Even as she celebrates the birth of her first foal, Princess Cadance stumbles upon the affair between her beloved Shining Armor and her Aunt Luna.
No sin can remain buried forever.
Shining Armor believes that his troubles are over; his beloved Cadance is soon to give birth to their first foal and his affair with Princess Luna has cooled off considerably as her own pregnancy enters it's last stages.
Princess Luna is at the end of her rope; Shining Armor still has no idea that he is the father of the foal growing inside her and his clumsy gallantry is making her genuinely fall in love with him.
One elated, the other tormented, the pair of sinners will soon be faced with one of the unquestioned absolutes of the universe...
...what's done in the dark will be brought to the light.
As sure as God made black and white, what's done in the dark will be brought to the light. -Johnny Cash
Shining Armor paced the floor of the balcony nervously, his hooves creating a maddening beat that matched his rapid heart rate. Every few seconds he glanced at the door to the next room as though expecting it to fly open at any instant. For a moment he was convinced he’d seen the door knob jiggle… no, just a trick of the light. Frustrated, he continued his pacing.
“You really should calm down, your majesty.” Golden Haze, Canterlot Castle’s Captain of the Royal Guard, offered politely.
Shining Armor rounded on her and glared, the bags under his eyes standing out. “How can I calm down, Haze? I wouldn’t be this worried if they would just let me in there…”
Golden Haze shook her head and offered her former commanding officer a small smile. “You know you can’t be in there. This is the first time an alicorn has ever given birth, after all. Who know what could happen? The ambient magics could fry your brain for all we know.”
He hung his head in submission, remembering to keep his knowledge of Princess Celestia’s daughter a secret. “I guess you’re right.”
Laughing, the bright yellow pegasus broke protocol and hugged her old mentor tightly. “It’ll be okay. I promise.”
He returned the hug gratefully. “I know. I’m just worried sick. Cadance isn’t due for another month and I…” Shining Armor’s words were cut off by the sound of an opening door.
The two soldiers turned to see the chamber’s door swing wide and reveal a beaming earth pony nurse. She gave a slight bow. “Your majesty?”
Shining Armor took a tentative step forward. “Is Cadance alright? Is the foal…?”
“A boy.” The nurse cut him off.
“A… a boy?” Shining Armor repeated the phrase as though trying to work out a word in an alien tongue.
The nurse nodded and smiled. “A boy.”
A huge smile broke upon the prince’s face. He turned to Golden Haze. “A BOY!” He almost screamed at her.
Golden Haze took a step back and grinned. “I’m aware… sir.”
The nurse stepped to the side and gestured towards the door. “Would you like to meet him?”
Cadance, exhausted and disheveled, looked up from the sleeping bundle before her to find her beloved in the doorway. “Shining Armor…” She whispered, smiling weakly. “Come and see your son.”
On legs that had stood up to Changeling hordes and wicked immortal kings, Shining Armor crossed the room unsteadily and looked with reverence at the creature his wife held. “Cadance… he’s perfect.”
The turquoise blue foal twitched, a natural response to his first dream. His tiny wings flapped once and were still. His minute horn jutted from a tuft of two-toned gold and silver hair.
“So, the little prince is an alicorn.” The voice, warm and caring as always, made the new parents turn and watch Princess Celestia enter the delivery room.
“Aunt Celestia, you didn’t have to come.” Cadance smiled sheepishly.
“And miss seeing my new grand-nephew? Perish the thought.” Celestia bent over the newborn and kissed his forehead. “Good morning, little one.” She looked up at the pair. “Have you decided on a name yet?”
Cadance and Shining Armor looked at each other and nodded. “Morning Dew.” They said together.
Celestia nodded sagely. “A name that speaks of new beginnings. Very appropriate.” Celestia leaned close to the foal’s ear and whispered. “Welcome to the world, Prince Morning Dew.”
Morning Dew whined in his slumber.
Cadance looked up at her husband and was shocked to see that he was crying. “Shining Armor?” She raised an eyebrow. “Liquid pride again?”
He waved away her comment and kissed her. “I love you.”
She touched the tip of her horn to his and smiled. A spark of magic leapt between them, filling them both with the love they felt for each other. “I love you too.”
“I am not interrupting anything, I hope?”
No longer as taken aback as they had been months previously when she had first dropped the constant use of the royal ‘We,’ the three occupants turned to watch the princess of the night enter the room. Luna, heavy with her own offspring, carefully made her way to the bed. She took in the foal and smiled approvingly at Cadance. “He has your cheekbones.”
“And his father’s eyes.”
Luna nodded. “No need to wake the babe so I may see for myself. Congratulations, niece.”
“Thank you, Aunt Luna.”
Celestia took in Luna’s plump form and gave a slight nod. “I suspect it won’t be long before you are in this very bed, little sister.”
Cadance tore her eyes away from the tiny life she had created and looked to Luna with pity. “I’m so sorry, Aunt Luna. I heard about the foal’s father…”
Luna waved her off. “Colonel Nightshade died with honor. His child will remember him proudly.” She grimaced and clutched at her stomach. “He always kicks when his father is mentioned.”
“Tell me about it.” Cadance laughed, looking over at Shining Armor who was now holding the sleeping foal. “Anytime Shining held me in bed, little Morning Dew there would try to kick his way out to try and meet him early.”
Luna paid her no mind. She was too focused on Shining Armor and his son. The look in Shining Armor’s eyes was more powerful than she could’ve ever imagined. He looked upon the foal with total dedication and affection, a newborn bond that could never be severed or damaged. She reached out a hoof to touch his shoulder. “Shining Armor…”
The foal inside her kicked.
Luna recoiled in pain but waved off the approaching nurse. “I’m fine. I just… I just need to go lie down.” She gave an apologetic bow of her head and hastened out the door.
Sensing something wrong, Celestia made to follow her. She gave a quick look back and smiled at the new parents. “You should be very proud. Both of you.”
The royal pair barely acknowledged her, so entranced were they by the now quietly snoring foal.
Celestia hastened out the door and spied Luna already down the length of the hall, heading for her tower most likely. With a single flap of her magnificent wings, the first born ruler of Equestria crossed the length of the hall and landed gracefully at her sister’s side. “Luna? What’s the matter?”
Luna stopped in her tracks and looked away. “I don’t wish to speak about it, sister.”
“You’ve been acting strange these past few months, and not normal pregnancy strange.” She stepped in front of the shorter pony and laid a comforting hoof on her shoulder. “Luna, what’s wrong?”
The foal kicked again and Luna sniffled as she put a hoof to her belly. “It’s… it’s the foal’s father…”
Celestia offered a comforting smile. “I know. It’s always hard losing somepony you care about…”
“No, you misunderstand, Tia. Colonel Nightshade isn’t dead.”
“But I read the death report myself.”
“A forgery.”
“So…” Celestia took on a hopeful tone despite her confusion. “…that’s good, yes? The foal will still have a father then.”
Luna chuckled darkly. “You still aren’t getting it. Colonel Nightshade isn’t dead because he never existed. I made him up.”
Celestia had had enough with her sister’s half answers and riddles. “If you made him up, then where is the foal’s father?”
Luna sighed… and pointed her hoof back towards the nursery chamber.
