//------------------------------// // Chapter Eleven: Clues from the Past // Story: Princess of Shadows, Darkness, and Light // by jwizard //------------------------------// Lune, Moon Kingdom, 06-10-05, 4:22 A.M. A.N.M. (After Nightmare Moon) Nightingale sighed as she sat in her garden. She had abruptly woken up from a restless sleep several hours earlier. That wasn’t the problem though. No, the problem was that she couldn’t return to sleep on account of why it was restless in the first place. Once again, Nightingale was for some reason forced to recall one of the times she met with Princess Luna. It wasn’t bad for her to remember such things, not by a long shot. However, it was hard on her heart, as the separation never got any easier. Nightingale had never been sure when she realized that she and Luna were potential bond mates. She was barely out of her fillyhood the first time she had touched Luna’s lonely mind. The meeting she dreamed about earlier wasn’t even the first one she had had with the Lunar Princess; by her count, it was actually the fourth. Each time was harder than the last, as it seemed as though the princess was worse. Also, Luna only remembered they had met before around twenty five percent of the time; the rest were as though they had never met before. Nightingale ran a frustrated hoof through her fuschia mane. All these flashbacks and dreams weren’t helping her. In fact, they were making things far more difficult for her. At least they weren’t every night, or she wouldn’t be able to get any sleep. The clop of hooves sounded behind her; Nightingale turned to see Silent Grace behind her. The lovely young pegacorn had a concerned look on her muzzle as she gazed at her princess. “Princess, you haven’t been to sleep yet tonight? This is the second time in three days that you’ve woken only a few hours after bedding down. You may be an alicorn, but you still need your rest.” Nightingale sighed. “I had another memory dream; this makes the fourth n the last week.” Nightingale turned her gaze to where she could just see the Rift Seal in the distance. “Ever since Princess Rainbow Dash appeared, I’ve been having them of late.” Grace frowned pensively. “Your seneschal only accounts for two; what happened with the others?” she asked. Nightingale shrugged. “I haven’t the foggiest; I remember dreaming, but I don’t recall any details. It’s only the first one and the most recent that I remember. I wish I knew why.” Silent Grace and Nightingale both turned at the clop of small hooves behind them. They turned to see Glorious Dawn behind them. The filly was wearing a frightened look as she saw that Nightingale wasn’t alone. “I-I’m sorry Princess; I can c-come back later.” Nightingale waver her over. “Don’t be silly Dawn; I told you I’m free whenever you need me. Was there something you needed?” The filly nodded. “I-I just woke up from a really strange dream; it seemed more like a memory than a dream,” the unicorn filly said, stuttering a bit. Nightingale sighed at the stutter; ever since the Ritual finished, Glorious Dawn had been acting real skittish around any other ponies besides herself. “What was the dream My Little Pony?” she asked. Dawn made her way hesitatingly over to where Nightingale and Silent Grace were standing. She jumped a little as Grace placed a gentle hoof on her withers. ‘I dreamed that you and P-princess Luna were talking to each other,” the filly said. Her voice firmed up as she lost a bit of her nervousness at the kindness she saw in the eyes of the other two ponies present. “It was strange Princess; you weren’t much older than Miss Silent Grace. Did what I see happen?” Nightingale frowned pensively before nodding. “Yes, it did; a long time ago. I wasn’t much older than Grace is now. It was only a few years before Commander Moonstar betrayed this kingdom. I was actually woken myself earlier from having the same dream. I wonder why you dreamed it as well?” Dawn flushed. “I-I’ve always had the ability to See; I buried it deep when I first Fell,” she said. She blanched a little at the frown on Grace’s muzzle. “I’m beginning to think that you never truly Fell,” the pegacorn said to the unicorn filly. “You may have done much evil while Turned, but you limited nearly everything against soldiers; in fact, I can only think of one, maybe two times where a village fell to your cadre, and you punished those responsible. That’s why the Ritual worked so well, and why you still retain most of your abilities. No, what surprises me is that you would actually See something so personal to Princess Nightingale.” Dawn looked down shyly at that. “I don’t have