Gems I: The Sun Princess

by Pen Dragon

Chapter Nine- Discovering the Truth

Chapter Nine- Discovering the Truth

On the outskirts of Baltimare, Midnight and Stardust attempted to find tracks of any kind that belonged to a criminal that had violated the statute of the late Chancellor Apollo and was seen running out of the city before the authorities could apprehend him. Midnight for once was frustrated with the new job as a guardian. All he and Stardust have done was search for common criminals that do ridiculous crimes that isn’t even worth investigating other than White Talons invading Dragon Corporation, but they had retreated nearly a month ago to the griffon kingdom.

“Urgh… I became a guardian so I could fight against rebels, stop terrorists, save lives, but all we’re doing is… Looking for somepony who painted a clown face! The police should be handling this right now!” Midnight said, shaking the tracker they were given with his hooves while Star just rolled her eyes before giggling at her stallion.

“Well things could be worse… We could be back at the academy teaching beginners and that isn’t fun at all. Honestly I think I’m talking to rocks sometimes.” She commented, slightly punching his shoulder before kissing his cheek.

“I-I guess you’re right… Anyways what do you think of this… Tia character that has been secretly living with Watcher for about…a month now?” He asked, Stardust could only blush as naughty thoughts plagued her mind of the two ‘going at it’, and it was embarrassing.

“Uh… I-I-I don’t know!!!” She shouted in his ear.

“Geez Star calm down… I didn’t mean it like that… What I mean is, don’t you find it strange that she’s staying at the library with Watcher? Because he’s been keeping it a secret from everypony else except us. It’s like he’s ashamed of it or something.”

“I suppose that is a bit weird… Maybe he’s afraid about others finding out that they’re dating or something? Somepony saw them two weeks ago eating ice cream together… I’m not sure it’s true since those two argue a lot, but you don’t think…”

“Hmm… Something isn’t right here… Those two are hiding something and we’re going to find out what it is,” Midnight declared before hearing a cough from Star as she began to glare at him while pulling out a two tickets to a concert from her saddle bags. “Hehehe… Right after the concert.”

“Luckily… It doesn’t start till Midnight! Get it?” She tried to joke, but only received a sigh from her coltfriend.

“Star… I love you, but that was an awful joke. Poorly executed.”

“I thought it was good.” She mumbled under her breath. “Luckily I have an entire list of them from Watcher that he said you’d like.”

‘Watcher! I swear I’ll get you back for this!’

---

Later that same morning

“Hey Watcher? Where are you?” Celestia asked, looking around in the library corridors. For almost 2 minutes now she could find no sign of the stallion anywhere in his usual spots. It was strange for her to not have him around, teasing her or helping her regain some of her magical talents. Maybe he had wandered off to get something to eat, but she could have sworn she saw him eat breakfast before he had vanished.

‘He has to be here somewhere,’ She thought as she continued to look around, unaware that he had hidden within the forbidden archives to search for answers about the four princesses.

“There has to be something here!” He shouted, throwing old books that weren’t important to his search.

After his little outing with Celestia he began to wonder if she truly had mental problems or she was just messing with him. He didn’t know why he was searching for more pictures of the actual Celestia for comparison. His friend’s appearance was definitely a bit different from the first picture he had seen, except for one thing.... her cutie mark. It was exactly like the Princess of the Sun, but that was the only close resemblance she had towards the alleged goddess.

Watcher had dismissed the idea that her cutie mark automatically made her who she said she was, after all, cutie marks throughout history sometimes ended up a bit similar. While studying history with The Order, he had seen black and white photos from centuries ago compared to pictures of modern ponies. The study showed that cutie marks from ponies in the past sometimes closely matched marks seen on their descendants who had grown up discovering they had the same talents as their ancestors.

‘If that’s true then maybe she’s related to her. Maybe she was raised by Celestia’s distance descendants… or she got dropped on her head by them… but she’s very descriptive about everything she says, and does. This doesn’t make any sense.’

He couldn’t wrap his head around it… was she insane or was she telling the truth? All he could do was look through book by book, but could find absolutely nothing about her. He could take her the doctors for a blood test, but they would probably think he was insane or something and even if they did take a blood test what would their reaction be? It was all very stressful for him as he looked into a dusty brown book that held some history but he tossed it aside seeing that it was useless like the other books he read recently. Taking a deep breath he stood up from where he was sitting and decided it was time to head out and get started on those crystals he was given yesterday.

By the time he had exited the forbidden archives he began to make his way downstairs where Celestia was eating his donuts to his surprise. “HOW DID YOU FIND MY STASH OF CHOCOLATE DONUTS!?!”

