//------------------------------// // Chapter 2 // Story: War of the Moon (or Thanks MA Larson for the inspiration // by WildmoonNH //------------------------------// Lionheart continued walking through the halls of the dungeon to his next stop, where a dark green earth pony had been chained. He'd shout many an epithet to the unicorn and pegasus guards, and had to be constantly rechained because of his strength. Lionheart watched and listened with interest unstil Strife spotted him. "I've nothing to say to you," he spat at Gallant Lionheart. The first officer didn't flinch. "Strife, the traitor and sunderer of Ponyville.... Still racist as ever I see," Lionheart spoke with some resignation in his voice. "Grumbling because all your strength can break chain but not enchanted stone and metal. There's ways around that, I'm sure." "....And what makes you think I'll listen to anything you say?" The earth pony flatly replied. "Forget him!" A voice called from down the hall. "If he won't listen, I will!" Lionheart strode to the other cell, where a gray-white female pegasus was angrily pacing, wings flared. "Anything to get my hooves on that... that...." the pegasus threatened. Lionheart dared a smirk. "I've perked your wings, pegasus...? then hear me out. let's just say I have a 'Friend' who is similarly dissatisfied with the order of things. There's power to be had for it." The pegasus tried to launch toward the door to hear more, but her restraints held firm. "Tell me more! TELL! ME! MORE!" "Having fun baiting Cloud Slayer?" grumbled the earth pony. "and what would your 'friend' know about the order of things? and why are you telling us this?" Lionheart's gaze (and a quick spell) ensured their solitude. "He knows," the unicorn whispered, "that stories, like moons, have two sides." The earth pony glowered at the guard. "You still don't believe me?" posited the unicorn. "Perhaps another voice can persuade you." He gathered his magic and opened the earth pony's cell door. "Step closer, prisoner....." "I don't have to tell you anything! And there's no one else down here!" He reared and snorted, chains straining from the load. Gallant Lionheart lunged and caught Strife between the eyes with the flat of his horn. Cursing and smarting, the earth pony staggered back as the guard took his leave. The contact was all that was needed -Umbral had followed Lionheart's motions up to that moment, transferring Voice of the Mind to the dark green earth pony. ~~Greetings, sunderer of pony races~~ a dark voice whispered in Strife's head, sounding as if he stood just behind him. ~~your reputation precedes you~~ "Huh? Who's there?" Strife paced in a circle, having to turn back to untangle his chains. "Who is this? WHY is this?" ~~Calm yourself~~ the voice ordered. Strife stopped pacing, but was still searching the room. ~~Better. It seems Dustmite was correct, the Voice of the Mind does echo in the heads of earth ponies.~~ Strife reared again. "Another prank from a race who disrespects earth ponies!!" ~~"disrespect"?~~ the voice repeated. ~~None of the sort. Consider my words a blessing. They say the path to true enlightenment starts with a friendly ear. My ear is open if you choose to use it.~~ Strife seated himself, grumbling under his breath. "I am but a simple Earth Pony who believes that my race has been spat on for generations, and I'm the only one who sees it." The alicorn was more than intrigued with this point of view. ~~Your race thrives as farmers, yet you believe they can be more, is that correct?~~ "Even not respected as simple farmers!" Strife nearly shouted. "Ridiculed as poor folk who need the assistance of the other two races to subsist!" ~~And where is this ridicule you speak of?~~ "It's everywhere!!!" The green earth pony snarled. "I can see it in their eyes! They look down their snouts at earth ponies, from the sky or even face to face. It sickens me." ~~Is it their arrogance...~~ Lapis inquired, ~~or your jealousy? And what price, dear Strife, would you pay for such vengeance?~~ "I would give anything," Strife pleaded. "especially to personally destroy Twilight Sparkle and her family." ~~"anything".... hmm, that gives ME options.~~ Umbral knew he had Strife, now to reel him in. ~~Are you willing to do this under my guidance? Either as a soldier of war, or perhaps even "beating them at their own game"?