//------------------------------// // Luna's Respite // Story: Sombra's Mission // by Strythio //------------------------------// Throne Room of the Royal Pony Sisters “Sombra has what?” Celestia’s look of outrage and confusion was more than worth all of the trouble Luna had went through to get to this moment. In the throne room of the Royal Pony sisters, Luna had decided to go ahead and inform her sister of Sombra's actions. Of courses, she omitted her own hoof in the matter, as recognition for that would have to come later when it was more opportune. Assassinating Amore, culling some of the crystal guards, and dealing with the changeling underhoofednes had only been the major points of Luna’s problems. She also had to deal with paperwork, mountains of it, in order to shape up Sombra’s departure as a soldier going rogue, rather than somepony following her orders. Anyone who had spotted his leaving with her, aside from Violet and her foals, had to be sworn to secrecy or otherwise dealt with. Those otherwise dealt with also needed to have their absences explained in a reasonable manner. Then of course Celestia just happened to want to have a private chat with Sombra regarding his retirement; Luna had to think up of some excuse for that too. She also had to prevent any letters between the two, lest anything leak regarding her plans that might tip either of them off about her true intentions once the conquest of the Crystal Empire was complete. Celestia’s timing could not have been worse, for juts as Sombra had been put into his trance-like nightmare, a letter had come forth. It demanded to know of Sombra’s location, and, in that nice but firm sort of way that Celestia favored so much, advised Sombra to write back with great haste. Forging his handwriting had delayed her from snapping Sombra from his nightmare, but seeing his worst nightmare had been a fair trade-off. It meant that she knew exactly what she needed to do in order to have the upper hoof in any further negotiations with Sombra, if it came down to that. For now, however, the next phase of her plan had to be executed. Now that the Empire was subdued, she needed to explain to Celestia the situation in the best possible way for proceeding. Short, sweet, and in no way implicating her own support in the takeover. “Sombra has, on his own, taken over the Crystal Empire,” Luna repeated, “He has enslaved the subjects, their dreams crying out for vengeance for their fallen state, and their monarch, Princess Amore, has gone to the great beyond far before her time.” “How long has this been going on?” As usual, Celestia wanted a timetable, the truth of which being far too damaging for Luna’s cause. After all, she too had been absent from Equestria, and while she could easily explain away to guards, Celestia would be more keenly aware of Luna's regular schedule, and be able to discern abnormalities pointing to her participation in the coup. “Sombra took over just yesterday, but I fear he has been planning this for at least a week.” Celestia looked downcast for a moment. She then blinked, confusion riddled on her face yet again. “Hold on, why would Sombra go all the way to the Crystal Empire in order to set up a kingdom of his own?” Celestia turned from a baffled Luna, whom only just now realized that she had missed something in her previous statement. Cautiously, she made the only logical move that she could think of at the time. “Why not? It is far from our military reach.” Celestia took a seat on her throne, gesturing for Luna to sit in the smaller throne next to her. Height differences or no, Luna resented the difference in their respective thrones. She obediently took her seat, looking towards her sister expectantly. Celestia took her time answering, as if wondering whether she should actually tell Luna the answer. Another pet peeve of Luna's, but one that she tolerated far more, as both had their share of private information. “For his service, I was going to give him some tracts of land right outside of Everfree. The land is fertile and as of yet still unclaimed by private citizens.” Luna almost laughed, but knew that such a gesture would give away how she really felt about the notion. “Yes, well, apparently an entire city is more of what Sombra had in mind for his actions.” Celestia turned towards Luna with a frown. “Now Sombra knows better than to assume that I would just let him have an entire city, what with his reputation and all. I am surprised he even got into the Empire unharassed.” “Guess he is far craftier than you thought.” Luna shifted in her seat, looking around the room in feigned disinterest. “What shall our response be?” Celestia sighed, and stared at the ceiling. A long pause followed, one in which Luna had to resist the temptation to break on her own accord. She needed to plot her moves here carefully, and be more reactionary than catalytic, allowing Celestia to do most of the talking and herself most of the replying. “First, I need to hear from him personally about his intentions. A rogue soldier normally talks more about their goals and aspirations than a regimented minion would. And Sombra is certainly not the latter.” Interesting metaphor, Luna thought, reasoning that it was Celestia’s way of coming to terms with Sombra’s status. And as a way to perhaps lighten the mood. It was hard to tell without getting inside Celestia's head and reading her thoughts, which even she was not very able to do without being caught in the act. When Celestia spoke again, it was with a firm tone and resolute expression. “Yes, letters are hard to express much in without worrying about