//------------------------------// // Chapter 13 - Canterlot // Story: Fear Within // by VirtualCipher //------------------------------// One Hour Earlier The moment Luna left Twilight and her friends to take flight back to Canterlot, nothing stopped her and despite how bad the weather was becoming, the clouds began to grow a grey and menacing colour, swirling a pattern of nauseous to those who easily get sick of flying. Luckily, Luna took no notice and it wouldn't have bothered her anyway. She continued to fly with no troubles and finally, she took notice to a mountain where Canterlot rested. However, she'd have to think on her approach and this, of course, was her home, but she didn't want to alarm the residents of this sophisticated and prepared city, she didn't want to make a commotion. She continued to flap her wings until she arrived at the nearest opening point of her castle. Canterlot - Celestia's Throne Room Princess Celestia remained still on her throne like a statue, empty of emotion, blank like a canvas with no creativity splashed onto its space. The pain from Luna's outburst she could still feel and although she felt numb, she could still feel her heart in agony. Every monster, every creature, every villain was created because of her... No! That's not right! Her thoughts were overwhelmed with these negative parasites. Celestia has done everything in her power to stop madness and tyranny and... "Princess?!" A voice intruded her thoughts. Celestia snapped out of her trance-like state and turned her head to her right. Shining Armour stood there with a confused expression on his face, concerned for the princess. "Is everything alright?" "Everything's fine, Shining Armour." She lied. "Please, continue." "Well, the scouts have come back from their sweep and they have nothing to report. It appears the perimeter of Canterlot is clear as well. In the meantime, there are no intrusions, but we have to be aware of changelings as well." He informed. "You have done well," Celestia complimented. "I'm sorry I had to separate you and Cadence during this time of darkness." "Thank you, princess, but it's alright. I know Cadence is safe along with our foal, and I'm pretty sure Starlight and Sunburst are doing great. Although, I do miss them." "I'm sure Cadence and little Flurry Heart misses you too," Celestia cooed. "But once this is all over, we will live in harmony once again. Has Discord reported back from his little trip to the Everfree Forest?" "Not yet." He informed. "He seemed rather happy to hunt down some changelings and Diamond Dogs in the Everfree Forest. Don't you think that's rather odd?" "Odd?" Celestia repeated with confusion. "Discord is the master of chaos, he's the definition of odd, he just needs to have a little fun with his magic as well as control it, putting it to good use." "SISTER!" A voice called out from the throne room's hall. Without a second thought, Celestia and Shining Armour already knew that voice and they didn't need a second opinion on who it was. Their attention on Cadence was wiped and they now focused on Princess Luna who was moving closer to them. Celestia was relieved to see her sister once again, but she was hoping that the sudden anger that consumed her before had vanished. "Princess Luna," Shining Armour greeted with a bow. "Sister? Where have you been?" Celestia asked. "I have been aiding Twilight Sparkle in her desperate attempt to save her assistant, and I come back with terrible news, but good ones as well." "So Twilight's alright? Nothing bad happened?" Shining Armour said with relief. "She's perfectly fine," Luna told, however, she gave a scowl to Celestia. Celestia seemed a little threatened by her sister's sudden change in facial expression, but she shook it off. Now was not the time for another argument. "Luna, please tell me, what is this 'terrible' news?" Luna sighed as a sign of regret to inform them both on the improving strength of their enemies. She told her sister and the prince of the Crystal Empire everything that Twilight had briefed her. The advancement in armour and weapons she told which shocked Celestia. "Crossbows?" Shining Armour commented, a bit baffled. "They've really been doing their homework!" Hearing about the outlawed weapons brought back memories of violence within Celestia's mind. "This is all too frightening, Luna." "Finally, Twilight managed to find out Fright's next move and that is tonight." "Tonight?" Celestia said. "We'll be prepared!" Shining Armour informed. "You both misunderstand! Fright is not planning an attack. He's preparing an announcement and it involves Spike, he plans to break Twilight with fear." "An announcement?" Shining's voice turned confused. "No..." Celestia said to herself. "We cannot let Fright demonstrate his sick power on Spike! We cannot let this happen!" She exclaimed. "That's where the good news comes in." Luna gave a slight pause to grab the attention of her troubled sister. "Fright has a hideout in the Crystal Mountains." "The Crystal Mountains. That's not far from the Crystal Empire! We can alert Cadence to send up the guards to confront and capture him!" Shining Armour suggested. "However, one of the Diamond Dogs confessed that Fright has more than just one hideout. This one may be a fake or a could have been setup for a trap," Luna said. "Well, how do we know where the other hideouts are?" Shining Armour asked. "That, I have a solution to," Luna smiled, turning her head back to the front entrance of the throne room. "Bring him in." She signalled. To Celestia's and Shining Armour's surprise, two of Luna's guards entered and in between them was the Diamond Dog leader: Fido. His paws had been cuffed in shackles. His mouth was secured with a muzzle, so he could not bite those around him. "These stupid toys can't hold me forever!" His voice muffled through his muzzle. He tried stretching the shackles off but failed miserably. His next intention would be to bite the chains in between the shackles, however, the muzzle