Zach fixed his sight at the hilly terrains on the edge of the moon’s dark side.
It’s worth a shot, he thought.
The area around him gradually darkened as he moved closer to the moon’s dark regions. He scaled up a short ridge, just beyond the edge of available sunlight and strode down on the other side, disappearing into the total darkness.
A sudden fiery glow penetrated through the darkness soon after. Another followed, lighting up the area around Zach. The resulting glow from the fire around his hands cast eerie shadows at the surrounding terrain.
Suddenly, Zach got the goosebumps and an unexplainable chill running down his spine. It was as though someone, or something was watching him. He instantly spun around. There up at the cliff, shadowy shapes seemed to be moving in the darkness. Amongst the ghastly shadows is an outline of an Alicorn, its eerie white eyes, appearing to be staring down at him with sinister. Zach gulped and took a step back with apprehension.
“Princess Luna?” he called, or is it Nightmare Moon now? I certainly hope not.
***
Sunset Shimmer took a flyer from her saddle bag and passed it to Dash who then pinned it onto the noticeboard. Shock and anxiety came over the ponies flocking around the noticeboard to read the flyer.
Elsewhere, Zach, Discord and the Flim Flam brothers were also helping putting up the flyers around various locations in Canterlot.
From atop a hill, Nova and Lightning Dust spied on the invasion force advancing through Ponyville outskirts. They exchanged a worried glace before moving back further into the bushes. This is it. By tomorrow, Canterlot’s severely dwindled defenders will be put to the test against these seemingly infinite constructs.
For the first time Dash got to see where Gilda lived. It was a tree house, located near the city limits. Not the simple play forts made by parents for their children, but a properly constructed house with supports, balconies and stairways. Anyway, her visit was not a social one. She was there to accompany Sunset Shimmer.
“Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon will get on the first train to Manehattan first thing tomorrow morning,” Sunset Shimmer informed the griffon. “You should go too. It should be safer in Cloudsdale for the time being.”
Gilda looked uncertain about her decision. There are many questions she wanted to ask. How bad situation is in Ponyville? Will Sunset Shimmer and Trixie also evacuate from Canterlot? What news from Lightning Dust whom she has not seen for quite some time?
Sunset Shimmer seemed able to read what was on her friend’s mind. “There’s nothing much you can for us. Just go! Please!”
Gilda relented. She took one final look at Sunset Shimmer who nodded back at her. With a heavy heart, she took off to the sky.
It did not take long. As the day was approaching its end, citizens of Canterlot, numbering in hundreds of thousands, were pouring out of the city, on hoof and by carts and carriages. Many suburban and city areas became deserted. Elsewhere, not all ponies fled the city. For whatever reason, some were foolish enough to stay put.
Sunset Shimmer with a tray of cups and hot kettle followed Blueblood into deck of the castle's observation tower where Discord was looking through a giant telescope.
“How’s the view, captain?” Blueblood asked.
“No sight of Ragingheart or her army as of yet,” the captain reported before sniffing the odor of fresh hot coffee.
He looked away from the telescope to see the tray already served on the table.
“Oh, you shouldn’t have, my dear,” he said to Sunset Shimmer with appreciation.
It might have been a servant’s job but Sunset Shimmer did not mind. “You’re going to be here all night, right? Besides, most of the castle servants are still busy preparing the shelter.”
“Has she said when all preparations will be finished?” Discord asked.
“Probably by tomorrow morning,” Sunset Shimmer guessed.
Just then, Lightning Dust, having returned from the scouting mission in Ponyville, glided into the observation deck and landed gently on the floor.
“You all better get going as soon as the shelter’s ready,” she informed, “because Ragingheart’s army is heading this way as we speak.”
Bunny-Nova hopped off Lightning Dust’s back and reverted to his normal form. “By the looks of it, they’ll probably reach the outskirts mid before noon.”
“Very well.” Discord regarded Blueblood and Sunset Shimmer with a serious look. “You two should start packing. Everything is going to spiral into chaos very soon.”
“Do you have any plan to defeat them, captain?” the chancellor asked him.
“I’ve discussed with Lord Watterson. Since we’ve yet to receive news from Prince Umbra, we both agreed that our goal now is to buy Canterlot time. I said I’ll turn the Reserves into a force to be reckoned and I did. However, the coming scenario I’m afraid is not winnable in the long run. That is, unless Prince Umbra returns with aid before it’s too late.”
Sunset Shimmer’s heart sank upon hearing that.
“Maybe I can do something to help,” she eagerly said to the captain, “I can try reason with Lyra.”
“Ruled out!” Discord objected. “Letting you out there in the chaotic battlefield is like tossing you into a cage full of hungry cragadiles!”
“But-”
“The captain is right,” Sir Blueblood cut Sunset Shimmer off. “Besides, if Ragingheart is truly Lyra, she’s probably not the same pony you used to know.”
“But what if Lyra’s becoming was because Princess Celestia did something to her!?” Sunset Shimmer started to protest. “I should take responsibility too, for all the bad things that had happened before!”
Lightning Dust and Nova exchanged puzzled glances. What in Equestria is Sunset Shimmer blabbering about?
“Stop being hysterical, Sunset Shimmer!” Blueblood scolded the young unicorn. “We’ve been through this before! So that’s the end of that! By tomorrow morning I want you to leave the castle together with Miss Dash.”
Just me and Dash? “What about you, sir?”
“I will stay in Canterlot and do whatever I can to help the fight.”
The chancellor’s response shocked Sunset Shimmer. “What!? Then who’s going to be in charge?”
