A Concerned Princess
Day Court had become rather hectic in the last few days.
Of course, there was always some kind of drama or other going on when her little ponies came to seek her counsel - especially when it came to the nobles - but now that a murder - multiple murders - had taken place right under Princess Celestia's muzzle?
In one of the richer neighborhoods no less?
Well, that was more or less the only thing anypony had been able to talk about for the last week or so. Ponies were in an uproar over the situation, and because the victims were from one of the more prominent families, the nobles made a lot more noise on the issue.
They screamed about injustice, the sad state of the Crown, and hidden plots to take down the noble houses one family at a time.
Some of the fools were even whispering that the Princess herself had a hoof in it.
Needless to say, these accusations were as untrue as they were aggravating. But Princess Celestia didn't blame them - she couldn't, really.
There hadn't been a crime as serious as this in several hundred years, after all - not in Canterlot anyway.
The Princess had made sure of that.
But now there had been, not one, but two murders and a possible foalnapping, and the news had already made it's rounds that the culprit had completely escaped detection.
The ponies of Canterlot had not taken this well.
Paranoia had started to build up in the city, with ponies afraid for their lives, afraid they would be the next victims. Unfortunately, the press did nothing to help the situation at hoof - indeed they only seemed to want to exacerbate and escalate the problem. There were all sorts of rumors and speculation about what had happened in the Sparkle household.
A lot of it was completely outlandish and none of it was good. There was one article that had caught Celestia's eye however. Apparently, one of the less laudable papers circulating around the city were saying one of the foals had committed the crime based on a leaked photo combined with some of the information already available.
According to the article, the two siblings were secretly being abused by the parents and had finally snapped, accidentally killing the mother and father during a magic surge. It went on to say that in a panic, they had fled the house in the dead of night.
Absolutely preposterous.
Celestia had seen the official reports for herself and, while there was clear evidence of a magic surge taking place around the time of the murder, there was absolutely no evidence the surge was the cause.
The cause of death, the positions of the bodies, and the blood staining the floor relative to the scorch marks in and around the closet all made it clear that the surge and the murders had no connection.
No.
The investigation had nothing to go off of in regards to the culprit or their motive, but from what she had been told and what she had read thus far, Celestia was almost certain the mother had tried to protect the filly and, in a way, she may have succeeded.
That brought her thoughts to the the filly in question.
Twilight Sparkle.
The Princess had actually met Twilight in the past, though she doubted the filly remembered the meeting at all.
In fact, she was sure she didn't remember.
She had originally heard about Twilight Sparkle from a rather controversial article the filly had written speaking out against the stigma surrounding Dark Magic and how it could be used to benefit pony society.
This was surprising for a couple of reasons.
For one thing, the filly had actually made some legitimately good and rather detailed arguments in favor of the rather frowned upon branch of magic.
For another, she was only six when she wrote and submitted the paper.
The article itself was written as an entry in a contest a notable thaumatology magazine was having at the time. Anypony could enter and the winner received a cash prize, their article featured in the magazine, and a personal meeting with Princess Celestia herself.
What many ponies didn't know about that contest was that Celestia reviewed each and every entry before it was sent to the publisher. Unaware of this fact, Twilight's parents had reluctantly submitted the paper and, of course, Celestia had looked it over.
Like Mind Magic, Dark Magic as a whole wasn't outlawed in Equestria - there were indeed some spells that helped more than they hurt, though few in number - but many of the sub branches, such as Necromancy and Blood Magic, were illegal to teach, study or use.
Celestia herself had had to deal with many corrupted Dark Magic users in the past, and a lot of them were responsible for the death and destruction that had once plagued the land of Equestria in millennia past.
One of the most prominent examples had been her own flesh and blood sister.
Naturally, her past experiences with Dark Magic had left her with a severe distrust and disdain - if not outright hatred - for the practice. So when Twilight's article had reached her desk, she had promptly burned it to cinders, bypassed the publishers, and called for a personal meeting with the filly and her parents.
It was a shame, really.
The little lavender filly was brilliant, one of the brightest minds Celestia had seen since Starswirl.
Perhaps even more brilliant than the wayward protege that had gone missing over a year ago.
Unfortunately, Celestia couldn't and wouldn't allow Dark Magic to be seen as anything other than a blight on society - one that she allowed to a certain degree solely because ponies had a nasty habit of confusing 'forbidden' and 'ill-advised'.