any control over what I See; the ability scares me.” She shuddered, remembering the first time. “I even Saw those that ordered my family’s death; wish I had known what it was I was Seeing. I might have been able to stop it.” Nightingale tipped the filly’s chin up to look into her eyes. “You are not responsible for that, else Dusk would not have held you as close as She did. You had no way of knowing, any more than I did. Holding onto misplaced guilt like that benefits nopony.” The filly nodded, tears in her eyes. “What does it mean that she’s Seen something like that though Princess?” Silent Grace asked. The alicorn frowned in thought. “I have only theories, but it seems as though she’s inordinately sensitive to thaumatic energies. Likely a result of the Ritual. Then again, it could be the Essences themselves; I’ve gotten the impression that they’re trying to send some kind of message. Why they’re sending it through you is less clear.” Nightingale shrugged her shoulders. “I gave up trying to second-guess them ages ago.” Silent Grace scowled. “Well, I wish they’d find another pony to pick on; Glorious Dawn has suffered enough. By her own hoof, but that doesn’t matter; there are plenty of other ponies that could pass whatever message needs to be passed.” Dawn herself was wearing a pensive frown. “I don’t think there is; I don’t think this involves the same ones I used to blame.” The filly flushed, remembering those times. “Some of the Nameless Ones gave me the impression that there was actually an Unspoken Essence somehow tied to the Power of Darkness. I thought that was a childish belief; now I’m not so sure.” Nightingale’s response to that was to nod. “There is another Essence tied to all of this. I don’t know that She’s ever been worshipped in the same way that the others have; even Dusk has her devotees. She doesn’t take the Fallen to herself of course; they’re corrupted, and She won’t abide by that.” “Then how are they able to twist the Power as they do? Is it what the Moon Council truly says, that Darkness is a corruptive Power that is best left alone?” Grace asked, a frown on her muzzle. Nightingale and Dawn both shook their heads at that. “Darkness only corrupts when forced to do so. Actually, I seldom actually used corrupt Dark mana in my spells.” Dawn frowned pensively as she recalled those dark days. “There wasn’t enough of it for starters; it’s hard to wield properly, and it almost refuses to work in that manner.” The other two looked on in shock as Nightingale conjured a ball of Dark mana. “Like any of the Forces, one can use them better if one doesn’t force them to their will; rather, one only needs to allow their own Will to align with that of the given Force.” Nightingale shrugged. “I’ve never had that problem; Shadows, Darkness, and Light all answer my Call equally, and always have.” Grace just shook her head at the display. “You’re lucky that I and Dawn are both aware that Darkness is simply just a Power, else we’d be having problems.” The pegacorn turned to the filly. “By the by, is there any more risk to what I asked you at the party last evening?” Dawn shook her head. “I don’t believe so; my aborted attempt was all that was left after Princess Rainbow Dash made her appearance. She cut through one of his strongest Shades when she joined back up with Princess Twilight Sparkle, to say nothing of the ones she cut down when she first Awoke as an alicorn.” The filly shrugged. “What I was using was chaff for the most part, and there’s little of that left. He’s consolidating his power; I won’t say that you need not fear any more attacks, though the risk is lesser now. It all depends if there’s any more bold Scarlet Robes willing to take risks. After what happened to me, I don’t think that’s likely.” Nightingale snorted. “None of the other Scarlet Robes have the balls; I’ve tangled with all of them over the past six months at one point or another, and none are redeemable. They know it too, and are turning out just as craven as expected.” The other two chuckled at that. Glorious Dawn started to say something when the arrival of her caretaker stopped her. “Young filly, I told you that you were to wait until after breakfast,” Silent Wonder scolded her. “It’s far too early for a filly of your age to be out and about; come along now.” She motioned for the filly to follow her. “I apologize for the interruption Princess.” Nightingale frowned at the pegasus. “Since when is is your responsibility to oversee what Glorious Dawn does or doesn’t do? I thought I made it clear several days ago; despite her body’s current age, Glorious Dawn is not a filly. In fact, chronologically