Chapter Eleven: Eirene
The chase had wound over hill and dale, through snow and rain, from mountain top to ocean trench, and it was only mid-afternoon of day three. Neither Applejack nor Luna had Rainbow’s top speed, but they weren’t too far off. Luna had bounced off of the sonic shockwave twice, and Applejack once so far. AJ wasn’t really certain what continent she was racing past by now. Even though she wasn’t able to stay long in any one place, it was fascinating to see how chaotic the ecosystems of other lands were. Snow could still be seen on the ground in the heat of summer, while confused flocks wandered in circles without pegasi to guide them, entire swaths of land barren of even desert shrubbery. Even if a pony used the Everfree as a baseline, it was still obvious to Applejack that her world was sick and confused in the places where ponies hadn’t put things in order. Perhaps… Perhaps Luna was partly right. Still, Applejack refused to give her the satisfaction. She had to outmatch the goddess somehow to prove that they were equals, otherwise Luna would keep on disrespecting her.
Luna was still close on her heels. Whatever endless fountain AJ was draining was at least giving her enough to dodge the princess. Both of them were covered in dust, sweat and grime. Luna had caught up to Applejack and tackled her somewhere over Saddle Arabia during the second day, skipping her off the dunes and leaving a crater outside some nameless little village. AJ had barely managed to get back in the air before Luna could come back around for another pass.
Neither of them had slept since the first night. AJ could only imagine the strain on the elder goddess, raising the moon while flying at just slightly subsonic speeds. She herself was almost numb with exertion, but as long as she convinced herself that she needed to keep going, the strength came from somewhere. AJ was suddenly distracted by a harsh laugh from Luna.
“HA, FINALLY, I HAD HOPED NOT TO NEED THESE WHEN I SET THEM ON THEIR COURSE. PREPARE THYSELF, APPLEJACK. THOU ART ABOUT TO LEARN THAT, WHILE THOU MAYEST BE ABSOLUTELY IMMORTAL, THOU ART FAR FROM INVINCIBLE.”
AJ looked back at the princess in confusion. They were currently zooming across one of the hideously barren areas, nothing was anywhere nearby as far as she could see. Concentrating through her exhaustion fogged mind, she extended her senses to see what Luna was ranting about. There was nothing on the surface of the land. It was as dead and lifeless as she herself felt. Far beneath it she could feel the slow seeping of trapped water and desiccated seeds. None of it had the trace of Luna’s magic. Something from above caught her notice. Without seeing it, she had the sudden realization that there was currently a massive, burning stone heading straight for her. Flipping over mid-flight, she kicked out her hooves and simultaneously pulled at the deep aquifer below her. She bounced off of the meteor while a massive geyser burst from the earth, impacting the stone and shattering it in a gout of steam. Luna was forced to pull up to dodge the debris. Applejack, seeing her opportunity, swung low around her geyser and came up underneath the princess, only to be smacked in the face with a hoofball-sized chunk of asteroid.
“HAVE AT THEE! HAST THOU NEVER WONDERED WHY THEY ARE CALLED SHOOTING STARS?”
“CAIN’T SAY AS AH DID, BUT DO YA KNOW WHAT THEY CALL MAH LEGS?”
“YOUR LEGS HAVE NA-”
Applejack had taken advantage of the billowing steam and artificial rain to sneak up on the mocking princess. Her trusty bucking hooves shot out, impacting Luna savagely in the belly. “Bucks McGillicutty ‘n’ Kicks McGee, say howdy.” Luna dropped from the sky like a stone, but she managed to magically grab Applejack and drag her down for the ride. The two of them closed, kicking and striking with hoof, wing and horn. They struck the earth with a bounce, continuing to fight for several minutes.
Finally they rolled to a stop. Applejack had Luna’s foreleg in a joint-lock, while Luna was shoving Applejack’s chin as far back as it would go. Applejack grunted out, “Jest… Give in… Ah’ll listen ta what y’all… have ta say, but ya… gotta… say uncle.”
“No! You, ah! You give in! Ow!”
“… Fine, we both… let go… On tha count a… three, deal?”
“Fine, one.”
“Two.”
“Three.”