“They were… in the cabinet and I got tired of looking for you and thought… I could help myself to one, but it was just so good and… hehehe, I ate them all.” She said, swallowing the final bite from the donut before smiling sheepishly.

“Grrr… Fine, but you do realize that if you keep eating too many sweets that tush of yours is going to get bigger~” He said slyly, earning an eep from the mare as she blushed furiously. He couldn’t help but laugh as she wiped the crumbs from her face before snarling at the charcoal unicorn.

“T-That’s not funny!” She shouted, still blushing as she glared at Watcher.

“You're right… It’s hilarious!” He couldn’t help but laugh so very hard before being hit in the face by a large textbook and tumbling down the flight of stairs.

“Never make fun of a lady’s behind! Especially me Watch!” She sneered before making her way upstairs, stepping on the stallion in the process.

‘As much as I would enjoy making a remark about that… my everything hurts too much to say anything… hehehehe.’ He thought to himself, still thinking that it was worth it in the end. Once the coast was clear he stood up as his bones began to crack from her stepping on him and slowly made his way to the kitchen and opened the same cabinet, but before he could reach into the empty cabinet he looked around the room to make sure he was alone before turning his head back and began to open a slot in the back of it where all kinds of sweets and junk food he had hidden away and pulled out a bag of potato chips before closing it up and closing the cabinet. “Pfft… Like I’m going to give away my real hiding place.”

He soon began to make his way back into his room, but he was unaware that a certain mare that he thought stormed off had cloaked herself with an invisibility spell was standing only a few feet away from the cabinet.

‘This’ll teach that hotheaded jerk for making fun of my flank.’ she thought, trying to stifle her giggles as she opened the secret compartment of the cabinet and took everything out and placed all of it into the broom closet. “Hmmf… He can just buy more food anyways and won’t even remember this food missing. I’ll just have to watch what I eat.”

Few hours after their little argument the two had begun to transfer magic into the crystals sent from Dragon Corporation at a fast pace thanks to Celestia’s help. Ever since the crystals were delivered to the company, Pen Dragon was thrilled and because of it they government had begun to manufacture the glider project immediately after it’s completion. Not only that but Watcher and Celestia were given 20,000 bits for their efforts, saying it’s ‘a small cut of the profits for their hard work.’ but it was still a disturbingly big bonus in their eyes, given that they were new employees. What was that Pen Dragon guy hiding from them, anyways?

“That should about do it… can’t believe that they’re still… a lot of these crystals still even after multiple workers from the Order have started working.” Watcher said, wiping the sweat away from his forehead.

“Indeed… I’m surprised as well, but thanks to us… Pen Dragon’s company was able to prosper from the energy crystals we have made.” She said, stretching her limbs.

Watcher couldn’t help but smile before remembering what he was doing in the archives previously. “Hey Celestia… there’s something I need to ask you.”

“Oh, sure go ahead Watch.” she said, earning a deep sigh and a serious look from her close friend.

“Are you really her? I mean the Princess of the Sun? The Princess Celestia that has been missing for a thousand years? I’m only asking because I want to know the truth.” He said, as Celestia remained silent before clearing her throat.

She couldn’t believe he wanted her to prove herself. For the past week, he had acted as if she had no clue as to what was real and what was not. But now, his new faith gave her hope, and a sense of magical strength came to her. Maybe there was something she could do to prove it to him.

“I want you to come with me back to the forbidden section,” she said slowly, “you need an understanding of the situation I don’t think you have.”

Watcher reluctantly agreed to take her back to the old, dusty volumes locked up for safekeeping, where Celestia found a book she remembered seeing earlier, and opened it up to a beautifully illustrated portrait of herself standing on a grand balcony from the outside of her original castle. She was truly regal, tall and elegant, with a mane that flowed like a silken flag in the wind. Her horn glowed in the picture gently, and at the top right corner of the frame, the sun sat in the sky directly across from her horn.

“This is truly who I am… or was,” Celestia explained as she pointed at the picture, “a princess of Canterlot who watcher over her subjects with care, and completed for them daily a special task.”

Turning the page with her hoof, the next photo revealed her at a small formal gathering. Unlike the previous illustration which demonstrated her glory, this one demonstrated her more immature side, as the princess was secretly stuffing down slices of chocolate cake from the food table while the other ponies dressed in the finest suits and dresses talked and pretended she wasn’t greedily eating desserts behind their backs.

Watcher joked, “Oh hey, maybe it really is you, she’s a greedy piggy, too!”

He earned a playful swat from her hoof, barely managing to avoid getting a slap mark on his face.

