Celestia had not left the room since Luna had left. She just sat there, staring at the bat filly while tears ran down her face. They just would not stop.
‘A thousand years and still things like this are happening,’ thought Celestia. She had thought that things had improved since Luna had left, that her subjects were making better decisions. She had spoken out against the poor treatment of bat ponies and encouraged her subjects to treat them with respect. But that was all she did. She passed no new laws nor did she set up any new organizations. She believed that her subjects would act on her words only. And with staring at the results, she could no longer deny that that what she had done was enough.
Now she understood why Luna was so upset that day.
-Flashback-
Celestia awoke early, as she always did, and moved over to the balcony where she raised the sun. As the sun rose, she could not help but marvel over the kingdom that she ruled over with her sister. Everything seemed to be so calm and peaceful. Their subjects were able to run and play all day in relative peace. Truly, Equestria was a wonderful place to live.
There was a sudden knock on her door. Before she could say or do anything it opened and in came Lord Divine Right. He was a white unicorn with a dark red mane. Normally he would never enter her private chambers like this which caused Celestia to grow concerned.
“Princess Celestia,” he said with a bow. “I bring word of your sister’s actions. She took her Night Guard and went to Hoofshire last night. She now demands that it be placed under martial law.”
“Does thou know why?” asked Celestia.
“No my princess,” said Divine. “But her actions late have caused me and my fellow nobles to wonder if she has the kingdoms best interests at heart. She treats some of us like we are common criminals. She constantly speaks to the common pony and treats their words like they were made of gold. She seeks to undermine magic with more of this, oh what’s the word, science I think. And then there is the fact that her main guards are those…those things!”
“The bat ponies are also subjects of Equestria,” said Celestia gently. “They have as much right to live here as any other pony.”
“If you insist,” said Divine in a less than thrilled tone. He then let out a short sigh. “Now than, I hope you will talk to Princess Luna on our behalf. She is still in the royal court chambers.” Celestia nodded and then proceed out of the room.
To a point she could understand what Divine Right and others like him were getting at. Luna acted far too quickly without considering other options. Their subjects needed to learn to solve their own problems from time to time. Luna had some ideas for replacing some things with her science, but Celestia felt that things were fine the way they were. What if some of the things that science created would later harm them down the road? As for the bat ponies, well she did find them sort of intimidating. Most stories that were spread about them, ones that dated back to when she was a filly, said that they were born under and evil star and would drain the blood of good, decent ponies. But despite these stories, Luna sought them out and made them part of her guard and after a time even Celestia saw that they were nothing to be afraid of.
When she reached the main court chambers, she found Luna in there pacing back and forth. Near her was a small colt sleeping peacefully. As soon as Celestia walked in Luna turned to her.
“Sister,” she said quickly. “We must place Hoofshire under martial law! There isn’t a moment to lose!”
Celestia raise a hoof to silence her. “Not before I hear the reason why.” Frowning Luna nodded and proceeded to tell her story. She told of how Starlight Sparkle informed her of the mob and that when she arrived several homes were set aflame. A shiver went down her spine as Luna told her about the father who stayed behind to try and save his wife only to die in the flames. But not before giving his son to Luna. “Thy story is…most unsettling.”
“Then you should agree that we must respond to this quickly,” said Luna hopefully. “I believe that most of the town was in on it. Marshal law will help contain the problem, allow the guard to perform interrogations swiftly, and send a strong message to all other who would do the same.”
“I…disagree,” said Celestia. “Martial law seems a bit harsh for a one time event.” Luna’s ears flattened as she glared at her sister. Seeing this, Celestia decided to elaborate. “Right now it does look like a large group did this intentionally. But what if it was only one in the crowd? Or perhaps it was just an accident. And does thou know that many ponies are buying anti-teleportation charms and placing them in their home? It is a way of keeping out unicorn thieves.”
“Then tell me, what does thou propose?” she demanded.