speaking, she’s your senior by two decades.” The pegasus flushed at that. “Midnight Radiance was quite clear in her instructions; none of the foals in the palace were to be out of bed before Sunrise,” Wonder said. “I’m only following the orders given to me to the noble I’m sworn to serve.” “The only ones here that have the authority to issue such asinine orders are myself and Lord Bright Harvest. The foals in this palace are here at my pleasure.” Nightingale stomped her hoof in frustration. “Glorious Dawn is to stay here; I have things to teach her outside of what she came to me about. Go back to the other foals under your charge Wonder; your duties will be changing later. It seems as yet another noble has overstayed her welcome.” The pegasus bowed before leaving. Nightingale scowled as she watched the pegasus leave. “I’m beginning to think that nobles are more trouble than they’re worth. That’s the third one in as many days that thought they could give orders over mine own house that run contrary to my own.” Silent Grace shrugged. “I can’t comment on that Highness.” She chuckled as she saw the yawn that Glorious Dawn was trying to hide. “Maybe I should take this one into your guest room. She might be older than me in some ways, but she’s far younger in others.” Nightingale yawned. “I’ll be joining her; I suddenly find myself able to sleep. We’ll finish this discussion later today; after I fire the Royal Governess. Silent Wonder is more suitable anyway.” The three all hugged before they parted ways. Nightingale made her way back to her bed, falling asleep almost as soon as her head hit her pillow. Time enough to deal with problems after Sunrise. Equestria, Canterlot Castle, 03-10-05, 1:30 P.M. A.N.M. (After Nightmare Moon) “Can this day get any worse?!” a certain cyan alicorn griped to her marefriend at lunchtime. Rainbow Dash and Twilight were in their shared quarters for some down time at Twilight’s insistence. Twilight smiled in sympathy. “Oh Rainbow, I’m sure it’s not as bad as you’re making it out to be,” she said. “I know you weren’t expecting to spend your first real day in meetings, but you should have. At least you don’t have to put up with Morning Court.” Rainbow glared at her marefriend. “As if you didn’t know what she has planned for three thirty; I’m supposed to join her and Luna in Afternoon Court.” Twilight shook her head. “You were supposed to; in fact, the whole of the Alicorn Council was supposed to. However, Luna put the kibosh to those plans; she’s been in the Royal Archives all morning.” Twilight frowned. “For some reason she’s been going over old battle reports between the Gryphon Empire and the Minotaur Confederacy. She grumbled something about searching for clues when I asked. Celestia sighed when I told her.” Rainbow frowned for a bit before her expression cleared. “Oh, that must have been some of the clues she mentioned early this morning.” Rainbow chuckled at the confused frown on Twilight’s muzzle. “Her and I had a nice little chat in the Grove of Dreams this morning. She’s been having some of the same problems that I was recently with recurring dreams of late, and I guess she finally got enough clues to figure it out.” “Probably did, but why that time period? It was all years before her Fall, so it shouldn’t really mean anything,” Twilight said, still a little confused. “I wonder what she’s looking for anyway.” The purple alicorn shook her head. “Even if she’s on a private search, I really don’t see why she’d shunt aside her royal duties.” Rainbow just shrugged. “I don’t see the problem frankly; she’s usually asleep this time of day anyway. I don’t see why Celly wants me to be there; outside of my duties to my Aurora Guard”- Rainbow was frowning as she said this -”I really don’t have any kind of authority to make rulings.” Twilight facehoofed. “Rainbow Dash, did any of what you were told this morning sink past that rainbow mop of yours? You and Hope were both Crowned as Princesses of Equestria; that gives you the same rights, privileges, and authority that Celestia and Luna both have. Fundamentally, that makes you a part of the Diarchy.” Rainbow scowled at that. “Words on paper Twi, that’s all that was. Do you honestly think they’re gonna sit by and let a jock sit on Judgement?!” there was a growl in Rainbow’s tone as she continued. “The only reason why there wasn’t a run on Canterlot Castle is because they all love a party.” “That’s why today is important Rainbow Dash,” Twilight said in a tone of tired patience. “It’s to show Equestria solidarity. Celestia is even certain that Hope will be present as well. I’m not; that