“Well as you can see,” she continued with a gentle huffing, “I still considered myself just as much of a pony as any other in my kingdom, and I embraced my flaws… even in front of the most distinguished guests.”

“Huh, so… you really weren’t a stuck up goddess wannabe?” he said, sarcastically pretending to be impressed.

“Are you going to take me seriously, Watcher?”

“Sorry, sorry,” he laughed, “It’s just… I’ve never really read this far into the forbidden books. I am kinda starting to see this character in you though, but I have to be absolutely sure. It’s not exactly a small thing to have befriended somepony usually called a myth. I’m starting to wonder if you really are this lady.”

Celestia flipped back to the portrait of her and the sun… and she thought carefully about her growth over the past few days. Perhaps she was finally ready to give her old ritual a try once more.

“Watcher… I am the real Celestia and I can prove it to you… Right here, right now.”

“How?” Was all he asked.

“Follow me to the roof… I can show you there.” The two began to make their way up the flight of stairs, not saying a word as Watcher began to open a hatch that led outside onto the roof. It was near the end of the day and the sun was near the horizon. Watcher looked at his wristwatch seeing that it was 5:45 PM, before looking back towards Tia.

“Tia… What are you up too?”

“As you know I am still connected to the sun… it has been over two thousand years since I even saw it… now I have the strength to once again set it.” She said, smiling at him as her horn glowed brightly.

“Tia! It takes over a dozen skilled unicorns in the Alpha-Class to even raise it… You can’t possibly-”

“Watcher,” she interrupted with urgency in her voice, “do you really want to see if I’m the true Princess of the Sun? I have been very patient with you, and it seems like you’re ready to see the truth for yourself. But if you want to know for sure… you need to let me try.”

He became speechless, and nodded slowly before taking a step back, almost falling into the access hatch again. Celestia stood at the very edge of the roof, the wind flowing through her mane hair, helping her to remember her past. It took a lot of getting used to, not having hair that sustained its own motion… but being on this rooftop with one of the few ponies she dared to call her friend made her feel like she was there again, in the past… doing what she loved to do. Now, with laser-sharp focus and a deep breath, her horn began to accumulate a charge of energy, and Watcher slowly backed up again, waiting for a powerful spell to blow his mind, and possible him off the roof too!

The sphere of amazing energy expanded into a ball three feet wide above Celestia’s head, her eyes closed as she focused. Watcher watched the horizon, the sun unmoving. If she didn’t hurry, the unicorn brigade tasked with moving the celestial bodies would, she had only a few minutes remaining. Her spell reached its maximum strength, even as Watcher doubted her she remained focus. The stallion’s mouth fell open slightly as he watched her slowly levitate off the ground, her hooves leaving the roof, and she rose into the air under her own power, eyes remaining shut gently as if sleeping.

Sparks flew, shingles from the roof broke off and were tossed away or incinerated by the magical energy. Watcher thought he ought to dive into the safety of the library, just in case the spell would shatter the roof and possibly the world’s crust. With her spell ready to use and her mind cleared, Princess Celestia tilted her head back, aiming her horn up towards the horizon.

And then, in an ancient act she had performed many times, the ball of energy collapsed in on itself in perfect silence, peace, and grace. Instead of the awesome explosion Watcher had feared, the energy disappeared into a singularity of bright light at the tip of her horn, her normal aura surrounding it, and Princess Celestia sighed, slowly opening her eyes. As if on cue, the sunrise began to appear, brilliant colors of pink, orange and red flooded the land beautifully. The brigade certainly hadn’t done it, for they more abruptly rose the sun each morning, almost completely skipping the slow sunrise phase. Watcher thought he might shed a tear, he hadn’t seen the true sunrise either in his life, the beauty of the slow progression of the sun left him silenced and feeling warm on the inside.

It continued for what seemed like an eternity, the sun slowly moving up and the light getting stronger and stronger, until the world was bathed in the normal light of day. Princess Celestia’s horn cooled down, the singularity vanishing with a faint whisper of dispelling as her hooves touched the roof again. She slowly turned around, and looked at Watcher, who had the most blank expression she had ever seen on a stallion.

“Do you know, Watcher,” she said softly, like the voice of an angel, “that of all the sunrises I’ve ever performed… this one felt the most meaningful?”

Her legs were posed gracefully, her hair still fluttered in the breeze, and her long eyelashes blinked softly over her pink (purple?) eyes as she stared at him. Watcher felt something in his heart his brain screamed at him not to feel. Ignoring the conflict, he stepped forward, and all he could do was throw himself around her in a big hug.