~~ "If it means bringing respect to my race...ANYTHING!" Umbral was inwardly amused now. ~~Very well... your options could require you to be more than just an earth stallion with the gift of uniting your "race" under your hoof. It could be done by force, with the might of the Phalanx as your weapon.... or if you are so inclined, match your skills with Twilight Sparkle on an even playing field. I detest that my Sisters have stained my race by "adopting" her, then I will show them the price.~~ "Sisters?" Strife's anger snapped to confusion. ~~You followed an alicorn before. Would you follow one again....?~~ Umbral had used the conversation to search Strife's memories, discovering a "Prince Hellstorm", who indeed looked like a dark version of Cepheid. "Your offerings sound more promising, yes." Strife conceeded. Banging from elsewhere in the compound interrupted the conversation. "WHAT'S GOING ON!? WHAT ABOUT ME?!" The gray pegasus could hear talking, even if she could not hear what was said. "SILENCE!" Gallant Lionheart boomed through the halls. ~~Lionheart, silence her - or see if she wants "in"....~~ "DON'T SHUSH ME YOU GELDED-" "Silence you featherhead, you'll bring more guards!" Lionheart harrumphed and turned back to the earth pony. "A 'friend' of yours?" "just an accomplice," he quickly muttered. ~~Silence her or you endanger your future,~~ Umbral ordered. "QUIET DOWN IN THERE!" Lionheart barked. "THEN LET ME HEAR THIS!!" She nearly screamed. The unicorn had had enough. He charged to her cell, magicking the door open. "YOU WILL BE SILENT!" punctuating the order by striking her in the forehead with his horn, transferring the Voice of the Mind spell. ~~and quiet down you must!~~ Umbral hissed in her mind. The pegasus froze. "What? Who are you?" She looked around her cell, only seeing the unicorn guard leaving and locking the door. The alicorn drew all three into one conversation. ~~My risk increases as I speak to you... this is very simple. Join me, and I will aid you in your revenge. But you must be truly loyal to me. Otherwise, your minds will be wiped so clean it will erase your cutie mark.~~ ~~Is that even possible?~~ Lionheart had never heard such a threat. ~~Shall I demonstrate?~~ Lionheart stiffened. ~~no sir~~ "Give me any chance to kill Rainbow Dash, and I will serve you from now till eternity," Cloud Slayer swore. ~~You are not saying that because the walls close in on you, pegasus..?~~ He'd heard such oaths before. ~~and what of you, "Strife"? have we a deal?~~ "No, it is truth. I will always follow you if you give me this chance." Cloud Slayer knelt to the voice. "Yes, I will follow you." Strife finally replied. ~~You will receive further orders another time. Look to this guard for answers, but ask where there are no other ears to hear.....~~ The voice retreated. "You two better stay quiet until I get back," Lionheart huffed, "I've a meeting to attend." ----------------------------------------------------------- Cepheid looked up from his reading again to let the sun wash over his body. He was starting to see his summer golds come back, both in his coat and his mane. Celestia and Luna told him it would be at least a year until he would be ready to roam the grounds; so be it, his punishment just for the crime of turning his back on his own Family. His mind wandered to memories of the rest of the Family. Solaris their eldest and patriarch, training Tia on everything. Cepheid recalled how they would both hunt him down and make SURE everything was written, as the seasons were as important as the sun and moon. His calculations took time, but every number would be worth it if Equestria prospered. He was proud of his sisters, but saddened that they knew nothing of Aphelion or Solaris' whereabouts. He then thought about Umbral, wondering why he wouldn't just return to the castle to celebrate the family's partial reunion. Judging from the tale Tia and Luna told him, Umbral is more than just reluctant. "We will be restored as a Family," he said to himself. "even you, little brother, need to come home." ---------------------------------------------------- In Canterlot castle proper, an assembly of the top militia and advisors gathered. Celestia and Luna both had heard some ... unpleasant rumors about the advisors, and wished to clear the air before anything else could happen. The two alicorns strode into the meeting hall, where a table had assembled several of their military's finest. Guard Captain Shining