The Celestial Lands: Book 1

by LunarLife

Chapter 1: Rising Tensions

They say what happens in the Lunar Republic, stays in it...

Luna was confused. Not the kind of confused you get on math tests, but confused. She was tired too, surely Celestia knew that her sister tried to sleep during the day. Celestia had asked Luna to meet her over a cup of tea, which was odd for the middle of the day. Luna still had to walk through half of the castle, since her room was on the opposite side, so she had time to think. She was mostly just thinking about her time on the moon. It had been haunting her lately, and she did not like it. As she got closer to the dining hall, where her sister was waiting, Luna noticed the guards. Of course there was usually guards there, but what caught her eye is that there was only solar guards, and lots of them. Where were all the lunar guards? She eventually came to the doors, where there was a line of guards, waiting to open it for her. As she entered through the golden doors, which on each side was embroided the sun and moon, her eyes fell on her sister. There were no guards in this room, just her. In the middle of the table was a tray with three cups, two to drink out of, and one to pour. On the side were cubes of sugar, and a small container of honey. It was all layed out neatly. Luna went to take her seat. Celestia was usually always smiling, but today her face was some grim. She puored their first cup of tea and drank it in silence, Luna looking questioningly at her sister. As she poured their second cup, Luna finally asked,

"Why did you call me here sister? I was trying to get some rest so I can raise the moon." Celetia stopped for a second before responding,

"I have called you here for some...dire matters." Celestia didn't make eye contact before continuing, " As I am sure you are aware, after your banishment ponis started to.... question my reign," she said, beggining her second cup. Luna simply nodded lightly, though with a bit of a different look as she poured a bit of honey in her tea. She liked it sweet. "And as of lately, fights have begun to break out in some cities. They arent huge fights, usually with no more than six ponies, but it can eventually grow, and I don't want that to happen. Although I have been expecting it," Luna smirked just a bit inside her cup. She had been expecting it too. "And hopefully you understand that we have to solve this, because you seem to be taking it well," Celestia finished. Luna nodded again,

"I do understand, Tia. We have to solve this," Luna said, though her mind was thinking otherwise. They finished their last cup in silence again. When they finished, Luna thanked her sister for reminding her and offering some tea. " I must be off to get some rest now," Luna told her. Celestia just put a small smile on her face. Luna opened the door to the hallway and turned towards the guards. The each took a small step back, scared. Luna just laughed a bit, "do not worry, we will have this all under control." The guards looked at eachother and returned to their positions. Luna then made her way back to her room, which was quite dark during the day, with a crescent moon in the middle of the floor. She lied down and slowly drifted away into sleep.
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Stormlight was slightly dozing off in his quarters, trying to get a bit of rest in before patrol. The lunar guards always patrolled the night, under Luna's moon. He craked an eye open and turned his head towards the window. Judging by the position of the sun, it was around 5:50. He had to start his partol soon, seeing that the moon was slowly rising as the sun set. He looked around the room and noticed that most of his squad was already up. He yawned before climbing out of his cot and stretching his wings. He grabbed his armor from under the cot and slipped it on. When he finished the set, the enchantment took effect. His gold eyes turned to yellow ones with small slits. His wings went from feathery to more bat-like and his coat turned a dark grey. All of the lunar guard looked the same from the enchantment, so sometimes it was hard to tell who was who. That had been fatal sometimes, but it was mandated. Storm had found it strange that the solar guards seemed to try not to make eye contact with them. Must be some new rule or something. He and his squad finally finished preparing and went to eat before going to the main hall, where all the lunar guard prepared. They did their basic stretches before running a couple laps around the hall. You never know when something's gonna happen. After their stretches, the guard waited in silence for Luna for their assignments. Storm, of course, was up front, with his squad behind him. They waited for a while, and still, Luna did not show, until around 8:00. Luna finally came into the hall, where all of the guards saluted. She looked out among the crowd before speaking, "I have been thinking for a while, and as you all know, you are the guards of the Lunar Republic," the guards stomped once in response, "and the day has finally come, though I did not expect it so soon." Some of the guards looked confused,

"What do you mean princess?" One of the guards asked. Luna looked towards that general area,

"In some of the cities around Equestria, fights have begun to break out since my banishment, and they are over me and my sister. So it has finally come that the Republic must retalliate." The guard nodded together in response, for the lunar guard never really liked Celestia, but they didn't show it. "We need as many followers as possible, but for now, continue with your regular duties." The guards nodded again. Luna then looked towards Storm. "General Stormlight, I would like to speak with you." Storm was stunned by her statement. He gulped and nodded as he started to sweat a bit. Luna looked back to the rest of them, "You are all dismissed to your last positions." The guards stomped again before going their ways. Storm eventually reached Luna, looking a bit scared,

"You called for me princess?" Luna turned to him, and Storm noticed she didn't look mad,

"Yes, General Stormlight, I have a mission for you. You will be in charge of starting the conversion."

"What do you mean princess?"

"You are in charge of converting Ponyville to the Republic."

"Why Ponyville? Why not Fillydelphia, or Manehattan?" Storm looked a bit confused.

"Trust me General, there is a good reason. Now, you will be bringing your armor and weapons, but you may not use them until you have to," she turned to him, "any questions?" Storm shook his head and saluted before taking his leave.