alicorn is next to impossible to tie down.” Twilight sighed at the obstinate expression on Rainbow’s muzzle. “I know you don’t like this Rainbow Dash; I don’t blame you, but this is far preferable to the second option.” Rainbow continued to frown for a bit before relenting. With a frustrated sigh, Rainbow nodded. “You’re right Twi; as much as I don’t like it, at least this way I still get to keep my citizenship. Both you and Cadance have to deal with the same rigmarole; at least I don’t have to suffer alone.” Twilight smiled in sympathy. “Rainbow, I get that you weren’t prepared for all of this. You’ve been a real trooper ever since we got back.” Twilight frowned as something else crossed her mind. “I just hope that we’ll be able to stave off any remaining fallout for what you did to the Crystal Council.” Rainbow shook her head at that, grinning a bit. “There’s little to worry about; Lord Brighthoof just received word from the other reps. Oh, you didn’t hear that Twi?” she asked when Twilight looked confused. “I got word early this morning that representatives from the other Crystal Pony tribes are on their way. It’ll take a few days, but there’s gonna be a Summit of the Tribes to discuss the current situation. They’re a little late as it is, but I was expecting that. They probably waited until I was Crowned before they decided that ‘now is the time.’ Frankly, I don’t blame them for waiting; the fact that the Crystal Council is now defunct is gonna be a headache to sort out.” Twilight frowned thoughtfully. “You said all of the Crystal Pony tribes Rainbow?” Rainbow nodded. “How many is that? I know that there’s those that are similar to regular ponies; unicorns, pegasi, and earth pony varieties. What other types are there?” “Hippocampi and Zebra. Yes, I know how that sounds; I’m perfectly serious though. There actually are Crystal Merponies; they look just the same as regular merponies, only with sparkly coats. Same for the Crystal Zebra.” Rainbow grinned at the confused look on Twilight’s muzzle. “Okay, I can buy Crystal Zebra. That makes sense; Zebra are actually an off-shoot of earth ponies. But how in the hay do you get Crystal Hippocampi? There’s not any large bodies of water anywhere in the Crystal Empire that I’m aware of.” Rainbow Dash facehoofed. “I keep on forgetting that you’re not aware of the same things I am,” Rainbow said. She summoned the chest that Bright Knowledge had given her early in their adventure. Reaching in, she pulled out a folded piece of parchment. “It took me three days to learn the runes necessary to make this, and I’m still not sure I’ve gotten everything right,” she said as she unfolded it. Twilight looked shocked as she saw a complete map of Equestria and the lands surrounding it. She could see the route she and Rainbow Dash had taken. She frowned suddenly as she saw that the Crystal Wastes were less than half the size that they should be; instead, there was an inland sea. Twilight gasped as she suddenly recalled something from her history classes. “There’s never been any evidence that the Crystal Lake even existed other than Star Swirls writings! Are you trying to tell me that we walked right by it without even realizing that it was there?” Rainbow Dash shrugged. “I don’t know about you, but I knew we were close to water when we first entered the Wastes. It just had the feel of a washout zone; not unlike the ones that you see on the sides of a mountain. Also, it never made any sense to me how the Canterhorn River is said to be fed only by runoff and springs; it’s too wide and vast for that, and any foal that deals with water knows that there was a lake someplace.” Twilight frowned. “I know that so much was lost when the Crystal Empire was sealed away, but why Seal a lake? It doesn’t even offer any strategic value; Equestrians never made war involving boats since we’ve always had mastery of the sky.” Rainbow’s answer was to point to the coastline that bisected both the Crystal Empire and Equestria. “Right there is likely why; not only is an entrance to my Realm nearby- Sealed by the way -but there’s also one of the three Entrances to Tartarus- also Sealed -there as well. From what Angela was saying, that was one of the first places Start Swirl teleported to in his battle against the Dark One.” Rainbow frowned as her hoof traced the northernmost coastline of the lake. “The villages are likely around here for the Crystal Zebra; they’re in charge of Guarding both Gates, but never actually settled next to them.” Twilight nodded at that. “The only Gate in Equestria proper is seven miles outside of the southernmost border of the Everfree