//------------------------------// // Chapter 14 // Story: War of the Moon (or Thanks MA Larson for the inspiration // by WildmoonNH //------------------------------// Chapter 14 The grand hall of Drakengard was empty for the day, still reverberating from the noise of the Phalanx ceremonies the prior evening. Desert Sun shivered a little at the thought of her allies as those.... monsters! Master Lapis said she would not be getting Phalanx armor, and witnessing the transformation that had befallen the others, for this she was grateful. He had promised her something more appropriate. He had trained her in her magic, told her tales of the world... promised his life to her. What more could she ever want? She playfully glanced to her own back, wondering if Lapis would find a way to give her wings. The little fantasy tickled her heart, her walk now a playful prance. She giggled at the simple impossibility of it all. "Laughter is a music I will always listen to," The Shadow of the Moon's voice whispered all around her. "Someday, I promise you, we will share a song." "Why are you hiding from me, of all ponies?" she asked the empty room. Her silver eyes caught a shadow sliding off the wall, bluish black ink spilling away from the dark of the room to pool before her. Lapis blossomed from the pool, draconine wings wide and blue eyes appraising her like rare art. "I am everywhere you are," he responded. "I Am The shadow under your hooves, the darkness behind every door. Every shadow cast by your brilliant light, you will find me." "So if you did cast the world into Eternal Night," she queried. "There will be no light to cast shadows." "The moon casts shadows, below and beside. I will ensure there are plenty of shadows for me and light to find your way. And when Equestria is ours to share, the moon and sun will move to our whim." "I can't move the sun any more than you can." "That, my dear Desert Sun, I hope to change." Their horns crossed, Desert Sun losing her breath for a moment. "A sun to my moon...." he whispered. Her eyes closed, her body leaning into the alicorn's. "That's not possible...." she whispered back. "Not yet," Lapis' confident reply. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Strife had watched Equestria go by in his travels, wishing his errand didn't take so long. It was usually 2-3 days from Appleloosa to Manehatten, and this required more expediency. He had tried to contact them using Voice of the Mind, but they nearly told him not to come once they heard his voice in their heads. The train hissed to a halt in Ponyville, another stop that he probably could have skipped if he just ran the distance himself. Perhaps that would have been the better option.... "Is anyone sitting here?" Strife looked to his left, seeing a fiery red earth pony smiling at him. "You look like you could use some company." He grumbled absently and gestured to the bench. "Won't be much for conversation." She made a show of seating herself, displaying the heart-shaped pie on her flank. "Just sitting with someone can be good enough," she assured him. Strife simply rolled his eyes. "So where are you headed?" "North." "Northeast or northwest?" "Northeast. It's business related." "Let me guess - you can't tell me." "You're perceptive," Strife admitted, "but expected from an earth pony." "You probably say that to unicorns and pegasi mares, too," she responded sweetly. "No. Only earth ponies truly 'see' the world for what it is. Pegasi and unicorns merely shape it." Her voice lost the playful tone when she saw Strife wasn't interested. "I saw you looking out the window... more like you had lost something than just enjoying the scenery." "I've lost a lot in the last year...." his distant reply. He didn't turn away from the window. "Anything I can do, even if I'm just listening?" "I don't think you'll understand," he replied curtly. "Did you lose family? Friends? Employment? If it's work you're seeking, they're looking for ponies to help with the railway expansion...." "What I've lost," he sighed, "was you." "ME?" the red earth mare responded. "But we've hardly met!" Strife finally turned on his bench. "Not you specifically." He looked around the train for the first time, nodding to each earth pony he saw. "Him. Her. That one. Earth ponies in general, they don't understand they're oppressed by a ruling minority of unicorns and alicorns." "'Oppressed'?" she giggled. "Earth Ponies are called many things, but not 'oppressed'. We're the most individual and versatile of the pony races, how could we be 'oppressed'?" She lifted a hoof to check it for chains. "Have you ever seen an Earth Pony ruler? All of our rulers are Unicorns with Alicorns above them! Their magic keeping their posts, the pegasi controlling the skies. We are nothing under them. We are just ants, moving