The Royal War Simulator
Let The Game Begin
War can start at any moment. Celestia knows this, and is prepared for it. On any day or any night she could rally the troops and go to battle. While she has no doubt in her own abilities, she can not say the same about her sister. As a princess she must be able to so these things and be able to lead on her own if need be. But the skills and combat knowledge Luna once had may not be there anymore. That was something Celestia could not put to chance. They needed to talk.
The Princess of the Sun strode up to her sister's chambers and flung the doors open with a burst of magic. Inside was a startled Luna, lying on her dark blue bed with a book and a bowl of hay fries. "Hello sister!" She said with a smile, "What brings you to-"
"Luna!" Celestia exclaimed as she walked towards the bed, "Are you ready?"
"For what, Celestia?"
"Exactly!" She said as she leaned forward to look Luna in the eye. "Ready for what? Anything! Lunch, raising the moon, Discord, a party, tomorrow, next Tuesday, a concert, a trip, a visit from mom and dad?"
"Tia, we haven't seen Mother and Father in-"
"War?" Celestia asked, tilting her head and leaning so close their muzzles almost touched. "Are you ready for war, Luna?"
"Am I prepared for war? Why of course I am, I-"
"So you say!"
"Would you stop interrupti-"
"WAR STOPS FOR NOTHING!" Celestia shouted, her wings flaring into the air. She stepped back and regained her composure before continuing. "And I don't think you are ready." With that, the Princess of the Night stepped from her bed and faced her elder.
"You question my abilities as a warrior?"
"Yes, and as a strategist."
"If you doubt my abilities then we shall have to put them to the test."
"At last, we agree on something."
"Than let us proceed to the Courtyard, Celestia, and partake in a duel. No armor, first to draw blood is the victor."
"Oh Luna, don't make me laugh. This will take far more than a single duel to decide."
"Than it shall be the one who first wins three out of five."
"That still won't be enough."
"Four of seven?"
Celestia smiled, "No, Luna. We won't be dueling at all."
"HA!" Luna exclaimed, "Don't make me laugh, Celestia. Are you a coward? Do you plan on giving me a test like Twilight?"
At this point the two were circling each other around Luna's chambers, staring at each other as they walked. "Princess Twilight has nothing to do with this. And I am no coward."
"Then let us do battle! Prove. It."
"If you recall, Luna, I said I doubted your abilities as a strategist. To test such a skill will take more than a few duels."
"I am still unable to see another solution to the situation. So I ask again, what is it your plan?"
She smiled again, "Do you remember the Royal War Simulator?"
This produced a smile from Luna herself, "Yes, very. That had not come to mind. But are you sure? Is it truly the only solution?"
"Yes. It is the only way for me to truly test you."
The two royal sisters had stopped their dance, and now simply stood in front of the large double doors, each looking into the colored eyes of the other. "So be it," Luna stated, "Let us proceed."
Celestia shook her head. "Always so eager, though I appreciate the enthusiasm. The Simulation will begin at high noon, tomorrow. This will give us both time to prepare." Luna continued to look at her sister, silent for a moment before responding.
"It is decided. Tomorrow at high noon." Luna turned her head to the doors and wrapped them in her magic, "Now leave me, dear sister, for I must prepare."
"Of course, Luna," Celestia said as she turned to the now open doors. She stopped at the threshold and looked back at Luna, "I will see you tomorrow."
"And I you." Luna said in response as her sister walked away. Closing the doors, she went back to her bed. She looked at the open book, then closed and moved it to the nightstand. Turning to the bookshelves against the wall she took hold of another book in her magic. Older, worn with a faded leather cover. Taking back her position on the bed, she grabbed a hay fry as the opened the book. And she began to read.
By the next day word had gotten around the castle that the Royal Sisters were up to something. Celestia had been seen going to Luna's chambers, then leaving shortly afterward before going straight to her own. Neither had left since, both had skipped dinner and both had breakfast brought to their rooms. So it was only natural for everypony to be surprised by what they saw when they were finally seen just before high noon.
The Princesses of the Sun and Moon left their chambers dressed in full battle armor. Celestia, in a golden yellow similar to that of the Royal Guard, with trims and inlays accenting the purple of her eyes. Luna, in an azure blue with black trimming and silver inlays.
As the Royal Sisters walked through the halls of the castle the only sound to be heard was that of metal against stone. Looking forward, ignoring the ponies looking in wonder they made their way towards the lower part of the castle. Even when they meet and turned into the same hallway they looked nowhere but in front of them. When at last the hall split into a fork they turned to face each other. After only a moment they turned again, Celestia to the left, Luna to the right. Each walked forward a bit longer, turned a corner than continued until they stood beside an archway. They each turned one last time, and entered.
The room The Princess of the Sun and the Princess of the Moon now occupied was massive in size and scale. Each Princess stood on a balcony on one end looking over the rest of the room. A row of torches was lit along both sides, revealing the rest of the room.
There, below them, was a life-size chess board.
Projecting her royal voice, Celestia broke the silence, "Luna, let the game begin!"