“You are.”
“Sir, I’m just an assistant!” Sunset Shimmer protested.
“Do as I tell you, Sunset Shimmer,” Blueblood pressed. “That’s an order. You’ll do more good helping Trixie at the shelter.”
Sunset Shimmer refused to accept this. There was no way she can manage it all by herself. There were still things for her to learn from the elder unicorn.
“You can’t,” Sunset Shimmer’s voice sounded weak. “You leave me on my own...”
“You’re not alone,” Blueblood reassured as he cast a firm look at his assistant. “Trixie will be at your side to support you all the way, as will the castle servants.”
In the end Sunset Shimmer conceded.
Trixie thanked Dash on behalf of the servants for helping out at the shelter.
“We’ll finish the remaining works early tomorrow morning,” the unicorn informed her. “By then the shelter should the ready for use.”
She and the castle servants nodded all at once at Dash and they parted ways.
When Dash turned around, she spotted Sunset Shimmer across the hallway.
She called out to the unicorn whilst waving her hand, “Oh hey! Sunset Shimmer! Good news-”
It was then she noticed how stern Sunset Shimmer looked. Failing to notice Dash, Sunset Shimmer took a turn into another hallway.
Zach was walking past several paintings that are hung up on the wall. Each one is a portrait of the royal family, ranging from ancestors to its more recent members. He halted in his tracks. Something was strangely off about the portraits so he decided to take a closer look at them, one-by-one until the last painting showing a much younger Royal Sisters with their parents. He now realized the design of the room around all the families was starkly different from that of the Canterlot Royal Castle.
Just as Dash thought, Sunset Shimmer was in the reading chamber. She knocked on the opened door. Sunset Shimmer cast a brief glance before continuing with her packing.
“Oh. hi, Dash,” Sunset Shimmer said in a solemn voice.
“Need some help?” Dash offered.
“Sure. Can you help pack the books on the table into the boxes?”
“Okay.”
Over at the long the long table, Dash began putting the books into the small boxes on the floor.
“Sunset, Trixie said the shelter should be all ready by tomorrow morning.”
“Good.”
Dash glanced at Sunset Shimmer’s album placed haphazardly on the coffee table. “What about your album?”
“Leave it,” Sunset Shimmer said without looking at her. “We only take essential ones. Some spell books and Lyra's. I still need to figure out how Lyra became what she is now.”
Despite what the unicorn said, Dash took the album and secretly stashed it inside a box.
“You okay?” Dash asked in concern for the unicorn’s current behavior.
“Sure, I’m okay. Why wouldn’t I be?”
“It’s just that-”
Dash stopped when Zach showed up suddenly at the door.
He was surprised to find Dash is there as well. “Oh, am I interrupting something?”
“Not at all,” Sunset Shimmer said. “What can I do for you, Lord Watterson?”
“Since I can’t find Sir Blueblood, you'll have to do. I was passing by the hallway, the one with the royal family portraits hung on the wall and I noticed something unusual about them. The royal families, they used to live in another castle, didn’t they?”
“Yes,” Sunset Shimmer confirmed. “There was another castle. But it was destroyed along with the old capital long ago during a failed invasion by the Minotaur Kingdom. Only a small part of it still remains.”
“Where?”
“White Tail, near Smokey Mountain.”
“Is there a map here?”
Sunset Shimmer cast a surprised look at Zach. “You’re not thinking of going there, are you?”
“We’ll see.”
“There should be one in Blueblood’s office,” Sunset Shimmer said. “He’s probably still at the observation tower though.”
Incidentally Dash noticed a book with a globe symbol printed on its spine on the shelf nearby.
“Hey, Zach!” she called whilst moving towards the shelf. “How ‘bout an atlas book instead?”
After she removed the book, she noticed through the gap that there was something hidden behind the neatly arranged books. It appeared to be another book.
“That’ll do nicely,” Zach said and walked over to her.
Dash quickly handed over the atlas book to him. Then She started taking down a number of books, much to the surprise of both Zach and Sunset Shimmer.
Dash looked at the cover of the last book. It is titled The Founding of Canterlot.
Hey, this must be the book Sunset Shimmer mentioned the other day…
She put it away separately from the pile of books on the long table.
“What’re you doing?” Then Zach saw it too. And old, dusty mini photo album was nestled at the back of the shelf. On the cover are stylized emblems identical to the Royal Sister’s cutie marks. “Huh, what’s this?”
Curious, Sunset Shimmer crossed over to the bookcase. When she saw the photo album, she took it with interest. “I didn’t realize this was here all this time. Judging from the emblems, this must’ve belonged to the Royal Sisters.”
“Why is it here?” Zach wondered.
Sunset Shimmer shrugged. “I’m not sure myself.”
Dash opened the album. It revealed photos of the Royal Sisters’ foalhood. As unicorns, the Royal Sisters have different colored manes back then. The younger sister is easily recognizable since her mane had changed only the slightest. The elder sister on the other hand required confirmation.
Dash pointed at the young Princess Celestia’s photo. “That’s Princess Celestia?”
“Yeah,” Sunset Shimmer confirmed it. “Her mane was pink before she became an Alicorn,”
Dash flipped to the next page which showed photos of a young Princess Celestia happy with her parents.
A slight envy came over her as she studied the photos. “Look how happy she is, getting all the attention from her parents.”
Upon hearing this, Zach looked on the photos thoughtfully. “I agree. She had a happy childhood.”
He pointed to the photos on the next page showing the Royal Sisters engaged in different activities- painting, eating bananas (thereby revealing that banana is indeed Celestia’s favorite fruit), playing around a doll house, climbing trees etc. “See? They used to be very close.”
