The dawn would rise at any moment. Celestia would rise and give light to the whole situation. He had to act fast, before she is needed to attend the royal court. Walking a purposeful walk Ceres began the long back track to the royal chambers where she slept. Every so often guards and servants would try to stop and question this fugitive or stranger, but he was above such pointless non-sense. For every person that passed by he left bodies in his wake to follow a trail behind him. Unconcious and most importantly non-disruptive.

Without so much as a knock or warning he entered silently into the room. He spied his new queen to the east outside the window. She began to push the window open so that she would fly in, finished in her work on making the sun rise. Ceres hid away all emotion from his face, his heart on the brink of exploding. Celestia was smiling at herself for a pleasant job done. It wasn’t to last when she met Ceres awaiting her. Concern marked her beautiful features.

“Your eyes are so red.” Ceres couldn’t help but raise a bewildered brow. “Oh, I mean they’re all blood shot and baggy.” Celestia giggled, hiding the girlish grin she wore with a regally placed hoof. “Did my sister’s company please you?” She was teasing him but Ceres couldn’t quite not hear the hint of jealousy in it.

“Your sister has declined the throne.” Celestia’s morning glee evaporated into the royal poker face.

“I see.” She turned her back, "Then I guess we must make arrangements for the coronation."

“Indeed, my queen.” Feeling the obligation to do so Ceres bowed low as per ancient Canterlot tradition, his voice in his royal court solemnity.

“But before that...” Ceres began. “I want you to tell me of your mother.” The royal poker face was formidable but Ceres knew that no pony can ever fully hide their emotions. Looking intently at her countenance Ceres noticed for the briefest moment Celestia’s eyes widened in surprise. There was an ugliness to it that simply rubbed him the wrong way.

“My knowledge of modern Equestrian history seems to give a sense of cognitive dissonance to my knowledge of ancient Equestrian history.” Ceres had now stood up and stared narrow eyed at Celestia who has broken in to a cold sweat. There was no way she could have prepared for this. Ceres had come so suddenly and his coming was so unlikely, as impossible as the queen mother’s death. As a ruler of a whole kingdom, witnessing things spiralling out of her control was a frightening and bitterly new experience.

“Luna has given me an idea of what occurred but before I find you worthy I must know the whole truth.” Why did he have to come now, just when she was beginning to walk the path of her redemption? She had hoped for Luna someday remembering it all and someday forgiving her for her horrible sins. She had created a whole new world in anticipation of it. And now it was going to be undone by a mere earthly colt.

“Your mother is not coming back Celestia. You do not have to pretend anymore. This kingdom is yours, but I will not let you until I have heard the truth. You can lie to your people if you so wish, but you will not lie to a herald of the alicorn royalty. You are no princess, ruling Equestria in a faux-co-rulership with her fellow princess Luna in some vain pretence at noble generosity. You are a queen and have been so for a very long time. I know you didn’t want to give the crown to Luna, hating the fact that she was favoured above yourself by the mother that you worshipped.”

Celestia was crying, guilt overflowing her with tears. She had done many horrible things and she just wanted to never be reminded of them again. To start anew with a new Equestria. It was naive to hope Ceres wouldn't notice this dark secret. Beyond all the reasons that had built up, this was why she dreaded to face her sister and for him to face her alone. But what she dreaded the most was this inevitable morning when she had to face the truth glaring guilt onto her.

“I can forgive all that, if you can face the truth.” Ceres was wiping away her tears and forcing her eyes to look forwards straight into his.

“Please, your highness. We shall face our demons together, as before.” Ceres held a hoof to her face and petted her gently. The tears in her eyes finally flowing into mere droplets now. Feeling a well of a new emotion rise Celestia kissed Ceres deeply. A new flood of tears coming down her cheeks, Ceres’s own now joining hers.

A burden she had carried on her own for so long suddenly felt so light with Ceres’s strong shoulders were there to be leant on.

Celestia was beginning to regain her composure now and Ceres was finally finding his true smile again, after so long.

A stampede of clopping hoofs were echoing down the hall towards the door. A single knocking came to the door.

“I’ll be there.” Ceres said while walking towards the door, a hoof ready to push it open. There was no need.

Upon hearing his voice, the royal guard entered the room in droves. He was surrounded in a phalanx of spears to his throat

“After I escape the dungeons.” He whispered under his breath. A single wink to Celestia made her understand his intentions.

There he was locked up in the castle dungeons in a tiny cell with from what he could grope only held a pile of hay. From that alone he guesses that that single pile of hay was for one to sleep in, eat out of and probably defecate into for some unfortunate stable boy to muck out at some point. But it didn’t matter he had no intention of staying long. Feeling the lethargy of hours of wakefulness he stretched out his legs and curled up into the bed of hay to sleep. He’d been up for a full twenty four hours and he wasn’t going to meet with Celestia until this evening. Not that he could gain any idea of what time of day it was anyway. Picking the option to remain vigilantly ready for that time or the prospect of whiling away the hours in sleep, his body made his choice for him. The moment his eye lids closed he was lost to every pony, barring a certain mare that frequented him with affectionate visitations. He slept with a grin that just wouldn’t leave his face.