The two goddesses, mighty in magic and body, two of the greatest, most majestic beings to ever grace creation, flopped apart in a messy heap. They lay there panting for a moment before Luna finally spoke. “We are impressed. Thou hast much more fighting prowess than our sister.”
“Wait, y’all are sayin’ Ah’m a better fighter than Celestia?”
“Of course, she’s terrible at this sort of thing. That’s why I was able to beat her back to the very doors of the temple of Harmony when I fell to the Nightmare.”
“Wait, whut?”
“She doesn’t tell that part of the story? She only resorted to the Elements because she was about to get soundly trounced. Mind you well, she is far more powerful than the both of us, but she has cast so many geasa upon herself that only a tiny sliver of it is really hers to use.”
“Huh, Ah din’t know that about geese. Well, Ah- Ohh… Ah don’t feel…”
“Haha. There it is… Welcome to the godsleep, Applejack. See you in your dreams…” Luna let out a massive yawn and collapsed to the dirt and mud. Applejack wavered for a moment longer on the edge of consciousness, watching stray meteors and gushing water fall around her, before following Luna into the dark.
***
Everything around her was completely black. Applejack tried to fan her wings nervously, but was surprised not to have them. She raised a hoof to her forehead and felt a distinct lack of horn. She shifted nervously on her hooves. There really didn’t seem to be much of anything to do, so she sat down and waited. An unknown time later a blue pegasus with a light blue mane trotted out of the darkness. Her entire coat was spangled with stars and planets. Applejack was more than a little surprised to realize that this was Luna. “Uh, hi princess.”
“Well-met, Applejack.”
Luna opened her mouth as if to say something else, but shook her head and sat down instead. The two of them sat in silence for an unknown length of time, not looking at one another. Finally, Applejack broke the silence. “Ah’m sorry fer, uh, runnin’ off ‘n’ kickin’ y’all in the stomach and such. Ah think y’all’re crazy, but yeh didn’t deserve that.”
Luna smirked at Applejack, “I apologize also, for the meteors and such. I may have misjudged thee. I hope thou canst fathom why?”
“Eeyup, Ah did put on a bit of a show, didn’t Ah? Anyhow, Ah said Ah’d let ya say yer piece. Ah suppose this is tha place fer it.”
“Yes… I should let thee speak thy mind as well, though. Hast thou any questions for me?”
“First, that is tha biggest gol-durn cutie mark Ah’ve ever seen. It goes right up yer neck. Is it somethin’ ta do with y’all bein’ a goddess?”
Luna blushed slightly. “No, actually, my cutie mark is these planets here on my flank. I was so excited when it appeared that I went to a unicorn shaman to have it tattooed onto the rest of my coat. It's a lost art I’m told. I guess I still think of myself this way. Where we are now is an ordinary dream. It tells us nothing of what we are, just how we think of ourselves. Thou, for example, still hast thy old cutie mark.”
“That’s another thing. Y’all said we were enterin’ tha godsleep. What’s that supposed ta mean?”
“Well, simply put, we overtaxed ourselves. The power of an alicorn is inexhaustible if they have the will to command it, but it comes at a cost. Eventually, when their concentration slips and their will falters, they must recharge their physical vessel.”
“How long’re we gonna be out?”
“I don’t think we exhausted ourselves too excessively, it could be anywhere from a day to a week.”
“That’s quite a while.”
“Yes, I suppose. Thou art speaking to a mare who spent a thousand years on the moon.” Applejack, wisely, kept quiet and waited for Luna to continue. “I suppose I should tell thee what I had originally meant to. I fear for thee, Applejack. Thou hast been under so much stress, some of it at my hooves. The gods have always been a troubled bunch. Even our sister, Sol Invicta as the ancient pegasi used to call her, has fallen to jealousy and spite before.”
“Now, y’all ain’t been usin’ tha whole royal ‘we’ while we’ve been in this dream. Why d’ya always use it when ya talk about yer sister?”
Luna’s eyes dimmed with embarrassment “We, I only use the royal ‘we’ when I speak to… inferiors. Thou art no inferior to Celestia or myself. When I say our sister, I mean thine and mine.”
Applejack thought about that for a moment, not liking any part of it. “Fer the sake of peace, I’ll jest let that pass.”