“Too bad their sisterhood didn’t last,” Sunset Shimmer bitterly said.
“Sunset, I don’t think Princess Celestia hates her sister that much,” Dash stated her opinion.
Sunset Shimmer was taken aback by Dash’s words. “What are you implying, Dash?”
“From what you’ve told me, maybe Princess Celestia was just overly jealous, that she’s merely craving for attention like she used to have.”
Impressed by her sight, Zach a small, tactful smile. Sunset Shimmer however remained uncertain.
Dash flipped another page. One photo caught her interest. Princess Luna is pictured in a Nightmare Moon costume with several other foals, also dressed for Nightmare Night. She could only assume they were the princess’ foalhood friends.
“This has to be Princess Luna, right?” she asked to be sure.
Sunset Shimmer looked over at the photo and recognized it immediately. “Yeah, that’s her all right.”
“Huh, it’s weird that Princess Celestia isn’t in the picture too,” Dash remarked.
She looked at the other photos. She found it strange that Princess Celestia was never pictured in the same group. It is possible that these foals are just friends to Princess Luna.
“Come to think it,” Sunset Shimmer recalled, “she never attended any of the Nightmare Night parties Trixie helped organize in the past, not even once.”
“Maybe she’s phobic to Nightmare Night,” Dash suggested. “Where I come from, some people seriously hate the feeling of being scared.”
“What do you think, Sunset Shimmer?” Zach suddenly asked.
“I can’t be sure,” the unicorn said. “Although, I did notice Princess Celestia sometimes get anxious at night when she’s alone, mostly during celebrations outside the castle.”
Zach took note of this and referenced it way it in his mind. “Thank you, both of you. You’ve been very, very helpful.”
He nodded politely at them then left.
Sunset Shimmer looked quizzically at Dash. What was that all about?
“Hey, don’t look at me. I’m no psychic, y’know.”
Blueblood was surprised to find Dash in the reading chamber alone late at night. She was lying on the couch immersed in her reading.
“Miss Dash?”
Startled, Dash immediately sat up. Aw naw, am I gonna be given a scolding?
“What’re doing here in the middle of the night?” Blueblood asked her.
“S-sorry, sir,” the nervous Dash stammered. “I wasn’t sure if it’s allowed to bring a book outside the reading chamber. So I…I sneaked out.”
The chancellor however did not scold Dash for breaking the after-eleven curfew (applicable only to castle servants and guests) as expected.
Instead he asked her, “What book are you reading?”
Dash showed him the book she is holding: The Founding of Canterlot. “Well, err… It says here that Canterlot Day is a celebration commemorating Canterlot’s founding by Princess Celestia.”
“Yes,” the chancellor said with hint of pride, “and she did at very young age, right after the Battle of White Tail”
“Sir, they were orphaned because of it,” feeling of sympathy was apparent in Dash’s voice, “You were too. Is that why you’re loyal to both princesses?”
Blueblood nodded solemnly. “They took care of me, yes. It was a violent assault. Within a single night, very much of the city along with the castle were destroyed. Although the invasion was finally repelled, it took the lives of many, including my parents and grandparents.”
He sat right next to Dash and continued, “I believe Sunset Shimmer might have told you about a little bit about herself. How she...resented Princess Celestia.”
“She did,” Dash confirmed.
“I hope you did not judge my aunt,” Blueblood said to her. “Why she is biased towards Twilight Sparkle, I can’t say for sure. However, I do know that many ponies, not just Sunset Shimmer and Trixie, have considered the princess as...harsh. Actually there’s more to the Battle of the Royal Sisters than what Sunset Shimmer has told you.”
“Sunset Shimmer didn’t lie, did she?”.
“Oh, no. She only told the story from her point of view. And history books only tell us so much. You have to get know Princess Celestia’s state of mind in order to understand the reason for her having such a personality.”
***
“After the destruction of White Tail, the surviving citizens abandoned it with worry. Many ponies wondered what will happen to them after the deaths of my grandparents. Who will rule over them? Who will raise the sun and moon?”
Moving along the path illuminated by the unicorn royal guards, the survivors of White Tail left behind their original home. Servants and civilians were alike, all dispirit and hopeless. Under the full moon’s bright luminance, the smoke from the razed city hung over the nearest mountain. It was this temporary phenomenon from which the mountain will get its name in the near future: Smokey Mountain.
The young Celestia did everything she could to take command and rally the surviving royal guards to follow her. However, all the ranks were fraught with doubt. They acknowledged that Princess Celestia is the rightful heir to the throne, but still they could not expect a mere filly to lead them at present. Yet the young princess was not going to let that stop her.
“At the time, they highly doubted the eldest princess because of her age. In spite of this setback, she rose to the occasion.”
The survivors practically had nowhere to go. Perhaps they could take refuge in the nearest city of Cloudsdale? But it is only accessible by pegasus. Ponyville, maybe? Or Manehattan? But the young Celestia had something else in her mind. Finally arriving at the foothills of Unicorn Range, the young princess pointed towards a plateau with a large waterfall flowing from the southern cliff.
Canterlot was originally just a small crystal mining town. All the squatters and buildings now lay abandoned after all the crystals in the area ran out many, many years ago. Taking refuge here in this appalling conditions might be a little too much to bear but to Princess Celestia it is only temporary. What she was really planning is the establishment of a new capital and that will be a testament to her authority.
Young Celestia planted the Equestrian national flag on the summit of a hill under witness of all the surviving citizens from White Tail.