Forest. There’s actually a garrison nearby, though not right at the entrance itself. It was that Gate that Tirek escaped from after Cerberus wandered away from it.” Twilight frowned, remembering that it was her that was forced to return the three-headed-dog to its post. “Some theorize that that is the reason why the Forest is so wild, but that’s foalish; Celestia has kept the Everfree the way it is to protect the Tree of Harmony.” Rainbow nodded. “I know the Gate is there. Actually, I know where ALL the Gates are now. Every. Single. Gate. And now I know just how unprotected Equestria really is. Which is why I hope Celly exercises some restraint in her new ‘tell all’ policy. She really only has to be truly honest with those closest to her.” Twilight smiled. “Don’t worry; she’ll be keeping us in her confidence better now that she’s owned up to her pride. She knows that the nitty-gritty details are a bit more than the average pony can take.” Twilight glanced at the clock on the wall. “Eep! I promised I’d meet with Fluttershy before Afternoon Court. I’m running late! I’ll see you there Rainbow!” Twilight gave her marefriend a quick kiss before leaving. Rainbow Dash finished up her own lunch after a bit. She then decided to find out if Luna had figured out anything more. Destiny or not, I’m not holding this back any more; if she’s still lost at sea, then I’m spilling all that I know, the cyan alicorn said to herself rebelliously. She’s suffered that lonely heart of hers long enough. Serenity said. Rainbow frowned before sending her consciousness through the Veil briefly so that she could speak to Serenity more clearly. “What do you mean exactly?” she asked the Essence. Serenity sighed. “It has to do with the nature of such Bindings. You’re a new alicorn child; unless it is absolutely necessary, the Binding itself may prevent you from telling all that you know.” “Even such as I was prevented in telling more than I did this morn,” said Selene as she joined them. “I did not ask Serenity to limit what you saw nor you to limit what you told her because of her destiny. ‘Tis the nature of the Binding itself that forced my hoof.” The Essence of Lune sighed in frustration. “It has moved its anchor at least three times since Luna started looking; all were in response to things that Luna was told. She needs to work it out for herself; what little I did tell her was things that she herself told me that she would one day need to know.” Rainbow sighed. “All I know is that it’s unfair to make her suffer like this.” She frowned. “I’m not sure if we’re ready though. You both realize what it means should she follow the first clue to its conclusion, right?” The Essences nodded. “Right, well, I’ll do my best. Are you absolutely certain I must keep Celly in the dark about this?” “‘Tis between Celly and LuLu, Princess Rainbow Dash; should she wish for her sister to know, she will tell her,” Selene said in response. “None of what happens now concerns the defense of the Realms; only if it did were I to suggest different.” “Selene is correct child,”Serenity said. “Should the need arise, we will certainly set aside the long path; I did so to guide you to where you are now. You were already on the journey, but time pressed. It would have taken almost a year going by the long path, but the threat against the innocents in Ponyville and abroad forced my hoof.” Rainbow nodded. Suddenly she yelped as she walked snout-first into a wall. “Next time, I need to stop walking before I do that,” she grumbled as she rubbed her pained snout. Rainbow quickly made her way to the Royal Archives. With any luck, Luna had found whatever it was that she was looking for. When Rainbow Dash finally found Luna a few minutes later, she was in for a shock. The dark blue alicorn was up to her hooves in old scrolls and tomes, muttering about dates. “Where in Equestria is it? Don’t tell me that all of the Records of that time period burned up in that fire! It should have survived even if it did; I cast the spells of preservation on these tomes myself!” Luna closed the tome she was reading in a huff. As Rainbow watched in amusement, Luna continued to mutter imprecations at the various tomes stacked around her. “I know of at least three major battles that happened between the Empire and the Confederacy, but none of the dates match to what I’m looking for! I don’t even know what it is I need!” Luna took that moment to glance up and saw a smirking cyan alicorn standing across from her. “Ah, Princess Rainbow Dash, I didn’t see you there! Was there something you needed of me?” she asked a bit self-consciously. Rainbow shook her