Angels in Equestria

by ArguingPizza

Family Matters

“Well that was....” Celestia began as we walked out of the Council Chambers. Behind us, the disgruntled and newly fear-fueled representatives were boarding aerial chariots to return to their various nations with news of Discord's return.

“Horrible? Terrible? Awful?” I offered helpfully.

“Abhorrent? Appalling? Horrendous?” Luna added, also helpfully.

“Yes, I think that describes it quite well,” Celestia agreed. I had always hated meeting with the Council of Species, as it always seemed species sent the worst possible examples of their race. Such a shame, too, because most of the Dragons I had met had been proud but honorable lizards.

“Blegh, that was gruesome!” Princess Cadence complained as she exited the room behind us. Luna and I shared a look and agreed that, yes, gruesome did in fact come closest and silently awarded Cadence the prize. “Aunt Celestia, now I understand why you never convene the Council.”

“Yes, we were just discussing it. I'm afraid the Council has always been as such, though I cannot for the love of mercy understand why,” Celestia admitted.

“Because the types of personalities that garner enough influence to be sent to these things are self-serving bastards,” I chimed. My voice alerted Cadence to my prescence the young Alicorn couldn't help but take a step back.

Oh, right.

Celestia appeared to notice her niece's reaction as well, and casually saddled next to the smaller alicorn. “Uncle, would you like to join Cadence and I for tea?” she asked innocently.

I smiled. “Sure, why not. I just need to catch up with my dear Woona for a bit, then I'll come find you.” I laid an arm around Luna's neck as I spoke and pulled her close, ignoring the twinge in my wings. I could feel her shift a bit uncomfortably but I ignored it.

Celestia nodded and led a slightly uneasy Cadence down the long, well-lit tunnel back towards Canterlot.

As soon as they were out of sight I dropped my arm from Luna's neck and whirled on her. “You had a child! And you didn't bother to call?!” I yelled. The guards nearby glanced at me uneasily, but did not move. They too had seen my little Dragon-submission trick and didn't want to try their luck.

“I....w-well, I um.......” Luna stammered and avoided my gaze. I gently, but firmly, grabbed her muzzle and forced her to look at me.

“Why? Why would you do that?” I asked, genuinely hurt. I considered the girls my own, and Luna and I had always been close. Celestia was her mother's child, but Luna took after me, no question.

“I......” she looked like she wanted to answer, but then pulled her muzzle away and turned around.

“I.....I wanted to,” she answered at last. I slowly walked forward and placed a comforting hand on her back.

“Then why?”

“I-it was because of what you said. About forming attachments with m-mortals.” Her voice hitched on the last word and I realized she was crying.

I thought back to when the girls were young and had asked me why their favorite nanny had stopped showing up. The mare had died of old age, and it was the girls' first experience with death. Afterwards, I had given them a talk about never forgetting that they would last forever, but any they cared for would not. After a few thousand years away from me, Luna had probably twisted the memory, however accidentally, into me forbidding her to make connections. I cursed myself once again for not finding time to check up on them.

“A-and then, when he died....that was the last step. After he died I let the darkness into my heart, and I almost f-fell,” she sniffed. All the anger left me, and I enveloped her in a hug. I ignored the twinge in my wings as I felt her tears soaked into my surcoat and gently rubbed her neck.

A long moment passed in silence. Eventually, one of the door guards motioned for his compatriots to exit the room, leaving just me and Luna inside.

“Tell me about him,” I said eventually.

Luna sniffed again. “H-he was.....he was an astronomer. Back then, almost nopony enjoyed my nights, but he did. He loved them.” I could feel her smile sadly against me.

“I was holding Midnight Court, and for the third month in a row I had no petitioners, until my Herald announced I had a visitor. I was wary, as were my Guards. By then, the crazier ponies had begun to think I stole the sun each night, and had taken it upon themselves to end my nightly reign of terror,” she laughed mirthlessly.

“He came in, bowed, and thanked me. Just thanked me, for making the nights beautiful. Though, in his words, 'but 'tis tragedy even the most masterful astral canvas pales to your radiance, your Majesty'.”

“A bit cheesy,” I chuckled. Luna wiped a tear away with a hoof and nodded.

“Yes, he was like that. Clumsy with his words, but so pure of soul. It did not take long before I was smitten.”

“I wish you'd called; I've always wanted to play the over-protective father role.” Luna giggled and rested her head back against me.

“Yes, that was a bit of the reason I didn't; most stallions can't stand up to the intimidation tactics of Celestials.” I had to give her that.