It didn’t take the goddess long to connect the dots. Celestia gasped and withdrew her hoof as though Luna’s skin had burned her. “Luna, no! You didn’t?!”
Luna nodded, tears beginning to flow from her eyes. "I'm so sorry..."
“How long?”
“Since not long after the wedding.”
Celestia was reeling from the information. “Does Shining…?”
“NO!” Luna’s eyes flashed open as she inadvertently let loose a pulse of magic that rippled the air itself. “He can’t know. He mustn’t ever know.”
“Why?”
“Because… because I promised him this wouldn’t happen.”
Celestia shook her head and began to formulate a solution to the sticky situation. “We have to keep things the way they are then. Shining Armor will not find out. Nor will Cadance.” She considered. “Especially Cadance.”
Luna wiped her eyes and looked at the sun goddess in confusion. “Are you not angry?”
A memory tugged at Celestia’s heart strings. A memory of a perfect little foal in her arms… the result of her own transgressions. “A great many things happened while you were gone, little sister. Things that let me know what to do in situations such as this.” She walked past Luna and back towards the nursery. “Just continue on as you have been… and pray that the foal doesn’t look like him.”
Luna nodded as she mounted the stairs to her tower.
“Luna.”
The princess of the night turned to find her sister looking at her with an emotion in her eyes she hadn’t seen in over a millennia; shame.
“I’m very disappointed in you, Luna. I thought you had changed.”
Luna hung her head and stared at the stone floor. “As had I, Celestia. As had I.”
///////////////////////////////////////////////
Cadance smiled happily as her little son's hooves continued to bat at the air, still trying to explore even though her magic had snatched him just as he'd toppled over the edge of the enormous bed. Just a week old and already he was trying to crawl. The nurse-ponies were baffled. They said that no normal foal should be developing this quickly.
Of course the little Prince Morning Dew was no normal foal.
Cadance watched in bemused interest as his tiny eyes (indeed his father’s shade) closed tight and his little face scrunched up. Cadance rolled her eyes and awaited this latest gift from her little treasure. Wasn’t it Shining Armor’s turn to change the diaper? He was just in the next room…
A minute beam of light arced from Morning Dew’s diminutive horn and coalesced into the rough image of a pegasus pony. The hazy form was pink and badly blurry… almost like it was being seen through still-developing eyes.
Cadance watched in wonder as her son seemed to study the image he’d created, scrunched his face up again, and summoned an even smaller beam of light that connected with the image and gave it a horn.
It was a small rough image of Cadance herself.
Tears gathering in her eyes, Cadance kissed the now starting to snooze foal and called softly to the next room. “Shining Armor! Hurry!”
There were a series of loud crashes as the still over-excitable new father burst into the room. “Cadance?! Is he…?”
Cadance shushed him and gestured for him to come closer and examine the floating magical construct.
“Is that you?” Shining Armor asked in amazement.
Cadance nodded excitedly. “He’s already trying to communicate. I wish I knew what he was trying to tell me.”
Shining Armor smiled and kissed his beloved’s cheek. “I think it’s pretty obvious he’s trying to say he loves his mommy.”
Cadance gave her foal a nuzzle. “Mommy loves you too, little one.”
Shining Armor beamed at his son and leaned in close. “Do you want to try saying something to daddy?”
Like he’d heard him, Morning Dew’s face scrunched up again.
“I think he understood me!” Shining Armor exclaimed, stepping back so he could see whatever image the tiny prince would conjure up for him.
No image came… but a distinct odor floated past both parent’s nostrils.
Shining Armor offered a sheepish grin. “Pretty sure that’s also a message for you, love.”
Cadance pouted. “Shining Armor! It’s your turn to change him.”
Shining Armor offered his wife his best pleading, puppy-dog eyed look. “Please, sweet pea? I promise I’ll get the next one.”
Cadance narrowed her eyes.
“…and I’ll give you a hoof rub?”
No change in his wife’s gaze.
“And I’ll go get some of those sweets you like so much?”
A smile crossed the princess’ face. “A big box?”
Shining Armor felt himself relaxing. “The biggest one in the store. I’ll go get them right now.”
Cadance nodded as she levitated the foal towards the changing table. “And I get my hoof rub while I’m eating them. In a bubble bath. Understood?”
Shining Armor snapped to mock-attention. “Yes ma’am.”
Cadance looked back, a sultry look in her eyes. “If it’s a big enough box of sweets, and if the hoof rub is up to snuff… then maybe I’ll rub something of yours once Morning Dew takes his nap.”
Shining Armor trembled slightly at the tone in his wife’s voice. “I’ll do my best, ma’am.”
“Very good, Captain.” She flicked her tail at him. “Dismissed.”
Shining Armor all but ran out the door to the bed-chambers. He broke into a full gallop once he reached the hallway proper…
…and nearly crashed headlong into Princess Luna.
Caught completely off-guard, Shining Armor slid to a stop mere inches from his mistress. She looked at him with wry amusement. “In a hurry, Shining Armor?”
Shining Armor laughed embarrassedly. “Sorry, Luna. I was just heading out into town.”
Luna cocked her head at him. “Why go yourself? Why not send a runner?”
He shrugged. “I guess I’m still not used to this whole royalty thing. I prefer to run my own errands.”
Luna laughed airily. “Such a noble…” The foal inside her kicked and she winced.
“Are you alright?”
“Fine. The little one is simply… rambunctious today.”
He looked at her with sincere concern in his eyes. “Maybe you should see the doctor. Morning Dew wasn’t kicking Cadance nearly as hard as that foal is kicking you.”
“But remember; my niece was not born as she is. She may have become an alicorn, but she was born a simple pegasus. She is not…” She paused, unsure of how to say the next word without sounding too superior. “…divine.” She failed miserably. She offered her lover a small smile. “Why are you so concerned?”
Shining Armor returned the smile. “Well, the foal may not be mine, but…”
“But?”
“But I feel bad that he’ll never get to know his father.”
Luna recoiled internally but continued listening.
“I’ve never felt anything as amazing as being a father. It really changes your perspective of things and… ah, I just don’t know how to put it into words.”
Luna giggled. “It’s cute seeing you act this way. I haven’t seen you this flustered since I demonstrated the Zeboran Seduction Dance.”
Shining Armor blushed at the memory and continued. “The point I’m trying to make is… well, since Colonel Nightshade can’t be around to feel that way, then I guess somepony has to.”
“What are you saying?”
Shining Armor took a deep breath and smiled. “I’d be honored if you made me the foal’s godfather.”
Luna was silent as his words plunged deeper and deeper into her. The unbridled honesty of the request, his earnest wanting to do the right thing, cut her to the bone. She stared at him, wanting nothing more than to fall to her knees and tell him everything, to confess her sins and tell him who the foal’s father really was.
Instead she kissed him.
It was not a lustful, passionate kiss like so many before they had shared on her tower balcony. It was slow and romantic, a kiss that took it’s time.
They parted slightly and Shining Armor inhaled the sweet perfume around her. “Is that a yes?”
She kissed him again, deeper this time.
Shining Armor forgot his surroundings and surrendered as he always did.
Neither heard the door swing open into the hallway.