Luna nodded quickly, “Yes, my thanks to thee. Peace is the essential manifestation of harmony. If thou wouldst allow me, I have a way to pass the time while we rest. I had meant to tell thee of my fall, and perhaps that of another. Here, I can do better than that. I can show thee.”
Applejack nodded, “That sounds fine, show away.”
Luna closed her eyes. Slowly, glimmering specks of light filled the void above the two little ponies, and a cool, billowing cloud formed beneath them. Luna finally spoke, not opening her eyes. “Look across the clouds a ways, you will see me as I appear now. Back then I was called Night Glider. This is the night I changed.”
My image of young Woona is based on this:
fc03.deviantart.net/fs70/i/2012/259/f/8/night_glider_by_lucyhikarikitsune-d5ettk5.png
All this was uploaded from my phone. I'm staying with my gramps to keep him company while he recuperates, but he doesn't have internet.
I'm excited for the next set of chapters. We're taking a slight detour as we explore the other half of our destructive duo of deities.
Tell gramps he has my regards.
That was a well written battle scene and the 'shooting stars' pun was excellent. [edit] I just realized Luna confessed to being a Nazi...[/edit]Now I can't wait to see Luna's backstory/her side of her downfall and Celestia's whatever (I wouldn't say downfall, because I assume that she didn't go all Nightmare) as well. If you don't already have it planned out 100%, I suggest listening to these for inspiration, they're my favorite Celestia and Luna songs:
[youtube=kPjVCIX5Fvs]
[youtube=H4tyvJJzSDk]
1480026 YOU ARE FUCKING EVERYWHERE!
1623999 ISN'T HE? IT'S CRAZY!
1624013 THERE IS NO GOD! THE CEILINGS AND FLOORS HAVE EARS! APPLEJACK IS BEST MAIN PONY!
same here^^^
loving this story so far
1623956 ... DAYUM. Luna was HAWT...
Also, tell your gramps we're all praying for his recovery, alright?
Great chapter. Now it gets even more interesting....LUNA ORIGIN FOR THE WIN!
AJ's poor groupie is going to find her collapsed in the bottom of a pit and will think she is dead. Not good
1624091
I have a feeling that I know who the groupie really is. D:
Good fight scene, has that god vs god feel down. Got to know how high a tier they're fighting in.
Alicorn backstory?!
Dude, this story is so awesome. Please keep it up. Don't let this be one of those stories that falls unfinished and forgotten. Great work!
1623964 How did you get Nazi from any of that?
Loving this story hurray for updates.
t.qkme.me/3qq4y1.jpg
That is all
1498682 This picture reminds me. . . SOMEONE DO A (Good) HELLSING / MLP CROSSOVER!
1624282
Nazis, specifically Hitler, based his genocide of the Jews and non-Caucasians on the belief that that the Aryan Race (blonde hair, blue eyes, light skin) were the most evolved from apes and the rest of people were inferior races that should be eliminated to preserve the gene pool for human evolution. She mentioned that she had talked that way to inferiors and the only recent change Applejack went through was becoming an Alicorn. Sure, she may not have the desire to harm the 'inferior' races, but she still conveys the same prejudice in this fic.
Lovely, as always.
1624458 But she kind of is a god compared to normal ponies, is it still prejudice if she's right?
Whilst I love Twilight Alicorn fics, this one is probably my favorite alicorn fic, that or expectations. It's not fair though because I love Twilight and AJ the same... they are best ponies. So I guess I can say that they are equally good, but none the less. I started reading out of curiosity and am I glad I did. Favorite and thumbed. I await future updates with much anticipation.
1624458
I think she meant social inferiors, she is a princess after all. While Applejack may not be a princess yet, Luna probably expects her to become one.
The 'talk' was long coming. Great build-up by the way!
I have a feeling that Luna and Applejack are probably gonna be clashing ideals for a while before they finally find some form of 'common grounds' with eachother, after the initial 'formal' introductions between them of course, which will hopefully lead to decent character and story developement; They are so very different after all: Not related, upbringings, way of expressing themselves, 1000's of years old vs. 20-ish and the fact that Applejack has only begun scratching the surface of her new form.
And then there's Celestia..........<--- (If I could use a non-trollestia icon I would. Honest!)
1624458
Or by "inferior" she could merely mean subordinates.
As a Princess all Equestrians are her subjects and hence her inferiors (as opposed to superiors).