interception; I shall go myself to assess the situation.” The larger alicorn’s gaze then shifted towards Luna, as if expecting her to object to the proposal. Luna’s ears flattened, for indeed her mouth had already been half open to oppose the action. Taking a moment to compose a reason why, Luna proceeded with the knowledge that Celestia going to the Crystal Empire this soon would cause a serious plot hole. “I think that is a terrible idea, sister. Your arrival may make him feel rather cornered.” Celestia's expression did not change, save for a small smile. “Nonsense, Sombra has always been very enthusiastic about my arrival,” Celestia's eyes had yet to leave Luna's, the sturdy eye contact making it more and more difficult to deny that Luna was hiding something. “So enthusiastic that his wife once had the audacity to ask my guards if there was anything going on behind the scenes between us. Luckily for her the guard who answered was wise enough not to spread rumors, and spoke the truth.” Luna did not really want to ask if the truth was scandalous, for she felt from Sombra’s earlier reaction to losing his wife that the two had a strictly business relationship. Some territory, thus, she let go, and instead trekked on a different bit of familiar turf. “Is that so? Well, ponies change, sister, as Sombra has noted before that dark magic can negatively affect the disposition of a pony.” “So can war,” Celestia curtly stated, narrowing her eyes, scrutinizing the statue-like pony that she was talking to, “You are awfully still in this conversation, and that is quite unlike you. Are you thinking hard about your answers?” Luna’s body threatened to give her away, a few beads of sweat forming around her ears and face. She attempted to cool herself with some flicks of her ears, but the small current did hardly any good in bringing relief from the incredible amount of pressure that threw itself onto her. “Of course sister, this is a decision regarding ponies’ lives. I am not going to answer without some thought.” Celestia’s eyes seemed to burn a hole in Luna’s very soul, all without hardening or even flaring with magic. Her sister’s somewhat trusting confidence likely ate away at what consciousness Luna still had at the forefront of this discussion. She had not outright lied, but at the same time, omission was a type of lying let some ponies tell it. “Well, you have had much time to think; what do you think should be done, if I am not to go and reason with him myself?” It was a honest question, one that Luna dreaded with much of her being. She had been trying to think of an alternate solution that allowed her reigns over the situation, without exposing a blatant need for it. She needed an excuse, one that fit well with her personna as princess of the night. Upon thinking of one, Luna relaxed, confidently allowing her gaze to stare deep into her sister's magenta eyes. “I shall go, so that I may assess whether their nightmares are based in reality or not.” For a few moments, eye contact remained, the two sisters gauging each other, sizing up the success or failure of this latest touch on tensions. Usually, this would have led to a joke to cool the mood, but Luna could read as well as her sister that this was not the time for jokes. Celestia knew something was not right with how all of this was playing out; Luna knew that Celestia knew that something was not right. One of them would have to make the first move, the first act, for the other to be forthcoming with the griffon in the room. At last, Celestia and Luna in unison blinked, as if both had decided that they had had enough of that in the same moment. Celestia rose from her throne and walked towards the double doors, her back to Luna for a short while. She stopped midway, as if contemplating. Turning back towards Luna, whom had not moved from her spot yet, Celestia looked her younger sister up and down. one last time. “Take a few elements of my guard with you, just in case.” Just in case they need to report something, Luna thought. She nodded fervently in agreement, despite her thoughts. “I shall go at once! Do not worry Sister, I will get to the bottom of this.” Celestia left the throne room, likely to brief the soldiers on their latest duties. Luna, once Celestia was out of sight, wiped sweat from her brow, surprising herself by how slick it had become in just those few minutes. Lunar Fort 2 “Guards!” Luna called out upon returning to her base of operations, “Find my masseur at once! He is to report to my chambers within the hour!” The sun still lingered in the sky; Luna guessed that a few hours of daylight remained, though the first signs of sunset were beginning to show themselves already on the horizon. Celestia had hoof picked the guards that would be accompanying Luna, despite the fact that she had made it sound like Luna would be making the decision on her own. Here at the gate entrance, open for the first time in quite the while, Luna stepped from the chariot pulled by Celestia's two choices for escorts; two pegasi who did not seem very thrilled at the prospect of making a detour before arriving at the Crystal Empire. Bat-winged ponies saluted Luna and rushed off while the feathered members from Celestia's guard unharnessed themselves from the chariot. Begrudgingly, they stared at the castle that had, from afar, looked like a mountain, not sticking out from the rest of the Unicorn Range. The were not happy to have been sent, but they were trying their best not to show their disdain. The feeling was mutual, Luna thought to herself as she took the first few steps towards the dark entrance. The