“Shining Armor?” Cadance called as she stepped out of the chamber. “Morning Dew took to his nap easier than I thought he would. I thought maybe we could…” Her eyes fell upon the kissing lovers and the words died in her throat. She took a reflexive step back as her jaw hung wide open. A strange phantom pain flooded her every fiber and she began to cry without even realizing it. “Sh…Shining Armor?” She whispered hoarsely.
The pair broke apart and stared in shock at the pink princess. Shining Armor reached out to her. “Cadance, I can explain…”
She bolted down the hall, her sobs echoing along the walls.
“CADANCE!” Shining Armor cried after her and made to give chase.
Luna’s scream stopped him in mid-air.
He looked back and saw her collapsed on her side, shrieking in agony as she clutched her swollen belly. “Luna? What is it?”
“The… the foal…” she choked out. “It’s coming…”
Shining Armor looked away from her and back at the way his wife had run. “But Cadance…”
Luna screamed again.
Whether it was his chivalrous nature or the shame at his secret finally being discovered, something kept Shining Armor from following his beloved down the castle’s corridors. He instead hefted the princess of the night onto his back and ran as hard as he could for the infirmary.
///////////////////////////////////
Deep in the castle’s bowels, in the hidden Archives of Truth, the librarian called Brother Veritas hummed an ancient melody as he reorganized a nearby shelf of scrolls.
His peace was soon shattered by a slammed open door and the panting sobs of a mare he knew well.
“Cadance?!” Veritas spun, his tattered robe sweeping ancient tomes from a low shelf. “Whatever’s wrong, child?” He crossed the room and embraced his former student.
Her body was shaking with the power of her sorrow. “I d-don’t want t-to t-talk about it.”
Veritas tilted her chin up and gave her a comforting look. “Remember the pledge of a student and pupil, Cadance. ‘Hide from me nothing…’”
“’…and nothing shall I hide from thee.’” She finished before sighing and wiping her eyes. “It’s Shining Armor. I found him kissing…” She caught her tongue before she named her adulterous aunt. “…another mare.”
Veritas winced but continued to stroke his young friend’s mane in as comforting a fashion as he could manage. “Are you sure? Perhaps this mare simply surprised your husband. He’s not a bad looking chap, is he?”
“There’s no mistake.” Cadance almost growled. “He was definitely being enthusiastic about it.”
“Did he try to explain?”
“I don’t know. He might’ve tried, but…”
“But?”
“But, when I saw it, I… I don’t know. It… it hurt me and I panicked and I ran here on instinct, like I did when I was little. The pain was unlike anything I’ve ever felt before. It… it felt like a knife sticking right into my heart.” She looked at him with worry. “Why did it hurt like that?”
Veritas sighed and pulled away. “You are one with the power of love itself, child, and today was the first time you’ve ever felt real heart-ache. Your body must have interpreted it as actual physical pain.”
Cadance turned and pouted, just like she’d done as a filly. “I don’t like it.”
Veritas forced a chuckle and turned back to the shelf he’d been working on. “It’s rare to find the pony who enjoys heart-ache, Cady-did.” Using her old nickname made him relax somewhat. “I’m sure this is all a big misunderstanding. If you dry your eyes, go upstairs, and let them explain, I’m sure Shining Armor and Princess Luna will…”
“What did you say?”
Brother Veritas nearly bit off the tip of his tongue. “Uh… I said that I’m sure they’ll be able to…”
“I never told you Luna was the one kissing Shining Armor.”
Veritas felt his heart beginning to race. “Yes you did. It was the first thing you said when you walked in.”
“Brother Veritas; look at me.”
“I don’t see the…”
“Look at me!”
A command. She’d never commanded him before, never even insisted he use her royal title. He turned his head and found a strange look in her eyes; a kind of rage-tinged paranoia.
“What do you know?”
“Nothing, Princess Cadance.”
Cadance’s eyes narrowed. “You are a terrible liar.” She began to advance on him.
Veritas actually felt himself trying to get away, sliding his body along the shelf for support beneath her withering gaze. “Cadance, you’ve experienced a traumatic…”
“Silence.”
This was not the little alicorn he had instructed in the magical arts. This was not the teenage mare who had snuck down in the early morning hours to gush about the handsome big brother of the unicorn she foal-sat every weekend. This was not the grown adult who had cried with him when she’d shown him the ring her beloved Captain of the Guard had presented her with.
He wasn’t sure what was approaching him now, but whatever it was it made him feel like a helpless child.
“Remember the pledge.” There was the slightest hint of a mocking tone in her voice. “If you cared for me, you would tell me what I want to know.”
“It’s precisely because I care for you that I won’t tell you! I can’t tell you! Can’t you understand that?” He cried out in desperation. “Princess Cadance, please…”
“You have all the law books down here. Surely you know it’s a crime to withhold information from royalty?”
“Cadance, I’m begging you. Anything I told you would not ease your pain. It would only make it worse!”
“Enough!” Energy flared around her and began to manifest into a series of long, serpentine forms. “This is your last chance.”
Veritas scrambled backwards as quick as he could, fear flooding every bone in his body. “PRINCESS CADANCE, DON’T DO THIS PLEASE!”
“Why do you keep saying that, Brother Veritas? I'm not a princess anymore.” Her eyes went white with power and she offered what could only be described as a wicked grin. “I’m an empress now.”
Veritas had only enough time to notice a strange trick of the light; from his angle, it appeared that Cadance’s cutie mark had… had changed somehow.
The crystal heart emblazoned on her flank had cracked.
The tendrils of energy shot out like hungry snakes.
“CADAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!” Verita’s final plea for mercy faded into a scream of agony that echoed through the archives.
//////////////////////////////////////////
In the nursery above, Princess Luna’s son drew in his first breath and greeted the world with a prolonged cry.
"Since my ascension to princess-hood, I've found it helpful to do more research on the most rare of Equestrian creatures; the alicorn. In my studies, I've come across a startling idea. Each alicorn is a pure representation of something in Equestria. They are closer, by their very natures, to the ethereal magics that fill this world. And, like magic, they have a tendency to fall to extremes. The most obvious example of this is Princess Luna's fall and becoming Nightmare Moon. This occurred because Luna was consumed by a singular force; jealousy. Thus my theory is that each alicorn possesses in them the capacity for the great extremes; great good and great evil. One wonders what this would mean if somepony like Princess Cadance was consumed by this 'inner darkness.'
Or even Princess Celestia herself."
-Princess Twilight Sparkle, 'A Study on the Nature of Alicorns'
She was waiting for him in his office. She'd lit a single candle and was reclining in his chair, a gift from his former brothers-in-arms. Her magic held aloft a delicate crystal paperweight. She stared intently at it and didn't even cut her eyes at him when he entered the room.
“Cadance...”
“When I ascended into princess-hood, Auntie Celestia told me that it was possible that I would develop a gift; a specialty. Neither of us were sure what it would be, if it would be anything at all. We were still wondering when I left the castle one night to foal-sit for a very popular pair of unicorns.” Her eyes slid closed as she fell into memory. “When I laid eyes on you, my love, I couldn't breathe. Every nerve of my body filled with power, every hair on my body stood on end... I knew in that instant what my gift was; to do what I could to ensure that all ponies could feel that electricity. I was to be the princess of love itself.” Her eyes flashed open and she looked again to the ornament. “Do you know what the heart is? A real heart, not this stylized nonsense on my flanks.”