“You can look for evidence,” said Celestia. “But until you can bring some back, I can’t in good conscience allow marshal law. But what we can do is speak out against this tragedy. Let’s say at the next Hearth’s Warming pageant.”
“But that is two months away,” said Luna angrily as she turned to look away from her sister. “And while I waste time, the criminals could move to the next town and strike again! What then? We add them to the list of tragedies that we could prevent?!” She paused and looked at her sister. “I can’t accept that! How many fathers will be taken away from their children while we just sit on our plots? How many mothers will have to bury their children because they liked to go out at night? What will I tell them when they come to me looking for answers and hope that their leaders are doing everything in their power to stop this?”
“Luna, I know this is hard,” said Luna. “I know you feel like acting now might help. But until we find a way to stop the underlying problem then it will never go away. And that will take time. We can’t force our subjects to change.” Luna took a deep breath and closed her eyes. When she opened them, there was a look of determination.
“One of the first things I learned from mother was the reason governments were formed,” she said. “It was to protect those under them. That’s what all of our laws and soldiers are for sister. Pretty words done during a holiday won’t stop this from happening again.” She then pointed to the sleeping colt. “And I refuse to allow something like this to happen again!” She then paused for a moment as she lowered her hoof. “Tell me something. If the situation had been reversed, would you be saying the same thing?”
Celestia could not hide the shock on her face. How could Luna even suggest such a thing? Did she think that she was playing favorites? Sure, it hurt that some of her subjects were spending less time during the day and looking to Luna for advice. Sure, she might have felt a little betrayed but that didn’t mean she wanted them dead. Did she?
“No sister,” said Celestia after a moment. Perhaps a moment too long.
“Then I will do you a favor sister,” said Luna as she began to walk out the door. “I will make sure that you never are faced with the same situation. I shall speak with those who dwell during the night. Together we shall find a route that will not lead to a civil war. And I shall do this without your delayed help.” And with that she left Celestia alone.
-End Flashback-
That was the last time the two talked as co-rulers of Equestria. Now, staring at this child, Celestia realized that she should have put her hoof down a bit more. She could have tried to do something other than speaking out against this racism more than once in a while. She knew about the problem but was waiting for her own subjects to figure it out on their own.
Celestia heard the door open slowly. The sun princess raised her head to see that it was her sister who was looking a bit nervous.
“Hi,” said Luna slowly as she walked into the room. A moment later she sat next to Celestia. “Um, I was thinking of contacting one of my doctors on the moon. We have technology that would speed up her recovery.” But Celestia said not a word. “Well then, I guess I better tell the senators about what happened.”
“Luna,” said Celestia as her sister got up to leave. “You were right.” Luna’s ears stood up straight and her eyes went wide. She turned to face her sister with a look of shock. This was the first time in her entire life that Celestia had ever said that.
“S-Sister?”
“I didn’t want to believe what you were saying was true,” continued Celestia. “There was a time when my words alone could cause our subjects to listen to reason. But as time went on they stopped hearing my words. They still listen, but they do not hear. Then they began to ask my why bat ponies were so different, but I had no answer. And when I couldn’t they made up their own reasons. I tried to tell them it didn’t matter but to them it did. And now I am looking right at the results of everything I haven’t done in the last thousand years.”
For a while, neither spoke.
“I will tell you right now sister,” began Luna, “you messed up. Part of me wants to leave in disgust while another part of me wants to stay only long enough to collect those who wish to join the Lunar Republic.” Celestia’s tears began to fall even faster as she heard this. “But there is a small part of me that…still wants to help you. To give you one last chance.” Celestia turned her head to look at her sister so fast that it might have snapped off. “But it will cost you sister.”
“Yes, of course,” cried Celestia happily.
Luna pointed a hoof at the filly. “First off, you start dealing with this. I want it over as soon as possible. Second, I will be in charge of the military as well as overseeing all technology from the moon. It will fall to me to decided what goes to Equestria and when. And finally, I want half of your nobles replaced with my senate until their term ends. Then we can have a more proper election and slowly replace the nobles.”