Armor, stood at one place to the right of Celestia's seat; Advisor Count Solaris (no relation to the alicorns' elder brother) sat to Luna's left. First Officer Gallant Lionheart, Advisor Thunder Arrow, and strategist Flank Attack(promoted on Silver Bardiche's retirement) rounded out the table. All bowed to the alicorns, who took their places. "All of you are my eyes and ears to Equestria and run one of the most powerful militias in recent memory," Celestia began authoritatively. "There are whispers of discontent among you, I do not wish this to escalate. This is an open forum, please state your issues. I will start with the most senior here, Count Solaris." The blue unicorn stood and cleared his throat. "Our kingdom, in the last few years alone, has found itself victim to more attacks and disasters than has been seen in centuries. The brief return of Nightmare Moon and her damage to the throne room, the unsealing of Discord, renewed parasprite infestations in the metropolitan areas, and now the worry of changelings. Something, your majesty, is amiss. While the Elements of Harmony have been most helpful, the attacks and disruptions of Equestria's harmony have only increased. Are the two somehow related?" "Unsealing the Elements of Harmony is what restored peace to Equestria," Luna surprisingly admitted. "That was true a millenia ago," Gallant Lionheart broke in, "but what of now? In that time we have expanded our range and learned so much." "We should re-institute full contact combat," Flank Attack interjected. "Our efforts were futile in protecting this place from a Changeling invasion...." "No thanks to our 'captain'," Lionheart snorted derisively. Celestia raised a hoof to calm the table. "Shining Armor, is splitting your time between the Canterlot Militia and the Crystal Kingdom an issue?" "Not until recently, princess," the young white unicorn replied. "I would hope it's not seen as a lack of experience on my part. We were well aware that something was going to happen on the wedding day. Cadence never did tell me when she was... 'abducted'......" he lowered his head with a slight blush. Thunder Arrow was smirking, but Flank Attack remained all business. "It was still an endangerment to the Kingdom! The damage that WAS caused, and the potential damage that followed..." "How do you ask your WIFE about something that traumatic?" Shining Armor demanded. "Between this and protecting the Crystal Kingdom, she's done more for Equestria than-" "And you 'Protecting' her like throwing her at King Sombra?" Thunder Arrow snarked. Celestia motioned again for calm. "Changelings are alicorn in their own right, and are very dangerous creatures. While I agree we were ill-prepared for their invasion, you must admit their method was sound." Flank Attack glowered, but did not respond. "We had not prepared for an internal threat," she continued, "And we are very fortunate that we even had a warning. Even I failed in defending Canterlot, so there is plenty of blame to go around." "We are currently working on a detection spell to find changelings," Luna reported. "their magic is particular and unique enough that we may be able to locate them should they attempt again." "And what of the troop complement, Princess Luna?" Gallant Lionheart asked a little too quickly. The Moon Princess took note of that. "The Phalanx is in a slow process of rebuilding," Luna informed everyone. "I will be posting information in Canterlot proper for new recruits.... and in the Solar guard barracks." A look was exchanged between the two princesses. "This will ensure we have security to Canterlot at all times." "Is that going to be Canterlot only?" Flank Attack asked. "The larger cities could also use a strong night patrol." "It will be considered," Luna responded carefully. "But many of the Phalanx require very strict supervision, because of the nature of the recruiting and the enchantments of the armor." She turned to her sister. "Would Golden Silver and his team have time enough for Phalanx armor as well as Solar Guard armor? Should I recruit a separate smith?" Celestia took a moment to remember what she knew of the armor. "You may wish to find an additional smith, sister. Golden Silver and his two contemporaries are very talented but if there is strong recruiting they will not be able to keep up with demand." Celestia then turned back to the table. "While we work on the changeling detection