stopped him. "A Diamond Dog?" "You took him from the camp?" Luna explained. "This is one of the Diamond Dog leaders who tried to stop Applejack in her escape. I saved her and this dog was put into a deep sleep. If this is one of the leaders who controls the Diamond Dogs then he is well informed of Fright's plan and he may know a few things." "Like I'll talk to a bunch of pathetic mules!" Fido insulted. "Princess?" Shining Armour spoke. "May I take our newest guest into the holding cells? I will do what is necessary to make him talk." "Very well," Celestia acknowledged. Shining Armour along with the two of Luna's guards followed him with the Diamond Dog grunting and sulking. The throne room was now left alone to the two princesses which just made thing awkward. "You have done well, Luna," Celestia complimented. Luna's eyes narrowed as she spoke. "Sister, I did not want to say this in front of Shining Armour, but Twilight almost died!" "I am aware of that Luna!" She snapped. Luna showed a sign of annoyance on her face and snapped back. "Not back in Manehatten back at the Diamond Dogs' camp! Twilight and three of her friends almost died in a fire that was caused by the dragons!" "Twilight has survived far worse and you need to show a little more faith in the Princess of Friendship! She is not some sort of filly or damsel!" Celestia replied. "I do show her faith, I don't use her as some sort of pet!" "For the last time, I don't use her as my- MHFM!" Unexpectedly, and for no reason, Celestia's mouth was replaced with a zipper, sealed shut. Luna caught onto Celestia's sudden change and the same had happened to her. They were both alarmed to why their mouths had been sealed shut. "WOULD YOU TWO KNOCK IT OFF!" Discord screeched, appearing in a flash between the two argumentative sisters. "As much as I love hearing the sound of distressed cries and the sound of chaos, it's completely annoying when you two are bickering about the same thing! You two are full grown mares, princesses and look at yourselves! Like little fillies fighting over candy, and I'm the parent who cleans up the mess, what have you both- oh wait, you can't speak." He remembered, snapping his claw to remove the princesses mouths back to normal. Celestia and Luna both gasped for air, breathing immensely. "DISCORD!" Luna roared. "What?" He innocently shrugged. "Someone had to put a stop to you two roaring down the castle!" "What are you doing here?" Luna asked. "I am here to report back to Celestia, she gave me a mission." He explained with a smug look, turning back to Celestia. "Getting back to the point, forgive me Celestia, but there were no signs of any threats in the Everfree Forest, only Timberwolves," Celestia only let out a sigh but realised there was still hope with Luna's prisoner. "It's okay, Discord. Luna has brought back a Diamond Dog and we believe he may know a lot in Fright and chrysalis's plan." "A prisoner hey?" He said with the formation of a creepy smile. "May I be the one to force the information out of him?" "Apologies, but Shining Armour has already taken command of the interrogation," Celestia informed. "Great!" He said sarcastically. "Like a pony would be better at making someone talk rather than me." He mumbled to himself. "Well, if anypony needs me, I'll be on my cloud of cotton candy and certainly, won't cause any chaos." He chuckled, teleporting a canoe with wings and drifting off. "Do prepare yourself for Twilight's visit along with her friends," Luna informed. "I would bet Fluttershy is looking forward to seeing you again." Discord's head popped up from his silly canoe. "Of course, Fluttershy would look forward to seeing me! We're friends! I mean, you don't see many ponies be-friend a God of chaos, right?" Again, he showed his smug look, growing distant from the two princesses as his canoe endured further away from them. With Discord gone, the two sisters were left alone. It was still clear to Celestia that Luna was mad. As a moment of silence fell upon the two sisters. Where were they? Luna calmed herself a little and said. "Tia, all I ask of you is to consider your options and stop using Twilight Sparkle." "For the last time, I do not use her as some sort of pet! She is my student and I care for her as much as I cared for Fright until he became that monster who is obsessed with fear! Do you think I was proud of destroying his research? I could see the monster he was becoming and I tried my best to stop him but he wouldn't listen! I destroyed his research because I was scared of seeing what he would turn into but I now know I was the cause of his insanity! So forgive me for trying to do what was best!" She snapped. Luna's jaw tightened to see Celestia in such an aggravated state. The air between the two was contaminated with melancholy as they remained silent. Luna started to feel sympathetic for her sister, she was at her throat about the past. "Luna, we are sisters, not enemies. We shouldn't be at each other's throats about the past or mistakes. I will admit I have made many errors in life, but please... I don't want to keep arguing with the sister I love. I may have been the one who banished you to the moon, but every day I missed you, I regret making that decision like the one I made to turn Fright mad. I'm sorry for everything, Luna, but we need to focus on what's happening right now. I want to see Spike safe, I want Twilight to be happy, I want everypony to be happy, but that can't happen when Chrysalis and Fright are planning to terrorise this land! We need to put this argument aside and work together, to rule together like we always have. I need you, Luna. I don't want you to turn against me." Against the fact at how Luna was mad, Celestia did hold a very good point. "Very well, Tia. I will admit I have been at your throat and I apologise." "Me too, Luna. Thank you." "But please," Luna begged. "Promise me with every bit of your power you can stop ponies from getting hurt." "I will do what I can to keep this land safe. Even you."