“You did it!” he said in a stuttery, screamy kind of way that made her giggle.

Watcher realized Celestia was hugging him back, and they laughed together while embraced about her great success.

“Do you believe me now, Watcher?” she asked rhetorically.

“As far as I’m concerned, you can tell me you’re whoever you wanna be!” he answered, “I don’t know how you did it, but you did!”

“There is a secret to it,” she said, “but I’ll tell you later. Shall we go back inside and finish our library duties?”

Suddenly realizing his place before her, Watcher released his hug, which confused the other unicorn greatly. It was as if something had instantly changed now that she had mentioned their work.

“Well… I don’t know,” he answered slowly, “I mean, you’re Princess Celestia. A goddess amongst ponies. I guess I’m not supposed to… you know, ask you to hang out here anymore.”

She shook her head, “Oh Watcher… I might be Princess Celestia, but this world I’ve come into is much different from the Equestria I once came from. Our relationship shouldn’t change just because I’m actually a princess. After all, I told you who I was for a long time, it was just as true then… and because you didn’t believe me, we’ve had such a good time together. I do not get to make very many friends with my usual duties, but now that I’m in a world without most of them… well… it’s like I’m a filly again!”

“So you want to stay here with us losers?” he asked, surprised.

“Indeed!” responded Celestia happily, “Although it would be nice if you fed your princess an extra piece of chocolate cake once in awhile! It would be a great way to keep her off of your case, Watcher.”

“We can make that a weekend thing,” he suggested, “we’ll make a cake together in the school’s kitchen.”

“That would be wonderful,” answered the princess, “but for now, we ought to attend to the library and our energy crystals. I rather enjoy having a real salary and a different job.”

---

Outside of the Capital

After hours of work and terrible joke behind them now, Stardust and Midnight were finally able to make their way towards the library before the concert started. The two had managed to catch the crook who vandalize the Chancellor’s statue and confiscated everything, but to their luck, the stallion had also stolen two tickets for the big concert that they were going to as well and decided to invite Watcher and Tia and hopefully find out what is going on exactly with the two unicorns.

“I still find it hard to believe that guy had stolen these tickets… but are you sure it’s okay to just give them to Watcher and Tia? It’s not that I don’t enjoy their company, but these were stolen and it just feels… Wrong.” Stardust explained as guilt washed over her.

“Star, trust me it’s okay… the guy stole those tickets and the cops were more than happy to let us keep them. I’d say we earned them, besides this gives us an excuse to find out what those two are up too. I really am curious though...” Midnight replied.

“Maybe, they’re long lost siblings?” Star replied, as Midnight gave her a deep sigh.

“I don’t think that’s it. If that were the case than it’d be really, really awkward if they were… making out without knowing that they were siblings.” Midnight said as a cold shiver ran down his spine as Star’s face turned completely red at the very thought of it.

Before he could say anything else he soon received a slap across the face. “WHY DID YOU MAKE ME THINK THAT?!”

“OW! I wasn’t the one thinking that! Besides you don’t have to worry… I doubt they are and even if they were they can hardly stand each other.” He said, rubbing the back of his head until a vile smirk creeped across his face. “But then again why’d you think that? If I didn’t know any better you imagining it weren’t you?”

“N-No I wasn’t…”

“You totally were… there’s no WAY they are siblings, don’t you have any class you perve-” Before he could even finish he received another slap across the face, Star’s face was completely red as she snarled, her horn glowing brightly as she zapped him with electricity.

“Bring this up with anypony and I’ll end YOU!” She growled, flipping her mane as she trotted off as Midnight Picked himself off the ground.

“Y-Yes dear…”

As they go closer to the library something phenomenal had happened on the roof of the library. An orb of light shined brightly as the sun began to rise, and the two unicorns could only stare as the light began to decrease. Just as they were about to make their way their to find out what the source was, a loud beeping began going off from Stardust’s bags. Midnight’s horn began to glow as his magic reached in and pulled out a strange disk-like tracking device, messaging a distress signal blaring in big, orange holographic letters,

“FALSE GODDESS!!! APPREHEND AT ALL COSTS!!! ”

“What the heck is going on?! It has to be some kind of fluke! There’s no way!” Midnight said, finding it hard to believe that the light source from the library’s roof was some kind of false god. “Star, hang onto me We’re going to find out what the hell is going on!!”

With a flicker of magic coming of his horn, the two disappeared in a flash of light and appeared on the roof, hidden behind the statues atop of the build and what they saw next was unbelievable. They saw Watcher standing there in awe as the light from Celestia’s horn began to dim down and saw the two hugging.