Barring those few that are in the know, the Canterlot castle dungeons are a mystery to almost every living pony. Some say it holds enough jail cells to hold half of Canterlot under lock and key, others say it spans as far out as Canterlot itself. Others even suggest that it was expanded across history in such a haphazard way, that it had formed a labyrinthine design sectioning off to different themes and appearances, according to the era the expansions occurred. None however have proven such theories to be true.

Officially the only part of the dungeon ever used is a few blocks near the exit. None dare look further within lest they find themselves lost in the endless meandering labyrinth of darkness, joined amongst the abandoned dead that tried their luck escaping capture. With such a daunting place to be, no pony in their right minds would risk breaking the law, barring only petty crimes. In fact the law fears the place so much that only the most cut throat and dire criminals ever receive the punishment of imprisonment. Ceres having assaulted a castle full of civilians and soldiers alike, made him worthy of such an honour.

Celestia had very little involvement with the running of the dungeons. This honour was given to the prison warden of the castle, Night Stables. He was a hard worn, battle hardened stallion whose black eyes seemed to stare into your souls. Upon seeing Celestia’s approach, he adjusted his helm and halberd into attention looking the very part of an officer of the royal guard. Feeling the pressure of the princess’s slow approach he took the time to check himself further as he adjusted his silver mane patted and smoothed his coat lacerated scarred black coat.

“Good evening Night.” Celestia spoke with a polite bow, stopping at the doors that lead to the stairway into the dungeons. With Celestia looking at him so intently like she did, Night could hold back his beating heart and sweaty hoofs. Usually he’d shake the dignitary by the hand as a formal greeting, but given his state he refrained.

“G-good evening, your majesty. I hope the sunset went well as your usual.” Celestia looked up and realised that there were no windows around the corridors towards the dungeons. Mayhaps she would have that remedied. “May I ask what business you have with one such as I?” The question brought her back into focus.

“Royal business. I decree a full pardon to the prisoner taken to the dungeons this morning.” Night’s eyes narrowed in puzzlement.

“You mean that fugitive you’ve been wanting? I hear they’ve been trying to capture that one for days. May I ask what grounds is this pardon under?” Stupid stupid stupid! This is why you aren’t an officer anymore. No good soldier questions their commanding officer. This is why you were demoted to this dead end job!

“Two days to be precise and it was all a misunderstanding. Though, he was indeed violent to everypony this morning, but no one was truly harmed.” Night simply raised his brow.

“I heard he downed a whole company of soldiers and drove of servants. How can he-”

“Warden. This is important royal business.” Celestia flashed a small glare as her ire began to show.

“Y-yes your highness of course.” Night upholstered his key and opened the door.

“The pony in question held a sword. Where is it being stored?” Celestia was half way into the doorway before she remembered to ask.

“The armoury is one floor below you highness. Just ask the guards stationed there for it.” Celestia flashed the royal smile and walked fully into the darkness. She closed the door behind her with magic and heard the resolute click of the door’s lock.

All the prison guards were unicorns who have become use to using their magic to constantly illuminate for long periods of time. It had become second nature to them. As ever they talked about mares and flanks and plots, like real stallions would.

“I would have to say Luna is best pony. Celestia is just...” The guard trailed off and saw a golden glow coming from up the stairs. As a security measure, the colour of all the guard lights were to change accordingly as to spot intruders and strangers faster. Today’s colour was white. Nearly all of the guards spotted this light and silently watched. One continued to talk.

“What are you talking about dude? Celestia is so hot! Man... If I were given the chance I would rut that so good...” He didn’t stop speaking until Celestia was in plain sight and the other guards kneeling low seemingly from his perspective... to him.

“What is your name guard?” The guard’s golden mane and orange coat stood on ends, petrified by that sultry voice. The colt in question looked to his friends for help but they just bowed low. He could try thinking up of a fake name or using some other ponies name but he’d probably be punished for fraud. He could pretend to be mute but that might offend the princess. A sleigh of other terrible ideas came but eventually it came to only one conclusion. Honesty was the best policy.

“Night Light, your holy goddess of hotness beauty regal grace and high majesty-ness.” Fearing for his well being Night rambled on. In his mind he was thinking to speak something really clever to get him out his situation but all that came to mind was his libido over flowing out of his mouth. He was crying rivers of tears out of fear and horror and he liked it.

“Any relation to the guy upstairs.” Night pursing his lips to hold back a jab about godliness, he simply nodded. Celestia looked down at him for a long moment before turning her attention to another guard, clearly deciding that she was getting nowhere with him.

“I would like to have the sword you retrieved from the prisoner of this morning. And I need a guide to show me where he is.” The other guards merely looked at each other to silently nominate their spokesperson. But Night not missing a beat galloped into the armoury and retrieved the sword.