the food along, being kept busy in the dirt, and you don't see that." She rolled her eyes at the negative sentiment. "They can have their bureaucracy. And the pegasi are all bluster! At the end of the day they still need us; even without their magic and weather controls, we still get to eat." "What's to stop the alicorns from conjuring food to feed the masses? What of the earth ponies then?" Strife snapped. "Because I've never heard of an alicorn farmer," she shot back. "If they help with their magic and weather control, everyone eats. They don't, the earth ponies get all the food." Sensing the tension, she tried turning the subject. "Have you ever met an alicorn?" "I've had that misfortune." "You are a strange pony. Some live their entire lives without even seeing an alicorn in person. I hope that won't be my fate." "You're not missing anything." "But you've had the honor," she observed. "What was it like?" "You ask too many questions," Strife ended the conversation. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Papers flung about the room, a flapping alarm clock for poor Twilight Sparkle. She ducked under her pillow at the deluge, not expecting such a strange wake up call. She peeked out once to see the paper hovering, sheathed in golden magic. "I thought we were going to look over school records this afternoon?" Celestia's cheery voice called from outside her view. "you wanted a student representative for the Magic Council, remember?" Twilight slipped out of bed, trying to not to yawn in her teacher's presence. "I'm sorry, I just needed a few minutes...." "You've been out for two hours, according to your brother," the Sun Princess gently chided. "But this has been a very busy few days. For all of us. So I only brought a handful of papers, about two dozen students' worth." The papers sorted themselves into four neat stacks, representing the four classes Celestia taught in a regular rotation. "Many of these ponies are close to graduation, but I think this as a starting duty would be a great honor for one of them." Twilight gathered one stack to sort through while Celestia placed the rest on a nearby table. "I was going through old records, saw a lot of names from your classes. Did you know Archer is in the Solar Guard now?" She could see that Twilight had focused completely on the papers, but decided to chat on. "I recognized another name in the old records, what was her last name... 'Lulamoon'. She was dismissed after her first semester, you might not remember her too well....." Twilight's ears drooped. She knew exactly who Celestia referenced. "She's ... still around." "I'm well aware. And the alicorn amulet has been stored for safekeeping. It will not get out again." Twilight nodded absently as she finished the first stack of paperwork. Most of the unicorns were strong in one field or another, she was hoping somepony would have a broader base. "Is specializing becoming more common?" "Many of my students are already arriving with a cutie mark, so they don't always expand on their studies. I've encouraged a few to look further into their talents." This surprised the younger princess. "Many don't believe that they would have anything past their specialty, though I do have a senior student who might be what you're looking for." Twilight glanced up to the record in question. "Aurora....?" she read. "That name sounds familiar...." "While her grades were slipping early on, apparently the tales of your adventures have inspired her. She's taken many advanced classes and individual studies. She reminds me a lot of you. I think she would be honored to work with you." "I wo..." Twilight lost her response in a poorly disguised yawn. "I'm sorry, I didn't..." "Are you still not rested?" Celestia queried. "With so much to do, who has time to sleep?" Twilight managed between yawns. "I do understand, Twilight. I have the luxury of sleep now that Luna has resumed her duties." "'Luxury', Princess? I mean... Celestia?" "Raising the sun and moon took much of my time and power. Thankfully ponies assist with the seasons. I also had to work with the tides, court, and many other things." "So...before Luna returned," Twilight puzzled, "you never slept?" "A few hours here and there, but rarely a full night. Now, with Luna caring for the moon and the tides, I can rest." "I wish I had your strength in that regard...." "And you don't even have any formal duties yet," Celestia poked at her former student. "And I always made time for my students, because it was very important to me. It gave time for me to not think of my duties. That will help you in the future." Twilight steadied herself and placed all the school records on the table. "Then I'd like to make a request. For now, I wish to be allowed to return to Ponyville." "I can talk to Aurora for you if you