‘That light was coming from her?!’

“I guess you’re right… we should finish our library duties… even though there isn’t really much for us to do,” they heard Watcher from the distance as Tia began to giggle, “still, I can’t believe the Princess of the Sun is back in the flesh.”

“What the hell is he talking about?” Midnight whispered to Stardust as she glared at the two, which was surprising to say the least.

“Whatever those two are talking about is ludicrous and heresy! We need to report this immediately to the council… It’s wrong and crazy!” Stardust said, glaring at Celestia mostly for corrupting her friend about being a god. “How dare she claim to be somepony of great power and elegance like that?!”

“I know how you feel, but remember this is the same Tia we have come to know over the past few weeks… and let’s not forget that Watcher is her friend as well.” Midnight said, concerned that his best friend might be consulting with a false goddess who was manipulating him.

“I-I know how you feel… but sooner or later the authorities are going to find out. At least the Order will show mercy with their punishment. It’ll be a lot better than being locked away for the next 25 years with a cellmate named buffalo ficken bill!” Stardust said, sweat began to drip from their faces as they watched their two supposed friends re-enter the library.

“I still can’t believe…” Midnight paused before pulling out the extra tickets and lit them on fire with a light flicker of his magic, “they lied to us!”

“So… what are we going to do?”

“I’m going to the council to bring a few skilled magic users they have to spare. I don’t think Tia will be a problem, but I know Watcher will be, seeing how he’s spent more than a month in that library with some of the most advanced magic books in the city. Not only that but his skills in combat make this even more challenging.. I don’t think we can take him on with that dark magic blade he knows how to use. I’ll need all the help I can get.” Midnight explained as he was about to teleport again, only to feel a hoof touch his shoulder.

“Midnight… I know what they did was wrong, but tell them not to hurt them… Even if they are heretics, they are still our friends. I’ll do what I can to buy you some time.” She said, exiting the rooftop to confront Watcher and Celestia as Midnight teleported to bring reinforcements.

---

Meanwhile

Watcher and Celestia had barely entered the library, with a newfound friendship. Now knowing the truth, the two were able to understand one another and because of it, they could finally set aside the whole dispute they had.

“Alright, so what does the Princess of the Sun, want for dinner,” Watcher said, bowing to her as Celestia rolled her eyes.

“Perhaps some pasta, with cake on the side.”

“You’ll never get tired of eating cake will you?”

“Nope~” She said, but as the two were about to make their way downstairs, they heard snarling behind them as the sounds of hooves clopping against the marble floor echoed. When the figure stepped out of the darkness, they were utterly shocked.

“Stardust!” They both said as the angry unicorn glared at the two.

“HOW COULD YOU?!!”

“Ouch, what are you yelling about?” groaned Watcher, his ears twitching from the noise.

“You know exactly what I’m talking about you dumbass,” she growled, “you’ve been harboring a criminal this whole time, right under our muzzles!”

“What?” complained the stallion, “Stardust, are you talking about Tia? There’s no way she’s a criminal, she’s been here with me the whole time doing absolutely nothing.”

“Is that so? Well, I’ll have you know she’s been posing as a fake princess this entire time, Watcher!” laughed Stardust as she walked over to a nearby table and set down her own holographic device, displaying a bright wanted poster of Celestia.

“Well look at this,” she laughed, pointing from the virtual poster to Celestia, whose ears fell back, “It’s a perfect match. This little tramp’s been using you, Watcher… faking her identity this whole time to hide from The Order!”

Watcher had just witnessed the sun rise from the power of the unicorn next to him, and believed that Stardust wasn’t telling him everything she knew. It wasn’t so much that he had seen her power with his own eyes… so much as the fact that The Order was now a pile of garbage to him. Not only had they refused to take his side when he went to save Midnight’s life during his final exam… they had intentionally put him in a library without simply expelling him from school. It was obvious to him now that his superiors hadn’t put him there to minimize damage… but to keep him from interfering with the other students. Perhaps, even Midnight had been intended to die.

He laughed heartily, angering Stardust further, “What’s so funny?”

“You!” he said, pointing at her, “Stardust, you know I saved Midnight and they put me in this dusty library for it, right?”

“So?”

“So, they’re doing this again because they’re still mad,” he answered, “Celestia’s not a criminal, Stardust, they’re just doing this to test you and get rid of me as a cover up!”

Stardust could only smirk at his response. “Look, this tramp here is the only reason why you’ve been so distant! It doesn’t have to end in a fight… If you two could just follow me and maybe the Council will show you leniency for this heresy!”