Her aforementioned protege was a prime example.
She allowed just enough of the practice to satiate the average scholar, but anything beyond that was highly illegal and met with very harsh consequences for the pony that was caught.
No.
Celestia refused to allow Dark Magic to be seen in any kind of positive light, lest history repeat itself.
To that end, she made use of another branch of magic - one that she herself was particularly adept in.
One that she had a very high affinity for.
She had invited Twilight and her parents to meet with her in her own private sitting room with the pretense of congratulating the filly on writing such a phenomenal paper, and that's just what she did.
Right before she wiped hers and her parent's memory of the entire event as well as their current meeting.
With that done, all she had to do was simply implant a few false memories here and there and send them on their way, none the wiser.
Was it immoral?
Was it unethical?
Was it a grave abuse of her power as the sole ruler of Equestria?
Perhaps. But it was a necessary evil, or so she felt after centuries of having dealt with the lies, betrayals, and manipulative tactics of those who threatened to violently end her rule in blood and fire.
Yes, many ponies in Equestria were blissfully unaware of the darkness hidden just below the surface, and Celestia had managed to keep it that way for centuries.
That is, until now.
Now a violent crime had been committed right in the heart of the capital city of Equestria and ponies were starting to notice that their perfect little world was not so perfect after all.
This posed a problem for the Solar Princess, but the situation was not so dire that she couldn't suppress it - at least not yet. She had handled problems of this nature before and had grown quite adept at stopping them in their tracks.
She would just have to apply her subtler talent more liberally.
In the meantime, this killer needed to be caught, questioned, and if need be, executed - far from the public eye of course. Wittingly or not, this pony was causing dissent among the populace, and that was something the Princess would not abide.
They needed to be brought to justice before they struck again and Celestia would do anything in her power to see it done.
It was, and always would be, for the sake of her little ponies after all.
Man, I've been dying to write this one. 
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Huh. Going in a different direction than I expected from reading the chapter title.
Still approve of the direction.
8765598
That was the idea.
So, are we expected to agree with Celestia here? Or is seeing her actions as absolutely abhorrent and hoping to see her dethroned by story's end the intended reaction?
So, another "the end justifies the means" Celestia... I really hope this comes all back to not just bite, but rip into her flank. "With great power comes great responsibility". I hate it when those in power abuse it, even for the "greater good".
8765629
I intentionally left it up to interpretation so it depends.
Do you think her actions are justified? Or do you think she's a tyrant?
wow old sunbutt cause of do as I say not as I do type of ruler....
i have feeling that luna and twilight going to end up the best of friends one day.....
8765636
Holding absolute power is tyrannical in and of itself. And even setting that aside, nothing could justify the actions she's done here. Frankly, her being dethroned is too good for her; this Celestia needs to die.
Funny because actions and mindsets such as yours are only going to help propagate such a cycle.
Definitely an interesting way to take it, and not at all what I would have expected from this chapter. I'm interested to see where you go with this, if we do end up seeing Celestia and her perspective more. Particularly because right now I tentatively agree with Celestia's reasoning and actions. It's all pretty logical from her standpoint, but it also by its very nature feels sinister and can easily slide into irrational tyranny. It's not straight benevolent Celestia, nor is it straight tyrant Celestia, and I like that.
8765649
Not surprising considering that she's ruled Equestria uncontested for a millennium.
8766182
Indeed. People (and ponies I guess) aren't meant to live - let alone rule - as long as Celestia has because eventually life will tear you down mentally, no matter how benevolent you are. That's what I'm trying to convey with this depiction of Celestia.
Geez, I can't see this coming back to bite you on the ass at all, Princess.
Ahh interesting take on Celestia here.
While I can understand where Celestia is coming from, sometimes the ends just do not justify the means. Having absolute power doesn't mean you can do whatever you want without facing consequences, and Celestia may just find that out the hard way.
But I am interested to see how she goes about this...
8796190
She's a broken Princess sitting on a decrepit throne looking ever backwards into the past.
...At least that's how I tried to write her.
So I’m reading this and I already hate this celestia
Wow Celestia, Thousands of years old and you keep on making the same mistakes over and over.
The Essence of Magic ISN`T evil.
Its the intentions of the user.
Luna? That`s your fault. You took all the glory. Sombra? He`s just a cliche villain. Tirek? Same thing.