“I will volunteer to lead you your highness.” He spoke with a deep voice his expression a mock expression of manliness on the colt’s childish face. Celestia looked to the other guards. She was given a collective shrug. Rolling her eyes Celestia began to walk to the stair way once more to go down to the dungeon level, Night darted ahead.

Meandering about as if on instinct Night walked a path visible to only him. Unicorn light could only pierce the darkness so far and yet he knew every turn and corner before he could even see it. The journey took what seemed like ages but eventually they were there. Ceres sensing the glow on his closed eyes he was welcomed by the vision of Celestia, and a guard opening his cell door while he rubbed the sleep out of his eyes.

“You may leave now.” Expecting some sort of praise for his impressive navigation skills, he frowned when deprived.

“Are you implying I don’t know my own castle?” Celestia rose to her full stature, letting her royal gaze bring forth the fear it was due.

“No highness. I will take my leave as you command.” The colt bowed low in response.

“Tell the guards I won’t be back until morning.” Ceres and Night widened their eyes in bewilderment.

“Tia what are you saying!” Upon realising Celestia blushed, Ceres blushed and the boy blushed. The colt turned around mechanically and then began to gallop away.

“Boy!” Celestia called out, to her relief that she was still within ear shot.

“If you wish my name worthy to your highness!” The colt yelled before continuing his run.

Celestia took out his clothes from under her wing and threw them to him. The smugness vanished from his face.

“I heard as much, yes.” Celestia replied, stabbing Ceres’s sword between his hind legs.

The two wondered about looking for landmarks to indicate their location. They would stop for moment to confirm their location on a map Celestia brought, and then they would off again. That is until Ceres took point and wound around the familiar path ways like he had always done in eons past. For awhile Celestia was lagging behind plotting their seemingly random route on her map but eventually she merely gave up. Letting the parchment fall to the ground, Celestia joined in Ceres’s gallop, putting all of her faith in him to the test.

“We’re here.” his gallop became a trot until he stopped dead at a dead end. Before them was nothing but a blank stone wall but both knew better. Ceres walked forward taking a deep breath. By his presence the wall reacted as glowing runes of the ancient Equestrian tongue marked the wall. The scar on Ceres’s back began to burn and he gritted against the pain until it burst into light like that of a burning sun. With a strength of immense will he began to speak evenly.

“Harmony within the earth
that makes tranquillity in the heavens,
the elements of creation and engine of life.
I am thy herald and servant to thy light.
By friendship you are magic.
By nature you are all I am
Find me worthy
And thy will be done.”

The wall burst into a white light and without hesitation both walked into the wall of light, leaving the darkness behind them.

“Will you walk the aisle with me paladin?” spoke Celestia taking the lead to walk the central path of the church.

“I missed someone knowing these things.” Celestia said, giving a small peck to Ceres’s cheek.

From a world darkness to place of holy illumination, the placed glowed as if the stones themselves gave light. Everything was made of purest white marble and designed with such great acoustics that their voices seemed loud and resonant. Each one of their steps echoed as they began their approach to the altar. The whole place was bare, if one hadn’t the eye for detail you could easily mistake the whole place being a world of endless white spanning long into some unknown horizon. But no, looking hard enough it was indeed a church, not that any pony would know what those were. There were the aisles to the side the nave in the middle and benches called pews in between them. Ahead was a raised platform that was the altar and on the farthest wall there stood the only piece of decoration.

On the farthest wall was the most beautiful painting you would ever see in all of Equestria. It was the city of Canterlot in winter, if you gave it a quick glance. But it was in fact an eerie world of clouds and snow. With the sky the azure blue you would remembered a glow with the light of a million tiny stars and the sun shining on the east. And on the west the half moon shining down opposite.

On the bottom right corner there was simply a quote instead of the artist’s signature, Harmony in the earth that makes tranquillity in the heavens.

“Let me work my magic, my love.” Celestia nudged Ceres out of the way gawking at awe of the masterpiece he was seeing. With Celestia’s horn a glow, the painting seemed to react to her. It wasn’t as dramatic as turning to light this time. Instead the frame merely came out with glowing runic text that recited Ceres’s prayer. Ceres’s continued to gawk until he saw Celestia fly into the painting. Knowing that he was meant to, he followed suit with a running jump.

They had entered a mirror image of the room they were in before, that may have sounded strange to a pony that saw only a symmetrical room but to Ceres it was the truth. The room had changed. For one thing the painting was had changed into an image of the original room with a mirage translucent layered image of the original image. There was also something new in the room. At the end of the alter there was a podium holding a leather bound tome.

“This is it. The history of all of Equestria.” Celestia spoke using her magic to flip through the pages.

“I want to read it all from the beginning.” Looking furiously at what words he could making out as the pages flipped.

“We only have one night to read this. So I will just skip about so that I can abridge it.” Celestia brought the book to her as she began to find the pages she needs. Ceres was adamant to know all of it and gave her a solid out right nod of a no.

War for Equestria-Prelude 1

by CeresBane

Celestia's heavy burden