wish. She'll be excited to know you're interested in her work." "Please do...let her know that as soon as I take care of something in Ponyville, I want her to visit. I don't know if she's ever been out of Canterlot." Celestia nodded in understanding. "This has been very hectic and I wish we had had time to more than just formal affairs.... Sleeping in your own bed will be a relief, I'm sure." "Who said anything about sleep?" Twilight replied proudly. "There'll be time for that on the train home. For now, there are 5 ponies I want to see who could help me not think of my duties. After all, without them, I wouldn't be here with you like this, right?" The Sun Princess' smile faded. "I was hoping that the celebration last night would have gone much better... the delegates' meeting was a lot of information at once, and a lot of concerns to burden you in your first interaction." "I believe that you told me once, when I was just starting 'Not everything will go the way you want it to. But it will go the way it needs to, and you will be better for it in the end.'" "There are so many things that are not in books to learn, Twilight Sparkle... and it's a lesson you're learning remarkably well." "I had the perfect teacher to guide me on them." Twilight could not hide her happiness of the statement as she brushed herself against Celestia's shoulder. "And I have a perfect student to learn what I have learned," Celestia replied, returning the gesture by curling her neck over Twilight's back. "Do not let me keep you." Twilight gathered her saddlebags, pausing a moment at the door. "Are there still delegates and visitors?" "There are still a lot of ponies around the castle, dear." With a nod Twilight cast once with her horn, reprising her "Morning Voice" disguise. "Thank you." She then began her run from the castle to the train station. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Gallant Lionheart had never enjoyed sleeping a day away in his life. Technically, he would sleep every day. The window to his quarters deliberately left open, the sun nothing more than his blanket! One eye briefly opened to gaze on the Phalanx armor before him, which would soon be outfitted with heavier shoulder guards to show his rank as Captain! The proud smile wouldn't leave his face. Between his survival of the trials - especially the Tower Shield trial - only made it a greater victory to rub in Snapdragon's face. Emerald Charm had made his report before getting some sleep. Now Gallant Lionheart dozed, eyes admiring the armor like a lost lover. "So much a miracle..." he said to himself. ~~you're welcome~~ ~~Master Lapis, my gratitude~~ ~~Rest, my ally. You will know the call to action~~ The unicorn's pride carried him back to sleep. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The train conductor at Canterlot station gave "Morning Voice" a strange look when she presented her VIP pass. "This is a pretty high honor for a Fillydelphia reporter," he remarked. "Morning Voice" dismissed the suspicion with a chuckle. "It was provided to me through family. I'm Fancy Pants' second cousin twice removed, and I'm working on a biography of Princess Celestia." The conductor wasn't convinced, but the crowd of ponies behind her helped make his decision. "....alright, I don't need to hold up the line any more than you already have." "Thank you, sir," she gave a slight bow of respect before boarding the train and slipping to her private car. Once the door quietly closed behind her, she pulled every shade down to the outside windows and hung a "Do Not Disturb til destination" sign on the door. As she happily flopped on a padded bench, 'Morning Voice" vanished, allowing Twilight Sparkle to return and drift off to sleep. ------------------------------------------------------ Further back in the train line, a weary but relieved Rarity quietly awaited her chance to board the train. The presentation wasn't the disaster she feared. Apparently her frazzled demeanor and scattered papers served as a touch of reality to an otherwise glamorous profession. Fancy Pants helped her along gently, keeping the spotlight to her as she slowly regained her confidence before the aspiring crowd. She told them of fashion triumphs and disasters, placating clientele and trying not to cross the invisible line between customer service and spectacular fashion. Macey Sacks praised her after the presentation and insisted on buying her lunch in Canterlot. The white unicorn could only pinch herself as she watched Macey Sacks - Macey "Sacks Fifth Furlong" Sacks - arguing formally with Fancy Pants on what would be a month's sales worth on the lunch check. Both enjoyed her work (and Sweetie Belle's "innocent beginnings" sketches), Macey hoping to see new work from her soon. In haste Rarity DID promise Macey a new line within