She proclaimed, “I, Princess Celestia as the rightful heir to the throne, hereby decree that this ground will become our new home! A new capital will rise here where our lives can begin anew! Fellow subjects, follow me! Help me rebuild what we’ve lost and in return you will reap the reward of your hard work- a nation where all ponies can enjoy peace and prosper. This is my royal pledge to you!”
The royal guards looked amongst themselves. The civilians muttered to express their doubts. Princess Celestia’s heart broke at the response she received. She pondered what she should do to prove that she is worthy to rule. She turned towards her servants and motioned to the one holding a new-born foal wrapped in cloth. This unfortunate foal who also suffered the same fate as the princesses is Blueblood.
“Give him to me,” the young princess ordered the servant.
When the servant appeared to be reluctant, she repeated her demand aloud, “GIVE ME MY NEPHEW!!!”
The fragile foal cried in response to young Celestia’s loud voice. So the servant gave in to the princess’ demand. Young Celestia carefully brought Blueblood up her face to snuggle the foal.
“No, no, don’t cry, my dear nephew,” she said softly to the foal. “You have nothing to worry about. For from now on, auntie promise to take good care of you.”
She then turned to her younger sister who is still reeling from the shock of losing her parents and friends. “Luna, stand beside me!”
Young Luna plodded up to next to her elder sister.
“For sake of papa and mama, Luna, be firm!”
Putting on a look of confidence the best she could, young Celestia faced her subjects. “Bow down to the royal family! Swear your allegiance to me! I command you! BOW!!!”
The captain of the royal guards at the time stepped forward.
“Why should we?” Twilight Velvet demanded an answer.
Upon hearing those insolent words, the young princess’ eyes become teary.
“Because... Because...” she stammered, looking ready to break down at any moment.
The glowing aura around her horn changed from pale blue to light gold. On that very moment, the unexpected happened and it caught everypony by surprise, including Captain Twilight Velvet. Over at Foal Mountains, the sun was rising to the sky, slowly turning the night into daylight.
The young princess declared, “I am my mother! I am Celestia, the Undimmed Princess of the Sunlight! The unquestionable heir to the throne! And so, you will do as I command you!”
Twilight Velvet saw that a stylized sun cutie mark had appeared on young Celestia’s flank. She then gazed into the princess' eyes. Beyond those tears, she saw the determination of a ruler. Accepting the fact that the sun was summoned by the young princess’ though sheer force of will, as proven by the cutie mark’s appearance, the captain was no longer doubtful.
“You have my undivided allegiance, Your Royal Highness.” She removed her helmet and went on her knees in submission. “All hail Princess Celestia!”
The entire royal army, then the servants and the civilians followed suit.
I will become strong, for mama, for papa... “I, Celestia, the undimmed Princess of the Sunlight and elder of the Royal Sisters, swear that I will faithfully perform the royal duties lay upon me and to my power shall oblige to fulfill the Pledge of the Royal Sisters.”
“By performing the miracle, she had won the citizens’ loyalty. Living up to our family's obligation at such a young age was a testimony of her undying love to my grandmother.”
It took several years of sheer patience and persistence before the young Princess Celestia’s vision was finally realized. Canterlot Royal Castle now stood on the very the hill where she once planted the national flag to mark location of the new capital. And that was not all. New buildings were erected to form a new town that will eventually grow into the city that it is today. It was all due to her citizens’ blood, sweat and tears. And their trust in her.
“For the same reason, Princess Celestia knew she will be unable to hold her own. So after molding Princess Luna into her own image through harsh discipline, the younger sister was made co-ruler to help in the reign. Had Princess Celestia did not act the way she did, this kingdom would've collapse under the chaos that escalated after the destruction of White Tail- the rebellion in the east, separatism in the south, the second Minotaur invasion. Her stern, disciplinarian demeanor had kept everypony in their places and thus held this country intact.”
Sometime after Canterlot’s establishment, battalions of royal guards led by Captain Twilight Velvet began marching outside the city. The flag bearer is a young Draconequss. Still green yet fully devoted, Pvt. Discord Goodguy Sr. proudly carry the Equestrian banner ahead of the frontline. Under the belief of what they were doing is for the greater good, the entire Equestrian Royal Guards set out to crush the Royal Sisters’ enemies.
***
“They both went through so much together,” Dash said in a mix of sympathy and disdain, “only to be torn apart by jealousy.”
“The matter is not ours to say who is right or wrong,” Sir Blueblood pointed out. “To put it in a mild way, when peace finally comes to Equestria, unlike Princess Luna, the elder sister did not try to adapt. She feared if she softens up, she will fall to weakness.”
“Weakness…?”
“You could say...she had grown fond of her power.”
Dash thought on it for a second. “So she thought by being too friendly, she’d lose control of her authority… But then, what caused Princess Luna to change her ways?”
***
The city of Canterlot was barely half the size of what it is today. It is still expanding with rapid construction works on-going in various parts of the city, replacing many of the structures that once served the mining community.
Citizens from many parts of Equestria thronged the castle’s public hall to seek audience with the Royal Sisters. Princess Celestia and Princess Luna at this time have grown into adulthood. Being Alicorns now, they have become full-fledged monarchs with the younger sister as co-ruler, thus the origin of the term ‘Royal Sisters’.
Still relatively young at their age, the Royal Sisters initial attempt to rule by themselves were hampered by inexperience. Stress overcame them as they were overwhelmed by the avalanche of complaints, requests, differing opinions from their subjects and the resulting paperwork. They barked their instructions at the castle servants and guards and even at their own subjects occasionally when they feel annoyed enough.