head, still amused. Luna was acting more like Twilight than she ever thought possible. “No; I just had a little time before Court, and I thought I’d see how the search was going. Had any luck?” Luna scowled. “Not a bit of luck at all, and I’ve searched these books all morning! Zounds, but it seems as though these are only copies, and the clue Selene gave me eludes me. I’m not even certain as to if the originals survived the fire or not; they should have, for only fire from mine own horn would have damaged them.” Rainbow frowned in thought before her expression cleared. “LuLu, are you certain that you’re even searching in the right Archives? Didn’t you and Celly live at the Palace of the Two Sisters at one point?” Luna frowned at the question before shaking her head. “That is a good thought Rainbow Dash, though I think it unlikely; the Royal Archives weren’t kept there. That was mine and Celestia’s private collection, that was. Canterlot has long been the seat of Equestria’s authority; the only reason we lived in the Palace at all was because of the Border between Equestria and the Confederacy.” Frowning, Luna scanned the titles again. “There is one missing; I must have checked a dozen times.” Luna stalked over to where the rest of the references for that time period were sitting. She began to search the titles. Rainbow frowned as she watched Luna’s search. “Are you sure you got the date right LuLu? Maybe you’re looking in the wrong place.” “Rainbow Dash, Selene made it clear; I was to search the dates between the last major war between the Gryphons and the Minotaur…” abruptly, Luna facehoofed. “Of course! There’s never been a major war between the Confederacy and the Gryphon Empire; the Confederacy was formed only three years before I was banished, as a result of the last war!” She quickly trotted to a shelf far to the right of the one she had originally searched. Scanning quickly, Luna found the proper reference. When her levitation field touched it as she went to pull it down from the shelf, the shelf itself slid inwards on silent rails. Rainbow wiggled her ears in relief as the near-silent vibration she had felt since entering the Archives disappeared. “Well, it looks like you found what it was you were looking for Lu,” she said, a sneaky grin on her muzzle. “You’ve got a mess to clean up before you go, and I’m sure your sister would like to know.” Luna blushed at the tomes and scrolls she left piled higgledy-piggledy on the table. “Instead of jesting Rainbow Dash, might you apply aid for me to clean up yonder mess?” Rainbow smiled as she helped the lunar alicorn clean up. Luna took a look at the entrance. Touching her horn alongside the left lintel, Luna caused the shelf to move back to the position it was previously. She then used her wings to move the tome, switching it with another one an adjacent shelf. When she touched the tome with her magic again, the new shelf moved forward before sliding to the side. As it did so, the floor beneath it lifted up on silent hinges to reveal an entrance.” Hmm, this is quite the clever entrance; I have not seen its like since I was a foal,” Luna said as she closed the new entrance. Rainbow grinned as Luna replaced the tomes she had swapped. “Oh, I’m sure you’ve made even better ones Lu. That’s pretty clever though; the entrance will work no matter where the book is.” Luna shook her head at that. “Yonder entrance was likely just the first gate; it will take Lune’s light to reveal everything. Also, these references are a part of the set; the entrance only worked as it did because I did not remove it far from the set. Were one to be misfiled, said entrance wouldn’t appear at all. Very clever indeed; I just wish I could remember what I hid beyond it.” Rainbow frowned thoughtfully as she and Luna made their way to the Throne Room. “Who taught you that? I mean, I’ve heard of secret entrances before, but not one that elaborate. Plus, enchanted ones can be broken if the foundation shifts.” Luna shook her head. “Though you have the right of it, it was Clover the Clever herself that taught me that particular spell form. Now that I know what will open it, I know that it and the tomes themselves are in no danger; the foundation of the entrance is the Grove of Dreams itself. One would have to have mine own power at dreamwalking at a strength greater than mine own to shift something that ephemeral.” Luna grinned at Rainbow’s expression of shock. The two alicorns paused at the side entrance to the Throne Room. “Would you like for me to sit in on this session Princess Rainbow? I refused not on account of my search, but because I did not wish