“Star… you’ve known me for weeks now! We are friends aren’t we?” Celestia asked, saddened by the fact that a friend was about turn them in to help the authorities.

“It doesn’t matter, my loyalties are to The Order first, Tia,” declared the mare, scoffing, “I’ve been given too much by them to just ignore what you’re doing here. Just give up, and this will be easier.”

Watcher soon got into a fighting stance, a green aura forming around his horn as he was prepared to defend himself from Stardust’s attack, but instead of firing at him, she shot at Celestia, sending the mare crashing down onto the staircase. Watcher flew into a rage and jumped for Stardust, soaring above her with intent to drop down in a heavy stomp on her head. But Stardust merely smirked, stepped back, and fired a small magic blast, smacking him right between his hind legs. Watcher dropped to the floor and writhed while curled up into a small ball.

“Why… there…” he wheezed.

“Ooh… sorry, Watch I hope you’ll forgive me later, but this I’m taking care of this tart for good this time!” She said, hopping down behind Celestia as she got up into a fighting stance, blowing her mane out of her sight.

“Star… you said it yourself, that you didn’t want all of this to end in a fight… please stop and let’s talk about this-” Before she could finish, Stardust attempted to jab her in the face, only for Celestia to evade it.

“It’s already too late! You started this fight when you lied to us all!” She shouted, firing multiple magic blasts, only for Celestia to deflect them by creating a magic shield with her magic. Stardust could only snarl as she tackled Celestia to the ground, only to be sent flying towards the wall by Celestia’s hooves.

She soon picked herself up and immediately teleported to where Watcher was, struggling to stand on his hooves after being hit in such a soft spot. He looked up to see her horn furiously glowing and aimed right at his head, at such close range there’d be no chance for him to avoid whatever attack she was planning next. Stardust chuckled and unleashed a tightened blast of energy pellets at Watcher’s head, only for them to be absorbed by a bright plate of white energy, the pellets vanishing in faint ripples along the shield as Celestia covered them both.

“Stop this at once, Stardust!” demanded the princess as she got Watcher up to his hooves, “this will only end in suffering for all of us.”

“That may very well be what it comes to,” she answered haughtily, “it’s hard pretending to be the eye candy all the time, anyways. I was hoping I’d get my hooves a bit dirty!”

The unicorn fired off a long leash of electric energy in hopes of snaring them, Celestia reacted quickly and teleported herself and Watcher behind her, forcing her to turn around to face them.

“Stop moving and fight, for a supposed princess you’re acting like a total coward!”

“I think it’s cowardly to use violence to solve all problems,” growled Celestia, “and I believe this Order you belong to may very well be dedicated to cowardice! Your kind can’t find a suitable way to settle a problem.”

“Eh, I don’t know, sending you to the mortician’s a pretty easy way to solve this problem,” answered Stardust, giving the pony equivalent of a shrug.

Having let her guard down, Stardust suddenly found a ball of light smacking into her head as Celestia blinded her with a rapid blast of bright light, a blue and purple blur temporarily burnt into her retinas even as the blinding rays faded away. The risky spell had bought the two enough time to make a break for the exit to the library, and they rushed outside in hopes of leaving the area before they got caught. Just as soon as they reached the light of the outdoors though, they see Midnight Blaze, having assembled a posse of four Alpha-class unicorns ready to engage them.

“Watcher, that’s far enough!” ordered Midnight, stepping in front of the four stallions, “You’ve got to stop this and let us take you in. We can sort things out with the authorities and get you all off easier that way.”

“I can’t believe you’re doing this,” moaned his opponent back, “I thought you were my best friend, Midnight. We… we did everything together! Didn’t our friendship mean anything to you?”

Midnight felt a slight twinge of guilt from those words. Being an Alpha-class was his life dream as well as Watcher’s, and ever since his friend had failed to accompany him to that status… they had drifted quite a bit. He had ignored him save a few small offers to grab food together, made fun of Watcher’s job behind his back with the others… and had even stolen his love interest, although Stardust had started things with him. With that in mind, Midnight pushed away his feelings, and focused on the present. Now that he was an Alpha and Watcher was not, Watcher was an inferior unicorn to him, no longer worthy of his friendship!

“Sorry Watcher,” he said, shaking his head and giving him a condescending smirk, “I’m the guy who passed the exam, and now that I’m in The Order’s top ranks, I can’t disobey an order. Even for a former friend.”

The word “former” rang in Watcher’s ears, and he held back his desire to cry, “I saved your life... you ingrate!”

“Midnight, this is insanity,” pleaded Celestia as she noticed Stardust had emerged from the library, “I won’t warn you again! You will both regret this.”