“T-That seems a bit too fast,” began Celestia but a glare from Luna caused her to stop. “But very well. It is good to have you back sister.”
“Do not get the wrong idea,” said Luna. “I am only coming back to fix this mess you have made. I am still very angry at you. It will take a long time for me to trust you again. And if I find out that you are hiding or plotting something I will leave.” Luna then got up and began to head to the door. “Now to get a real doctor in here.”
-x-
Applejack grumbled as she walked into the kitchen. A few minutes ago the unicorn from Canterlot had finally shown up. Once she did she looked over the food, made several snide remarks, and told her to redo everything by morning. If she were any other pony, Applejack would have bucked that Trixie girl in the head.
As Applejack opened the oven to pull out some pans, Pinkie Pie jumped out of it with several balloons.
“Hey there Applejack!” yelled Pinkie as Applejack stumbled backwards.
“Pinkie Pie, what in tarnation are you doing in there?” yelled Applejack as she got up. Pinkie just grinned.
“I’m here to invite you to a party,” she said. Applejack, despite herself, grinned back. What pony didn’t like a good party.
“Well that’s nice,” she said. “Who’s it for?”
“Three ponies who just got into town,” said Pinkie. “Twilight, Shadow, and Trixie.” Applejack felt the color drain from her face.
“A party for them?” asked Applejack with a raised eyebrow. “You sure? Twilight seems nice and all but that Trixie is a real character. And that bat pony-”
“Oh, you mean Shadow?” said Pinkie as she tilted her head to the side. “Are you upset that he doesn’t sparkle to?”
“What? No! Don’t you know what they say about bat ponies?” asked Applejack. Pinkie shook her head no.
“Oh don’t worry, she’ll be there,” came the voice of Granny Smith. Applejack turned around to see her grandmother standing at the door of the kitchen. “Applejack, can ah see ya for a moment.”
Applejack nodded and went to follow her granny. Pinkie Pie just shrugged as she bounced out the door. In the next room Granny pulled out an old photo album.
“Ah probably should of shown you this years ago sugar lump,” said Granny as she turned the pages. She stopped on a page showing the family farm back when she was just a little filly. Applejack looked at the photo, trying to see what Granny was trying to show her. It was just the family and what looked like a farm hand. But after a moment, she noticed that the farm hand had bat wings.
“G-Granny what’s a-” began Applejack, but Granny placed a hoof on her shoulder.
“Back when the farm was gettin’ off the ground, my pa needed an extra set of hooves,” said Granny as she looked fondly. “It was back when the first crop of apples came in. He was a drifter, flying around the country where there were no towns, foraging for food. He saw our farm and asked to work for food. My ma uneasy around him but my pa said we needed the extra hoof. He stayed with us for two years until the town began to form. Pa said he could stay as long as he wanted but he declined. Said he liked us too much to let us go under just because ponies didn’t like him.”
“Because he was most likely a thief,” said Applejack. Granny, oddly enough, nodded.
“He admitted to me once that he stole a couple times in his life,” she said as she put away the album. “I asked him why and he said that nopony would hire him. I asked why and he told me he only stole because no pony would hire him. It’s a vicious cycle. So please sugar lump, give a pony a chance before ya pass judgment.” And with that, Granny Smith left the room.
As you can see, doctor, we have the finest medical facilities in Equestria set up for you. You'll find them to be at the cutting edge of technology--
What's so funny?
Why do I feel this whole ne government idea will still cause a civil war to spring up around the nobles.
The storms a brewing but will it be a cleansing rain or a torrential downpour that will wipe everything away? I say if Luna, for whatever odd reason, decides to stay and start immigrating Lunar Colony ponies in, they should not let any Equestrian Ponies on the Moon. Why? It takes just one greased hoof to snatch something extremely dangerous and end up in the hooves of a corrupt noble. And hopefully Blueblood will be one of the nobles replaced.
MOAR?
I marked this to get an e-mail but I never do.
I've read two chapters at once.