spell, I would like announcements posted for recruiting to the Solar Guard and Lunar Phalanx. We will have proper tryouts in a week's time. Also, as no disrespect to you, Shining Armor, I will have to consider a new Guard Captain with your duties to the Crystal Kingdom expanding." The tone of Celestia's voice was enough to end the meeting. As everyone dispersed, the two princesses exchanged curious looks. "When will you tell them of Cepheid?" Luna whispered. "The dungeon guards know and are sworn to secrecy," Celestia whispered back. "I hope he will be well by the next Summer Sun festival. He was moved recently to the east hall, so he has sunlight to his side." Luna still seemed preoccupied, taking a breath before speaking. "Gallant Lionheart has been asking much about the Phalanx. I wonder- why would a unicorn want to go through such a ritual?" "He is trying to save face, sister. His demotion and reprimand weigh heavier on him than the armor he now dons. He volunteers for many other duties in penance, perhaps... perhaps he needs this." "I will see if that is indeed his intention." Luna summoned a courier to invite Lionheart to speak to her directly about the Phalanx. --------------------------------------------------------- "CUTIE MARK CRUSADER ALICORNS YAY!" Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo and Applebloom had spent their afternoon in the treehouse making alicorn costumes for each other and trying them on. Sweetie Belle was practically dancing at the cardboard wings they'd drowned in glitter. Scootaloo kept fussing with the cone horn they made, and Applebloom had double trouble handling both. "How does Twilight walk around with these on her back?" Apple Bloom pondered as she'd shrug her shoulders. The wings flapped lazily. "So what kinda cutie mark are we getting out of this? I don't think you can get a real cutie mark out of being a fake alicorn." Scootaloo poked Sweetie Belle with the "horn", bending it. "We might get one for making great costumes!" Sweetie Belle nearly sang as she made her wings flap. One of Apple Bloom's wings slid off her back, the glitter flying everywhere. "I don't think it's workin." Scootaloo noted her bent horn. "Yeah, we need to think of something more action-packed." "Apple Bloom!" Applejack called from outside. "Better start headin home, supper'll be ready soon." The bright yellow earth pony bounded out the door without removing the rest of her costume. "Coming!!" Applejack's expression went from expectant to apathy when she saw her baby sister wearing a horn and one wing. "Costumes? it's summer, Nightmare Night's a few months off." "We were just tryin to make alicorn costumes...." Apple Bloom explained, voice trailing off as she saw her older sister's expression. "Yeah, I saw. Come on....." The little filly wondered if she was in trouble now.... -------------------------------------------------------- Flank Attack and Thunder Arrow walked side-by-side on their way back to the barracks. "Nice of her to at least admit she was wrong too," Flank Attack grumbled. "A lot of people were wrong that night," Thunder Arrow agreed. "Things are getting better, though - Shining Armor is learning fast, but he's got too much on his plate." "That's why we needed the multiple commanders over each group," Flank Attack replied. "Then those leaders answer directly to Celestia!" "That's where our problem was before. We weren't communicating. Shining Armor has to be informed, then he consolidates it for the Princess. She's an alicorn but I don't think even she can be in two places at once!" "And if she could have," The dour earth pony postulated, "Then Silver Bardiche wouldn't have had to retire." "Silver Bardiche is one of the toughest Earth ponies I've known," Thunder Arrow informed the new earth pony officer. "He told me what he had to deal with that particular night. He's lucky to still be here." "Whatcha think about this 'Phalanx' business?" Thunder Arrow shrugged. "Don't like the schedule. Some say ponies barely survive the tryouts, and if they do the armor might try to kill em. Not my thing." "Kills em? Dead-dead, kills em?" The former Pegasus guardcaptain nodded. "Luna doesn't mess around when it comes to her soldiers. Then again, that's only what I've heard." --------------------------------------------------------- Umbral himself had some planning to do. He'd scoured the Libram Noctem for anything he had on ancient