//------------------------------//
// Chapter 30: The End? 
// Story: Princess Celestia: The Changeling Queen 
// by vren55 
//------------------------------//

Chapter 30: The End?

The small, deserted observatory room was silent, save for the panting of Celestia’s breath. The great white alicorn had shut her eyes, her mind focused inwards, as she meditated. Luna, her hooves curled up under her, watched over her sister quietly.

Suddenly, Celestia’s brow furrowed, and her eyes opened. Her lips wrinkled, the alicorn glanced at her sister.

“Luna, we… we were sorting some of our memories related to Nightmare Moon, and we…” Celestia swallowed as her sister’s shoulders slumped. “Perhaps... we can ask thee later?”

Shaking her head, Luna forced a smile onto her face and met her sister’s eyes. “Nay, Celestia. Continue. If I can help you organize your memories, then all the better.”

Nodding her head, Celestia beamed at Luna for a moment, before allowing her frown to return.

“We were wondering: how did Nightmare Moon get an army to follow her into battle? We had intended to bring our Royal Guard with us to confront Nightmare Moon, but were halted at the river by some strange army that we have difficulty recalling.”

Luna raised an eyebrow and found herself mirroring her sister’s frown.  “An army? But… how? Nopony supported… her against you.”

“Perhaps ‘twas the Night Guard?” suggested Celestia.

Shaking her head, Luna’s brow furrowed even deeper, her lips pursing in thought. “That is impossible. While we can scarcely remember our time as Nightmare Moon, we do remember that our Night Guard refused to side with her or against her after I became her.”

Her eyes wide, Celestia swallowed.

“But then…  what kind of army, if not pony, assisted Nightmare Moon?”

Luna opened her mouth, but no answer came from it. Sighing, she got up, trotted to her sister and patted her shoulder.

“Do not worry about that right now, Celestia. Just concentrate on organizing your memories. I doubt that it is anything too important.”

        Unable to argue, Celestia sighed and closed her eyes.

        “I hope thou art correct, Luna.”






The Depths of the Eastern Sea…
 
“Hail, Empress,”

“Hail, Abyssal. It has been quite some time since you last attempted to treat with me. Getting tired of our little game?” 

“Aren’t you? We’ve fought each other for centuries, outliving even our best soldiers. Does that not bother you? That the two of us have remained the sole constant of our conflict after all these years?” 

“They are soldiers; it’s their job to fight and die if need be. If all you have to offer is this inane prattle, you have spent your last ceasefire poorly. Begone. Next time I will simply have my soldiers impale you on sight.”

“Queen’s Challenge. Between the two of us.”

“Queen’s Challenge… The prior rulers of your monstrous species have issued that same challenge to me before and every single one of them died at my hooves.”

“Then you accept? It’s the single best chance you’ll have to get rid of me,” 

“Usual stakes, I take it?”

“Yes, to the death. Come tomorrow evening, there will be only one of us left.”

“Agreed.”