two guards flanked either side of her as per the usual, though their fresh recruit pacing rattled their armor in a similar fashion to Luna's frazzled nerves. Neither seemed bold enough to ask when she planned on visiting Sombra, but Luna knew very well that it was on their minds. Or, at least, she thought neither of them were bold enough to ask. “So, when are we going to visit Sombra? Is that not priority, your highness?” The one on her left had spoken first. The one on her right chimed in, “Celestia ordered us to escort you to the Crystal Empire. She made mention that it was of utmost importance.” Luna did not immediately answer and led the way into the dark hole that was the entrance to the castle. Upon entry, the gate shut behind them, cutting off all sources of light for a few seconds. Despite their newness to the force, the guards did not panic, but patiently awaited for their eyes to adjust to the torchlight on the inside. Luna finally answered when she felt that sufficient time had passed, the less than eye catching stone walls drowning out the inspiration for any artist unfamiliar with a remotely prison-like setting. “My sister ordered thee to escort me; she spoke not of how to get there.” Her escorts exchanged questioning looks, likely due to Luna’s change of tongue for a moment there. Luna, feeling the need to elaborate, explained, as to not have that thought weighing on their minds for the rest of their visit. “Celestia addresses our subjects in a strange sort of way; I am going to be making some new addresses very soon, so I am breaking it in.” The guards did not respond, perhaps out of worry of some sort of retaliation. The corridor grew narrower and narrower, and soon, the guards had to make a choice between who was going to walk in front of Luna, and who would be walking behind, as the passage became too narrow for even two ponies to fit through shoulder to shoulder. Neither seemed eager for the front job, at least in part because of the creeping darkness ahead that granted no confidence. Luna waved them off dismissively. “Both of ye behind me, for I knowest best where we are going.” “Knoweth best where we art going?” the guard on the left offered. Though Luna noted that for later references, she did not verbally reply, and instead lead the way down the dark tunnel. A downward flight of stairs manifested, and the alicorn lit her horn for the sake of lighting. It would be embarrassing to trip on her own hooves in her own abode. She knew these stairs well, but the clanky sounds of her cohorts behind gave away that they very little concept of winding downwards stair usage. That was all fine, since none of Celestia’s forces were allowed this far in generally anyways. The trio seemed to descend for hours, the guards silently trudging on, despite Luna sensing their growing suspicion that not all was well. They did not openly question or voice the concern though, and trudged onwards. Once at the bottom, Luna bucked a wooden door open, sending one of the locks flying off. The sound of startled creatures alerted the guards that they may very well be entering the prison chambers. Hopefully, they would be just visiting. “Oh Queen, you have company!” Luna rang out in a sing-songey voice, sharply contrasting with the darkness of her surroundings. The guards gingerly followed, the rattling of chitin and the snapping of fanged jaws drawing their attention to the dangers that lurked in the shadows. A prevailing feeling came over them that, if they were visitors, they were also going to become witnesses. Either that, or they were not going to be mere visitors to this strange place. Which was worse, they were not sure as of yet. Luna led the way down the dungeon to the farthest chamber, where a bolted door held a particularly large changeling. This one’s jagged horn had a few pieces broken from it, the eerie green glow almost giving it an evil glow. The eyes, however, the feline doorways to the soul that radiated a sinister sunset orange, hungrily eyed the guards, as if it would consume them in but a single bite. “I told you I would be a fair prison keep,” Luna continued, motioning the guards towards the door, “I brought you some visitors. Do not get too ravenous now, they are my sister’s informants.” The escorts looked to each other, the answer to their previously unspoken question slowly beginning to dawn upon them. They were definitely not visitors. They were prospective residents. One of the guards spoke up with a sort of desperate plea, assuming what indeed was the reason for this madness. “Listen, what happened with Crescent, that was an accident! Celestia said so herself!” The door opened wide upon Luna’s magical command, the doorway to the waiting changeling queen and her forceful gaze. Luna smiled at the defensive guards, who had their backs turned to the other changelings in favor of using ocular negotiation with Luna. The puppy dog eyes brought more amusement to Luna than sympathy at this point. “Yes well, as Celestia would put it: accidents happen.” Luna flared her horn, shoving the two escorts into the cell, closing and locking the door behind them. She had nearly been struck with a flailing hoof when she had to move them past herself in order to get them in front of her. They did not bother shouting out, nor did they bother knocking on the door. They had been trained, Luna knew, just for an occasion like this. Luna felt that Celestia knew very well that she would not so easily forget one of her own guards ‘accidentally’ ending up in griffon territory after a failed spy mission on the Day Court. She knew that her sister would