AJ has now become an Alicorn, the Alicorn of the "earth"
By rights she is now a Princess, even though she wouldn't consider herself one.
It would be disrespectful for Luna to keep treating AJ as an inferior just because AJ doesnt want to claim her place as a Princess.
She certainly could keep doing it, given AJ isn't laying claim to her title, but it would hardly be the best way to encourage AJ that Luna sees her as an equal.
Enjoyed this chapter.
The fight was brief, but had enough action to be entertaining.
Glad they're finally stopping for a minute to try talk things out before they go doing any serious damage, especially now it's so obvious that the land needs AJ to exert her influence to fix how "wrong" it is.
Looking forward to the backstory.
What I really loved in this chapter was the two goddesses at war. When ponies at this power level meet in combat, the tools they use defeat the mortal imagination.
It was also a nice touch about Celestia having bound her own powers. I wonder if she has some dark time in her distant past that has made her afraid of her own powers. It might explain a lot about how she is portrayed in this story if she has come to distrust her ability to use her full power wisely.
Finally, as I suspected, having had a good scrap has turned into a bonding moment for Luna and Applejack. I'm sure that Celestia would note that fillies are all the same - fighting one moment and sisters in all but blood the next.
its like her marks spread across her entire body
Did I see a Nac Mc Feegle shoutout there?
At least they left that crazy fan on another continent. She is very unlikely to find them before they wake up.
Also, when Luna chose a piece of total wasteland for using her more destructive techniques... was I the only one who thought Dragonball Z ?
1624458 I feel that's a bit of a stretch.
Alicorns are stronger, bigger, faster, seemingly immortal, and more magical than regular ponies. So the difference is more than skin deep like Hitler's idea. To me the Alicorns are meant to be deities. Deities are typically considered to be above mortals, thus mortals are below them or inferior.
As well AJ is now a princess and thus is nobility, whether she acknowledges it or not.
1624880 If you take a glance to wikipedia it tends to think of prejudice as a negative belief usually unfounded and resistant to rational logic. I don't think that fits Luna, so I'd say she's not prejudiced.
Hehehehe, hahahahahaha... MUAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA.
This fits in so well.
I'm really enjoying the Alicorn princess backstory we are getting.
1623956 That image for pre-ascended Luna is wonderful.
Well, this and the last chapter were fairly interesting; though it's good to see us finally getting somewhere.
Not much I can think to add that someone else hasn't already, so good job, keep it up, and good luck to your grandfather!
1624880;1624996;1625089;1625847
Sorry guys, I wasn't meaning to say that she had Nazi like goals/ideals (genocidal), just that she thought less of ponies who weren't Alicorns or royalty; that they had less worth in comparison to her own as sentient beings.
Yes, I still consider that to be prejudiced. Even if she is correct about the class/power differences (for the skin deep comment: that wouldn't affect their worth as individuals, only their worth in accomplishing physical tasks) between herself, Celestia, Applejack and the rest of ponykind, it is a prejudiced mindset to believe that she should treat them as "inferior" beings. For example, how many of you thought Prince Blueblood was behaving correctly at the Gala? He may have been in a higher social class, but his treatment of Rarity and Applejack was still prejudiced and wrong.
BTW, I'm NOT saying that Luna is this way in the show, I don't believe that at all. She just seemed to express these beliefs during her conversation with Applejack. In order to truly know how she views non-Alicorns in this fic, we have to ask the Blue Print. If she does turn out to have this view, my hope is that Applejack shows her the worth of her subjects. Kind of like Merlin does with Arthur in the BBC show "Merlin".
1625089
“We, I only use the royal ‘we’ when I speak to… inferiors." She says more by what she doesn't say. She could have said 'my subjects' or something like that instead (which she does in the show to explain the ROYAL CAPS LOCK). The pause also points toward looking for more appropriate wording, meaning less offensive to the pony she's talking to, who happened to be an 'inferior' a few days ago.
Celestia has gone Nightmarish in the past? Oh, I do hope we get some insight on that particular plot wrinkle...
In any case, glad to see that the unstoppable force and the immovable object have come to an understanding. I'm looking forward to Luna's story.