“I’m sure we will,” he answered mockingly, “take care of them, guys.”

The four stallions stood forward, and from the tips of their horns, red energy accumulated until each of them had floating in front of them a crisp, red dagger of sinister light glowing in front of them.

“Wh… what?” gasped Watcher, taking a step back, “That’s the same kind of stuff Blackstar was using! Isn’t that...”

“Dark magic?” chuckled Midnight Blaze, stepping forward as he conjured up his own sword made from light blue energy to match his eyes, “Of course it is, Watcher. There’s a reason why the Alpha-class unicorns don’t stick around to teach the other students. They get to taste real power, Watcher.”

“You mean the students would learn Alpha-class unicorns get to break the law and treat them like dirt,” yelled Celestia, stomping her hoof on the ground, “this was never how Equestria was supposed to be! There’s no room for abuse from the better magic users!”

Midnight smashed the blade onto the ground a few times, producing a wild spray of sparks and smoke before he lifted the sword over his horn again. Stardust created her version of the blade spell, a more curved energy blade, and approached from behind.

“Times have changed you insufferable tramp,” he said darkly, “It’s a shame we have to keep everypony else in check, but hey… if it keeps the place safe, I’m willing to be a bit of a control freak.”

“You wouldn’t dare do us in,” said Watcher, hearing the hum of the energy blades against the air, “I’m gonna bet the council wants us alive.”

“Well… they want her alive,” he said, smiling like an idiot and pointing to Celestia with his blade.

One of the larger stallions in the gang jumped forward and grabbed Celestia by the back of her mane, pulling her head back right next to his. His chiseled face gave away his horrid personality, and he laughed as he held the dagger right next to her neck.

“Come here you. Once we’ve taken down Watcher, we’re putting you away for a long time, missy!”

Watcher felt his anger welling up in his heart, and shouted loudly as his horn emitted a bright flash of light. Incredible streams of light flowed to his right hoof, and a long blade of energy extended from it, which he rapidly turned and swung at full force towards the thug holding celestia. The flat end of the blade smashed into his right cheek, burning the side of his face and sending him flying into the dirt, his dagger sailing into the air before disappearing as he lost control of the spell.

Celestia, now free, launched a long rope of white magic from her horn, wrapping up the legs of another of Midnight’s stallions, who started to cut himself free right away as the rope disabled his other magic. Midnight and Watcher ran for each other immediately, an overconfident grin on Midnight’s face as he swung his blade down to cleave Watcher in half. The white sword of energy tied to Watcher seemed to detach from his hoof while he galloped, and reattached when he jumped, allowing him to make a diagonal swing with his hoof. The blades met, and sparks of energy flew as the stallions crossed blades. Watcher’s sword followed his every movement just like Midnight’s, flashes of energy and bright colors flashed as the weapons crossed with each swing. Midnight locked them into a close situation as the blades met again, his face right in front of Watcher’s, who glared at him.

“Ha ha, I can see why Blackstar got his face bisected, you’re pretty good at this, Watcher!”

Stardust made a mad leap for Celestia as the other two stallions went to help, leaving Watcher to Midnight. They drew their daggers and started to use alternating teleportation spells to jump all around the princess, confusing her and making themselves extremely difficult targets. In response to their attack, just as Stardust brought down her blade, Celestia ducked and cast a large bubble shield over herself, blocking all three weapons and absorbing their energy. With a flick of her horn, she popped the now saturated shield, exploding on the other ponies and sending them flying into the air.

Midnight made a wild swing while the ponies behind them scuffled, cutting a wide arc of blue light across where he thought Watcher would move, but his opponent had stepped back instead, and he was thrown off balance to try and keep his energy blade intact. Watcher’s retaliation came in the form of a heavy overhead swing, the larger white light of destruction crashing down towards him. Midnight attempted to parry, but his blade came short. He yelled, but by the greatest stroke of luck, Watcher’s blade appeared to miss him entirely, just millimeters from him judging by how the whining of the blade filled his ear. But now Watcher’s blade was fully down, and the plasma sword had cut deeply into the earth beneath them, leaving him defenseless. Midnight brought his light blue blade around, and thrust…

A horrible scream came as Watcher felt the very tip of Midnight’s blade enter his front just below his neck, a sizzle as the flesh and muscle burnt. Midnight laughed and withdrew the weapon, knowing he had won, and pulled out the sword quickly. His enemy slumped to the ground, the great energy blade that had taken down Blackstar shattered into a thousand sparks and vanished. Celestia saw that Watcher had been wounded badly, and that her own enemies were beginning to stand up, the unicorn she had tied up was also free and headed for her.