recall that grievance, and thus, would send two guards that were not only to spy on Luna, but also act as a sort of offering. Not of forgiveness, no, for Celestia really had not been in the wrong. Based on their earlier gall to correct her and question her directions, Celestia had her own personal reasons for giving these two up. Severe insubordination had probably been one of them. The two had spoken far more than guards were generally supposed to to their escort. Perhaps if they would have cried out, shouted, stamped their hooves, or pitifully wailed, Luna would have had a change of heart and released them. But the poor guards just made it so much easier by remaining silent, accepting the fate that had been handed to them. “What a most terrible accident. I had best start to work on reporting this one.” Luna snickered, the back of her mind imagining that she had dealt with one problem. She would go visit Sombra on her own time or, if necessary, fabricate her visit. Royal Chamber Luna’s chambers were nothing too special compared to that of other royal rooms. However, it stood out among the rest of the rooms in the castle for its more decorative flare. It was a simple room, a single, well cushioned table in front of a large fireplace. The stone walls were covered in decorum regarding the night sky, ranging from the moon to the various constellations. It was, in short, the most decorated place in the entire castle. When Luna stormed in and lay herself upon her stomach on the soft table, a small table with jars and bottles of oils already had been set up next to it. Yes, even better, a small metal tool rested in the midst of all of this: a scalpel. She allowed her limbs to hang loosely over the sides of the table. Luna’s ears perked when the door opened and then closed. Not a moment too soon, the masseur had arrived. “Greetings, your highness,” the griffon spoke, walking up to the table with a surgeon’s seriousness, “What shall it be today?” “Whole body,” Luna replied without missing a beat, “I have been very stressed lately.” The golden beak broke out into a silly grin, though returned to neutral upon Luna’s gaze directing its attention towards it. The navy blue griffon resembled a mix between a panther and a crow more than an eagle and a lion. This suited the castle atmosphere, though the abnormally large and expressive navy blue eyes did have a tendency to blend in too much with the surroundings, leading to startled guards sometimes brandishing weapons in his presence. Based on the lack of scratches and bruises, no such thing had went on today. Luna stretched out her wings in anticipation, no doubt having looked forward to this the entire afternoon. The griffon popped open the cork to one of bottles, sprinkling bits of the liquid into one hand. “So madame, what troubles the ruler of the night?” He spoke as regally as he could muster, eying the princess' frame like an artist would a blank tapestry. “Oh the usual, politics in this colorful land of ours.” And with that the artist went to work, his talons massaging the princess’ shoulders and upper back, the oil quickly spreading across the handiwork. A gentle shine would reflect his progress. Luna closed her eyes and, for just a moment, let this little luxury take place. So much still had to be done, and yet, this moment could be taken for her and her alone. “How are things going in the Griffon-Dragon kingdoms? I presume the union is going well?” The griffon chuckled whilst he continued his work, re-administering the oil when necessary. “The union is on the verge of collapse as they blame each other for the losses to Equestria taken back during the war. Funny really, since it is more Celestia and you who are to blame for that, but I guess they prefer to blame something they can fight against.” Luna chuckled, sighing in relief as the tension in her shoulders began to melt away. Next the griffon moved on to her wings. “Yes, it can be rather difficult to fight against us. Of course, I think we are about done with expansion for a long time.” “Well madame, it feels like you have been flying for quite a bit; one would think that with the ability to teleport everywhere you would use your wing less often.” The masseur seemed to have some trouble loosing the muscles at the base of her wings, but his efforts were gaining some ground. At least, it felt like it to Luna. “Well, using magic may seem convenient, but relying on it can be a very bad thing.” “I see.” The masseur finally hit the sweet spot right at the base of her wings, which caused them to flop to her sides and twitch in response. Her body shivered as the sensation of loosened muscles seemed to allow more rapid blood flow to her wings, a previously unfelt soreness taking root, gently throbbing away with each press of the individual digits of the griffon. Truly, no pony could compete with this with mere hooves alone. “Those talons of yours are probably the envy of the avian community!” Luna praised. The alicorn did not even care how rather childish she looked, splayed out as if she were about to get a large cube of sugar for her labors in the field. With great care, the griffon retrieved the earlier metal tool, and with a surgical precision that hinted at a prior profession, the griffon lightly scraped at Luna’s back. Every now and again the griffon would flick the dirty oil into the fire, a gentle spark flaring up in response to this action. The gentle scrape of the razor was oddly soothing while Luna reflected over the day's events. Indeed, she would take this hour or so to relax; she would be right back at it again soon enough though.