1616140 Don't think I've ever seen one.
1617558 Her color scheme is based on a BG pony in the show... But yeah, she's an OC in every other respect. Thanks!
1619654
i.chzbgr.com/completestore/12/5/10/Pt2t9n_7v0eqYmwIIm5NqQ2.jpg
1619917 Thanks! The story gets better from there.
1623964>>1624282>>1624458>>1624880>>1624996>>1625089>>1625847>>1626714 Wow. I can't leave you guys alone for one day can I. Racism! An ugly topic, but let's nip this in the bud. I despise racism in real life. Let's get that out of the way first. Luna's comment was meant to refer to social inferiors, lower class ponies, that, in itself does not make it ok. Prejudice is prejudice. She was not, however, referring to some Uberpherd* philosophy. On the other hand, when race = nobility the distinction blurs. In the next few chapters I present Luna's native society as being VERY rough and tumble and socially primitive. Insults, snubs and racially charged statements abound. Interestingly, in CANON mlp, racism is still a big problem in modern Equestria. Witness: Monster vs. Minotaur, Mule as an insult, livestock... I can only imagine that the problem was worse back in the day. Finally, even if she is objectively superior to her little ponies, that's no call for a lack of humility. If Celestia can speak to them as equals, so can Luna. My depiction of Luna is deeply flawed, but basically good.
*Superhorse. Pony is a direct loan word from German and Uberpony doesn't have quite enough Teutonic oomph.
1624063 I did. It made him (and me) smile warmly. Thank you.
1624091 Where there's a well, there's a May.
1624128 It was Pie! Nooooo!
Actually no. I'm guessing you are way off. Sorry.
1624152>>1625101 Hehe, this is nothing.
1624228
media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m53674N3HE1rnw1zt.gif
1624963Thanks! I will have to look that fic up.
1625038 Celestia gets a lot of fun bits over the next few chapters. Wait and see.
1625365>>1626322 I know! Isn't it simply fabulous!
1625802 Wait, really? I keep doing this without even realizing it... I love the Wee Free Men, but where was the reference?
1625896 I tremble in fear...
1626323 Thanks, he could use it.
1626464 That was pure comedy gold if I do say so myself.
1626863 Soon. Soon. I've had a lot of time for writing this week, seeing as I haven't had much opportunity to sleep.
> >Everypony I may have missed: Thanks for your love and support!
If Aquillo sees this massive comment he'll think I'm a total hypocrite.
1627590 Silly Blue Print! You're not a Hippo Crate! You're a pony!
The geas/geese thing.
1628037 Oh dang! That's right! lol, you have earned one free internets.
1627590
Yeah, I probably am off. Just a minor theory. But since that should be the obvious assumption if anyone has a suspicion, it's the first one to poke at.
Also, don't feel bad about the in-world racism/tribism. It's very canon. Remember, the Hearth's Warming Eve play was a /METAPHOR/, it wasn't about how six mares created a whole nation alone, it was about three slowly starving races whose negativity and hatred called down carnivorous wintry-demigods to bury their peoples in snow for the feast.
Logically, the arrogant and aggressively militaristic-expansionists ("New lands to conquer!") pegasi were far too brash to consider the other two races as anything but necessary thorns in their sides, and kept up the threat of their military might to keep them in line. The arrogant unicorns would have been far too haughty to NOT consider themselves the master race, with their magics and raising of the sun/moon as they allegedly controlled (I have my doubts). The earth ponies, bottom of the lot, would hate both of them equally for keeping their race in squalor and poverty while taking away their food.
Obviously an earth pony race can't support itself very well into any form of prosperity if they spend all their time making food for three whole nations. When the blizzard set in with the wendigos' approach, and starvation began, no doubt with all the 'blaming' that was going on, what was really happening was a set of tribal skirmishes, blood in the streets, spying, food raids... eventually it would have bled over from tribal and even neighbors in the same race would be turning on their fellows for food to feed their dying families.
The leaders would then have led their strongest, healthiest survivors out from their ancestral homeland, and all unknowingly settle in what would become Equestria, yada yada initiating combat for who controls the new land and to drive the other two races out, yada yada more wendigos, survivors of these conflicts retreat to the Canterlot Caves, where in the face of death they put aside their hatred for each other, and despite the war hawks and hot-heads still going at it, the survivors create the Elements of Harmony by coming together before the end.