After waiting hours for their turn, a family of Earth ponies approached the throne. They requested aid for a blight that has been affecting their crops. While Princess Celestia addressed the family’s problem, sentimentality came over the younger sister at the sight of the foals accompanying their parents. The foals’ appearance vaguely reminded of her childhood friends. Princess Luna also noticed something else about them. The foals were very quiet, as if frightened. She soon realized the foals feared the Royal Sisters more than respect them.
Princess Luna spent that entire afternoon in her own bedroom pondering what life in the city is really like for the citizens. Like Celestia, she has confined herself behind the castle walls for so long, never to go outside other than to attend formal ceremonies. She reached to a decision to explore the city that her elder sister has established so many years ago. Just not today.
But when she finally did so, it caught many ponies by surprise. Sauntering along the streets without a single escort, Princess Luna is makeup-less and not wearing any of her regalia. Her mane is tied into a high ponytail. As a result, at first glance she is easily mistaken as another civilian if it were not the fact that only royalties are Alicorns.
At a shopping arcade located in the midtown, Princess Luna looked upon the displayed art paintings with passion. They are not masterpieces, but the princess considered them lovely all the same. Her interest in arts was the result from the times she and elder sister painted together when they were fillies.
When Princess Luna strolled around the market square, she was fascinated by the many exotic fruits, desserts and fritters she had never seen before because they are typically not served at the castle. She inquired the traders about them and tastes as much as her stomach allows her.
One evening, Princess Luna was sitting on the park bench, enjoying her ice cream while watching foals joyfully playing around, with each other and with their parents. The sight greatly reminded her of her childhood. For the first time since the loss of her parents and friends, the princess smiled.
Having fun was not the only thing Princess Luna did outside. When the southern cliff side experienced serious landslide, she took the initiative to visit there herself. She stepped near the danger zone to assess the extent of the damage, despite the objection from the construction workers fearing for her safety. The princess determined that the landslide was triggered by soil erosion due to ground levelling and construction works too near to the cliffs.
On another day, Princess Luna casually joined in a conversation with a group of public staff on their lunch break. Due to the princess’s soft-spoken and outgoing manner, they keep on talking until they reach the topic on Canterlot’s water problems. Princess Luna was able to make out that Canterlot River’s water reservoir is unable to cope with the city population's consumption for several reasons: the city’s rapid expansion, the development of residential areas in the surrounding suburbs and the fact it is also supplying water to Ponyville at the same time.
Months later, Princess Luna happened to come across Silver Spoon’s parents at a cafe. From their conversation, the princess was appalled when she found out that Earth ponies living in the suburban areas are walking for miles to and from work in Canterlot on a daily basis because none of them can afford carts or chariots as they come from low to lower-middle income families. For the same reason, the majority of Canterlot’s Earth pony population is concentrated in the suburbs away from wealthy areas in the city.
Then came Nightmare Night. ‘Nightmare Moon’ appeared in a supernatural fashion, scaring the wits out the six young trick-or-treaters. Diamond Tiara, Sunset Shimmer, Gilda and Silver Spoon immediately skittered away. Only Trixie and Lightning Dust remained. Although, the latter had finally succumbed to her fear and collapsed. Trixie was then given a bagful of treats as a reward for ‘facing Nightmare Moon and lived to tell the tale’. For the princess, that was the most fun she ever had in years.
Coming back to Princess Luna’s duties, she became better at juggling between addressing the citizens’ complaints and advising her elder sister. More understanding and open-minded this time, she adopted a calmer demeanor when she offers her suggestions, contrasting heavily with Princess Celestia. She is still strict, just less harsh compared to before.
Meanwhile, building construction works at the city limits have been halted. Instead, focus has been shifted to the Earth-filling works at the cliffs. Retaining walls were built to strengthen the southern cliff sides. And at same time, large numbers of water dams were being built on many of the upstream tributaries of Neighagra Falls. From these dams, huge underground pipelines were also built to supply clean water for Canterlot as well as Manehattan, Fillydelphia, Baltimare and Hollow Shades.
As for the project on providing cheap transportation system for the poor, the experiment ended up in disaster. The lesson learned that day is that steam-driven vehicle do not work well underground. However, that would not stop Silver Spoon’s parents from trying again. Agreeing that a new feat of engineering is needed, the couple assured the Princess Luna they will search for a solution.
A friendly atmosphere hovered over the trade pact negotiation with various leaders from other nations, held in the fifth year of the Royal Sister’s reign. Present are King Jim from Diamondia, King Sombra from the Southern Kingdom, Queen Chrysalis from the Changeling Kingdom, Chancellor Le Fleur from Griffonstone and Sir Melvin from Manticora. They also made an agreement to boycott the Minotaur Kingdom as punishment for their past aggression towards Equestria. All went according to Princess Luna’s plan of bolstering Equestria’s economy and security.
After all of this, life should have change for the better for the Royal Sisters and their kingdom. Instead, it brought something unintended. Something unforeseen by anypony, except maybe for the Mother Goddess. Princess Celestia was supposed to be proud of the younger sister for her work. That however did not happen.
A glorious ceremony was in progress as all of Canterlot was celebrating the city’s founding. Trumpets were blown heralding the Royal Sisters’ arrival. Mad cheers and thunderous applauses greeted Princess Luna as soon as she touched the red carpet. Princess Luna, getting so caught up by the unexpected attention, went to greet the crowd. However, the Princess of the Night failed to realize that her elder sister has fallen slightly behind, glaring at her with envy.