Chrysalis? Shes was a villain that wasn`t thinking straight. Surprisingly the only villain left standing prior to the season 6 *Blugh* finale.
8837325
You're right about that one. While Dark Magic (in my story) does have a corrupting effect, it's generally easy to avoid if you're careful not to use only Dark Magic. Celestia has basically forgotten/ignored this because of her hangups.
While I understand part of the disdain against Celestia, I feel it is unwarranted to make her some kind of evil character.
While it is true that the road to help is paved with good intentions, that Celestia has others do most of the heavy lifting and that she can be a troll, her character is of doing the most good as possible and keeping the peace and harmony, but not by resorting to evil or questionable means.
I understand this is your interpretation of Celestia, but nothing in her character or actions even hint at this side of her or at hidden ulterior motives, for all her subterfuge and use of others, her aims, goals and intentions are extremely clear and consistent.
If you need further proof, please refer to the way in which Celestia received sunset on her return to Equestria and how her first act was to help her with her issues, despite her checkered past. Even with discord, who was an archenemy she chose to rehabilitate and incorporate into society when she could have easily left him as a garden statue for 1000 years more
8849480
This is neither canon Celestia nor is it canon Equestria though. I didn't make her a villain just to make her a villain. The history of Equestria in my story is a lot darker and the events of her past have made her this way.
She's not the flawless paragon of kindness and benevolence that she was in the show because the Equestria in my story isn't nearly that nice. She tries to be a good leader but her own cruel past is holding her back.
Rather than spending the last few thousands years learning from her mistakes and growing wiser, she's become paranoid and embittered. Banishing her sister only pushed her over the edge and now you have the Princess you see before you.
My depiction of Celestia here isn't coming from any sort of hate I have for the character. It's more that I find this interpretation much more interesting.
nothing about cadence? maybe as a sleeper agent type / watcher for the princess after the mind wipe?
8871644
Nope. I plan to address Cadance later in the story. Until then, you won't see her for quite some time.
Humph, if you're going to do this sort of thing, you need to do it properly. A simple mind wipe won't solve this underlying problem of unfortunate curiosity. If the scholar came to the conclusions once, they will get there again. What if they left some research notes lying around? What if they'd been talking to colleges? What if they're one of those one-in-a-million cases with a partial/full immunity/allergy to mind magic?
That's the problem with thought control, you either need to commit to it fully, or leave things alone. half-measures only end up putting pressure on society and drive the undesirable elements underground where you can't get at them.
8885389
Well I mean in those cases you just arrange a little accident. Unfortunate, but a necessary evil. After all, one must make sacrifices from time to time, and one death is better than hundreds more.... right?
8898845
Problem is, what if someone else, using that exact logic, comes to the conclusion that you and yours are the threat? Like say, a shadowy figure assassinating noble houses? Nonono, such boorish measures won't do at all! If there's a reason why some idea must not become popular, the only way to settle it is to convincingly explain why such an idea is dangerous! Who knows, perhaps they have an answer to your concerns that convinces you instead, and only a fool would pass up an opportunity to better themselves in such a manner!
Tyrant Celestia... Can't say the hints weren't obvious in previous chapters...
Is it wrong for me to want her to die in a classic "Cupcakes" style? Just like the author should for the horrible joke he made in the author's notes
"Why did they set up a gate to Helheim? Because people were dying to get in." -
Dad of BoyKratosSo was Twilight Velvet and Nightlight...
Write Celestia but every time it’s for the greater good take a drink. Guaranteed to be drunk by the first paragraph! Besides the jest I liked this chapter. Although with what your hinting at... Controller of the literal sun doesn’t have an affinity with Light magic... seems ironic.
I can see Celestia and I would not get along well in this Universe.
Big Sister is Always Watching you.
In all seriousness though, I'm like mid libertarian right so this celestia's methods and ideas peace a foul taste in my mouth. Could make for an interesting conflict. I kinda expected twi to break the orb or it to give a response of "all of them"
10392389
this reminds me of a book I liked called 1984 by George Orwell
Heheheh, I'm sensing Dumbledore-ish vibes on the greater good going on here.
Hm...I wonder who that could be? Wink wink, nudge nudge.
That is why the magyc system of the "Fairy Taile" is my favorite, because how evil the magic is alvays depends on the magician.
10898838
Exactly.