the week, but where to even start....? Her ear caught the name "Fancy Pants" further up in line. Glancing ahead, Rarity saw an unfamiliar unicorn drop the name and allowed to board. Properly piqued, she listened to the gossip drift back to her. Whoever that unicorn was, she was related to Fancy Pants! If that's so, then Rarity must reciprocate his generosity to one of his family. She settled on a bench and kept her ears open. Apparently this "relation" had a car to herself elsewhere on the train. Still excited at the prospect, Rarity waited for the train to be on its way before accidentally on purpose walking in on this celebrity to shower with proper compliments. To pass the time, she chatted with other passengers, who gave her even more information than the slight gossip that seeped through the line. Apparently this unicorn was a reporter from Fillydelphia who had been interviewing delegates for an up and coming article about Princess Celestia. Perhaps, Rarity thought, this reporter would like a scoop on an up-and-coming designer from a small town called Ponyville. That was the perfect excuse to drop in! With a mental pat on the back she left the comfort of her bench to "stumble" upon the private car. ------------------------ The red earth pony strode from the train at her stop in Canterlot. The stallion she had struck up conversation with still weighed in her mind. He was so bitter, so cold. He had it etched into his mind that earth ponies overall were nothing more than a bunch of ignorant farmers, sheep of the pony world. He refused to discuss further when the topic of alicorns had come up, as if Princess Celestia or Princess Luna had personally wronged him. It made no sense! Earth ponies weren't limited in their abilities. Pegasi mostly worked the weather, only a few doing much else. Unicorns found their talents in magic and learned ways to apply them. Earth ponies didn't need those luxuries! Earth ponies were self-sufficient, strong, and understood the ground beneath them like a sibling. It was earth ponies who understood the seasons, and do well without the controls of an alicorn to change them! Winter Wrap-up, the Running of the Leaves, the Summer Sun Celebration - all earth pony inventions that unicorns and pegasi participate, adding their own touches. She shook her head sadly, taking in some fresh air as she casually walked to Canterlot castle. A stray flyer flapped against a post in Canterlot city proper, the sound and the splash of color catching her eye. She paused, discovering it as a rare sight- a "Wanted" poster, something she'd seen in Manehatten, Fillydelphia, all the large cities. But here? That was pause enough. Then she saw the stallion's face on the poster. Her heart skipped a beat; she was just talking to him! Tearing the poster down with her mouth, she galloped toward the castle. Someone must know where he's headed! -------------------------------------------------------------- Rarity was relieved to see that no guards or stewards stopped her as she approached the private car. Her timing was perfect, her plan even more so. One ear to the door told her no one else had disturbed her, so a gentle touch of magic slowly pushed the door open. Her brilliant blue eyes scanned the car, not seeing the reporter but Twilight Sparkle sound asleep on the padded bench, mumbling something about libraries and infinite wisdom. Disappointed for not finding the reporter, she started to close the door... ...only to fling it back open when she realized that her friend was the only one in that private car! "TWILIGHT~!" she gasped, sending her poor alicorn friend into a half-conscious airborne tumble toward the ceiling. She instantly regretted her outburst as Twilight landed awkwardly before her. "Oh! I am SO sorry, I didn't realize you were -" "Rarity...?" Twilight's sleepily queried as she rubbed her head, "What are you doing here? I thought you and the others would have been back in Ponyville already." This confused Rarity. "I'm not sure about the others, I'm guessing they had left this morning. I had a presentation this morning that I wasn't exactly organized... Let's just say I am SO glad Fancy Pants decided to attend! Otherwise it was a disaster in the making!" She pressed one hoof to her forehead dramatically. "And after YOU talking to Hoity Toity I had to make this presentation absolutely PERFECT! I walked in there an absolute mess - thank goodness Fancy Pants was able to assist!" Twilight's confusion only mounted. "Hoity Toity never mentioned anything about a presentation to me that you were going to host." The white unicorn's nose turned distinctly upward. "Well of course HE wasn't there! Macey Sacks sent me a personal invitation to do a presentation for future fashionistas... which distracted me from the dresses I was supposed to