Both speak volumes, every one is both right and wrong.
You see Celestia does put too much faith in others but that is because she is a skeemer. She has to have faith that what she sets in motion will work out in her favor. But that blinds her to what could happen. But in a seance Luna has a point too the only reason she called this conference is because she wanted the Elements Of Harmony back.
Luna is right because she can't stand for the wrongs that happen to others. She is quick to act but often does not see the big picture.
But Candace is right because Luna ran away.
You see that's why it will be hard for them to reunite because they aren't just dealing with two nations and their people, this issues are intertwined with Major family issues too.
The thing is from what I see Celestia is letting her nobles get away with murder and When some one, Luna, got in their way the ran to Celestia for help.
I'm just wondering if a center couple is going to end up together?
Will Twilight make friends with the others?
What's going to happen with Luna and Celestia
I also wondering what is going to happen next.
This story is great I like how the familiar characters are our of there, or rather our, comfort zone and we get see them in ways we would not normally would.
Yes, I know that's how fan fiction works but I just like your spin on it.
I hope that this story will continue to be this good.
good luck and hope the best for the future.
By the way, I dislike the common tyrant/chessmaster perception of Celestia so common between the fans, but I think you have pushed the opposite angle maybe too much: how can she be so incompetent?
You know what truly demotivational about this? It's that this crap is still going on in our own society.
2265098
Constitutional monarchy, she relies far too much on the nobles to be honest and deal with things properly, and while most probably do (or did), far too many use the fact that their ancestors did something to get them landed as an excuse to muck around, make their own laws and fill their own pockets. Plus there's the whole ego thing, which is visible in Divine Right and Trixie who are a millennium apart and Trixie probably isn't noble born, but does have more talent for magic than most.
I think it's a case of Luna's 'too hands on' while Celestia is too hands off with ruling that brings several of the problems and there's the whole thing of trusting ponies too much or not enough.
Cadence probably, because of where she is, amongst royalty but not in the middle of the argument, can see things more clearly than either of her 'aunts' so she can probably find the common ground or middle ground more easily than either and point out flaws in both sides' plans.
Of course the fact Luna yanked every 'bat-pony' away a millennium prior and there are likely a few thestrals around, discounting the vampire tales, have painted those that remained in a bad light just from their form the same as there were probably 'opinions' about people with different coloured skin here on Earth and without the balance of those that lived in the darkness or liked stars and moon as inspiration to balance out the traditionalists in Equestria things have only gone from bad to worse as far as discrimination is concerned, which Luna flares up about because she's a bit too involved having lived with a more contained and probably smaller population for a thousand years, watching their growth.
2265146
Yup, and it doesn't help that far too many jobs are having travellers fill them in some cases, but at the same time it's a cycle that people can't work so they don't want to so they can't find anywhere so... you get the picture. Add in everything with political correctness, etc and... it's annoying as heck. I went to a work thing earlier and there were 6 Asian, 2 Caucasian and 1 Negroid (using scientific names where possible), makes you think a bit.
2265098 It was the Nightmare Moon incident that cemented the ponies faith and loyalty in her. It was her pure power at banishing her and saving Equestria that made her subjects obey her almost without question... probably out of fear of her power at first, but over time it started to be out of love and respect. Without the incident that forced her to prove just how strong she could be, the ponies of Equestria started to think they could get away with certain things... and over time, it became worse and worse... I think...
to be honest? Celestia seems WAY too soft and dumb for how I expected her to act..........(Luna seems younger but she seems to know WAY more than she's supposed to)
This fic is starting to look like the "buck celestia, luna rules" kinda fic. This just looks WAY too OOC (but that's just my opinion.)
Go Granny :D
Isn't that kind of repetitive??
Celestia finally realizes she should do more than talk. now, I know I said than before, but the saying "actions speak louder than words" exist for a reason. She puts too much faith in her subjects to do the right thing, and we see what the results are. also, It's nice to know that at least Granny Smith isn't a bigot like some of the ponies in this town.
and I'm just being nitpicky here, but in the flashback, there's a part that reads, "Luna, I know this is hard," said Luna, when clearly Celestia says it. I just thought I'd point this out. again, just being nitpicky.