***
“Princess Celestia won their loyalty but it was Princess Luna who won their hearts, because she was able to understand the importance of tolerance and having a close relationship with her subjects. And so, it became an unofficial tradition for the ponies in Equestria where daylight is reserved for work, and night-time for festivities.”
“But, I still don’t get it,” Dash inquired further. “If Princess Luna was willing to change, why didn’t the elder sister too?”
“Princess Luna has tried, believe me. Unfortunately, her attempt was too soft while Princess Celestia remained stubborn. Furthermore, the elder sister was not known as a very sociable pony even as a filly.”
“Princess Celestia was a loner,” Dash realized. “So that’s why she wasn’t in any of those photos. But what actually became of Princess Luna’s friends?”
“Princess Luna refused to talk about them,” Blueblood replied solemnly, “as if it was a painful experience. I have to presume they all perished in the first war against the minotaurs. Perhaps…she had even witnessed it herself.”
The dismayed Dash no longer wished to continue the conversation. The Royal Sisters’ backstory was just too depressing to hear. But there still remained a few things she wanted to know.
“After the Battle of the Royal Sisters, have Princess Celestia showed remorse for her actions?”
“She showed... slight regret, yes. It’s because of that, I believe she is not entirely at fault. Dark Magic can affect the user in various ways.”
“I’m sorry, sir,” Dash said all of sudden.
“For what?” Sir Blueblood asked in surprise.
“I did judge Princess Celestia,” Dash admitted, “after what Sunset Shimmer said to me.”
“Why, Miss Dash. You needn’t to actually apologize.”
“I know. But after listening to all the stories… I used to think there’re only two opposite sides in the world, with no such as thing as a grey area. After I’ve seen the princesses’ family photos, I’ve told Sunset Shimmer, maybe Princess Celestia isn’t really that bad.”
“That means a lot to me.” Blueblood was feeling a bit relieved now.
“Um, well… It’s getting late.” Dash stood up. “I should go to bed now…”
“I agree. After all, you and Sunset Shimmer must be up early tomorrow.”
After returning the book to its bookcase, Dash did not leave immediately. “Sir, one more question. It’s that I’m curious. Is Nightmare Moon for real, before all of this?”
“Nothing more than an old legend, Miss Dash,” Blueblood replied dismissively.
***
At the same moment on the lunar surface, the royal guards were following the Princess Luna to the moon’s dark regions. But for what reason?
***
“Come on, sister,” Luna pleaded. “Just this once, I wish to spend Nightmare Night with you.”
Celestia was lying on her bed, looking away from her younger sister.
“No!” she balked. “I told you, Luna. I hate Nightmare Night!”
“Oh get over it, already!” Luna was getting tired of hearing the same excuse over and over. “After all, this is a party. Think about those happy foals looking forward to all the treats. Believe me, after mingling with them, you will enjoy it.”
“I do not enjoy foalish endeavors!!!” The elder sister’s voice was getting sterner.
Luna sighed in frustration. Not about to give up yet, she attempted one last try to change her elder sister’s mind.
“Then can you at least do it for your public image?”
Celestia’s glare intensified. Gritting her teeth, she rose from her bed to face her younger sister.
Discord, in his red-caped superhero costume, looked away all of a sudden.
“Strange, a bad feeling had suddenly developed in my guts,” he said before dismissing it.
He gazed back at a cream-coated pegasus colt with big ears, dressing up a rapper. He wore a red cap under his brown mane. Shades and fake bling complete his look.
“Yo mister, ain’t ya a little too big to go trick-or-treating?” Featherweight asked.
“I’m on patrol duty, young citizen,” Discord stated firmly.
“Then what’s with the big ol’ sack, yo?”
In the captain’s hand was definitely a sack, big enough to hold a night’s worth of treats.
“All right, you got me,” he confessed, looking a little embarrassed. “Did you come across any houses giving out candy popcorn by any chance, young citizen?”
Luna was flung out through the bedroom door. Celestia stepped out shortly after.
She glared with fury at her sister lying on the hallway floor. “Why won’t you be more understanding, Luna!? Like Twilight Sparkle is! You should be grateful that I have permitted you to have this silly little party of yours on my castle grounds! Just leave me out of it!”
“Please... forgive me, sister... It won’t happen again...”
Celestia raised her gaze away from Princess Luna to see Trixie (in her a wizard/magician costume), fearful after witnessing the incident. “Speak none of this to anypony! Not even Discord and Blueblood! Understand!?”
“Y-yes, Your Royal Highness.”
Celestia went back to her bedroom and slammed the doors shut.
Trixie helped Princess Luna to her hooves right after that. It was at this moment she noticed the mild bruises on the princess’ wing and shoulder. Oh, dear Faust. How could she do this to her own sister?
Guilt came over the unicorn as she felt is at fault because the party was her suggestion. “I’m terribly sorry, Your Royal Highness. T-this was a bad idea. Perhaps we should just the cancel the party.”
Luna shook her head, firmly saying, “No. We mustn’t disappoint our guests.”
“But your-”
“I insist,” the princess interjected. “Now go and entertain them while I get ready. And, Trixie?”
“Yes?”
“Sunset Shimmer mustn’t know about this.”
After Trixie gave an affirmative nod, she hurriedly left for the ball room. Luna glanced at the bedroom door, troubled by her elder’s sister unwarranted aggression.