finish and bring to Canterlot because my reputation was already at stake...." her snobbish response dropped abruptly when she realized what had been forgotten. "I... so I hope you had something suitable." "What I had was fine, Rarity," Twilight reassured her, "while I would have liked something from you, I understand you were busy. But..." the young alicorn shook her head. "All because I said no to him." "Why in the name of Equestria would you say 'No' to something that -- that- that--" Twilight raised a hoof to quiet her friend. "Rarity, he wanted to use my likeness for your line of work. I didn't want you to get credit just because my face was on something. I wanted you to get credit for your own merits, your own skills in dressmaking and fashion." "You're an absolute SENSATION right now!" Rarity protested. "Your name ALONE provokes emotions in any community!" "And this 'sensation' that you're talking to is also trying to be just another pony like you. A pony who doesn't want it to always be about her, even if she is a princess." Rarity still did not understand."Cashing on that sensation - such a limited window... I don't know if Hoity Toity will speak to me further on this, Macey said she would 'Be in touch' with me soon." She dared not tell Twilight about the deal she made. "Rarity," Twilight exhaled, "you are quite possibly the most creative pony I know in fashion. You already have your name out there as it is. If somepony can't see that for who YOU are without having my name on it, then they obviously don't see the real greatness of your work for what it truly is." This gave Rarity pause. "Well, even if I don't use you per se for the line, would you be offended if I called it a 'Princess' line?" Her expression brightened. "I~DEA~!!! 'Princess!' by Rarity! I could even have some pictures made in that Princess Platinum costume from the Hearth's Warming Eve play!" Twilight's expression brightened as well. "Now that's the creative ideas Rarity I know and call my friend." "BUT," Rarity continued, "you MUST try on some of the dresses! I insist! There will be no ponyrazzi in the boutique if I can help it!" A sly smile crossed her face. "and if you don't.... I'll make Spikey-wikey drag you through town so that EVERYPONY can see you, and they'll sing and they'll bow...." Twilight's expression soured at the prospect. "Are you sure you're not the Element of Blackmail?" "How could you make such an insinuation, Twilight!" She mock-gasped. "It would merely be expanding my generosity more creatively." She fluttered her blue eyes and flipped her slightly mussed mane. Twilight rolled her eyes, but smiled back. "Well, I'll try them on, on one condition. I do have a few outfits back home that need alterations." She opened one wing for emphasis. "You won't charge me too much for that, right?" Twilight's question missed Rarity completely as she was already in the "zone" taking a few mental measurements of her friend. "Wing openings, of course," she said absently. "We'll have to check some of the dress lengths, too, dear." "Will you also work on my Winter Wrap Up vest?" "Your Winter wrap-up vest?" Rarity repeated. "Why ever for? You would be excluded from the activities as necessary by your-" "I'm still me, Rarity. And I want to help however I can, so I still want to be the all-team coordinator like before. Besides, now I might be able to help the Pegasi with bird guiding or cloud removal duties." Twilight blushed a bit, recalling offering to help Rainbow Dash long before she knew she would have wings. "Ponyville certainly WILL listen!" Twilight sighed, her ears drooping. "Hopefully I can get them to listen to me as a fellow pony and not as Princess Twilight." She glanced up at Rarity. "Don't tell anyone else on the train I'm here. When we get to Ponyville, I'm teleporting home. I've got a lot of time to make up with you and the others." ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- "My head still hurts, Dusty...." "Didn't think there was anything up there TO hurt, Stoney, but you looked awesome!" "Don't remember much..." Dustmite snickered and bounced around his larger brother. "You broke some pretty thick chains! You were fighting like you were in somepony else's body! You were a MACHINE in there!" Sandstone's head dropped. "So I looked ok? Was Slurry mad?" "Only when you started 'necking' with her!" The big zebra blushed deeply. "She probly wasn't ready for that, was she?" "Stoney, if she's that special somepony for ya, it'll happen. Don't be afraid of her. Just keep tryin. Heck, if boss can get a gal, why can't you?" "Cuz he's an alicorn....?" Dustmite face-hoofed. "Mares ain't ALL gold-diggers! You really think that?" "If I had wings an a horn, I could get any mare I wanted." "EXCEPT me," interrupted a very irritated voice. Dustmite whipped his head