“I...”
“It's the strongest muscle in a pony's body. It's got chambers and ventricles and it pumps blood throughout a pony's body. It's really a work of art... much like this bit of crystal.” She rotated the ornament. “Also like this bauble, the heart is very... fragile.” Magic flashed in her eyes and the paperweight zoomed towards Shining Armor's head.
He ducked at the last instant and heard it shatter against the wall behind him. Bits of crystal settled in his mane. “Cadance, let me explain.”
“Don't bother lying to me. I know everything already.”
He frowned and stared at the ground. “Veritas.”
A small, twisted smile crossed her lips. “Our relationship dates back to before we even met, my love. We hold no secrets from each other.” The smile faded and she faced him fully, all holy rage and hellfire. “There's one thing I don't know, one thing my teacher didn't know; how long?”
Shining Armor gathered himself and met her fierce gaze. “Since two months after the wedding.”
Cadance bared her teeth and felt her magic begin to snake it's way across her husband's desk. “Did you tire of me so quickly? Was my body, was my love not enough for you?! You needed to get a little extra from somepony just A BIT OLDER?!”
“CADANCE STOP!”
“I WILL NOT!” Every item on Shining Armor's desk exploded in a hail of splinters and shredded papers. Cadance didn't break Shining Armor's gaze for even an instant. “HOW COULD YOU DO THIS TO ME?! TO US?! By the powers, you even have a foal with her now...”
“The foal isn't mine.”
“I SAID DON'T LIE!” She shrieked, and the heavy oak desk broke in half like cardboard. “I know everything, remember?! I know the whole reason she took you as a lover was because of her need for a foal.”
Shining Armor stood his ground, refusing to be damned for a sin that was not his. “I told Luna that I couldn't be the father of the foal she wanted. I told her to find somepony else. She said there wouldn't be a baby.”
“And you believed her?” Cadance actually laughed. “I guess all the brains really did go to your sister.”
“Cadance, this is between us. Not Luna, not her foal...”
“YOUR FOAL!” She screamed.
“IT'S NOT MINE!” He roared back.
“He is yours.”
The serene voice made Shining Armor spin. “Princess Celestia.” Her statement finally made it to his brain. “...my foal?”
“Congratulations, Shining Armor; it appears you have two sons. If I were you, I would go and meet the new one.” Celestia wasn't looking at him. Her eyes remained focused on her niece.
“Your majesty, I...”
“SHINING ARMOR.” Celestia's eyes flashed white and she looked down at her nephew-in-law without a trace of emotion on her face. “It would do you well to allow me to calm my niece. To keep yourself busy, I urge you to go and see your son.”
Shining Armor's retort died in his throat at what lay behind those brilliant white eyes. He nodded, gave one look back at his wife, and exited the room.
The tension between the two silent princesses was palpable. Cadance made no move from the remains of what had been Shining Armor's desk and Celestia kept her every muscle tensed, ready to spring should Cadance's magic lash out once again.
Cadance's body betrayed her at last as a single tear fell from one blood-tinged eye. “You... you knew? And you didn't tell me?”
Celestia finally relaxed, her eyes losing their inner glow, as she looked sadly at her defeated niece. “I was only made aware of the affair recently, I assure you.”
“And you still didn't tell me?”
“What good would it have done?”
“What good...?” Cadance gaped at her ancient adopted aunt. “Then why didn't you put an end to it? Why didn't you forbid all contact between them?”
“The damage, that is to say the little prince in the nursery, had already been done by the time I found out, Cadance. Besides, the love life of my sister is none of my concern.”
“HE'S MY HUSBAND!” Cadance had never raised her voice to Celestia and she nearly bit her tongue when the words passed her lips.
Celestia rolled her eyes as she crossed the room. “He's a stallion. You are not the first wife whose husband has strayed, I assure you.”
“How can you be so calm?” The tears came full force now. “How can you sit there and... and ignore all this. You're my aunt... you're practically my mother... you're supposed to protect me...”
Celestia's hoof struck her face with a slap that echoed in the dimly lit room.
Cadance gaped at the goddess. “You... you hit me...”
“I'm trying to knock some sense into you. For Equestria's sake girl; you are a princess, not some jilted maid. Kindly act like one.”
The dull ache in her cheek faded with the rage that boiled from Cadance's heart. “I should've seen this coming. Ever since she came back, you've put her before me. Now, even when she's stolen the stallion I love, you take her side.”
“There are no sides.” Celestia scoffed. "Shining Armor isn't going to leave you. In fact, now that Luna's deception has been revealed, he probably wants nothing more to do with her.”
“That doesn't change the fact that the trust in my husband is shattered and she still gets to raise his foal.” Cadance sniffed angrily and allowed her wings to lift her from the chair. She floated past her mentor and glided towards the door. “I have some thinking to do. Alone.”
Celestia nodded... but something still nagged at the back of her mind. “Cadance... how did you find out about the affair?”
She answered without turning back. “Brother Veritas told me. After some... persuasion.”
Not liking the tone in her niece's voice, Celestia blew out the room's candle and hurried for the passage that would lead her to the Archives of Truth.
Luna had never bothered to count how many years she'd been alive. She'd never deemed things like that important. For an immortal, time passed at such a rate that if one were to measure such things as days, months, and years, they'd simply go mad. In the most general of terms, Luna reasoned that she was at least two thousand years old. In those two thousand years, she had seen wondrous sights, met ponies who's echoes would last through eternity (even bedded a few of them), and watched an entire civilization come into being and grow.
All of that paled in comparison to the mewling bundle now held betwixt her hooves.
In all her studies, all her preparations, nothing had prepared her for the sheer wonder that came with birthing her first foal. To think, this perfect little prince had started as nothing more than a tiny cluster of cells. And now, months later, here he was. His drying fur was the same dark blue as her own, if maybe a tad darker. His mane was the same midnight blue her's had been at her youngest.
His eyes were the eyes of his father.
His father.
Something was missing from her perfect picture.
She looked up to find Shining Armor standing in the doorway, a look of utter condemnation on his face. “Shining Armor...”
“You lied to me.”
His tone cut through her like a knife, but she pressed on. She lifted the bundle in her magic to show him. “He is your son.”
Shining Armor took in the foal, took in the color of his eyes, and felt his reserve faltering. “My son...”
Luna nodded. “I'm sorry I lied. I simply thought...”
“Thought what, Luna?” Not anger, just simple confusion. “I asked you not to use me for this.”
“By the time you'd asked, he was conceived.”
“Then why didn't you tell me?”
The goddess began to sob and pulled the foal close again. “I didn't want to burden you. My love for you has already caused you so much grief and... and...”
Shining Armor gave her a pitying look. “Didn't you think I'd want to be a part of his life? To help raise him?” He recalled their words on their first night together. “We're both to blame here, remember? Neither one more than the other.” He crossed the room and looked down at the foal. “I just wish you would have told me. There's too many lies in this castle for there to be lies between us too.” He reached out a hoof and stroked the foal's mane. “He's beautiful.”