to overburden you on your first day.” Rainbow shook her head at that. “LuLu, I’d much rather have you there; this is likely to get boring for me, and I’d prefer it if you were there to chivvy me awake. Twi gets huffy when she has to do that.” The two mares giggled before joining the others already inside. Hours later, Rainbow Dash was wishing she was somewhere else; even wrangling wild weather from the Everfree would be preferable. She had thought that the complaints that officers in the PPP were fielding about her taking over the winged branches were bad enough; that paled in comparison to the petitions that Celestia had been dealing with all morning. Rainbow drew her attention back to the current noble before them as the stallion wound up his long-winded speech about how yet another alicorn was going to affect prices in his region. Celestia raised an eyebrow as she read his petition. “Lord Bright Feather, I do not see how Princess Rainbow Dash can be held responsible for poor sales in your region.” She raised a hoof to prevent the stallion’s bluster as she continued. “First of all, Princess Rainbow Dash was crowned just yesterday; she hasn’t even had one day to acclimate herself to her duties; none of said duties are over finance or manufacture. When she was still a pegasus, she was in charge of weather management; and that was in the demesne of Princess Twilight Sparkle. Most importantly, the blame of poor sales in your region lies solely in your hooves and no other, as you’ve been trying to sell poorly manufactured goods. Simply put, the petition you have given me isn’t worth the paper you wrote it on; in fact, were I able I’d have you charged for wasting paper. You wasted your time coming here.” The stallion trotted off, cowed. Celestia gazed at the others who had petitions or complaints. She then looked at the long-suffering scowl that Rainbow was trying to hide. Taking pity on the young alicorn, Celestia motioned to her seneschal. “The Diarchy is calling for a recess; all complaints and petitions will have to wait until tomorrow.” The mare stopped as Celestia spread her wings. “I have an announcement to make. I will not hear any complaint or petition against Princess Rainbow Dash unless it has to do with her duties as a member of the Alicorn Council. As she has yet to be fully instructed in said duties, I will be hearing no more complaints about her for the next fortnight. Good day to you.” There were some grumbles as the assembled nobles filed out. “I honestly should have seen it coming, but there’s only so much I can ignore from nobles before they become passive-aggressive,” Celestia said as her and the other alicorns made their way to the chamber off to the side of the throne room. “It seems to me that you could hear complaints about Princess Rainbow from now until the next century, and still not be finished. As there are still those that complain about mine own actions from when I first returned. There are even those that complained because my arrival messed up the accounts of history that they were teaching.” Luna scowled for a moment before continuing to gripe. “I’ve said it before, and I will say it yet again; yonder nobles are more trouble than they’re worth.” “That lot is anyway; the ones that aren’t are actually the ones that do all the work,” Rainbow Dash said in response. “What I don’t get is why they even try.” “Lots of reasons Rainbow Dash. For starters, many think that they’re cleverer than Celestia. For others, it’s simply the fact that they have to find somepony else to blame; we alicorns make easy targets for that.” Twilight ran a frustrated hoof through her mane. “Still others don’t like the fact that we’re in charge; never mind the fact that there isn’t a single law on the books that was written by Celestia.” “Certes Princess Twilight; thou hast the right of it,” Luna said. “It is equine nature; all we can do is work around it, and ensure that those of true worth are placed in charge.” Twilight and Rainbow Dash both nodded. “Well, since we’re done for the afternoon, Rainbow and I were going to spend some time with the girls before they all head back to Ponyville,” she said. She and Rainbow both gave Celestia and Luna hugs before walking off. Luna frowned as she watched the two young alicorns leave. “Were it possible to send those twain back as well; they aren’t truly needed here.” Celestia shook her head. “Twilight is free to leave; however, she is here to support Rainbow Dash, who has to remain until her instruction in her new duties is done. That shouldn’t take long; she is a fast study.” Celestia gave her sister a concerned look when