“But...it wasn't long before the enemies of the Night turned their malice towards him. After all, it is much easier to harm a mortal than a godling.” Luna paused to collect herself.

“It was not long after his funeral I discovered I was with foal. Celestia thought it would bring me happiness, but every time I gazed upon it, all I saw was him, face down in a pool of blood. It wasn't fair to that poor foal, but that was what pushed me over the edge.” She sobbed once and I tightened my grip, ignoring the annoying twinge in my wings.

“I just wanted the pain to stop. I just wanted to feel appreciated, to feel loved.”

“Shh, shh shh, Luna. My little Lulu. You will always be loved as long as I still exist, not to mention your sister.”

After a long while and many tissues, Luna's tears stopped. I looked towards the sun out of the massive skylight and decided I still had time before I had to meet my grand-niece. I raised Luna's muzzle with a finger and grinned mischievously.

“Say Luna, how would you like it if I took you out for a Feather-ride?” I asked. The brighter-than-bright smile she gave me at the idea was well worth the bone crushing hug that followed.

---

Celestia POV

As I led Cadence down the tunnel between the Council Chambers and Canterlot, I couldn't help but notice the tension in the younger mare. The tunnel, despite being underground, was well-lit by Light Spells and was long enough to warrant a small rest spot in the middle for the less-than-fit travelers. A small couch and a water cooler were its only amenities, but it was better than nothing.

I stopped abruptly and took a place upon the small couch. I motioned for Cadence to join me and dismissed the two Solar Guards who had been trailing me to Canterlot. Cadence did likewise with the two Crystal Knights(though outside of the Crystal Kingdom they appeared entirely ordinary, other than their unusual armor) trailing her.

“Cadence, we need to discuss what you saw earlier,” I said in my calmest, most motherly tone.

“Really? I'm not sure what you mean,” Cadence said, a bit too quickly and her voice higher than normal. I sighed.

“Cadence, please do not try to deceive me. I can clearly see your discomfort with Uncle Cornelius.” Cadence raised a hoof as if to deny the accusation, but dropped it and wilted.

“Yes, fine. I'm uncomfortable with him, but can you blame me? Did you see what he did to that dragon!?” I nodded gently.

“Yes, I saw, and that is not the most fearsome display I have ever seen from him.” Cadence gawked at the idea.

“All the more reason!” she exclaimed. I relaxed into the couch as much as I could and laid a comforting wing over my niece.

“Cadence, I'm afraid you lack the proper understanding of our Uncle. He, together with our Mother, raised Luna and I from foal hood. I know he sometimes seems intimidating, but he truly does have a good heart.” I paused then chuckled. “It is only natural that he appear dangerous, as it would not be an understatement to say he is one of the most powerful entities in existence.” Cadence blanched and I tightened my wing around her.

“No, fear not Cadence. His power has always been turned against evil. Even more so than mine.” She looked unconvinced so I continued.

“I haven't told you much of our ancestry, have I?” I asked. Cadence shook her head.

“I suppose its time, then. You are aware Luna and I's mother was an Angel, correct?” Cadence nodded.

“Yes, that is essentially ALL you've told me,” she replied with a bit of indignity.

"Angels are....complicated beings, yet at the same time they are quite simple. They are unfathomable eons old, dating back to when all of Infinity was only Darkness. Their home Realm is Heaven, or the Celestial Plane, if you prefer. It is the place from which all Light in the Universe can trace its origin. Their sole purpose is to protect and create Life. "

"So...they're like gardeners?" Cadence asked, not understanding. I shook my head.

"Angels are warriors above all else. Soldiers, charged with battling that which lies in shadows and tempts those in the Light. They spend almost all their time in Purgatory; the place where all souls go after Death. It is the only place in Infinity every being can access equally, and Evil constantly seeks to corrupt it. In Purgatory, Angels battle Evils the likes of which we dare not even dream of, lest be driven mad. So it is only natural he comes off a bit....unnerving. You just need to get to know him.”

Cadence still looked unsure, so I continued. "I promise he won't harm you. Uncle Cornelius is fiercely protective of those he considers family. All angels are. And in your veins run a small amount of Divine Blood. Forty or so generations diluted, but it is there. Your wings are evidence enough of that."

Cadence glanced at her tucked wings. She looked up at me with a mixture of fear, nervousness, and determination. “Then I suppose we should go. It would be rude to keep...family waiting”

I wasn't too sure about this chapter, but after a few rewrites I'm comfortable with this. Tell me what you guys think in the comments. Also, please feel encouraged to point out any errors I have made, as I lack a pre-reader.

Comments

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