Luna wiped her eyes and nodded. “Yes. Dark and beautiful, like the night itself.”
“Have you named him?”
“One of my young friends in Ponyville gave me a name idea weeks ago; Moon Shadow.”
The Prince of Sinners nodded in resignation. “Morning Dew and Moon Shadow; the sons of Shining Armor.” He pulled away and made for the door again. “I have to see Cadance.” He paused a moment and looked back. “I'll be back soon.”
Luna watched him go, shaken by the certainty she'd felt when he was so near.
He was the missing part of her perfect picture.
For the first time in her long, long life... Princess Luna was truly in love.
Morning Dew was still snoring in his crib when Shining Armor entered the bed-chamber, completely oblivious to his mother packing a series of cases mere feet from him.
“Cadance? Can we talk?”
She didn't stop. “I'm a little busy at the moment.”
He noted her quick packing pace and started for the closet that held his cases and possessions. “That's alright. I'll help pack.”
“No need. You're not coming home.”
The cold, matter-of-fact tone in her voice made him freeze and he rounded on her. “What are you talking about? Of course I'm coming home.”
She latched the final case and faced him finally. Her initial mad rage was gone for the moment, replaced by a calm and resolute acceptance of things. “Shining Armor... I can't talk to you about this now. I can't process all this at once. The best thing for everypony is if I take Morning Dew back to the empire... alone.”
“And what about me?” The stallion demanded. “I don't want to stay here, Cadance. I want to be with you, with the foal... I want to come home.”
She shook her head. “I'm not sure I want you to come home just yet.”
Shining Armor lowered his head and stared at the floor in shame. “I know I betrayed your trust. I know I've hurt you more than I can ever understand...” He looked back to her, the faintest trace of tears in his eyes. “Please don't leave me.”
Cadance closed her eyes as though considering his plea. “Renounce her. Tell me you don't love her.”
Shining Armor opened his mouth to say those exact words... but his tongue was still. He closed his mouth and slumped his shoulders in resignation. “I can't... I won't lie to you anymore.”
Cadance nodded. “Then it's best you stay here while I go home and think.”
“...how long?”
“Until I send for you.”
“...so be it.”
The door opened and a guard poked his head in. “You majesty; your carriage is here.”
“Thank you.” She motioned to the pile of cases and the guard dutifully began piling them on his back. Cadance lifted Morning Dew from his crib and made to place him in the harness on her side.
“Can I see him? Before you go?”
She gave the slightest of nods and floated the snoozing foal over to him.
Shining Armor sat heavily and took the foal from mid-air as gently as he could manage. He took him in, trying to memorize every inch of him that he could. “I'm sorry, son.” He whispered. “Be good for your mother.”
Morning Dew twitched in his sleep and snuggled deeper into his father's embrace.
Shining Armor felt the magic pulling the foal from his arms and begrudgingly let his wife pull him from his grasp. He watched as she tucked him into the harness and made for the door.
Her cutie mark looked... different.
He wiped the tears from his eyes and tried to look again but she was already past him. “I'm sorry. I love you.” He called after her.
“Brother Veritas? I would speak to you.” Princess Celestia crossed the threshold into the Archives of Truth and scanned the interior for the hooded librarian. “I know that you and Cadance's relationship means a great deal, but I would have thought that you of all ponies would've had the sense... to...” She stopped as she realized that the dark pool before her wasn't a shadow.
It was a small pool of blood.
And next to it was the prone form of a pony in a tattered brown robe.
“Brother Veritas!” She rushed to him and knelt by his side. “Are you alright?”
The pony moaned in agony and coughed. “Forgive me, majesty... I tried...”
“I'll send for a doctor.” Her horn lit and fired a ball of brilliant, sun colored energy that flew out the door and sped back to the higher castle. “What happened?”
“I... I failed...”
“What?”
“All the ponies that wore the mantle of Brother Veritas before me... I failed them all. It has always been our responsibility to safeguard the truth from those who it would harm... and now Cadance... my sweet little Cady-did...” His body shook with a heavy series of sobs.
“Princess Cadance? She did this to you?”
Veritas loosed a wild cackle that chilled Celestia to her core. “No... no I'm afraid Princess Cadance is no more. It was Empress Cadance that did this to me...”
“Empress...? I don't understand.”
“I... I thought that if I buried the truth deep enough, that I could avert what is to come somehow. But the board set so many centuries ago is finally on the table... it's pieces are moving even as we speak...”
“What...?”
“'The Sons of Armor shall go to war; one born of loving light, the other of lusting dark.'” His body shook again. “The sons of Armor are born... the prophecy will soon be fulfilled.”
The implications of the final prophecy of Clover the Clever finally struck Celestia. “No. It... it can't be...” She looked in desperation at the shriveled pony at her hooves. “It must be a mistake.”
He ignored her. “I hid my knowledge as deep as I could... all the way to my very soul. I was sure she wouldn't be able to find it there.” He turned his head at last, revealing his bruised and cut face to the goddess of the sun.
She recoiled. “Sweet Equestria...” She whispered, unable to comprehend what her beloved niece had done.
“But she found it.” Veritas began to laugh again. “After all; the eyes are the window to the soul.” His insane laughter pelted off the ancient walls, amplifying it a hundred times. It sounded like the death knell of the world itself.
Celestia stared into the empty sockets where his eyes had once been, heard the the awful echo of his mad laughter... and bolted from the room.
Veritas' laughter followed her like the tolling bells of doom.
“It is said that passion may die and faithfulness endure, to which I reply: yes, and faithfulness may be accompanied by boredom and resentment, which may lead to deceit and infidelity, which may lead to vengeance. Passion’s sweep is predictable.”
-Benson Bruno
“How were your eggs?” Shining Armor asked, polishing off the last bite of his pancakes.
Luna swallowed the last bite of her breakfast and let out a contented sigh. “Exquisite.” She patted her cheeks with her napkin and looked over to her student, now entertaining the little Moon Shadow with minor magic tricks. “Thank you for distracting him Trixie; I can't remember the last time I was able to enjoy my breakfast in peace.”
Trixie smiled at her teacher. “It's nothing, majesty. It's a privilege for Trixie to entertain such a darling child.”
Shining Armor lifted the breakfast trays from the table and magically carried them over to the waiting cart. “Our compliments to the chef.”
The attendant nodded and rolled the cart down the hall.
Luna returned her attention to her foal and lifted him into the harness on her side. “It's late, my most faithful student. You should get to bed.”
Trixie bowed deeply. “As her majesty wishes.” A flash of light... and she was gone.
“That looked like my sister's winking spell.” Shining Armor remarked, impressed.
“It was the first thing she had me teach her.” Luna laughed and kissed Moon Shadow's tiny head. The foal gurgled happily and yawned. “Good, I was hoping he'd fall asleep early tonight.”
Shining Armor walked to her side and kissed the already dozing foal. “Better get that out of your system, little guy. If I know your mother, then I know she's going to have you up all night by her side.”
The parents walked together down the hall, each marveling at how quickly the past month had gone by. There had been nothing but silence from the Crystal Empire, but Celestia assured them that everything was going to be fine. She herself had been oddly distant over the past few weeks, but that was penciled up to ensuring the affair remained known only to a certain few in the castle walls and a few important dignitaries outside of it.