***
Luna and her loyal guards by now have reached the virtual border between the light and the dark region. Looking closely, her eyes are all white, with no signs of iris or pupils. As a result, the Princess of the Night appeared malevolent, as if…she was possessed…
Dash awoke with a start. In her confusion, she quickly sat up on the side of the bed. It was a very strange dream she had just now. Impulsively, Dash went to find Zach. She rapped repeatedly on his door, yet there was no response from him. As Dash turned to leave, she stared at the grandfather clock down the dark hallway. It read two in the morning.
“Geez,” she sighed, “what was I thinking?”
***
City of Erumoa (Alternate Universe)
Godslayer Watterson emerged through the Void into somewhere near the city limits. His Arcanist SHADE changed into his clothes. He looked notably fatigued, but the feline felt confident it is still manageable.
Striding along the downtown street was a giant mech called Super E-Sat, an oddball of member of the Godslayers. His blocky design makes him somewhat resemble a bipedal washing machine, with a disproportionately small one-eyed head. He possesses large, sturdy hands designed for punching attacks and wrist-mounted Gatling blasters.
Gamuboru Watarusan (Zach’s younger alternate counterpart) and his fish-with-legs little brother, Daruwin rode on Super E-Sat’s shoulder. Somehow, they managed to take control of the unfortunate mech via a TV remote-like device Gamurou was holding in his hand.
“Sugoku tanoshii, Gamubro-san! (Gumball! I’m having so much fun!)” Daruwin laughed.
“Hai, hai!” Gamuboru grinned.
A Swift Striker Godslayer named Fortepiano streaked across the skyline in pursuit of Super E-Sat and the troublesome brothers. “Oi, baka yarou! Kaishite! (You bastards! Give that back!)”
She is ranked Field Master (frequently abbreviated as FM) as indicated by the Tri-Gold Star insignia. Field Masters answer directly to Lord Magister. The pony tail indicates Fortepiano is an anthromorphic being.
Two colossal Nanite constructs, whose misshapen humanoid form and runny appearance gives the impression they are made up of clay, suddenly appeared around the buildings and cornered Super E-Sat.
The panicked Gamuboru immediately sent a remote command to E-Sat. “Nigeru! (Run!)”
The mech escaped into another street with the colossuses in pursuit. Godslayer Fortepiano attempted to follow, but then a third colossus plowed through the building right next to her. She was swatted away, crashing through an electronic billboard (promoting a show called A Pony’s Tail: The Magic of Friendship) onto the street below. She skidded across the street for a mile before coming to rest. Miraculously, she was able to stand up afterwards, in pain but otherwise unscathed. She waited for a few seconds for her energy shielding to fully recharge.
“Teme...” Overly furious at the worsening situation, she conjured her personal Ethereal weapon- a glaive with toothed edges on its enormous blade. “Koroshite-yaru! (I will kill all of you!)”
“FM!” Zach called from behind.
The Godslayer turned around. Her visor retracted, revealing she is a pony-people (human-pony hybrid), with yellowish-white skin and blue-cyan hair tied neatly into a bun. Additionally, she has pony ears and a small snout for a nose on her humanoid face. A circular stump is visible on her forehead, which is of what remained of her horn.
“Zachary?” she spoke in a general English accent. “What are you doing here!? And why do you look so tired?”
“Forget that! What is wrong with E-Sat!?” Zach had saw the whole thing.
“That is your overly obnoxious counterpart’s fault!” the Field Master angrily said. “This version of you is the second worse I’ve encountered!”
“Really? Which one was that? The Arab or the Malaysian version?” Zach was asking with genuine curiosity before he ultimately realized there is a more urgent matter to be dealt with. “Oh, what am I saying!? Listen, I need your help! With your due permission, I’d like to borrow The Catgirl.”
“What in Celestia’s name would you need it in Equestria for?” Godslayer Fortepiano asked.
“Turns out the Princess Celestia there is a looney,” Zach began explaining. “She banished her own army to the moon without a sensible reason then ran off to who knows where with the Elements of Harmony.”
There was a knowing look on Godslayer Fortepiano. “Let me guess- Trollestia?”
Zach nodded his head. “Uh-huh. Worst, the Mane Six are complete idiots.”
The Field Master now has a good idea on why Zach wanted the cruiser though she is still reluctant to agree.
“Come on,” Zach pleaded. “I got it all worked out. All I need now is The Catgirl.”
“I should consider this first,” Godslayer Fortepiano reasoned. “It will look out of place in Equestria. There’s bound to be questions asked by the locals.”
“There’s no time!” Zach argued. “There’s still the matter about Sister Gazleen’s disappearance!”
“What...?” Godslayer Fortepiano was not expecting to hear that name, not here and now. “She’s shouldn’t be operating within our sector. What’s going on, Zachary? How did she get caught up in this?”
Zach however did not know how to properly explain it. “It’s kinda…complicated.”
“What’re you trying to hide?” Godslayer Fortepiano asked impatiently.
“I’m not!” Zach affirmed. “The detail’s still sketchy. The sooner my mission is finished the sooner I can go find out more. So please...”
Godslayer Fortepiano glanced back at the sudden outbursts of explosions and gunfire. In the distance, she spotted the local army tanks and assault vehicles had converged around the Clay Colossus and were unleashing their barrage of firepower to little effect on the monster.
Seeking cover behind one of assault vehicles are Donatsu Gunso and Hanbaga Heishi, an anthropomorphized donut and hamburger respectively.
“Oi omae! (Hey, you!)” the former called out to his subordinate. “Uchuujin wa doko!? (Where are our alien allies!?)”
“Shiranai! (I don’t know!)”
The situation’s getting worse by the minute, Godslayer Fortepiano thought. I can’t waste any more time. “STAT, open a private COM channel to Mika Kurogane.”
