, somewhat surprised. “Is there a reason for the sudden protocol?”
“Uh, no. Not really.” Star said, coughing slightly. “Just thought I might present myself a little more respectfully is all.”
Celestia chuckled slightly at the guard’s nervous movements. “No worries. Just remember that you can be yourself. Even around me.”
“Of course, your highness.” Star said, lightening up a bit as the doors to Celestia’s bedchamber opened.
“Good night Lulu.” Celestia said as she entered her room and closed the doors behind her.
“Good night, Tia.” Luna said, a predatory grin crossing her face. “Be more careful from now on.” She said to Star Sentinel under her breath.
“Of course.” The changeling sputtered. “I’m just not quite used to this role yet. I think I’m getting it though.”
“Good. Be sure that you are, or else you may need to be replaced.” Luna said before walking away.
“Yes. Yes, of course.” Star Sentinel said, letting out a sigh of relief.
“And just what are you sighing about?” Heart Murmur asked as she rounded the corner ahead of the guard.
“Oh! Heart Murmur.” The changeling said. “I didn’t see you there.”
“That’s of little importance.” Heart Murmur said. “Replacing you is a very real possibility is the princess becomes suspicious.”
“R-right. Sorry. It won’t happen again.” Star said.
“Of course it won’t.” Heart Murmur said. “You’ve learned how to blend in more effectively. But even if you hadn’t, it shouldn’t matter much after tonight. Once the princess is fast asleep, Luna will be ready for round two. And this time, I’ll be there to help.” She said, her eyes briefly flashing blue.
“What? Where am I?” Celestia asked as she surveyed the dark void around her.
“You’re in MY world, dear sister.” Nightmare Moon said as she stepped from the darkness.
“No! Luna! Snap out of it!” Celestia cried.
“NO!” Nightmare bellowed. “It is YOU who must come to her senses!”
“What are you talking about?”
“Look around you. Tell me what you see.”
“I see nothing.” Celestia said, looking around again. “There is nothing but cold shadows here.”
“And that is the fate that awaits you, and all of Equestria is the status quo is maintained.” Nightmare Moon said.
“I don’t understand.”
“A princess cannot rule a nation!” Nightmare Moon said. “One such as you simply does not have the power to rule autonomously. Equestria needs somepony more powerful, more capable than you. Otherwise, these empty shadows are the fate that awaits you and your beloved subjects.”
“No! You’re lying!” Celestia shouted.
“You wound me, dear sister.” Nightmare Moon said as she stepped closer to Celestia. “I would never lie to you about a matter of such gravity.”
“I’ve been ruling Equestria for over a thousand years! I have yet to allow it to be brought so low.”
“That is exactly my point.” Nightmare Moon said. “You have yet to do it, but it shall come to pass. There is but one way to stop it.”
“I… Uhh…” Celestia faltered as she suddenly felt woozy. As the seconds passed, so did her desire to disagree with her corrupt sister. “But how can I stop it.”
“You cannot.” Nightmare Moon said.
“But you just said-”
“I said that there is a way to stop it. But you are not the one who can do it.” Nightmare Moon said. “A princess does not possess the power, the status, or the sophistication to stop this tragic twist of fate. Equestria no longer needs a princess. Equestria needs… A Queen!”
“But if not me, then who?” Celestia asked.
“I’m very glad you asked, dear sister.” Nightmare Moon said as she transformed herself back into Luna. “As I am but a weak princess, I am not able to save Equestria either. Nor can your pupil, Twilight Sparkle or her foalsitter, Princess Cadence.”
“But then-”
“The only viable option. The only possibility, and the one true Queen of Equestria is… Her!” Luna said, waving a hoof into the darkness. From where she gestured, a bright green light began to shine. The silhouette revealed by that light was immediately recognizable to Celestia as the Queen of the Changelings.
“Queen Chrysalis!” Celestia exclaimed. “No! I don’t believe it! That thing will never have my subjects in her foul grasp!”
“You foolish girl.” Chrysalis said as she stepped forward. “I already do. You’ve done such a poor job of protecting your precious subjects, that I’ve already converted them to MY rule. Don’t believe me? Why not ask them yourself?”
“Princess Celestia!” A familiar voice called from the darkness.
“Twilight? Twilight, is that you?” Celestia asked as princess Twilight Sparkle emerged from the shadows.
“Yes. It’s me.” Twilight said. “And please, you have to listen. Queen Chrysalis is right.”
“WHAT?!” Celestia exclaimed, her jaw dropping in shock.
“Submitting to her rule is the only way to save Equestria. She is the only one who can save us from this black, horrible fate. Please, Princess. If you love us, you’ll let yourself step down. For our sakes.” She said just before fading away.
“Twilight! Twilight, where did you go?!”
“She’s gone, princess.” Queen Chrysalis said, her voice solemn.
“What have you done to her?! Bring Twilight back!” Celestia shouted.
“I’ve done nothing to your student. It is you, who have allowed this to pass.” Chrysalis said.
“But I… No! I would never allow this to happen!”
“Of course you wouldn’t.” Luna said. “That’s why I know that you’ll make the right choice. Chrysalis’s way is the only way. I’ve already realized this. And soon, so will you.” She said as Celestia was enveloped in a green sinew. A few short seconds later, Celestia was out cold, sleeping peacefully in the embrace of the cocoon.
“Did it work, my Queen?” Luna asked.
“Your sister is weakening, but it will take some time yet to fully break her.” Chrysalis said. “You are doing well. Keep it up, and I assure you that your reward will be great.”
“I exist to serve you, my Queen.” Luna said with a bow.
“I know you do.” Chrysalis chuckled. “Now go. You have Night Court to Attend, do you not?”
“Indeed. There are a few appointments for which I mustn’t be late.” Luna said, bowing to her Queen before fading out of the dream world.
“Soon, princess Celestia.” Chrysalis cooed. “Very soon, you shall be begging me to take your country from you. And I will be most happy to oblige.”
“Heart Murmur?” Star Sentinel asked as Heart Murmur left Celestia’s room. “How did it go?”
“I went perfectly, of course.” Heart Murmur said with a smirk as the doors closed behind her. “A few more nights like that, and the princess will be groveling at our Queen’s hooves.” She said as she left Star Sentinel alone in the hall.