Their journey brought them to the moon-lit garden in the castle's grand courtyard. The night was alive with the sound of nocturnal life, of cricket song and cicada calls. They sat on the grass and let the cool air wash over them. Moon Shadow's tiny snores let them know he'd surrendered fully to dreamland.
It was Luna who broke the silence of their star-gazing. “Has there been any word?”
Shining Armor shook his head and sighed. “I send envoys everyday, but her attendants assure me that she's still meditating her decision.” He smiled at her and at the foal on her side. “All things considered... this has actually been kind of nice.”
She raised an eyebrow. “Really?”
He laughed. “I mean not having the burden of secrecy on me at all times. And just reflecting on how amazing it is that I'm the father of two perfect little foals.”
“...and that you have the love of two mares?”
Shining Armor's smile faltered and he looked away. “What are we going to do, Luna? This situation we're in... there's just no way to win, is there?”
“Maybe there is...”
“How? Let's say Cadance takes me back. Forgives me and let's bygones be bygones. She'll never let me come back here, not even to see Moon Shadow. She'll do whatever it takes to keep us apart.”
“Shining Armor...”
“And there's always the chance that she doesn't take me back. Bars me from the Crystal Empire... I never see her or Morning Dew again. I don't know if I could live with that.”
“Shining Armor, please listen...”
“I mean, I love you, Luna. I love you and Moon Shadow more than I can put into words, but I love Cadance and I...” Luna's lips against his silenced him at last. It was the first time she'd kissed him since the day their affair had come to light and he melted into it as he usually did. When at last they came apart, he looked at her with questioning eyes.
“Marry me.”
“...what?”
“Polygamy is frowned upon in this modern world, but not illegal. I love you, Shining Armor. I know that now. And I know that you love me. If we married, Cadance would have no choice but to allow you to live in both Canterlot and the Empire.”
Shining Armor thought about the idea. “Wouldn't that make things even more needlessly complicated?”
Luna laughed. “If anything, it would make them more simple. Our marriage would represent a permanent and stable alliance between the two kingdoms.”
“You're serious about this, aren't you?”
Luna only nodded.
Shining Armor considered the idea carefully. He was still new to royal politics, but Luna's point made sense. He recalled Busara the Wise, Luna's past zebra lover, and his idea of forging an alliance between Equestria and Zebora by making Luna one of his wives.
And he would be united with both the mares he loved.
But Cadance... Cadance would never go along with something like this.
But surely she would understand. It was the simplest way.
He opened his mouth to give his answer...
“Ahem.”
They both turned to find a purple alicorn landing just a few feet away. Still getting used to her wings, she carefully lighted on the grass and considered the pair with curious eyes. “I hope I'm not interrupting anything.”
“Twily! I haven't seen you since the coronation!” Shining Armor galloped to his sister's side and embraced her.
She returned the hug somewhat less tightly.
“I have matters to attend to. I shall leave you two.” Luna stood, bowed politely, and ascended into the sky.
Shining Armor watched her go and sighed. “I was hoping to introduce you to Moon Shadow. Luna says he's going to be smart like...”
Princess Twilight Sparkle struck him across the face with as much strength as she could muster.
To his credit, Shining Armor had been expecting the hit well enough that he at least didn't fall to the ground. He rubbed his sore jaw and looked at his younger sister. “I figured something like that was heading my way.”
“I have been running myself ragged introducing myself to all the heads of Equestria's allies, so much so that I don't even know what's going on in Ponyville right now.” Twilight seethed. “Imagine my surprise when word reaches me in Saddle Arabia that not only has Princess Luna given birth, but that the father is my own Celestia-blessed BROTHER!”
“If this is a lecture, you can save it. I already got enough of that from Mom.”
Twilight's jaw dropped. “You told Mom?”
“Of course. And aside from the circumstances, she's thrilled to death to have another grandson. Dad too.” Shining Armor raised his eyebrows in expectation. “Is there really anything you could tell me that she couldn't?”
Twilight swallowed the condemning lecture she'd been practicing all week and simply glared. “How could you do this to Cadance?”
Shining Armor huffed and started heading inside. “I couldn't expect you to understand.”
A flash of light and she was in front of him again. “Then explain it to me.”
Shining Armor snorted and pushed past her. “I don't need this, especially from my baby sister. I'm a grown stallion...”
Another flash and she was back in his face. “Exactly. You're a grown stallion... which is why it doesn't make any sense that you're acting like some frat-colt in the midst of heat season!”
“It's not like that!” He looked away. “At least... it isn't anymore...”
“But that's how it started, wasn't it? Had to sow those wild oats. I refuse to believe that Dad was as understanding as you're making him out to be.”
“You think Dad's never looked at another mare?!” Shining turned back to her and stared her down. “You think he's never thought about straying?!”
Twilight didn't back down an inch. “I know he has! He's a stallion! But I know that he's never acted on those urges!”
“You... you couldn't possibly understand! There was this... this pull around her. I couldn't control myself!”
Twilight rolled her eyes. “Couldn't you? Here I was thinking you were a somewhat intelligent pony, not some wild animal, a slave to your urges! Guess I was wrong.”
“I love her!” Shining Armor pushed his forehead against hers, his eyes blazing. “I love her and she loves me! And I do not regret that! Or my son!”
Twilight closed her eyes and sighed. “I used to look up to you, BBBFF. I never thought you could disappoint me like this.”
Shining Armor pulled himself back and willed himself to calm down. “The only thing I regret is keeping it a secret from Cadance. I should have told her when it started.”
“Yes. Yes you should have.”
The siblings stood in silence. It was Shining Armor who spoke first. “Traveling, huh?”
“Yup.”
“...been to the Crystal Empire lately?”
Twilight shook her head. “Cadance hasn't returned any of my letters either.” She watched the sadness in his eyes. “You do still love her, don't you?”
“Always.”
“And you love Luna.”
“Just as much.”
Twilight sighed again and put a hoof on his shoulder. “And I love you, big brother. No adultery's gonna change that. But please, in the future...” she gave him her most severe look. “...keep it in your sheathe.”
Shining Armor laughed and hugged her.
She returned the hug then looked at him with a smile. “Now, let's go meet my nephew.”
Shining Armor burst into the throne room to find Celestia and Luna already there. Captain Golden Haze and Trixie each stood by their respective mistress' side. Moon Shadow saw his father and gave a small cheer before starting to crawl towards him.
All eyes but the foal's were set on the large pink crystal currently floating in the room's center.
“When did it arrive?” Celestia asked the captain of the royal guard.
“Just a few minutes ago, highness. It flew in the window by itself.”
“What is it?” Trixie asked, scanning the object with her magic. “The Great and Powerful Trixie has never felt a magic like this.”
“It's a message crystal.” Luna said, worry hiding behind her eyes. “Ancient Crystal Pony magic. Our ambassadors used to send them as communiques.”
“I remember well.” Celestia approached the crystal. “We haven't had one in this chamber since Sombra seized the Crystal Empire.” With practiced ease, she lit her horn and touched it to the crystal.