She received a response from the other end. “This is Kurogane!”
“Mika, has the infestation been taken care of?”
“Negative, FM!” Godslayer Kurogane replied. “The motherfucker is practically invincible!”
Sweet Celestia, I can’t believe these morons... “All right,” Godslayer Fortepiano said, maintaining her cool. “Have Alkarin rendezvous with Zachary in Ritchiudo. He’ll provide backup. And don't ask why’s here. He will explain everything to you once he gets there.”
“Copy that, FM.”
Godslayer Fortepiano shot a glare at Zach. “Did you get that?”
“Urgh… Okay, thanks.”
“Don’t!” Godslayer Fortepiano’s visor drew back in. “You owe me an explanation after this!”
She activated her jet thrusters then with immediate speed soared into the ongoing battle.
As Zach made his way out of there, he had a hunch that whatever is going on at The Catgirl, he was about to get into another fight. The feline had to wonder why things never go as simple as they should be…
***
It was already morning in Blue Marble’s Equestria. Only few hours have passed when Zach arrived back in Canterlot. The feline was overly tired from the time spent in the alternate universe. As a result, what was supposed to be a short nap to recuperate himself turned to hours.
Once Zach realized he had overslept, he burst out of his room and paced down the hallway. In his hurry, he accidentally bumped into Dash whom had just emerged from a corner, knocking each other down as a result.
After they both got up, Dash was shocked at how severely drained Zach looked. “Whoa! Zach, what happened to you!?”
“Nothing! Nothing’s wrong with me!” The feline quickly denied. “But more importantly, aren't you supposed to be on your way to the shelter by now?”
“I’m still waiting for Sunset Shimmer,” Dash said. “Besides I really need to talk to you.”
“About what?” Wondering what could be so important that it had to be now, the feline noticed Dash’s troubled look. “Dash, are you starting to remember?”
“I’m not sure,” Dash said. “I just had a dream. A weird one.”
After considering the appropriateness of the moment, Zach decided to listen after all. He sat on the hallway floor, back leaning on the wall. Dash sat next to him after being motioned so.
“It was weird,” she began, eyes on the floor. “I was looking around, dizzy, somewhere dark.”
“Can you see where you are?”
“No, everything’s all fuzzy, like I’m still half-asleep. Then there’s this lady. I dunno who she is, nor can I remember what she looks like. But, she mentioned a name.” Dash looked at Zach in the eye. “Yours. She told me to find you and said…that you’ll trust me.”
“Why would she say that?” Zach was curious to know.
Fraught with uncertainty, Dash looked away from him. “I’m not sure… It was something she mentioned. Something about ‘Sister’. That’s only what I could remember, before…before I got swallowed into this crazy…purple lightshow. I felt like I was falling again, then…nothing.”
She looked back at Zach, imploring him to believe her. “I know, I know, it sounds senseless, but that’s what I saw!”
Although Zach still did not understand the reason that had led Dash to be here, but he knew what ‘Sister’ was referring to. Surely Sister Gazleen would not give away her nickname without a valid reason, he felt.
“I think it’s real,” Zach sincerely said.
Admittedly, Dash was surprised that the blue feline seemed willing to believe her dream, therefore she regarded him with great curiosity. “Who is she? Is she really your...”
Before the question can be answered, Discord came up to them with urgency, whereupon the two got to their feet.
By the grim look on the captain’s face, Zach understood the situation immediately. “They’re already here, aren’t they?”
The captain nodded. “Come with me to the observation tower. There’s something you need to see.”
He turned to Dash. “And you Miss Dash, Sunset Shimmer is waiting for you outside. Now be on your way!”
“Dash, I’ve to go,” Zach said to her. “I appreciate you being honest with me. Be safe on your way to the shelter, will ya?”
As Zach was about to follow Discord, Dash grabbed his arm. “Zach?”
He looked back at Dash who was now more anxious than before.
“Be careful,” Dash said, the worried look on her was genuine.
Zach nodded then trotted up next to Discord.
Zach scanned the environment through the telescope. He could make out the huge assemblage of Ragingheart’s forces from across the river. Though very sizable, their numbers were actually lower than Zach had expected. Numerous Dalek Tanks have already broken away from the main formation and were heading towards the cable bridge.
“Weird,” Zach said. “It looks like they’re not attacking all at once.” But why? What are they planning?
“Even if they did, that’s still not the worst part,” Discord informed him. “Now, if please allow me…”
Zach moved out of the way as the captain pivoted the telescope to a different direction. He looked through the telescope again.
“Aw, crap!” What he saw to his dismay was hundreds of families as well as lone civilian ponies, only now starting to leave their home with their belongings. “There’re still civilians down there!”
“Look to your right,” Discord instructed him.
Zach looked at the direction indicated by the captain. A few civilian ponies were casually hanging out outside the shops, or so they seemed. Much to his surprise, they began forcing their way into the shops by breaking the doors and glass windows. These looters stayed behind on purpose to take advantage of the exodus.
“What the what!?” Zach expressed his shock. Seriously, are those ponies idiots or what?
“Yes,” Discord agreed. “Shameful!”
“What now, captain?” Zach asked.
“We shall need to ensure the safety of the evacuees,” Discord said. “Since the artilleries will be set off soon, we still have time to escort them out of the city.”
Zach looked up at the captain. “And I’ll hold off the ones that manage to get through.”
“Very well,” Discord said. “We’ll join you as soon as we can, my friend.”
With no more to waste, they made their way towards the exit.