she saw the pensive frown Luna was wearing. “Is there something wrong Lu?” Luna sighed, nodding. “I have something of a personal quest that I’ve suddenly found myself on. I can’t abandon mine duties to do it, but I’m torn; something compels me to see it through.” Luna sighed again. “Earlier today, I and Princess Rainbow found a hidden door tied to some old historical references. ‘Tis the same ones that we argued about shortly before I was banished.” Celestia frowned in thought. “Who would have created such a door? And why use such a set? To my knowledge, nopony even knew about that fight. I only remember it because it was one of the last times we interacted before I banished you.” Luna sighed. “Twas yours truly that enchanted said books; both in preserving them, and later creating the door. Why is the problem; for some reason, I also blocked all memory of doing it. All I am able to recall is that it involves something I did, something that was a justification towards the way that the nobles once treated me.” Celestia looked confused. “There is something, but for the life of me I can’t think of anything that matches.” She continued to frown as she thought back on memories that she had long ago tried to set aside, since they did her little credit. Celestia’s frown deepened as she thought about all of the arguments she and Luna had. One particular one stood out. Not because she remembered it; it was almost forgettable in its brevity. No, she only recalled it because it would later become a far more serious issue. “Lu,” she said slowly, “do you remember securing the freedom and safety of those orphaned as a result of the attacks on Equestria’s southern borders? Or anything involving orphans at all? Luna’s eyes widened as she suddenly remembered what Celestia was talking about. “Aye, ‘tis something that I have just remembered.” She frowned as she recalled the event in question. “I remember pulling them into the Realm of Dreams; where I sent them afterwards, I cannot recall.” Celestia frowned. “I remember us arguing about that; you refused to tell me what you had done with them. In fact, you threatened to leave Equestria entirely if I were to continue to press the issue.” Her frown deepened as she remembered more of the first time they fought over that issue. “I do recall as that being one of the bigger arguments that you and I had shortly after we dealt with Discord.” Luna nodded. “I do recall that. I wanted to take the foals and start a new colony somewhere where I could protect them. Actually, I think that’s what I did; I even know where I was like to have formed it. I just can’t remember actually doing so. Something must have happened between then and my Fall that caused me to seal those memories up.” Celestia looked at her sister with a thoughtful gaze. “I’m sure you wish for my blessing to follow these clues, am I correct?” She smiled impishly at the look of surprize on Luna’s muzzle. “I am your sister Lu; I know how you think, and what lies in your heart. You certainly don’t need my blessing; you’re your own mare, and have as much right to a sabbatical as I. You’ve always been one to follow your own heart; I’m certainly capable of raising the moon if and when you decide to leave.” Luna’s response to this was to hug her sister. “Thank you ‘Tia; this means much to me. I promise that you will be the first to know should I have to leave. I hope it doesn’t come to that though; I shouldn’t be leaving Princess Rainbow’s training to just you.” Celestia shrugged. “She’s a naturally fast learner; besides, there’s little I really need to teach. Most she learned from her grandsire; all I’m doing is reminding her. Or I should say, all Twilight is doing is reminding her; she’s already learned much of what she needs from Twilight.” Celestia sighed. “I will miss you though; we’ve had precious little time to ourselves. When do you plan to enter the door?” “Tonight I think; said door is Sealed by both the enchanted tome and by moonlight. There’s likely runes involving the Realm of Dreams as well. I won’t be able to tell for sure until I pass through.” Luna looked at her sister with a loving gaze. “After all of this, what say you and me take a week on the beach. I’m sure we can get Princess Twilight and Princess Rainbow to pinch hit for us. We don’t need to be here to raise Sol and Lune after all, and you could do with a vacation yourself.” Celestia brightened at that suggestion. “I have actually considered that; I agree.” The two hugged again before they both went to other tasks. After all, just because Court was finished for the day didn’t mean that the business of ruling was done.