A bright beam of light shot out from the crystal's top and formed into a cohesive shape; Cadance. The recording of her seemed to look down on the assemblage with cold detachment. “I have spent the past few weeks gathering myself and reviewing my options in this situation. I have consulted ancient texts and my wisest advisers... but in the end I must follow my heart.” The recording's eyes softened and almost seemed to fix on Shining Armor. “Shining Armor, my love... please, come home. I need you. Your son needs you. I know we can work this out together. I know, in time, I will come to trust you again.”
Shining Armor's face broke into an excited grin and he looked to Princess Celestia.
She nodded. “Captain Haze, please help the prince gather his belongings.”
“Yes ma'am.”
Moon Shadow saw his father galloping from the room and began to cry lustily after him.
Luna watched her love leave the chamber with the captain and started to call out.
“Luna, don't. You knew how this had to end.”
Luna knew her sister was right, and the call went unsent.
“Um... majesties?” Trixie drew their attention back to the recording. It had not faded...
…but the look of love on Cadance's face had.
“If I know my husband, then I know he's left the room by now. This next part is for you alone, Aunt Celestia.” The image of Cadance drew to her full height and again looked down on the assembled ponies. “While I have found room in my heart to forgive Shining Armor, there is sadly no room for his fellow conspirator in this little affair. For things to be set right, for all of us to move on, then punishment must fall on Princess Luna.”
Luna and Trixie gasped.
Celestia merely waited.
“I have considered all the appropriate punishments, and there seems to be only one that fits the committed crime; I demand that Princess Luna be once more banished to the moon.”
“What?!” Luna cried, staring in disbelief at the image.
“I know that Princess Luna will obviously disagree with this course of action, but she can take some solace in the fact that I do not demand a further one thousand years of imprisonment.” The image of Cadance seemed to relish the taste of the next words. “I simply demand that she be sealed within the moon until the death of Shining Armor.”
Silence fell as the implications of the demand became clear.
“As to Princess Luna's foal, my husband and I will be more than happy to raise him alongside his brother.”
Rage began to fill Luna's heart and her eyes lit with power. “Who is she to demand such things?! To say such things about my son!”
Still Celestia was silent.
“If these demands are not met, then I am afraid drastic action must be taken. Specifically; if Princess Luna is not returned to the moon, if her transgression remains unpunished, then I will have no choice but to declare the Crystal Empire sovereign from greater Equestria.”
Silence fell again as the image faded. The crystal vibrated and shattered in a hail of broken stones and crashed to the carpeted floor like a rain of precious gems.
Celestia looked upon the pieces and eyed her reflection. She gathered her thoughts and faced her sister.
Luna's power had faded and she too stared at the tiny pieces of crystal in disbelief. She looked to her sister. “'Tia...”
“Luna, be silent.”
Celestia's words sounded like a death sentence. Luna grabbed her bawling foal with her magic and brought him close.
“Luna, your actions have brought the threat of secession and the possibility of war to this land and all the ponies that live in it. Your selfishness has not only cost Brother Veritas his sight, but now could cost all of Equestria so much more.” Her eyes lit with her inner power and her wings lifted her above the ground. She looked down at her younger sister without a single emotion. “I have been given the chance to keep the peace... and all I have to do is sacrifice your freedom for less than a century. My choice is clear.”
Tears poured from Luna's eyes and she held her precious foal close against her. She closed her eyes and waited for the familiar cold, for the crushing vacuum...
“Trixie. Send word to all our allies; the Crystal Empire is no longer a part of Equestria.”
Luna's eyes shot open and she stared in shock as her sister returned to the ground, here eyes no longer glowing. Even Moon Shadow stopped crying.
Celestia started towards her throne, the bits of crystal crunching beneath her hooves. “I will not be ordered around by a heart-broken upstart empress that only has a throne to issue orders from because I placed her upon it. If Cadance wants to play politics, we shall indulge her.” She sat heavily and looked down. “In addition to sending word, have parliament begin drafting trade agreements and preparing travel visas and passports for all who wish to travel to and from the Crystal Empire. Inform the commanders to begin establishing patrols and checkpoints along our borders with the Empire. Prepare a selection of ambassadors and have the Royal Corps of Engineers begin designing our embassy.” She looked at the carpet. “And have the servants clean this mess up.”
Trixie bowed deeply, offered her mistress and teacher a smile, and vanished in a flash of light.
Luna stared at her sister and bowed herself. “Sister... thank you.”
Celestia returned the bow. “You are my sister, Luna. I will not lose you again.” She looked towards the great door. “You can come back in now.”
Luna spun as Shining Armor re-entered the room and walked to her side. “How much...?”
“All of it.” He answered. “Cadance has gone too far, but... maybe I can talk some sense into her.”
Celestia appraised him. “Once Cadance learns of my decision, she will surely bar you from crossing the border ever again once you've returned home.”
Shining Armor smiled at Luna and the foal clutched to her chest. “The way Luna tells it, there's a way around that.”
Luna returned the smile and looked to her sister. “If Shining Armor and I were to be wed, he would become prince regent of both kingdoms. He would be free to come and go as he pleased.”
Celestia gaped. “That... that's an old law, Luna. It hasn't been considered in centuries.”
“But it was never abolished, was it?”
“...no.”
“And Cadance could not object. She would certainly not risk open warfare by holding him hostage.”
“...couldn't she just divorce me?” Shining Armor asked.
“She won't.” Celestia was now seriously considering the idea. “She still loves you, otherwise she would not have made such a demand as secession. She will be angry... but her hooves will be tied.” She looked at the pair. “And perhaps, in time, she will come to accept it.”
Luna looked at her love. “You will be the bridge between our kingdoms. Your life will be the bond that keeps us together. Will you accept such a heavy burden?”
He kissed her. “I will.”
“It's settled then.” Celestia bowed her head. “As princess of Equestria, I declare you mare and colt. May your love persevere and may this not be a terrible decision.”
“What, no big wedding ceremony?” Shining Armor joked.
A withering stare from both princesses made him shrink.
“Return to the Empire, Shining Armor. As you now need a royal escort, take Golden Haze with you. She'll defend you should Cadance take this news... badly.”
Shining Armor knelt to Celestia, kissed his new wife, lay a hoof on his now calm son's head, and ran out the door once again.
Luna watched him go and returned her attention to her sister. “Celestia, again; thank you.” She said as she headed up the stairs.
“I love you, Luna. And I am happy that you've found a stallion who makes you so happy. I am a bit disheartened, however, that it took you tearing the kingdom in half to do it.”
The ancient sisters laughed and embraced.
“Go.” Celestia shooed her. “Send your husband off happy.”
Luna nodded and flew off, her foal tight in her hooves.
When she was gone, when the throne room was again empty except for her, Celestia finally let her resolve slip. She collapsed from the throne and hit the ground. Her crown fell from her head and clattered down the stairs.
She began to weep.
She wept for her niece, now a twisted shell of her former self.
She wept for her ponies, for the days that were coming that they had done nothing to deserve.
And she wept for Equestria, for her beloved land she had done so much to protect... and now, in the name of love, had so utterly failed.
“In the space between chaos and shape there was another chance.”
-Jeanette Winterson
She relished these precious moments, the last minutes before she rose the sun. These magic minutes before the night faded into day. They calmed her, allowed her to center herself. And after a day like yesterday had been, Celestia most definitely needed to center herself.