“Watcher… no! I’ll… I’ll save you!” she said softly, her horn beginning to charge.

Midnight waited patiently for Watcher to weakly look up at him, before turning his sword around.

“I really, really didn’t want to do this,” he said with a bit of guilt, “definitely felt good to win that fight Watcher, but… I’m not going to end you if you still want to come willingly.”

Watcher peered behind him, and saw that Celestia was staring at him with a horn glowing at an increasingly strong rate, then returned his gaze back to Midnight before giving him a weak, friendly smile.

“Midnight… go to…”

He vanished, just as Celestia did in a flash of energy as the princess teleported them both out of the situation, leaving Midnight dumbfounded.

“Wh… what?!” he shrieked, “They’re gone!”

His four stallions returned to his sides, and one of them informed him, “That false goddess stunned us and teleported them both away. We’ll track them down easily though, they’re only Beta-class at best, sir.”

“And then you’ll get him!” assured Stardust, wiping dirt off of her muzzle with a hoof.

Midnight spun his sword around, regaining his confidence, “Heh, yeah, you’re right! We’ll find Watcher again and then I’ll...”

A bright line of white appeared in his stylish mane, which quickly faded, followed by a chunk of his hair being cut away by the delayed damage. In shock, Midnight dispelled his energy sword and turned pale in fear. Watcher’s sword had come far closer than he had imagined, having burnt his hair in place until it had been given that short time to cool. That could only have meant one thing…

“He… he could have killed me,” said Midnight slowly, shaking slightly, “he didn’t miss, he… moved the blade away!”

Stardust walked up to him, a swing to her hips, and kissed him gently on the cheek, “The big jerk probably just thinks you’re still his friend inside. He’s so naive… we’ll get him next time, okay honey?”

Midnight wasn’t so sure, and answered after a dry cough, “Y… yeah. Sure we will, let’s go hunt for him!”

---

Downtown of Baltimare

“Tartarus!” shouted Watcher as he and Celestia re-appeared in a nearby road.

He looked around and noticed there was no one but himself and Celestia out in a dark alleyway surrounded by bricks.

“Oh come on,” he groaned at her, “I had the perfect insult lined up!”

“Watcher, you were hurt, and I was scared,” answered Celestia gently, “there’s a large hole in your body right now, and I wanted to get you out here so I can heal you. Settle down!”

The pulsing pain in his front reminded Watcher of his injury, and he held a hoof over the hole just next to his ribcage, leaning against the wall before sitting on his flank. Any deeper and it might have gone into his heart, and farther up, and his carotid would have gotten it instead. He was very lucky to be alive, although the slight cauterization granted by Midnight’s energy blade had helped a bit to stop the bleeding and keep him stable.

“Hold still,” said Celestia softly, a green blob of energy forming around her horn.

She placed her horn next to the wound, and as if alive, the green energetic slime moved off her horn and into the wound, regenerating the missing tissue rapidly as the hole closed over without so much of a scar, small sparks in the shape of hearts floated up gently from the sealed wound for a few seconds before evaporating.

“Where did you learn to do that?” he asked with surprise as the pain stopped suddenly, “Healing magic is one of the most draining and difficult things to accomplish!”

“From a true friend,” she answered, smiling in remembrance, “family, even…”

“Thanks… Celestia, but after that fight, I don’t think I’ll be able to cast spells for a while…” He said, groaning even after she had healed him, the soreness was still there.

“They’ll be coming for us… we have nowhere to go…” She sighed as a single tear dripped from her the side of her face. The only place where she could call home was gone now, but she was even more upset that because of her, Watcher had lost his home.

“I know… We can’t stay in the city anymore… I know somepony in the Everfree City… She has a mansion, we can lay low there until we figure out what to do.” He explained.

“Watcher, I know this is a lot to ask, but I need to find my sister… Please help me look for her!” She begged, desperately praying for his help. With a deep sigh, Watcher could only look at Celestia with a saddened look before placing his hoof on her shoulder. Looking directly into her beautiful purple eyes.

“Alright, but we need to go to Everfree City first… Lay low for a bit… After that we can go look for your sister once the heat dies down.” He said, only to receive a hug from the mare before hugging her back. “Alright… We better get going… they probably searching for us already.”

After what had transpired, the two had set out on their quest to reach the Everfree City and search for the Lunar Princess. The journey would be difficult, especially with the Order after them. They could only hope that they could reach their destination before word gets out about Celestia’s return to Equestria.

Comments

[HolyCross9]

Well, looks like Watcher and Celestia are going to have a difficult journey ahead of them from here on out.