artefacts, wondering if he could replicate somehow the means of which Twilight Sparkle had become an alicorn. He thought it to be the perfect present for his bride-to-be, Desert Sun, but no such materials truly existed. Alicorns were born, not made, but here it had happened. His sisters would be punished by his hoof for this atrocity. Already in a foul mood over the ascension of Twilight and the sight of his brother incarcerated, he magically threw the books and scrolls around the room, snarling curses in ancient Equestrian. One randomly tossed book knocked a few more off the shelf, then showered him in scrolls. He weathered the storm of paper and resisted the urge to set it all on fire. One last book flopped on his head, nestled between his ears and his horn like a new hat. Another frustrated snort and he removed the book, spotting an image he had not seen in centuries. The image - a drawing, by a talented artisan - showed two ghastly looking guards, each in purple armor. Their eyes glowed even on the page, along with the faint light from a moonstone embedded in the chestplate. Their coats were a wooden brown, wings looking much like his - leathery and sharp, and nearly identical in color to the armor. The image was annotated: "Starwatch and Tower Shield, two officers of the Lunar Phalanx." From that image, Umbral got an idea. An AWFUL idea! A wonderfully AWFUL idea....... if this could make him laugh he would, but instead he galloped from the Libram Noctem to the forges. --------------------------------------------- The last place anyone would expect Rainbow Dash would be in the glitz and formality of the Carousel Boutique. The mulitcolor-haired pegasus dropped by, Pinkie's complaint still fresh. She peeked inside to see Rarity "in the zone", working away on another masterpiece to be photographed in the coming weeks. The white unicorn was a little surprised at her guest, implements nearly falling from her magical grasp. "This is rare surprise," she stammered as she gathered up the bits she nearly dropped. "Anything I can do for you dear?" "Uh... yeah.. but it doesn't have anything to do with-" Dash cringed at a frilly, lacy creation- "a dress." "You know the rules, Rainbow Dash. If I made you a Wonderbolt uniform that would be counterfeiting." Her warning came across more playful than stern. "It's not that either..... It's Pinkie Pie." "I thought you rather enjoyed her randomness." "She said something to me this afternoon while I was out flying with Twilight-" The unicorn looked up from her work, this time the implements spilling everywhere. "YOU went FLYING with TWILIGHT?" Rarity then descended into dramatic euphoria. "That would be so amazing to do! She should really stop by so that I can make her a proper princess gown! That magenta and yellow - SO unflattering! perhaps then she'll show off her designs to -" Rainbow Dash blinked as Rarity's histrionics continued in glorious detail. "Uh, Rarity...." The unicorn had completely forgotten about her pegasus guest. "This would be such a step ahead the ideas wheeling in my head Dresses made for Royalty something for all the world to see I'd be blown away- Fame would absolutely make my day! Hoity Toity and Fancy Pants Raising eyebrows at a glance of the fashions trending globally Both shouting out "Oh Rarity!" What could I say? Fame would absolutely make my day!" Rainbow facehoofed. "That's what Pinkie's talking about!" Rarity paused in her song. "What about Pinkie?" "When Twilight and I were flying, every newspony in ponyville chased us and took pictures! She almost fell out of the sky from the flashes! I had to save her (because I'm that awesome) but she took off once she was able to fly again." "She 'took off'?" "She Teleported away! That way the newsponies wouldn't follow her!" "Tish tosh," Rarity dismissed. "Twilight's not used to the spotlight. Fluttershy reacted the exact same way." "She wasn't scared, though." "She shouldn't be - those MAJESTIC wings....." Rainbow couldn't dispute the wings. She looked at her own appendages, wondering how they would actually match up. "Honestly, Rainbow Dash, you're worrying about nothing. Twilight's finally where she wants to be, and there's always a drawback to fame. Should I ever become famous enough that I can't do all the work myself, I would have to.... oh dear... expand and hire an assistant!" The pegasus rolled her eyes. "Yeah, tough stuff there.... but