She breathed in the crisp air and looked down from her tower at the city of Canterlot below her. As soon as she raised the sun, the ponies there would rise and begin their day. They would go to work and school, they would live their lives...
…and they would learn the news of the Crystal Empire's secession.
The events returned to her and she felt the crushing despair looming once more. She closed her eyes and sought to center herself once again. She tempered her breathing, focused on a peaceful stream in springtime...
“Heavy is the head that wears the crown, eh Celestia?”
The voice of the Lord of Chaos broke her concentration. With an annoyed groan, she opened her eyes to find him floating beside her. “What do you want Discord? It's too early for your nonsense.”
The draconequus nodded and popped his neck. “Early indeed. At least you slept, troubled sleep it might have been. I was up all night pondering the day's events.”
“I had a feeling there was someone else in that room.”
Discord laughed and leaned over the balcony. “Don't worry, I left after you had your little breakdown. I hate seeing such misery. It's... well, it's no fun.”
“I foresee a great deal more misery in the days to come.”
Discord sighed. “As do I. And that's why I'm leaving.”
Celestia did a double take. “What was that?”
“Leaving. Departing. Going away. Flying the proverbial coop.” His hand detached and flapped away like a bird before popping back into place in a flash of light.
“But you can't leave the castle! I forbid it! There's no telling what you'll get up to out there.”
“You misunderstand.” He chuckled. “I'm not leaving Canterlot. I'm leaving Equestria entirely.”
“But... but how?”
Discord snapped his fingers and a map of stars appeared before Celestia's eyes. “I am not of this world, Celestia. I was not born, I simply... arrived. Much as you and your sister did. The difference is that I am much older than you two and as such I remember what I am.”
Celestia observed the map. “And what exactly are you?”
“Chaos, dear lady. And chaos wanders. Chaos is random. Chaos goes from place to place, planet to planet, galaxy to galaxy... dimension to dimension.”
The stars began to whirl around Celestia.
“I pop into a world, take a form and a name, stick around for a few millenia, and depart. Such is the way of chaos.”
The stars faded. Celestia shook her head to clear it of dizziness and stared at the composite creature. “If that's all true... then how old are you, really?”
Discord shrugged. “Time loses it's meaning when you reach a certain point. I have already taken on hundreds of thousands of names... and I know deep down that my journey is not even a quarter finished.”
Celestia stared at him with wide eyes. “Then... then what are you?”
“In the easiest of terms, I could be called a 'god.' But then, so are you, my little pony. But you are young. You have many lives yet to live. Especially since your days in this particular world are numbered.”
“What?”
He reached out almost as though to caress her flowing mane... and plucked out a single hair. He held it up for her to see.
Before she could reprimand him, the hair struck her dumb.
It was gray.
“I... I...”
“You're aging, Celestia. Old Clover's prophecy is coming true.”
“...the Twilight of the Gods...”
A snap of his fingers and he was standing before a chalkboard, a graduate's cap on his head and thick glasses over his eyes. He pointed at a crudely drawn chalk image of herself. “You are a young goddess, Celestia, and so you cannot move between worlds freely yet. Your current form must age and die before your astral form can move on.” The chalk Celestia withered and wrinkled with age before keeling over with large X's over her eyes. “Once that happens, you and your sister will travel to the next world. You'll take new forms, new names... And all of this will be as though it were a dream.”
Celestia stared at the drawing. “How long will it go on?”
Discord shrugged as the chalkboard, cap, and glasses vanished in a flash of light. “I'd wager forever. Eventually, however, when you get to be my age, you'll remember your lives.” He sighed and, for the first time, Celestia saw regret cross his face. “Believe me, Celestia. You will long for the days that you did not remember.”
“So why are you leaving?”
The regret vanished and Discord rose above her head. “As I said, things aren't fun anymore. Too serious... and they're going to get more serious before the end.”
“Then we need you. Now more than ever! I had you released in case of a situation just like this.”
“You are making this situation chaotic enough without my help, Celestia.” He grinned down at her, his head resting on his hands. “Explain to me again how letting Luna and Shining Armor get married is going to make things better and not worse?”
Celestia flushed with anger. “And the alternative? Banishing my sister once again and surrendering her foal to Cadance? Would that have been better?”
Discord shrugged. “I don't know the future, Celestia. But old Clover did. Heed her words, if you are wise.”
Celestia scoffed and turned away. “Run away then. Go on to your next life. Pretend we won't need your help.”
He was silent for a moment. “I won't apologize, not for my actions and not for fleeing. But I will leave you with a gift.” He appeared before her and held out his claw. “Think of your greatest regret, Celestia. Imagine your greatest failure... but also your greatest victory. Think of the one moment in time that, had you acted differently, would have made things better. And, even knowing that, you wouldn't change a thing.”
Celestia concentrated. She thought of her sins, her regrets, her failures. She remembered the ponies she'd hurt, the ponies she'd ignored. She thought of the way things were going and their inevitable conclusion.
One word rang true.
“Eden...” she whispered, a tear in her eye.
A shining apple of pure gold appeared in Discord's claw. “It is done.”
“What is it?”
“Chaos, my sweet princess. Pure chaos. Anypony who takes a bite from this apple will be imbued with all my powers.” He let her magic take it and smiled crookedly. “Guard it well, and may it be your last resort should things get too... heavy.” He began to rise into the air, looking around at Equestria one last time. “I had fun in this world, millennium trapped in stone no-withstanding, of course. I will miss it terribly.”
She tore her gaze away from the apple and looked up at him. “Where will you go now?”
He shrugged. “Haven't the foggiest. Wherever I end up, whoever I end up being, I just hope I'm a little more low key. It's hard being this crazy all the time.” He laughed and began to fade.
“How do I know this isn't a trick? That all this hasn't been some grand lie?”
He laughed again. “You mean besides the start of your old hag hair? Fine, a final parting tid-bit. Now that you and Luna are aging, you've each lost something hugely important.”
“And what's that?” She called up to him.
He vanished, but his final whisper rang in her ears as though he was standing right next to her.
“Your purpose.”
She didn't understand... until she looked at the horizon. There, peeking just out of view, was the sun.
It was rising without her.
Celestia, her mind nearly broken, looked from the golden apple floating before her, to the gray hair on the ground, and finally back to the rising sun.
For the first time in her life, Celestia felt... old.
In Equestria, the moon sank and the sun rose, all on their own.
The goddess of the night took to her bed with her foal by her side, happier than she could ever remember.
The twice crowned prince dozed on the train back home, both worried and elated at what the future held.
The Crystal Empress watched the sun rise from her throne, preparing herself for her first day as a true ruler.
And the goddess of the sun, her world-view both enlarged and shattered at the same time, adjusted her crown, steeled herself, and carried the apple into the castle.
Immortal goddess or not, she was going to do whatever it took to defend the land while it was still hers to defend.
“Look to the skies, for the true rulers fall from the heavens. The land they strike shall be their fortress, time will bow to their every whim, and they shall rule until the Twilight of the Gods.”
“The sons of Armor shall go to war; one born of loving light, the other of lusting dark. The Apple is the object of their desire… and over it shall Equestria be plunged into darkness for all time.”