toward the door. "Oh, HI there!" The little zebra faked. "Get out. Now." The colt was gone without further orders. Slurry marched up to the brute of a zebra, wings loosening from her back. "That is the MOST ridiculous thing I've ever heard you say." "I'm..... good at it....?" Sandstone replied shakily. "No, normally you say stupid stuff. That is just plain ridiculous. Why would you want either of those? What's wrong with the way you look? Or how you looked in armor?" Sandstone looked down at his hooves, then up at his mane. "I don't have stallion colors like this. If I was an alicorn, I'd just trade colors with ya." "You've said that before, and it's still stupid." "Can't help it." She angrily shook her head. "It's not the color of the stallion that counts, you oaf. At least I understand why you have your name. Look like a rock, crumble under anypony's hooves." "I do not." "You let that blue flea order you around. I can understand why you listen to Umbral. That little bug of a brother has you on tight reins." "He's my brother." "Your older brother, right?" Sandstone looked away. "The only color you've got is yellow down your back," she spat as she left the room. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Aurora hurried to Celestia's quarters, saddlebags filled with recent paperwork and a couple of books. She had been summoned by one of the veteran Solar Guards, so she knew that this was no simple discussion over tea. She worried that perhaps Celestia had "heard" Umbral's Voice of the Mind. She worried that she had forgotten an assignment. She then slowed her pace, realizing she had nothing to worry about at all. What could Celestia prove? Why would Celestia dishonor her most prized student? She calmed herself with her own thoughts as she approached the chamber, two of the fresh-faced Solar Guards awaiting her. "I am here at the behest of Princess Celestia," she announced. The two guards attempted to remain stoic as they stepped away to allow her inside. She winked to one of them, deliberately making him blush. "Rookie," she whispered in his direction. The soldier slumped. Aurora had been here before, primarily to turn in her assignments if she completed them early. She still couldn't hide her awe at the sheer force of magic within the room, flickers and sparks of it woven into the walls. East-facing balconies and one west-facing window flooded the room with light, warming the sheets of a luxurious bed and an assortment of pale colored cushions, each traced with silver threads and pure white tassels on the corners. Celestia herself stacked scrolls with her magic before turning to Aurora. "You asked to see me, Princess Celestia?" "I did, Aurora. I apologize that I have not been available as much during the Ceremonies, I hope you enjoyed yourself." "It was kind of you to have seats reserved for the senior class. We had an amazing view, and cheered for those who have chosen to serve your military forces." "You're being much too formal," Celestia demurred. "I actually had you come here to congratulate you." Aurora tensed. "Congratulate me?" Celestia nodded proudly. "You were hoof-picked from among two dozen seniors at the school to be its student representative. We will evaluate not only magic complements throughout Equestria, but a cataloguing of magical artifacts as they are encountered. It will also be a forum to share all forms of magic, as there are types developed in every allied nation. A fresh pair of eyes will be welcome among delegates from everywhere." "Princess, I ... I don't know what to say." "I would hope that you say 'yes'. One of my former students will be in charge of the Council once we have a structure in place. She will have assistance for the first few months, then this will be one of her primary duties." Aurora added all this up in her mind. "Twilight Sparkle?" "This was her idea," Celestia beamed. "While attempts have been made in the past, I am confident that her organizational skills and her already expansive knowledge of magic will set the tone for a greater peace throughout Equestria. She asked me to speak to you directly." Aurora shifted uncomfortably. Of all the things she’d thought this meeting would be about, this was never something she considered. "This is a huge responsibility.... I am interested, but I find it weird that Twilight didn't speak to me herself." "She was needed in Ponyville, but I can get a message to her with your answer." "Princess? If it's okay, I'd like to think this over for a few days. I can deliver my answer to Twilight in Ponyville. I am interested, but I really want to let this sink in." "Take all the time you need. I am also here if you need more insights. Your ability and dedication would be most welcome to the Council." Aurora bowed, even though she wasn't required. "Thank you."