Even with that, since war apparently hasn't happened in Equestria in awhile, but is canon... you have to imagine that realistically pureblood lines are going to tell their kids about how much better THEIR race is than the other two. ("We can fly/We can do magic/We're strong") Which keeps the whole seed of racism alive, albeit in a much less "I hate anyone who isn't like me" tone, and more "I'm better than you because of what I am".
That's my take on the canon behind the canon, using a bit of injected plausible realism and logical understanding of primitive society and how the minds of diverse social creatures work.
All the same, it's canon, and Luna is drastically old-fashioned. So if anyone complains, they can shove it. If they're upset, it's because they think Luna's their waifu and she can't be anything but awkwardly adorable and perfect. That said, it should be RATHER obvious that she's speaking from a Royal -> Citizen perspective. All citizens are inferior to the crown by virtue of their station, that's how it works in any royal nation.
So don't let 'em get under your skin.
1627728 If I was a Crated Hippo... Well this would be whole different story. Involving lemurs.
1628557 Thanks for the props. I think you'll like what I have written for the next few chapters. I play
slightlydrastically with the cause and effect of those events.1628643
I predict that your playing around with cause and effect will involve at least one of the following lines showing up somewhere.
"... and then suddenly, ninjas! THOUSANDS of them!"
"... and it turns out? Ice is REALLY FREAKING COLD!"
"... and that's why we have Pinkie Pie surrounded by undercover assassins at all times."
"... You seriously never wondered why they call it Moonshine?"
"... and then everything went wrong and it exploded."
"... and after the zebra shaman had FINALLY recovered from her hysterical laughter from my question on their language, she just told me, "There is no curse to worry thee. We're all just a bit OCD." Go figure, am I right?"
"... and we TOLD Tia that she was putting on a few pounds, but it wasn't until the sun actually started growing in proportion to the one on her increasingly thick flank that she finally agreed to cut back on the pastries."
"... and if I have to be a princess, my hat gets to be my crown. That's not up for debate."
"... and Rarity wanted me to ask if Blueblood could babysit the three of 'em, seeing as one of 'em is technically his kin now. Then she just kinda got this glazed look in her eyes and started laughing to herself."
"Rainbow Dash wanted to know if she could be the head of my personal guard, seeing as each princess seems to have her own regiment. I THINK she was joking when she asked if she could wear Commander Hurricane's armor as her uniform, but I ain't entirely sure."
"... Spike is a quarter Windigo? What the hell!?"
and finally...
"Trixie is Luna's daughter? That... actually explains quite a bit now that I think about it."
1627590
Lol, that makes sense, I simply had only her dialogue to go off of at the time. I didn't ever think those were your personal views by the way. Authors who can't write characters with different beliefs than what they have would be very poor writers, all the characters would act relatively the same.
1629157
Those are all hilarious.
1624458 I read "inferior" as referring to social status; a general acceptance of higher and lower social statuses is implicit in the word "princess".
1630189
Read all the comments in the conversation please.
1629157 That's hilarious and the last line has been done masterfully in Scootamom. I recommend that fic btw.
1629322>>1630255 Fair enough, just be gentle to the other readers.
1630189 Correct, still questionable though.
1629349 1630389
I have more if you want them. I'll toss in a couple right now as a sample.
"... and that's why England is now part of the Scottish Empire!" "What the hell is an England?"
"... I'm walking on sunshine, whoa-oh! And don't it feel good!" "Luna, must you do this every time you offer to give me one of those eastern style massages?" "Yes."
"... Rainbow Dash? Y-you dye your mane?" "Tell anypony and I tell them that you sleep naked! You saw NOTHING!"
"CUTIE MARK CRUSADERS VOODOO CHICKEN NECROMANCERS, YAY!!!"
"Is this what the world looks like when both your eyes point the same direction? I'm not sure I like it."
1624063 No she issssn't, goddess Luna is much better looking.... in every way.
YES!!! A chapter focusing on BEST PONY ORIGINS! i LOVE YOU!
1623956 Wow. Me like.
1627590
I really should stop googling my name, but it leads to too many fun places. Adding this story to read later so the trip wasn't wasted.
Ciao~
Great. Now, I have the old Night Rider theme playing in my head.
1623956 The picture seems to have moved.
~Vriska Serket