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Since you all commented. just wanted to let you know that there was a bit at the beginning that for some reason didn't get posted. Stupid copy and paste. And stupid me for not noticing earilier.
Great chapter. Can Celestia fix her mistakes? Will Applejack learn not judge by species? Where is Spike in all this? Did any other species like Griffons, Diamond Dogs, or even Changelings follow Luna, live with the ponies in the Republic?
You'd think Granny would've shown Applejack something like this already, considering how much free time she probably has.
2264890
After thinking it over over the duration of my Biology class, I decided that I found this mildly irritating.
2264833
Eternal doom to Blueblood!
2265095
Buddy, everyone's probably wondering most of those things. But define 'center couple'.
A 'seance' is a session in which a medium talks to spirits. I assume you mean 'sense'.
I've read many chapters at once. My record is 150-something. Unfortunately, Austraeoh wasn't quite finished.
2266172
WOW 150 chapters I tip my hat to you.
A 'seance' is a session in which a medium talks to spirits. I assume you mean 'sense'.
Thanks for pointing that out I usually spell it that way
As for the couple I left it open ended because people can take what they want form it.
Part of me loves shipping stories too.
Hope the best for the future.
Thanks again
2265095
I know ho you feel I don't seem to get email updates from this site anymore too.
2265095
What might surprise Luna the most could be ponies who don't want the new technology because "it would corrupt our souls". Or Common ponies who do not want an elected senate because they will claim that they would easy be elect be those with a lot of backing them lead to corporations and special interests deciding things. Some could view what Celestia is about to do as betrayal of all her people and would fight for a government free from "Alicorn interference" saying they are just bad as Discord was, but at least he was honest about not caring about them.
2265532 I think it's more like this: In canon, Celestia got her wake-up call when she had to banish her sister to the moon. This one, she never did, so she kept doing things like she did back then. It took her almost losing her sister for good in both continuities to get her to realize just how wrong things had gone. Neither really has the high-ground on this matter anyway; each has made mistakes with how to deal with the situation. Celestia being far to lenient and trusting, and Luna effectively abandoning Celestia to deal with her problem, not realizing that leaving would only make the problem worse.
Only time will tell whether this ends peacefully or not. This has the potential to ruin everything both of them have worked so hard to achieve.
2265095 what this guy said.
2266172 I think Freewing means Shining Armor and Cadance, since they are each in different factions. I foresee them being a major plot point.
2266080 FIND OUT NEXT TIME ON PONY BALL Z!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
THIS IS WHY I HATE HOMO SAPIENS! LITTLE RACIST MOTHERCOPULATERS!
Well I think Granny Smith just won the internet...
Repetitive ending to this chapter.... Unless Granny Smith is meant to be repeating herself, I supppose but as is it looks like a typo. If it's intentional, maybe you should break the repetition up slightly so it's not back to back, like inserting "she shook her head sadly" between the two.
2333936 look anything that can think for itself can hate.
dogs can hate humans but only if harmed by them.
humans are smarter then them but can and sometimes will harm or fear those who are too diffrent.
its proof that are humanity is what makes us so cruel.
we are the worst things to ever live.
but if we wernt here some other animal would replace us effentually.
I just noticed that this could have ended with Luna becoming Nightmare Moon to protect the ponies who respected her and making night eternal so the others would get used to it and finally like it and not be such dicks to her supporters.
It would be for another reason but it could have ended the same way, maybe with Luna winning.
Aww... ain't Granny Smith a sweet heart.
Bte late to be syaing thsi now seeing how many chapters are still in this thing, But I do agree with an earleir comment that everythign seems to be VERY one-sided, skewing thing sto the Lunar Republics side while saying that Equestria doesn't have nay good points. Which, to be honest, is very unfair. The Repiublic shoudl definantly have some bad parts to it as well, so it isn't some perfect suetopia.