yeah, maybe Pinkie's right." "She is, sometimes," Rarity agreed. "But a princess is a princess is a princess. It was going to happen eventually. Even if she didn't get wings, her brother is married to a princess, making her princess by default." "But Pinkie said - " "She says a lot of things, and sometimes she actually makes sense. Not this time, my dear. Now please, I've got to finish this dress by tomorrow." Dash walked out of the boutique shaking her head. Another glance back at her wings just added to the down mood. With a sigh she took off for home. ------------------------------------------- Morning Star was flopped in her room, looking out her one window, which faced basically toward Canterlot. Her placement was a request to Master Lapis - this way she could communicate with her friend Aurora using the Voice of the Mind. The two of them had remained friends all this time, despite Aurora not quite aligning to the cause as of yet. With Twilight out of the classes and on to new training, Aurora has placed as head of the class almost every month for a year, trying to take more and more advanced courses in hopes of completely eclipsing any records that Twilight Sparkle had set in her time in class. She bragged to Morning Star about her progress until the day of Twilight's coronation. When the two "Met" to talk about it, there was frustration in her mind. ~~I still want to know how she did it," Aurora groused. ~~If anyone in that class was to become a princess, it should have been me or you~~ ~~Master Lapis was furious when he found out. I'm surprised our fortress is still standing.~~ ~~He's ALWAYS grumpy,~~ Aurora observed. ~~does he even smile?~~ ~~He smiles... not big cheesy ones, just subtle, little smiles. He can't laugh.~~ ~~Everyone can laugh -just cast a spell,~~ Aurora changed her voice a little ~~Heffalumpha cucmber delicatessen archimediation~~ Morning Star giggled. ~~Seriously, he can't laugh - he's forgotten how. Even when he comes up with evil plans, we never hear him laugh~~ ~~Weird, I thought evil geniuses, especially alicorns, were required~~ ~~Maybe when he takes over Equestria.... or Desert Sun will do it for him, muwahahahaha~~ It was Aurora's turn to giggle, which was then followed by a sigh. ~~It's not fair. I KNOW I'd be a great alicorn! Much better than "Twilight Suck-up!~~ ~~So would I - but I'll take 'favored student' if I can get it.~~ ~~I'm gonna find out how she did it! I know it's gotta be written down someplace...~~ This piqued Morning Star's interest. ~~Let me know. We could use the info, I think Master Lapis is still trying to figure it out himself.~~ ----------------------------------------------- "I see that your heart is clearly torn, with this gift of alicorn." Zecora quietly sipped her tea as Twilight moped in front of her. The zebra mystic always had an open door for the Ponyville locals, not just for Twilight. They had finally embraced her ways, thanks to her wonders with herbs and potions - as well as her surprisingly strong storytelling skills. She would get visits almost weekly, trading her skills for food or fresh grass, and the occasional ornamental tribute to her heritage. Deep down, the zebra shared a similar teacher/student relationship with Twilight that the alicorn did with Celestia. Zecora had helped Twilight think through her problems and not always resort to magic. Magic never solved everything, the mind was the much better tool. "They don't understand," Twilight sighed. "I haven't changed on the inside." "Recall the ponies in Ponyville feared, even my visage when I appeared. Time and peace will pave the way till you once more have normal days." "But how long will that be?" Twilight worried as she looked down at her teacup, absently stirring it with her magic. "Clocks of time do not know change, your mind and heart will set that range. The days will wander the harder you ponder, so forget how or why and let time fly." "Even if my closest friends are... standing off a bit?" The zebra's expression remained calm and warm as she met Twilight's gaze. "Change is feared, alicorns revered, Princesses distant, let your friends draw near. They will decide when the time is right to rejoin your friendship before that night." That lifted Twilight's spirits a little. "Thank you Zecora, that helps." "Any advice that you should seek, please come by any day, any week." Twilight relaxed and finally sipped at her tea.