Also, Luna's thinking is itself one sided, failing to recognside that yes, sometimes you should put your foot down sometimes, but if you use too much force too often, you become a tyrant. Not to mention how many innocents could be harmed if you don't reign yourself in.
4739480 seems similar to me. It also bugs me a little what Luna demands of Celestia. I get the part with the controlled export of technology from the moon to equestria but to re-construct the political structure of another nation with people from the lunar senate? To demand control over the military???
Maybe a red carpet to the nation itself? ok, that was sarcastic.
The lunar republic wants something from equestria not the other way around. Sure, it would lead to war in the long term when the water ressources are depleted but I do hope Celestia doesn't agree to all of this too fast. (Especially when the lunar republic has other ways to get the water.)
But aside from that it is an awesome story so far.
“Luna, I know this is hard,” said Luna. '
aahagagagj
I find this a particularly funny typo but it's also a bit of a paradox there... might want to fix that.
A more politically practical approach would be to set up a bicameral legislature with an elected lower house and a house of lords who can be slowly neutered. What Luna proposes is going to produce a civil war, one that the nobles would lose but would kill a lot of ponies.
4739480 I disagree. this has been aparently a problem for years before those houses burned. 4 families dead just because they like the night. yeah a temporay martial law would have been okay for such a serious thing.
The issue here is that for a long time Celestia is Jimmy Carter/ Barrack obama. Not showing strentgh when it's needed. Words mean nothing if there is no force to back it.
so the old grandma with the southern accent is the tolerant one. interesting
2265287
I know this is an old comment, but holy snap-and-a-half! I never thought of that.
Celestia saving her subjects from Nightmare Moon gave her a lot of clout in ruling Equestria.
No Nightmare Moon, no clout.
It makes sense.
6022987 watch the show! Ever heard of Granny Smith?
I can't comprehend for the life of me how you manage to keep flip-flopping back and forth between spelling it right and spelling it completely wrong like that in this chapter, almost within a single sentence. Going with one or the other I could understand, but you clearly know how it's spelled. How can you possibly screw that up when they're practically sitting right next to each other?
Ok you need to fix this. This doesn't sound like Luna since it makes it seem like she talk to herself. It sounds like Celestia talking not Luna
Yes, ha ha ha.
Every fucking story I read Celestia sucks at ruling.
I'm so happy that someone is calling her out on her shit AND doing something about it.
Luna is best pony.
You, uh, seem to have gotten some farce mixed in with your adventure / drama thing.
Lynch mobs in our country? We can't have that! I will give them a stern talking to. Eventually.
This is not Celestia making a mistake, this is not even Celestia being weak or soft, this is Celestia being too stupid to be entrusted with a bake sale, much less a country. The correct response is not, "How could you?!", but rather, "That's great! In fact, why don't you go work on that speech right away and let the grown-ups talk."
7624505 read something by Georg then. His stuff is good and often funny. There's Skywriter and another...Hysteric? something? that are also good. Just head to that side of fimfiction.
8608398
Uh huh I shall prove you wrong.(yes I know cartoon bite me) 1. Nobles (PRINCE BLUBLOOD) enough said. 2 racism. 3 nightmare moon, discord, sombra, Tirek (CHECK THE CELLS ONCE A MONTH HELLO!!!) And and then there is the clip for season 7 daybreaker (doesn't technically count but still there and not as a number) so this author has every reason to portray Celestia as he/she wants
You mean Celestia?
Smells like.... foreshadowing? Ah, yes that's it...
Took Celestia more than a thousand years to finally realise that no one would listen to mere spoken words. Finally got that through her head.
Wow so it's a tyrant versus pus over God. Celestia has the right idea but does not put actions to her plans unless it involves gambling. Luna tries to bulldoze all her ideas into people. With very little concern about the consequences. So a tyrant Luna is and a puss-over God is Celestia. The plans he laid out sounds like a good way to start a civil war